[Title 50 CFR ]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 2023 Edition]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page i]]

          

                              Title 50

                         Wildlife and Fisheries


                        ________________________

                          Part 660 to End

                         Revised as of October 1, 2023

          Containing a codification of documents of general 
          applicability and future effect

          As of October 1, 2023
                    Published by the Office of the Federal Register 
                    National Archives and Records Administration as a 
                    Special Edition of the Federal Register

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                            Table of Contents



                                                                    Page
  Explanation.................................................       v

  Title 50:
          Chapter VI--Fishery Conservation and Management, 
          National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
          Department of Commerce (Continued)                         3
  Finding Aids:
      Table of CFR Titles and Chapters........................    1153
      Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR......    1173
      List of CFR Sections Affected...........................    1183

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

                     Cite this Code: CFR
                     To cite the regulations in 
                       this volume use title, 
                       part and section number. 
                       Thus, 50 CFR 660.1 refers 
                       to title 50, part 660, 
                       section 1.

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

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                               EXPLANATION

    The Code of Federal Regulations is a codification of the general and 
permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Code is divided 
into 50 titles which represent broad areas subject to Federal 
regulation. Each title is divided into chapters which usually bear the 
name of the issuing agency. Each chapter is further subdivided into 
parts covering specific regulatory areas.
    Each volume of the Code is revised at least once each calendar year 
and issued on a quarterly basis approximately as follows:

Title 1 through Title 16.................................as of January 1
Title 17 through Title 27..................................as of April 1
Title 28 through Title 41...................................as of July 1
Title 42 through Title 50................................as of October 1

    The appropriate revision date is printed on the cover of each 
volume.

LEGAL STATUS

    The contents of the Federal Register are required to be judicially 
noticed (44 U.S.C. 1507). The Code of Federal Regulations is prima facie 
evidence of the text of the original documents (44 U.S.C. 1510).

HOW TO USE THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

    The Code of Federal Regulations is kept up to date by the individual 
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    To determine whether a Code volume has been amended since its 
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OMB CONTROL NUMBERS

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Federal agencies to display an OMB control number with their information 
collection request.

[[Page vi]]

Many agencies have begun publishing numerous OMB control numbers as 
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PAST PROVISIONS OF THE CODE

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that volume.

[[Page vii]]

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    Oliver A. Potts,
    Director,
    Office of the Federal Register
    October 1, 2023







[[Page ix]]



                               THIS TITLE

    Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries is composed of thirteen volumes. 
The parts in these volumes are arranged in the following order: Parts 1-
16; part 17 (17.1 to 17.95(a)), part 17 (17.95(b)), part 17 (17.95(c) to 
(e)), part 17 (17.95(f) to end of 17.95), part 17 (17.96 to 17.98), part 
17 (17.99(a) to (h)), part 17 (17.99(i) to end of part 17), parts 18-
199, parts 200-227, parts 228-599, parts 600-659, and part 660 to end. 
The first nine volumes consist of parts 1-16, part 17 (17.1 to 
17.95(a)), part 17 (17.95(b)), part 17 (17.95(c) to (e)), part 17 
(17.95(f) to end of 17.95), part 17 (17.96 to 17.98), part 17 (17.99(a) 
to 17.99(h)), part 17 (17.99(i) to end of part 17), and parts 18-199 and 
contain the current regulations issued under chapter I--United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. The tenth volume 
(parts 200-227) contains the current regulations issued under chapter 
II--National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Department of Commerce. The eleventh volume (parts 228-
599) contains the remaining current regulations issued under chapter 
II--National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Department of Commerce; and the current regulations 
issued under chapter III--International Fishing and Related Activities; 
chapter IV--Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Department of the Interior and National Marine Fisheries Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
Commerce); Endangered Species Committee regulations; and chapter V--
Marine Mammal Commission. The twelfth and thirteenth volumes (parts 600-
659 and part 660 to end) contain the current regulations issued under 
chapter VI--Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. The contents of 
these volumes represent all current regulations codified under this 
title of the CFR as of October 1, 2023.

    Alphabetical listings of endangered and threatened wildlife and 
plants appear in Sec. Sec.  17.11 and 17.12.

    The OMB control numbers for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration appear in 15 CFR 902.1.

    For this volume, Christine Aurigema was Chief Editor. The Code of 
Federal Regulations publication program is under the direction of John 
Hyrum Martinez, assisted by Stephen J. Frattini.

[[Page 1]]



                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES




                  (This book contains part 660 to end)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Part

chapter vi--Fishery Conservation and Management, National 
  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
  Commerce (Continued)......................................         660

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 CHAPTER VI--FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
     ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (CONTINUED)




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


  Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to chapter VI appear at 69 FR 
53361, 53362, Sept. 1, 2004.
Part                                                                Page
660             Fisheries off West Coast States.............           5
665             Fisheries in the Western Pacific............         413
679             Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off 
                    Alaska..................................         517
680             Shellfish fisheries of the Exclusive 
                    Economic Zone off Alaska................        1018
697             Atlantic coastal fisheries cooperative 
                    management..............................        1100
698-699

[Reserved]

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PART 660_FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
660.1 Purpose and scope.
660.2 Relation to other laws.
660.3 Reporting and recordkeeping.
660.4 Usual and accustomed fishing areas for Pacific Coast treaty Indian 
          tribes.

                 Subpart B_All West Coast EEZ Fisheries

660.5 Shared Ecosystem Component Species.
660.6 Prohibitions.

                Subpart C_West Coast Groundfish Fisheries

660.10 Purpose and scope.
660.11 General definitions.
660.12 General groundfish prohibitions.
660.13 Recordkeeping and reporting.
660.14 Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements.
660.15 Equipment requirements.
660.16 Groundfish observer program.
660.17 Catch monitor program.
660.18 Observer and catch monitor provider permits and endorsements.
660.19 Appeals process for catch monitors, observers, and provider 
          permits.
660.20 Vessel and gear identification.
660.21 Seabird Avoidance Program.
660.24 Limited entry and open access fisheries
660.25 Permits.
660.30 Compensation with fish for collecting resource information--EFPs.
660.40 Rebuilding plans.
660.50 Pacific coast treaty Indian fisheries.
660.55 Allocations.
660.60 Specifications and management measures.
660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications.
660.70 Groundfish conservation areas.
660.71 L ofatitude/longitude coordinates defining the 10-fm (18-m) 
          through 40-fm (73-m) depth contours.
660.72 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 50 fm (91 m) through 
          75 fm (137 m) depth contours.
660.73 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 100 fm (183 m) 
          through 150 fm (274 m) depth contours.
660.74 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 180 fm (329 m) 
          through 250 fm (457 m) depth contours.
660.75 Essential Fish Habitat (EFH).
660.76 Coastwide EFHCAs.
660.77 EFHCAs off the Coast of Washington.
660.78 EFHCAs off the Coast of Oregon.
660.79 EFHCAs off the Coast of California.

Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C--2023, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, 
          ACT and Fishery HG
Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C--2023, Allocations by Species or Species 
          Group
Table 1c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N Lat. 
          Allocations, 2023
Table 1d to Part 660, Subpart C--Whiting and non-whiting initial 
          issuance allocation percentage for IFQ decided through the 
          harvest specifications, 2011
Table 2a to Part 660, Subpart C--2024, and Beyond, Specifications of 
          OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines
Table 2b to Part 660, Subpart C--2024, and Beyond, Allocations by 
          Species or Species Group
Table 2c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N. Lat. 
          Allocations, 2024 and Beyond
Table 3 to Part 660, Subpart C--Vessel Capacity Ratings for West Coast 
          Groundfish Limited Entry Permits

      Subpart D_West Coast Groundfish_Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries

660.100 Purpose and scope.
660.111 Trawl fishery--definitions.
660.112 Trawl fishery--prohibitions.
660.113 Trawl fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.
660.114 Trawl fishery--economic data collection program.
660.115 Trawl fishery--cost recovery program.
660.120 Trawl fishery--crossover provisions.
660.130 Trawl fishery--management measures.
660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures.
660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program.
660.150 Mothership (MS) Co-op Program.
660.160 Catcher/processor (C/P) Coop Program.

Table 1 (North) to Part 660, Subpart D--Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish 
          Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ Species 
          and Pacific Whiting North of 40[deg]10[min] N Lat.
Table 1 (South) to Part 660, Subpart D--Limited Entry Trawl Rockfish 
          Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for non-IFQ Species 
          and Pacific Whiting South of 40[deg]10[min] N Lat.
Figure 1 to Part 660, Subpart D--Diagram of Selective Flatfish Trawl

   Subpart E_West Coast Groundfish_Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries

660.210 Purpose and scope.
660.211 Fixed gear fishery--definitions.
660.212 Fixed gear fishery--prohibitions.
660.213 Fixed gear fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.
660.216 Fixed gear fishery--observer requirements.

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660.219 Fixed gear identification and marking.
660.220 Fixed gear fishery--crossover provisions.
660.230 Fixed gear fishery--management measures.
660.231 Limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary fishery.
660.232 Limited entry daily trip limit (DTL) fishery for sablefish.

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[min] N. lat.
Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation 
          Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South of 
          40[deg]10[min] N. lat.

          Subpart F_West Coast Groundfish_Open Access Fisheries

660.310 Purpose and scope.
660.311 Open access fishery--definitions.
660.312 Open access fishery--prohibitions.
660.313 Open access fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.
660.316 Open access fishery--observer requirements.
660.319 Open access fishery gear identification and marking.
660.320 Open access fishery--crossover provisions.
660.330 Open access fishery--management measures.
660.332 Open access daily trip limit (DTL) fishery for sablefish.
660.333 Open access non-groundfish trawl fishery--management measures.

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[min] N. lat.
Table 3 (South) to Part 660, Subpart F--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation 
          Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears South of 
          40[deg]10[min] N. lat.

         Subpart G_West Coast Groundfish_Recreational Fisheries

660.350 Purpose and scope.
660.351 Recreational fishery--definitions.
660.352 Recreational fishery--prohibitions.
660.353 Recreational fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.
660.360 Recreational fishery--management measures.

                  Subpart H_West Coast Salmon Fisheries

660.401 Purpose and scope.
660.402 Definitions.
660.403 Relation to other laws.
660.404 Recordkeeping and reporting.
660.405 Prohibitions.
660.406 Exempted fishing.
660.407 Treaty Indian fishing.
660.408 Annual actions.
660.409 Inseason actions.
660.410 Conservation objectives, ACLs, and de minimis control rules.
660.411 Notification and publication procedures.
660.412 EFH identifications and descriptions for Pacific salmon.
660.413 Overfished species rebuilding plans.

Table 1 to Subpart H of Part 660--Pacific Salmon EFH Identified by USGS 
          Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC)

                  Subpart I_Coastal Pelagics Fisheries

660.501 Purpose and scope.
660.502 Definitions.
660.503 Management subareas.
660.504 Vessel identification.
660.505 Prohibitions.
660.506 Gear restrictions.
660.507 Closed areas to reduction fishing.
660.508 Annual specifications.
660.509 Accountability measures (season closures).
660.510 Fishing seasons.
660.511 Catch restrictions.
660.512 Limited entry fishery.
660.513 Permit conditions.
660.514 Transferability.
660.515 Renewal of limited entry permits.
660.516 Exempted fishing.
660.517 Framework for revising regulations.
660.518 Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Rights.
660.519 Scientific observers.
660.520 Reporting requirements.

Figure 1 to Subpart I of Part 660--Existing California Area Closures

      Subpart J_West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program

660.600 Applicability.
660.601 Definitions.
660.602 Prohibitions.
660.603 Electronic monitoring provider permits and responsibilities.
660.604 Vessel and first receiver responsibilities.

                  Subpart K_Highly Migratory Fisheries

660.701 Purpose and scope.
660.702 Definitions.
660.703 Management area.
660.704 Vessel identification.
660.705 Prohibitions.
660.706 Pacific Coast Treaty Indian rights.
660.707 Permits.
660.708 Reporting and recordkeeping.
660.709 Annual specifications.
660.710 Closure of directed fishery.
660.711 General catch restrictions.
660.712 Longline fishery.

[[Page 7]]

660.713 Drift gillnet fishery.
660.714 Purse seine fishery. [Reserved]
660.715 Deep-set buoy gear fishery.
660.716 [Reserved]
660.717 Framework for revising regulations.
660.718 Exempted fishing.
660.719 Scientific observers.
660.720 Interim protection for sea turtles.
660.721 Recreational fishing bag limits and filleting requirements.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16 
U.S.C. 7001 et seq.

    Source: 61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 660 appear at 67 FR 
65906, Oct. 29, 2002.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 660.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The regulations in this part govern fishing activity by vessels 
of the United States that fish or support fishing inside the outer 
boundary of the EEZ off the states of Washington, Oregon, and 
California.
    (b) General regulations governing fishing by all vessels of the 
United States and by fishing vessels other than vessels of the United 
States are contained in part 600 of this chapter.
    (c) Regulations governing the harvest, possession, landing, 
purchase, and sale of shark fins are found at part 600, subpart N, of 
this chapter.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 69 
FR 53362, Sept. 1, 2004; 71 FR 17989, Apr. 10, 2006; 81 FR 19057, Apr. 
4, 2016]



Sec. 660.2  Relation to other laws.

    (a) NMFS recognizes that any state law pertaining to vessels 
registered under the laws of that state while operating in the fisheries 
regulated under this part, and that is consistent with this part and the 
FMPs implemented by this part, shall continue in effect with respect to 
fishing activities regulated under this part.
    (b) Fishing activities addressed by this Part may also be subject to 
regulation under 15 CFR part 922, subpart G, if conducted in the Channel 
Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
    (c) Fishing activities on the high seas are governed by regulations 
of the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act set forth in 50 CFR part 300, 
subparts A and R.

[72 FR 29235, May 24, 2007, as amended at 80 FR 62501, Oct. 16, 2015; 81 
FR 51138, Aug. 3, 2016]



Sec. 660.3  Reporting and recordkeeping.

    Any person who is required to do so by applicable state law or 
regulation must make and/or file all reports of management unit species 
landings containing all data and in the exact manner required by 
applicable state law or regulation.

[71 FR 17989, Apr. 10, 2006]



Sec. 660.4  Usual and accustomed fishing areas for Pacific
Coast treaty Indian tribes.

    (a) The Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes' usual and accustomed 
(U&A) fishing areas within the EEZ are set out below in paragraphs 
(a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section. Boundaries of a tribe's fishing 
area may be revised as ordered by a Federal court.
    (1) Makah. The area north of 48[deg]02.25[min] N. lat. (Norwegian 
Memorial) and east of 125[deg]44[min] W. long.
    (2) Quileute. The area commencing at Cape Alava, located at 
48[deg]10[min]00[sec] N lat., 124[deg]43[min]56.9[sec] W long.; then 
proceeding west approximately forty nautical miles at that latitude to a 
northwestern point located at 48[deg]10[min]00[sec] N lat., 
125[deg]44[min]00[sec] W long.; then proceeding in a southeasterly 
direction mirroring the coastline at a distance no farther than forty 
nautical miles from the mainland Pacific coast shoreline at any line of 
latitude, to a southwestern point at 47[deg]31[min]42[sec] N lat., 
125[deg]20[min]26[sec] W long.; then proceeding east along that line of 
latitude to the Pacific coast shoreline at 47[deg]31[min]42[sec] N lat., 
124[deg]21[min]9.0[sec] W long.
    (3) Hoh. The area between 47[deg]54.30[min] N. lat. (Quillayute 
River) and 47[deg]21.00[min] N. lat. (Quinault River) and east of 
125[deg]44.00[min] W. long.
    (4) Quinault. The area commencing at the Pacific coast shoreline 
near Destruction Island, located at 47[deg]40[min]06[sec] N lat., 
124[deg]23[min]51.362[sec] W long.; then proceeding west approximately 
thirty nautical miles at that latitude to a northwestern point located 
at 47[deg]40[min]06[sec] N lat., 125[deg]08[min]30[sec] W long.; then 
proceeding in a southeasterly direction mirroring the

[[Page 8]]

coastline no farther than thirty nautical miles from the mainland 
Pacific coast shoreline at any line of latitude, to a southwestern point 
at 46[deg]53[min]18[sec] N lat., 124[deg]53[min]53[sec] W long.; then 
proceeding east along that line of latitude to the Pacific coast 
shoreline at 46[deg]53[min]18[sec] N lat., 124[deg]7[min]36.6[sec] W 
long.
    (b) [Reserved]

[81 FR 36807, June 8, 2016, as amended at 83 FR 53828, Oct. 25, 2018]



                 Subpart B_All West Coast EEZ Fisheries

    Source: 81 FR 19057, Apr. 4, 2016, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.5  Shared Ecosystem Component Species.

    (a) General. The FMPs implemented in this part 660 each contain 
ecosystem component species specific to each FMP, as well as a group of 
ecosystem component species shared between all of the FMPs. Ecosystem 
component species shared between all of the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council's FMPs, and known collectively as ``Shared EC Species,'' are:
    (1) Round herring (Etrumeus teres) and thread herring (Ophisthonema 
libertate and O. medirastre).
    (2) Mesopelagic fishes of the families Myctophidae, Bathylagidae, 
Paralepididae, and Gonostomatidae.
    (3) Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus).
    (4) Pacific saury (Cololabis saira).
    (5) Silversides (family Atherinopsidae).
    (6) Smelts of the family Osmeridae.
    (7) Pelagic squids (families: Cranchiidae, Gonatidae, 
Histioteuthidae, Octopoteuthidae, Ommastrephidae except Humboldt squid 
[Dosidicus gigas,] Onychoteuthidae, and Thysanoteuthidae).
    (b) Directed commercial fishing for Shared EC Species. For the 
purposes of this section, ``directed commercial fishing'' means that a 
fishing vessel lands Shared EC Species without landing any species other 
than Shared EC Species, or lands Shared EC Species with other species 
and in amounts more than:
    (1) 10 mt combined weight of all Shared EC Species from any fishing 
trip; or
    (2) 30 mt combined weight of all Shared EC Species in any calendar 
year.



Sec. 660.6  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, and the other prohibitions specified in this part, it 
is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Directed commercial fishing. Engage in directed commercial 
fishing for Shared EC Species from a vessel engaged in commercial 
fishing within the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, or California. This 
prohibition does not apply to:
    (1) Fishing authorized by the Hoh, Makah, or Quileute Indian Tribes, 
or by the Quinault Indian Nation, or
    (2) Fishing trips conducted entirely within state marine waters.
    (b) At-sea processing. At-sea processing of Shared EC Species is 
prohibited within the EEZ, except while processing groundfish in 
accordance with subpart D of this part.



                Subpart C_West Coast Groundfish Fisheries

    Source: 75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.10  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Subparts C through G of this part implement the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP) developed by the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council. Subparts C through G govern fishing vessels 
of the U.S. in the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and 
California. All weights are in round weight or round-weight equivalents, 
unless specified otherwise.
    (b) Any person fishing subject to subparts C through G of this part 
is bound by the international boundaries described in this section, 
notwithstanding any dispute or negotiation between the U.S. and any 
neighboring country regarding their respective jurisdictions, until such 
time as new boundaries are established or recognized by the U.S.

[[Page 9]]



Sec. 660.11  General definitions.

    These definitions are specific to the fisheries covered in subparts 
C through G of this part.
    Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) means a harvest specification that 
is set below the overfishing limit to account for scientific uncertainty 
in the estimate of OFL, and other scientific uncertainty.
    Active sampling unit means the portion of the groundfish fleet in 
which an observer coverage plan is being applied.
    Address of Record means the business address a person has provided 
to NMFS for NMFS use in providing notice of agency actions and other 
business with that person.
    Allocation. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Annual Catch Limit (ACL) is a harvest specification set equal to or 
below the ABC threshold in consideration of conservation objectives, 
socioeconomic concerns, management uncertainty and other factors. The 
ACL is a harvest limit that includes all sources of fishing-related 
mortality including landings, discard mortality, research catches, and 
catches in exempted fishing permit activities. Sector-specific annual 
catch limits can be specified, especially in cases where a sector has a 
formal, long-term allocation of the harvestable surplus of a stock or 
stock complex.
    Annual Catch Target (ACT) is a management target set below the 
annual catch limit and may be used as an accountability measure in cases 
where there is great uncertainty in inseason catch monitoring to ensure 
against exceeding an annual catch limit. Since the annual catch target 
is a target and not a limit it can be used in lieu of harvest guidelines 
or strategically to accomplish other management objectives. Sector-
specific annual catch targets can also be specified to accomplish 
management objectives.
    Base permit means a sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit 
described at Sec. 660.25(b)(3)(i), subpart C, registered for use with a 
vessel that meets the permit length endorsement requirements appropriate 
to that vessel, as described at Sec. 660.25(b)(3)(iii), subpart C.
    Biennial fishing period means a 24-month period beginning at 0001 
local time on January 1 and ending at 2400 local time on December 31 of 
the subsequent year.
    B MSY means the biomass level that produces maximum sustainable 
yield (MSY), as stated in the PCGFMP at Section 4.3.
    Calendar day means the day beginning at 0001 hours local time and 
continuing for 24 consecutive hours.
    Calendar year. (see ``fishing year'')
    Catch, take, harvest. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Catch monitor means an individual that is certified by NMFS, is 
deployed to a first receiver, and whose primary duties include: 
monitoring and verification of the sorting of fish relative to Federal 
requirements defined in Sec. 660.60(h)(6); documentation of the 
weighing of such fish relative to the requirements of Sec. 660.13(b); 
and verification of first receivers' reporting relative to the 
requirements defined in Sec. 660.113(b)(4).
    Catch Monitor Program or Catch Monitor Program Office means the 
Catch Monitor Program Office of the West Coast Region, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    Catch monitor provider means any person that is granted a permit by 
NMFS to provide certified catch monitors as required in Sec. 660.140.
    Change in partnership or corporation means the addition of a new 
shareholder or partner to the corporate or partnership membership. This 
definition of a ``change'' will apply to any person added to the 
corporate or partnership membership since November 1, 2000, including 
any family member of an existing shareholder or partner. A change in 
membership is not considered to have occurred if a member dies or 
becomes legally incapacitated and a trustee is appointed to act on his 
behalf, nor if the ownership of shares among existing members changes, 
nor if a member leaves the corporation or partnership and is not 
replaced. Changes in the ownership of publicly held stock will not be 
deemed changes in ownership of the corporation.
    Closure or closed means, when referring to closure of a fishery or a 
closed fishery, that taking and retaining, possessing, or landing the 
particular species or species group covered by the

[[Page 10]]

fishing closure is prohibited. Unless otherwise announced in the Federal 
Register or authorized in this subpart, offloading must begin before the 
closure time.
    Commercial fishing means:
    (1) Fishing by a person who possesses a commercial fishing license 
or is required by law to possess such license issued by one of the 
states or the Federal Government as a prerequisite to taking, landing 
and/or sale of fish; or
    (2) Fishing that results in or can be reasonably expected to result 
in sale, barter, trade or other disposition of fish for other than 
personal consumption.
    Commercial harvest guideline means the fishery harvest guideline 
minus the estimated recreational catch. Limited entry and open access 
allocations are derived from the commercial harvest guideline.
    Conservation area(s) means an enclosed geographic area defined by 
coordinates expressed in degrees latitude and longitude where NMFS may 
prohibit fishing with particular gear types. Conservation areas include 
Groundfish Conservation Areas (GCA), Essential Fish Habitat Conservation 
Areas (EFHCA) and Deep-sea Ecosystem Conservation Areas (DECA).
    (1) Groundfish Conservation Area or GCA means a conservation area 
created or modified and enforced to control catch of groundfish or 
protected species. Regulations at Sec. 660.60(c)(3) describe the 
various purposes for which NMFS may implement certain types of GCAs 
through routine management measures. Regulations at Sec. 660.70 further 
describe and define coordinates for certain GCAs, including: Yelloweye 
Rockfish Conservation Areas; Cowcod Conservation Areas; waters 
encircling the Farallon Islands; and waters encircling the Cordell 
Banks. GCAs also include depth-based closures bounded by lines 
approximating depth contours, including Bycatch Reduction Areas or BRAs, 
or bounded by depth contours and lines of latitude, including, Block 
Area Closures or BACs, and Rockfish Conservation Areas or RCAs, which 
may be closed to fishing with particular gear types. BRA, BAC, and RCA 
boundaries may change seasonally according to conservation needs. 
Regulations at Sec. Sec. 660.71 through 660.74, and Sec. 660.76 define 
depth-based closure boundary lines with latitude/longitude coordinates. 
Regulations at Sec. 660.11 describe commonly used geographic 
coordinates that define lines of latitude. Fishing prohibitions 
associated with GCAs are in addition to those associated with other 
conservation areas.
    (i) Block Area Closures or BACs are defined at Sec. 660.111.
    (ii) Bycatch Reduction Areas or BRAs are conservation areas that 
apply to vessels using midwater groundfish trawl gear during the Pacific 
whiting primary season, as described at Sec. Sec. 660.60(d) and 
660.131(c).
    (iii) Cordell Banks is defined at Sec. 660.70.
    (iv) Cowcod Conservation Areas are defined at Sec. 660.70.
    (v) Farallon Islands is defined at Sec. 660.70.
    (vi) Rockfish Conservation Areas or RCAs. RCA restrictions are 
detailed in subparts D through G of this part. RCAs may apply to a 
single gear type or to a group of gear types such as ``trawl RCAs'' or 
``non-trawl RCAs.'' Specific latitude and longitude coordinates for RCA 
boundaries that approximate the depth contours selected for trawl, non-
trawl, and recreational RCAs are provided in Sec. Sec. 660.71 through 
660.74. Also provided in Sec. Sec. 660.71 through 660.74, are 
references to islands and rocks that serve as reference points for the 
RCAs.
    (A) Trawl (Limited Entry and Open Access Non-groundfish Trawl Gears) 
RCAs. The trawl RCAs are intended to protect a complex of species, such 
as overfished shelf rockfish species, and have boundaries defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating depth 
contours. Boundaries for the limited entry trawl RCA throughout the year 
are provided in Table 1 (North) subpart D of this part. Boundaries for 
the open access non-groundfish trawl RCA throughout the year are 
provided in Table 3 (South) subpart F of this part. Boundaries of the 
trawl RCAs may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to Sec. 660.60(c).
    (B) Non-Trawl (Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access Non-trawl 
Gears) RCAs. Non-trawl RCAs are intended to protect a complex of 
species, such as

[[Page 11]]

overfished shelf rockfish species, and have boundaries defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating depth 
contours. Boundaries for the non-trawl RCA throughout the year are 
provided in Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) of subpart E of this 
part, and Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of subpart F of this part, 
and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to Sec. 660.60(c).
    (C) Recreational RCAs. Recreational RCAs are closed areas intended 
to protect overfished rockfish species. In the EEZ seaward of 
California, recreational RCAs are also intended to limit catch of non-
overfished groundfish species. Recreational RCAs may either have 
boundaries defined by general depth contours or boundaries defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating depth 
contours. Boundaries for the recreational RCAs throughout the year are 
provided in the text in subpart G of this part under each state 
(Washington, Oregon and California) and may be modified by NMFS inseason 
pursuant to Sec. 660.60(c).
    (vii) Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas or YRCAs are defined at 
Sec. 660.70.
    (2) Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Area or EFHCA means an area 
created and enforced to contribute to the protection of groundfish 
essential fish habitat. Regulations at Sec. Sec. 660.75 through 660.79 
define EFHCA boundaries. Fishing prohibitions associated with EFHCAs, 
which are found at Sec. Sec. 660.12, 660.112, 660.212, and 660.312, are 
in addition to those prohibitions associated with other conservation 
areas.
    (3) Deep-sea Ecosystem Conservation Area or DECA is the area within 
the EEZ deeper than 3,500 m (1,914 fm) that is not designated as EFH, 
defined at Sec. 660.75 with latitude and longitude coordinates. The 
DECA is closed to bottom contact gear for the reasons described under 
MSA Section 303(b), and contributes to the protection of deep-water 
habitats including deep-sea corals. Fishing prohibitions associated with 
DECAs, at Sec. 660.12, are in addition to those associated with other 
conservation areas.
    Continuous transiting or transit through means that a vessel crosses 
a groundfish conservation area or EFHCA on a heading as nearly as 
practicable to a direct route, consistent with navigational safety, 
while maintaining expeditious headway throughout the transit without 
loitering or delay.
    Corporation means a legal, business entity, including incorporated 
(INC) and limited liability corporations (LLC).
    Council means the Pacific Fishery Management Council, including its 
Groundfish Management Team (GMT), Scientific and Statistical Committee 
(SSC), Groundfish Advisory Subpanel (GAP), and any other advisory body 
established by the Council.
    Date of landing means the date on which the transfer of fish or 
offloading of fish from any vessel to a processor or other first 
receiver begins.
    Direct financial interest means any source of income to or capital 
investment or other interest held by an individual, partnership, or 
corporation or an individual's spouse, immediate family member or parent 
that could be influenced by performance or non-performance of observer 
or catch monitor duties.
    Dock ticket means a form accepted by the state to record the 
landing, receipt, purchase, or transfer of fish.
    Electronic fish ticket means a web-based form that is used to send 
landing data to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. 
Electronic fish tickets are used to collect information similar to the 
information required in state fish receiving tickets or landing 
receipts, but do not replace or change any state requirements.
    Electronic Monitoring System or EMS means a data collection tool 
that uses a software operating system connected to an assortment of 
electronic components, including video recorders, to create a collection 
of data on vessel activities.
    Endorsement means an additional specification affixed to the limited 
entry permit that further restricts fishery participation or further 
specifies a harvest privilege, and is non-severable from a limited entry 
permit.
    Entity. (See ``Person'')
    Essential Fish Habitat or EFH. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)

[[Page 12]]

    Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ is defined at Sec. 600.10. See also 
Fishery management area of this section.
    First Receiver means a person who receives, purchases, or takes 
custody, control, or possession of catch onshore directly from a vessel.
    Fiscal year means the year beginning at 0001 local time on October 1 
and ending at 2400 local time on September 30 of the following year.
    Fish. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Fishery (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Fishery harvest guideline means the harvest guideline or quota after 
subtracting from the TAC, ACL, or ACT when specified, any allocation or 
projected catch for the Pacific Coast treaty Indian Tribes, projected 
research catch, deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish 
fisheries, and deductions for EFPs.
    Fishery management area means the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, 
Oregon, and California between 3 and 200 nm offshore, and bounded on the 
north by the Provisional International Boundary between the U.S. and 
Canada, and bounded on the south by the International Boundary between 
the U.S. and Mexico. The inner boundary of the fishery management area 
is a line coterminous with the seaward boundaries of the States of 
Washington, Oregon, and California (the ``3-mile limit''). The outer 
boundary of the fishery management area is a line drawn in such a manner 
that each point on it is 200 nm from the baseline from which the 
territorial sea is measured, or is a provisional or permanent 
international boundary between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico. All 
groundfish possessed between 0-200 nm offshore or landed in Washington, 
Oregon, or California are presumed to have been taken and retained from 
the EEZ, unless otherwise demonstrated by the person in possession of 
those fish.
    Fishing. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Fishing gear includes the following types of gear and equipment:
    (1) Bottom contact gear means fishing gear designed or modified to 
make contact with the bottom. This includes, but is not limited to, beam 
trawl, bottom trawl, dredge, fixed gear, set net, demersal seine, 
dinglebar gear, and other gear (including experimental gear) designed or 
modified to make contact with the bottom. Gear used to harvest bottom 
dwelling organisms (e.g. by hand, rakes, and knives) are also considered 
bottom contact gear for purposes of this subpart. Non-bottom contact 
gear is defined in paragraph (12) of this definition.
    (2) Demersal seine means a net designed to encircle fish on the 
seabed. The demersal seine is characterized by having its net bounded by 
lead-weighted ropes that are not encircled with bobbins or rollers. 
Demersal seine gear is fished without the use of steel cables or otter 
boards (trawl doors). Scottish and Danish Seines are demersal seines. 
Purse seines, as defined at Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, are not 
demersal seines. Demersal seine gear is included in the definition of 
bottom trawl gear in paragraph (11)(i) of this definition.
    (3) Dredge gear means a gear consisting of a metal frame attached to 
a holding bag constructed of metal rings or mesh. As the metal frame is 
dragged upon or above the seabed, fish are pushed up and over the frame, 
then into the mouth of the holding bag.
    (4) Entangling nets include the following types of net gear:
    (i) Gillnet. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    (ii) Set net means a stationary, buoyed, and anchored gillnet or 
trammel net.
    (iii) Trammel net means a gillnet made with two or more walls joined 
to a common float line.
    (5) Fixed gear (anchored nontrawl gear) means the following gear 
types: longline, trap or pot, set net, and stationary hook-and-line 
(including commercial vertical hook-and-line) gears.
    (6) Hook-and-line means one or more hooks attached to one or more 
lines. It may be stationary (commercial vertical hook-and-line) or 
mobile (troll).
    (i) Bottom longline means a stationary, buoyed, and anchored 
groundline with hooks attached, so as to fish along the seabed. It does 
not include pelagic hook-and-line or troll gear.
    (A) Snap gear means a type of bottom longline gear where the hook 
and gangion are attached to the groundline using a mechanical fastener 
or snap.
    (B) [Reserved]

[[Page 13]]

    (ii) Commercial vertical hook-and-line means commercial fishing with 
hook-and-line gear that involves a single line anchored at the bottom 
and buoyed at the surface so as to fish vertically.
    (iii) Dinglebar gear means one or more lines retrieved and set with 
a troll gurdy or hand troll gurdy, with a terminally attached weight 
from which one or more leaders with one or more lures or baited hooks 
are pulled through the water while a vessel is making way.
    (iv) Troll gear means a lure or jig towed behind a vessel via a 
fishing line. Troll gear is used in commercial and recreational 
fisheries.
    (7) Mesh size means the opening between opposing knots, or opposing 
corners for knotless webbing. Minimum mesh size means the smallest 
distance allowed between the inside of one knot or corner to the inside 
of the opposing knot or corner, regardless of twine size.
    (8) Nontrawl gear means all legal commercial groundfish gear other 
than trawl gear.
    (9) Spear means a sharp, pointed, or barbed instrument on a shaft.
    (10) Trap or pot See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, definition of 
``trap''. These terms are used as interchangeable synonyms.
    (11) Trawl gear means a cone or funnel-shaped net that is towed 
through the water, and can include a pair trawl that towed 
simultaneously by two boats. For the purpose of this definition, trawl 
gear includes groundfish and non-groundfish trawl. See definitions for 
groundfish trawl and non-groundfish trawls (previously called ``exempted 
trawl'').
    (i) Bottom trawl means a trawl in which the otter boards or the 
footrope of the net are in contact with the seabed. It includes demersal 
seine gear, and pair trawls fished on the bottom. Any trawl not meeting 
the requirements for a midwater trawl in Sec. 660.130(b), subpart D is 
a bottom trawl.
    (A) Beam trawl gear means a type of trawl gear in which a beam is 
used to hold the trawl open during fishing. Otter boards or doors are 
not used.
    (B) Large footrope trawl gear means a bottom trawl gear with a 
footrope diameter larger than 8 inches (20 cm,) and no larger than 19 
inches (48 cm) including any rollers, bobbins, or other material 
encircling or tied along the length of the footrope.
    (C) Small footrope trawl gear means a bottom trawl gear with a 
footrope diameter of 8 inches (20 cm) or smaller, including any rollers, 
bobbins, or other material encircling or tied along the length of the 
footrope. Selective flatfish trawl gear that meets the gear component 
requirements in Sec. 660.130(b), subpart D is a type of small footrope 
trawl gear.
    (ii) Midwater (pelagic or off-bottom) trawl means a trawl in which 
the otter boards and footrope of the net remain above the seabed. It 
includes pair trawls if fished in midwater. A midwater trawl has no 
rollers or bobbins on any part of the net or its component wires, ropes, 
and chains. For additional midwater trawl gear requirements and 
restrictions, see Sec. 660.130(b), subpart D.
    (iii) Trawl gear components include:
    (A) Breastline means a rope or cable that connects the end of the 
headrope and the end of the trawl fishing line along the edge of the 
trawl web closest to the towing point.
    (B) Chafing gear means webbing or other material that is attached to 
the trawl net to protect the net from wear and abrasions either when 
fishing or hauling on deck.
    (C) Codend. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    (D) Double-bar mesh means webbing comprised of two lengths of twine 
tied into a single knot.
    (E) Double-walled codend means a codend constructed of two walls 
(layers) of webbing.
    (F) Footrope means a chain, rope, or wire attached to the bottom 
front end of the trawl webbing forming the leading edge of the bottom 
panel of the trawl net, and attached to the fishing line.
    (G) Headrope means a chain, rope, or wire attached to the trawl 
webbing forming the leading edge of the top panel of the trawl net.
    (H) Rollers or bobbins means devices made of wood, steel, rubber, 
plastic, or other hard material that encircle the trawl footrope. These 
devices are commonly used to either bounce or pivot

[[Page 14]]

over seabed obstructions, in order to prevent the trawl footrope and net 
from snagging on the seabed.
    (I) Single-walled codend means a codend constructed of a single wall 
of webbing knitted with single or double-bar mesh.
    (J) Trawl fishing line means a length of chain, rope, or wire rope 
in the bottom front end of a trawl net to which the webbing or lead 
ropes are attached.
    (K) Trawl riblines means a heavy rope or line that runs down the 
sides, top, or underside of a trawl net from the mouth of the net to the 
terminal end of the codend to strengthen the net during fishing.
    (12) Non-bottom contact gear means fishing gear designed or modified 
to not make contact with the bottom. This includes, but is not limited 
to, commercial vertical hook-and-line gear not anchored to the bottom 
(e.g., vertical jig gear or rod-and-reel gear with weights suspended off 
the bottom) and troll gear.
    Fishing or Calendar year means the year beginning at 0001 local time 
on January 1 and ending at 2400 local time on December 31 of the same 
year. There are two fishing years in each biennial fishing period.
    Fishing trip means a period of time between landings when fishing is 
conducted.
    Fishing vessel. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Fund means, for the purposes of subparts C through G of this part, 
the U.S. Treasury's Limited Access System Administration Fund (LASAF) 
established by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1855(h)(5)(B), 
specifically the LASAF subaccounts associated with the PCGFMP cost 
recovery programs.
    Gear testing means the deployment of lawful gear without retaining 
fish, for the following purposes, including, but not limited to: 
Deployment of nets using open codends; calibration of engines and 
transmission under load (i.e., towing a net with an open codend); 
deployment of wire and/or doors; testing new electronic equipment 
associated with deploying fishing gear; and testing and calibration of 
newly installed propulsion systems (i.e., engine, transmission, shaft, 
propeller, etc.).
    Grandfathered or first generation, when referring to a limited entry 
sablefish-endorsed permit owner, means those permit owners who owned a 
sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit prior to November 1, 2000, and 
are, therefore, exempt from certain requirements of the sablefish permit 
stacking program within the parameters of the regulations at Sec. 
660.25(b), subpart C and Sec. 660.231, subpart E.
    Groundfish means species managed by the PCGFMP, specifically:
    (1) Sharks: Leopard shark, Triakis semifasciata; soupfin shark, 
Galeorhinus zyopterus; spiny dogfish, Squalus suckleyi.
    (2) Skates: ``Skates'' in the PCGFMP include all genera and species 
in the family Arhynchobatidae that occur off Washington, Oregon, and 
California, including but not limited to Aleutian skate, Bathyraja 
aleutica; Bering/sandpaper skate, B. interrupta; big skate, Raja 
binoculata; California skate, R. inornata; longnose skate, R. rhina; 
roughtail/black skate, B. trachura.
    (3) Ratfish: Ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei.
    (4) Morids: Finescale codling, Antimora microlepis.
    (5) Grenadiers: ``Grenadiers'' in the PCGFMP include all genera and 
species in the family Macrouridae that occur off Washington, Oregon, and 
California, including but not limited to Giant grenadier, Albatrossia 
pectoralis; Pacific grenadier, Coryphaenoides acrolepis.
    (6) Roundfish: Cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus; kelp greenling, 
Hexagrammos decagrammus; lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus; Pacific cod, Gadus 
macrocephalus; Pacific whiting, Merluccius productus; sablefish, 
Anoplopoma fimbria. Species listed in paragraphs (6)(i) and (ii) of this 
definition with an area-specific listing are managed within a complex in 
that area-specific listing.
    (i) Between 46[deg]16[min] N lat. and the U.S. Canada border 
(Washington): Cabezon, S. marmoratus and kelp greenling, H. decagrammus.
    (ii) Between 46[deg]16[min] N lat. and 42[deg] N lat. (Oregon): 
Cabezon, S. marmoratus and kelp greenling, H. decagrammus.
    (7) Rockfish: ``Rockfish'' in the PCGFMP include all genera and 
species of the family Scorpaenidae that occur

[[Page 15]]

off Washington, Oregon, and California, even if not listed below, 
including longspine thornyhead, Sebastolobus altivelis, and shortspine 
thornyhead, S. alascanus. Where species below are listed both in a 
geographic category (nearshore, shelf, slope) and as an area-specific 
listing (north or south of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.) those species are 
managed within a ``minor'' rockfish complex in that area-specific 
listing.
    (i) Nearshore rockfish includes black rockfish, Sebastes melanops 
(off Washington and California) and the following nearshore rockfish 
species managed in ``minor rockfish'' complexes:
    (A) North of 46[deg]16[min] N lat. (Washington) and between 
42[deg]00[min] N lat. and 40[deg]10[min] N lat. (northern California): 
Black and yellow rockfish, S. chrysomelas; blue rockfish, S. mystinus; 
brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; calico rockfish, S. dalli; China 
rockfish, S. nebulosus; copper rockfish, S. caurinus; deacon rockfish, 
S. diaconus, gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. 
rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens; olive rockfish, S. 
serranoides; quillback rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
    (B) Between 46[deg]16[min] N lat. and 42[deg] N lat. (Oregon): Black 
and yellow rockfish, S. chrysomelas; brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; 
calico rockfish, S. dalli; China rockfish, S. nebulosus; copper 
rockfish, S. caurinus; gopher rockfish, S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. 
rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. atrovirens; olive rockfish, S. 
serranoides; quillback rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
    (C) Between 46[deg]16[min] N lat. and 42[deg] N lat. (Oregon): Black 
rockfish, S. melanops, blue rockfish, S. mystinus, and deacon rockfish, 
S. diaconus.
    (D) South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. (Southern California): Nearshore 
rockfish are divided into three management categories:
    (1) Shallow nearshore rockfish consists of black and yellow 
rockfish, S. chrysomelas; China rockfish, S. nebulosus; gopher rockfish, 
S. carnatus; grass rockfish, S. rastrelliger; kelp rockfish, S. 
atrovirens.
    (2) Deeper nearshore rockfish consists of black rockfish, S. 
melanops; blue rockfish, S. mystinus; brown rockfish, S. auriculatus; 
calico rockfish, S. dalli; copper rockfish, S. caurinus; deacon 
rockfish, S. diaconus; olive rockfish, S. serranoides; quillback 
rockfish, S. maliger; treefish, S. serriceps.
    (3) California scorpionfish, Scorpaena guttata.
    (ii) Shelf rockfish includes bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis; canary 
rockfish, S. pinniger; chilipepper, S. goodei; cowcod, S. levis; 
shortbelly rockfish, S. jordani; widow rockfish, S. entomelas; yelloweye 
rockfish, S. ruberrimus; yellowtail rockfish, S. flavidus and the 
following shelf rockfish species managed in ``minor rockfish'' 
complexes:
    (A) Shelf Rockfish North of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.: Bronzespotted 
rockfish, S. gilli; bocaccio, S. paucispinis; chameleon rockfish, S. 
phillipsi; chilipepper, S. goodei; cowcod, S. levis; dusky rockfish, S. 
ciliatus; dwarf-red rockfish, S. rufianus; flag rockfish, S. 
rubrivinctus; freckled rockfish, S. lentiginosus; greenblotched 
rockfish, S. rosenblatti; greenspotted rockfish, S. chlorostictus; 
greenstriped rockfish, S. elongatus; halfbanded rockfish, S. 
semicinctus; harlequin rockfish, S. variegatus; honeycomb rockfish, S. 
umbrosus; Mexican rockfish, S. macdonaldi; pink rockfish, S. eos; 
pinkrose rockfish, S. simulator; pygmy rockfish, S. wilsoni; redstripe 
rockfish, S. proriger; rosethorn rockfish, S. helvomaculatus; rosy 
rockfish, S. rosaceus; silvergray rockfish, S. brevispinis; speckled 
rockfish, S. ovalis; squarespot rockfish, S. hopkinsi; starry rockfish, 
S. constellatus; stripetail rockfish, S. saxicola; sunset rockfish, S. 
crocotulus; swordspine rockfish, S. ensifer; tiger rockfish, S. 
nigrocinctus; vermilion rockfish, S. miniatus.
    (B) Shelf Rockfish South of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.: Bronzespotted 
rockfish, S. gilli; chameleon rockfish, S. phillipsi; dusky rockfish, S. 
ciliatus; dwarf-red rockfish, S. rufianus; flag rockfish, S. 
rubrivinctus; freckled rockfish, S. lentiginosus; greenblotched 
rockfish, S. rosenblatti; greenspotted rockfish, S. chlorostictus; 
greenstriped rockfish, S. elongatus; halfbanded rockfish, S. 
semicinctus; harlequin rockfish, S. variegatus; honeycomb rockfish, S. 
umbrosus; Mexican rockfish, S. macdonaldi; pink rockfish, S. eos; 
pinkrose rockfish, S. simulator; pygmy rockfish, S. wilsoni; redstripe 
rockfish,

[[Page 16]]

S. proriger; rosethorn rockfish, S. helvomaculatus; rosy rockfish, S. 
rosaceus; silvergray rockfish, S. brevispinis; speckled rockfish, S. 
ovalis; squarespot rockfish, S. hopkinsi; starry rockfish, S. 
constellatus; stripetail rockfish, S. saxicola; sunset rockfish, S. 
crocotulus; swordspine rockfish, S. ensifer; tiger rockfish, S. 
nigrocinctus; vermilion rockfish, S. miniatus; yellowtail rockfish, S. 
flavidus.
    (iii) Slope rockfish includes darkblotched rockfish, S. crameri; 
Pacific ocean perch, S. alutus; splitnose rockfish, S. diploproa; and 
the following slope rockfish species managed in ``minor rockfish'' 
complexes:
    (A) Slope Rockfish North of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.: Aurora rockfish, 
Sebastes aurora; bank rockfish, S. rufus; blackgill rockfish, S. 
melanostomus; blackspotted rockfish, S. melanostictus; redbanded 
rockfish, S. babcocki; rougheye rockfish, S. aleutianus; sharpchin 
rockfish, S. zacentrus; shortraker rockfish, S. borealis; splitnose 
rockfish, S. diploproa; yellowmouth rockfish, S. reedi.
    (B) Slope Rockfish South of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.: Aurora rockfish, 
Sebastes aurora; bank rockfish, S. rufus; blackgill rockfish, S. 
melanostomus; blackspotted rockfish, S. melanostictus; Pacific ocean 
perch, S. alutus; redbanded rockfish, S. babcocki; rougheye rockfish, S. 
aleutianus; sharpchin rockfish, S. zacentrus; shortraker rockfish, S. 
borealis; yellowmouth rockfish, S. reedi.
    (8) Flatfish: Arrowtooth flounder (arrowtooth turbot), Atheresthes 
stomias; butter sole, Isopsetta isolepis; curlfin sole, Pleuronichthys 
decurrens; Dover sole, Microstomus pacificus; English sole, Parophrys 
vetulus; flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon; Pacific sanddab, 
Citharichthys sordidus; petrale sole, Eopsetta jordani; rex sole, 
Glyptocephalus zachirus; rock sole, Lepidopsetta bilineata; sand sole, 
Psettichthys melanostictus; starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus. 
Where regulations of subparts C through G of this part refer to landings 
limits for ``other flatfish,'' those limits apply to all flatfish 
cumulatively taken except for those flatfish species specifically listed 
in Tables 1a and 2a of this subpart. (i.e., ``other flatfish'' includes 
butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, 
rock sole, and sand sole.)
    (9) ``Other Fish'': kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) off 
California and leopard shark (Trakis semifasciata).
    (10) ``Ecosystem component species'' means species that are included 
in the PCGFMP but are not ``in the fishery'' and therefore not actively 
managed and do not require harvest specifications. Ecosystem component 
species are not targeted in any fishery, not generally retained for sale 
or personal use, and are not determined to be subject to overfishing, 
approaching an overfished condition, or overfished, nor are they likely 
to become subject to overfishing or overfished in the absence of 
conservation and management measures. Ecosystem component species 
include: All skates listed here in paragraph (2), except longnose skate 
and big skate; all grenadiers listed here in paragraph (5); soupfin 
shark; ratfish; finescale codling; and shortbelly rockfish as listed 
here in paragraph (7)(ii).
    Groundfish trawl means trawl gear that is used under the authority 
of a valid limited entry permit issued under subparts C and D of this 
part endorsed for trawl gear and which meets the gear requirements 
specified in subpart D of this part. It does not include any type of 
trawl gear listed as non-groundfish trawl gear (previously called 
``exempted gear'').
    Harvest guideline means a specified numerical harvest objective that 
is not a quota. Attainment of a harvest guideline does not require 
closure of a fishery.
    Incidental catch or incidental species means groundfish species 
caught while fishing for the primary purpose of catching a different 
species.
    Initial Administrative Determination (IAD) means a formal, written 
determination made by NMFS on an application or permit request, that is 
subject to an appeal within NMFS.
    Joint registration or jointly registered means simultaneously 
registering both trawl-endorsed and longline or trap/pot-endorsed 
limited entry permits for use with a single vessel in one of the 
configurations described at Sec. 660.25(b)(4)(iv).

[[Page 17]]

    Land or landing means to begin transfer of fish, offloading fish, or 
to offload fish from any vessel. Once transfer of fish begins, all fish 
aboard the vessel are counted as part of the landing.
    Legal fish means fish legally taken and retained, possessed, or 
landed in accordance with the provisions of 50 CFR part 660, subparts C 
through G, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, any document issued under part 660, 
and any other regulation promulgated or permit issued under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Length overall or LOA (with respect to a vessel) means the length 
overall set forth in the Certificate of Documentation (CG-1270) issued 
by the USCG for a documented vessel, or in a registration certificate 
issued by a state or the USCG for an undocumented vessel; for vessels 
that do not have the LOA stated in an official document, the LOA is the 
LOA as determined by the USCG or by a marine surveyor in accordance with 
the USCG method for measuring LOA.
    License owner means a person who is the owner of record with NMFS, 
SFD, Permits Office of a License issued under Sec. 660.140, subpart D.
    Limited entry fishery means the fishery composed of vessels 
registered for use with limited entry permits.
    Limited entry gear means longline, trap (or pot), or groundfish 
trawl gear used under the authority of a valid limited entry permit 
affixed with an endorsement for that gear.
    Limited entry permit means:
    (1) The Federal permit required to fish in the limited entry ``A''-
endorsed fishery, and includes any gear, size, or species endorsements 
affixed to the permit, or
    (2) The Federal permit required to receive and process fish as a 
mothership processor.
    Maximum Sustainable Yield or MSY. (See Sec. 600.310 of this 
chapter)
    Mobile transceiver unit means a vessel monitoring system or VMS 
device, as set forth at Sec. 660.14, subpart C installed on board a 
vessel that is used for vessel monitoring and transmitting the vessel's 
position as required by subpart C.
    Non-groundfish fishery means any fishing using non-groundfish trawl 
gear or nontrawl gear when targeting salmon, HMS, CPS, crab, prawn, or 
any other species not managed under the PCGFMP. Non-groundfish fishery 
is sometimes referred to as the incidental open access fishery in which 
groundfish could be encountered with the gear used, regardless of 
whether groundfish is retained.
    Non-groundfish trawl (previously ``exempted'' trawl) means any trawl 
gear other than the Pacific Coast groundfish trawl gear that is 
authorized for use with a valid groundfish limited entry permit endorsed 
for trawl gear. Non-groundfish trawl gear includes trawl gear used to 
fish for pink shrimp, ridgeback prawn, California halibut south of Pt. 
Arena, and sea cucumbers south of Pt. Arena.
    Nontrawl fishery means
    (1) For the purpose of allocations at Sec. 660.55, subpart C, 
nontrawl fishery means the limited entry fixed gear fishery, the open 
access fishery, and the recreational fishery.
    (2) For the purposes of all other management measures in subparts C 
through G of this part, nontrawl fishery means fishing with any legal 
limited entry fixed gear or open access non-trawl groundfish gear other 
than trawl gear (groundfish trawl gear and non-groundfish trawl gear), 
but does not include the recreational fishery.
    North-South management area means the management areas defined in 
paragraph (1) of this definition, or defined and bounded by one or more 
or the commonly used geographic coordinates set out in paragraph (2) of 
this definition for the purposes of implementing different management 
measures in separate geographic areas of the U.S. West Coast.
    (1) Management areas--(i) Vancouver. (A) The northeastern boundary 
is that part of a line connecting the light on Tatoosh Island, WA, with 
the light on Bonilla Point on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (at 
48[deg]35.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.00[min] W. long.) south of the 
International Boundary between the U.S. and Canada (at 48[deg]29.62[min] 
N. lat., 124[deg]43.55[min] W. long.), and north of the point where that 
line intersects with the boundary of the U.S. territorial sea.

[[Page 18]]

    (B) The northern and northwestern boundary is a line connecting the 
following coordinates in the order listed, which is the provisional 
international boundary of the EEZ as shown on NOAA/NOS Charts 18480 and 
18007:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     N. Lat.            W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................  48[deg]29.62[min]   124[deg]43.55[min]
2...............................  48[deg]30.18[min]   124[deg]47.22[min]
3...............................  48[deg]30.37[min]   124[deg]50.35[min]
4...............................  48[deg]30.23[min]   124[deg]54.87[min]
5...............................  48[deg]29.95[min]   124[deg]59.23[min]
6...............................  48[deg]29.73[min]   125[deg]00.10[min]
7...............................  48[deg]28.15[min]   125[deg]05.78[min]
8...............................  48[deg]27.17[min]   125[deg]08.42[min]
9...............................  48[deg]26.78[min]   125[deg]09.20[min]
10..............................  48[deg]20.27[min]   125[deg]22.80[min]
11..............................  48[deg]18.37[min]   125[deg]29.97[min]
12..............................  48[deg]11.08[min]   125[deg]53.80[min]
13..............................  47[deg]49.25[min]   126[deg]40.95[min]
14..............................  47[deg]36.78[min]   127[deg]11.97[min]
15..............................  47[deg]22.00[min]   127[deg]41.38[min]
16..............................  46[deg]42.08[min]   128[deg]51.93[min]
17..............................  46[deg]31.78[min]   129[deg]07.65[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) The southern limit is 47[deg]30[min] N. lat.
    (ii) Columbia.
    (A) The northern limit is 47[deg]30[min] N. lat.
    (B) The southern limit is 43[deg]00[min] N. lat.
    (iii) Eureka.
    (A) The northern limit is 43[deg]00[min] N. lat.
    (B) The southern limit is 40[deg]30[min] N. lat.
    (iv) Monterey.
    (A) The northern limit is 40[deg]30[min] N. lat.
    (B) The southern limit is 36[deg]00[min] N. lat.
    (v) Conception.
    (A) The northern limit is 36[deg]00[min] N. lat.
    (B) The southern limit is the U.S.-Mexico International Boundary, 
which is a line connecting the following coordinates in the order 
listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................  32[deg]35.37[min]   117[deg]27.82[min]
2...............................  32[deg]37.62[min]   117[deg]49.52[min]
3...............................  31[deg]07.97[min]   118[deg]36.30[min]
4...............................  30[deg]32.52[min]   121[deg]51.97[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Commonly used geographic coordinates.
    (i) Cape Alava, WA--48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat.
    (ii) Queets River, WA--47[deg]31.70[min] N. lat.
    (iii) Pt. Chehalis, WA--46[deg]53.30[min] N. lat.
    (iv) Leadbetter Point, WA--46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat.
    (v) Columbia River--46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat.
    (vi) Cape Falcon, OR--45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat.
    (vii) Cape Lookout, OR--45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat.
    (viii) Cascade Head, OR--45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat.
    (ix) Heceta Head, OR--44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat.
    (x) Cape Arago, OR--43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat.
    (xi) Cape Blanco, OR--42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat.
    (xii) Humbug Mountain--42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat.
    (xiii) Marck Arch, OR--42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat.
    (xiv) Oregon/California border--42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat.
    (xv) Cape Mendocino, CA--40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat.
    (xvi) North/South management line--40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat.
    (xvii) Cape Vizcaino, CA--39[deg]44.00[min] N. lat.
    (xviii) Point Arena, CA--management line--38[deg]57.50[min] N lat.
    (xvix) Point San Pedro, CA--37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat.
    (xx) Pigeon Point, CA--37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat.
    (xxi) Ano Nuevo, CA--37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat.
    (xxii) Point Lopez, CA--36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat.
    (xxiii) Point Conception, CA--34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat. [Note: 
Regulations that apply to waters north of 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat. are 
applicable only west of 120[deg]28.00[min] W. long.; regulations that 
apply to waters south of 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat. also apply to all 
waters both east of 120[deg]28.00[min] W. long. and north of 
34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat.]
    Observer. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter--U.S. Observer or 
Observer)
    Observer Program or Observer Program Office means the Observer 
Program Office of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, Washington. Branch offices within the 
Observer Program include the West Coast Groundfish Observer Program and 
the At-sea Hake Observer Program.
    Observer provider means any person that is granted a permit by NMFS 
to provide certified observers as required at Sec. Sec. 660.140, 
660.150, 660.160, 660.216 or 660.316.
    Office of Law Enforcement or OLE refers to the National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Western Division.
    Open access fishery means the fishery composed of commercial vessels 
using open access gear fished pursuant to the harvest guidelines, 
quotas, and other management measures governing the harvest of open 
access allocations (detailed in Sec. 660.55) or governing the fishing 
activities of open access vessels (detailed in subpart F of this part).

[[Page 19]]

Any commercial vessel that is not registered to a limited entry permit 
and which takes and retains, possesses or lands groundfish is a 
participant in the open access groundfish fishery.
    (1) For the purpose of the non-trawl logbook requirements at Sec. 
660.13 and the provision to fish inside the nontrawl RCA at Sec. 
660.330(b)(3), directed open access fishery means that a fishing vessel 
is target fishing for groundfish under the requirements of 50 CFR 660 
subpart F, is only declared into an open access groundfish gear type or 
sector as defined in Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), and has not declared 
into any other gear type or sector.
    (2) [Reserved]
    Open access gear means all types of fishing gear except:
    (1) Longline or trap (or pot) gear fished by a vessel that has a 
limited entry permit affixed with a gear endorsement for that gear.
    (2) Groundfish trawl.
    Operate a vessel means any use of a vessel, including, but not 
limited to, fishing or drifting by means of the prevailing water current 
or weather conditions.
    Operator. (See Sec. 600.10)
    Optimum yield or OY means the amount of fish that will provide the 
greatest overall benefit to the Nation, particularly with respect to 
food production and recreational opportunities, and, taking into account 
the protection of marine ecosystems, is prescribed as such on the basis 
of the MSY from the fishery, as reduced by any relevant economic, 
social, or ecological factor; and, in the case of an overfished fishery, 
provides for rebuilding to a level consistent with producing the MSY in 
such fishery. OY may be expressed numerically (as a harvest guideline, 
quota, or other specification) or non-numerically.
    Overage means the amount of fish harvested by a vessel in excess of:
    (1) The applicable trip limit for any fishery to which a trip limit 
applies;
    (2) The amount authorized by the applicable permit for trawl 
fisheries at subpart D of this part;
    (3) The amount authorized by the applicable sablefish-endorsed 
permits for fixed gear sablefish fisheries at subpart E of this part.
    Overfishing limit (OFL) is the MSY harvest level or the annual 
abundance of exploitable biomass of a stock or stock complex multiplied 
by the maximum fishing mortality threshold or proxy thereof and is an 
estimate of the catch level above which overfishing is occurring.
    Ownership interest means participation in ownership of a 
corporation, partnership, or other entity:
    (1) For sablefish-endorsed permits, ownership interest means 
participation in ownership of a corporation, partnership, or other 
entity that owns a sablefish-endorsed permit. Ownership interest does 
not mean owning stock in a publicly owned corporation.
    (2) For the limited entry trawl fishery in subpart D of this part, 
ownership interest means participation in ownership of a corporation, 
partnership, or other entity that owns a QS permit, vessel account, MS 
permit, or an MS/CV-endorsed limited entry permit.
    Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan or PCGFMP means the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Washington, Oregon, and California 
Groundfish Fishery developed by the Council and approved by the 
Secretary on January 4, 1982, and as it may be subsequently amended.
    Partnership is two or more individuals, partnerships, or 
corporations, or combinations thereof, who have ownership interest in a 
permit, including married couples and legally recognized trusts and 
partnerships, such as limited partnerships (LP), general partnerships 
(GP), and limited liability partnerships (LLP).
    Permit owner means a person who is the owner of record with NMFS, 
SFD, Permits Office of a limited entry permit. For first receiver site 
licenses, see definition for ``license owner.''
    Person, as it applies to limited entry and open access fisheries 
conducted under, subparts C through F of this part means any individual, 
corporation, partnership, association or other entity (whether or not 
organized or existing under the laws of any state), and any Federal, 
state, or local government, or any entity of any such government that is 
eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms of 46 U.S.C. 
12103(b).

[[Page 20]]

    Processing or to process means the preparation or packaging of 
groundfish to render it suitable for human consumption, retail sale, 
industrial uses or long-term storage, including, but not limited to, 
cooking, canning, smoking, salting, drying, filleting, freezing, or 
rendering into meal or oil, but does not mean heading and gutting unless 
additional preparation is done. (A vessel that is 75-ft (23-m) or less 
LOA that harvests whiting and, in addition to heading and gutting, cuts 
the tail off and freezes the whiting, is not considered to be a catcher/
processor nor is it considered to be processing fish (See Sec. 
660.112(b)(1)(xii)(A))).
    (1) At-sea processing means processing that takes place on a vessel 
or other platform that floats and is capable of being moved from one 
location to another, whether shore-based or on the water.
    (2) Shorebased processing or processing means processing that takes 
place at a facility that is permanently fixed to land. (Also see the 
definition for shoreside processing at Sec. 660.140, subpart D which 
defines shoreside processing for the purposes of qualifying for a 
Shorebased IFQ Program QS permit.) For the purposes of economic data 
collection in the Shorebased IFQ Program, shorebased processing means 
either of the following:
    (i) Any activity that takes place shoreside; and that involves: 
Cutting groundfish into smaller portions; or freezing, cooking, smoking, 
drying groundfish; or packaging that groundfish for resale into 100 
pound units or smaller; for sale or distribution into a wholesale or 
retail market.
    (ii) The purchase and redistribution in to a wholesale or retail 
market of live groundfish from a harvesting vessel.
    Processor means a person, vessel, or facility that engages in 
commercial processing; or receives live groundfish directly from a 
fishing vessel for retail sale without further processing. (Also see the 
definition for processors at Sec. 660.140, which defines processor for 
the purposes of qualifying for initial issuance of QS in the Shorebased 
IFQ Program.)
    (1) For the purposes of economic data collection or EDC in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program, shorebased processor means a person that engages 
in commercial processing, that is an operation working on U.S. soil or 
permanently fixed to land, that takes delivery of fish that has not been 
subject to at-sea processing or shorebased processing; and that 
thereafter engages that particular fish in shorebased processing; and 
excludes retailers, such as grocery stores and markets, which receive 
whole or headed and gutted fish that are then filleted and packaged for 
retail sale. At Sec. 660.114(b), trawl fishery--economic data 
collection program, the definition of processor is further refined to 
describe which shorebased processors are required to submit their 
economic data collection forms.
    (2) [Reserved]
    Prohibited species means those species and species groups whose 
retention is prohibited unless authorized by provisions of this section 
or other applicable law. The following are prohibited species: Any 
species of salmonid, Pacific halibut, Dungeness crab caught seaward of 
Washington or Oregon, and groundfish species or species groups under the 
PCGFMP for which quotas have been achieved and/or the fishery closed.
    Protected species means those species, other than prohibited 
species, that are protected under Federal law, including species listed 
under the Endangered Species Act, marine mammals protected under the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act, and bird species protected under the 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Species that are both protected and 
prohibited are considered prohibited species for purposes of this part.
    Quota means a specified numerical harvest objective, the attainment 
(or expected attainment) of which causes closure of the fishery for that 
species or species group.
    Recreational fishing means fishing with authorized recreational 
fishing gear for personal use only, and not for sale or barter.
    Regional Administrator means the Administrator, West Coast Region, 
NMFS.
    Reserve means a portion of the harvest guideline or quota set aside 
at the

[[Page 21]]

beginning of the fishing year or biennial fishing period to allow for 
uncertainties in preseason estimates.
    Round weight. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter). Round weight does 
not include ice, water, or slime.
    Sale or sell. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Scientific research activity. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Secretary. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Seabird means those bird species that habitually obtain their food 
from the sea below the low water mark.
    Specification is a numerical or descriptive designation of a 
management objective, including but not limited to: Acceptable 
biological catch; optimum yield; harvest guideline; quota; limited entry 
or open access allocation; a set-aside or allocation for a recreational 
or treaty Indian fishery; an apportionment of the above to an area, 
gear, season, fishery, or other subdivision.
    Spouse means a person who is legally married to another person as 
recognized by state law (i.e., one's wife or husband).
    Stacking or stacked means registering more than one sablefish-
endorsed limited entry permit for use with a single vessel (See Sec. 
660.25(b)(4)(iii), subpart C).
    Sustainable Fisheries Division or SFD means the Assistant Regional 
Administrator of the Sustainable Fisheries Division, West Coast Region, 
NMFS, or a designee.
    Target fishing means fishing for the primary purpose of catching a 
particular species or species group (the target species).
    Tax-exempt organization means an organization that received a 
determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service recognizing tax 
exemption under 26 CFR part 1 (Sec. Sec. 1.501 to 1.640).
    Totally lost means the vessel being replaced no longer exists in 
specie, or is absolutely and irretrievably sunk or otherwise beyond the 
possible control of the owner, or the costs of repair (including 
recovery) would exceed the value of the vessel after repairs.
    Trawl fishery or Limited entry trawl fishery means the groundfish 
limited entry trawl fishery referred to in subparts C and D, which is 
composed of vessels registered to a limited entry permit with a trawl 
endorsement and vessels registered to an MS permit. The trawl fishery is 
comprised of the following sectors: Catcher/Processor, Mothership, and 
Shorebased IFQ. The trawl fishery does not include the non-groundfish 
trawl fisheries, which are all within the open access fishery.
    Trip. (See Sec. 600.10 of this chapter)
    Trip limits. Trip limits are used in the commercial fishery to 
specify the maximum amount of a fish species or species group that may 
legally be taken and retained, possessed, or landed, per vessel, per 
fishing trip, or cumulatively per unit of time, or the number of 
landings that may be made from a vessel in a given period of time, as 
follows:
    (1) A per trip limit is the total allowable amount of a groundfish 
species or species group, by weight, or by percentage of weight of legal 
fish on board, that may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed per 
vessel from a single fishing trip.
    (2) A daily trip limit is the maximum amount of a groundfish species 
or species group that may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed 
per vessel in 24 consecutive hours, starting at 0001 hours local time. 
Only one landing of groundfish may be made in that 24-hour period. Daily 
trip limits may not be accumulated during multiple day trips.
    (3) A weekly trip limit is the maximum amount of a groundfish 
species or species group that may be taken and retained, possessed, or 
landed per vessel in 7 consecutive days, starting at 0001 hours local 
time on Sunday and ending at 2400 hours local time on Saturday. Weekly 
trip limits may not be accumulated during multiple week trips. If a 
calendar week falls within two different months or two different 
cumulative limit periods, a vessel is not entitled to two separate 
weekly limits during that week.
    (4) A cumulative trip limit is the maximum amount of a groundfish 
species or species group that may be taken and retained, possessed, or 
landed per vessel in a specified period of time without a limit on the 
number of landings or trips, unless otherwise specified. The cumulative 
trip limit periods for limited entry and open access fisheries, which 
start at 0001 hours local time and end at 2400 hours local time,

[[Page 22]]

are as follows, unless otherwise specified:
    (i) The 2-month or ``major'' cumulative limit periods are: January 
1-February 28/29, March 1-April 30, May 1-June 30, July 1-August 31, 
September 1-October 31, and, November 1-December 31.
    (ii) One month means the first day through the last day of the 
calendar month.
    (iii) One week means 7 consecutive days, Sunday through Saturday.
    Usual and accustomed fishing areas or U&A fishing areas for Pacific 
Coast treaty Indian tribes, occurring within the EEZ, are described at 
Sec. 660.4, subpart A.
    Vessel manager means a person or group of persons whom the vessel 
owner has given authority to oversee all or a portion of groundfish 
fishing activities aboard the vessel.
    Vessel monitoring system or VMS means a vessel monitoring system or 
mobile transceiver unit as set forth in Sec. 660.14, subpart C and 
approved by NMFS for use on vessels that take (directly or incidentally) 
species managed under the PCGFMP, as required by this subpart.
    Vessel of the United States or U.S. vessel. (See Sec. 600.10)
    Vessel owner or owner of a vessel, as used in subparts C through G 
of this part, means a person identified as the current owner in the 
Certificate of Documentation (CG-1270) issued by the USCG for a 
documented vessel, or in a registration certificate issued by a state or 
the USCG for an undocumented vessel.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78373, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53834, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 
2011; 78 FR 587, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 68767, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75278, 
Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 12571, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 22279, Apr. 21, 2015; 
80 FR 71980, Nov. 18, 2015; 80 FR 77270, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 36807, 
June 8, 2016; 81 FR 84425, Nov. 23, 2016; 82 FR 9638, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 
FR 60569, Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 62275, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 63990, Dec. 
12, 2018; 84 FR 49961, Sept. 24, 2019; 84 FR 63972, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 
35600, June 11, 2020; 85 FR 79892, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 
2021; 87 FR 59728, Oct. 3, 2022; 87 FR 77014, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.12  General groundfish prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) General. (1) Retain any prohibited or protected species caught 
by means of fishing gear authorized under this subpart, unless otherwise 
authorized. Except as otherwise authorized, prohibited and protected 
species must be returned to the sea as soon as practicable with a 
minimum of injury when caught and brought on board.
    (2) Falsify or fail to affix and maintain vessel and gear markings 
as required by Sec. 660.20 or Sec. 660.219, subpart E or Sec. 
660.319, subpart F.
    (3) Fish for groundfish in violation of any terms or conditions 
attached to an EFP under Sec. 600.745 of this chapter or Sec. 660.30, 
subpart C of this part.
    (4) Fish for groundfish using gear not authorized in subparts C 
through G of this part or in violation of any terms or conditions 
attached to an EFP under Sec. 660.30, subpart C of this part or part 
600 of this chapter.
    (5) Take and retain, possess, or land more groundfish than specified 
under Sec. 660.50, Sec. 660.55, Sec. 660.60 of subpart C, or subpart 
D through G of this part, or under an EFP issued under Sec. 660.30, 
subpart C of this part, or part 600 of this chapter.
    (6) Take and retain, possess, or land more than a single cumulative 
limit of a particular species, per vessel, per applicable cumulative 
limit period, except for sablefish taken in the primary limited entry, 
fixed gear sablefish season from a vessel authorized to fish in that 
season, as described at Sec. 660.231, subpart E.
    (7) Take and retain, possess, or land groundfish in excess of the 
landing limit for the open access fishery without having a valid limited 
entry permit for the vessel affixed with a gear endorsement for the gear 
used to catch the fish.
    (8) Fail to sort, prior to the first weighing after offloading, 
those groundfish species or species groups for which there is a trip 
limit, size limit, scientific sorting designation, quota, harvest 
guideline, ACT, ACL or OY, if the vessel fished or landed in an area 
during a time when such trip limit, size

[[Page 23]]

limit, scientific sorting designation, quota, harvest guideline, ACT, 
ACL or OY applied; except as specified at Sec. 660.130(d).
    (9) When requested or required by an authorized officer, refuse to 
present fishing gear for inspection, refuse to present fish subject to 
such persons control for inspection; or interfere with a fishing gear or 
marine animal or plant life inspection.
    (10) Transfer fish to another vessel at sea unless the vessel 
transferring fish is participating in the MS Coop or C/P Coop Programs.
    (11) Fail to remove all fish from the vessel at landing (defined in 
Sec. 660.11) and prior to beginning a new fishing trip, except for 
processing vessels participating in the MS Coop or C/P Coop Programs.
    (12) Fish with dredge gear (defined in Sec. 660.11, subpart C) 
anywhere within EFH within the EEZ. For the purposes of regulation, EFH 
within the EEZ is described at Sec. 660.75, subpart C.
    (13) Fish with beam trawl gear (defined in Sec. 660.11, subpart C) 
anywhere within EFH within the EEZ. For the purposes of regulation, EFH 
within the EEZ is described at Sec. 660.75, subpart C.
    (14) During times or in areas where at-sea processing is prohibited, 
take and retain or receive Pacific whiting, except as cargo or fish 
waste, on a vessel in the fishery management area that already has 
processed Pacific whiting on board. An exception to this prohibition is 
provided if the fish are received within the tribal U&A fishing area, 
described at Sec. 660.4, subpart A, from a member of a Pacific Coast 
treaty Indian tribe fishing under Sec. 660.50, subpart C.
    (15) Fail to comply with the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance 
Program described in Sec. 660.21 when commercial fishing for groundfish 
using bottom longline gear.
    (16) Fish with bottom contact gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) within 
the EEZ in the following EFHCAs (defined at Sec. Sec. 660.78 and 
660.79): Thompson Seamount, President Jackson Seamount, Cordell Bank 
(50-fm (91-m) isobath), Harris Point, Richardson Rock, Scorpion, Painted 
Cave, Anacapa Island, Carrington Point, Judith Rock, Skunk Point, 
Footprint, Gull Island, South Point, and Santa Barbara.
    (17) Fish with bottom contact gear (defined at Sec. 660.11), or any 
other gear that is deployed deeper than 500-fm (914-m), within the 
Davidson Seamount EFHCA (defined at Sec. 660.79).
    (18) Fish with bottom contact gear, defined at Sec. 660.11, in the 
DECA, defined at Sec. 660.11.
    (19) Fish for, or take and retain, any species of groundfish, during 
salmon bycatch fishery closures described in Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(iv) and 
(v), or fail to comply with the salmon bycatch management provisions 
described in Sec. 660.60(i).
    (b) Reporting and Recordkeeping. (1) Falsify or fail to make and/or 
file, retain or make available any and all reports of groundfish 
landings, containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the 
applicable State law, as specified in Sec. 660.13, subpart C, provided 
that person is required to do so by the applicable state law.
    (2) Fail to retain on board a vessel from which groundfish is 
landed, and provide to an authorized officer upon request, copies of any 
and all reports of groundfish landings, or receipts containing all data, 
and made in the exact manner required by the applicable state law 
throughout the cumulative limit period during which such landings 
occurred and for 15 days thereafter.
    (3) Falsify or fail to prepare and/or file, retain or make available 
records of fishing activities as specified in Sec. 660.13(a)(1) or (2).
    (c) Limited entry fisheries. (1) Carry on board a vessel, or deploy, 
limited entry gear when the limited entry fishery for that gear is 
closed, except that a vessel may carry on board limited entry groundfish 
trawl gear as provided in Sec. 660.112(a)(1), subpart D.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (d) Limited entry permits.
    (1) If a limited entry permit is registered for use with a vessel, 
fail to carry that permit onboard the vessel registered for use with the 
permit. A photocopy of the permit may not substitute for the original 
permit itself.
    (2) Make a false statement on an application for issuance, renewal, 
permit registration, vessel registration, replacement of a limited entry 
permit, or

[[Page 24]]

a declaration of ownership interest in a limited entry permit.
    (e) Groundfish observer program. (1) Forcibly assault, resist, 
oppose, impede, intimidate, harass, sexually harass, bribe, or interfere 
with an observer.
    (2) Interfere with or bias the sampling procedure employed by an 
observer including either mechanically or manually sorting or discarding 
catch before sampling.
    (3) Tamper with, destroy, or discard an observer's collected 
samples, equipment, records, photographic film, papers, or personal 
effects without the express consent of the observer.
    (4) Harass an observer by conduct that:
    (i) Has sexual connotations,
    (ii) Has the purpose or effect of interfering with the observer's 
work performance, and/or
    (iii) Otherwise creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive 
environment. In determining whether conduct constitutes harassment, the 
totality of the circumstances, including the nature of the conduct and 
the context in which it occurred, will be considered. The determination 
of the legality of a particular action will be made from the facts on a 
case-by-case basis.
    (5) Fish for, land, or process fish without observer coverage when a 
vessel is required to carry an observer under subparts C through G of 
this part.
    (6) Fish when a vessel is required to carry an observer under 
subparts C through G of this part if:
    (i) The vessel is inadequate for observer deployment as specified at 
Sec. 600.746 of this chapter;
    (ii) The vessel does not maintain safe conditions for an observer as 
specified at Sec. Sec. 660.140(h), 660.150(j), or 660.160(g); or
    (iii) NMFS, the observer provider, or the observer determines the 
vessel is inadequate or unsafe pursuant to vessel responsibilities to 
maintain safe conditions as specified at Sec. Sec. 660.140(h), 
660.150(j), or 660.160(g).
    (7) Require, pressure, coerce, or threaten an observer to perform 
duties normally performed by crew members, including, but not limited 
to, cooking, washing dishes, standing watch, vessel maintenance, 
assisting with the setting or retrieval of gear, or any duties 
associated with the processing of fish, from sorting the catch to the 
storage of the finished product.
    (8) Fail to meet the vessel responsibilities and observer coverage 
requirements specified at Sec. Sec. 660.140(h), 660.150(j), 660.160(g), 
660.216, or 660.316,
    (9) Fail to meet the observer provider responsibilities specified at 
Sec. Sec. 660.140(h), 660.150(j), 660.160(g), 660.216 or 660.316.
    (f) Groundfish catch monitor program. (1) Forcibly assault, resist, 
oppose, impede, intimidate, harass, sexually harass, bribe, or interfere 
with a catch monitor.
    (2) Interfere with or bias the monitoring procedure employed by a 
catch monitor, including either mechanically or manually sorting or 
discarding catch before it's monitored.
    (3) Tamper with, destroy, or discard a catch monitor's collected 
samples, equipment, records, photographic film, papers, or personal 
effects.
    (4) Harass a catch monitor by conduct that:
    (i) Has sexual connotations,
    (ii) Has the purpose or effect of interfering with the catch 
monitor's work performance, and/or
    (iii) Otherwise creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive 
environment. In determining whether conduct constitutes harassment, the 
totality of the circumstances, including the nature of the conduct and 
the context in which it occurred, will be considered. The determination 
of the legality of a particular action will be made from the facts on a 
case-by-case basis.
    (5) Receive, purchase, or take custody, control, or possession of a 
delivery without catch monitor coverage when such coverage is required 
under Sec. 660.140(i).
    (6) Fail to allow the catch monitor unobstructed access to catch 
sorting, processing, catch counting, catch weighing, or electronic or 
paper fish tickets.
    (7) Fail to provide reasonable assistance to the catch monitor.
    (8) Require, pressure, coerce, or threaten a catch monitor to 
perform duties normally performed by employees of the first receiver, 
including, but

[[Page 25]]

not limited to duties associated with the receiving of landing, 
processing of fish, sorting of catch, or the storage of the finished 
product.
    (9) Fail to meet the catch monitor provider responsibilities 
specified at Sec. 660.17(e).
    (g) Vessel Monitoring Systems. (1) Use any vessel required to 
operate and maintain a VMS unit under Sec. 660.14(b) unless that vessel 
carries a NMFS OLE type-approved mobile transceiver unit and complies 
with all the requirements described at Sec. 660.14(c).
    (2) Fail to install, activate, repair or replace a mobile 
transceiver unit prior to leaving port as specified at Sec. 660.14.
    (3) Fail to operate and maintain a mobile transceiver unit on board 
the vessel at all times as specified at Sec. 660.14.
    (4) Tamper with, damage, destroy, alter, or in any way distort, 
render useless, inoperative, ineffective, or inaccurate the VMS, mobile 
transceiver unit, or VMS signal required to be installed on or 
transmitted by a vessel as specified at Sec. 660.14.
    (5) Fail to contact NMFS OLE or follow NMFS OLE instructions when 
automatic position reporting has been interrupted as specified at Sec. 
660.14.
    (6) Register the same VMS transceiver unit to more than one vessel 
at the same time.
    (7) Falsify any VMS activation report or VMS exemption report that 
is authorized or required, as specified at Sec. 660.14.
    (8) Falsify any declaration report that is required, as specified at 
Sec. 660.13.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78374, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53834, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 
2011; 78 FR 587, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 68767, Nov. 15, 2013; 80 FR 22279, 
Apr. 21, 2015; 80 FR 71980, Nov. 18, 2015; 80 FR 77270, Dec. 14, 2015; 
81 FR 36807, June 8, 2016; 81 FR 84425, Nov. 23, 2016; 84 FR 32098, July 
5, 2019; 84 FR 63973, Nov. 19, 2019; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 
59728, Oct. 3, 2022]



Sec. 660.13  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) This subpart recognizes that catch and effort data necessary for 
implementing the PCGFMP are collected by the States of Washington, 
Oregon, and California under existing state data collection 
requirements.
    (1) Trawl logbook. In the absence of a state trawl logbook 
requirement based on the port of landing, the authorized representative 
of the commercial trawl fishing vessel registered to a limited entry 
permit with a trawl gear endorsement participating in the Shorebased IFQ 
Program groundfish trawl fisheries must keep and submit a complete and 
accurate record of fishing activities in the trawl logbook form. The 
following requirements apply:
    (i) The authorized representative of the vessel must keep the trawl 
logbook form on board the vessel while engaged in, or returning from, 
all Shorebased IFQ Program trips using groundfish trawl gear, and must 
immediately surrender the logbook form upon demand to NMFS or other 
authorized officers.
    (ii) The authorized representative of the vessel must complete the 
trawl logbook form on all Shorebased IFQ Program trips using groundfish 
trawl gear, with all available information, except for information not 
yet ascertainable, prior to entering port. The logbook form must be 
completed as soon as the information becomes available. The information 
on the logbook form will include at a minimum: Vessel name, vessel trip 
start and end dates, crew size, tow start, tow completion, location of 
tow, average depth of catch, net type, target strategy, and estimated 
retained pounds by species.
    (iii) The authorized representative of the vessel must deliver the 
NMFS copy of the trawl logbook form by mail or in person to NMFS or its 
agent. The authorized representative of the vessel must transmit the 
logbook form on or before the 10th day of each month following the month 
to which the records pertain.
    (iv) The authorized representative of the vessel responsible for 
submitting the trawl logbook forms must maintain a copy of all submitted 
logbooks for up to three years after the fishing activity ended.
    (2) Non-Trawl Logbook. The authorized representative of a commercial 
vessel participating in the below list of groundfish fishery sectors 
must keep and submit a complete and accurate record of fishing 
activities in the non-trawl electronic logbook application:

[[Page 26]]

    (i) The directed open access fishery, as defined at Sec. 660.11;
    (ii) The limited entry fixed gear trip limit fisheries subject to 
the trip limits in Table 2 North and South to Subpart E, and primary 
sablefish fisheries, as defined at Sec. 660.211; and
    (iii) Gear switching in the Shorebased IFQ Program, as defined at 
Sec. 660.140(k).
    (3) Non-Trawl Electronic Logbook Application. The non-trawl 
electronic logbook application is a web-based portal used to send data 
from non-trawl fishing trips to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries 
Commission. The following requirements apply:
    (i) The authorized representative of the vessel must complete an 
entry in the non-trawl electronic logbook application for all groundfish 
fishing trips, as defined under Sec. 660.11. Required information for 
each fishing trip includes, but is not limited to, information on set-
level data on catch, discards, fishing location, fishing depth, gear 
configuration, and sale.
    (ii) The authorized representative of the vessel must complete an 
entry for each groundfish fishing trip in the non-trawl electronic 
logbook application with valid responses for all data fields in the 
application, except for information not yet ascertainable, prior to 
entering port, subject to the following requirements:
    (A) Setting gear. Logbook entries for setting gear, including vessel 
information, gear specifications, set date/time/location, must be 
completed within 2 hours of setting gear. The authorized representative 
of each vessel may record or document this information in a format 
outside of the electronic logbook application (e.g., waterproof paper). 
Information recorded outside of the electronic logbook application must 
be available for review at-sea by authorized law enforcement personnel 
upon request, and must be entered into the electronic application per 
subparagraph C.
    (B) Retrieving gear. Logbook entries for retrieving gear, including 
date/time recovered and catch/discard information, must be completed 
within 4 hours of retrieving gear. The authorized representative of each 
vessel may record or document this information in a format outside of 
the electronic logbook application (e.g., waterproof paper). Information 
recorded outside of the logbook entry must be available for review at-
sea by authorized law enforcement personnel upon request, and must be 
entered into the electronic application per subparagraph C.
    (C) Non-Trawl Electronic Logbook Submission. The authorized 
representative of the vessel must complete and submit entries in the 
non-trawl electronic logbook application within 24 hours of the 
completion of offload, including information under subparagraphs A and B 
that was captured but not recorded in the electronic logbook application 
while fishing.
    (4) Non-Trawl Paper Logbook. For a minimum of one year from the 
effective date of the final rule, vessels subject to this non-trawl 
logbook requirement are permitted to submit a paper logbook form in lieu 
of the requirement to fill out the non-trawl electronic logbook 
application. The West Coast Regional Administrator will prescribe the 
paper logbook forms required under this section. NMFS will issue a 
public notice at least 90 calendar days prior to ending the optional 
provision to submit a paper logbook. The authorized representative of 
the vessel must complete the non-trawl logbook form on all groundfish 
trips, subject to the same requirements as for the non-trawl electronic 
logbook application, listed above in Sec. 660.13(a)(3)(i) through (ii). 
The authorized representative of the vessel must deliver the NMFS copy 
of the non-trawl logbook form by mail, email, or in person to NMFS or 
its agent within 30 days of landing. The authorized representative of 
the vessel responsible for submitting the non-trawl logbook forms must 
maintain a copy of all submitted logbooks for a minimum of three years 
after the fishing activity ended.
    (b) Any person who is required to do so by the applicable state law 
must make and/or file, retain, or make available any and all reports 
(i.e., logbooks, state landing receipts, etc.) of groundfish harvests 
and landings containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by 
the applicable state law.
    (c) Any person landing groundfish must retain on board the vessel 
from

[[Page 27]]

which groundfish is landed, and provide to an authorized officer upon 
request, copies of any and all reports of groundfish landings containing 
all data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable state law 
throughout the cumulative limit period during which a landing occurred 
and for 15 days thereafter.
    (d) Declaration reporting requirements. When the operator of a 
vessel registers a VMS unit with NMFS OLE, the vessel operator must 
provide NMFS with a declaration report as specified at paragraph 
(d)(4)(iv) of this section. The operator of any vessel that has already 
registered a VMS unit with NMFS OLE but has not yet made a declaration, 
as specified at paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of this section, must provide NMFS 
with a declaration report upon request from NMFS OLE.
    (1) Declaration reports for vessels registered to limited entry 
permits. The operator of any vessel registered to a limited entry permit 
must provide NMFS OLE with a declaration report, as specified at 
paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of this section, before the vessel leaves port on a 
trip in which the vessel is used to fish in U.S. ocean waters between 0 
and 200 nm offshore of Washington, Oregon, or California.
    (i) Limited entry trawl vessels fishing in the Shorebased IFQ 
Program must provide NMFS OLE with a new declaration report each time a 
different groundfish trawl gear (bottom or midwater only) is fished. The 
declaration may be made from sea and must be made to NMFS before a 
different type (bottom or midwater only) of groundfish trawl gear is 
fished.
    (ii) Limited entry midwater trawl vessels targeting Pacific whiting 
may change their declarations while at sea between the Pacific whiting 
shorebased IFQ sector and the mothership sector as specified at 
paragraph (d)(4)(iv)(A) of this section. The declaration must be made to 
NMFS before a different sector is fished.
    (2) Declaration reports for all vessels using non-groundfish trawl 
gear. The operator of any vessel that is not registered to a limited 
entry permit and which uses non-groundfish trawl gear to fish in the EEZ 
(3-200 nm offshore), must provide NMFS OLE with a declaration report, as 
specified at paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of this section, before the vessel 
leaves port to fish in the EEZ.
    (3) Declaration reports for open access vessels using non trawl gear 
(all types of open access gear other than non-groundfish trawl gear). 
The operator of any vessel that is not registered to a limited entry 
permit, must provide NMFS with a declaration report, as specified at 
paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of this section, before the vessel leaves port on a 
trip in which the vessel is used to take and retain or possess 
groundfish in the EEZ or land groundfish taken in the EEZ.
    (4) Declaration reports. (i) The operator of a vessel specified in 
paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of this section must provide a 
declaration report to NMFS OLE prior to leaving port on the first trip 
in which the vessel meets the requirement specified at Sec. 660.14(b) 
to have a VMS.
    (ii) A declaration report will be valid until another declaration 
report revising the existing gear, monitoring, or fishery, declaration 
is received by NMFS OLE. The vessel operator must send a new declaration 
report before leaving port on a trip that meets one of the following 
criteria:
    (A) A gear type that is different from the gear type most recently 
declared for the vessel will be used, or
    (B) A monitoring type that is different from the monitoring type 
most recently declared for the vessel will be used, or
    (C) A vessel will fish in a fishery other than the fishery most 
recently declared.
    (iii) During the period of time that a vessel has a valid 
declaration report on file with NMFS OLE, it cannot fish with a gear and 
monitoring type other than a gear type and monitoring type declared by 
the vessel or fish in a fishery other than the fishery most recently 
declared.
    (iv) Declaration reports will include: The vessel name and/or 
identification number, gear type, and monitoring type where applicable, 
(as defined in paragraph (d)(4)(iv)(A) of this section). Upon receipt of 
a declaration report, NMFS will provide a confirmation code or receipt 
to confirm that a valid declaration report was received for the

[[Page 28]]

vessel. Retention of the confirmation code or receipt to verify that a 
valid declaration report was filed and the declaration requirement was 
met is the responsibility of the vessel owner or operator. Vessels using 
non-trawl gear may declare more than one gear type with the exception of 
vessels participating in the Shorebased IFQ Program (i.e. gear 
switching); however, vessels using trawl gear may only declare one of 
the trawl gear types listed in paragraph (d)(4)(iv)(A) of this section 
on any trip and may not declare non-trawl gear on the same trip in which 
trawl gear is declared.
    (A) One of the following gear types or sectors, and monitoring type 
where applicable, must be declared:
    (1) Limited entry fixed gear, not including shorebased IFQ 
(declaration code 10);
    (2) Limited entry groundfish non-trawl, shorebased IFQ, observer 
(declaration code 11);
    (3) Limited entry groundfish non-trawl, shorebased IFQ, electronic 
monitoring (declaration code 11);
    (4) Limited entry midwater trawl, non-whiting shorebased IFQ, 
observer (declaration code 20);
    (5) Limited entry midwater trawl, non-whiting shorebased IFQ, 
electronic monitoring (declaration code 20),
    (6) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting shorebased IFQ, 
observer (declaration code 21);
    (7) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting shorebased IFQ, 
electronic monitoring (declaration code 21);
    (8) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting catcher/processor 
sector (declaration code 22);
    (9) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector 
(catcher vessel or mothership), observer (declaration code 23);
    (10) Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector 
(catcher vessel), electronic monitoring (declaration code 23);
    (11) Limited entry bottom trawl, shorebased IFQ, not including 
demersal trawl or selective flatfish trawl, observer (declaration code 
30);
    (12) Limited entry bottom trawl, shorebased IFQ, not including 
demersal trawl or selective flatfish trawl, electronic monitoring 
(declaration code 30);
    (13) Limited entry demersal trawl, shorebased IFQ, observer 
(declaration code 31);
    (14) Limited entry demersal trawl, shorebased IFQ, electronic 
monitoring (declaration code 31);
    (15) Limited entry selective flatfish trawl, shorebased IFQ, 
observer (declaration code 32);
    (16) Limited entry selective flatfish trawl, shorebased IFQ, 
electronic monitoring (declaration code 32);
    (17) Non-groundfish trawl gear for pink shrimp (declaration code 
41);
    (18) Non-groundfish trawl gear for ridgeback prawn (declaration code 
40);
    (19) Non-groundfish trawl gear for California halibut (declaration 
code 42);
    (20) Non-groundfish trawl gear for sea cucumber (declaration code 
43);
    (21) Open access bottom contact hook-and-line gear for groundfish 
(e.g., bottom longline, commercial vertical hook-and-line, dinglebar) 
(declaration code 33);
    (22) Open access Pacific halibut longline gear (declaration code 
62);
    (23) Open access groundfish trap or pot gear (declaration code 34);
    (24) Open access Dungeness crab trap or pot gear (declaration code 
61);
    (25) Open access prawn trap or pot gear (declaration code 60);
    (26) Open access sheephead trap or pot gear (declaration code 65);
    (27) Open access non-bottom contact hook and line gear for 
groundfish (e.g., troll, jig gear, rod & reel gear) (outside the non-
trawl RCA only) (declaration code 35);
    (28) Open access non-bottom contact stationary vertical jig gear 
(allowed inside or outside the non-trawl RCA) (declaration code 36);
    (29) Open access non-bottom contact troll gear (allowed inside or 
outside the non-trawl RCA) (declaration code 37);
    (30) Open access HMS line gear (declaration code 66);
    (31) Open access salmon troll gear (declaration code 63);
    (32) Open access California Halibut line gear (declaration code 64);
    (33) Open access Coastal Pelagic Species net gear (declaration code 
67);

[[Page 29]]

    (34) Other, a gear that is not listed above (declaration code 69);
    (35) Tribal trawl gear (declaration code 50);
    (36) Open access set net or gillnet gear--California (declaration 
68); or
    (37) Gear testing, Trawl Rationalization fishery (declaration code 
70).
    (B) [Reserved]
    (v) Upon receipt of a declaration report, NMFS will provide a 
confirmation code or receipt to confirm that a valid declaration report 
was received for the vessel. Vessel owners or operators are responsible 
for retaining the confirmation code or receipt to verify that a valid 
declaration report was filed.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78374, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 81 FR 84425, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62275, Dec. 3, 
2018; 83 FR 66637, Dec. 27, 2018; 84 FR 31158, June 28, 2019; 84 FR 
32098, July 5, 2019; 85 FR 35600, June 11, 2020; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 
2021; 87 FR 59713, 59728, Oct. 3, 2022; 87 FR 74328, Dec. 5, 2022; 88 FR 
12867, Mar. 1, 2023]



Sec. 660.14  Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements.

    (a) What is a VMS? A VMS consists of a NMFS OLE type-approved mobile 
transceiver unit that automatically determines the vessel's position and 
transmits it to a NMFS OLE type-approved communications service 
provider. The communications service provider receives the transmission 
and relays it to NMFS OLE.
    (b) Who is Required to Have a VMS? The following vessels are 
required to install a NMFS OLE type-approved mobile transceiver unit and 
to arrange for a NMFS OLE type-approved communications service provider 
to receive and relay transmissions to NMFS OLE prior to fishing:
    (1) Any vessel registered for use with a limited entry ``A'' 
endorsed permit (i.e., not an MS permit) that fishes in state or Federal 
waters seaward of the baseline from which the territorial sea is 
measured off the States of Washington, Oregon or California (0-200 nm 
offshore).
    (2) Any vessel that uses non-groundfish trawl gear to fish in the 
EEZ.
    (3) Any vessel that uses open access gear to take and retain, or 
possess groundfish in the EEZ or land groundfish taken in the EEZ.
    (c) How are Mobile Transceiver Units and Communications Service 
Providers Approved by NMFS OLE?
    (1) NMFS OLE will publish type-approval specifications for VMS 
components in the Federal Register or notify the public through other 
appropriate media.
    (2) Mobile transceiver unit manufacturers or communication service 
providers will submit products or services to NMFS OLE for evaluation 
based on the published specifications.
    (3) NMFS OLE may publish a list of NMFS OLE type-approved mobile 
transceiver units and communication service providers for the Pacific 
Coast groundfish fishery in the Federal Register or notify the public 
through other appropriate media. As necessary, NMFS OLE may publish 
amendments to the list of type-approved mobile transceiver units and 
communication service providers in the Federal Register or through other 
appropriate media. A list of VMS transceivers that have been type-
approved by NMFS OLE may be mailed to the permit owner's address of 
record. NMFS will bear no responsibility if a notification is sent to 
the address of record and is not received because the applicant's actual 
address has changed without notification to NMFS, as required at Sec. 
660.25(b)(4)(i)(B).
    (d) What are the Vessel Owner's Responsibilities? If you are a 
vessel owner that must participate in the VMS program, you or the vessel 
operator must:
    (1) Obtain a NMFS OLE type-approved mobile transceiver unit and have 
it installed on board your vessel in accordance with the instructions 
provided by NMFS OLE. You may obtain a copy of the VMS installation and 
operation instructions from the NMFS OLE West Coast Region, VMS Program 
Manager upon request at 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-6349, 
phone: 888-585-5518 or [email protected].
    (2) Activate the mobile transceiver unit, submit an activation 
report at least 72 hours prior to leaving port on a trip in which VMS is 
required, and receive confirmation from NMFS OLE that the VMS 
transmissions are being received before participating in a fishery 
requiring the VMS. Instructions for

[[Page 30]]

submitting an activation report may be obtained from the NMFS OLE West 
Coast Region, VMS Program Manager upon request at 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, Seattle, WA 98115-6349, phone: 888-585-5518 or [email protected]. An 
activation report must again be submitted to NMFS OLE following 
reinstallation of a mobile transceiver unit or change in service 
provider before the vessel may be used to fish in a fishery requiring 
the VMS.
    (i) Activation reports. If you are a vessel owner who must use VMS 
and you are activating a VMS transceiver unit for the first time or 
reactivating a VMS transceiver unit following a reinstallation of a 
mobile transceiver unit or change in service provider, you must fax NMFS 
OLE an activation report that includes: Vessel name; vessel owner's 
name, address and telephone number, vessel operator's name, address and 
telephone number, USCG vessel documentation number/state registration 
number; if applicable, the groundfish permit number the vessel is 
registered to; VMS transceiver unit manufacturer; VMS communications 
service provider; VMS transceiver identification; identifying if the 
unit is the primary or backup; and a statement signed and dated by the 
vessel owner confirming compliance with the installation procedures 
provided by NMFS OLE.
    (ii) Transferring ownership of VMS unit. Ownership of the VMS 
transceiver unit may be transferred from one vessel owner to another 
vessel owner if all of the following documents are provided to NMFS OLE: 
A new activation report, which identifies that the transceiver unit was 
previously registered to another vessel; a notarized bill of sale 
showing proof of ownership of the VMS transceiver unit; documentation 
from the communications service provider showing proof that the service 
agreement for the previous vessel was terminated and that a service 
agreement was established for the new vessel.
    (3) Operate and maintain the mobile transceiver unit in good working 
order continuously, 24 hours a day throughout the fishing year, unless 
such vessel is exempted under paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
    (i) Position frequency. The mobile transceiver unit must transmit a 
signal accurately indicating the vessel's position at least once every 
15 minutes, 24 hours a day, throughout the year unless an exemption in 
paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section applies or a valid exemption 
report, as described in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, has been 
received by NMFS OLE. The signal indicating the vessel's position can 
consist of either: A single position report transmitted every 15 
minutes; or a series of position reports, at no more than a 15 minute 
interval, combined and transmitted at least once every hour.
    (ii) Exemptions to position frequency requirement--(A) Electronic 
monitoring exemption. If a vessel has an electronic monitoring system 
installed and in use for the duration of a given fishing year, the 
mobile transceiver unit must transmit a signal at least once every hour.
    (B) Midwater trawl exemption. If a limited entry trawl vessel is 
fishing with midwater trawl gear under declarations in Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), the mobile transceiver unit must transmit a signal 
at least once every hour.
    (C) In port exemption. If a vessel remains in port for an extended 
period of time, the mobile transceiver unit must transmit a signal at 
least once every four hours. The mobile transceiver unit must remain in 
continuous operation at all times unless the vessel is exempt under 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
    (D) Pink shrimp trawl exemption. If a vessel is fishing for pink 
shrimp using non-groundfish trawl gear under declarations in Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), the mobile transceiver unit must transmit a signal 
at least once every hour.
    (4) VMS exemptions. A vessel that is required to operate and 
maintain the mobile transceiver unit continuously 24 hours a day 
throughout the fishing year may be exempted from this requirement if a 
valid exemption report, as described at paragraph (d)(4)(vii) of this 
section, is received by NMFS OLE and the vessel is in compliance with 
all conditions and requirements of the VMS exemption identified in this 
section and specified in the exemption report.

[[Page 31]]

    (i) Haul out exemption. When it is anticipated that a vessel will be 
continuously out of the water for more than 7 consecutive days and a 
valid exemption report has been received by NMFS OLE, electrical power 
to the VMS mobile transceiver unit may be removed and transmissions may 
be discontinued. Under this exemption, VMS transmissions can be 
discontinued from the time the vessel is removed from the water until 
the time that the vessel is placed back in the water.
    (ii) Outside areas exemption. When the vessel will be operating 
seaward of the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, or California continuously 
for more than 7 consecutive days and a valid exemption report has been 
received by NMFS OLE, the VMS mobile transceiver unit transmissions may 
be reduced or discontinued from the time the vessel leaves the EEZ off 
the coasts of Washington, Oregon or California until the time that the 
vessel re-enters the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon or 
California. Under this exemption, the vessel owner or operator can 
request that NMFS OLE reduce or discontinue the VMS transmissions after 
receipt of an exemption report, if the vessel is equipped with a VMS 
transceiver unit that NMFS OLE has approved for this exemption.
    (iii) Permit exemption. If the limited entry permit had a change in 
vessel registration so that it is no longer registered to the vessel 
(for the purposes of this section, this includes permits placed into 
``unidentified'' status), the vessel may be exempted from VMS 
requirements providing the vessel is not used to fish in state or 
Federal waters seaward of the baseline from which the territorial sea is 
measured off the States of Washington, Oregon or California (0-200 nm 
offshore) for the remainder of the fishing year. If the vessel is used 
to fish in this area for any species of fish at any time during the 
remaining portion of the fishing year without being registered to a 
limited entry permit, the vessel is required to have and use VMS.
    (iv) Long-term departure exemption. A vessel participating in the 
open access fishery that is required to have VMS under paragraph (b)(3) 
of this section may be exempted from VMS provisions after the end of the 
fishing year in which it fished in the open access fishery, providing 
the vessel submits a completed exemption report signed by the vessel 
owner that includes a statement signed by the vessel owner indicating 
that the vessel will not be used to take and retain or possess 
groundfish in the EEZ or land groundfish taken in the EEZ during the new 
fishing year.
    (v) Emergency exemption. Vessels required to have VMS under 
paragraph (b) of this section may be exempted from VMS provisions in 
emergency situations that are beyond the vessel owner's control, 
including but not limited to: Fire, flooding, or extensive physical 
damage to critical areas of the vessel. A vessel owner may apply for an 
emergency exemption from the VMS requirements specified in paragraph (b) 
of this section for his/her vessel by sending a written request to NMFS 
OLE specifying the following information: The reasons for seeking an 
exemption, including any supporting documents (e.g., repair invoices, 
photographs showing damage to the vessel, insurance claim forms, etc.); 
the time period for which the exemption is requested; and the location 
of the vessel while the exemption is in effect. NMFS OLE will issue a 
written determination granting or denying the emergency exemption 
request. A vessel will not be covered by the emergency exemption until 
NMFS OLE issues a determination granting the exemption. If an exemption 
is granted, the duration of the exemption will be specified in the NMFS 
OLE determination.
    (vi) Submission of exemption reports. Signed long-term departure 
exemption reports must be submitted by fax or by emailing an electronic 
copy of the actual report. In the event of an emergency in which an 
emergency exemption request will be submitted, initial contact with NMFS 
OLE must be made by telephone, fax or email within 24 hours from when 
the incident occurred. Emergency exemption requests must be requested in 
writing within 72 hours from when the incident occurred. Other exemption 
reports must be submitted through the VMS or another method that is 
approved by NMFS OLE and announced in the Federal Register.

[[Page 32]]

Submission methods for exemption requests, except long-term departures 
and emergency exemption requests, may include email, facsimile, or 
telephone. NMFS OLE will provide, through appropriate media, 
instructions to the public on submitting exemption reports. Instructions 
and other information needed to make exemption reports may be mailed to 
the vessel owner's address of record. NMFS will bear no responsibility 
if a notification is sent to the address of record for the vessel owner 
and is not received because the vessel owner's actual address has 
changed without notification to NMFS. Owners of vessels required to use 
VMS who do not receive instructions by mail are responsible for 
contacting NMFS OLE during business hours at least 3 days before the 
exemption is required to obtain information needed to make exemption 
reports. NMFS OLE must be contacted during business hours (Monday 
through Friday between 0800 and 1700 Pacific Time).
    (vii) Valid exemption reports. For an exemption report to be valid, 
it must be received by NMFS at least 2 hours and not more than 24 hours 
before the exempted activities defined at paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through 
(iv) of this section occur. An exemption report is valid until NMFS 
receives a report canceling the exemption. An exemption cancellation 
must be received at least 2 hours before the vessel re-enters the EEZ 
following an outside areas exemption; at least 2 hours before the vessel 
is placed back in the water following a haul out exemption; at least 2 
hours before the vessel resumes fishing for any species of fish in state 
or Federal waters off the States of Washington, Oregon, or California 
after it has received a permit exemption; or at least 2 hours before a 
vessel resumes fishing in the open access fishery after a long-term 
departure exemption. If a vessel is required to submit an activation 
report under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section before returning to 
fish, that report may substitute for the exemption cancellation. Initial 
contact must be made with NMFS OLE not more than 24 hours after the time 
that an emergency situation occurred in which VMS transmissions were 
disrupted and followed by a written emergency exemption request within 
72 hours from when the incident occurred. If the emergency situation 
upon which an emergency exemption is based is resolved before the 
exemption expires, an exemption cancellation must be received by NMFS at 
least 2 hours before the vessel resumes fishing.
    (5) When aware that transmission of automatic position reports has 
been interrupted, or when notified by NMFS OLE that automatic position 
reports are not being received, contact NMFS West Coast Region, VMS 
Program Manager upon request at 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 
98115-6349, phone: 888-585-5518 or [email protected] and follow the 
instructions provided to you. Such instructions may include, but are not 
limited to, manually communicating to a location designated by NMFS OLE 
the vessel's position or returning to port until the VMS is operable.
    (6) After a fishing trip during which interruption of automatic 
position reports has occurred, the vessel's owner or operator must 
replace or repair the mobile transceiver unit prior to the vessel's next 
fishing trip. Repair or reinstallation of a mobile transceiver unit or 
installation of a replacement, including change of communications 
service provider shall be in accordance with the instructions provided 
by NMFS OLE and require the same certification.
    (7) Make the mobile transceiver units available for inspection by 
NMFS OLE personnel, USCG personnel, state enforcement personnel or any 
authorized officer.
    (8) Ensure that the mobile transceiver unit is not tampered with, 
disabled, destroyed, operated, or maintained improperly.
    (9) Pay all charges levied by the communication service provider as 
necessary to ensure continuous operation of the VMS transceiver units.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78374, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 85 FR 35600, June 11, 2020; 87 FR 11599, Mar. 2, 
2022]



Sec. 660.15  Equipment requirements.

    (a) Applicability. This section contains the equipment and 
operational

[[Page 33]]

requirements for scales used to weigh catch at sea, scales used to weigh 
catch at IFQ first receivers, hardware and software for electronic fish 
tickets, and computer hardware for electronic logbook software. Unless 
otherwise specified by regulation, the operator or manager must retain, 
for 3 years, a copy of all records described in this section and make 
the records available upon request to NMFS staff or an authorized 
officer.
    (b) Scales used to weigh fish at sea. Vessel owners, operators, and 
managers are jointly and severally responsible for their vessel's 
compliance with the requirements specified in this section.
    (1) Performance and technical requirements for scales in the MS and 
C/P Coop Programs. A scale used to weigh fish in the MS and C/P Coop 
Programs must meet the type evaluation, initial inspection, and annual 
reinspection requirements set forth in 50 CFR 679.28(b)(1) and (2), and 
must be approved by NMFS to weigh fish at sea.
    (2) Annual inspection. Once a scale is installed on a vessel and 
approved by NMFS for use to weigh fish at sea, it must be reinspected 
annually within 12 months of the date of the most recent inspection to 
determine if the scale meets all of the applicable performance and 
technical requirements as described in 50 CFR 679.28(b).
    (3) Daily testing. Each scale used to weigh fish must be tested at 
least once each calendar day to ensure that each scale meets the maximum 
permissible error requirements described at paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section.
    (4) Daily at-sea scale tests. To verify that the scale meets the 
maximum permissible errors specified in this paragraph, each scale used 
to weigh fish must be tested at least one time during each calendar day 
when use of the scale is required. The tests must be performed in an 
accurate and timely manner.
    (i) Flow or Belt scales--(A) Maximum permissible errors. The maximum 
permissible errors for the daily at-sea scale test is plus or minus 3 
percent of the known weight of the test material.
    (B) Test Procedure. A test must be conducted by weighing no less 
than 400 kg (882 lb) of test material, supplied by the scale 
manufacturer or approved by a NMFS-authorized scale inspector, on the 
scale under test. The test material may be run across the scale multiple 
times in order to total 400 kg; however, no single run of test material 
across the scale may weigh less than 40 kg (88.2 lb). The known weight 
of test material must be determined at the time of each scale test by 
weighing it on a platform scale approved for use under 50 CFR 
679.28(b)(7).
    (ii) Platform scales required for observer sampling or to determine 
known weight of test material on mothership and catcher/processor 
vessels--(A) Maximum permissible errors. The maximum permissible errors 
for the daily at-sea scale test for platform scales is plus or minus 0.5 
percent of the weight tested.
    (B) Test Procedure. A platform scale used for observer sampling must 
be tested at 10, 25, and 50 kg (or 20, 50, and 100 lb if the scale is 
denominated in pounds) using approved test weights. Any combination of 
test weights that will allow the scale to be tested at 10 kg, 25 kg, and 
50 kg may be used. A platform scale used to weigh fish must be tested at 
a weight equal to the largest amount of fish that will be weighed on the 
scale in one weighing.
    (C) Approved test weights. Each test weight must have its weight 
stamped on or otherwise permanently affixed to it. The weight of each 
test weight must be annually certified by a National Institute of 
Standards and Technology-approved metrology laboratory or approved for 
continued use by the NMFS authorized inspector at the time of the annual 
scale inspection.
    (iii) Requirements for all at-sea scale tests. The following 
conditions must be met:
    (A) Notify the observer at least 15 minutes before the time that the 
test will be conducted, and conduct the test while the observer is 
present.
    (B) Conduct the scale test by placing the test material or test 
weights on or across the scale and recording the following information 
on the at-sea scale test report form:
    (1) Vessel name;
    (2) Month, day, and year of test;
    (3) Time test started to the nearest minute in local time;

[[Page 34]]

    (4) Known weight of test materials or test weights;
    (5) Weight of test material or test weights recorded by scale;
    (6) Percent error as determined by subtracting the known weight of 
the test material or test weights from the weight recorded on the scale, 
dividing that amount by the known weight of the test material or test 
weights, and multiplying by 100; and
    (7) Signature of operator.
    (C) Maintain the scale test report form from all at-sea scale tests, 
including test report forms from failed scale tests on board the vessel 
until the end of the fishing year during which the tests were conducted, 
and make the report forms available to observers, NMFS staff, or 
authorized officers. In addition, the scale test report forms must be 
retained for 3 years after the end of the fishing year during which the 
tests were performed. Each scale test report form must be signed by the 
operator immediately following completion of each scale test.
    (5) Scale maintenance. The scale must be maintained in proper 
operating condition throughout its use; adjustments made to the scale 
must be made to bring the performance errors as close as practicable to 
a zero value; and no adjustment may be made that will cause the scale to 
weigh fish inaccurately.
    (6) Printed reports from the scale (not applicable to observer 
sampling scales). Printed reports are provided to NMFS as required by 
this paragraph. Printed reports from the scale must be maintained on 
board the vessel until the end of the year during which the reports were 
made, and made available to observers, NMFS staff or authorized 
officers. In addition, printed reports must be retained for 3 years 
after the end of the year during which the printouts were made.
    (i) Printed reports of catch weight and cumulative weight. Reports 
must be printed at least once every calendar day when use of the scale 
is required. Reports must also be printed before any information stored 
in the scale computer memory is replaced. Scale weights must not be 
adjusted by the scale operator to account for the perceived weight of 
water, slime, mud, debris, or other materials. Scale printouts must 
show:
    (A) The vessel name and Federal vessel permit number;
    (B) The date and time the information was printed;
    (C) The haul number;
    (D) The total weight of the haul; and
    (E) The total cumulative weight of all fish and other material 
weighed on the scale since the last annual inspection.
    (ii) Printed report from the audit trail. The printed report must 
include the information specified in sections 2.3.1.8, 3.3.1.7, and 
4.3.1.8 of appendix A to 50 CFR part 679. The printed report must be 
provided to the authorized scale inspector at each scale inspection and 
must also be printed at any time upon request of the observer, NMFS 
personnel or an authorized officer.
    (iii) Printed report from calibration log. The operator must print 
the calibration log on request by NMFS staff or an authorized officer, 
or person authorized by NMFS. The calibration log must be printed and 
retained before any information stored in the scale computer memory is 
replaced. The calibration log must detail either the prior 1,000 
calibrations or all calibrations since the scale electronics were first 
put into service, whichever is less. The printout from the calibration 
log must show:
    (A) The vessel name and Federal fisheries or processor permit 
number;
    (B) The month, day, and year of the calibration;
    (C) The time of the calibration to the nearest minute in local time;
    (D) The weight used to calibrate the scale; and
    (E) The magnitude of the calibration in comparison to the prior 
calibration.
    (iv) Printed reports from the fault log. The operator must print the 
fault log on request by NMFS staff, an authorized officer or person 
authorized by NMFS. The fault log must be printed and retained before 
any information stored in the scale computer memory is replaced. The 
fault log must detail either the prior 1,000 faults and startups, or all 
faults and startups since the scale electronics were first put into 
service, whichever is less. A fault, for the purposes of the fault log, 
is any

[[Page 35]]

condition other than underflow detected by the scale electronics that 
could affect the metrological accuracy of the scale. The printout from 
the fault log must show:
    (A) The vessel name and Federal fisheries or processor permit 
number;
    (B) The month, day, year, and time of each startup to the nearest 
minute in local time;
    (C) The month, day, year, and time that each fault began to the 
nearest minute in local time; and
    (D) The month, day, year, and time that each fault was resolved to 
the nearest minute in local time.
    (v) Platform scales used for observer sampling. A platform scale 
used for observer sampling is not required to produce a printed record.
    (7) Video monitoring for scales used by the vessel crew to weigh 
catch. Mothership or Catcher/Processor vessels required to weigh fish 
under the regulations in this section must provide and maintain a NMFS-
approved video monitoring system as specified in paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (c) Scales used to weigh fish at IFQ first receivers--performance 
and technical requirements. Scale requirements in this paragraph are in 
addition to those requirements set forth by the State in which the scale 
is located, and nothing in this paragraph may be construed to reduce or 
supersede the authority of the State to regulate, test, or approve 
scales within the State. Scales used to weigh fish that are also 
required to be approved by the State must meet the following 
requirements:
    (1) Verification of approval. The scale must display a valid sticker 
indicating that the scale is currently approved in accordance with the 
laws of the state where the scale is located.
    (2) Visibility. The IFQ first receiver must ensure that the scale 
and scale display are visible simultaneously to the catch monitor. Catch 
monitors, NMFS staff, NMFS-authorized personnel, or authorized officers 
must be allowed to observe the weighing of fish on the scale and be 
allowed to read the scale display at all times.
    (3) Printed scale weights.
    (i) An IFQ first receiver must ensure that printouts of the scale 
weight of each delivery or offload are made available to the catch 
monitor, NMFS staff, to NMFS-authorized personnel, or to authorized 
officers at the time printouts are generated. An IFQ first receiver must 
maintain printouts on site until the end of the fishing year during 
which the printouts were made and make them available upon request by 
the catch monitor, NMFS staff, NMFS-authorized personnel, or authorized 
officers for 3 years after the end of the fishing year during which the 
printout was made.
    (ii) All scales identified in a catch monitoring plan (see Sec. 
660.140(f)(3)) must produce a printed record for each landing, or 
portion of a landing, weighed on that scale. NMFS may exempt, through 
approval of the NMFS-accepted catch monitoring plan, scales not designed 
for automatic bulk weighing from part or all of the printed record 
requirements. IFQ first receivers that receive no more than 200,000 
pounds of groundfish in any calendar month may be exempt under Sec. 
660.140(j)(2). For scales that must produce a printed record, the 
printed record must include:
    (A) The IFQ first receiver's name;
    (B) The weight of each load in the weighing cycle;
    (C) The total weight of fish in each landing, or portion of the 
landing that was weighed on that scale;
    (D) For belt scales and weight belts, the total cumulative weight of 
all fish or other material weighed on the scale since the last 
inspection;
    (E) The date the information is printed; and
    (F) The name and vessel registration or documentation number of the 
vessel making the landing. The person operating the scale may write this 
information on the scale printout in ink at the time of printing.
    (4) Inseason scale testing. IFQ first receivers must allow, and 
provide reasonable assistance to NMFS staff, NMFS-authorized personnel, 
and authorized officers to test scales used to weigh IFQ fish. A scale 
that does not pass an inseason test may not be used to weigh IFQ fish 
until the scale passes an inseason test or is approved for continued use 
by the weights and measures authorities of the State in which the scale 
is located.

[[Page 36]]

    (i) Inseason testing criteria. To pass an inseason test, NMFS staff 
or authorized officers must be able to verify that:
    (A) The scale display and printed information are clear and easily 
read under all conditions of normal operation;
    (B) Weight values are visible on the display until the value is 
printed;
    (C) The scale does not exceed the maximum permissible errors 
specified in this paragraph:
    (1) Flow scales (also known as belt scales and weight belts). The 
maximum permissible error is plus or minus 0.25 percent of the known 
weight of the test material with repeatability between tests of no more 
than 0.25 percent. Percent error is determined by subtracting the known 
weight of the test material or test weights from the weight recorded on 
the scale, dividing that amount by the known weight of the test material 
or test weights, and multiplying by 100.
    (2) All other scales.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Maximum error
              Test load in scale divisions                   in scale
                                                             divisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) 0-500...............................................               1
(ii) 501-2,000..........................................               2
(iii) 2,001-4,000.......................................               3
(iv) 4,000...................................               5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (D) Automatic weighing systems. An automatic weighing system must be 
provided and operational that will prevent fish from passing over the 
scale or entering any weighing hopper unless the following criteria are 
met:
    (1) No catch may enter or leave a weighing hopper until the weighing 
cycle is complete;
    (2) No product may be cycled and weighed if the weight recording 
element is not operational; and
    (3) No product may enter a weighing hopper until the prior weighing 
cycle has been completed and the scale indicator has returned to a zero.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (d) Electronic fish tickets. First receivers are required to meet 
the hardware and software requirements below.
    (1) Hardware and software requirements. A personal computer system, 
tablet, mobile device, or other device that has software (e.g., web 
browser) capable of submitting information over the internet, such that 
submission to Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission can be executed 
effectively.
    (2) Internet access. The first receiver is responsible for 
maintaining internet access sufficient to access the web-based interface 
and submit completed electronic fish ticket forms.
    (3) Maintenance. The first receiver is responsible for ensuring that 
all hardware and software required under this subsection are fully 
operational and functional whenever they receive, purchase, or take 
custody, control, or possession of groundfish species for which an 
electronic fish ticket is required. ``Functional'' means that the 
software requirements and minimum hardware requirements described at 
paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section are met and submission to 
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission can be executed effectively 
by the equipment.
    (4) Improving data quality. Vessel owners and operators, first 
receivers, or shoreside processor owners, or managers may contact NMFS 
to request assistance in improving data quality and resolving issues. 
Requests may be submitted to: Attn: Electronic Fish Ticket Monitoring, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region, Sustainable 
Fisheries Division, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Seattle, WA 98115.
    (e) Video monitoring systems used monitor at-sea scales--(1) 
Performance and technical requirements for video monitoring systems for 
the MS and C/P Coop Programs. A video monitoring system used to monitor 
at-sea scales must meet the system requirements and system inspections, 
set forth in 50 CFR 679.28(e)(1) through (4) and be issued a Video 
Monitoring Inspection Report verifying that the video system meets all 
applicable requirements for use in the Alaska Pollock fishery. Any 
change to the system must meet the requirements specified at 50 CFR 
679.28(e)(7) and be approved by the Alaska Regional Administrator in 
writing before any changes are made.
    (i) MS or C/P vessels required to weigh fish at sea under the 
regulations in this section must:
    (A) Provide and maintain a video monitoring system that provides 
sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor: All areas where 
catch enters

[[Page 37]]

the scale, moves across the scale and leaves the scale; any access point 
to the scale from which the scale may be adjusted or modified by vessel 
crew while the vessel is at sea; and the scale display and the indicator 
for the scale operating in a fault state.
    (B) Record and retain video for all periods when catch that must be 
weighed is on board the vessel.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) Video Monitoring System Inspection Report. A current NMFS-issued 
Video Monitoring System Inspection Report must be maintained on board 
the vessel at all times the vessel is required to have an approved video 
monitoring system. The Video Monitoring System Inspection Report must be 
made available to the observer, NMFS staff, or to an authorized officer 
upon request.
    (3) Retention of records. Consistent with the requirements set forth 
at 50 CFR 679.28(e)(1), the video data must be maintained on the vessel 
and made available on request by NMFS staff, or any individual 
authorized by NMFS. The data must be retained on board the vessel for no 
less than 120 days after the date the video is recorded, unless NMFS has 
notified the operator in writing that the video data may be retained for 
less than this 120-day period.

[75 FR 78375, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 
FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 81 FR 27008, May 5, 2016; 81 FR 84426, Nov. 23, 
2016]



Sec. 660.16  Groundfish observer program.

    (a) General. Vessel owners, operators, and managers are jointly and 
severally responsible for their vessel's compliance with observer 
requirements specified in this section and within Sec. Sec. 660.140, 
660.150, 660.160, 660.216, or 660.316.
    (b) Purpose. The purpose of the Groundfish Observer Program is to 
collect fisheries data necessary and appropriate for, among other 
relevant purposes, management, compliance monitoring, and research in 
the groundfish fisheries and for the conservation of living marine 
resources.
    (c) Observer coverage requirements. The following table provides 
references to the paragraphs in the Pacific coast groundfish subparts 
that contain fishery specific requirements. Observer coverage required 
for the Shorebased IFQ Program, MS Coop Program, or C/P Coop Program 
shall not be used to comply with observer coverage requirements for any 
other Pacific coast groundfish fishery in which that vessel may also 
participate.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   West coast groundfish fishery               Regulation section              Observer program branch office
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Shorebased IFQ Program--Trawl    Sec. 660.140(h)....................  West Coast Groundfish.
 Fishery.
(2) MS Coop Program--Whiting At-sea  Sec. 660.150(j)....................
 Trawl Fishery.
    (i) Motherships................                                         At-sea Hake.
    (ii) Catcher Vessels...........                                         West Coast Groundfish.
(3) C/P Coop Program--Whiting At-    Sec. 660.160(g)....................  At-sea Hake.
 sea Trawl Fishery.
(4) Fixed Gear Fisheries...........  Sec. 660.216.......................
    (i) Harvester vessels..........                                         West Coast Groundfish.
    (ii) Processing vessels........                                         West Coast Groundfish.
(5) Open Access Fisheries..........  Sec. 660.316.......................
    (i) Harvester vessels..........                                         West Coast Groundfish.
    (ii) Processing vessels........                                         West Coast Groundfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Observer certifications and responsibilities. For the Shorebased 
IFQ Program see Sec. 660.140(h), for the MS Coop Program see Sec. 
660.150(j), and, for the C/P Coop Program see Sec. 660.160(g).
    (e) Application process to become an observer provider. See Sec. 
660.18.

[75 FR 78376, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 22280, Apr. 21, 2015]



Sec. 660.17  Catch monitor program.

    (a) General. The first receiver site license holder, the first 
receiver site license authorized representative, facility operators and 
managers are jointly and severally responsible for the first receiver 
being in compliance with catch monitor requirements specified in this 
section and at Sec. 660.140 (i).
    (b) Purpose. The purpose of the Catch Monitor Program is to, among 
other

[[Page 38]]

related matters, confirm that the IFQ landings are accurately sorted, 
weighed and reported on electronic fish tickets.
    (c) Catch monitor coverage requirements. Catch monitor coverage 
requirements for the Shorebased IFQ Program are specified at Sec. 
660.140(i).
    (d) Catch monitor certification and responsibilities. Catch monitor 
certification authorizes an individual to fulfill duties as specified by 
NMFS while under the employ of a catch monitor provider.
    (1) Catch monitor training certification. A training certification 
signifies the successful completion of the training course required to 
obtain catch monitor certification. This certification expires when the 
catch monitor has not been deployed and performed sampling duties as 
required by the Catch Monitor Program Office for a period of time, 
specified by the Catch Monitor Program, after his or her most recent 
debriefing. The certification is renewed by successful completion of the 
training course.
    (2) Catch Monitor Program annual briefing. Each catch monitor must 
attend a briefing prior to his or her first deployment within any 
calendar year subsequent to a year in which a training certification is 
obtained. To maintain a certification, a catch monitor must successfully 
complete any required briefing specified by the Catch Monitor Program. 
All briefing attendance, performance, and conduct standards required by 
the Catch Monitor Program must be met prior to any deployment.
    (3) Catch monitor certification requirements. NMFS may certify 
individuals who:
    (i) Are employed by a catch monitor provider at the time of the 
issuance of the certification and qualified, as described at paragraph 
(f)(1)(i) through (viii) of this section and have provided proof of 
qualifications to NMFS, through the catch monitor provider.
    (ii) Have successfully completed catch monitor certification 
training.
    (A) Successful completion of training by an applicant consists of 
meeting all attendance and conduct standards; meeting all performance 
standards for assignments, tests, and other evaluation tools; and 
completing all other training requirements established by the Catch 
Monitor Program.
    (B) If a candidate fails training, he or she will be notified in 
writing on or before the last day of training. The notification will 
indicate: The reasons the candidate failed the training; whether the 
candidate can retake the training, and under what conditions.
    (iii) Have not been decertified as an observer or catch monitor 
under provisions in Sec. Sec. 660.17(g), and 660.140(h)(6), 
660.150(j)(5), 660.160(g)(5) or 679.53(c) of this chapter.
    (4) Maintaining the validity of a catch monitor certification. After 
initial issuance, a catch monitor must keep their certification valid by 
meeting all of the following requirements specified below:
    (i) Successfully perform their assigned duties as described in the 
Catch Monitor Manual or other written instructions from the Catch 
Monitor Program.
    (ii) Accurately record their data, write complete reports, and 
report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment.
    (iii) Consistent with NOAA data confidentiality guidance, not 
disclose data and observations made on board a vessel to any person 
except the owner or operator of the observed vessel, an authorized state 
or OLE officer, NMFS or the Catch Monitor Program; and, not disclose 
data and observations made at a first receiver to any person other than 
the first receiver site license holder, the first receiver site license 
authorized representative, facility operators and managers an authorized 
state or OLE officer, NMFS or the Catch Monitor Program.
    (iv) Successfully complete any required briefings as prescribed by 
the Catch Monitor Program.
    (v) Successful completion of a briefing by a catch monitor consists 
of meeting all attendance and conduct standards issued in writing at the 
start of training; meeting all performance standards issued in writing 
at the start of training for assignments, tests, and other evaluation 
tools; and completing all other briefing requirements established by the 
Catch Monitor Program.

[[Page 39]]

    (vi) Successfully meet all debriefing expectations including catch 
monitor performance standards and reporting for assigned debriefings.
    (vii) Submit all data and information required by the Catch Monitor 
Program within the program's stated guidelines.
    (viii) Have been deployed as a catch monitor within the 12 months 
prior to any required briefing, unless otherwise authorized by the Catch 
Monitor Program.
    (e) Catch monitor standards of behavior. Catch monitors must do the 
following:
    (1) Perform authorized duties as described in training and 
instructional manuals or other written and oral instructions provided by 
the Catch Monitor Program.
    (2) Accurately record and submit the required data, which includes 
fish species composition, identification, sorting, and weighing 
information.
    (3) Write complete reports, and report accurately any observations 
of suspected violations of regulations.
    (4) Returns phone calls, emails, text messages, or other forms of 
communication within the time specified by the Catch Monitor Program.
    (5) Not disclose data and observations made on board a vessel to any 
person except the owner or operator of the observed vessel, an 
authorized officer, NMFS or the Catch Monitor Program; and not disclose 
data and observations made at a first receiver to any person other than 
the first receiver site license holder, the first receiver site license 
authorized representative, facility operators and managers an authorized 
officer, NMFS or the Catch Monitor Program.
    (f) Catch monitor provider responsibilities--(1) Provide qualified 
candidates to serve as catch monitors. To be qualified a candidate must:
    (i) Be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United 
States;
    (ii) Be at least 18 years of age;
    (iii) Have a high school diploma and;
    (A) At least two years of study from an accredited college with a 
major study in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth 
sciences, natural resource anthropology, law enforcement/police science, 
criminal justice, public administration, behavioral sciences, 
environmental sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to 
the management and protection of natural resources, or;
    (B) One year of specialized experience performing duties which 
involved communicating effectively and obtaining cooperation, 
identifying and reporting problems or apparent violations of regulations 
concerning the use of protected or public land areas, and carrying out 
policies and procedures within a recreational area or natural resource 
site.
    (iv) Computer skills that enable the candidate to work competently 
with standard database software and computer hardware.
    (v) Have a current and valid driver's license.
    (vi) Have had a background investigation and been found to have had 
no criminal or civil convictions that would affect their performance or 
credibility as a catch monitor.
    (vii) Have had health and physical fitness exams and been found to 
be fit for the job duties and work conditions;
    (A) Physical fitness exams shall be conducted by a medical doctor 
who has been provided with a description of the job duties and work 
conditions and who provides a written conclusion regarding the 
candidate's fitness relative to the required duties and work conditions. 
A signed and dated statement from a licensed physician that he or she 
has physically examined a catch monitor or catch monitor candidate. The 
statement must confirm that, based on that physical examination, the 
catch monitor or catch monitor candidate does not have any health 
problems or conditions that would jeopardize that individual's safety or 
the safety of others while deployed, or prevent the catch monitor or 
catch monitor candidate from performing his or her duties 
satisfactorily. The physician's statement must be submitted to the Catch 
Monitor Program office prior to certification of a catch monitor. The 
physical exam must have occurred during the 12 months prior to the catch 
monitor's or catch monitor candidate's deployment. The physician's 
statement expires 12 months after the physical exam occurred and a new 
physical

[[Page 40]]

exam must be performed, and accompanying statement submitted, prior to 
any deployment occurring after the expiration of the statement.
    (B) The observer provider must submit copies of ``certificates of 
insurance,'' that names the Catch Monitor Program Coordinator as the 
``certificate holder'' to the Catch Monitor Program Office by February 1 
of each year. The certificates of insurance shall verify all coverage 
provisions specified at Sec. 600.748(b) and (c) of this chapter and 
state that the insurance company will notify the certificate holder if 
insurance coverage is changed or canceled.
    (viii) Have signed a statement indicating that they are free from 
conflict of interest as described under Sec. 660.18(c).
    (2) Catch monitor conduct and behavior. A catch monitor provider 
must develop and maintain a policy addressing conduct and behavior for 
their employees that serve as catch monitors.
    (i) The policy shall address the following behavior and conduct 
regarding:
    (A) Catch monitor use of alcohol;
    (B) Catch monitor, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs; and
    (C) Sexual contact with personnel off the vessels or processing 
facility to which the catch monitor is assigned, or with any vessel or 
processing plant personnel who may be substantially affected by the 
performance or non-performance of the catch monitor's official duties.
    (ii) A catch monitor provider shall provide a copy of its conduct 
and behavior policy to each observer candidate and to the Catch Monitor 
Program by February 1 of each year.
    (3) Contract. Provide to the candidate a copy of a written contract 
signed by the catch monitor and catch monitor provider that shows among 
other factors the following provisions for employment:
    (i) Compliance with the standards of conduct, responsibilities, 
conflict of interest standards and drug and alcohol policy;
    (ii) Willingness to complete all responsibilities of current 
deployment prior to performing jobs or duties which are not part of the 
catch monitor responsibilities.
    (iii) Commitment to return all sampling or safety equipment issued 
for the deployment.
    (4) Catch monitors provided to a first receiver. (i) Must have a 
valid catch monitor certification;
    (ii) Must not have informed the catch monitor provider prior to the 
time of assignment that he or she is experiencing a mental illness or a 
physical ailment or injury developed since submission of the physician's 
statement, as required in paragraph (f)(1)(vii)(A) of this section that 
would prevent him or her from performing his or her assigned duties; and
    (iii) Must have successfully completed all Catch Monitor Program 
required training and briefing before assignment.
    (5) Respond to industry requests for catch monitors. A catch monitor 
provider must provide a catch monitor for assignment pursuant to the 
terms of the contractual relationship with the first receiver to fulfill 
first receiver requirements for catch monitor coverage under Sec. 
660.140(i)(1). An alternate catch monitor must be supplied in each case 
where injury or illness prevents the catch monitor from performing his 
or her duties or where the catch monitor resigns prior to completion of 
his or her duties. If the catch monitor provider is unable to respond to 
an industry request for catch monitor coverage from a first receiver for 
whom the catch monitor provider is in a contractual relationship due to 
the lack of available catch monitors, the catch monitor provider must 
report it to NMFS at least four hours prior to the expected assignment 
time, unless the first receiver provides less than four hour notice to 
the provider, in which case the provider is to notify the Catch Monitor 
Program as soon as practical after the situation arises.
    (6) Ensure that catch monitors complete duties in a timely manner. 
Catch monitor providers must ensure that catch monitors employed by that 
catch monitor provider do the following in a complete and timely manner:
    (i) Submit to NMFS all data, logbooks and reports as required under 
the Catch Monitor Program deadlines.

[[Page 41]]

    (ii) Report for his or her scheduled debriefing and complete all 
debriefing responsibilities.
    (7) Provide catch monitor salaries and benefits. A catch monitor 
provider must provide to its catch monitor employees salaries and any 
other benefits and personnel services in accordance with the terms of 
each catch monitor's contract.
    (8) Provide catch monitor assignment logistics.
    (i) A catch monitor provider must ensure each of its catch monitors 
under contract:
    (A) Has an individually assigned mobile or cell phones, in working 
order, for all necessary communication. A catch monitor provider may 
alternatively compensate catch monitors for the use of the catch 
monitor's personal cell phone or pager for communications made in 
support of, or necessary for, the catch monitor's duties.
    (B) Has Internet access for Catch Monitor Program communications and 
data submission;
    (C) Remains available to OLE and the Catch Monitor Program until the 
completion of the catch monitors' debriefing.
    (D) Receives all necessary transportation, including arrangements 
and logistics, of catch monitors to the location of assignment, to all 
subsequent assignments during that assignment, and to the debriefing 
location when an assignment ends for any reason; and
    (E) Receives lodging, per diem, and any other services necessary to 
catch monitors assigned to first receivers, as specified in the contract 
between the catch monitor and catch monitor provider.
    (F) While under contract with a catch monitor provider, each catch 
monitor shall be provided with accommodations in accordance with the 
contract between the catch monitor and the catch monitor provider. If 
the catch monitor provider is responsible for providing accommodations 
under the contract with the catch monitor, the accommodations must be at 
a licensed hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or other accommodations that 
have an assigned bed for each catch monitor that no other person may be 
assigned to for the duration of that catch monitor's stay.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (9) Catch monitor assignment limitations and workload.
    (i) Not assign a catch monitor to the same first receiver for more 
than 90 calendar days in a 12-month period, unless otherwise authorized 
by NMFS.
    (ii) Not exceed catch monitor assignment limitations and workload as 
outlined in Sec. 660.140(i)(3)(ii).
    (10) Maintain communications with catch monitors. A catch monitor 
provider must have an employee responsible for catch monitor activities 
on call 24 hours a day to handle emergencies involving catch monitors or 
problems concerning catch monitor logistics, whenever catch monitors are 
assigned, or in transit, or awaiting first receiver reassignment.
    (11) Maintain communications with the Catch Monitor Program office. 
A catch monitor provider must provide all of the following information 
by electronic transmission (email), fax, or other method specified by 
NMFS.
    (i) Catch monitor training, briefing, and debriefing registration 
materials. This information must be submitted to the Catch Monitor 
Program at least 10 business days prior to the beginning of a scheduled 
catch monitor certification training or briefing session. Submissions 
received less than 10 business days prior to the beginning of a 
scheduled catch monitor certification training or briefing session will 
be approved by the Catch Monitor Program on a case-by-case basis.
    (A) Training registration materials consist of the following:
    (1) Date of requested training;
    (2) A list of catch monitor candidates that includes each 
candidate's full name (i.e., first, middle and last names), date of 
birth, and gender;
    (3) A copy of each candidate's academic transcripts and resume;
    (4) A statement signed by the candidate under penalty of perjury 
which discloses the candidate's criminal convictions;
    (B) Briefing registration materials consist of the following:
    (1) Date and type of requested briefing session;

[[Page 42]]

    (2) List of catch monitors to attend the briefing session, that 
includes each catch monitor's full name (first, middle, and last names);
    (C) The Catch Monitor Program will notify the catch monitor provider 
which catch monitors require debriefing and the specific time period the 
catch monitor provider has to schedule a date, time, and location for 
debriefing. The catch monitor provider must contact the Catch Monitor 
Program within 5 business days by telephone to schedule debriefings.
    (1) Catch monitor providers must immediately notify the Catch 
Monitor Program when catch monitors end their contract earlier than 
anticipated.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (ii) Catch monitor provider contracts. If requested, catch monitor 
providers must submit to the Catch Monitor Program a completed and 
unaltered copy of each type of signed and valid contract (including all 
attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the 
contract) between the catch monitor provider and those entities 
requiring catch monitor services under Sec. 660.140(i)(1). Catch 
monitor providers must also submit to the Catch Monitor Program upon 
request, a completed and unaltered copy of the current or most recent 
signed and valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, 
addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the contract and any 
agreements or policies with regard to catch monitor compensation or 
salary levels) between the catch monitor provider and the particular 
entity identified by the Catch Monitor Program or with specific catch 
monitors. The copies must be submitted to the Catch Monitor Program via 
email, fax, or mail within 5 business days of the request. Signed and 
valid contracts include the contracts a catch monitor provider has with:
    (A) First receivers required to have catch monitor coverage as 
specified at paragraph Sec. 660.140(i)(1); and
    (B) Catch monitors.
    (iii) Change in catch monitor provider management and contact 
information. A catch monitor provider must submit to the Catch Monitor 
Program any change of management or contact information as required at 
Sec. 660.18(h).
    (iv) Catch monitor status report. Each Tuesday, catch monitor 
providers must provide the Catch Monitor Program with an updated list of 
deployments per Catch Monitor Program protocol. Deployment information 
includes provider name, catch monitor last name, catch monitor first 
name, trip start date, trip end date, status of catch monitor, vessel 
name and vessel identification number, date monitored offload, and first 
receiver assignment.
    (v) Informational materials. Catch monitor providers must submit to 
NMFS, if requested, copies of any information developed and used by the 
catch monitor providers and distributed to first receivers, including, 
but not limited to, informational pamphlets, payment notification, and 
description of catch monitor duties.
    (vi) Other reports. Reports of the following must be submitted in 
writing to the Catch Monitor Program by the catch monitor provider via 
fax or email address designated by the Catch Monitor Program within 24 
hours after the catch monitor provider becomes aware of the information:
    (A) Any information regarding possible catch monitor harassment;
    (B) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec. 
660.12(f);
    (C) Any catch monitor illness or injury that prevents the catch 
monitor from completing any of his or her duties described in the catch 
monitor manual; and
    (D) Any information, allegations or reports regarding catch monitor 
conflict of interest or breach of the standards of behavior described in 
catch monitor provider policy.
    (12) Replace lost or damaged gear. Lost or damaged gear issued to a 
catch monitor by NMFS must be replaced by the catch monitor provider. 
All replacements must be provided to NMFS and be in accordance with 
requirements and procedures identified in writing by the Catch Monitor 
Program.
    (13) Confidentiality of information. A catch monitor provider must 
ensure that all records on individual catch monitor performance received 
from NMFS under the routine use provision of the Privacy Act 5 U.S.C. 
552a or as otherwise required by law remain confidential and are not 
further released

[[Page 43]]

to any person outside the employ of the catch monitor provider company 
to whom the catch monitor was contracted except with written permission 
of the catch monitor.
    (g) Certification and decertification procedures for catch monitors.
    (1) Catch monitor certification official. The Regional Administrator 
(or a designee) will designate a NMFS catch monitor certification 
official who will make decisions on whether to issue or deny catch 
monitor certification.
    (2) Agency determinations on catch monitor certifications--(i) 
Issuance of certifications. Certification may be issued upon 
determination by the catch monitor certification official that the 
candidate has successfully met all requirements for certification as 
specified in Sec. 660.17(d).
    (ii) Denial of a certification. The catch monitor certification 
official will issue a written determination identifying the reasons for 
denial of a certification.
    (3) Limitations on conflict of interest for catch monitors. (i) 
Catch monitors must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer or catch monitor services, in a North Pacific 
fishery managed pursuant to an FMP for the waters off the coast of 
Alaska, Alaska state waters, or in a Pacific Coast fishery managed by 
either the state or Federal Governments in waters off Washington, 
Oregon, or California, including but not limited to:
    (A) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processor 
facility involved in the catching, taking, harvesting or processing of 
fish;
    (B) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processing 
facility; or
    (C) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary 
processing facilities.
    (ii) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value from any person who either conducts activities that are regulated 
by NMFS or has interests that may be substantially affected by the 
performance or nonperformance of the catch monitor's official duties.
    (iii) May not serve as a catch monitor at any shoreside or floating 
stationary processing facility owned or operated where a person was 
previously employed in the last two years.
    (iv) May not solicit or accept employment as a crew member or an 
employee of a vessel, or shoreside processor while employed by a catch 
monitor provider.
    (v) Provisions for remuneration of catch monitors under this section 
do not constitute a conflict of interest.
    (4) Catch monitor decertification--(i) Catch monitor decertification 
review official. The Regional Administrator (or a designee) will 
designate a catch monitor decertification review official(s), who will 
have the authority to review certifications and issue IADs of 
decertification.
    (ii) Causes for decertification. The catch monitor decertification 
official may initiate decertification proceedings when it is alleged 
that any of the following acts or omissions have been committed:
    (A) Failed to satisfactorily perform the specified duties and 
responsibilities;
    (B) Failed to abide by the specified standards of conduct;
    (C) Upon conviction of a crime or upon entry of a civil judgment 
for:
    (1) Commission of fraud or other violation in connection with 
obtaining or attempting to obtain certification, or in performing the 
duties and responsibilities specified in this section;
    (2) Commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, 
falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or 
receiving stolen property;
    (3) Commission of any other offense indicating a lack of integrity 
or honesty that seriously and directly affects the fitness of catch 
monitors.
    (iii) Issuance of IAD. Upon determination that decertification is 
warranted, the catch monitor decertification official will issue a 
written IAD. The IAD will identify the specific reasons for

[[Page 44]]

the action taken. Decertification is effective 30 calendar days after 
the date on the IAD, unless there is an appeal.
    (iv) Appeals. A certified catch monitor who receives an IAD that 
suspends or revokes his or her catch monitor certification may appeal 
the determination within 30 calendar days after the date on the IAD to 
the Office of Administrative Appeals pursuant to Sec. 660.19.

[75 FR 78377, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 
76 FR 74734, Dec. 1, 2011; 80 FR 22280, Apr. 21, 2015; 87 FR 54909, 
Sept. 8, 2022]



Sec. 660.18  Observer and catch monitor provider permits and endorsements.

    (a) Provider permits. Persons seeking to provide observer or catch 
monitor services must obtain a provider permit from NMFS before 
providing certified catch monitors or certified observers for the 
Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Coop Program, the C/P Coop Program, or 
for processing vessels in the fixed gear or open access fisheries. There 
are two types of endorsements for provider permits, an observer 
endorsement and a catch monitor endorsement. Provider permits must have 
at least one endorsement and it must be appropriate for the services 
being provided. Provider permits are obtained through an application 
process and must be renewed annually to remain valid in the following 
year. A provider permit and associated endorsements expire if not 
renewed or if services have not been provided for 12 consecutive months.
    (b) Application process to become an observer or catch monitor 
provider--(1) New provider applications. An applicant seeking a provider 
permit may submit an application at any time during the calendar year. 
Any provider permit issued during a given year will expire on December 
31. Application forms must be submitted by mail to the West Coast Region 
Fisheries Permits Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Bldg 1, Seattle, WA 
98115. Only complete applications will be considered for approval by the 
review board.
    (2) Contents of provider application. A complete application for a 
provider permit shall contain the following:
    (i) An indication of which endorsement the applicant is seeking: 
observer provider, catch monitor provider, or both endorsements. A 
single application may be used to apply for both endorsements.
    (ii) Applicant contact information.
    (A) Legal name of applicant organization. If the applicant 
organization is United States business entity, include the state 
registration number.
    (B) The primary business mailing address, phone and fax numbers 
where the owner(s) can be contacted for official correspondence.
    (iii) Description of the management, organizational structure, and 
ownership structure of the applicant's business, including 
identification by name and general function of all controlling 
management interests in the company, including but not limited to 
owners, board members, officers, authorized agents, and employees. List 
all office locations and their business mailing address, business phone, 
fax number, and email addresses. If the applicant is a corporation, the 
articles of incorporation must be provided. If the applicant is a 
partnership, the partnership agreement must be provided.
    (iv) A narrative statement describing relevant direct or indirect 
prior experience or qualifications the applicant may have that would 
enable them to be a successful provider.
    (A) For applicants seeking an observer provider endorsement, the 
applicant should describe experience in placing individuals in remote 
field and/or marine work environments. This includes, but is not limited 
to, recruiting, hiring, deployment, and personnel administration.
    (B) For applicants seeking a catch monitor provider endorsement, a 
narrative statement should identify prior relevant experience in 
recruiting, hiring, deploying, and providing support for individuals in 
marine work environments in the groundfish fishery or other fisheries of 
similar scale.
    (v) A narrative description of the applicant's ability to carry out 
the required responsibilities and duties as described at Sec. Sec. 
660.140(h), 660.150(j), and 660.160(g) for observer providers and/or 
Sec. 660.17(f) for catch monitor providers.

[[Page 45]]

    (vi) A statement signed under penalty of perjury by an authorized 
agent of the applicant about each owner, or owners, board members, and 
officers if a corporation, authorized agents, and employees, regarding:
    (A) Conflict of interest as described in Sec. 660.18 (c)(3),
    (B) Criminal convictions,
    (C) Federal contracts they have had and the performance rating they 
received on the contract, and
    (D) Previous decertification action while working as an observer, 
catch monitor, observer provider, or catch monitor provider.
    (vii) NMFS may request additional information or clarification from 
the applicants.
    (c) Application evaluation. Complete applications will be forwarded 
to Observer Program and/or the Catch Monitor Program for review and 
evaluation.
    (1) A provider permit application review board will be established 
and be comprised of at least three members. The review board will 
evaluate applications submitted under paragraph (a) of this section. If 
the applicant is an entity, the review board also will evaluate the 
application criteria for each owner, board member, officer, authorized 
agent, and employee.
    (2) The provider permit application will, at a minimum, be evaluated 
on the following criteria:
    (i) The applicant's ability to carry out the responsibilities and 
relevant experience and qualifications.
    (ii) Review of any conflict of interest as described in Sec. 
660.18(c)(3).
    (iii) Review of any criminal convictions.
    (iv) Satisfactory performance ratings on any Federal contracts held 
by the applicant.
    (v) Review of any history of decertification as an observer, catch 
monitor, observer provider, or catch monitor provider.
    (3) Limitations on conflict of interest for providers. (i) Providers 
must not have a direct financial interest, other than the provision of 
observer, catch monitor or other biological sampling services, in any 
federal or state managed fisheries, including but not limited to:
    (A) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processor 
facility involved in the catching, taking, harvesting or processing of 
fish;
    (B) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processing 
facility; or
    (C) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary 
processing facilities.
    (ii) Providers must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, 
any gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value from any person who conducts fishing or fish processing activities 
that are regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may be 
substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the 
official duties of the provider.
    (4) Existing providers. Businesses that provided observers and/or 
catch monitors in the 12 months prior to May 21, 2015 will be issued a 
provider permit without submission of an application. This permit will 
be effective through December 31, 2015.
    (i) Providers who deployed catch monitors in the Shorebased IFQ 
Program in the 12 months prior to May 21, 2015 will be issued a provider 
permit with a catch monitor provider endorsement effective through 
December 31, 2015, except that a change in ownership of an existing 
catch monitor provider after January 1, 2015, requires a new permit 
application under this section.
    (ii) Providers who deployed certified observers in the Pacific Coast 
groundfish fishery in the 12 months prior to May 21, 2015 will be issued 
a provider permit with an observer provider endorsement effective 
through December 31, 2015, except that a change in ownership of an 
existing observer provider after January 1, 2015, requires a new permit 
application under this section.
    (iii) To receive a provider permit for 2016 and beyond, the existing 
providers must follow the provider permit renewal process set forth in 
this section.
    (d) Agency determination on an application.

[[Page 46]]

    (1) Initial administrative determination. For all complete 
applications, NMFS will issue an IAD that either approves or disapproves 
the application. If approved, the IAD will be the provider permit and 
any associated endorsements. If disapproved, the IAD will provide the 
reasons for this determination. If the applicant does not appeal the IAD 
within 30 calendar days, the IAD becomes the final decision of the 
Regional Administrator acting on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce.
    (2) Appeal. The applicant may appeal the IAD consistent with the 
observer, catch monitor, and provider appeals process defined at Sec. 
660.19.
    (e) Effective dates. The provider permit will be valid from the 
effective date identified on the permit until the permit expiration date 
of December 31. Provider permit holders must reapply annually by 
following the application process specified in paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (f) Expiration of the provider permit--(1) Expiration due to 
inactivity. After a period of 12 continuous months during which no 
observers or catch monitors are deployed by the provider in the Pacific 
coast groundfish fishery, NMFS will issue an IAD describing the intent 
to expire the provider permit or to remove the appropriate 
endorsement(s) and the timeline to do so. A provider that receives an 
IAD may appeal under Sec. 660.19. The provider permit and endorsements 
will remain valid until a final agency decision is made or until 
December 31, whichever is earlier.
    (2) Expiration due to failure to renew. Failure to renew annually 
will result in expiration of the provider permit and endorsements on 
December 31.
    (3) Obtaining a new permit or endorsement following an expiration or 
voided permit. A person holding an expired or void permit or endorsement 
may reapply for a new provider permit or endorsement at any time 
consistent with Sec. 660.18(b).
    (g) Provider permit renewal process. To maintain a valid provider 
permit, provider permit holders must reapply annually prior to the 
permit expiration date.
    (1) NMFS will mail a provider permit application form to existing 
permit holders on or about September 15 each year.
    (2) Providers who want to have their permits effective for January 1 
of the following calendar year must submit their complete application 
form to NMFS by October 31. If a provider fails to renew the provider 
permit, the provider permit and endorsements will expire on December 31.
    (h) Change of provider permit ownership and transfer restrictions. 
Neither a provider permit nor the endorsements are transferable. 
Ownership of a provider permit cannot be registered to another 
individual or entity. The provider permit owner cannot change, 
substitute, or add individuals or entities as owners of the permit 
(i.e., cannot change the legal name of the permit owner(s) as given on 
the permit). Any change in ownership of the provider permit requires the 
new owner(s) to apply for a provider permit, and is subject to approval 
by NMFS.
    (i) Provider permit sanctions. Procedures governing sanctions of 
permits are found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (j) Permit fees. The Regional Administrator may charge fees to cover 
administrative expenses related to issuance of permits including initial 
issuance, renewal replacement, and appeals.

[80 FR 22283, Apr. 21, 2015]



Sec. 660.19  Appeals process for catch monitors, observers, and provider permits.

    (a) Allowed appeals. This section describes the procedure for 
appealing IADs described at Sec. Sec. 660.17(g), 660.18(d) and (f), 
660.140(h), 660.150(j), 660.160(g), 660.603(b)(3) for catch monitor 
decertification, observer decertification, provider permit expirations 
due to inactivity, and EM service provider permit denials. Any person 
whose interest is directly and adversely affected by an IAD may file a 
written appeal. For purposes of this section, such person will be 
referred to as the ``applicant.''
    (b) Appeals process. In cases where the applicant disagrees with the 
IAD, the applicant may appeal that decision. Final decisions on appeals 
of IADs will

[[Page 47]]

be made in writing by the Regional Administrator or designee acting on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce and will state the reasons 
therefore.
    (1) Submission of appeals. (i) The appeal must be in writing and 
comply with this paragraph.
    (ii) Appeals must be mailed or faxed to: National Marine Fisheries 
Service, West Coast Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, ATTN: 
Appeals, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115; Fax: 206-526-6426; 
or delivered to National Marine Fisheries Service at the same address.
    (2) Timing of appeals. The appeal must be filed within 30 calendar 
days after the IAD is issued. The IAD becomes the final decision of the 
Regional Administrator or designee acting on behalf of the Secretary of 
Commerce if no appeal is filed within 30 calendar days. The time period 
to submit an appeal begins with the date on the IAD. If the last day of 
the time period is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the time 
period will extend to the close of business on the next business day.
    (3) Address of record. The address used by the applicant in initial 
correspondence to NMFS concerning the application will be the address 
used by NMFS for the appeal. Notifications and correspondence associated 
with all actions affecting the applicant will be mailed to the address 
of record unless the applicant provides NMFS, in writing, an address 
change. NMFS bears no responsibility if NMFS sends a notification or 
correspondence to the address of record and it is not received because 
the applicant's actual address has changed without notification to NMFS.
    (4) Statement of reasons for appeals. Applicants must submit a full 
written statement in support of the appeal, including a concise 
statement of the reasons the IAD determination has a direct and adverse 
effect on the applicant and should be reversed or modified. The 
appellate officer will limit his/her review to the issues stated in the 
appeal; all issues not set out in the appeal will be waived.
    (5) Decisions on appeals. The Regional Administrator or designee 
will issue a final written decision on the appeal which is the final 
decision of the Secretary of Commerce.

[80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 2015, as amended at 84 FR 31159, June 28, 2019]



Sec. 660.20  Vessel and gear identification.

    (a) Vessel identification--(1) Display. The operator of a vessel 
that is over 25 ft (7.6 m) in length and is engaged in commercial 
fishing for groundfish must display the vessel's official number on the 
port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on a weather deck 
so as to be visible from above. The number must contrast with the 
background and be in block Arabic numerals at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) 
high for vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m) long and at least 10 inches (25.4 
cm) high for vessels between 25 and 65 ft (7.6 and 19.8 m) in length. 
The length of a vessel for purposes of this section is the length set 
forth in USCG records or in state records, if no USCG record exists.
    (2) Maintenance of numbers. The operator of a vessel engaged in 
commercial fishing for groundfish must keep the identifying markings 
required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section clearly legible and in good 
repair, and must ensure that no part of the vessel, its rigging, or its 
fishing gear obstructs the view of the official number from an 
enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (3) Commercial passenger vessels. This section does not apply to 
vessels carrying fishing parties on a per-capita basis or by charter.
    (b) Gear identification. Gear identification requirements specific 
to fisheries using fixed gear (limited entry and open access) are 
described at Sec. 660.219, subpart E and Sec. 660.319, subpart F.



Sec. 660.21  Seabird Avoidance Program.

    This section contains the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance 
Program.
    (a) Purpose. The purpose of the Seabird Avoidance Program is to 
minimize interactions between fishing gear and seabird species, 
including short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus).
    (b) Applicability. The requirements specified in paragraph (c) of 
this section apply to the following fishing vessels when operating 
within the EEZ north of 36[deg] N latitude:

[[Page 48]]

    (1) Vessels greater than or equal to 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA engaged in 
commercial fishing for groundfish with bottom longline gear, including 
snap gear, as defined under ``Fishing gear'' in Sec. 660.11, including 
those operating under the gear switching provisions of the Limited Entry 
Trawl Fishery, Shorebased IFQ Program as specified in Sec. 660.140(k), 
or those operating under the limited entry fixed gear fishery in subpart 
E or under the open access fishery in subpart F of this part, except as 
provided in paragraphs (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Exemptions. The requirements specified in paragraph (c) of this 
section do not apply to Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries, as 
described at Sec. 660.50, or to anglers engaged in recreational fishing 
for groundfish, as described in Subpart G of this Part.
    (c) Seabird Avoidance Requirements--(1) General requirements. The 
operator of a vessel described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must 
comply with the following requirements, unless operating under the 
provisions of paragraph (c)(3) of this section:
    (i) Gear onboard. Have onboard the vessel seabird avoidance gear 
meeting the material standards specified in paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this 
section and in accordance to the vessel size and gear type specific 
requirements as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Gear inspection. Upon request by an authorized officer or 
observer, make the seabird avoidance gear available for inspection.
    (iii) Gear use. Use seabird avoidance gear as specified in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section that meets the material standards specified in 
paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section while bottom longline and snap 
gears are being deployed.
    (iv) Material standards for all streamer lines. All streamer lines 
must:
    (A) Have streamers spaced every 16.4 ft (5 m).
    (B) Have individual streamers that hang attached to the mainline to 
9.8 in (0.25 m) above the waterline in the absence of wind.
    (C) Have streamers constructed of material that is brightly colored, 
UV-protected plastic tubing or \3/8\ inch (9.5 mm) polyester line or 
material of an equivalent density.
    (v) Handling of hooked short-tailed albatross. If a short-tailed 
albatross is hooked or entangled by a vessel, owners and operators must 
ensure that the following actions are taken:
    (A) Stop the vessel to reduce the tension on the line and bring the 
bird on board the vessel using a dip net;
    (B) Determine if the bird is alive or dead.
    (C) If alive, follow these instructions:
    (1) Cover the bird with a towel to protect its feathers from oils or 
damage while being handled;
    (2) Remove any entangled lines or hooks from the bird without 
further injuring the bird;
    (3) Place the bird in a safe enclosed place;
    (4) If the hook has been ingested or is inaccessible, keep the bird 
in a safe, enclosed place and submit it to NMFS or the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service immediately upon the vessel's return to port. Do not 
give the bird food or water.
    (5) Assess whether the bird meets the following criteria for 
release:
    (i) Able to hold its head erect and respond to noise and motion 
stimuli;
    (ii) Able to breathe without noise;
    (iii) Capable of flapping and retracting both wings to normal folded 
position on its back;
    (iv) Able to stand on both feet with toes pointed forward; and
    (v) Feathers are dry.
    (6) If bird does not meet criteria for release:
    (i) Immediately contact NMFS or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
at the numbers listed on the West Coast Seabird Avoidance Measures flyer 
and request veterinary guidance;
    (ii) Follow the veterinary guidance regarding the handling and 
release of the bird.
    (D) If dead, freeze the bird immediately with an identification tag 
attached directly to the specimen listing the species, location and date 
of mortality, and band number if the bird has a leg band. Attach a 
duplicate identification tag to the bag or container holding the bird. 
Any leg bands present must remain on the bird. Contact NMFS or the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife

[[Page 49]]

Service at the numbers listed on the West Coast Seabird Avoidance 
Measures flyer, inform them that you have a dead short-tailed albatross 
on board, and submit the bird to NMFS or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service within 72 hours following completion of the fishing trip.
    (E) All incidents involving the hooking of short-tailed albatross 
must be reported to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement by 
the vessel operator within 72 hours of taking an albatross by phoning 
360-753-7764 (WA); 503-682-6131 (OR); or 916-414-6660 (CA).
    (F) If a NMFS observer is on board at the time of a hooking event, 
the observer shall be responsible for the disposition of any captured 
short-tailed albatross and for reporting to U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service Law Enforcement. Otherwise, the vessel operator shall be 
responsible.
    (2) Gear requirements and performance standards. The operator of a 
vessel identified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must comply with 
the following gear requirements:
    (i) For vessels with masts, poles, or rigging using snap gear as 
defined at Sec. 660.11, the following requirements apply:
    (A) Vessels must deploy a minimum of a single streamer line in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1)(iv) of this 
section, except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (B) Streamer lines must be a minimum length of 147.6 ft (45 m).
    (C) Streamer lines must be deployed so that streamers are in the air 
a minimum of 65.6 ft (20 m) aft of the stern and within 6 ft 7 in (2 m) 
horizontally of the point where the main groundline enters the water 
before the first hook is set. A minimum of 4 streamers must be out of 
the water aft of the stern.
    (ii) For vessels with masts, poles, or rigging using bottom longline 
other than snap gear, as defined in paragraph (6)(i) of the definition 
of fishing gear in Sec. 660.11, the following requirements apply:
    (A) Streamer lines must be a minimum length of 300 feet (91.4 m).
    (B) The number of streamer lines required and the streamer line 
deployment requirements vary by vessel length as follows:
    (1) Vessels greater than or equal to 26 feet (7.9 m) and less than 
55 feet (16.8 m) LOA must use a minimum of one streamer line. Streamer 
line must be deployed before the first hook is set in such a way that 
streamers are in the air for a minimum of 131.2 ft (40 m) aft of the 
stern and within 6.6 ft (2 m) horizontally of the point where the main 
groundline enters the water. A minimum of 8 streamers must be out of the 
water aft of the stern.
    (2) Vessels greater than or equal to 55 feet (16.8 m) LOA must use 
paired streamer lines. At least one streamer line must be deployed 
before the first hook is set in such a way that streamers are in the air 
for a minimum of 131.2 ft (40 m) aft of the stern and within 6.6 ft (2 
m) horizontally of the point where the main groundline enters the water. 
A minimum of 8 streamers must be out of the water aft of the stern. The 
second streamer line must be deployed within 90 seconds thereafter.
    (i) For vessels deploying gear from the stern, the streamer lines 
must be deployed from the stern, one on each side of the main 
groundline.
    (ii) For vessels deploying gear from the side, the streamer lines 
must be deployed from the stern, one over the main groundline and the 
other on one side of the main groundline.
    (iii) Vessels without masts, poles, or rigging. A minimum of 1 buoy 
bag line must be used by vessels without superstructure, including 
masts, poles, or rigging. The buoy bag line must hang over the area 
where baited hooks may be accessible to seabirds, which is generally 
within 6.5 feet (2 m) of the sea surface.
    (iv) The following weather safety exemptions apply, based on vessel 
length:
    (A) Vessels greater than or equal to 26 feet (7.9 m) and less than 
55 feet (16.8 m) LOA are exempted from the requirements of paragraph 
(c)(1)(iii) of this section when a National Weather Service Small Craft 
Advisory for Winds is in effect, or other National Weather Service 
Advisory for wind speeds exceeding those that trigger a Small Craft 
Advisory for Winds. This exemption applies only during the time and

[[Page 50]]

within the area indicated in the National Weather Service Weather 
Advisory or in an area seaward of such an area.
    (B) Vessels 55 feet and longer (16.8 m) LOA are exempted from the 
requirements of paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section when a National 
Weather Service Gale Warning is in effect. This exemption applies only 
during the time and within the area indicated in the National Weather 
Service Gale Warning.
    (3) Night setting. The operator of a vessel described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, that begins and completes deployment of gear 
between one hour after local sunset and one hour before local sunrise is 
exempt from the provisions of paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section.

[80 FR 71980, Nov. 18, 2015, as amended at 84 FR 67678, Dec. 11, 2019]



Sec. 660.24  Limited entry and open access fisheries.

    (a) General. All commercial fishing for groundfish must be conducted 
in accordance with the regulations governing limited entry and open 
access fisheries, except such fishing by treaty Indian tribes as may be 
separately provided for.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 660.25  Permits.

    (a) General. Each of the permits or licenses in this section has 
different conditions or privileges as part of the permit or license. The 
permits or licenses in this section confer a conditional privilege of 
participating in the Pacific coast groundfish fishery, in accordance 
with Federal regulations in 50 CFR part 660, subparts C through G.
    (b) Limited entry permit--(1) Eligibility and registration--(i) 
General. In order for a vessel to be used to fish in the limited entry 
fishery, the vessel owner must hold a limited entry permit and, through 
SFD, must register that vessel for use with a limited entry permit. When 
participating in the limited entry fishery, a vessel is authorized to 
fish with the gear type endorsed on the limited entry permit registered 
for use with that vessel, except that the MS permit does not have a gear 
endorsement. There are three types of gear endorsements: Trawl, 
longline, and pot (or trap). All limited entry permits, except the MS 
permit, have size endorsements; a vessel registered for use with a 
limited entry permit must comply with the vessel size requirements of 
this subpart. A sablefish endorsement is also required for a vessel to 
be used to fish in the primary season for the limited entry fixed gear 
sablefish fishery, north of 36[deg] N. lat. Certain limited entry 
permits will also have endorsements required for participation in a 
specific fishery, such as the MS/CV endorsement and the C/P endorsement.
    (ii) Eligibility. Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel 
under the terms of 46 U.S.C. 12113 (a) may be issued or may hold a 
limited entry permit.
    (iii) Registration. Limited entry permits will normally be 
registered for use with a particular vessel at the time the permit is 
issued, renewed, or replaced. If the permit will be used with a vessel 
other than the one registered on the permit, the permit owner must 
register that permit for use with the new vessel through the SFD. The 
reissued permit must be placed on board the new vessel in order for the 
vessel to be used to fish in the limited entry fishery.
    (A) For all limited entry permits, including MS permits, MS/CV-
endorsed permits, and C/P-endorsed permits when they are not fishing in 
the at-sea whiting fisheries, registration of a limited entry permit to 
be used with a new vessel will take effect no earlier than the first day 
of the next major limited entry cumulative limit period following the 
date SFD receives the change in vessel registration form and the 
original permit.
    (B) For MS permits, MS/CV-endorsed permits, and C/P-endorsed permits 
when they are fishing in the at-sea whiting fisheries, registration of a 
limited entry permit to be used with a new vessel will take effect on 
the date NMFS approves and issues the permit.
    (iv) Limited entry permits indivisible. Limited entry permits may 
not be divided for use by more than one vessel.
    (v) Initial administrative determination (IAD). SFD will make a 
determination regarding permit endorsements, renewal, replacement, 
change in permit

[[Page 51]]

ownership and change in vessel registration. SFD will notify the permit 
owner in writing with an explanation of any determination to deny a 
permit endorsement, renewal, replacement, change in permit ownership or 
change in vessel registration. The SFD will decline to act on an 
application for permit endorsement, renewal, replacement, or change in 
registration of a limited entry permit if the permit is subject to 
sanction provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1858(a) and 
implementing regulations at 15 CFR part 904, subpart D, apply.
    (2) Mothership (MS) permit. The MS permit conveys a conditional 
privilege for the vessel registered to it, to participate in the MS 
fishery by receiving and processing deliveries of groundfish in the 
Pacific whiting mothership sector. An MS permit is a type of limited 
entry permit. An MS permit does not have any endorsements affixed to the 
permit. The provisions for the MS permit, including eligibility, 
renewal, change of permit ownership, vessel registration, fees, and 
appeals are described at Sec. 660.150 (f).
    (3) Endorsements--(i) ``A'' endorsement. A limited entry permit with 
an ``A'' endorsement entitles the vessel registered to the permit to 
fish in the limited entry fishery for all groundfish species with the 
type(s) of limited entry gear specified in the endorsement, except for 
sablefish harvested north of 36[deg] N. lat. during times and with gears 
for which a sablefish endorsement is required. See paragraph (b)(3)(iv) 
of this section for provisions on sablefish endorsement requirements. An 
``A'' endorsement is affixed to the limited entry permit. The limited 
entry permit with an ``A'' endorsement may be registered to another 
person (i.e., change in permit ownership), or to a different vessel 
(i.e., change in vessel registration) under paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section. An ``A'' endorsement expires on failure to renew the limited 
entry permit to which it is affixed. An MS permit is not considered a 
limited entry ``A''-endorsed permit.
    (ii) Gear endorsement. There are three types of gear endorsements: 
Trawl, longline, and pot (trap). When limited entry ``A''-endorsed 
permits were first issued, some vessel owners qualified for more than 
one type of gear endorsement based on the landings history of their 
vessels. Each limited entry ``A''-endorsed permit has one or more gear 
endorsement(s). Gear endorsement(s) assigned to the permit at the time 
of issuance will be permanent and shall not be modified. While 
participating in the limited entry fishery, the vessel registered to the 
limited entry ``A''-endorsed permit is authorized to fish the gear(s) 
endorsed on the permit. While participating in the limited entry, fixed 
gear primary fishery for sablefish described at Sec. 660.231, a vessel 
registered to more than one limited entry permit is authorized to fish 
with any gear, except trawl gear, endorsed on at least one of the 
permits registered for use with that vessel. Vessels registered to 
limited entry permits may be used to fish with open access gear, subject 
to the crossover provisions at Sec. 660.60(h)(7)(ii), except that 
vessels registered to sablefish-endorsed permits fishing in the 
sablefish primary season described at Sec. 660.231, may not fish with 
open access gear against those limits. An MS permit does not have a gear 
endorsement.
    (iii) Vessel size endorsements--(A) General. Each limited entry 
``A''-endorsed permit will be endorsed with the LOA for the size of the 
vessel that initially qualified for the permit, except when permits are 
combined into one permit to be registered for use with a vessel 
requiring a larger size endorsement, the new permit will be endorsed for 
the size that results from the combination of the permits.
    (B) Limitations of size endorsements. (1) A limited entry permit may 
be registered for use with a vessel up to 5 ft (1.52 m) longer than, the 
same length as, or any length shorter than, the size endorsed on the 
existing permit without requiring a combination of permits or a change 
in the size endorsement.
    (2) The vessel harvest capacity rating for each of the permits being 
combined is that indicated in Table 3 of subpart C for the LOA (in feet) 
endorsed on the respective limited entry permit. Harvest capacity 
ratings for fractions of a foot in vessel length will be determined by 
multiplying the fraction of a foot in vessel length by the difference in 
the

[[Page 52]]

two ratings assigned to the nearest integers of vessel length. The 
length rating for the combined permit is that indicated for the sum of 
the vessel harvest capacity ratings for each permit being combined. If 
that sum falls between the sums for two adjacent lengths on Table 3 of 
subpart C, the length rating shall be the higher length.
    (C) Size endorsement requirements for sablefish-endorsed permits. 
Notwithstanding paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) of this section, when 
multiple permits are ``stacked'' on a vessel, as described in paragraph 
(b)(4)(iii), at least one of the permits must meet the size requirements 
of those sections. The permit that meets the size requirements of those 
sections is considered the vessel's ``base'' permit, as defined in Sec. 
660.11, subpart C. If more than one permit registered for use with the 
vessel has an appropriate length endorsement for that vessel, NMFS SFD 
will designate a base permit by selecting the permit that has been 
registered to the vessel for the longest time. If the permit owner 
objects to NMFS' selection of the base permit, the permit owner may send 
a letter to NMFS SFD requesting the change and the reasons for the 
request. If the permit requested to be changed to the base permit is 
appropriate for the length of the vessel, NMFS SFD will reissue the 
permit with the new base permit. Any additional permits that are stacked 
for use with a vessel participating in the limited entry fixed gear 
primary sablefish fishery may be registered for use with a vessel even 
if the vessel is more than 5 ft (1.5 m) longer or shorter than the size 
endorsed on the permit.
    (iv) Sablefish endorsement and tier assignment--(A) General. 
Participation in the limited entry fixed gear sablefish fishery during 
the primary season north of 36[deg] N. lat., described in Sec. 660.231, 
Subpart E, requires that an owner of a vessel hold (by ownership or 
lease) a limited entry permit, registered for use with that vessel, with 
a longline or trap (or pot) endorsement and a sablefish endorsement. Up 
to three permits with sablefish endorsements may be registered for use 
with a single vessel. Limited entry permits with sablefish endorsements 
are assigned to one of three different cumulative trip limit tiers, 
based on the qualifying catch history of the permit.
    (1) A sablefish endorsement with a tier assignment will be affixed 
to the permit and will remain valid when the permit is registered to 
another permit owner (i.e., change in permit ownership) or to another 
vessel (i.e., change in vessel registration).
    (2) A sablefish endorsement and its associated tier assignment are 
not separable from the limited entry permit, and therefore, may not be 
registered to another permit owner (i.e., change in permit ownership) or 
to another vessel (i.e., change in vessel registration) separately from 
the limited entry permit.
    (B) Ownership requirements and limitations. (1) No partnership or 
corporation may own a limited entry permit with a sablefish endorsement 
unless that partnership or corporation owned a limited entry permit with 
a sablefish endorsement on November 1, 2000. Otherwise, only individual 
human persons may own limited entry permits with sablefish endorsements.
    (2) No individual person, partnership, or corporation in combination 
may have ownership interest in or hold more than 3 permits with 
sablefish endorsements either simultaneously or cumulatively over the 
primary season, except for an individual person, or partnerships or 
corporations that had ownership interest in more than 3 permits with 
sablefish endorsements as of November 1, 2000. The exemption from the 
maximum ownership level of 3 permits only applies to ownership of the 
particular permits that were owned on November 1, 2000. An individual 
person, or partnerships or corporations that had ownership interest in 3 
or more permits with sablefish endorsements as of November 1, 2000, may 
not acquire additional permits beyond those particular permits owned on 
November 1, 2000. If, at some future time, an individual person, 
partnership, or corporation that owned more than 3 permits as of 
November 1, 2000, sells or otherwise permanently transfers (not holding 
through a lease arrangement) some of its originally owned permits, such 
that they then own fewer than 3 permits,

[[Page 53]]

they may then acquire additional permits, but may not have ownership 
interest in or hold more than 3 permits.
    (3) A partnership or corporation will lose the exemptions provided 
in paragraphs (b)(3)(iv)(B)(1) and (2) of this section on the effective 
date of any change in the corporation or partnership from that which 
existed on November 1, 2000. A ``change'' in the partnership or 
corporation is defined at Sec. 660.11. A change in the partnership or 
corporation must be reported to SFD within 15 calendar days of the 
addition of a new shareholder or partner.
    (4) Any partnership or corporation with any ownership interest in a 
limited entry permit with a sablefish endorsement or in the vessel 
registered to the permit shall document the extent of that ownership 
interest with NMFS via the Identification of Ownership Interest Form 
sent to the permit owner through the annual permit renewal process and 
whenever a change in permit owner, vessel owner, and/or vessel 
registration occurs as described at paragraph (b)(4)(v) and (vi) of this 
section. NMFS will not renew a sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit 
through the annual renewal process described at paragraph (b)(4)(i) of 
this section, or approve a change in permit owner, vessel owner, and/or 
vessel registration unless the Identification of Ownership Interest Form 
has been completed. Further, if NMFS discovers through review of the 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form that an individual person, 
partnership, or corporation owns or holds more than 3 permits and is not 
authorized to do so under paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B)(2) of this section, 
the individual person, partnership or corporation will be notified and 
the permits owned or held by that individual person, partnership, or 
corporation will be void and reissued with the vessel status as 
``unidentified'' until the permit owner owns and/or holds a quantity of 
permits appropriate to the restrictions and requirements described in 
paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B)(2) of this section. If NMFS discovers through 
review of the Identification of Ownership Interest Form that a 
partnership or corporation has had a change in membership since November 
1, 2000, as described in paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B)(3) of this section, the 
partnership or corporation will be notified, NMFS will void any existing 
permits, and reissue any permits owned and/or held by that partnership 
or corporation in ``unidentified'' status with respect to vessel 
registration until the partnership or corporation is able to register 
ownership of those permits to persons authorized under this section to 
own sablefish-endorsed limited entry permits.
    (5) A person, partnership, or corporation that is exempt from the 
owner-on-board requirement may sell all of their permits, buy another 
sablefish-endorsed permit within one year of the date of approval of the 
last change in permit ownership, and retain their exemption from the 
owner-on-board requirements. An individual person, partnership or 
corporation could only obtain a permit if it has not added or changed 
individuals since November 1, 2000, excluding individuals that have left 
the partnership or corporation or that have died.
    (C) Ownership limitation exemption. As described in (b)(3)(iv)(B) of 
this section, no individual person, partnership, or corporation in 
combination may own and/or hold more than three sablefish-endorsed 
permits. A vessel owner that meets the qualifying criteria described in 
paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section may request an exemption from 
the ownership limitation.
    (1) Qualifying criteria. The three qualifying criteria for an 
ownership limitation exemption are: The vessel owner currently has no 
more than 20 percent ownership interest in a vessel registered to the 
sablefish endorsed permit, the vessel owner currently has ownership 
interest in Alaska sablefish individual fishing quota, and the vessel 
has fished in the past 12-month period in both the West Coast groundfish 
limited entry fixed gear fishery and the Sablefish IFQ Program in 
Alaska. The best evidence of a vessel owner having met these qualifying 
criteria will be state fish tickets or landing receipts from the West 
Coast states and Alaska. The qualifying vessel owner may seek an 
ownership limitation exemption for sablefish endorsed permits registered 
to no more than two vessels.
    (2) Application and issuance process for an ownership limitation 
exemption. The

[[Page 54]]

SFD will make the qualifying criteria and application instructions 
available online at www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ fisheries/
groundfish/ index.html. A vessel owner who believes that they may 
qualify for the ownership limitation exemption must submit evidence with 
their application showing how their vessel has met the qualifying 
criteria described at paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section. The 
vessel owner must also submit a Sablefish Permit Ownership Limitation 
Exemption Identification of Ownership Interest form that includes 
disclosure of percentage of ownership in the vessel and disclosure of 
individual shareholders in any entity. Paragraph (i) of this section 
sets out the relevant evidentiary standards and burden of proof. 
Applications may be submitted at any time to NMFS at: NMFS West Coast 
Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, ATTN: Fisheries Permit Office--
Sablefish Ownership Limitation Exemption, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 
Seattle, WA 98115. After receipt of a complete application, the SFD will 
issue an IAD in writing to the applicant determining whether the 
applicant qualifies for the exemption. If an applicant chooses to file 
an appeal of the IAD, the applicant must follow the appeals process 
outlined at paragraph (g) of this section and, for the timing of the 
appeals, at paragraph (g)(4)(ii) of this section.
    (3) Exemption status. If at any time a change occurs relative to the 
qualifying criteria described at paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(1), the vessel 
owner to whom the ownership limitation exemption applies must notify 
NMFS within 30 calendar days. If such changes mean the vessel owner no 
longer meets the qualifying criteria, the ownership limitation exemption 
becomes automatically null and void 30 calendar days after the date the 
vessel owner no longer meets the qualifying criteria. At any time, NMFS 
may request that the vessel owner submit a new exemption application. If 
NMFS at any time finds the vessel owner no longer meets the qualifying 
criteria described at paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section NMFS 
will issue an IAD, which may be appealed, as described at paragraph (g) 
of this section.
    (v) MS/CV endorsement. An MS/CV endorsement on a trawl limited entry 
permit conveys a conditional privilege that allows a vessel registered 
to it to fish in either the coop or non-coop fishery in the MS Coop 
Program described at Sec. 660.150, subpart D. The provisions for the 
MS/CV-endorsed limited entry permit, including eligibility, renewal, 
change of permit ownership, vessel registration, combinations, 
accumulation limits, fees, and appeals are described at Sec. 660.150. 
Each MS/CV endorsement has an associated catch history assignment (CHA) 
that is permanently linked as originally issued by NMFS and which cannot 
be divided or registered separately to another limited entry trawl 
permit. Regulations detailing this process and MS/CV-endorsed permit 
combinations are outlined in Sec. 660.150(g)(2), subpart D.
    (vi) C/P endorsement. A C/P endorsement on a trawl limited entry 
permit conveys a conditional privilege that allows a vessel registered 
to it to fish in the C/P Coop Program described at Sec. 660.160. The 
provisions for the C/P-endorsed limited entry permit, including 
eligibility, renewal, change of permit ownership, vessel registration, 
combinations, fees, and appeals are described at Sec. 660.160(e).
    (vii) Endorsement and exemption restrictions. ``A'' endorsements, 
gear endorsements, sablefish endorsements and sablefish tier 
assignments, and C/P endorsements may not be registered to another 
permit owner (i.e., change in permit ownership or ownership interest) or 
to another vessel (i.e., change in vessel registration) separately from 
the limited entry permit. At-sea processing exemptions, specified at 
paragraph (b)(6) of this section, are associated with the vessel and not 
with the limited entry permit and may not be registered to another 
permit owner or to another vessel without losing the exemption.
    (4) Limited entry permit actions--renewal, combination, stacking, 
joint registration, change of permit owner or vessel owner, and change 
in vessel registration--
    (i) Renewal of limited entry permits and gear endorsements. (A) 
Limited entry

[[Page 55]]

permits expire at the end of each calendar year, and must be renewed 
between October 1 and November 30 of each year in order to remain in 
force the following year.
    (B) Notification to renew limited entry permits will be issued by 
SFD prior to September 15 each year to the permit owner's most recent 
address in the SFD record. The permit owner shall provide SFD with 
notice of any address change within 15 days of the change.
    (C) Limited entry permit renewal requests received in SFD between 
November 30 and December 31 will be effective on the date that the 
renewal is approved. A limited entry permit that is allowed to expire 
will not be renewed unless the permit owner requests reissuance by March 
31 of the following year and the SFD determines that failure to renew 
was proximately caused by illness, injury, or death of the permit owner.
    (D) Limited entry permits with sablefish endorsements, as described 
at paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, will not be renewed until SFD 
has received complete documentation of permit ownership as required 
under paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B)(4) of this section.
    (E) Limited entry permits with an MS/catcher vessel (CV) endorsement 
will not be renewed until SFD has received complete documentation of 
permit ownership as required under Sec. 660.150(g).
    (F) A limited entry permit will not be renewed until a complete 
economic data collection form is submitted as required under Sec. 
660.113(b), (c) and (d), subpart D. The permit renewal will be marked 
incomplete until the required information is submitted.
    (G) An MS permit or a limited entry permit with a C/P endorsement 
will not be renewed, if it was the permit owner that failed to pay, 
until payment of all cost recovery program fees required pursuant to 
Sec. 660.115 has been made. The IAD, appeals, and final decision 
process for the cost recovery program is specified at Sec. 
660.115(d)(3)(ii).
    (ii) Combining limited entry ``A'' permits. Two or more limited 
entry permits with ``A'' gear endorsements for the same type of limited 
entry gear may be combined and reissued as a single permit with a larger 
size endorsement as described in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (A) Sablefish-endorsed permit. With respect to limited entry permits 
endorsed for longline and pot (trap) gear, a sablefish endorsement will 
be issued for the new permit only if all of the permits being combined 
have sablefish endorsements. If two or more permits with sablefish 
endorsements are combined, the new permit will receive the same tier 
assignment as the tier with the largest cumulative landings limit of the 
permits being combined.
    (B) MS/CV-endorsed permit. When an MS/CV-endorsed permit is combined 
with another MS/CV-endorsed permit or with another limited entry trawl 
permit with no MS/CV or C/P endorsement, the resulting permit will be 
MS/CV-endorsed with the associated CHA as specified at Sec. 
660.150(g)(2)(iv) and (v). If an MS/CV-endorsed permit is combined with 
a C/P-endorsed permit, the MS/CV endorsement and CHA will not be 
reissued on the combined permit.
    (C) C/P-endorsed permit. A C/P-endorsed permit that is combined with 
a limited entry trawl permit that is not C/P-endorsed will result in a 
single C/P-endorsed permit with a larger size endorsement. An MS/CV 
endorsement on one of the permits being combined will not be reissued on 
the resulting permit.
    (iii) Stacking limited entry permits. ``Stacking'' limited entry 
permits, as defined at Sec. 660.11, refers to the practice of 
registering more than one sablefish-endorsed permit for use with a 
single vessel. Only limited entry permits with sablefish endorsements 
may be stacked. Up to 3 limited entry permits with sablefish 
endorsements may be registered for use with a single vessel during the 
sablefish primary season described at Sec. 660.231, subpart E. 
Privileges, responsibilities, and restrictions associated with stacking 
permits to fish in the sablefish primary fishery are described at Sec. 
660.231, subpart E and at paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (iv) Joint registration of limited entry permits--(A) General. 
``Joint registration'' of limited entry permits, as defined at Sec. 
660.11, is the practice of simultaneously registering both trawl-

[[Page 56]]

endorsed and longline or trap/pot-endorsed limited entry permits for use 
with a single vessel.
    (B) Restrictions. Subject to vessel size endorsements in paragraph 
(b)(3)(iii), any limited entry permit with a trawl endorsement and any 
limited entry permit with a longline or trap/pot endorsement may be 
jointly registered for use with a single vessel but only in one of the 
following configurations:
    (1) a single trawl-endorsed limited entry permit and one, two or 
three sablefish-endorsed fixed gear (longline and/or fishpot endorsed) 
limited entry permits; or
    (2) a single trawl-endorsed limited entry permit and one longline-
endorsed limited entry permit for use with a single vessel.
    (v) Changes in permit owner and/or vessel owner--(A) General. Change 
in permit owner and/or vessel owner applications must be submitted to 
NMFS with the appropriate documentation described at paragraphs 
(b)(4)(viii) and (ix) of this section. The permit owner may convey the 
limited entry permit to a different person. The new permit owner will 
not be authorized to use the permit until the change in permit owner has 
been registered with and approved by NMFS. NMFS will not approve a 
change in permit owner for a limited entry permit with a sablefish 
endorsement that does not meet the ownership requirements for such 
permit described at paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B) of this section. NMFS will 
not approve a change in permit owner for a limited entry permit with an 
MS/CV endorsement that does not meet the ownership requirements for such 
permit described at Sec. 660.150(g)(3). NMFS considers the following as 
a change in permit owner that would require registering with and 
approval by NMFS, including but not limited to: Selling the permit to 
another individual or entity; adding an individual or entity to the 
legal name on the permit; or removing an individual or entity from the 
legal name on the permit. A change in vessel owner includes any changes 
to the name(s) of any or all vessel owners, as registered with U.S. 
Coast Guard (USCG) or a state. The new owner(s) of a vessel registered 
to a limited entry permit must report any change in vessel ownership to 
NMFS within 30 calendar days after such change has been registered with 
the USCG or a state licensing agency.
    (B) Effective date. The change in permit ownership or change in the 
vessel holding the permit will be effective on the day the change is 
approved by NMFS, unless there is a concurrent change in the vessel 
registered to the permit. Requirements for changing the vessel 
registered to the permit are described at paragraph (b)(4)(vi) of this 
section.
    (C) Sablefish-endorsed permits. If a permit owner submits an 
application to register a sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit to a 
new permit owner or vessel owner during the primary sablefish season 
described at Sec. 660.231 (generally April 1 through December 31), the 
initial permit owner must certify on the application form the cumulative 
quantity, in round weight, of primary season sablefish landed against 
that permit as of the application signature date for the then current 
primary season. The new permit owner or vessel owner must sign the 
application form acknowledging the amount of landings to date given by 
the initial permit owner. This certified amount should match the total 
amount of primary season sablefish landings reported on state landing 
receipts. As required at Sec. 660.12(b), any person landing sablefish 
must retain on board the vessel from which sablefish is landed, and 
provide to an authorized officer upon request, copies of any and all 
reports of sablefish landings from the primary season containing all 
data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable state law 
throughout the primary sablefish season during which a landing occurred 
and for 15 days thereafter.
    (D) Change in MS/CV endorsement registration. The requirements for a 
change in MS/CV endorsement registration between limited entry trawl 
permits are specified at Sec. 660.150(g)(2)(iv).
    (vi) Changes in vessel registration of limited entry permits and 
gear endorsements--(A) General. A permit may not be used with any vessel 
other than the vessel registered to that permit. For purposes of this 
section, a permit change in vessel registration occurs when, through 
SFD, a permit owner registers a limited entry permit for use

[[Page 57]]

with a new vessel. Permit change in vessel registration applications 
must be submitted to SFD with the appropriate documentation described at 
paragraph (b)(4)(viii) of this section. Upon receipt of a complete 
application, and following review and approval of the application, the 
SFD will reissue the permit registered to the new vessel. Applications 
to change vessel registration on limited entry permits with sablefish 
endorsements will not be approved until SFD has received complete 
documentation of permit ownership as described at paragraph 
(b)(3)(iv)(B)(4) and as required under paragraph (b)(4)(viii) of this 
section. Applications to change vessel registration on limited entry 
permits with trawl endorsements or MS permits will not be approved until 
SFD has received complete EDC forms as required under Sec. 660.114, 
subpart D.
    (B) Application. Change in vessel registration applications must be 
submitted to NMFS with the appropriate documentation described at 
paragraphs (b)(4)(viii) and (ix) of this section. At a minimum, a permit 
owner seeking to change vessel registration of a limited entry permit 
shall submit to NMFS a signed application form and his/her current 
limited entry permit before the first day of the cumulative limit period 
in which they wish to fish. If a permit owner provides a signed 
application and current limited entry permit after the first day of a 
cumulative limit period, the permit will not be effective until the 
succeeding cumulative limit period. NMFS will not approve a change in 
vessel registration until it receives a complete application, the 
existing permit, a current copy of the USCG 1270, and other required 
documentation.
    (C) Effective date. Changes in vessel registration on permits will 
take effect no sooner than the first day of the next major limited entry 
cumulative limit period following the date that SFD receives the signed 
permit change in vessel registration form and the original limited entry 
permit, except that changes in vessel registration on MS permits and C/
P-endorsed permits will take effect immediately upon reissuance to the 
new vessel, and a change in vessel registration on MS/CV-endorsed 
permits will take effect immediately upon reissuance to the new vessel 
only on the second change in vessel registration for the year. No change 
in vessel registration is effective until the limited entry permit has 
been reissued as registered with the new vessel.
    (D) Sablefish-endorsed permits. If a permit owner submits an 
application to register a sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit to a 
new vessel during the primary sablefish season described at Sec. 
660.231 (generally April 1 through December 31), the initial permit 
owner must certify on the application form the cumulative quantity, in 
round weight, of primary season sablefish landed against that permit as 
of the application signature date for the then current primary season. 
The new permit owner or vessel owner associated with the new vessel must 
sign the application form acknowledging the amount of landings to date 
given by the initial permit owner. This certified amount should match 
the total amount of primary season sablefish landings reported on state 
landing receipts. As required at Sec. 660.12(b), any person landing 
sablefish must retain on board the vessel from which sablefish is 
landed, and provide to an authorized officer upon request, copies of any 
and all reports of sablefish landings from the primary season containing 
all data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable state law 
throughout the primary sablefish season during which a landing occurred 
and for 15 days thereafter.
    (vii) Restriction on frequency of changes in vessel registration--
(A) General. A permit owner may designate the vessel registration for a 
permit as ``unidentified,'' meaning that no vessel has been identified 
as registered for use with that permit. No vessel is authorized to use a 
permit with the vessel registration designated as ``unidentified.'' A 
vessel owner who removes a permit from his vessel and registers that 
permit as ``unidentified'' is not exempt from VMS requirements at Sec. 
660.14, unless specifically authorized by that section. When a permit 
owner requests that the permit's vessel registration be designated as 
``unidentified,'' the transaction is not considered

[[Page 58]]

a change in vessel registration for purposes of this section. Any 
subsequent request by a permit owner to change from the ``unidentified'' 
status of the permit in order to register the permit with a specific 
vessel will be considered a change in vessel registration and subject to 
the restriction on frequency and timing of changes in vessel 
registration.
    (B) Limited entry fixed gear and trawl-endorsed permits (without MS/
CV or C/P endorsements). Limited entry fixed gear and trawl-endorsed 
permits (without MS/CV or C/P endorsements) may not be registered for 
use with a different vessel more than once per calendar year, except in 
cases of death of a vessel owner or if the vessel registered to the 
permit is totally lost as defined in Sec. 660.11. The exception for 
death of a vessel owner applies for a vessel owned by a partnership or a 
corporation if the person or persons with at least 50 percent of the 
ownership interest in the entity dies.
    (C) Limited entry permits with an MS/CV endorsement. Limited entry 
permits with an MS/CV endorsement may be registered to another vessel up 
to two times during the calendar year as long as the second change in 
vessel registration is back to the original vessel. The original vessel 
is either the vessel registered to the permit as of January 1, or if no 
vessel is registered to the permit as of January 1, the original vessel 
is the first vessel to which the permit is registered after January 1. 
After the original vessel has been established, the first change in 
vessel registration would be to another vessel, but any second change in 
vessel registration must be back to the original vessel. On the second 
change in vessel registration back to the original vessel, that vessel 
must be used to fish exclusively in the MS Co-op Program described at 
Sec. 660.150 for the remainder of the calendar year, and declare into 
the limited entry mid water trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector as 
specified at Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv).
    (D) Limited entry MS permits and limited entry permits with a 
catcher/processor (C/P) endorsement. Vessels registered to both a MS 
permit and a C/P endorsed permit may operate in both the at-sea MS 
sector and C/P sector during the same calendar year, but not on the same 
trip. Prior to leaving port, a vessel registered under both a MS permit 
and a C/P endorsed permit must declare through VMS the sector in which 
it will participate for the duration of the trip, as specified at Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A).
    (viii) Application and supplemental documentation. Permit owners may 
request a change in vessel registration and/or change in permit owner or 
vessel owner by submitting a complete application form. In addition, a 
permit owner applying for a change in vessel registration and/or change 
in permit owner of a limited entry permit has the burden to submit 
evidence to prove that qualification requirements are met. If a change 
in vessel owner occurs, the new vessel owner has the burden to submit 
evidence to prove that qualification requirements are met. The following 
evidentiary standards apply:
    (A) For a request to change a vessel registration and/or change a 
permit owner or vessel owner, the permit owner must provide NMFS with a 
current copy of the USCG Form 1270 for vessels of 5 net tons or greater, 
or a current copy of a state registration form for vessels under 5 net 
tons.
    (B) For a request to change a vessel registration and/or change a 
permit owner or vessel owner for sablefish-endorsed permits with a tier 
assignment for which a corporation or partnership is listed as permit 
owner and/or vessel owner, an Identification of Ownership Interest Form 
must be completed and included with the application form.
    (C) For a request to change a vessel registration and/or change a 
permit owner or vessel owner for a MS/CV-endorsed limited entry permit, 
an Identification of Ownership Interest Form must be completed and 
included with the application form.
    (D) For a request to change the vessel registration to a permit, the 
permit owner must submit to SFD a current marine survey conducted by a 
certified marine surveyor in accordance with USCG regulations to 
authenticate the length overall of the vessel being newly registered 
with the permit. Marine surveys older than 3 years at the time of

[[Page 59]]

the request for change in vessel registration will not be considered 
``current'' marine surveys for purposes of this requirement.
    (E) For a request to change a permit's ownership where the current 
permit owner is a corporation, partnership or other business entity, the 
applicant must provide to SFD a corporate resolution that authorizes the 
conveyance of the permit to a new owner and which authorizes the 
individual applicant to request the conveyance on behalf of the 
corporation, partnership, or other business entity.
    (F) For a request to change a permit's ownership that is 
necessitated by the death of the permit owner(s), the individual(s) 
requesting conveyance of the permit to a new owner must provide SFD with 
a death certificate of the permit owner(s) and appropriate legal 
documentation that either: Specifically registers the permit to a 
designated individual(s); or, provides legal authority to the transferor 
to convey the permit ownership or to request a change in vessel 
registration.
    (G) For a request to change a permit's ownership that is 
necessitated by divorce, the individual requesting the change in permit 
ownership must submit an executed divorce decree that awards the permit 
to a designated individual(s).
    (H) Such other relevant, credible documentation as the applicant may 
submit, or the SFD or Regional Administrator may request or acquire, may 
also be considered.
    (ix) Application forms available. Application forms for a change in 
vessel registration, permit owner, or vessel owner are available at: 
NMFS West Coast Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, ATTN: Fisheries 
Permit Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115; or http://
www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ fisheries/management/groundfish_ 
permits/limited_entry_ permits.html. Contents of the application, and 
required supporting documentation, are also specified in the application 
form. Only complete applications will be processed.
    (x) Records maintenance. The SFD will maintain records of all 
limited entry permits that have been issued, renewed, registered, or 
replaced.
    (5) Small fleet. (i) Small limited entry fisheries fleets that are 
controlled by a local government, are in existence as of July 11, 1991, 
and have negligible impacts on the groundfish resource, may be certified 
as consistent with the goals and objectives of the limited entry program 
and incorporated into the limited entry fishery. Permits issued under 
this subsection will be issued in accordance with the standards and 
procedures set out in the PCGFMP and will carry the rights explained 
therein.
    (ii) A permit issued under this section may be registered only to 
another vessel that will continue to operate in the same certified small 
fleet, provided that the total number of vessels in the fleet does not 
increase. A vessel may not use a small fleet limited entry permit for 
participation in the limited entry fishery outside of authorized 
activities of the small fleet for which that permit and vessel have been 
designated.
    (6) At-sea processing exemptions--(i) Sablefish at-sea processing 
exemption. No new applications for sablefish at-sea processing 
exemptions will be accepted. As specified at Sec. 660.212(d)(3), 
subpart E, vessels are prohibited from processing sablefish at sea that 
were caught in the sablefish primary fishery without a sablefish at-sea 
processing exemption. Any sablefish at-sea processing exemptions were 
issued to a particular vessel and that permit and vessel owner who 
requested the exemption. The exemption is not part of the limited entry 
permit. The exemption cannot be registered with any other vessel, vessel 
owner, or permit owner for any reason. The exemption only applies to at-
sea processing of sablefish caught in the sablefish primary fishery. The 
sablefish at-sea processing exemption will expire upon registration of 
the vessel to a new owner or if the vessel is totally lost, as defined 
at Sec. 660.11.
    (ii) Non-whiting at-sea processing exemption. No new applications 
for non-whiting at-sea processing exemptions will be accepted. As 
specified at Sec. 660.112(b)(1)(xii), subpart D, vessels are prohibited 
from processing non-whiting groundfish at sea that were caught in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program without a

[[Page 60]]

non-whiting at-sea processing exemption. Any non-whiting at-sea 
processing exemptions were issued to a particular vessel and that permit 
and/or vessel owner who requested the exemption. The exemption is not 
part of the limited entry permit. The exemption is not transferable to 
any other vessel, vessel owner, or permit owner for any reason. The 
exemption only applies to at-sea processing of non-whiting groundfish 
caught in the Shorebased IFQ Program. The non-whiting at-sea processing 
exemption will expire upon registration of the vessel to a new owner or 
if the vessel is totally lost, as defined at Sec. 660.11.
    (c) Quota share (QS) permit. A QS permit conveys a conditional 
privilege to a person to own QS or IBQ for designated species and 
species groups and to fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program described Sec. 
660.140, subpart D. A QS permit is not a limited entry permit. The 
provisions for the QS permit, including eligibility, renewal, change of 
permit ownership, accumulation limits, fees, and appeals are described 
at Sec. 660.140, subpart D.
    (d) First receiver site license. The first receiver site license 
conveys a conditional privilege to a first receiver to receive, 
purchase, or take custody, control or possession of landings from the 
Shorebased IFQ Program. The first receiver site license is issued for a 
person and a unique physical site consistent with the terms and 
conditions required to account for and weigh the landed species. A first 
receiver site license is not a limited entry permit. The provisions for 
the First Receiver Site License, including eligibility, registration, 
change of ownership, fees, and appeals are described at Sec. 
660.140(f), subpart D.
    (e) Coop permit--(1) MS coop permit. An MS coop permit conveys a 
conditional privilege to an eligible coop entity to receive and manage a 
coop's allocation of designated species and species groups. An MS coop 
permit is not a limited entry permit. The provisions for the MS coop 
permit, including eligibility, annual registration, fees, and appeals 
are described in the MS Coop Program at Sec. 660.150, subpart D.
    (2) C/P coop permit. A C/P coop permit conveys a conditional 
privilege to an eligible coop entity to receive and manage a coop's 
allocation of designated species and species groups. A C/P coop permit 
is not a limited entry permit. The provisions for the C/P coop permit, 
including eligibility, annual registration, fees, and appeals are 
described in the C/P Coop Program at Sec. 660.160, subpart D.
    (f) Permit fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge 
fees to cover administrative expenses related to issuance of permits 
including initial issuance, renewal, permit registration, vessel 
registration, replacement, and appeals. The appropriate fee must 
accompany each application.
    (g) Permit appeals process--(1) General. For permit actions, 
including issuance, renewal, change in vessel registration and/or change 
in permit owner or vessel owner, and endorsement upgrade, the Assistant 
Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries will make an IAD on the 
action. In cases where the applicant disagrees with the IAD, the 
applicant may appeal that decision. Final decisions on appeals of IADs 
regarding issuance, renewal, change in vessel registration and/or change 
in permit owner or vessel owner, and endorsement upgrade, will be made 
in writing by the Regional Administrator acting on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce and will state the reasons therefore. This section 
describes the procedures for appealing the IAD on permit actions made in 
this title under subparts C through G of part 660. Additional 
information regarding appeals of an IAD related to the trawl 
rationalization program is contained in the specific program sections 
under subpart D of part 660.
    (2) Who May Appeal? Only a person who received an IAD that 
disapproved any part of their application may file a written appeal. For 
purposes of this section, such person will be referred to as the 
``applicant.''
    (3) Submission of appeals. (i) The appeal must be in writing, must 
allege credible facts or circumstances to show why the criteria in this 
subpart have been met, and must include any relevant information or 
documentation to support the appeal.
    (ii) Appeals must be mailed or faxed to: National Marine Fisheries 
Service,

[[Page 61]]

Northwest Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, ATTN: Appeals, 7600 
Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA, 98115; Fax: 206-526-6426; or delivered 
to National Marine Fisheries Service at the same address.
    (4) Timing of appeals. (i) For permit actions related to the 
application and initial issuance process for QS permits, MS permits, MS/
CV endorsements, and C/P endorsements for the trawl rationalization 
program listed in subpart D of part 660, if an applicant appeals an IAD, 
the appeal must be postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered to NMFS no later 
than 60 calendar days after the date on the IAD. If the applicant does 
not appeal the IAD within 60 calendar days, the IAD becomes the final 
decision of the Regional Administrator acting on behalf of the Secretary 
of Commerce.
    (ii) For all other permit actions, if an applicant appeals an IAD, 
the appeal must be postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered to NMFS no later 
than 30 calendar days after the date on the IAD. If the applicant does 
not appeal the IAD within 30 calendar days, the IAD becomes the final 
decision of the Regional Administrator acting on behalf of the Secretary 
of Commerce.
    (iii) The time period to submit an appeal begins with the date on 
the IAD. If the last day of the time period is a Saturday, Sunday, or 
Federal holiday, the time period will extend to the close of business on 
the next business day.
    (5) Address of record. For purposes of the appeals process, NMFS 
will establish as the address of record, the address used by the 
applicant in initial correspondence to NMFS. Notifications of all 
actions affecting the applicant after establishing an address of record 
will be mailed to that address, unless the applicant provides NMFS, in 
writing, with any changes to that address. NMFS bears no responsibility 
if a notification is sent to the address of record and is not received 
because the applicant's actual address has changed without notification 
to NMFS.
    (6) Decisions on appeals. (i) For the appeal of an IAD related to 
the application and initial issuance process for the trawl 
rationalization program listed in subpart D of part 660, the Regional 
Administrator shall appoint an appeals officer. After determining there 
is sufficient information and that all procedural requirements have been 
met, the appeals officer will review the record and issue a 
recommendation on the appeal to the Regional Administrator, which shall 
be advisory only. The recommendation must be based solely on the record. 
Upon receiving the findings and recommendation, the Regional 
Administrator shall issue a final decision on the appeal acting on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce in accordance with paragraph 
(g)(6)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) Final decision on appeal. The Regional Administrator will issue 
a written decision on the appeal which is the final decision of the 
Secretary of Commerce.
    (7) Status of permits pending appeal. (i) For all permit actions, 
except those actions related to the application and initial issuance 
process for the trawl rationalization program listed in subpart D of 
part 660, the permit registration remains as it was prior to the request 
until the final decision has been made.
    (ii) For permit actions related to the application and initial 
issuance process for the trawl rationalization program listed in subpart 
D of part 660, the status of permits pending appeal is as follows:
    (A) For permit and endorsement qualifications and eligibility 
appeals (i.e., QS permit, MS permit, MS/CV endorsement, C/P 
endorsement), any permit or endorsement under appeal after December 31, 
2010 may not be used to fish in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery 
until a final decision on the appeal has been made. If the permit or 
endorsement will be issued, the permit or endorsement will be effective 
upon approval, except for QS permits, which will be effective at the 
start of the next fishing year.
    (B) For a QS or IBQ amount for specific IFQ management unit species 
under appeal, the QS or IBQ amount for the IFQ species under appeal will 
remain as the amount assigned to the associated QS permit in the IAD). 
The QS permit may be used to fish in the Pacific Coast groundfish 
fishery with the QS or IBQ amounts assigned to the QS permit in the IAD. 
Once a final decision on the appeal has been made and if a revised QS or 
IBQ amount for a

[[Page 62]]

specific IFQ species will be assigned to the QS permit, the additional 
QS or IBQ amount associated with the QS permit will be effective at the 
start of the next calendar year following the final decision.
    (C) For a Pacific whiting catch history assignment associated with 
an MS/CV endorsement under appeal, the catch history assignment will 
remain as that previously assigned to the associated MS/CV-endorsed 
limited entry permit in the IAD). The MS/CV-endorsed limited entry 
permit may be used to fish in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery with 
the catch history assigned to the MS/CV-endorsed permit in the IAD. Once 
a final decision on the appeal has been made, and if a revised catch 
history assignment will be issued, the additional Pacific whiting catch 
history assignment associated with the MS/CV endorsement will be 
effective at the start of the next calendar year following the final 
decision.
    (h) Permit sanctions. (1) All permits and licenses issued or applied 
for under Subparts C through G are subject to sanctions pursuant to the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1858(g) and 15 CFR part 904, subpart 
D.
    (2) All Shorebased IFQ Program permits (QS permit, first receiver 
site license), QS accounts, vessel accounts, and MS Coop Program permits 
(MS permit, MS/CV-endorsed permit, and MS coop permit), and C/P Coop 
Program permits (C/P-endorsed permit, C/P coop permit) issued under 
subpart D:
    (i) Are considered permits for the purposes of 16 U.S.C. 1857, 1858, 
and 1859;
    (ii) May be revoked, limited, or modified at any time in accordance 
with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, including revocation if the system is 
found to have jeopardized the sustainability of the stocks or the safety 
of fishermen;
    (iii) Shall not confer any right of compensation to the holder of 
such permits, licenses, and accounts if it is revoked, limited, or 
modified;
    (iv) Shall not create, or be construed to create, any right, title, 
or interest in or to any fish before the fish is harvested by the 
holder; and
    (v) Shall be considered a grant of permission to the holder of the 
permit, license, or account to engage in activities permitted by such 
permit, license, or account.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78381, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74734, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 55155, Sept. 
7, 2012; 78 FR 68767, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75278, Dec. 11, 2013; 81 FR 
84426, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 2018; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 
2020; 85 FR 68003, Oct. 27, 2020; 86 FR 26442, May 14, 2021; 86 FR 
58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 86 FR 59875, Oct. 29, 2021; 86 FR 70422, Dec. 10, 
2021; 87 FR 77014, Dec. 16, 2022; 87 FR 77005, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.30  Compensation with fish for collecting resource
information--EFPs.

    In addition to the reasons stated in Sec. 600.745(b)(1) of this 
chapter, an EFP may be issued under this subpart C for the purpose of 
compensating the owner or operator of a vessel for collecting resource 
information according to a protocol approved by NMFS. NMFS may issue an 
EFP allowing a vessel to retain fish as compensation in excess of trip 
limits or to be exempt from other specified management measures for the 
Pacific coast groundfish fishery.
    (a) Compensation EFP for vessels under contract with NMFS to conduct 
a resource survey. NMFS may issue an EFP to the owner or operator of a 
vessel that conducted a resource survey according to a contract with 
NMFS. A vessel's total compensation from all sources (in terms of 
dollars or amount of fish, including fish from survey samples or 
compensation fish) will be determined through normal Federal procurement 
procedures. The compensation EFP will specify the maximum amount or 
value of fish the vessel may take and retain after the resource survey 
is completed.
    (1) Competitive offers. NMFS may initiate a competitive solicitation 
(request for proposals or RFP) to select vessels to conduct resource 
surveys that use fish as full or partial compensation, following normal 
Federal procurement procedures.
    (2) Consultation and approval. At a Council meeting, NMFS will 
consult with the Council and receive public comment on upcoming resource 
surveys to be conducted if groundfish could be used as whole or partial 
compensation. Generally, compensation

[[Page 63]]

fish would be similar to surveyed species, but there may be reasons to 
provide payment with healthier, more abundant, less restricted stocks, 
or more easily targeted species. For example, NMFS may decline to pay a 
vessel with species that are, or are expected to be, overfished, or that 
are subject to overfishing, or that are unavoidably caught with species 
that are overfished or subject to overfishing. NMFS may also consider 
levels of discards, bycatch, and other factors. If the Council does not 
approve providing whole or partial compensation for the conduct of a 
survey, NMFS will not use fish, other than fish taken during the 
scientific research, as compensation for that survey. For each proposal, 
NMFS will present:
    (i) The maximum number of vessels expected or needed to conduct the 
survey,
    (ii) An estimate of the species and amount of fish likely to be 
needed as compensation,
    (iii) When the survey and compensation fish would be taken, and
    (iv) The year in which the compensation fish would be deducted from 
the ACL or ACT before determining the fishery harvest guideline or 
commercial harvest guideline.
    (3) Issuance of the compensation EFP. Upon successful completion of 
the survey, NMFS will issue a ``compensation EFP'' to the vessel if it 
has not been fully compensated. The procedures in Sec. 600.745(b)(1) 
through (b)(4) of this chapter do not apply to a compensation EFP issued 
under this subpart for the Pacific coast groundfish fishery (50 CFR part 
660, subparts C through G).
    (4) Terms and conditions of the compensation EFP. Conditions for 
disposition of bycatch or any excess catch, for reporting the value of 
the amount landed, and other appropriate terms and conditions may be 
specified in the EFP. Compensation fishing must occur during the period 
specified in the EFP, but no later than the end of September of the 
fishing year following the survey, and must be conducted according to 
the terms and conditions of the EFP.
    (5) Reporting the compensation catch. The compensation EFP may 
require the vessel owner or operator to keep separate records of 
compensation fishing and to submit them to NMFS within a specified 
period of time after the compensation fishing is completed.
    (6) Accounting for the compensation catch. As part of the harvest 
specifications process, as described at Sec. 660.60, subpart C, NMFS 
will advise the Council of the amount of fish authorized to be retained 
under a compensation EFP, which then will be deducted from the next 
harvest specifications (ACLs or ACTs) set by the Council. Fish 
authorized in an EFP too late in the year to be deducted from the 
following year's ACLs or ACTs will be accounted for in the next 
management cycle where it is practicable to do so.
    (b) Compensation for commercial vessels collecting resource 
information under a standard EFP. NMFS may issue an EFP to allow a 
commercial fishing vessel to take and retain fish in excess of current 
management limits for the purpose of collecting resource information 
(Sec. 600.745(b) of this chapter). The EFP may include a compensation 
clause that allows the participating vessel to be compensated with fish 
for its efforts to collect resource information according to NMFS' 
approved protocol. If compensation with fish is requested in an EFP 
application, or proposed by NMFS, the following provisions apply in 
addition to those at Sec. 600.745(b) of this chapter.
    (1) Application. In addition to the requirements in Sec. 600.745(b) 
of this chapter, application for an EFP with a compensation clause must 
clearly state whether a vessel's participation is contingent upon 
compensation with groundfish and, if so, the minimum amount (in metric 
tons, round weight) and the species. As with other EFPs issued under 
Sec. 600.745 of this chapter, the application may be submitted by any 
individual, including a state fishery management agency or other 
research institution.
    (2) Denial. In addition to the reasons stated in Sec. 
600.745(b)(3)(iii) of this chapter, the application will be denied if 
the requested compensation fishery, species, or amount is unacceptable 
for reasons such as, but not limited to, the following: NMFS concludes 
the value

[[Page 64]]

of the resource information is not commensurate with the value of the 
compensation fish; the proposed compensation involves species that are 
(or are expected to be) overfished or subject to overfishing, fishing in 
times or areas where fishing is otherwise prohibited or severely 
restricted, or fishing for species that would involve unavoidable 
bycatch of species that are overfished or subject to overfishing; or 
NMFS concludes the information can reasonably be obtained at a less cost 
to the resource.
    (3) Window period for other applications. If the Regional 
Administrator or designee agrees that compensation should be considered, 
and that more than a minor amount would be used as compensation, then a 
window period will be announced in the Federal Register during which 
additional participants will have an opportunity to apply. This 
notification would be made at the same time as announcement of receipt 
of the application and request for comments required under Sec. 
600.745(b). If there are more qualified applicants than needed for a 
particular time and area, NMFS will choose among the qualified vessels, 
either randomly, in order of receipt of the completed application, or by 
other impartial selection methods. If the permit applicant is a state, 
university, or Federal entity other than NMFS, and NMFS approves the 
selection method, the permit applicant may choose among the qualified 
vessels, either randomly, in order of receipt of the vessel application, 
or by other impartial selection methods.
    (4) Terms and conditions. The EFP will specify the amounts that may 
be taken as scientific samples and as compensation, the time period 
during which the compensation fishing must occur, management measures 
that NMFS will waive for a vessel fishing under the EFP, and other terms 
and conditions appropriate to the fishery and the collection of resource 
information. NMFS may require compensation fishing to occur on the same 
trip that the resource information is collected.
    (5) Accounting for the catch. Samples taken under this EFP, as well 
as any compensation fish, count toward the current year's catch or 
landings.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011]



Sec. 660.40  Rebuilding plans.

    For each overfished groundfish stock with an approved rebuilding 
plan, this section contains the standards to be used to establish annual 
or biennial ACLs, specifically the target date for rebuilding the stock 
to its MSY level and the harvest control rule to be used to rebuild the 
stock. The harvest control rule may be expressed as a ``Spawning 
Potential Ratio'' or ``SPR'' harvest rate.
    (a) Yelloweye rockfish. Yelloweye rockfish was declared overfished 
in 2002. The target year for rebuilding the yelloweye rockfish stock to 
BMSY is 2029. The harvest control rule to be used to rebuild 
the yelloweye rockfish stock is an annual SPR harvest rate of 65.0 
percent.
    (b) [Reserved]

[82 FR 9638, Feb. 7, 2017, as amended at 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 85 
FR 79892, Dec. 11, 2020]



Sec. 660.50  Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries.

    (a) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights. Pacific 
Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights to harvest groundfish in 
their usual and accustomed fishing areas in U.S. waters. In 1994, the 
United States formally recognized that the four Washington coastal 
treaty Indian tribes (Makah, Quileute, Hoh, and Quinault) have treaty 
rights to fish for groundfish in the Pacific Ocean, and concluded that, 
in general terms, the quantification of those rights is 50 percent of 
the harvestable surplus of groundfish that pass through the tribes U&A 
fishing areas.
    (b) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes. For the purposes of this 
part, Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes means the Hoh Indian Tribe, 
Makah Indian Tribe, Quileute Indian Tribe and the Quinault Indian 
Nation.
    (c) Usual and accustomed fishing areas or U&A fishing areas. The 
Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes' U&A fishing areas within the EEZ are 
set out in Sec. 660.4.

[[Page 65]]

    (d) Procedures. The rights referred to in paragraph (a) of this 
section will be implemented by the Secretary, after consideration of the 
tribal request, the recommendation of the Council, and the comments of 
the public. The rights will be implemented either through an allocation 
or set-aside of fish that will be managed by the tribes, or through 
regulations in this section that will apply specifically to the tribal 
fisheries.
    (1) Tribal allocations, set-asides, and regulations. An allocation, 
set-aside or a regulation specific to the tribes shall be initiated by a 
written request from a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe to the Regional 
Administrator, prior to the first Council meeting in which biennial 
harvest specifications and management measures are discussed for an 
upcoming biennial management period. The Secretary generally will 
announce the annual tribal allocations at the same time as the 
announcement of the harvest specifications.
    (2) Co-management. The Secretary recognizes the sovereign status and 
co-manager role of Indian tribes over shared Federal and tribal fishery 
resources. Accordingly, the Secretary will develop tribal allocations 
and regulations under this paragraph in consultation with the affected 
tribe(s) and, insofar as possible, with tribal consensus.
    (e) Fishing by a member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe. A 
member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe fishing under this section 
and within their U&A fishing area is not subject to the provisions of 
other sections of subparts C through G of this part.
    (1) Identification. A valid treaty Indian identification card issued 
pursuant to 25 CFR part 249, subpart A, is prima facie evidence that the 
holder is a member of the Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe named on the 
card.
    (2) Permits. A limited entry permit described under Sec. 660.25, 
subpart C is not required for a member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian 
tribe to fish in a tribal fishery described in paragraph (d) of this 
section.
    (3) Federal and tribal laws and regulations. Any member of a Pacific 
Coast treaty Indian tribe must comply with this section, and with any 
applicable tribal law and regulation, when participating in a tribal 
groundfish fishery described in this section.
    (4) Fishing outside the U&A fishing area or without a groundfish 
allocation. Fishing by a member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe 
outside the applicable Indian tribe's U&A fishing area, or for a species 
of groundfish not covered by an allocation, set-aside, or regulation 
under this section, is subject to the regulations in the other sections 
of subpart C through subpart G of this part. Treaty fisheries operating 
within tribal allocations are prohibited from operating outside the U&A 
fishing areas described at Sec. 660.4, subpart A.
    (f) Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries allocations, harvest 
guidelines, and set-asides. Catch amounts may be specified in this 
section and in Tables 1a and 2a to subpart C of this part. Trip limits 
for certain species were recommended by the tribes and the Council and 
are specified in paragraph (g) of this section.
    (1) Black rockfish. (i) Harvest guidelines for commercial harvests 
of black rockfish by members of the Pacific Coast Indian tribes using 
hook and line gear will be established biennially for two subsequent 
one-year periods for the areas between the U.S.-Canadian border and Cape 
Alava (48[deg]09.50[min] N. lat.) and between Destruction Island 
(47[deg]40[min] N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17[min] N. 
lat.), in accordance with the procedures for implementing harvest 
specifications and management measures. Pacific Coast treaty Indians 
fishing for black rockfish in these areas under these harvest guidelines 
are subject to the provisions in this section, and not to the 
restrictions in other sections of subparts C through G of this part.
    (ii) For the commercial harvest of black rockfish off Washington 
State, a treaty Indian tribes' harvest guideline is set at 30,000 lb 
(13,608 kg) for the area north of Cape Alava, WA (48[deg]09.50[min] N. 
lat) and 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) for the area between Destruction Island, 
WA (47[deg]40[min] N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point, WA (46[deg]38.17[min] 
N. lat.). This harvest guideline applies and is available to the Pacific 
Coast treaty Indian tribes. There are no tribal harvest restrictions for 
black rockfish in the area between Cape Alava and Destruction Island.

[[Page 66]]

    (2) Sablefish. (i) The sablefish allocation to Pacific coast treaty 
Indian Tribes is 10 percent of the sablefish ACL for the area north of 
36[deg] N. lat. This allocation represents the total amount available to 
the treaty Indian fisheries before deductions for discard mortality.
    (ii) The Tribal allocation is 849 mt in 2023 and 778 mt in 2024 per 
year. This allocation is, for each year, 10 percent of the Monterey 
through Vancouver area (North of 36[deg] N lat.) ACL. The Tribal 
allocation is reduced by 1.7 percent for estimated discard mortality.
    (3) Lingcod. Lingcod taken in the treaty fisheries are subject to a 
harvest guideline of 250 mt.
    (4) Pacific whiting. The tribal allocation for 2023 is 80,806 mt.
    (5) Pacific cod. There is a tribal harvest guideline of 500 mt of 
Pacific cod per year. The tribes will manage their fisheries to stay 
within this harvest guideline.
    (6) Petrale sole. For petrale sole, treaty fishing vessels are 
restricted to a fleetwide harvest target of 350 mt each year.
    (7) Yellowtail rockfish. Yellowtail rockfish taken in the directed 
tribal mid-water trawl fisheries are subject to a catch limit of 1,000 
mt for the entire fleet, per year.
    (8) Spiny dogfish. Spiny dogfish taken in the treaty fisheries are 
subject to an overall expected total spiny dogfish catch of 275 mt per 
year.
    (9) Widow rockfish. Widow rockfish taken in the directed tribal 
midwater trawl fisheries are subject to a catch limit of 200 mt for the 
entire fleet, per year.
    (g) Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries management measures. Trip 
limits for certain species were recommended by the tribes and the 
Council and are specified here.
    (1) Rockfish. The tribes will require full retention of all 
overfished rockfish species and all other marketable rockfish species 
during treaty fisheries.
    (2) Yelloweye rockfish--are subject to a 100-lb (45-kg) trip limit.
    (3) Other rockfish--(i) Minor nearshore rockfish. Minor nearshore 
rockfish are subject to a 300-lb (136-kg) trip limit per species or 
species group, or to the non-tribal limited entry trip limit for those 
species if those limits are less restrictive than 300 lb (136 kg) per 
trip. Limited entry trip limits for waters off Washington are specified 
in Table 1 (North) to subpart D, and Table 2 (North) to subpart E of 
this part.
    (ii) Minor shelf rockfish and minor slope rockfish. Redstripe 
rockfish are subject to an 800 lb (363 kg) trip limit. Minor shelf 
(excluding redstripe rockfish), and minor slope rockfish groups are 
subject to a 300 lb (136 kg) trip limit per species or species group, or 
to the non-tribal limited entry fixed gear trip limit for those species 
if those limits are less restrictive than 300 lb (136 kg) per trip. 
Limited entry fixed gear trip limits are specified in Table 2 (North) to 
subpart E of this part.
    (iii) Other rockfish. All other rockfish, not listed specifically in 
paragraph (g) of this section, are subject to a 300 lb (136 kg) trip 
limit per species or species group, or to the non-tribal limited entry 
trip limit for those species if those limits are less restrictive than 
300 lb (136 kg) per trip. Limited entry trip limits for waters off 
Washington are specified in Table 1 (North) to subpart D, and Table 2 
(North) to subpart E of this part.
    (4) Pacific whiting. Tribal whiting processed at-sea by non-tribal 
vessels, must be transferred within the tribal U&A from a member of a 
Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe fishing under this section.
    (5) Groundfish without a tribal allocation. Makah tribal members may 
use midwater trawl gear to take and retain groundfish for which there is 
no tribal allocation and will be subject to the trip landing and 
frequency and size limits applicable to the limited entry fishery.
    (6) EFH. Measures implemented to minimize adverse impacts to 
groundfish EFH, as described in Sec. 660.12 of this subpart, do not 
apply to tribal fisheries in their U&A fishing areas described at Sec. 
660.4, subpart A.
    (7) Small footrope trawl gear. Makah tribal members fishing in the 
bottom trawl fishery may use only small footrope (less than or equal to 
8 inches (20.3 cm)) bottom trawl gear.

[[Page 67]]

    (h) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic 
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v).

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 75421, Dec. 3, 2010; 75 
FR 82300, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 28903, May 19, 
2011; 77 FR 28507, May 15, 2012; 78 FR 588, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 26532, 
May 7, 2013; 79 FR 27204, May 13, 2014; 80 FR 12572, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 
FR 27593, May 14, 2015; 81 FR 30208, May 16, 2016; 81 FR 36807, June 8, 
2016; 82 FR 9639, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 21321, May 8, 2017; 83 FR 22405, 
May 15, 2018; 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 20584, May 10, 2019; 85 
FR 36812, June 18, 2020; 85 FR 79893, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 
23, 2021; 86 FR 32809, June 23, 2021; 87 FR 33441, June 2, 2022; 87 FR 
77015, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 34787, May 31, 2023]



Sec. 660.55  Allocations.

    (a) General. The opportunity to harvest Pacific Coast groundfish is 
allocated among participants in the fishery when the ACLs for a given 
year are established in the biennial harvest specifications. For any 
stock that has been declared overfished, any formal allocation may be 
temporarily revised for the duration of the rebuilding period. For 
certain species, primarily trawl-dominant species, separate allocations 
for the trawl and nontrawl fishery (which for this purpose includes 
limited entry fixed gear, directed open access, and recreational 
fisheries) will be established biennially or annually using the 
standards and procedures described in Chapter 6 of the PCGFMP. Chapter 6 
of the PCGFMP provides the allocation structure and percentages for 
species allocated between the trawl and nontrawl fisheries. Also, for 
those species not subject to the trawl and nontrawl allocations 
specified under Amendment 21 and in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 
separate allocations for the limited entry and open access fisheries may 
be established using the procedures described in Chapters 6 and 11 of 
the PCGFMP and this subpart. Allocation of sablefish north of 36[deg] N 
lat. is described in paragraph (h) of this section and in the PCGFMP. 
Allocation of Pacific whiting is described in paragraph (i) of this 
section and in the PCGFMP. Allocation of black rockfish is described in 
paragraph (l) of this section. Allocation of Pacific halibut bycatch is 
described in paragraph (m) of this section. Allocations not specified in 
the PCGFMP are established in regulation through the biennial harvest 
specifications and are listed in Tables 1 a through d and Tables 2 a 
through d of this subpart.
    (b) Fishery harvest guidelines and reductions made prior to fishery 
allocations. Prior to the setting of fishery allocations, the TAC, ACL, 
or ACT when specified, is reduced by the Pacific Coast treaty Indian 
Tribal harvest (allocations, set-asides, and estimated harvest under 
regulations at Sec. 660.50); projected scientific research catch of all 
groundfish species, estimates of fishing mortality in non-groundfish 
fisheries; and, as necessary, deductions to account for unforeseen catch 
events and deductions for EFPs. Deductions are listed in the footnotes 
of Tables 1a and 2a of subpart C of this part. The remaining amount 
after these deductions is the fishery harvest guideline or quota. (Note: 
recreational estimates are not deducted here.)
    (1) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribal allocations, set-asides, and 
regulations are specified during the biennial harvest specifications 
process and are found at Sec. 660.50 and in Tables 1a and 2a of this 
subpart.
    (2) Scientific research catch results from scientific research 
activity as defined in regulations at Sec. 600.10.
    (3) Estimates of fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries are 
based on historical catch and projected fishing activities.
    (4) EFPs are authorized and governed by regulations at Sec. Sec. 
660.60(f) and 600.745.
    (c) Trawl/nontrawl allocations. (1) Species/species groups and areas 
allocated between the trawl and non-trawl fisheries are allocated based 
on the amounts and percentages in the table below. IFQ species not 
listed in the table below are allocated between the trawl and nontrawl 
fisheries through the biennial harvest specifications process.

[[Page 68]]



   Table 1 to Paragraph (c)(1)--Allocation Amounts and Percentages for
 Limited Entry Trawl and Non-Trawl Sectors Specified for FMP Groundfish
                       Stocks and Stock Complexes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    All non-treaty LE    All non-treaty
         Stock or complex             trawl sectors    non-trawl sectors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth Flounder...............                95%                 5%
Chilipepper Rockfish S of                         75%                25%
 40[deg]10[min] N lat.............
Darkblotched Rockfish.............                95%                 5%
Dover Sole........................                95%                 5%
English Sole......................                95%                 5%
Lingcod N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.                45%                55%
Longspine Thornyhead N of                         95%                 5%
 34[deg]27[min] N lat.............
Pacific Cod.......................                95%                 5%
Pacific Ocean Perch...............                95%                 5%
Sablefish S of 36[deg] N lat......                42%                58%
Shortspine Thornyhead N of                        95%                 5%
 34[deg]27[min] N lat.............
Shortspine Thornyhead S of                      50 mt    Remaining Yield
 34[deg]27[min] N lat.............
Splitnose Rockfish S of                           95%                 5%
 40[deg]10[min] N lat.............
Starry Flounder...................                50%                50%
Yellowtail Rockfish N of                          88%                12%
 40[deg]10[min] N lat.............
Minor Slope Rockfish North of                     81%                19%
 40[deg]10[min] N lat.............
Other Flatfish....................                90%                10%
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Trawl fishery allocation. The allocation for the limited entry 
trawl fishery is derived by applying the trawl allocation amounts and 
percentages as specified in paragraph (c) of this section and as 
specified during the biennial harvest specifications process to the 
fishery harvest guideline for species/species groups and areas. For IFQ 
species the trawl allocation is further subdivided within each of the 
trawl sectors (MS, C/P, and IFQ) as specified in Sec. 660.140, 660.150, 
and 660.160 of subpart D. The whiting allocation is further subdivided 
among the trawl sectors as specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this 
section.
    (ii) Nontrawl fishery allocation. For each species/species group and 
area, the nontrawl fishery allocation is derived by subtracting from the 
corresponding harvest guideline the trawl allocations specified in 
paragraph (c) of this section and during the biennial harvest 
specifications. The nontrawl allocation will be shared between the 
limited entry fixed gear, open access, and recreational fisheries as 
specified through the biennial harvest specifications process and 
consistent with allocations in the PCGFMP.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (d) Commercial harvest guidelines. To derive the commercial harvest 
guideline, the fishery harvest guideline is further reduced by the 
recreational set-asides. The commercial harvest guideline is then 
allocated between the limited entry fishery (both trawl and fixed gear) 
and the directed open access fishery, as appropriate.
    (e) Limited entry (LE)/open access (OA) allocations--(1) LE/OA 
allocation percentages. The allocations between the limited entry and 
open access fisheries are based on standards from the PCGFMP.
    (2) Species with LE/OA allocations. For species with LE/OA 
allocations that are not subject to Amendment 21 allocations, the 
allocation between the limited entry (both trawl and fixed gear) and the 
open access fisheries is determined by applying the percentage for those 
species with a LE/OA allocation to the commercial harvest guideline plus 
the amount set-aside for the non-groundfish fisheries.
    (i) Limited entry allocation. The allocation for the limited entry 
fishery is the commercial harvest guideline minus any allocation to the 
directed open access fishery.
    (ii) Open access allocation. The allocation for the open access 
fishery is derived by applying the open access allocation percentage to 
the annual commercial harvest guideline or quota plus the non-groundfish 
fishery (i.e., incidental open access fishery) amount described in 
paragraph (b) of this section. The result is the total open access 
allocation. The portion that is set-aside for

[[Page 69]]

the non-groundfish fisheries is deducted and the remainder is the 
directed open access portion. For management areas or stocks for which 
quotas or harvest guidelines for a stock are not fully utilized, no 
separate allocation will be established for the open access fishery 
until it is projected that the allowable catch for a species will be 
reached.
    (A) Open access allocation percentage. For each species with a 
harvest guideline or quota, the initial open access allocation 
percentage is calculated by:
    (1) Computing the total catch for that species during the window 
period (July 11, 1984 through August 1, 1988) for the limited entry 
program by any vessel that did not initially receive a limited entry 
permit.
    (2) Dividing that amount by the total catch during the window period 
by all gear.
    (3) The guidelines in this paragraph apply to recalculation of the 
open access allocation percentage. Any recalculated allocation 
percentage will be used in calculating the following biennial fishing 
period's open access allocation.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (f) Catch accounting. Catch accounting refers to how the catch in a 
fishery is monitored against the allocations described in this section. 
For species with trawl/nontrawl allocations, catch of those species are 
counted against the trawl/nontrawl allocations as explained in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section. For species with limited entry/open access 
allocations in a given biennial cycle, catch of those species are 
counted against the limited entry/open access allocations as explained 
in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (1) Between the trawl and nontrawl fisheries--(i) Catch accounting 
for the trawl allocation. Any groundfish caught by a vessel registered 
to a limited entry trawl-endorsed permit will be counted against the 
trawl allocation while they are declared in to a groundfish limited 
entry trawl fishery and while the applicable trawl fishery listed in 
subpart D of this part for that vessel's limited entry permit is open.
    (ii) Catch accounting for the nontrawl allocation. All groundfish 
caught by a vessel not registered to a limited entry permit and not 
fishing in the non-groundfish fishery will be counted against the 
nontrawl allocation. All groundfish caught by a vessel registered to a 
limited entry permit when the fishery for a vessel's limited entry 
permit has closed or they are not declared in to a limited entry 
fishery, will be counted against the nontrawl allocation, unless they 
are declared in to a non-groundfish fishery. Catch by vessels fishing in 
the non-groundfish fishery, as defined at Sec. 660.11, will be 
accounted for in the estimated mortality in the non-groundfish fishery 
that is deducted from the ACL or ACT when specified.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (g) Recreational fisheries. Recreational fishing for groundfish is 
outside the scope of, and not affected by, the regulations governing 
limited entry and open access fisheries. Certain amounts of groundfish 
will be set aside for the recreational fishery during the biennial 
specifications process. These amounts will be estimated prior to 
dividing the commercial harvest guideline between the limited entry and 
open access fisheries.
    (h) Sablefish Allocations (north of 36[deg] N. lat.). The 
allocations of sablefish north of 36[deg] N. lat. described in paragraph 
(h) of this section are specified in Chapter 6 of the PCGFMP.
    (1) Tribal/nontribal allocation. The sablefish allocation to Pacific 
coast treaty Indian tribes is identified at Sec. 660.50(f)(2). The 
remainder is available to the nontribal fishery (limited entry, open 
access (directed and incidental), and research).
    (2) Between the limited entry and open access fisheries. The 
allocation of sablefish after tribal deductions is further reduced by 
the estimated total mortality of sablefish in research and recreational 
fisheries; the remaining yield (commercial harvest guideline) is divided 
between open access and limited entry fisheries. The limited entry 
fishery allocation is 90.6 percent of the commercial harvest guideline. 
The open access allocation is 9.4 percent of the commercial harvest 
guideline and includes incidental catch in non-groundfish fisheries, or 
incidental open access.

[[Page 70]]

    (3) Between the limited entry trawl and limited entry fixed gear 
fisheries. The limited entry sablefish allocation is further allocated 
58 percent to the trawl fishery and 42 percent to the limited entry 
fixed gear (longline and pot/trap) fishery.
    (4) Between the limited entry fixed gear primary season and daily 
trip limit fisheries. Within the limited entry fixed gear fishery 
allocation, 85 percent is reserved for the primary season described in 
Sec. 660.231, subpart E, leaving 15 percent for the limited entry daily 
trip limit fishery described in Sec. 660.232, subpart E.
    (5) Ratios between tiers for sablefish-endorsed limited entry 
permits. The Regional Administrator will biennially or annually 
calculate the size of the cumulative trip limit for each of the three 
tiers associated with the sablefish endorsement such that the ratio of 
limits between the tiers is approximately 1:1.75:3.85 for Tier 3:Tier 
2:Tier 1, respectively. The size of the cumulative trip limits will vary 
depending on the amount of sablefish available for the primary fishery 
and on estimated discard mortality rates within the fishery. The size of 
the cumulative trip limits for the three tiers in the primary fishery 
will be announced in Sec. 660.231(b)(3), subpart E.
    (i) Pacific whiting allocation. The allocation structure and 
percentages for Pacific whiting are described in the PCGFMP.
    (1) Annual treaty tribal Pacific whiting allocations are provided in 
Sec. 660.50, subpart C.
    (2) The fishery harvest guideline for Pacific whiting is allocated 
among three sectors, as follows: 34 percent for the C/P Coop Program; 24 
percent for the MS Coop Program; and 42 percent for the Shore based IFQ 
Program. No more than 5 percent of the Shore based IFQ Program 
allocation may be taken and retained south of 42[deg] N. lat. before the 
start of the primary Pacific whiting season north of 42[deg] N. lat. 
Specific sector allocations for a given calendar year are found in 
Tables 1a through c and 2a through c of this subpart. Set-asides for 
other species for the at-sea whiting fishery for a given calendar year 
are found in Tables 1D and 2D of this subpart.
    (j) Fishery set-asides. Annual set-asides are not formal allocations 
but they are amounts which are not available to the other fisheries 
during the fishing year. For Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries, set-
asides will be deducted from the TAC, OY, ACL, or ACT when specified. 
For the catcher/processor and mothership sectors of the at-sea Pacific 
whiting fishery, set-asides will be deducted from the limited entry 
trawl fishery allocation. Set-aside amounts may be adjusted through the 
biennial harvest specifications and management measures process.
    (k) [Reserved]
    (l) Black rockfish harvest guideline. The commercial tribal harvest 
guideline for black rockfish off Washington State is specified at Sec. 
660.50(f)(1), subpart C.
    (m) Pacific halibut bycatch allocation. The Pacific halibut fishery 
off Washington, Oregon and California (Area 2A in the halibut 
regulations) is managed under regulations at 50 CFR part 300, subpart E. 
The PCGFMP sets the trawl bycatch mortality limit at 15 percent of the 
Area 2A total constant exploitation yield (TCEY) for legal size halibut 
(net weight), not to exceed 130,000 pounds annually for legal size 
halibut (net weight) for 2012 through 2014 and, beginning in 2015, not 
to exceed 100,000 pounds annually for legal size halibut (net weight). 
The TCEY used for these calculations will be the best estimate of the 
TCEY available from the International Pacific Halibut Commission at the 
time of the calculation. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term 
``legal sized'' halibut refers to halibut with a total length of 32 
inches and above, or O32, and the term ``sublegal sized'' halibut refers 
to halibut under 32 inches in total length, or U32. To determine the 
trawl bycatch mortality limit, the pounds of halibut available to the 
trawl fleet will be expanded from the legal sized halibut mortality (net 
weight) to a round weight legal and sublegal sized amount. To convert 
from net weight to round weight, multiply by the conversion factor used 
by the International Pacific Halibut Commission at the time of 
calculation for net weight to round weight. To convert from legal sized 
halibut to legal and sublegal sized halibut, multiply by the

[[Page 71]]

conversion factor from the NMFS trawl fishery bycatch report as reported 
to the International Pacific Halibut Commission at the time of 
calculation for legal sized to legal and sublegal sized halibut. The 
bycatch allocation percent can be adjusted downward or upward through 
the biennial specifications and management measures process but the 
upper bound on the maximum pounds of allocation can only be changed 
though an FMP amendment. Part of the overall total mortality limit is a 
set-aside of 10 mt of Pacific halibut (legal and sublegal, round 
weight), to accommodate bycatch in the at-sea Pacific whiting fishery 
and in the shorebased trawl fishery south of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat. 
(estimated to be approximately 5 mt each). This set-aside can be 
adjusted through the biennial specifications and management measures 
process.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78382, Dec. 15, 2010; 75 
FR 82300, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53835, Aug. 
30, 2011; 76 FR 74737, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 28507, May 15, 2012; 78 FR 
588, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 77270, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 84428, Nov. 23, 
2016; 82 FR 9639, Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 759, Jan. 8, 2018; 83 FR 63991, 
Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 68805, Dec. 17, 2019; 87 FR 77015, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.60  Specifications and management measures.

    (a) General. NMFS will establish and adjust specifications and 
management measures biennially or annually and during the fishing year. 
Management of the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery will be conducted 
consistent with the standards and procedures in the PCGFMP and other 
applicable law. The PCGFMP is available from the Regional Administrator 
or the Council. Regulations under this subpart may be promulgated, 
removed, or revised during the fishing year. Any such action will be 
made according to the framework standards and procedures in the PCGFMP 
and other applicable law, and will be published in the Federal Register.
    (b) Biennial actions. The Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery is 
managed on a biennial, calendar year basis. Harvest specifications and 
management measures will be announced biennially, with the harvest 
specifications for each species or species group set for two sequential 
calendar years. In general, management measures are designed to achieve, 
but not exceed, the specifications, particularly optimum yields (harvest 
guidelines and quotas), fishery harvest guidelines, commercial harvest 
guidelines and quotas, limited entry and open access allocations, or 
other approved fishery allocations, and to protect overfished and 
depleted stocks. Management measures will be designed to take into 
account the co-occurrence ratios of target species with overfished 
species, and will select measures that will minimize bycatch to the 
extent practicable.
    (1) Except for Pacific whiting, every biennium, NMFS will implement 
OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs, if applicable, for each species or species group 
based on the harvest controls used in the previous biennium (referred to 
as default harvest control rules) applied to the best available 
scientific information. The default harvest control rules for each 
species or species group are listed in Appendix F to the PCGFMP and the 
biennial SAFE document. NMFS may implement OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs, if 
applicable, that vary from the default harvest control rules based on a 
Council recommendation.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Routine management measures. Catch restrictions that are likely 
to be adjusted on a biennial or more frequent basis may be imposed and 
announced by a single notification in the Federal Register if good cause 
exists under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to waive notice and 
comment, and if they have been designated as routine through the two-
meeting process described in the PCGFMP. Routine management measures 
that may be revised during the fishing year, via this process, are 
implemented in paragraph (h) of this section, and in subparts C through 
G of this part, including Tables 1a through 1c, and 2a through 2c to 
subpart C of this part, Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) of subpart D of 
this part, Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) of subpart E of this part, and 
Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of subpart F of this part. Most trip, 
bag, and size limits, and some Groundfish Conservation Area closures in 
the groundfish fishery have been designated ``routine,'' which

[[Page 72]]

means they may be changed rapidly after a single Council meeting. 
Council meetings are held in the months of March, April, June, 
September, and November. Inseason changes to routine management measures 
are announced in the Federal Register pursuant to the requirements of 
the APA. Changes to trip limits are effective at the times stated in the 
Federal Register. Once a trip limit change is effective, it is illegal 
to take and retain, possess, or land more fish than allowed under the 
new trip limit. This means that, unless otherwise announced in the 
Federal Register, offloading must begin before the time a fishery closes 
or a more restrictive trip limit takes effect. The following catch 
restrictions have been designated as routine:
    (1) Commercial Limited Entry and Open Access Fisheries--(i) Trip 
landing and frequency limits, size limits, all gear. Trip landing and 
frequency limits have been designated as routine for the following 
species or species groups: Widow rockfish, canary rockfish, yellowtail 
rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, yelloweye rockfish, black rockfish, blue/
deacon rockfish, splitnose rockfish, blackgill rockfish in the area 
south of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat., chilipepper, bocaccio, cowcod, Minor 
Nearshore Rockfish or shallow and deeper Minor Nearshore Rockfish, shelf 
or Minor Shelf Rockfish, and Minor Slope Rockfish; Dover sole, 
sablefish, shortspine thornyheads, and longspine thornyheads; petrale 
sole, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, Pacific sanddabs, big skate, and 
the Other Flatfish complex, which is composed of those species plus any 
other flatfish species listed at Sec. 660.11; Pacific whiting; lingcod; 
Pacific cod; spiny dogfish; longnose skate; cabezon in Oregon and 
California and ``Other Fish'' as defined at Sec. 660.11. In addition to 
the species and species groups listed above, sub-limits or aggregate 
limits may be specified, specific to the Shorebased IFQ Program, for the 
following species: Big skate, California skate, California scorpionfish, 
leopard shark, soupfin shark, finescale codling, Pacific rattail 
(grenadier), ratfish, kelp greenling, shortbelly rockfish, and cabezon 
in Washington. Size limits have been designated as routine for sablefish 
and lingcod. Trip landing and frequency limits and size limits for 
species with those limits designated as routine may be imposed or 
adjusted on a biennial or more frequent basis for the purpose of keeping 
landings within the harvest levels announced by NMFS, and for the other 
purposes given in paragraphs (c)(1)(i)(A) and (B) of this section.
    (ii) Differential trip landing limits and frequency limits based on 
gear type, closed seasons, and bycatch limits. Trip landing and 
frequency limits that differ by gear type and closed seasons may be 
imposed or adjusted on a biennial or more frequent basis for the purpose 
of rebuilding and protecting overfished or depleted stocks.
    (iii) Type of limited entry trawl gear on board. Limits on the type 
of limited entry trawl gear on board a vessel may be imposed on a 
biennial or more frequent basis. Requirements and restrictions on 
limited entry trawl gear type are found at Sec. 660.130(b).
    (iv) List of IFQ species documented on Observer Program reporting 
form. As specified at Sec. 660.140(h)(1)(i), to be exempt from observer 
coverage while docked in port depends on documentation of specified 
retained IFQ species on the Observer Program reporting form. The list of 
IFQ species documented on the Observer Program form may be modified on a 
biennial or more frequent basis under routine management measures Sec. 
660.60(c)(1).
    (v) Shorebased IFQ Program surplus carryover percentage. As 
specified at Sec. 660.140(e)(5)(i), a percentage of surplus QP or IBQ 
pounds in a vessel account may be carried over from one year to the 
next. The percentage of surplus QP or IBQ pounds, that may be carried 
over may be modified on a biennial or more frequent basis, and may not 
be higher than 10 percent.
    (2) Recreational fisheries all gear types. Routine management 
measures for all groundfish species, separately or in any combination, 
include bag limits, size limits, time/area closures, boat limits, hook 
limits, and dressing requirements. All routine management measures on 
recreational fisheries are intended to keep landings within the harvest 
levels announced by NMFS, to rebuild and protect overfished or depleted 
species, and to maintain consistency with State regulations, and for

[[Page 73]]

the other purposes set forth in this section.
    (i) Bag limits. To spread the available catch over a large number of 
anglers; to protect and rebuild overfished species; to avoid waste.
    (ii) Size limits. To protect juvenile fish; to protect and rebuild 
overfished species; to enhance the quality of the recreational fishing 
experience.
    (iii) Season duration restrictions. To spread the available catch 
over a large number of anglers; to protect and rebuild overfished 
species; to avoid waste; to enhance the quality of the recreational 
fishing experience.
    (3) All fisheries, all gear types--(i) Depth-based management 
measures. Depth-based management measures, particularly closed areas 
known as Groundfish Conservation Areas, defined in Sec. 660.11, include 
RCAs, BRAs, and BACs, and may be implemented in any fishery sector that 
takes groundfish directly or incidentally. Depth-based management 
measures are set using specific boundary lines that approximate depth 
contours with latitude/longitude waypoints found at Sec. Sec. 660.70 
through 660.74 and 660.76. Depth-based management measures and closed 
areas may be used for the following conservation objectives: To protect 
and rebuild overfished stocks; to prevent the overfishing of any 
groundfish species by minimizing the direct or incidental catch of that 
species; or to minimize the incidental harvest of any protected or 
prohibited species taken in the groundfish fishery. Depth-based 
management measures and closed areas may be used for the following 
economic objectives: To extend the fishing season; for the commercial 
fisheries, to minimize disruption of traditional fishing and marketing 
patterns; for the recreational fisheries, to spread the available catch 
over a large number of anglers; to discourage target fishing while 
allowing small incidental catches to be landed; and to allow small 
fisheries to operate outside the normal season.
    (A) Rockfish Conservation Areas. RCAs, as defined at sect; 660.11, 
may be modified as routine action for vessels using trawl gear (off 
Washington), non-trawl gear (coastwide), or recreational gear 
(coastwide) consistent with the purposes described in this paragraph 
(c)(3)(i).
    (B) Bycatch Reduction Areas. BRAs may be implemented through 
automatic action in the Pacific whiting fishery consistent with 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section. BRAs may be implemented as routine 
management measures for vessels using midwater groundfish trawl gear 
consistent with the purposes described in this paragraph (c)(3)(i).
    (C) Block Area Closures. BACs, as defined at Sec. 660.111, may be 
closed or reopened, in the EEZ off Oregon and California, for vessels 
using limited entry bottom trawl gear, and in the EEZ off Washington, 
Oregon and California for vessels using midwater trawl gear, consistent 
with the purposes described in this paragraph (c)(3)(i).
    (ii) Non-tribal deductions from the ACL. Changes to the non-tribal 
amounts deducted from the TAC, ACLs, or ACT when specified, described at 
Sec. 660.55(b)(2) through (4) and specified in the footnotes to Tables 
1a through 1c, and 2a through 2c, to subpart C, have been designated as 
routine to make fish that would otherwise go unharvested available to 
other fisheries during the fishing year. Adjustments may be made to 
provide additional harvest opportunities in groundfish fisheries when 
catch in scientific research activities, non-groundfish fisheries, and 
EFPs are lower than the amounts that were initially deducted off the 
TAC, ACL, or ACT when specified, during the biennial specifications or 
to allocate yield from the deduction to account for unforeseen catch 
events to groundfish fisheries. When recommending adjustments to the 
non-tribal deductions, the Council shall consider the allocation 
framework criteria outlined in the PCGFMP and the objectives to maintain 
or extend fishing and marketing opportunities taking into account the 
best available fishery information on sector needs.
    (4) Inseason action for canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and 
black rockfish in California State-Specific Federal Harvest Limits 
outside of a Council meeting. The Regional Administrator, NMFS West 
Coast Region, after consultation with the Chairman of the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council and the Fishery

[[Page 74]]

Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or their 
designees, is authorized to modify the following designated routine 
management measures for canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and black 
rockfish off the coast of California. For black rockfish in commercial 
fisheries trip landing and frequency limits; and depth based management 
measures. For black, canary, and yelloweye rockfish in recreational 
fisheries bag limits; time/area closures; depth based management. Any 
modifications may be made only after NMFS has determined that a 
California state-specific federal harvest limit for canary rockfish, 
yelloweye rockfish, or black rockfish, is attained or projected to be 
attained prior to the first day of the next Council meeting. Any 
modifications may only be used to restrict catch of canary rockfish, 
yelloweye rockfish, or black rockfish off the coast of California.
    (d) Automatic actions. The NMFS Regional Administrator or designee 
will initiate automatic management actions without prior public notice, 
opportunity to comment, or a Council meeting. These actions are 
nondiscretionary, and the impacts must have been taken into account 
prior to the action. Unless otherwise stated, a single notice will be 
published in the Federal Register making the action effective if good 
cause exists under the APA to waive notice and comment.
    (1) Automatic actions will be initiated in the following 
circumstances:
    (i) Close the MS or C/P sector when that sector's Pacific whiting 
allocation is reached, or is projected to be reached. The MS sector non-
coop fishery will be closed by automatic action when the Pacific whiting 
or non-whiting allocation to the non-coop fishery has been reached or is 
projected to be reached.
    (ii) Close one or both MS and C/P sectors when a non-whiting 
groundfish species with allocations is reached or projected to be 
reached.
    (iii) Reapportion the unused portion of the tribal allocation of 
Pacific whiting to the MS sector, C/P sector, and Shorebased IFQ sector.
    (iv) Close the following groundfish fisheries, not including Pacific 
Coast treaty Indian fisheries, when conditions for Chinook salmon 
bycatch described in this table and paragraphs (d)(1)(iv)(A) and (B) of 
this section are met:

                     Table 1 to Paragraph (d)(1)(iv)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                If Chinook salmon
                                   bycatch, as
                                described in Sec.
            Close:                 660.60(i)(2),            And:
                                     exceeds:
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whiting sector (Pacific         11,000 fish in     (1) A routine
 whiting IFQ fishery, MS Coop    the whiting        management measure
 Program and/or C/P Coop         sector.            specified at Sec.
 Program).                                          660.60(c) has not
                                                    been implemented as
                                                    described in Sec.
                                                    660.60(i)(1) OR (2)
                                                    The non-whiting
                                                    sector has caught
                                                    its 5,500 Chinook
                                                    salmon bycatch
                                                    guideline and 3,500
                                                    Chinook salmon from
                                                    the bycatch reserve.
Whiting sector (Pacific         14,500 fish in     The non-whiting
 whiting IFQ fishery, MS Coop    the whiting        sector has not
 Program and C/P Coop Program).  sector.            accessed the Chinook
                                                    salmon bycatch
                                                    reserve.
Non-whiting sector (midwater    5,500 fish in the  (1) A routine
 trawl, bottom trawl, and        non-whiting        management measure
 fixed gear fisheries under      sector.            specified at Sec.
 the Shorebased IFQ Program,                        660.60(c) has not
 limited entry fixed gear                           been implemented as
 fisheries, open access                             described in Sec.
 fisheries, and recreational                        660.60(i)(1) OR (2)
 fisheries subject to this                          The whiting sector
 provision as set out in Sec. has caught its
  660.360(d)).                                      11,000 Chinook
                                                    salmon guideline and
                                                    3,500 Chinook salmon
                                                    from the bycatch
                                                    reserve.
Non-whiting sector (midwater    9,000 fish in the  The whiting sector
 trawl, bottom trawl, and        non-whiting        has not accessed the
 fixed gear fisheries under      sector.            Chinook salmon
 the Shorebased IFQ Program,                        bycatch reserve.
 limited entry fixed gear
 fisheries, open access
 fisheries, and recreational
 fisheries subject to this
 provision as set out in Sec.
  660.360(d)).
Non-whiting trawl fisheries     8,500 fish in the
 (midwater trawl and bottom      non-whiting
 trawl fisheries under the       sector.
 Shorebased IFQ Program).
All trawl fisheries (whiting    19,500 fish in
 sector and non-whiting trawl    the whiting and
 fisheries).                     non-whiting
                                 sector.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 75]]

    (A) Consistent with Sec. 660.60(i)(2), each component of the 
whiting sector (Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, MS Coop Program and C/P 
Coop Program) will be closed when Chinook salmon bycatch exceeds 11,000 
Chinook salmon if a routine management measure specified at Sec. 
660.60(c) has not been implemented as described in Sec. 660.60(i)(2) 
for that individual component of the whiting sector.
    (B) Consistent with Sec. 660.60(i)(2), the Chinook salmon closure 
at 11,000 fish does not apply to those whiting sector vessels that are 
parties to an approved Salmon Mitigation Plan, as specified at Sec. 
660.113(e), unless the non-whiting sector has caught the entire 3,500 
Chinook salmon bycatch reserve.
    (v) Close all groundfish fisheries, including Pacific Coast treaty 
Indian fisheries, if Chinook salmon bycatch in the groundfish fishery 
exceeds 20,000 fish.
    (vi) Implement BRAs, described at Sec. 660.131, when NMFS projects 
a sector-specific allocation will be reached before the sector's whiting 
allocation.
    (2) Automatic actions are effective when actual notice is sent by 
NMFS identifying the effective time and date. Actual notice to fishers 
and processors will be by email, Internet 
www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ publications/fishery_management/ 
groundfish/public_notices/recent_ public_notices.html), phone, letter, 
or press release. Allocation reapportionments will be followed by 
publication in the Federal Register, in which public comment will be 
sought for a reasonable period of time thereafter.
    (e) [Reserved]
    (f) Exempted fishing permits (EFP). (1) The Regional Administrator 
may issue EFPs under regulations at Sec. 660.30, subpart C, for 
compensation with fish for collecting resource information. Such EFPs 
may include the collecting of scientific samples of groundfish species 
that would otherwise be prohibited for retention.
    (2) The Regional Administrator may also issue EFPs under regulations 
at 50 CFR part Sec. 600.745 for limited testing, public display, data 
collection, exploratory, health and safety, environmental cleanup, and/
or hazard removal purposes, the target or incidental harvest of species 
managed under an FMP or fishery regulations that would otherwise be 
prohibited.
    (3) U.S. vessels operating under an EFP are subject to restrictions 
in subparts C through G of this part unless otherwise provided in the 
permit.
    (g) Applicability. Groundfish species harvested in the territorial 
sea (0-3 nm) will be counted toward the catch limitations in Tables 1a 
through 2d of this subpart, and those specified in subparts D through G, 
including Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) of subpart D, Tables 2 (North) 
and 2 (South) of subpart E, Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of subpart F.
    (h) Fishery restrictions--(1) Commercial trip limits and 
recreational bag and boat limits. Commercial trip limits and 
recreational bag and boat limits defined in Tables 1a through 2d of this 
subpart, and those specified in subparts D through G of this part, 
including Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) of subpart D, Tables 2 (North) 
and 2 (South) of subpart E, Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of subpart F 
must not be exceeded.
    (2) Landing. As stated at Sec. 660.11 (in the definition of ``Land 
or landing''), once the offloading of any species begins, all fish 
aboard the vessel are counted as part of the landing and must be 
reported as such. All fish from a landing must be removed from the 
vessel before a new fishing trip begins, except for processing vessels 
fishing in the catcher/processor or mothership sectors of the Pacific 
whiting fishery. Transfer of fish at sea is prohibited under Sec. 
660.12, unless a vessel is participating in the primary whiting fishery 
as part of the mothership or catcher/processor sectors, as described at 
Sec. 660.131(a). Catcher vessels in the mothership sector must transfer 
all catch from a haul to the same vessel registered to an MS permit 
prior to the gear being set for a subsequent haul. Catch may not be 
transferred to a tender vessel.
    (3) Fishing ahead. Unless the fishery is closed, a vessel that has 
landed its cumulative or daily limit may continue to fish on the limit 
for the next legal period, so long as no fish (including, but not 
limited to, groundfish with no trip limits, shrimp, prawns, or other

[[Page 76]]

nongroundfish species or shellfish) are landed (offloaded) until the 
next legal period. Fishing ahead is not allowed during or before a 
closed period.
    (4) Weights and percentages. All weights are round weights or round-
weight equivalents unless otherwise specified. Percentages are based on 
round weights, and, unless otherwise specified, apply only to legal fish 
on board.
    (5) Size limits, length measurement, and weight conversions--(i) 
Length measurement. Unless otherwise specified, size limits in the 
commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries apply to the ``total 
length,'' which is the longest measurement of the fish without 
mutilation of the fish or the use of force to extend the length of the 
fish. No fish with a size limit may be retained if it is in such 
condition that its length has been extended or cannot be determined by 
these methods. For conversions not listed here, contact the state where 
the fish will be landed. Washington state regulations require all fish 
with a size limit landed into Washington to be landed with the head on.
    (A) Whole fish. For a whole fish, total length is measured from the 
tip of the snout (mouth closed) to the tip of the tail in a natural, 
relaxed position.
    (B) ``Headed'' fish. For a fish with the head removed (``headed''), 
the length is measured from the origin of the first dorsal fin (where 
the front dorsal fin meets the dorsal surface of the body closest to the 
head) to the tip of the upper lobe of the tail; the dorsal fin and tail 
must be left intact.
    (C) Filets. A filet is the flesh from one side of a fish extending 
from the head to the tail, which has been removed from the body (head, 
tail, and backbone) in a single continuous piece. Filet lengths may be 
subject to size limits for some groundfish taken in the recreational 
fishery off California (see subpart G of this part). A filet is measured 
along the length of the longest part of the filet in a relaxed position; 
stretching or otherwise manipulating the filet to increase its length is 
not permitted.
    (ii) Weight conversions and size limits. To determine the round 
weight, multiply the processed weight times the conversion factor. 
Federal commercial groundfish regulations do not supersede more 
restrictive state commercial groundfish regulations, including landings 
requirements regarding groundfish species or the condition in which they 
may be landed.
    (A) Limited entry fixed gear or open access fisheries. The weight 
limit conversion factor established by the state where the fish is or 
will be landed will be used to convert the processed weight to round 
weight for purposes of applying the trip limit or other allocation. 
Weight conversions provided herein are those conversions currently in 
use by the States of Washington, Oregon, and California and may be 
subject to change by those states. Fishery participants should contact 
fishery enforcement officials in the state where the fish will be landed 
to determine that state's official conversion factor.
    (1) Sablefish. The following conversion applies to both the limited 
entry fixed gear and open access fisheries when trip limits are in 
effect for those fisheries. For headed and gutted (eviscerated) 
sablefish the weight conversion factor is 1.6 (multiply the headed and 
gutted weight by 1.6 to determine the round weight).
    (2) Lingcod. The following conversions apply in both limited entry 
fixed gear and open access fisheries.
    (i) North of 42[deg] N. lat., for lingcod with the head removed, the 
minimum size limit is 18 inches (46 cm), which corresponds to 22 inches 
(56 cm) total length for whole fish.
    (ii) South of 42[deg] N lat., for lingcod with the head removed, the 
minimum size limit is 18 inches (46 cm), which corresponds to 22 inches 
(56 cm) total length for whole fish.
    (iii) The weight conversion factor for headed and gutted lingcod is 
1.5. The conversion factor for lingcod that has only been gutted with 
the head on is 1.1.
    (B) Shorebased IFQ Program. For vessels landing sorted catch, the 
weight conversions for purposes of applying QP and size limits are 
provided in paragraphs (h)(5)(ii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii) of this 
section.
    (1) Sablefish. The weight conversion factor for headed and gutted 
(eviscerated) sablefish is 1.6.

[[Page 77]]

    (2) Lingcod. The following conversions and size limits apply:
    (i) The minimum size limit for lingcod North of 42[deg] N. lat. is 
22 inches (56 cm) total length for whole fish, which corresponds to 18 
inches (46 cm) with the head removed.
    (ii) The minimum size limit for lingcod South of 42[deg] N lat. is 
22 inches (56 cm) total length for whole fish, which corresponds to 18 
inches (46 cm) with the head removed.
    (iii) The weight conversion factor for headed and gutted 
(eviscerated) lingcod is 1.5; for lingcod that has only been gutted with 
the head on, the weight conversion factor is 1.1.
    (3) Pacific whiting. For headed and gutted Pacific whiting (head 
removed just in front of the collar bone and viscera removed,) the 
weight conversion factor is 1.56; and for headed and gutted Pacific 
whiting with the tail removed the weight conversion factor is 2.0.
    (4) Rockfish (including thornyheads), except POP. For headed and 
gutted (eviscerated), the weight conversion factor is 1.75; for headed 
and gutted, western cut (head removed just in front of the collar bone 
and viscera removed,) the weight conversion factor is 1.66; for headed 
and gutted, eastern cut (head removed just behind the collar bone and 
viscera removed,) the weight conversion factor is 2.0.
    (5) Pacific ocean perch (POP). For headed and gutted (eviscerated), 
the weight conversion factor is 1.6.
    (6) Pacific cod. For headed and gutted (eviscerated), the weight 
conversion factor is 1.58.
    (7) Dover sole, English sole, and ``other flatfish''. For headed and 
gutted (eviscerated), the weight conversion factor is 1.53.
    (8) Petrale sole. For headed and gutted (eviscerated), the weight 
conversion factor is 1.51.
    (9) Arrowtooth flounder. For headed and gutted (eviscerated), the 
weight conversion factor is 1.35.
    (10) Starry flounder. For headed and gutted (eviscerated), the 
weight conversion factor is 1.49.
    (6) Sorting. Trawl fishery sorting requirements are specified at 
Sec. 660.130(d), subpart D. Limited entry fixed gear fishery sorting 
requirements are specified at Sec. 660.230(c), subpart E, and Open 
access fishery sorting requirements are specified at Sec. 660.330(c), 
subpart F.
    (7) Crossover provisions. Crossover provisions apply to three 
activities: Fishing on different sides of a management line, fishing in 
both the limited entry and open access fisheries, or fishing in both the 
Shorebased IFQ Program and the limited entry fixed gear fishery. 
Fishery-specific crossover provisions can be found in subparts D through 
F of this part.
    (i) Fishing in management areas with different trip limits. Trip 
limits for a species or a species group may differ in different 
management areas along the coast. The following crossover provisions 
apply to vessels fishing in different geographical areas that have 
different cumulative or ``per trip'' trip limits for the same species or 
species group, with the following exceptions. Such crossover provisions 
do not apply to: IFQ species (defined at Sec. 660.140(c), subpart D) 
for vessels that are declared into the Shorebased IFQ Program (see Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), for valid Shorebased IFQ Program declarations); 
species that are subject only to daily trip limits; or to trip limits 
for black rockfish off Washington, as described at Sec. Sec. 660.230(e) 
and 660.330(e).
    (A) Going from a more restrictive to a more liberal area. If a 
vessel takes and retains any groundfish species or species group of 
groundfish in an area where a more restrictive trip limit applies before 
fishing in an area where a more liberal trip limit (or no trip limit) 
applies, then that vessel is subject to the more restrictive trip limit 
for the entire period to which that trip limit applies, no matter where 
the fish are taken and retained, possessed, or landed.
    (B) Going from a more liberal to a more restrictive area. If a 
vessel takes and retains a groundfish species or species group in an 
area where a higher trip limit or no trip limit applies, and takes and 
retains, possesses or lands the same species or species group in an area 
where a more restrictive trip limit applies, that vessel is subject to 
the more restrictive trip limit for the entire period to which that trip 
limit applies, no matter where the fish are

[[Page 78]]

taken and retained, possessed, or landed.
    (C) Fishing in two different areas where a species or species group 
is managed with different types of trip limits. During the fishing year, 
NMFS may implement management measures for a species or species group 
that set different types of trip limits (for example, per trip limits 
versus cumulative trip limits) for different areas. If a vessel fishes 
for a species or species group that is managed with different types of 
trip limits in two different areas within the same cumulative limit 
period, then that vessel is subject to the most restrictive overall 
cumulative limit for that species, regardless of where fishing occurs.
    (D) Minor rockfish. Several rockfish species are designated with 
species-specific limits on one side of the 40[deg]10[min] N. lat. 
management line, and are included as part of a minor rockfish complex on 
the other side of the line. A vessel that takes and retains fish from a 
minor rockfish complex (nearshore, shelf, or slope) on both sides of a 
management line during a single cumulative limit period is subject to 
the more restrictive cumulative limit for that minor rockfish complex 
during that period.
    (1) If a vessel takes and retains minor slope rockfish north of 
40[deg]10[min] N. lat., that vessel is also permitted to take and 
retain, possess or land splitnose rockfish up to its cumulative limit 
south of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat., even if splitnose rockfish were a part 
of the landings from minor slope rockfish taken and retained north of 
40[deg]10[min] N. lat.
    (2) If a vessel takes and retains minor slope rockfish south of 
40[deg]10[min] N. lat., that vessel is also permitted to take and 
retain, possess or land POP up to its cumulative limit north of 
40[deg]10[min] N. lat., even if POP were a part of the landings from 
minor slope rockfish taken and retained south of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.
    (ii) Fishing in both limited entry and open access fisheries--
    (A) Fishing in limited entry and open access fisheries with 
different trip limits. Open access trip limits apply to any fishing 
conducted with open access gear, even if the vessel has a valid limited 
entry permit with an endorsement for another type of gear. Except such 
provisions do not apply to IFQ species (defined at Sec. 660.140(c), 
subpart D) for vessels that are declared into the Shorebased IFQ Program 
(see Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A) for valid Shorebased IFQ Program 
declarations). A vessel that fishes in both the open access and limited 
entry fisheries is not entitled to two separate trip limits for the same 
species. If a vessel has a limited entry permit registered to it at any 
time during the trip limit period and uses open access gear, but the 
open access limit is smaller than the limited entry limit, the open 
access limit may not be exceeded and counts toward the limited entry 
limit. If a vessel has a limited entry permit registered to it at any 
time during the trip limit period and uses open access gear, but the 
open access limit is larger than the limited entry limit, the smaller 
limited entry limit applies, even if taken entirely with open access 
gear.
    (B) Limited entry permit restrictions for vessels fishing in the 
open access fishery--(1) Vessel registered to a limited entry trawl 
permit. To fish with open access gear, defined at Sec. 660.11, a vessel 
registered to a limited entry trawl permit must make the appropriate 
fishery declaration, as specified at Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A). In 
addition, a vessel registered to a limited entry trawl permit must 
remove the permit from their vessel, as specified at Sec. 
660.25(b)(4)(vi), unless the vessel will be fishing in the open access 
fishery under one of the following declarations specified at Sec. 
660.13(d):
    (i) Non-groundfish trawl gear for pink shrimp,
    (ii) Non-groundfish trawl gear for ridgeback prawn,
    (iii) Non-groundfish trawl gear for California halibut,
    (iv) Non-groundfish trawl gear for sea cucumber,
    (v) Open access Dungeness crab pot/trap gear,
    (vi) Open access HMS line gear,
    (vii) Open access salmon troll gear,
    (viii) Open access Coastal Pelagic Species net gear.
    (2) Vessel registered to a limited entry fixed gear permit(s). To 
fish with open access gear, defined at Sec. 660.11, subpart C, a vessel 
registered to a limit entry fixed gear permit must make the appropriate 
open access declaration, as

[[Page 79]]

specified at Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A). Vessels registered to a 
sablefish-endorsed permit(s) fishing in the sablefish primary season 
(described at Sec. 660.231, subpart E) may only fish with the gear(s) 
endorsed on their sablefish-endorsed permit(s) against those limits.
    (3) Vessel jointly registered to more than one limited entry permit. 
Vessels jointly registered (under the provisions at Sec. 
660.25(b)(4)(iv)(B)) may fish with open access gear (defined at Sec. 
660.11) if they meet the requirements of both paragraphs 
(h)(7)(ii)(B)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (iii) Fishing in both the Shorebased IFQ Program and the limited 
entry fixed gear fishery for vessels that are jointly registered.
    (A) Fishing in the Shorebased IFQ Program and limited entry fixed 
gear fishery with different trip limits. If a vessel fishes in both the 
Shorebased IFQ Program and the limited entry fixed gear fishery during a 
cumulative limit period, they are subject to the most restrictive trip 
limits for non-IFQ species.
    (B) Fishing in the Shorebased IFQ Program and the limited entry 
fixed gear sablefish primary fishery with different trip limits. If a 
vessel is jointly registered and one or more of the limited entry 
permits is sablefish endorsed, any sablefish landings made by a vessel 
declared into the limited entry fixed gear fishery after the start of 
the sablefish primary fishery count towards the tier limit(s), per 
regulations at Sec. 660.232(a)(2), subpart E. Any sablefish landings 
made by a vessel declared into the Shorebased IFQ Program must be 
covered by quota pounds, per regulations at Sec. 660.112(b), subpart D, 
and will not count towards the tier limit(s).
    (i) Salmon bycatch management. Salmon bycatch is managed through 
routine management measures, salmon bycatch guidelines and a Chinook 
salmon bycatch reserve, and fisheries closures. For purposes of salmon 
bycatch management, the groundfish fishery is divided into the whiting 
sector and non-whiting sector and includes bycatch of Chinook salmon and 
coho salmon from both non-tribal fisheries and Pacific Coast treaty 
Indian fisheries. The non-whiting sector includes the Pacific Coast 
treaty Indian vessels that target Pacific coast groundfish species other 
than whiting, as well as non-tribal vessels that target Pacific coast 
groundfish species other than whiting in the midwater trawl, bottom 
trawl, and fixed gear fisheries under the Shorebased IFQ Program, 
limited entry fixed gear fisheries, open access fisheries as defined at 
Sec. 660.11, and recreational fisheries subject to this provision as 
set out in Sec. 660.360(d). The whiting sector is the Pacific whiting 
fishery, as defined in Sec. 660.111, and includes the Pacific Coast 
treaty Indian vessels that target whiting, as well as non-tribal vessels 
that target whiting participating in the C/P Coop Program, the MS Coop 
Program, and the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery.
    (1) Routine management measures. Routine management measures 
specified at Sec. 660.60(c) may be implemented to minimize Chinook 
salmon and/or coho salmon bycatch in the groundfish fishery. These 
measures may include BRAs, BACs, or a selective flatfish trawl gear 
requirement. These measures would not apply to vessels fishing in 
Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries.
    (i) Non-whiting sector. Routine management measures to manage salmon 
bycatch in the non-whiting sector include:
    (A) A BAC for bottom trawl or midwater trawl as specified at Sec. 
660.60(c)(3)(i).
    (B) A BRA for midwater trawl as specified at Sec. 660.60(c)(3)(i).
    (C) A selective flatfish trawl gear requirement for bottom trawl.
    (ii) Whiting sector. Routine management measures to manage salmon 
bycatch in the whiting sector include:
    (A) A BAC as specified at Sec. 660.60(c)(3)(i).
    (B) A BRA as specified at Sec. 660.60(c)(3)(i).
    (2) Chinook salmon bycatch guidelines and Chinook salmon bycatch 
reserve. The Chinook salmon bycatch guideline for the non-whiting sector 
is 5,500 fish. The Chinook salmon bycatch guideline for the whiting 
sector is 11,000 fish. If a sector exceeds its Chinook salmon bycatch 
guideline, it may access a reserve of 3,500 Chinook salmon reserve 
provided action has been taken to minimize Chinook salmon bycatch as 
described in paragraph (i)(2)(i) or (ii) of

[[Page 80]]

this section. For bycatch accounting purposes, all Chinook salmon 
bycatch from the groundfish fishery, including both non-tribal and 
Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries, counts towards the applicable 
whiting or non-whiting sector bycatch guideline and the reserve.
    (i) Reserve access for the non-whiting sector. The non-whiting 
sector may only access the reserve if a measure described in paragraph 
(i)(1)(i) of this section has been implemented.
    (ii) Reserve access for the whiting sector. Each component of the 
whiting sector (Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, MS Coop Program and C/P 
Coop Program) may only access the reserve if a measure described in 
paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section has been implemented for that 
component of the whiting fishery. If a measure described in paragraph 
(i)(1)(ii) of this section has not been implemented for that component 
of the whiting fishery, vessels within that component that are parties 
to an approved Salmon Mitigation Plan (SMP), as specified at Sec. 
660.113(e), may access the reserve.
    (3) Fisheries closures. Groundfish fisheries may be closed through 
automatic action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(iv) and (v).

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78382, Dec. 15, 2010; 75 
FR 82301, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27530, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53835, Aug. 
30, 2011; 76 FR 74738, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 28507, May 15, 2012; 78 FR 
588, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12572, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 
2015; 80 FR 77271, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 84429, Nov. 23, 2016; 82 FR 
9639, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 48658, Oct. 19, 2017; 83 FR 760, Jan. 8, 2018; 
83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 63973, Nov. 
19, 2019; 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 2021; 88 FR 
52048, Aug. 7, 2023]



Sec. 660.65  Groundfish harvest specifications.

    Harvest specifications include OFLs, ABCs, and the designation of 
OYs and ACLs. Management measures necessary to keep catch within the ACL 
include ACTs, harvest guidelines (HGs), or quotas for species that need 
individual management, and the allocation of fishery HGs between the 
trawl and nontrawl segments of the fishery, and the allocation of 
commercial HGs between the open access and limited entry segments of the 
fishery. These specifications include fish caught in state ocean waters 
(0-3 nm offshore) as well as fish caught in the EEZ (3-200 nm offshore). 
Harvest specifications are provided in Tables 1a through 2d of this 
subpart.

[76 FR 27530, May 11, 2011]



Sec. 660.70  Groundfish conservation areas.

    (a) General. Groundfish conservation area (GCA) is defined in Sec. 
660.11. This section defines GCAs whose shapes are not exclusively 
defined by boundary lines approximating depth contours found in 
Sec. Sec. 660.71 through 660.74 or commonly used geographic coordinates 
at Sec. 660.11. Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within 
a particular GCA is detailed at subparts C through G of part 660.
    (b) North Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. 
The North Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) 
is a C-shaped area off the northern Washington coast intended to protect 
yelloweye rockfish. The North Coast Recreational YRCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 48[deg]18.00[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]18.00[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]11.00[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]11.00[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]11.00[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]04.00[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]11.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]04.00[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59.00[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 48[deg]18.00[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]18.00[min] 
W. long.
    (c) North Coast Commercial Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The 
North Coast Commercial Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) is an 
area off the northern Washington coast, overlapping the northern part of 
North Coast Recreational YRCA, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. 
The North Coast Commercial YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting 
the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order 
listed:
    (1) 48[deg]11.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.03[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]16.43[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.55[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]14.72[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.84[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]13.36[min] N. lat., 125[deg]03.20[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]12.74[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.83[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]11.55[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.99[min] W. long.;

[[Page 81]]

    (7) 48[deg]09.96[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.63[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]09.68[min] N. lat., 125[deg]08.75[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 48[deg]11.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.03[min] 
W. long.
    (d) Salmon Troll Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The Salmon 
Troll Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) is an area off the 
northern Washington coast, overlapping the southern part of North Coast 
Recreational YRCA, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish.The Salmon 
Troll YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]14.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]14.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.50[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.50[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]14.00[min] W. 
long.
    (e) South Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. 
The South Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) 
is an area off the southern Washington coast intended to protect 
yelloweye rockfish. The South Coast Recreational YRCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 46[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 46[deg]55.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 46[deg]55.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 46[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 46[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.00[min] W. 
long.
    (f) Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA. The Westport Offshore 
Recreational YRCA is an area off the southern Washington coast intended 
to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Westport Recreational YRCA is defined 
by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 46[deg]54.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.40[min] W. long.;
    (2) 46[deg]54.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 46[deg]53.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 46[deg]53.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.40[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 46[deg]54.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.40[min] W. 
long.
    (g) Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The 
Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) is an area 
off central Oregon, near Stonewall Bank, intended to protect yelloweye 
rockfish.The Stonewall Bank YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting 
the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order 
listed:
    (1) 44[deg]37.46[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92[min] W. long.;
    (2) 44[deg]37.46[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]23.63[min] W. long.;
    (3) 44[deg]28.71[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]21.80[min] W. long.;
    (4) 44[deg]28.71[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]24.10[min] W. long.;
    (5) 44[deg]31.42[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]25.47[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92[min] 
W. long.
    (h) Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, Expansion 
1. The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) 
Expansion 1 is an area off central Oregon, near Stonewall Bank, intended 
to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Stonewall Bank YRCA Expansion 1 is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 44[deg]41.76[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]30.02[min] W. long.;
    (2) 44[deg]41.73[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]21.60[min] W. long.;
    (3) 44[deg]25.25[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]16.94[min] W. long.;
    (4) 44[deg]25.29[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]30.14[min] W. long.;
    (5) 44[deg]41.76[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]30.02[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 44[deg]41.76[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]30.02[min] W. 
long.
    (i) Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, Expansion 
2. The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) 
Expansion 2 is an area off central Oregon, near Stonewall Bank, intended 
to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Stonewall Bank YRCA Expansion 2 is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 44[deg]38.54[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]27.41[min] W. long.;
    (2) 44[deg]38.54[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]23.86[min] W. long.;
    (3) 44[deg]27.13[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]21.50[min] W. long.;
    (4) 44[deg]27.13[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]26.89[min] W. long.;
    (5) 44[deg]31.30[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]28.35[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 44[deg]38.54[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]27.41[min] W. 
long.
    (j) Point St. George YRCA. The Point St. George YRCA is an area off 
the northern California coast, northwest of Point St. George, intended 
to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Point St. George YRCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 41[deg]51.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.75[min] W. long.;
    (2) 41[deg]51.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.75[min] W. long.;
    (3) 41[deg]48.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.75[min] W. long.;

[[Page 82]]

    (4) 41[deg]48.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.75[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 41[deg]51.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.75[min] W. 
long.
    (k) South Reef YRCA. The South Reef YRCA is an area off the northern 
California coast, southwest of Crescent City, intended to protect 
yelloweye rockfish. The South Reef YRCA is defined by straight lines 
connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in 
the order listed:
    (1) 41[deg]42.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 41[deg]42.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.80[min] W. long.;
    (3) 41[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.80[min] W. long.;
    (4) 41[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.00[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 41[deg]42.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.00[min] W. 
long.
    (l) Reading Rock YRCA. The Reading Rock YRCA is an area off the 
northern California coast, between Crescent City and Eureka, intended to 
protect yelloweye rockfish. The Reading Rock YRCA is defined by straight 
lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 41[deg]21.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 41[deg]21.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 41[deg]20.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 41[deg]20.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.00[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 41[deg]21.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.00[min] W. 
long.
    (m) Point Delgada YRCAs. The Point Delgada YRCAs are two areas off 
the northern California coast, south of Point Delgada and Shelter Cove, 
intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Northern Point Delgada YRCA 
is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude 
and longitude coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 39[deg]59.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 39[deg]59.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 39[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 39[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.00[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 39[deg]59.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.00[min] W. 
long.
    (n) Southern Point Delgada YRCA. The Southern Point Delgada YRCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates in the order listed:
    (1) 39[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 39[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 39[deg]54.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 39[deg]54.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.00[min] W. long.; and 
connecting back to 39[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.00[min] W. 
long.
    (o) Cowcod Conservation Areas. The Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) 
are two areas off the southern California coast intended to protect 
cowcod.
    (1) Western CCA. The Western CCA is an area south of Point 
Conception defined by the straight lines connecting the following 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and 
connecting back to 33[deg]50.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]30.00[min] W long.:
    (i) 33[deg]50.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]30.00[min] W long.;
    (ii) 33[deg]50.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]50.00[min] W long.;
    (iii) 32[deg]20.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]50.00[min] W long.;
    (iv) 32[deg]20.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]37.00[min] W long.;
    (v) 33[deg]00.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]37.00[min] W long.;
    (vi) 33[deg]00.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.00[min] W long.;
    (vii) 33[deg]33.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.00[min] W long.; and
    (viii) 33[deg]33.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]30.00[min] W long.
    (2) Transit corridor. The Western CCA transit corridor is bounded on 
the north by the latitude line at 33[deg]00.50[min] N lat., and bounded 
on the south by the latitude line at 32[deg]59.50[min] N lat.
    (3) Eastern CCA. The Eastern CCA is an area west of San Diego 
defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude 
and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 
32[deg]42.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.00[min] W long.:
    (i) 32[deg]42.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.00[min] W long.;
    (ii) 32[deg]42.00[min] N lat., 117[deg]50.00[min] W long.;
    (iii) 32[deg]36.70[min] N lat., 117[deg]50.00[min] W long.;
    (iv) 32[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 117[deg]53.50[min] W long.; and
    (v) 32[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.00[min] W long.
    (p) Farallon Islands. The Farallon Islands, off San Francisco and 
San Mateo Counties, include Southeast Farallon Island, Middle Farallon 
Island, North Farallon Island and Noon Day Rock. Generally, the State of 
California prohibits fishing for groundfish between the shoreline and 
the 10-fm (18-m) depth contour around the Farallon Islands.
    (q) Cordell Banks. Cordell Banks are located offshore of 
California's Marin County. Generally, fishing for groundfish is 
prohibited in waters of depths less than 100-fm (183-m) around Cordell 
Banks as defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates. The 
Cordell Banks closed area is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order 
listed:

[[Page 83]]

    (1) 38[deg]03.18[min] N. lat., 123[deg]20.77[min] W. long.;
    (2) 38[deg]06.29[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.03[min] W. long.;
    (3) 38[deg]06.34[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.32[min] W. long.;
    (4) 38[deg]04.57[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.30[min] W. long.;
    (5) 38[deg]02.32[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.07[min] W. long.;
    (6) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.40[min] W. long.;
    (7) 37[deg]58.10[min] N. lat., 123[deg]26.66[min] W. long.;
    (8) 37[deg]55.07[min] N. lat., 123[deg]26.81[min] W. long.;
    (9) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]23.08[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 38[deg]03.18[min] N. lat., 123[deg]20.77[min] 
W. long.

[71 FR 78663, Dec. 29, 2006, as amended at 72 FR 53167, Sept. 18, 2007; 
74 FR 9893, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 
FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 82 FR 9640, Feb. 7, 2017; 84 FR 63973, Nov. 19, 
2019]



Sec. 660.71  Latitude/longitude coordinates defining 
the 10-fm (18-m) through 40-fm (73-m) depth contours.

    Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a 
series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides 
coordinates for the 10-fm (18-m) through 40-fm (73-m) depth contours.
    (a) The 10-fm (18-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with 
Canada and 46[deg]16[min] N. lat. is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]23.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.18[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]23.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.80[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]23.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.80[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]23.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.20[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]22.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.30[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.20[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]12.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.10[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]11.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.50[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.50[min] W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]08.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.20[min] W. long.;
    (11) 47[deg]59.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.50[min] W. long.;
    (12) 47[deg]52.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.80[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]51.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.60[min] W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]39.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.10[min] W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]31.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.30[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]25.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.80[min] W. long.;
    (17) 47[deg]09.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.20[min] W. long.;
    (18) 46[deg]54.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.80[min] W. long.;
    (19) 46[deg]48.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.25[min] W. long.;
    (20) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.30[min] W. long.;
    (21) 46[deg]27.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.50[min] W. long.; and
    (22) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.00[min] W. long.
    (b) The 20-fm (37-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with 
Canada and 42[deg] N. lat. is defined by straight lines connecting all 
of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]23.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.20[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]23.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.90[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]18.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.60[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]18.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.20[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.80[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]02.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.30[min] W. long.;
    (7) 47[deg]37.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.30[min] W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]31.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.40[min] W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]17.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.00[min] W. long.;
    (10) 46[deg]58.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.30[min] W. long.;
    (11) 46[deg]47.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.70[min] W. long.;
    (12) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.40[min] W. long.;
    (13) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.50[min] W. long.;
    (14) 46[deg]16.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.56[min] W. long.;
    (15) 46[deg]15.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.33[min] W. long.;
    (16) 46[deg]11.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.51[min] W. long.;
    (17) 46[deg]08.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.06[min] W. long.;
    (18) 46[deg]05.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.13[min] W. long.;
    (19) 46[deg]02.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.35[min] W. long.;
    (20) 45[deg]58.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.70[min] W. long.;
    (21) 45[deg]55.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.16[min] W. long.;
    (22) 45[deg]52.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.33[min] W. long.;
    (23) 45[deg]48.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.65[min] W. long.;
    (24) 45[deg]46.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.79[min] W. long.;
    (25) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.54[min] W. long.;
    (26) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.53[min] W. long.;
    (27) 45[deg]44.75[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.92[min] W. long.;
    (28) 45[deg]44.57[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.64[min] W. long.;
    (29) 45[deg]41.86[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.82[min] W. long.;
    (30) 45[deg]36.40[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.42[min] W. long.;
    (31) 45[deg]34.10[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.90[min] W. long.;
    (32) 45[deg]32.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.35[min] W. long.;
    (33) 45[deg]29.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.98[min] W. long.;
    (34) 45[deg]27.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.79[min] W. long.;
    (35) 45[deg]25.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.73[min] W. long.;
    (36) 45[deg]22.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.66[min] W. long.;
    (37) 45[deg]17.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.76[min] W. long.;
    (38) 45[deg]14.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.75[min] W. long.;
    (39) 45[deg]12.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.53[min] W. long.;
    (40) 45[deg]11.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.62[min] W. long.;
    (41) 45[deg]11.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.60[min] W. long.;
    (42) 45[deg]10.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.58[min] W. long.;
    (43) 45[deg]05.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.15[min] W. long.;
    (44) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.55[min] W. long.;
    (45) 45[deg]01.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.22[min] W. long.;
    (46) 44[deg]57.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.29[min] W. long.;
    (47) 44[deg]55.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.39[min] W. long.;
    (48) 44[deg]51.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.54[min] W. long.;
    (49) 44[deg]45.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.47[min] W. long.;
    (50) 44[deg]42.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.73[min] W. long.;
    (51) 44[deg]33.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.43[min] W. long.;
    (52) 44[deg]29.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.62[min] W. long.;
    (53) 44[deg]28.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.93[min] W. long.;
    (54) 44[deg]23.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.30[min] W. long.;
    (55) 44[deg]21.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.79[min] W. long.;
    (56) 44[deg]20.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.48[min] W. long.;
    (57) 44[deg]17.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.82[min] W. long.;
    (58) 44[deg]11.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.44[min] W. long.;
    (59) 44[deg]03.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.33[min] W. long.;

[[Page 84]]

    (60) 43[deg]52.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.01[min] W. long.;
    (61) 43[deg]42.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.88[min] W. long.;
    (62) 43[deg]41.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.47[min] W. long.;
    (63) 43[deg]36.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.92[min] W. long.;
    (64) 43[deg]29.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.35[min] W. long.;
    (65) 43[deg]25.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.84[min] W. long.;
    (66) 43[deg]21.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.09[min] W. long.;
    (67) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.74[min] W. long.;
    (68) 43[deg]20.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.01[min] W. long.;
    (69) 43[deg]19.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.43[min] W. long.;
    (70) 43[deg]16.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.02[min] W. long.;
    (71) 43[deg]14.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.17[min] W. long.;
    (72) 43[deg]13.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.72[min] W. long.;
    (73) 43[deg]13.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.41[min] W. long.;
    (74) 43[deg]11.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.90[min] W. long.;
    (75) 43[deg]10.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.24[min] W. long.;
    (76) 43[deg]07.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.65[min] W. long.;
    (77) 43[deg]06.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.63[min] W. long.;
    (78) 43[deg]06.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.22[min] W. long.;
    (79) 43[deg]03.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.52[min] W. long.;
    (80) 42[deg]57.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.74[min] W. long.;
    (81) 42[deg]52.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.03[min] W. long.;
    (82) 42[deg]51.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.43[min] W. long.;
    (83) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.13[min] W. long.;
    (84) 42[deg]49.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.20[min] W. long.;
    (85) 42[deg]46.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.98[min] W. long.;
    (86) 42[deg]46.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.76[min] W. long.;
    (87) 42[deg]45.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.59[min] W. long.;
    (88) 42[deg]43.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.14[min] W. long.;
    (89) 42[deg]41.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.20[min] W. long.;
    (90) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.95[min] W. long.;
    (91) 42[deg]40.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.95[min] W. long.;
    (92) 42[deg]40.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.94[min] W. long.;
    (93) 42[deg]39.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.80[min] W. long.;
    (94) 42[deg]37.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.39[min] W. long.;
    (95) 42[deg]34.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.56[min] W. long.;
    (96) 42[deg]32.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.55[min] W. long.;
    (97) 42[deg]31.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.58[min] W. long.;
    (98) 42[deg]30.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.91[min] W. long.;
    (99) 42[deg]29.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.27[min] W. long.;
    (100) 42[deg]27.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.79[min] W. long.;
    (101) 42[deg]24.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.65[min] W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]23.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.60[min] W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]19.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.23[min] W. long.;
    (104) 42[deg]14.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.14[min] W. long.;
    (105) 42[deg]11.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.78[min] W. long.;
    (106) 42[deg]08.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.91[min] W. long.;
    (107) 42[deg]07.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.66[min] W. long.;
    (108) 42[deg]05.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.41[min] W. long.;
    (109) 42[deg]04.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.55[min] W. long.;
    (110) 42[deg]02.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.51[min] W. long.;
    (111) 42[deg]01.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.29[min] W. long.; and
    (112) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.61[min] W. long.
    (c) The 25-fm (46-m) depth contour between the Queets River, WA, and 
42[deg] N. lat. is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 47[deg]31.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.70[min] W. long.;
    (2) 47[deg]25.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 47[deg]12.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 46[deg]53.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.00[min] W. long.;
    (5) 46[deg]44.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.70[min] W. long.;
    (7) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.50[min] W. long.;
    (8) 46[deg]15.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.04[min] W. long.;
    (9) 46[deg]13.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.04[min] W. long.;
    (10) 46[deg]09.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.62[min] W. long.;
    (11) 46[deg]04.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.20[min] W. long.;
    (12) 45[deg]57.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.85[min] W. long.;
    (13) 45[deg]51.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.06[min] W. long.;
    (14) 45[deg]47.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.22[min] W. long.;
    (15) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.94[min] W. long.;
    (16) 45[deg]43.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.32[min] W. long.;
    (17) 45[deg]36.11[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.38[min] W. long.;
    (18) 45[deg]32.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.38[min] W. long.;
    (19) 45[deg]27.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.46[min] W. long.;
    (20) 45[deg]23.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.94[min] W. long.;
    (21) 45[deg]19.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.29[min] W. long.;
    (22) 45[deg]16.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.90[min] W. long.;
    (23) 45[deg]13.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.64[min] W. long.;
    (24) 45[deg]09.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.94[min] W. long.;
    (25) 45[deg]06.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.38[min] W. long.;
    (26) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.96[min] W. long.;
    (27) 45[deg]00.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.72[min] W. long.;
    (28) 44[deg]49.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.49[min] W. long.;
    (29) 44[deg]40.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.14[min] W. long.;
    (30) 44[deg]36.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.51[min] W. long.;
    (31) 44[deg]29.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.24[min] W. long.;
    (32) 44[deg]25.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.37[min] W. long.;
    (33) 44[deg]16.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.30[min] W. long.;
    (34) 44[deg]12.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.82[min] W. long.;
    (35) 44[deg]06.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.00[min] W. long.;
    (36) 44[deg]02.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.24[min] W. long.;
    (37) 43[deg]57.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.60[min] W. long.;
    (38) 43[deg]53.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.34[min] W. long.;
    (39) 43[deg]49.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.08[min] W. long.;
    (40) 43[deg]45.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.73[min] W. long.;
    (41) 43[deg]41.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.59[min] W. long.;
    (42) 43[deg]37.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.05[min] W. long.;
    (43) 43[deg]33.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.00[min] W. long.;
    (44) 43[deg]29.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.78[min] W. long.;
    (45) 43[deg]27.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.11[min] W. long.;
    (46) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.24[min] W. long.;
    (47) 43[deg]20.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.39[min] W. long.;
    (48) 43[deg]15.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.86[min] W. long.;

[[Page 85]]

    (49) 43[deg]06.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.30[min] W. long.;
    (50) 43[deg]03.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.06[min] W. long.;
    (51) 43[deg]01.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.41[min] W. long.;
    (52) 42[deg]56.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.93[min] W. long.;
    (53) 42[deg]54.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.55[min] W. long.;
    (54) 42[deg]51.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.02[min] W. long.;
    (55) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.41[min] W. long;
    (56) 42[deg]49.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.73[min] W. long.;
    (57) 42[deg]46.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.54[min] W. long.;
    (58) 42[deg]45.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.68[min] W. long.;
    (59) 42[deg]42.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.47[min] W. long.;
    (60) 42[deg]40.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.00[min] W. long.;
    (61) 42[deg]40.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.01[min] W. long.;
    (62) 42[deg]39.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.28[min] W. long.;
    (63) 42[deg]38.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.57[min] W. long.;
    (64) 42[deg]35.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.77[min] W. long.;
    (65) 42[deg]33.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.06[min] W. long.;
    (66) 42[deg]31.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.71[min] W. long.;
    (67) 42[deg]29.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.71[min] W. long.;
    (68) 42[deg]24.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.95[min] W. long.;
    (69) 42[deg]20.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.16[min] W. long.;
    (70) 42[deg]14.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.03[min] W. long.;
    (71) 42[deg]10.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.93[min] W. long.;
    (72) 42[deg]06.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.70[min] W. long.;
    (73) 42[deg]04.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.49[min] W. long.;
    (74) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.80[min] W. long.;
    (d) The 25-fm (46-m) depth contour between the Queets River, WA, and 
42[deg] N. lat., modified to reduce impacts on canary and yelloweye 
rockfish by shifting the line shoreward in the area between 
47[deg]31.70[min] N. lat. and 46[deg]44.18[min] N. lat., is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated:
    (1) 47[deg]31.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.66[min] W. long.;
    (2) 47[deg]25.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.78[min] W. long.;
    (3) 47[deg]12.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 46[deg]52.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.94[min] W. long.;
    (5) 46[deg]44.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.89[min] W. long.;
    (6) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.70[min] W. long.;
    (7) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.50[min] W. long.;
    (8) 46[deg]15.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.04[min] W. long.;
    (9) 46[deg]13.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.04[min] W. long.;
    (10) 46[deg]09.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.62[min] W. long.;
    (11) 46[deg]04.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.20[min] W. long.;
    (12) 45[deg]57.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.85[min] W. long.;
    (13) 45[deg]51.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.06[min] W. long.;
    (14) 45[deg]47.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.22[min] W. long.;
    (15) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.94[min] W. long.;
    (16) 45[deg]43.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.32[min] W. long.;
    (17) 45[deg]36.11[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.38[min] W. long.;
    (18) 45[deg]32.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.38[min] W. long.;
    (19) 45[deg]27.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.46[min] W. long.;
    (20) 45[deg]23.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.94[min] W. long.;
    (21) 45[deg]19.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.29[min] W. long.;
    (22) 45[deg]16.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.90[min] W. long.;
    (23) 45[deg]13.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.64[min] W. long.;
    (24) 45[deg]09.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.94[min] W. long.;
    (25) 45[deg]06.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.38[min] W. long.;
    (26) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.96[min] W. long.;
    (27) 45[deg]00.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.72[min] W. long.;
    (28) 44[deg]49.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.49[min] W. long.;
    (29) 44[deg]40.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.14[min] W. long.;
    (30) 44[deg]36.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.51[min] W. long.;
    (31) 44[deg]29.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.24[min] W. long.;
    (32) 44[deg]25.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.37[min] W. long.;
    (33) 44[deg]16.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.30[min] W. long.;
    (34) 44[deg]12.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.82[min] W. long.;
    (35) 44[deg]06.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.00[min] W. long.;
    (36) 44[deg]02.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.24[min] W. long.;
    (37) 43[deg]57.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.60[min] W. long.;
    (38) 43[deg]53.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.34[min] W. long.;
    (39) 43[deg]49.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.08[min] W. long.;
    (40) 43[deg]45.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.73[min] W. long.;
    (41) 43[deg]41.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.59[min] W. long.;
    (42) 43[deg]37.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.05[min] W. long.;
    (43) 43[deg]33.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.00[min] W. long.;
    (44) 43[deg]29.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.78[min] W. long.;
    (45) 43[deg]27.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.11[min] W. long.;
    (46) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.24[min] W. long.;
    (47) 43[deg]20.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.39[min] W. long.;
    (48) 43[deg]15.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.86[min] W. long.;
    (49) 43[deg]06.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.30[min] W. long.;
    (50) 43[deg]03.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.06[min] W. long.;
    (51) 43[deg]01.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.41[min] W. long.;
    (52) 42[deg]56.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.93[min] W. long.;
    (53) 42[deg]54.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.55[min] W. long.;
    (54) 42[deg]51.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.02[min] W. long.;
    (55) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.41[min] W. long.;
    (56) 42[deg]49.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.73[min] W. long.;
    (57) 42[deg]46.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.54[min] W. long.;
    (58) 42[deg]45.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.68[min] W. long.;
    (59) 42[deg]42.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.47[min] W. long.;
    (60) 42[deg]40.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.00[min] W. long.;
    (61) 42[deg]40.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.01[min] W. long.;
    (62) 42[deg]39.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.28[min] W. long.;
    (63) 42[deg]38.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.57[min] W. long.;
    (64) 42[deg]35.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.77[min] W. long.;
    (65) 42[deg]33.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.06[min] W. long.;
    (66) 42[deg]31.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.71[min] W. long.;
    (67) 42[deg]29.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.71[min] W. long.;
    (68) 42[deg]24.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.95[min] W. long.;
    (69) 42[deg]20.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.16[min] W. long.;
    (70) 42[deg]14.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.03[min] W. long.;
    (71) 42[deg]10.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.93[min] W. long.;
    (72) 42[deg]06.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.70[min] W. long.;
    (73) 42[deg]04.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.49[min] W. long.; and
    (74) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.80[min] W. long.
    (e) The 30-fm (55-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with 
Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]24.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.07[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]24.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.74[min] W. long.;

[[Page 86]]

    (3) 48[deg]23.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.70[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]23.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.01[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]22.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.97[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]21.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.26[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]21.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.78[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]20.32[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.53[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]16.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.58[min] W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.58[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]05.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.91[min] W. long.;
    (12) 47[deg]53.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.37[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]40.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.07[min] W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]31.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.03[min] W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]25.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.79[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]12.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.12[min] W. long.;
    (17) 46[deg]52.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.58[min] W. long.;
    (18) 46[deg]44.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.00[min] W. long.;
    (19) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.88[min] W. long.;
    (20) 46[deg]29.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.89[min] W. long.;
    (21) 46[deg]19.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.15[min] W. long.;
    (22) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.04[min] W. long.;
    (23) 46[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.01[min] W. long.;
    (24) 45[deg]55.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.23[min] W. long.;
    (25) 45[deg]54.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.57[min] W. long.;
    (26) 45[deg]50.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.62[min] W. long.;
    (27) 45[deg]48.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.16[min] W. long.;
    (28) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.86[min] W. long.;
    (29) 45[deg]43.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.28[min] W. long.;
    (30) 45[deg]40.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.03[min] W. long.;
    (31) 45[deg]39.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.68[min] W. long.;
    (32) 45[deg]35.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.90[min] W. long.;
    (33) 45[deg]29.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.45[min] W. long.;
    (34) 45[deg]27.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.90[min] W. long.;
    (35) 45[deg]27.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.66[min] W. long.;
    (36) 45[deg]24.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.94[min] W. long.;
    (37) 45[deg]20.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.74[min] W. long.;
    (38) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.85[min] W. long.;
    (39) 45[deg]16.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.22[min] W. long.;
    (40) 45[deg]13.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.69[min] W. long.;
    (41) 45[deg]11.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.59[min] W. long.;
    (42) 45[deg]08.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.47[min] W. long.;
    (43) 45[deg]03.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.43[min] W. long.;
    (44) 45[deg]02.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.64[min] W. long.;
    (45) 44[deg]58.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.03[min] W. long.;
    (46) 44[deg]53.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.92[min] W. long.;
    (47) 44[deg]48.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.04[min] W. long.;
    (48) 44[deg]46.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.25[min] W. long.;
    (49) 44[deg]42.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.98[min] W. long.;
    (50) 44[deg]38.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.48[min] W. long.;
    (51) 44[deg]33.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.54[min] W. long.;
    (52) 44[deg]28.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.04[min] W. long.;
    (53) 44[deg]27.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.56[min] W. long.;
    (54) 44[deg]19.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.37[min] W. long.;
    (55) 44[deg]10.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.22[min] W. long.;
    (56) 44[deg]09.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.28[min] W. long.;
    (57) 44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.30[min] W. long.;
    (58) 44[deg]00.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.80[min] W. long.;
    (59) 43[deg]51.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.18[min] W. long.;
    (60) 43[deg]44.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.50[min] W. long.;
    (61) 43[deg]33.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.28[min] W. long.;
    (62) 43[deg]28.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.72[min] W. long.;
    (63) 43[deg]23.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.04[min] W. long.;
    (64) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.67[min] W. long.;
    (65) 43[deg]20.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.90[min] W. long.;
    (66) 43[deg]16.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.52[min] W. long.;
    (67) 43[deg]14.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.28[min] W. long.;
    (68) 43[deg]14.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.31[min] W. long.;
    (69) 43[deg]11.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.26[min] W. long.;
    (70) 43[deg]11.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.11[min] W. long.;
    (71) 43[deg]10.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.15[min] W. long.;
    (72) 43[deg]09.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.03[min] W. long.;
    (73) 43[deg]07.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.92[min] W. long.;
    (74) 43[deg]05.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.64[min] W. long.;
    (75) 43[deg]01.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.64[min] W. long.;
    (76) 42[deg]59.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.16[min] W. long.;
    (77) 42[deg]53.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.09[min] W. long.;
    (78) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.39[min] W. long.;
    (79) 42[deg]49.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.81[min] W. long.;
    (80) 42[deg]46.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.69[min] W. long.;
    (81) 42[deg]46.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.56[min] W. long.;
    (82) 42[deg]45.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.95[min] W. long.;
    (83) 42[deg]45.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.87[min] W. long.;
    (84) 42[deg]44.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.64[min] W. long.;
    (85) 42[deg]42.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.84[min] W. long.;
    (86) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.67[min] W. long.;
    (87) 42[deg]40.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.20[min] W. long.;
    (88) 42[deg]38.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.39[min] W. long.;
    (89) 42[deg]36.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.54[min] W. long.;
    (90) 42[deg]36.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.40[min] W. long.;
    (91) 42[deg]35.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.79[min] W. long.;
    (92) 42[deg]34.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.98[min] W. long.;
    (93) 42[deg]34.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.58[min] W. long.;
    (94) 42[deg]31.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.24[min] W. long.;
    (95) 42[deg]27.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.53[min] W. long.;
    (96) 42[deg]24.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.23[min] W. long.;
    (97) 42[deg]20.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.87[min] W. long.;
    (98) 42[deg]14.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.80[min] W. long.;
    (99) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.25[min] W. long.;
    (100) 42[deg]10.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.56[min] W. long.;
    (101) 42[deg]07.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.35[min] W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]02.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.59[min] W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.81[min] W. long.;
    (104) 41[deg]55.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.72[min] W. long.;
    (105) 41[deg]50.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.76[min] W. long.;
    (106) 41[deg]42.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.47[min] W. long.;
    (107) 41[deg]37.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.05[min] W. long.;
    (108) 41[deg]24.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.51[min] W. long.;
    (109) 41[deg]20.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.73[min] W. long.;
    (110) 41[deg]17.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.66[min] W. long.;

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    (111) 41[deg]04.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.47[min] W. long.;
    (112) 40[deg]54.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.90[min] W. long.;
    (113) 40[deg]40.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.24[min] W. long.;
    (114) 40[deg]34.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.39[min] W. long.;
    (115) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.32[min] W. long.;
    (116) 40[deg]28.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.43[min] W. long.;
    (117) 40[deg]24.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.51[min] W. long.;
    (118) 40[deg]22.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.12[min] W. long.;
    (119) 40[deg]19.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.59[min] W. long.;
    (120) 40[deg]18.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.89[min] W. long.;
    (121) 40[deg]17.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.07[min] W. long.;
    (122) 40[deg]15.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.61[min] W. long.;
    (123) 40[deg]13.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.94[min] W. long.;
    (124) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.65[min] W. long.;
    (125) 40[deg]09.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.28[min] W. long.;
    (126) 40[deg]08.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.24[min] W. long.;
    (127) 40[deg]06.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.97[min] W. long.;
    (128) 40[deg]06.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.34[min] W. long.;
    (129) 40[deg]06.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.00[min] W. long.;
    (130) 40[deg]05.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.57[min] W. long.;
    (131) 40[deg]04.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.12[min] W. long.;
    (132) 40[deg]00.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.35[min] W. long.;
    (133) 39[deg]58.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.51[min] W. long.;
    (134) 39[deg]54.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.67[min] W. long.;
    (135) 39[deg]53.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.33[min] W. long.;
    (136) 39[deg]53.20[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.18[min] W. long.;
    (137) 39[deg]48.45[min] N. lat., 123[deg]53.21[min] W. long.;
    (138) 39[deg]43.89[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.75[min] W. long.;
    (139) 39[deg]39.60[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.14[min] W. long.;
    (140) 39[deg]37.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.20[min] W. long.;
    (141) 39[deg]34.43[min] N. lat., 123[deg]48.48[min] W. long.;
    (142) 39[deg]30.63[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.71[min] W. long.;
    (143) 39[deg]21.25[min] N. lat., 123[deg]50.54[min] W. long.;
    (144) 39[deg]16.88[min] N lat., 123[deg]49.29[min] W long.;
    (145) 39[deg]11.06[min] N. lat., 123[deg]47.16[min] W. long.;
    (146) 39[deg]10.35[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.75[min] W. long.;
    (147) 39[deg]08.87[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.24[min] W. long.;
    (148) 39[deg]03.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]43.91[min] W. long.;
    (149) 38[deg]59.65[min] N. lat., 123[deg]45.94[min] W. long.;
    (150) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.28[min] W. long.;
    (151) 38[deg]56.80[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.48[min] W. long.;
    (152) 38[deg]51.16[min] N. lat., 123[deg]41.48[min] W. long.;
    (153) 38[deg]45.77[min] N. lat., 123[deg]35.14[min] W. long.;
    (154) 38[deg]42.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.17[min] W. long.;
    (155) 38[deg]34.05[min] N. lat., 123[deg]20.96[min] W. long.;
    (156) 38[deg]22.47[min] N. lat., 123[deg]07.48[min] W. long.;
    (157) 38[deg]16.52[min] N. lat., 123[deg]05.62[min] W. long.;
    (158) 38[deg]14.42[min] N. lat., 123[deg]01.91[min] W. long.;
    (159) 38[deg]08.24[min] N. lat., 122[deg]59.79[min] W. long.;
    (160) 38[deg]02.69[min] N. lat., 123[deg]01.96[min] W. long.;
    (161) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.75[min] W. long.;
    (162) 37[deg]58.41[min] N. lat., 123[deg]02.93[min] W. long.;
    (163) 37[deg]58.25[min] N. lat., 122[deg]56.49[min] W. long.;
    (164) 37[deg]50.30[min] N. lat., 122[deg]52.23[min] W. long.;
    (165) 37[deg]43.36[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.18[min] W. long.;
    (166) 37[deg]40.77[min] N. lat., 123[deg]01.62[min] W. long.;
    (167) 37[deg]40.13[min] N. lat., 122[deg]57.30[min] W. long.;
    (168) 37[deg]39.85.[min] N. lat., 122[deg]49.90[min] W. long.;
    (169) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 122[deg]44.20[min] W. long.;

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    (170) 37[deg]29.62[min] N. lat., 122[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (171) 37[deg]22.38[min] N. lat., 122[deg]31.66[min] W. long.;
    (172) 37[deg]13.86[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.27[min] W. long.;
    (173) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]26.50[min] W. long.;
    (174) 37[deg]08.10[min] N. lat., 122[deg]24.75[min] W. long.;
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    (177) 36[deg]58.77[min] N. lat., 122[deg]13.03[min] W. long.;
    (178) 36[deg]53.74[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.39[min] W. long.;
    (179) 36[deg]52.71[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.14[min] W. long.;
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    (181) 36[deg]49.44[min] N. lat., 121[deg]49.63[min] W. long.;
    (182) 36[deg]48.01[min] N. lat., 121[deg]49.92[min] W. long.;
    (183) 36[deg]48.25[min] N. lat., 121[deg]47.66[min] W. long.;
    (184) 36[deg]46.26[min] N. lat., 121[deg]51.27[min] W. long.;
    (185) 36[deg]39.14[min] N. lat., 121[deg]52.05[min] W. long.;
    (186) 36[deg]38.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]53.57[min] W. long.;
    (187) 36[deg]39.14[min] N. lat., 121[deg]55.45[min] W. long.;
    (188) 36[deg]38.50[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.90[min] W. long.;
    (189) 36[deg]36.75[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.44[min] W. long.;
    (190) 36[deg]34.97[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.37[min] W. long.;
    (191) 36[deg]33.07[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.32[min] W. long.;
    (192) 36[deg]33.20[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.50[min] W long.;
    (193) 36[deg]32.04[min] N. lat., 121[deg]55.98[min] W. long.;
    (194) 36[deg]31.61[min] N. lat., 121[deg]55.72[min] W. long.;
    (195) 36[deg]31.59[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.12[min] W. long.;
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    (197) 36[deg]30.88[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.90[min] W. long.;
    (198) 36[deg]30.25[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.37[min] W. long.;
    (199) 36[deg]29.47[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.55[min] W. long.;
    (200) 36[deg]26.72[min] N. lat., 121[deg]56.40[min] W. long.;
    (201) 36[deg]24.33[min] N. lat., 121[deg]56.00[min] W. long.;
    (202) 36[deg]23.36[min] N. lat., 121[deg]55.45[min] W. long.;
    (203) 36[deg]18.86[min] N. lat., 121[deg]56.15[min] W. long.;
    (204) 36[deg]16.21[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.81[min] W. long.;
    (205) 36[deg]15.30[min] N. lat., 121[deg]53.79[min] W. long.;
    (206) 36[deg]12.04[min] N. lat., 121[deg]45.38[min] W. long.;
    (207) 36[deg]11.87[min] N. lat., 121[deg]44.45[min] W. long.;
    (208) 36[deg]12.13[min] N. lat., 121[deg]44.25[min] W. long.;
    (209) 36[deg]11.89[min] N. lat., 121[deg]43.65[min] W. long.;
    (210) 36[deg]10.56[min] N. lat., 121[deg]42.62[min] W. long.;
    (211) 36[deg]09.90[min] N. lat., 121[deg]41.57[min] W. long.;
    (212) 36[deg]08.14[min] N. lat., 121[deg]40.44[min] W. long.;
    (213) 36[deg]06.69[min] N. lat., 121[deg]38.79[min] W. long.;
    (214) 36[deg]05.85[min] N. lat., 121[deg]38.47[min] W. long.;
    (215) 36[deg]03.08[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.25[min] W. long.;
    (216) 36[deg]02.92[min] N. lat., 121[deg]35.89[min] W. long.;
    (217) 36[deg]01.53[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.13[min] W. long.;
    (218) 36[deg]00.59[min] N. lat., 121[deg]35.40[min] W. long.;
    (219) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]34.10[min] W. long.;
    (220) 35[deg]59.93[min] N. lat., 121[deg]33.81[min] W. long.;
    (221) 35[deg]59.69[min] N. lat., 121[deg]31.84[min] W. long.;
    (222) 35[deg]58.59[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.30[min] W. long.;
    (223) 35[deg]54.02[min] N. lat., 121[deg]29.71[min] W. long.;
    (224) 35[deg]51.54[min] N. lat., 121[deg]27.67[min] W. long.;
    (225) 35[deg]50.42[min] N. lat., 121[deg]25.79[min] W. long.;
    (226) 35[deg]48.37[min] N. lat., 121[deg]24.29[min] W. long.;
    (227) 35[deg]47.02[min] N. lat., 121[deg]22.46[min] W. long.;
    (228) 35[deg]42.28[min] N. lat., 121[deg]21.20[min] W. long.;

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    (229) 35[deg]41.57[min] N. lat., 121[deg]21.82[min] W. long.;
    (230) 35[deg]39.24[min] N. lat., 121[deg]18.84[min] W. long.;
    (231) 35[deg]35.14[min] N. lat., 121[deg]10.45[min] W. long.;
    (232) 35[deg]30.11[min] N. lat., 121[deg]05.59[min] W. long.;
    (233) 35[deg]25.86[min] N. lat., 121[deg]00.07[min] W. long.;
    (234) 35[deg]22.82[min] N. lat., 120[deg]54.68[min] W. long.;
    (235) 35[deg]17.96[min] N. lat., 120[deg]55.54[min] W. long.;
    (236) 35[deg]14.83[min] N. lat., 120[deg]55.42[min] W. long.;
    (237) 35[deg]08.87[min] N. lat., 120[deg]50.22[min] W. long.;
    (238) 35[deg]05.55[min] N. lat., 120[deg]44.89[min] W. long.;
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    (240) 34[deg]53.80[min] N. lat., 120[deg]43.94[min] W. long.;
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    (242) 34[deg]32.48[min] N. lat., 120[deg]40.05[min] W. long.;
    (243) 34[deg]30.12[min] N. lat., 120[deg]32.81[min] W. long.;
    (244) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]30.46[min] W. long.;
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    (246) 34[deg]25.84[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.40[min] W. long.;
    (247) 34[deg]25.16[min] N. lat., 120[deg]20.18[min] W. long.;
    (248) 34[deg]25.88[min] N. lat., 120[deg]18.24[min] W. long.;
    (249) 34[deg]27.26[min] N. lat., 120[deg]12.47[min] W. long.;
    (250) 34[deg]26.27[min] N. lat., 120[deg]02.22[min] W. long.;
    (251) 34[deg]23.41[min] N. lat., 119[deg]53.40[min] W. long.;
    (252) 34[deg]23.33[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.74[min] W. long.;
    (253) 34[deg]22.31[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.36[min] W. long.;
    (254) 34[deg]21.72[min] N. lat., 119[deg]40.14[min] W. long.;
    (255) 34[deg]21.25[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.18[min] W. long.;
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    (257) 34[deg]19.87[min] N. lat., 119[deg]33.65[min] W. long.;
    (258) 34[deg]18.67[min] N. lat., 119[deg]30.16[min] W. long.;
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    (260) 34[deg]13.02[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.99[min] W. long.;
    (261) 34[deg]08.62[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.89[min] W. long.;
    (262) 34[deg]06.95[min] N. lat., 119[deg]17.68[min] W. long.;
    (263) 34[deg]06.13[min] N lat., 119[deg]15.26[min] W long.;
    (264) 34[deg]08.42[min] N. lat., 119[deg]13.11[min] W. long.;
    (265) 34[deg]05.23[min] N. lat., 119[deg]13.34[min] W. long.;
    (266) 34[deg]04.98[min] N. lat., 119[deg]11.39[min] W. long.;
    (267) 34[deg]04.55[min] N. lat., 119[deg]11.09[min] W. long.;
    (268) 34[deg]04.15[min] N. lat., 119[deg]09.35[min] W. long.;
    (269) 34[deg]04.89[min] N. lat., 119[deg]07.86[min] W. long.;
    (270) 34[deg]04.08[min] N. lat., 119[deg]07.33[min] W. long.;
    (271) 34[deg]04.10[min] N. lat., 119[deg]06.89[min] W. long.;
    (272) 34[deg]05.08[min] N. lat., 119[deg]07.02[min] W. long.;
    (273) 34[deg]05.27[min] N. lat., 119[deg]04.95[min] W. long.;
    (274) 34[deg]04.66[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.51[min] W long.;
    (275) 34[deg]02.26[min] N. lat., 118[deg]59.88[min] W. long.;
    (276) 34[deg]00.94[min] N. lat., 118[deg]51.65[min] W. long.;
    (277) 33[deg]59.77[min] N. lat., 118[deg]49.26[min] W. long.;
    (278) 34[deg]00.04[min] N. lat., 118[deg]48.92[min] W. long.;
    (279) 33[deg]59.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]48.43[min] W. long.;
    (280) 33[deg]59.78[min] N lat., 118[deg]47.26[min] W long.;
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    (282) 34[deg]00.21[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.64[min] W. long.;
    (283) 33[deg]59.26[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.58[min] W. long.;
    (284) 33[deg]58.07[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.36[min] W. long.;
    (285) 33[deg]53.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.14[min] W. long.;
    (286) 33[deg]51.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.19[min] W. long.;
    (287) 33[deg]50.29[min] N lat., 118[deg]24.58[min] W long.;
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    (297) 33[deg]39.28[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.21[min] W. long.;
    (298) 33[deg]38.04[min] N. lat., 118[deg]14.86[min] W. long.;
    (299) 33[deg]36.57[min] N. lat., 118[deg]14.67[min] W. long.;
    (300) 33[deg]34.93[min] N. lat., 118[deg]10.94[min] W. long.;
    (301) 33[deg]35.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.61[min] W. long.;
    (302) 33[deg]35.69[min] N. lat., 118[deg]07.68[min] W. long.;
    (303) 33[deg]36.21[min] N. lat., 118[deg]07.53[min] W. long.;
    (304) 33[deg]36.43[min] N. lat., 118[deg]06.73[min] W. long.;
    (305) 33[deg]36.05[min] N. lat., 118[deg]06.15[min] W. long.;
    (306) 33[deg]36.32[min] N. lat., 118[deg]03.91[min] W. long.;
    (307) 33[deg]35.26[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.55[min] W long.;
    (308) 33[deg]34.62[min] N. lat., 118[deg]00.04[min] W. long.;
    (309) 33[deg]34.80[min] N. lat., 117[deg]57.73[min] W. long.;
    (310) 33[deg]35.57[min] N. lat., 117[deg]56.62[min] W. long.;
    (311) 33[deg]35.46[min] N. lat., 117[deg]55.99[min] W. long.;
    (312) 33[deg]35.98[min] N. lat., 117[deg]55.99[min] W. long.;
    (313) 33[deg]35.46[min] N. lat., 117[deg]55.38[min] W. long.;
    (314) 33[deg]35.21[min] N. lat., 117[deg]53.46[min] W. long.;
    (315) 33[deg]33.61[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.45[min] W. long.;
    (316) 33[deg]31.41[min] N. lat., 117[deg]47.28[min] W. long.;
    (317) 33[deg]27.54[min] N. lat., 117[deg]44.36[min] W. long.;
    (318) 33[deg]26.63[min] N. lat., 117[deg]43.17[min] W. long.;
    (319) 33[deg]25.21[min] N. lat., 117[deg]40.90[min] W. long.;
    (320) 33[deg]20.33[min] N. lat., 117[deg]35.99[min] W. long.;
    (321) 33[deg]16.35[min] N. lat., 117[deg]31.51[min] W. long.;
    (322) 33[deg]11.53[min] N. lat., 117[deg]26.81[min] W. long.;
    (323) 33[deg]07.59[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.13[min] W. long.;
    (324) 33[deg]02.21[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.05[min] W. long.;
    (325) 32[deg]56.55[min] N. lat., 117[deg]17.70[min] W. long.;
    (326) 32[deg]54.61[min] N. lat., 117[deg]16.60[min] W. long.;
    (327) 32[deg]52.32[min] N. lat., 117[deg]15.97[min] W. long.;
    (328) 32[deg]51.48[min] N. lat., 117[deg]16.15[min] W. long.;
    (329) 32[deg]51.85[min] N. lat., 117[deg]17.26[min] W. long.;
    (330) 32[deg]51.55[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.01[min] W. long.;
    (331) 32[deg]49.55[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.63[min] W. long.;
    (332) 32[deg]46.71[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.32[min] W. long.;
    (333) 32[deg]36.35[min] N. lat., 117[deg]15.68[min] W. long.; and
    (334) 32[deg]32.85[min] N. lat., 117[deg]15.44[min] W. long.
    (f) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around the Farallon Islands off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 37[deg]46.73[min] N. lat., 123[deg]6.37[min] W. long.;
    (2) 37[deg]45.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]07.91[min] W. long.;
    (3) 37[deg]45.28[min] N. lat., 123[deg]07.75[min] W. long.;
    (4) 37[deg]44.98[min] N. lat., 123[deg]07.11[min] W. long.;
    (5) 37[deg]45.51[min] N. lat., 123[deg]06.26[min] W. long.;
    (6) 37[deg]45.14[min] N. lat., 123[deg]05.41[min] W. long.;
    (7) 37[deg]45.31[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.82[min] W. long.;
    (8) 37[deg]46.11[min] N. lat., 123[deg]05.23[min] W. long.;
    (9) 37[deg]46.44[min] N. lat., 123[deg]05.63[min] W. long.; and
    (10) 37[deg]46.73[min] N. lat., 123[deg]06.37[min] W. long.
    (g) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Noon Day Rock off the 
state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 37[deg]47.83[min] N. lat., 123[deg]10.83[min] W. long.;
    (2) 37[deg]47.51[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.19[min] W. long.;
    (3) 37[deg]47.33[min] N. lat., 123[deg]10.68[min] W. long.;
    (4) 37[deg]47.02[min] N. lat., 123[deg]10.59[min] W. long.;
    (5) 37[deg]47.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]09.85[min] W. long.;
    (6) 37[deg]47.56[min] N. lat., 123[deg]09.72[min] W. long.;
    (7) 37[deg]47.87[min] N. lat., 123[deg]10.26[min] W. long.; and

[[Page 91]]

    (8) 37[deg]47.83[min] N. lat., 123[deg]10.83[min] W. long.
    (h) The 30 fm (55-m) depth contour around the northern Channel 
Islands of the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]00.98[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.46[min] W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]00.53[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.98[min] W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]00.17[min] N. lat., 119[deg]21.83[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]59.65[min] N. lat., 119[deg]24.45[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]59.68[min] N. lat., 119[deg]25.20[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]59.95[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.25[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]59.87[min] N. lat., 119[deg]27.27[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]59.55[min] N. lat., 119[deg]28.02[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]58.63[min] N. lat., 119[deg]36.48[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]57.62[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.13[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 119[deg]42.20[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]56.93[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33 [deg]56.75[min] N lat., 119[deg]49.13[min] W long.;
    (14) 33[deg]58.54[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.80[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]59.95[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.49[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]59.83[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.00[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]59.18[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.17[min] W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]57.83[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.74[min] W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]55.71[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.89[min] W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]53.89[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.68[min] W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]52.93[min] N. lat., 119[deg]59.80[min] W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]52.79[min] N. lat., 120[deg]01.81[min] W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]52.51[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.08[min] W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]53.12[min] N. lat., 120[deg]04.88[min] W. long.;
    (25) 33[deg]53.12[min] N. lat., 120[deg]05.80[min] W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]52.94[min] N. lat., 120[deg]06.50[min] W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]54.03[min] N. lat., 120[deg]10.00[min] W. long.;
    (28) 33[deg]54.58[min] N. lat., 120[deg]11.82[min] W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]57.08[min] N. lat., 120[deg]14.58[min] W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]59.50[min] N. lat., 120[deg]16.72[min] W. long.;
    (31) 33[deg]59.63[min] N. lat., 120[deg]17.88[min] W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]00.30[min] N. lat., 120[deg]19.14[min] W. long.;
    (33) 34[deg]00.02[min] N. lat., 120[deg]19.68[min] W. long.;
    (34) 34[deg]00.08[min] N. lat., 120[deg]21.73[min] W. long.;
    (35) 34[deg]00.94[min] N. lat., 120[deg]24.82[min] W. long.;
    (36) 34[deg]01.09[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.29[min] W. long.;
    (37) 34[deg]00.96[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.09[min] W. long.;
    (38) 34[deg]01.56[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.71[min] W. long.;
    (39) 34[deg]01.80[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.31[min] W. long.;
    (40) 34[deg]03.60[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.87[min] W. long.;
    (41) 34[deg]05.20[min] N. lat., 120[deg]29.38[min] W. long.;
    (42) 34[deg]05.35[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.20[min] W. long.;
    (43) 34[deg]05.30[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.33[min] W. long.;
    (44) 34[deg]05.65[min] N. lat., 120[deg]26.79[min] W. long.;
    (45) 34[deg]05.69[min] N. lat., 120[deg]25.82[min] W. long.;
    (46) 34[deg]07.24[min] N. lat., 120[deg]24.98[min] W. long.;
    (47) 34[deg]06.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]23.30[min] W. long.;
    (48) 34[deg]05.64[min] N. lat., 120[deg]21.44[min] W. long.;
    (49) 34[deg]03.61[min] N. lat., 120[deg]18.40[min] W. long.;
    (50) 34[deg]03.25[min] N. lat., 120[deg]16.64[min] W. long.;
    (51) 34[deg]04.33[min] N. lat., 120[deg]14.22[min] W. long.;
    (52) 34[deg]04.11[min] N. lat., 120[deg]11.17[min] W. long.;
    (53) 34[deg]03.72[min] N. lat., 120[deg]09.93[min] W. long.;
    (54) 34[deg]03.81[min] N. lat., 120[deg]08.96[min] W. long.;
    (55) 34[deg]03.36[min] N. lat., 120[deg]06.52[min] W. long.;
    (56) 34[deg]04.80[min] N. lat., 120[deg]04.00[min] W. long.;
    (57) 34[deg]03.48[min] N. lat., 120[deg]01.75[min] W. long.;
    (58) 34[deg]04.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]01.00[min] W. long.;
    (59) 34[deg]03.99[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.15[min] W. long.;
    (60) 34[deg]03.51[min] N. lat., 119[deg]59.42[min] W. long.;
    (61) 34[deg]03.79[min] N. lat., 119[deg]58.15[min] W. long.;
    (62) 34[deg]04.72[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.61[min] W. long.;
    (63) 34[deg]05.14[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.17[min] W. long.;
    (64) 34[deg]04.66[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.60[min] W. long.;
    (65) 34[deg]03.79[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.86[min] W. long.;
    (66) 34[deg]03.79[min] N. lat., 119[deg]45.46[min] W. long.;
    (67) 34[deg]03.27[min] N. lat., 119[deg]44.17[min] W. long.;
    (68) 34[deg]03.29[min] N. lat., 119[deg]43.30[min] W. long.;
    (69) 34[deg]01.71[min] N. lat., 119[deg]40.83[min] W. long.;
    (70) 34[deg]01.74[min] N. lat., 119[deg]37.92[min] W. long.;
    (71) 34[deg]02.07[min] N. lat., 119[deg]37.17[min] W. long.;
    (72) 34[deg]02.93[min] N. lat., 119[deg]36.52[min] W. long.;
    (73) 34[deg]03.48[min] N. lat., 119[deg]35.50[min] W. long.;
    (74) 34[deg]03.56[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.80[min] W. long.;
    (75) 34[deg]02.72[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.84[min] W. long.;
    (76) 34[deg]02.20[min] N. lat., 119[deg]30.53[min] W. long.;
    (77) 34[deg]01.49[min] N. lat., 119[deg]30.20[min] W. long.;
    (78) 34[deg]00.66[min] N. lat., 119[deg]28.62[min] W. long.;
    (79) 34[deg]00.66[min] N. lat., 119[deg]27.57[min] W. long.;
    (80) 34[deg]01.41[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.91[min] W. long.;
    (81) 34[deg]00.91[min] N. lat., 119[deg]24.28[min] W. long.;
    (82) 34[deg]01.51[min] N. lat., 119[deg]22.06[min] W. long.;
    (83) 34[deg]01.41[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.61[min] W. long.; and
    (84) 34[deg]00.98[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.46[min] W. long.
    (i) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around San Clemente Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]02.98[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.64[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.72[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.12[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]02.18[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.46[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]00.66[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.36[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]00.08[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.94[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]00.11[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]58.02[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.41[min] W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg]56.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.59[min] W. long.;
    (9) 32[deg]54.79[min] N lat., 118[deg]33.34[min] W long.;
    (10) 32[deg]53.97[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.45[min] W. long.;
    (11) 32[deg]51.18[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.83[min] W. long.;
    (12) 32[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.68[min] W. long.;
    (13) 32[deg]49.72[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.33[min] W. long.;
    (14) 32[deg]48.05[min] N lat., 118[deg]26.81[min] W long.;
    (15) 32[deg]47.30[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.73[min] W. long.;
    (16) 32[deg]47.28[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.83[min] W. long.;
    (17) 32[deg]48.12[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.33[min] W. long.;
    (18) 32[deg]48.74[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.39[min] W. long.;
    (19) 32[deg]48.69[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.75[min] W. long.;
    (20) 32[deg]49.04[min] N lat., 118[deg]20.71[min] W long.;
    (21) 32[deg]50.28[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.90[min] W. long.;
    (22) 32[deg]51.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.86[min] W. long.;

[[Page 92]]

    (23) 32[deg]52.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.08[min] W. long.;
    (24) 32[deg]54.03[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.83[min] W. long.;
    (25) 32[deg]54.70[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.55[min] W. long.;
    (26) 32[deg]55.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.04[min] W. long.;
    (27) 32[deg]59.58[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.51[min] W. long.;
    (28) 32[deg]59.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.52[min] W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]00.29[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.73[min] W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]00.85[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.50[min] W. long.;
    (31) 33[deg]01.70[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.64[min] W. long.;
    (32) 33[deg]02.90[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.35[min] W. long.;
    (33) 33[deg]02.61[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.96[min] W. long.; and
    (34) 33[deg]02.98[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.64[min] W long.;
    (j) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]19.13[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.04[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]18.32[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.20[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]17.82[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.73[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]17.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.52[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]17.99[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.71[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]18.48[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.82[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]18.77[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.95[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]19.69[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.87[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]20.53[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.52[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]20.46[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.47[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]20.98[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.39[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]20.81[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.49[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]21.38[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.07[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]23.12[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.31[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]24.95[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.70[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]25.39[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.50[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]25.21[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.79[min] W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]25.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.60[min] W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]25.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.04[min] W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]25.94[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.96[min] W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]25.86[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.49[min] W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]26.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.12[min] W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]28.28[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.60[min] W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]28.83[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.42[min] W. long.;
    (25) 33[deg]28.72[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.93[min] W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]28.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.61[min] W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]28.77[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.95[min] W long.;
    (28) 33[deg]28.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.07[min] W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]27.55[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.14[min] W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]27.58[min] N lat., 118[deg]29.51[min] W long.;
    (31) 33[deg]26.98[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.06[min] W. long.;
    (32) 33[deg]26.96[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.58[min] W. long.;
    (33) 33[deg]26.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.40[min] W. long.;
    (34) 33[deg]26.52[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.66[min] W. long.;
    (35) 33[deg]26.31[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.41[min] W. long.;
    (36) 33[deg]25.09[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.13[min] W. long.;
    (37) 33[deg]24.80[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.86[min] W. long.;
    (38) 33[deg]24.60[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.02[min] W. long.;
    (39) 33[deg]22.82[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.04[min] W. long.;
    (40) 33[deg]20.21[min] N lat., 118[deg]18.50[min] W long.;
    (41) 33[deg]19.13[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.04[min] W. long.
    (k) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]30.38[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.15[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]29.64[min] N lat., 119[deg]00.58[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]27.24[min] N lat., 119[deg]01.73[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]27.76[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.48[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]29.50[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.20[min] W long.; and
    (6) 33[deg]30.38[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.15[min] W long.
    (l) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]18.39[min] N lat., 119[deg]38.87[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]18.63[min] N lat., 119[deg]27.52[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]15.24[min] N lat., 119[deg]20.10[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]13.27[min] N lat., 119[deg]20.10[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]12.16[min] N lat., 119[deg]26.82[min] W long.;
    (6) 33[deg]13.20[min] N lat., 119[deg]31.87[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]15.70[min] N lat., 119[deg]38.87[min] W long.;
    (8) 33[deg]17.52[min] N lat., 119[deg]40.15[min] W long.; and
    (9) 33[deg]18.39[min] N lat., 119[deg]38.87[min] W long.
    (m) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state 
of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]43.02[min] N lat., 119[deg]08.52[min] W long.;
    (2) 32[deg]41.81[min] N lat., 119[deg]06.20[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]40.67[min] N lat., 119[deg]06.82[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]41.62[min] N lat., 119[deg]09.46[min] W long.; and
    (5) 32[deg]43.02[min] N lat., 119[deg]08.52[min] W long.
    (n) The 30 fm (55 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state 
of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]29.73[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.95[min] W long.;
    (2) 32[deg]28.17[min] N lat., 119[deg]07.04[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]26.27[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.14[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]25.22[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.77[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]28.60[min] N lat., 119[deg]14.15[min] W long.; and
    (6) 32[deg]29.73[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.95[min] W long.
    (o) The 40-fm (73-m) depth contour between 46[deg]16[min] N. lat. 
and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines connecting 
all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.10[min] W. long.;
    (2) 46[deg]15.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.60[min] W. long.;
    (3) 46[deg]11.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.59[min] W. long.;
    (4) 46[deg]06.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.15[min] W. long.;

[[Page 93]]

    (5) 46[deg]05.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.30[min] W. long.;
    (6) 45[deg]58.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.60[min] W. long.;
    (7) 45[deg]57.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.81[min] W. long.;
    (8) 45[deg]53.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.05[min] W. long.;
    (9) 45[deg]49.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.14[min] W. long.;
    (10) 45[deg]47.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.16[min] W. long.;
    (11) 45[deg]47.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.21[min] W. long.;
    (12) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.49[min] W. long.;
    (13) 45[deg]44.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.09[min] W. long.;
    (14) 45[deg]40.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.90[min] W. long.;
    (15) 45[deg]33.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.46[min] W. long.;
    (16) 45[deg]32.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.74[min] W. long.;
    (17) 45[deg]29.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.22[min] W. long.;
    (18) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.67[min] W. long.;
    (19) 45[deg]19.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.62[min] W. long.;
    (20) 45[deg]17.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.91[min] W. long.;
    (21) 45[deg]11.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.20[min] W. long.;
    (22) 45[deg]05.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.40[min] W. long.;
    (23) 45[deg]05.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.93[min] W. long.;
    (24) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.47[min] W. long.;
    (25) 45[deg]01.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.53[min] W. long.;
    (26) 44[deg]58.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.14[min] W. long.;
    (27) 44[deg]51.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.21[min] W. long.;
    (28) 44[deg]49.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.90[min] W. long.;
    (29) 44[deg]44.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.39[min] W. long.;
    (30) 44[deg]43.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.78[min] W. long.;
    (31) 44[deg]42.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.81[min] W. long.;
    (32) 44[deg]41.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.38[min] W. long.;
    (33) 44[deg]34.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.80[min] W. long.;
    (34) 44[deg]33.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.44[min] W. long.;
    (35) 44[deg]27.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.99[min] W. long.;
    (36) 44[deg]19.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.22[min] W. long.;
    (37) 44[deg]15.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.38[min] W. long.;
    (38) 44[deg]14.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.78[min] W. long.;
    (39) 44[deg]12.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.18[min] W. long.;
    (40) 44[deg]09.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.96[min] W. long.;
    (41) 44[deg]08.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.79[min] W. long.;
    (42) 44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.75[min] W. long.;
    (43) 44[deg]01.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.42[min] W. long.;
    (44) 43[deg]51.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.68[min] W. long.;
    (45) 43[deg]42.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.46[min] W. long.;
    (46) 43[deg]40.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.74[min] W. long.;
    (47) 43[deg]38.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.64[min] W. long.;
    (48) 43[deg]34.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.73[min] W. long.;
    (49) 43[deg]28.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.52[min] W. long.;
    (50) 43[deg]23.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.28[min] W. long.;
    (51) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.63[min] W. long.;
    (52) 43[deg]17.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.81[min] W. long.;
    (53) 43[deg]16.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.42[min] W. long.;
    (54) 43[deg]13.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.99[min] W. long.;
    (55) 43[deg]13.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.25[min] W. long.;
    (56) 43[deg]12.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.16[min] W. long.;
    (57) 43[deg]10.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.33[min] W. long.;
    (58) 43[deg]05.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.52[min] W. long.;
    (59) 42[deg]59.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.58[min] W. long.;
    (60) 42[deg]54.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.99[min] W. long.;
    (61) 42[deg]53.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.57[min] W. long.;
    (62) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.68[min] W. long.;
    (63) 42[deg]49.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.70[min] W. long.;
    (64) 42[deg]46.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.89[min] W. long.;
    (65) 42[deg]45.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.86[min] W. long.;
    (66) 42[deg]44.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.96[min] W. long.;
    (67) 42[deg]45.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.39[min] W. long.;
    (68) 42[deg]44.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.17[min] W. long.;
    (69) 42[deg]42.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.82[min] W. long.;
    (70) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.98[min] W. long.;
    (71) 42[deg]38.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.09[min] W. long.;
    (72) 42[deg]35.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.02[min] W. long.;
    (73) 42[deg]31.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.84[min] W. long.;
    (74) 42[deg]28.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.84[min] W. long.;
    (75) 42[deg]26.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.59[min] W. long.;
    (76) 42[deg]23.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.06[min] W. long.;
    (77) 42[deg]21.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.64[min] W. long.;
    (78) 42[deg]19.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.02[min] W. long.;
    (79) 42[deg]15.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.72[min] W. long.;
    (80) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.93[min] W. long.;
    (81) 42[deg]11.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.63[min] W. long.;
    (82) 42[deg]04.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.40[min] W. long.;
    (83) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.55[min] W. long.;
    (84) 41[deg]51.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.25[min] W. long.;
    (85) 41[deg]44.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.05[min] W. long.;
    (86) 41[deg]38.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.04[min] W. long.;
    (87) 41[deg]18.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.48[min] W. long.;
    (88) 40[deg]55.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.33[min] W. long.;
    (89) 40[deg]41.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.66[min] W. long.;
    (90) 40[deg]36.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.15[min] W. long.;
    (91) 40[deg]32.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.42[min] W. long.;
    (92) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.38[min] W. long.;
    (93) 40[deg]29.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.23[min] W. long.;
    (94) 40[deg]24.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.40[min] W. long.;
    (95) 40 [deg]22.41[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.19[min] W long.;
    (96) 40[deg]19.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.52[min] W. long.;
    (97) 40[deg]18.71[min] N lat., 124[deg]22.63[min] W long.;
    (98) 40[deg]15.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.53[min] W. long.;
    (99) 40[deg]12.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.69[min] W. long.;
    (100) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.84[min] W. long.;
    (101) 40[deg]09.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.68[min] W. long.;
    (102) 40[deg]08.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.17[min] W. long.;
    (103) 40[deg]05.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.80[min] W. long.;
    (104) 40[deg]06.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.99[min] W. long.;
    (105) 40[deg]00.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.42[min] W. long.;
    (106) 39[deg]54.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.25[min] W. long.;
    (107) 39[deg]52.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.62[min] W. long.;
    (108) 39[deg]52.51[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.15[min] W. long.;
    (109) 39[deg]49.64[min] N. lat., 123[deg]54.98[min] W. long.;
    (110) 39[deg]41.46[min] N. lat., 123[deg]50.65[min] W. long.;
    (111) 39[deg]34.57[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.24[min] W. long.;

[[Page 94]]

    (112) 39[deg]22.63[min] N lat., 123[deg]51.03[min] W long.;
    (113) 39[deg]11.86[min] N lat., 123[deg]48.83[min] W long.;
    (114) 39[deg]04.58[min] N. lat., 123[deg]45.43[min] W. long.;
    (115) 39[deg]00.45[min] N. lat., 123[deg]47.58[min] W. long.;
    (116) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]47.27[min] W. long.;
    (117) 38[deg]55.82[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.97[min] W. long.;
    (118) 38[deg]52.26[min] N. lat., 123[deg]44.35[min] W. long.;
    (119) 38[deg]45.41[min] N. lat., 123[deg]35.67[min] W. long.;
    (120) 38[deg]40.60[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.22[min] W. long.;
    (121) 38[deg]30.57[min] N. lat., 123[deg]18.60[min] W. long.;
    (122) 38[deg]21.64[min] N. lat., 123[deg]08.91[min] W. long.;
    (123) 38[deg]12.01[min] N. lat., 123[deg]03.86[min] W. long.;
    (124) 38[deg]06.16[min] N. lat., 123[deg]07.01[min] W. long.;
    (125) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]07.05[min] W. long.;
    (126) 37[deg]51.73[min] N. lat., 122[deg]57.97[min] W. long.;
    (127) 37[deg]47.96[min] N. lat., 122[deg]59.34[min] W. long.;
    (128) 37[deg]47.37[min] N. lat., 123[deg]08.84[min] W. long.;
    (129) 37[deg]48.22[min] N. lat., 123[deg]10.62[min] W. long.;
    (130) 37[deg]47.53[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.54[min] W. long.;
    (131) 37[deg]39.91[min] N. lat., 123[deg]00.84[min] W. long.;
    (132) 37[deg]38.75[min] N. lat., 122[deg]52.16[min] W. long.;
    (133) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 122[deg]49.47[min] W. long.;
    (134) 37[deg]25.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]38.66[min] W long.;
    (135) 37[deg]20.68[min] N lat., 122[deg]36.79[min] W long.;
    (136) 37[deg]20.24[min] N. lat., 122[deg]33.82[min] W. long.;
    (137) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.50[min] W. long.;
    (138) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]26.26[min] W. long.;
    (139) 36[deg]52.04[min] N. lat., 122[deg]04.60[min] W. long.;
    (140) 36[deg]52.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.41[min] W. long.;
    (141) 36[deg]49.26[min] N. lat., 121[deg]52.53[min] W. long.;
    (142) 36[deg]49.22[min] N. lat., 121[deg]49.85[min] W. long.;
    (143) 36[deg]47.87[min] N. lat., 121[deg]50.15[min] W. long.;
    (144) 36[deg]48.07[min] N. lat., 121[deg]48.21[min] W. long.;
    (145) 36[deg]45.93[min] N. lat., 121[deg]52.11[min] W. long.;
    (146) 36[deg]40.55[min] N. lat., 121[deg]52.59[min] W. long.;
    (147) 36[deg]38.93[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.17[min] W. long.;
    (148) 36[deg]36.54[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.18[min] W. long.;
    (149) 36[deg]32.96[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.84[min] W. long.;
    (150) 36[deg]33.14[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.56[min] W. long.;
    (151) 36[deg]31.81[min] N. lat., 121[deg]55.86[min] W. long.;
    (152) 36[deg]31.53[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.09[min] W. long.;
    (153) 36[deg]23.28[min] N. lat., 121[deg]56.10[min] W. long.;
    (154) 36[deg]18.40[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.93[min] W. long.;
    (155) 36[deg]16.80[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.97[min] W. long.;
    (156) 36[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]55.95[min] W. long.;
    (157) 36[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.41[min] W. long.;
    (158) 36[deg]11.06[min] N. lat., 121[deg]43.10[min] W. long.;
    (159) 36[deg]02.85[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.21[min] W. long.;
    (160) 36[deg]01.22[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.36[min] W. long.;
    (161) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]34.73[min] W. long.;
    (162) 35[deg]58.67[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.68[min] W. long.;
    (163) 35[deg]54.16[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.21[min] W. long.;
    (164) 35[deg]46.98[min] N. lat., 121[deg]24.02[min] W. long.;
    (165) 35[deg]40.75[min] N. lat., 121[deg]21.89[min] W. long.;
    (166) 35[deg]34.36[min] N. lat., 121[deg]11.07[min] W. long.;
    (167) 35[deg]29.30[min] N. lat., 121[deg]05.74[min] W. long.;
    (168) 35[deg]22.15[min] N. lat., 120[deg]56.15[min] W. long.;
    (169) 35[deg]14.93[min] N. lat., 120[deg]56.37[min] W. long.;
    (170) 35[deg]04.06[min] N. lat., 120[deg]46.35[min] W. long.;
    (171) 34[deg]45.85[min] N. lat., 120[deg]43.96[min] W. long.;
    (172) 34[deg]37.80[min] N. lat., 120[deg]44.44[min] W. long.;

[[Page 95]]

    (173) 34[deg]32.82[min] N. lat., 120[deg]42.08[min] W. long.;
    (174) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]31.27[min] W. long.;
    (175) 34[deg]24.25[min] N. lat., 120[deg]23.33[min] W. long.;
    (176) 34[deg]26.48[min] N. lat., 120[deg]13.93[min] W. long.;
    (177) 34[deg]25.12[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.46[min] W. long.;
    (178) 34[deg]17.58[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.62[min] W. long.;
    (179) 34[deg]11.49[min] N. lat., 119[deg]27.30[min] W. long.;
    (180) 34[deg]05.59[min] N. lat., 119[deg]15.52[min] W. long.;
    (181) 34[deg]08.23[min] N lat., 119[deg]13.21[min] W long.;
    (182) 34[deg]04.81[min] N. lat., 119[deg]13.44[min] W. long.;
    (183) 34[deg]04.26[min] N. lat., 119[deg]12.39[min] W. long.;
    (184) 34[deg]03.89[min] N. lat., 119[deg]07.06[min] W. long.;
    (185) 34[deg]05.14[min] N. lat., 119[deg]05.55[min] W. long.;
    (186) 34[deg]01.27[min] N. lat., 118[deg]59.62[min] W. long.;
    (187) 33[deg]59.56[min] N. lat., 118[deg]48.21[min] W. long.;
    (188) 33[deg]59.30[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.43[min] W. long.;
    (189) 33[deg]55.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.16[min] W. long.;
    (190) 33[deg]52.95[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.49[min] W. long.;
    (191) 33[deg]51.07[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.50[min] W. long.;
    (192) 33[deg]52.45[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.54[min] W. long.;
    (193) 33[deg]49.87[min] N lat., 118[deg] 24.15[min] W long.;
    (194) 33[deg]47.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.38[min] W. long.;
    (195) 33[deg]44.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.18[min] W. long.;
    (196) 33[deg]41.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.63[min] W. long.;
    (197) 33[deg]37.86[min] N. lat., 118[deg]15.06[min] W. long.;
    (198) 33[deg]36.58[min] N. lat., 118[deg]15.97[min] W. long.;
    (199) 33[deg]34.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]12.60[min] W. long.;
    (200) 33[deg]34.46[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.77[min] W. long.;
    (201) 33[deg]35.92[min] N. lat., 118[deg]07.04[min] W. long.;
    (202) 33[deg]36.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]03.96[min] W. long.;
    (203) 33[deg]34.98[min] N. lat., 118[deg]02.74[min] W. long.;
    (204) 33[deg]34.03[min] N. lat., 117[deg]59.37[min] W. long.;
    (205) 33[deg]35.46[min] N. lat., 117[deg]55.61[min] W. long.;
    (206) 33[deg]34.97[min] N. lat., 117[deg]53.33[min] W. long.;
    (207) 33[deg]31.20[min] N. lat., 117[deg]47.40[min] W. long.;
    (208) 33[deg]27.26[min] N. lat., 117[deg]44.34[min] W. long.;
    (209) 33[deg]24.84[min] N. lat., 117[deg]40.75[min] W. long.;
    (210) 33[deg]11.45[min] N. lat., 117[deg]26.84[min] W. long.;
    (211) 33[deg]07.59[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.46[min] W. long.;
    (212) 33[deg]01.74[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.23[min] W. long.;
    (213) 32[deg]56.44[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.08[min] W. long.;
    (214) 32[deg]54.63[min] N. lat., 117[deg]16.94[min] W. long.;
    (215) 32[deg]51.90[min] N lat., 117[deg]16.32[min] W long.;
    (216) 32[deg]52.11[min] N lat., 117[deg]19.33[min] W long.;
    (217) 32[deg]46.91[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.43[min] W. long.;
    (218) 32[deg]43.49[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.12[min] W. long.; and
    (219) 32[deg]33.33[min] N lat., 117[deg]16.45[min] W long.
    (p) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around the northern Channel 
Islands off the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]07.88[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.79[min] W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]07.45[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.26[min] W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]07.03[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.29[min] W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]06.19[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.81[min] W. long.;
    (5) 34[deg]06.44[min] N. lat., 120[deg]31.17[min] W. long.;
    (6) 34[deg]05.81[min] N. lat., 120[deg]31.97[min] W. long.;
    (7) 34[deg]03.51[min] N. lat., 120[deg]29.61[min] W. long.;
    (8) 34[deg]01.56[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.83[min] W. long.;
    (9) 34[deg]00.81[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.94[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]59.26[min] N. lat., 120[deg]17.95[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]54.71[min] N. lat., 120[deg]12.72[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]51.61[min] N. lat., 120[deg]02.49[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]51.68[min] N. lat., 119[deg]59.41[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]52.71[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.25[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]55.83[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.92[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]59.64[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.03[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]56.30[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.63[min] W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]56.77[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.87[min] W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]58.54[min] N. lat., 119[deg]34.98[min] W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]59.52[min] N. lat., 119[deg]24.69[min] W. long.;
    (21) 34[deg]00.24[min] N. lat., 119[deg]21.00[min] W. long.;
    (22) 34[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 119[deg]19.57[min] W. long.;
    (23) 34[deg]01.29[min] N. lat., 119[deg]23.92[min] W. long.;

[[Page 96]]

    (24) 34[deg]01.95[min] N. lat., 119[deg]28.94[min] W. long.;
    (25) 34[deg]03.90[min] N. lat., 119[deg]33.43[min] W. long.;
    (26) 34[deg]03.31[min] N. lat., 119[deg]36.51[min] W. long.;
    (27) 34[deg]02.13[min] N. lat., 119[deg]37.99[min] W. long.;
    (28) 34[deg]01.96[min] N. lat., 119[deg]40.35[min] W. long.;
    (29) 34[deg]03.52[min] N. lat., 119[deg]43.22[min] W. long.;
    (30) 34[deg]04.03[min] N. lat., 119[deg]45.66[min] W. long.;
    (31) 34[deg]04.03[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.13[min] W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]05.15[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.97[min] W. long.;
    (33) 34[deg]05.47[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.55[min] W. long.;
    (34) 34[deg]04.43[min] N. lat., 120[deg]02.29[min] W. long.;
    (35) 34[deg]05.64[min] N. lat., 120[deg]04.05[min] W. long.;
    (36) 34[deg]04.16[min] N. lat., 120[deg]07.60[min] W. long.;
    (37) 34[deg]05.04[min] N. lat., 120[deg]12.78[min] W. long.;
    (38) 34[deg]04.45[min] N. lat., 120[deg]17.78[min] W. long.;
    (39) 34[deg]07.37[min] N. lat., 120[deg]24.14[min] W. long.; and
    (40) 34[deg]07.88[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.79[min] W. long.
    (q) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around San Clemente Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]02.94[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.42[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]01.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.67[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]00.47[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.65[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]59.64[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.04[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]59.81[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.37[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]57.84[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.67[min] W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]55.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.88[min] W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg] 54.78[min] N lat., 118[deg]33.44[min] W long.;
    (9) 32[deg]53.75[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.47[min] W. long.;
    (10) 32[deg]50.36[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.50[min] W. long.;
    (11) 32[deg]49.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.65[min] W. long.;
    (12) 32[deg]49.70[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.96[min] W. long.;
    (13) 32[deg]46.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.60[min] W. long.;
    (14) 32[deg]45.53[min] N lat., 118[deg]24.82[min] W long.;
    (15) 32[deg]45.94[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.12[min] W. long.;
    (16) 32[deg]46.85[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.79[min] W. long.;
    (17) 32[deg]48.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.25[min] W. long.;
    (18) 32[deg]48.80[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.52[min] W. long.;
    (19) 32[deg]49.70[min] N lat., 118[deg]21.04[min] W long.;
    (20) 32[deg]55.04[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.97[min] W. long.;
    (21) 32[deg]55.48[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.01[min] W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]00.35[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.61[min] W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]01.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.66[min] W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]02.98[min] N lat., 118[deg]35.40[min] W long.;
    (25) 33[deg]03.36[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.57[min] W long.; and
    (26) 33[deg]02.94[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.42[min] W. long.
    (r) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]28.90[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.43[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]28.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.70[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]28.02[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.70[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]25.81[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.95[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]25.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.94[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]24.77[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.99[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]23.19[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.61[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]20.88[min] N lat., 118[deg]30.54[min] W long.;
    (9) 33[deg]21.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.52[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]20.43[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.62[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]20.45[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.46[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]18.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.64[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]17.36[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.75[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]19.17[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.56[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]22.24[min] N lat., 118[deg]19.99[min] W long.;
    (16) 33[deg]23.31[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.45[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]24.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.13[min] W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]25.27[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.30[min] W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]26.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]27.91[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.93[min] W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]28.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.16[min] W. long.; and
    (22) 33[deg]28.90[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.43[min] W. long.
    (s) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]30.87[min] N lat., 119[deg]02.43[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]29.87[min] N lat., 119[deg]00.34[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]27.08[min] N lat., 119[deg]01.65[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]27.64[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.45[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]29.12[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.55[min] W long.;
    (6) 33[deg]29.66[min] N lat., 119[deg]05.49[min] W long.; and
    (7) 33[deg]30.87[min] N lat., 119[deg]02.43[min] W long.
    (t) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state 
of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]43.40[min] N lat., 119[deg]08.56[min] W long.;
    (2) 32[deg]41.36[min] N lat., 119[deg]05.02[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]40.07[min] N lat., 119[deg]05.59[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]41.51[min] N lat., 119[deg]09.76[min] W long.; and
    (5) 32[deg]43.40[min] N lat., 119[deg]08.56[min] W long.
    (u) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]19.30[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.05[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]19.42[min] N lat., 119[deg]27.88[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]14.31[min] N lat., 119[deg]17.48[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]12.90[min] N lat., 119[deg]17.64[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]11.89[min] N lat., 119[deg]27.26[min] W long.;
    (6) 33[deg]12.19[min] N lat., 119[deg]29.96[min] W long.;
    (7) 33[deg]15.42[min] N lat., 119[deg]39.14[min] W long.;
    (8) 33[deg]17.58[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.38[min] W long.; and
    (9) 33[deg]19.30[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.05[min] W long.
    (v) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state 
of

[[Page 97]]

California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.98[min] W long.;
    (2) 32[deg]28.33[min] N lat., 119[deg]06.81[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]25.69[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.21[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]24.66[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.83[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]28.48[min] N lat., 119[deg]14.66[min] W long.; and
    (6) 32[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.98[min] W long.

[69 FR 77042, Dec. 23, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 16149, Mar. 30, 2005; 
71 FR 8498, Feb. 17, 2006; 71 FR 78665, Dec. 29, 2006; 72 FR 13045, Mar. 
20, 2007; 74 FR 9893, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 
2010; 76 FR 27530, May 11, 2011; 77 FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 82 FR 9640, 
Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 
FR 79893, Dec. 11, 2020; 87 FR 77015, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 12867, Mar. 
1, 2023]



Sec. 660.72  Latitude/longitude coordinates defining
the 50 fm (91 m) through 75 fm (137 m) depth contours.

    Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a 
series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides 
coordinates for the 50 fm (91 m) through 75 fm (137 m) depth contours.
    (a) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with 
Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]22.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.15[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]22.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.10[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]20.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.18[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]16.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.72[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]14.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.50[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]12.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.29[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.68[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]03.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.02[min] W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]56.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.60[min] W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]52.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.00[min] W. long.;
    (11) 47[deg]50.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.36[min] W. long.;
    (12) 47[deg]45.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.07[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]40.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.84[min] W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]34.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.24[min] W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]27.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.12[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]22.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.43[min] W. long.;
    (17) 47[deg]17.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.75[min] W. long.;
    (18) 47[deg]06.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.74[min] W. long.;
    (19) 47[deg]00.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.01[min] W. long.;
    (20) 46[deg]52.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.44[min] W. long.;
    (21) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.66[min] W. long.;
    (22) 46[deg]35.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.51[min] W. long.;
    (23) 46[deg]25.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.46[min] W. long.;
    (24) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.32[min] W. long.;
    (25) 45[deg]50.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.68[min] W. long.;
    (26) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.39[min] W. long.;
    (27) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.34[min] W. long.;
    (28) 45[deg]12.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.71[min] W. long.;
    (29) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.17[min] W. long.;
    (30) 44[deg]52.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.22[min] W. long.;
    (31) 44[deg]42.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.70[min] W. long.;
    (32) 44[deg]38.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.58[min] W. long.;
    (33) 44[deg]23.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.70[min] W. long.;
    (34) 44[deg]20.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.72[min] W. long.;
    (35) 44[deg]13.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.45[min] W. long.;
    (36) 44[deg]18.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.48[min] W. long.;
    (37) 44[deg]19.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.18[min] W. long.;
    (38) 44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.17[min] W. long.;
    (39) 43[deg]56.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.86[min] W. long.;
    (40) 43[deg]34.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.47[min] W. long.;
    (41) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.11[min] W. long.;
    (42) 43[deg]12.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.80[min] W. long.;
    (43) 43[deg]08.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.77[min] W. long.;
    (44) 42[deg]59.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.79[min] W. long.;
    (45) 42[deg]54.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.46[min] W. long.;
    (46) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.84[min] W. long.;
    (47) 42[deg]46.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.99[min] W. long.;
    (48) 42[deg]41.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.92[min] W. long.;
    (49) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.98[min] W. long.;
    (50) 42[deg]36.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.70[min] W. long.;
    (51) 42[deg]28.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.90[min] W. long.;
    (52) 42[deg]25.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.68[min] W. long.;
    (53) 42[deg]18.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.47[min] W. long.;
    (54) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.67[min] W. long.;
    (55) 42[deg]03.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.81[min] W. long.;
    (56) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.21[min] W. long.;
    (57) 41[deg]57.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.35[min] W. long.;
    (58) 41[deg]52.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.51[min] W. long.;
    (59) 41[deg]50.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.63[min] W. long.;
    (60) 41[deg]46.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.16[min] W. long.;
    (61) 41[deg]26.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.78[min] W. long.;
    (62) 41[deg]15.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.42[min] W. long.;
    (63) 41[deg]05.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.89[min] W. long.;
    (64) 40[deg]54.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.53[min] W. long.;
    (65) 40[deg]42.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.29[min] W. long.;
    (66) 40[deg]39.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.37[min] W. long.;
    (67) 40[deg]36.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.39[min] W. long.;
    (68) 40[deg]34.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.89[min] W. long.;
    (69) 40[deg]32.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.43[min] W. long.;
    (70) 40[deg]30.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.87[min] W. long.;
    (71) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.18[min] W. long.;
    (72) 40[deg]28.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.59[min] W. long.;
    (73) 40[deg]24.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.42[min] W. long.;
    (74) 40[deg]23.71[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.32[min] W long.;
    (75) 40[deg]22.53[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.67[min] W long.;
    (76) 40[deg]21.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.86[min] W. long.;
    (77) 40[deg]21.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.59[min] W. long.;
    (78) 40[deg]20.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.47[min] W. long.;
    (79) 40[deg]19.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.98[min] W. long.;
    (80) 40[deg]18.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.77[min] W. long.;
    (81) 40[deg]18.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.81[min] W. long.;
    (82) 40[deg]15.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.28[min] W. long.;

[[Page 98]]

    (83) 40[deg]15.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.82[min] W. long.;
    (84) 40[deg]11.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.68[min] W. long.;
    (85) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.97[min] W. long.;
    (86) 40[deg]09.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.81[min] W. long.;
    (87) 40[deg]07.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.29[min] W. long.;
    (88) 40[deg]05.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.06[min] W. long.;
    (89) 40[deg]06.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.01[min] W. long.;
    (90) 40[deg]00.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.45[min] W. long.;
    (91) 39[deg]56.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.12[min] W. long.;
    (92) 39[deg]52.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.57[min] W. long.;
    (93) 39[deg]50.65[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.98[min] W. long.;
    (94) 39[deg]40.16[min] N. lat., 123[deg]52.41[min] W. long.;
    (95) 39[deg]30.12[min] N. lat., 123[deg]52.92[min] W. long.;
    (96) 39[deg]24.53[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.16[min] W. long.;
    (97) 39[deg]11.58[min] N. lat., 123[deg]50.93[min] W. long.;
    (98) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.10[min] W. long.;
    (99) 38[deg]55.13[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.14[min] W. long.;
    (100) 38[deg]28.58[min] N. lat., 123[deg]22.84[min] W. long.;
    (101) 38[deg]14.60[min] N. lat., 123[deg]09.92[min] W. long.;
    (102) 38[deg]01.84[min] N. lat., 123[deg]09.75[min] W. long.;
    (103) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]09.25[min] W. long.;
    (104) 37[deg]55.24[min] N. lat., 123[deg]08.30[min] W. long.;
    (105) 37[deg]52.06[min] N. lat., 123[deg]09.19[min] W. long.;
    (106) 37[deg]49.84[min] N lat., 123[deg]16.05[min] W long.;
    (107) 37[deg]35.67[min] N lat., 122[deg]55.43[min] W long.;
    (108) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]31.67[min] W. long.;
    (109) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (110) 37[deg]03.06[min] N. lat., 122[deg]24.22[min] W. long.;
    (111) 36[deg]50.20[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.58[min] W. long.;
    (112) 36[deg]51.46[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.54[min] W. long.;
    (113) 36[deg]48.53[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.84[min] W. long.;
    (114) 36[deg]48.91[min] N. lat., 121[deg]49.92[min] W. long.;
    (115) 36[deg]36.82[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.66[min] W. long.;
    (116) 36[deg]32.89[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.85[min] W. long.;
    (117) 36[deg]33.10[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.56[min] W. long.;
    (118) 36[deg]31.82[min] N. lat., 121[deg]55.96[min] W. long.;
    (119) 36[deg]31.57[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.15[min] W. long.;
    (120) 36[deg]23.15[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.12[min] W. long.;
    (121) 36[deg]18.40[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.97[min] W. long.;
    (122) 36[deg]18.40[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.35[min] W. long.;
    (123) 36[deg]16.02[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.35[min] W. long.;
    (124) 36[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.53[min] W. long.;
    (125) 36[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]56.53[min] W. long.;
    (126) 36[deg]14.79[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.41[min] W. long.;
    (127) 36[deg]10.41[min] N. lat., 121[deg]42.88[min] W. long.;
    (128) 36[deg]02.56[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.37[min] W. long.;
    (129) 36[deg]01.11[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.39[min] W. long.;
    (130) 36[deg]00.00[min] N lat., 121[deg]34.95[min] W long.;
    (131) 35[deg]58.26[min] N. lat., 121[deg]32.88[min] W. long.;
    (132) 35[deg]40.44[min] N lat., 121[deg] 22.43[min] W long.;
    (133) 35[deg]27.11[min] N lat., 121[deg]03.55[min] W long.;
    (134) 35[deg]14.91[min] N lat., 120[deg]56.67[min] W long.;
    (135) 35[deg]01.43[min] N. lat., 120[deg]48.01[min] W. long.;
    (136) 34[deg]37.98[min] N. lat., 120[deg]46.48[min] W. long.;
    (137) 34[deg]32.98[min] N. lat., 120[deg]43.34[min] W. long.;
    (138) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]33.31[min] W. long.;
    (139) 34[deg]23.47[min] N. lat., 120[deg]24.76[min] W. long.;
    (140) 34[deg]25.78[min] N. lat., 120[deg]16.82[min] W. long.;
    (141) 34[deg]24.65[min] N. lat., 120[deg]04.83[min] W. long.;
    (142) 34[deg]23.18[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.18[min] W. long.;
    (143) 34[deg]19.20[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.64[min] W. long.;
    (144) 34[deg]16.82[min] N. lat., 119[deg]35.32[min] W. long.;
    (145) 34[deg]13.43[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.29[min] W. long.;
    (146) 34[deg]05.39[min] N. lat., 119[deg]15.13[min] W. long.;
    (147) 34[deg]07.83[min] N lat., 119[deg]13.48[min] W long.;
    (148) 34[deg]07.71[min] N lat., 119[deg]13.29[min] W long.;
    (149) 34[deg]04.56[min] N. lat., 119[deg]13.73[min] W. long.;
    (150) 34[deg]03.90[min] N. lat., 119[deg]12.66[min] W. long.;
    (151) 34[deg]03.66[min] N. lat., 119[deg]06.82[min] W. long.;
    (152) 34[deg]04.58[min] N. lat., 119[deg]04.91[min] W. long.;
    (153) 34[deg]01.28[min] N. lat., 119[deg]00.21[min] W. long.;

[[Page 99]]

    (154) 34[deg]00.19[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.14[min] W. long.;
    (155) 33[deg]59.66[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.10[min] W. long.;
    (156) 33[deg]59.54[min] N. lat., 119[deg]00.88[min] W. long.;
    (157) 34[deg]00.82[min] N. lat., 118[deg]59.03[min] W. long.;
    (158) 33[deg]59.11[min] N. lat., 118[deg]47.52[min] W. long.;
    (159) 33[deg]59.07[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.33[min] W. long.;
    (160) 33[deg]55.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.86[min] W. long.;
    (161) 33[deg]53.56[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.75[min] W. long.;
    (162) 33[deg]51.33[min] N lat., 118[deg]36.00[min] W long.;
    (163) 33[deg]50.48[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.16[min] W. long.;
    (164) 33[deg]51.86[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.71[min] W. long.;
    (165) 33[deg]50.09[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.88[min] W. long.;
    (166) 33[deg]49.95[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.38[min] W. long.;
    (167) 33[deg]50.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.17[min] W. long.;
    (168) 33[deg]49.86[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.25[min] W. long.;
    (169) 33[deg]48.25[min] N lat., 118[deg]26.97[min] W long.;
    (170) 33[deg]47.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.66[min] W. long.;
    (171) 33[deg]44.11[min] N lat., 118[deg]25.23[min] W long.;
    (172) 33[deg]41.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.28[min] W. long.;
    (173) 33[deg]38.16[min] N lat., 118[deg]15.65[min] W long.;
    (174) 33[deg]37.47[min] N lat., 118[deg] 16.62[min] W long.;
    (175) 33[deg]35.98[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.54[min] W. long.;
    (176) 33[deg]34.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]11.22[min] W. long.;
    (177) 33[deg]34.29[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.35[min] W. long.;
    (178) 33[deg]35.53[min] N. lat., 118[deg]06.66[min] W. long.;
    (179) 33[deg]35.93[min] N. lat., 118[deg]04.78[min] W. long.;
    (180) 33[deg]34.97[min] N. lat., 118[deg]02.91[min] W. long.;
    (181) 33[deg]33.84[min] N. lat., 117[deg]59.77[min] W. long.;
    (182) 33[deg]35.33[min] N. lat., 117[deg]55.89[min] W. long.;
    (183) 33[deg]35.05[min] N. lat., 117[deg]53.72[min] W. long.;
    (184) 33[deg]31.32[min] N. lat., 117[deg]48.01[min] W. long.;
    (185) 33[deg]27.99[min] N. lat., 117[deg]45.19[min] W. long.;
    (186) 33[deg]26.93[min] N. lat., 117[deg]44.24[min] W. long.;
    (187) 33[deg]25.46[min] N. lat., 117[deg]42.06[min] W. long.;
    (188) 33[deg]18.45[min] N. lat., 117[deg]35.73[min] W. long.;
    (189) 33[deg]10.29[min] N. lat., 117[deg]25.68[min] W. long.;
    (190) 33[deg]07.47[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.62[min] W. long.;
    (191) 33[deg]04.47[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.24[min] W. long.;
    (192) 32[deg]59.89[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.11[min] W. long.;
    (193) 32[deg]57.41[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.64[min] W. long.;
    (194) 32[deg]55.35[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.65[min] W. long.;
    (195) 32[deg]54.43[min] N. lat., 117[deg]16.93[min] W. long.;
    (196) 32[deg]52.34[min] N. lat., 117[deg]16.73[min] W. long.;
    (197) 32[deg]52.64[min] N. lat., 117[deg]17.76[min] W. long.;
    (198) 32[deg]52.24[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.36[min] W. long.;
    (199) 32[deg]47.06[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.92[min] W. long.;
    (200) 32[deg]41.93[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.68[min] W. long.; and
    (201) 32[deg]33.59[min] N. lat., 117[deg]17.89[min] W. long.
    (b) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour around the Swiftsure Bank and 
along the U.S. border with Canada is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]30.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.12[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]28.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.30[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]29.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.63[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]30.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.73[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 48[deg]30.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.12[min] 
W. long.
    (c) The 50 fm (91 m) depth contour around the northern Channel 
Islands off the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]08.40[min] N. lat., 120[deg]33.78[min] W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]07.80[min] N. lat., 120[deg]30.99[min] W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]08.42[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.92[min] W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]09.31[min] N. lat., 120[deg]27.81[min] W. long.;
    (5) 34[deg]05.85[min] N. lat., 120[deg]17.13[min] W. long.;
    (6) 34[deg]05.73[min] N. lat., 120[deg]05.93[min] W. long.;
    (7) 34[deg]06.14[min] N. lat., 120[deg]04.86[min] W. long.;
    (8) 34[deg]05.70[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.17[min] W. long.;
    (9) 34[deg]05.67[min] N. lat., 119[deg]58.98[min] W. long.;
    (10) 34[deg]06.34[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.78[min] W. long.;
    (11) 34[deg]05.57[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.35[min] W. long.;

[[Page 100]]

    (12) 34[deg]07.08[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.43[min] W. long.;
    (13) 34[deg]04.49[min] N. lat., 119[deg]35.55[min] W. long.;
    (14) 34[deg]04.73[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.77[min] W. long.;
    (15) 34[deg]02.02[min] N. lat., 119[deg]19.18[min] W. long.;
    (16) 34[deg]01.03[min] N. lat., 119[deg]19.50[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]59.45[min] N. lat., 119[deg]22.38[min] W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]58.76[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.27[min] W long.;
    (19) 33[deg]56.43[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.13[min] W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]56.04[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.20[min] W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]57.32[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.96[min] W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]59.32[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.59[min] W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]57.52[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.19[min] W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]56.26[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.29[min] W. long.;
    (25) 33[deg]54.30[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.83[min] W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]50.97[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.03[min] W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]50.25[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (28) 33[deg]50.03[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.00[min] W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]51.06[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.73[min] W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]54.49[min] N. lat., 120[deg]12.85[min] W. long.;
    (31) 33[deg]58.90[min] N. lat., 120[deg]20.15[min] W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]00.71[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.21[min] W. long.;
    (33) 34[deg]02.47[min] N lat., 120[deg]30.00[min] W long.;
    (34) 34[deg]03.60[min] N. lat., 120[deg]30.60[min] W. long.;
    (35) 34[deg]06.96[min] N. lat., 120[deg]34.22[min] W. long.;
    (36) 34[deg]08.01[min] N. lat., 120[deg]35.24[min] W. long.; and
    (37) 34[deg]08.40[min] N. lat., 120[deg]33.78[min] W. long.
    (d) The 50 fm (91 m) depth contour around San Clemente Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]03.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.98[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.53[min] N lat., 118[deg]34.25[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]55.51[min] N lat., 118[deg]28.92[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]54.99[min] N lat., 118[deg]27.72[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]49.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.99[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]48.55[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.24[min] W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]47.92[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.45[min] W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg]45.25[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.59[min] W. long.;
    (9) 32[deg]50.23[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.80[min] W. long.;
    (10) 32[deg]55.28[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.83[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]00.45[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.88[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]03.27[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.56[min] W. long.; and
    (13) 33[deg]03.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.98[min] W. long.
    (e) The 50 fm (91 m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]28.01[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.42[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]29.02[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.33[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]28.97[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.16[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]28.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.22[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]26.66[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.48[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]25.35[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.83[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]22.61[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.18[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]20.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.35[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]17.58[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.42[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]17.05[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.72[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]17.87[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.47[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]18.63[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.16[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]20.17[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.69[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]20.85[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.82[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]23.19[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.78[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]24.85[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.22[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]25.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.11[min] W. long.; and
    (18) 33[deg]28.01[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.42[min] W. long.
    (f) The 60-fm (110-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]26.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]09.43[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]23.76[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.77[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]23.01[min] N. lat., 125[deg]03.48[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]22.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.84[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]22.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.97[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]18.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.52[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]16.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.03[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]15.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.79[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]13.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.45[min] W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]10.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.56[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.72[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]06.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.72[min] W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]02.23[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.20[min] W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]00.87[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.37[min] W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]56.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.51[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]46.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.34[min] W. long.;
    (17) 47[deg]36.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.93[min] W. long.;
    (18) 47[deg]32.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.45[min] W. long.;
    (19) 47[deg]27.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.47[min] W. long.;
    (20) 47[deg]21.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.29[min] W. long.;
    (21) 47[deg]17.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.12[min] W. long.;
    (22) 47[deg]08.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.10[min] W. long.;
    (23) 47[deg]03.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.61[min] W. long.;
    (24) 46[deg]49.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.80[min] W. long.;
    (25) 46[deg]42.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.20[min] W. long.;
    (26) 46[deg]39.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.59[min] W. long.;
    (27) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.70[min] W. long.;
    (28) 46[deg]32.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.34[min] W. long.;
    (29) 46[deg]23.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.41[min] W. long.;
    (30) 46[deg]20.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.24[min] W. long.;
    (31) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.10[min] W. long.;
    (32) 46[deg]15.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.80[min] W. long.;
    (33) 46[deg]11.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.96[min] W. long.;
    (34) 46[deg]02.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.84[min] W. long.;
    (35) 45[deg]59.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.52[min] W. long.;
    (36) 45[deg]50.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.83[min] W. long.;
    (37) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.58[min] W. long.;
    (38) 45[deg]45.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.54[min] W. long.;
    (39) 45[deg]38.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.92[min] W. long.;
    (40) 45[deg]30.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.94[min] W. long.;
    (41) 45[deg]21.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.12[min] W. long.;
    (42) 45[deg]12.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.74[min] W. long.;

[[Page 101]]

    (43) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.94[min] W. long.;
    (44) 44[deg]59.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.95[min] W. long.;
    (45) 44[deg]51.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.15[min] W. long.;
    (46) 44[deg]44.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.07[min] W. long.;
    (47) 44[deg]39.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.09[min] W. long.;
    (48) 44[deg]30.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.66[min] W. long.;
    (49) 44[deg]26.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.87[min] W. long.;
    (50) 44[deg]23.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.07[min] W. long.;
    (51) 44[deg]20.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.72[min] W. long.;
    (52) 44[deg]13.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.45[min] W. long.;
    (53) 44[deg]10.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.78[min] W. long.;
    (54) 44[deg]08.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.54[min] W. long.;
    (55) 44[deg]04.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.55[min] W. long.;
    (56) 43[deg]57.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.05[min] W. long.;
    (57) 43[deg]50.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.85[min] W. long.;
    (58) 43[deg]41.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.94[min] W. long.;
    (59) 43[deg]35.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.51[min] W. long.;
    (60) 43[deg]25.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.47[min] W. long.;
    (61) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.26[min] W. long.;
    (62) 43[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.59[min] W. long.;
    (63) 43[deg]12.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.68[min] W. long.;
    (64) 43[deg]08.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.10[min] W. long.;
    (65) 43[deg]00.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.57[min] W. long.;
    (66) 42[deg]53.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.03[min] W. long.;
    (67) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.09[min] W. long.;
    (68) 42[deg]46.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.13[min] W. long.;
    (69) 42[deg]41.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.46[min] W. long.;
    (70) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.39[min] W. long.;
    (71) 42[deg]37.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.22[min] W. long.;
    (72) 42[deg]27.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.91[min] W. long.;
    (73) 42[deg]23.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.29[min] W. long.;
    (74) 42[deg]17.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.10[min] W. long.;
    (75) 42[deg]10.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.11[min] W. long.;
    (76) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (77) 41[deg]54.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.50[min] W. long.;
    (78) 41[deg]45.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.89[min] W. long.;
    (79) 41[deg]34.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.03[min] W. long.;
    (80) 41[deg]28.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.46[min] W. long.;
    (81) 41[deg]15.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.90[min] W. long.;
    (82) 41[deg]09.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.99[min] W. long.;
    (83) 41[deg]02.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.71[min] W. long.;
    (84) 40[deg]53.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.18[min] W. long.;
    (85) 40[deg]49.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.02[min] W. long.;
    (86) 40[deg]43.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.74[min] W. long.;
    (87) 40[deg]40.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.07[min] W. long.;
    (88) 40[deg]36.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.61[min] W. long.;
    (89) 40[deg]34.26[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.52[min] W long.;
    (90) 40[deg]33.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.46[min] W. long.;
    (91) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.84[min] W. long.;
    (92) 40[deg]24.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.06[min] W. long.;
    (93) 40[deg]23.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.28[min] W. long.;
    (94) 40[deg]23.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.35[min] W. long.;
    (95) 40[deg]22.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.72[min] W. long.;
    (96) 40[deg]21.58[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.87[min] W long.;
    (97) 40[deg]21.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.70[min] W. long.;
    (98) 40[deg]19.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.06[min] W. long.;
    (99) 40[deg]18.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.30[min] W. long.;
    (100) 40[deg]18.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.86[min] W. long.;
    (101) 40[deg]15.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.37[min] W. long.;
    (102) 40[deg]15.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.16[min] W. long.;
    (103) 40[deg]11.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.56[min] W. long.;
    (104) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.97[min] W. long.;
    (105) 40[deg]09.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.81[min] W. long.;
    (106) 40[deg]07.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.29[min] W. long.;
    (107) 40[deg]05.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.06[min] W. long.;
    (108) 40[deg]06.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.01[min] W. long.;
    (109) 40[deg]00.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.45[min] W. long.;
    (110) 39[deg]56.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.12[min] W. long.;
    (111) 39[deg]52.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.57[min] W. long.;
    (112) 39[deg]50.65[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.98[min] W. long.;
    (113) 39[deg]40.16[min] N. lat., 123[deg]52.41[min] W. long.;
    (114) 39[deg]30.12[min] N. lat., 123[deg]52.92[min] W. long.;
    (115) 39[deg]24.53[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.16[min] W. long.;
    (116) 39[deg]11.58[min] N. lat., 123[deg]50.93[min] W. long.;
    (117) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.14[min] W. long.;
    (118) 38[deg]55.13[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.14[min] W. long.;
    (119) 38[deg]28.58[min] N. lat., 123[deg]22.84[min] W. long.;
    (120) 38[deg]08.57[min] N. lat., 123[deg]14.74[min] W. long.;
    (121) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]15.61[min] W. long.;
    (122) 37[deg]56.98[min] N. lat., 123[deg]21.82[min] W. long.;
    (123) 37[deg]49.65[min] N. lat., 123[deg]17.48[min] W. long.;
    (124) 37[deg]36.41[min] N. lat., 122[deg]58.09[min] W. long.;
    (125) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]40.22[min] W. long.;
    (126) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]37.64[min] W. long.;
    (127) 37[deg]02.08[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.49[min] W. long.;
    (128) 36[deg]48.20[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.32[min] W. long.;
    (129) 36[deg]51.42[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.62[min] W long.;
    (130) 36[deg]48.13[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.16[min] W. long.;

[[Page 102]]

    (131) 36[deg]48.84[min] N. lat., 121[deg]50.06[min] W. long.;
    (132) 36[deg]45.38[min] N. lat., 121[deg]53.56[min] W. long.;
    (133) 36[deg]45.13[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.06[min] W. long.;
    (134) 36[deg]36.86[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.81[min] W. long.;
    (135) 36[deg]32.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.90[min] W. long.;
    (136) 36[deg]33.03[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.63[min] W. long.;
    (137) 36[deg]31.87[min] N. lat., 121[deg]56.10[min] W. long.;
    (138) 36[deg]31.59[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.27[min] W. long.;
    (139) 36[deg]23.26[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.70[min] W. long.;
    (140) 36[deg]16.80[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.76[min] W. long.;
    (141) 36[deg]14.33[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.80[min] W. long.;
    (142) 36[deg]14.67[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.41[min] W. long.;
    (143) 36[deg]10.30[min] N lat., 121[deg]43.00[min] W long.;
    (144) 36[deg]02.54[min] N lat., 121[deg]36.43[min] W long.;
    (145) 36[deg]01.09[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.41[min] W. long.;
    (146) 35[deg]58.21[min] N lat., 121[deg]32.88[min] W long.;
    (147) 35[deg]40.38[min] N. lat., 121[deg]22.59[min] W. long.;
    (148) 35[deg]26.31[min] N. lat., 121[deg]03.73[min] W. long.;
    (149) 35[deg]01.36[min] N. lat., 120[deg]49.02[min] W. long.;
    (150) 34[deg]39.52[min] N. lat., 120[deg]48.72[min] W. long.;
    (151) 34[deg]31.26[min] N. lat., 120[deg]44.12[min] W. long.;
    (152) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (153) 34[deg]23.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]25.32[min] W. long.;
    (154) 34[deg]25.65[min] N. lat., 120[deg]17.20[min] W. long.;
    (155) 34[deg]23.05[min] N lat., 119[deg]56.25[min] W long.;
    (156) 34[deg]18.73[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.89[min] W. long.;
    (157) 34[deg]11.18[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.21[min] W. long.;
    (158) 34[deg]10.01[min] N. lat., 119[deg]25.84[min] W. long.;
    (159) 34[deg]03.80[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.70[min] W long.;
    (160) 34[deg]03.58[min] N. lat., 119[deg]06.71[min] W. long.;
    (161) 34[deg]04.52[min] N. lat., 119[deg]04.89[min] W. long.;
    (162) 34[deg]01.28[min] N. lat., 119[deg]00.27[min] W. long.;
    (163) 34[deg]00.20[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.18[min] W. long.;
    (164) 33[deg]59.60[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.14[min] W. long.;
    (165) 33[deg]59.45[min] N. lat., 119[deg]00.87[min] W. long.;
    (166) 34[deg]00.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]59.07[min] W. long.;
    (167) 33[deg]59.05[min] N. lat., 118[deg]47.34[min] W. long.;
    (168) 33[deg]58.86[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.24[min] W. long.;
    (169) 33[deg]55.20[min] N lat., 118[deg]33.18[min] W long.;
    (170) 33[deg]53.63[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.88[min] W. long.;
    (171) 33[deg]51.22[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.13[min] W. long.;
    (172) 33[deg]50.19[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.19[min] W. long.;
    (173) 33[deg]51.28[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.12[min] W. long.;
    (174) 33[deg]49.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.04[min] W. long.;
    (175) 33[deg]49.93[min] N lat., 118[deg]26.36[min] W long.;
    (176) 33[deg]50.68[min] N lat., 118[deg]26.15[min] W long.;
    (177) 33[deg]50.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.79[min] W. long.;
    (178) 33[deg]48.48[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.86[min] W. long.;
    (179) 33[deg]47.75[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.21[min] W. long.;
    (180) 33[deg]44.10[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.25[min] W. long.;
    (181) 33[deg]41.77[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.32[min] W. long.;
    (182) 33[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 118[deg]15.69[min] W. long.;
    (183) 33[deg]37.48[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.72[min] W. long.;
    (184) 33[deg]35.80[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.65[min] W. long.;
    (185) 33[deg]33.92[min] N. lat., 118[deg]11.36[min] W. long.;
    (186) 33[deg]34.09[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.15[min] W. long.;
    (187) 33[deg]35.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]05.01[min] W. long.;
    (188) 33[deg]33.75[min] N. lat., 117[deg]59.82[min] W. long.;
    (189) 33[deg]35.25[min] N. lat., 117[deg]55.89[min] W. long.;
    (190) 33[deg]35.03[min] N. lat., 117[deg]53.80[min] W. long.;
    (191) 33[deg]31.37[min] N. lat., 117[deg]48.15[min] W. long.;
    (192) 33[deg]27.49[min] N. lat., 117[deg]44.85[min] W. long.;
    (193) 33[deg]16.63[min] N. lat., 117[deg]34.01[min] W. long.;

[[Page 103]]

    (194) 33[deg]07.21[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.96[min] W. long.;
    (195) 33[deg]03.35[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.22[min] W. long.;
    (196) 33[deg]02.14[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.26[min] W. long.;
    (197) 32[deg]59.87[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.16[min] W. long.;
    (198) 32[deg]57.39[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.72[min] W. long.;
    (199) 32[deg]56.00[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.16[min] W. long.;
    (200) 32[deg]55.31[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.80[min] W. long.;
    (201) 32[deg]54.38[min] N. lat., 117[deg]17.09[min] W. long.;
    (202) 32[deg]52.81[min] N. lat., 117[deg]16.94[min] W. long.;
    (203) 32[deg]52.56[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.30[min] W. long.;
    (204) 32[deg]50.86[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.98[min] W. long.;
    (205) 32[deg]46.96[min] N. lat., 117[deg]22.69[min] W. long.;
    (206) 32[deg]45.58[min] N. lat., 117[deg]22.38[min] W. long.;
    (207) 32[deg]44.89[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.89[min] W. long.;
    (208) 32[deg]43.03[min] N lat., 117[deg]20.43[min] W long.;
    (209) 32[deg]41.52[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.12[min] W. long.;
    (210) 32[deg]37.00[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.10[min] W. long.;
    (211) 32[deg]34.76[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.77[min] W. long.; and
    (212) 32[deg]33.70[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.46[min] W. long.
    (g) The 60 fm (110 m) depth contour around the northern Channel 
Islands off the State of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]09.83[min] N. lat., 120[deg]25.61[min] W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]07.03[min] N. lat., 120[deg]16.43[min] W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]06.38[min] N. lat., 120[deg]04.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]07.90[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.12[min] W. long.;
    (5) 34[deg]05.07[min] N. lat., 119[deg]37.33[min] W. long.;
    (6) 34[deg]05.04[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.80[min] W. long.;
    (7) 34[deg]04.00[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.70[min] W. long.;
    (8) 34[deg]02.27[min] N. lat., 119[deg]18.73[min] W. long.;
    (9) 34[deg]00.98[min] N. lat., 119[deg]19.10[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]59.44[min] N. lat., 119[deg]21.89[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]58.70[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.22[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]57.81[min] N. lat., 119[deg]33.72[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]57.65[min] N. lat., 119[deg]35.94[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]56.14[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.09[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]55.84[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]57.22[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.09[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]59.22[min] N lat., 119[deg]55.49[min] W long.;
    (18) 33[deg]57.73[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.06[min] W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]56.48[min] N. lat., 119[deg]53.80[min] W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]49.29[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.76[min] W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]48.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]59.72[min] W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]49.14[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.58[min] W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]52.95[min] N. lat., 120[deg]10.00[min] W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]56.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]17.00[min] W. long.;
    (25) 34[deg]00.12[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.12[min] W. long.;
    (26) 34[deg]08.23[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.25[min] W. long.;
    (27) 34[deg]08.80[min] N. lat., 120[deg]34.58[min] W. long.; and
    (28) 34[deg]09.83[min] N. lat., 120[deg]25.61[min] W. long.
    (h) The 60 fm (110 m) depth contour around San Clemente Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]04.44[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.61[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.56[min] N lat., 118[deg]34.19[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]55.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.87[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]55.01[min] N lat., 118[deg]27.70[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]49.77[min] N lat., 118[deg]20.92[min] W long.;
    (6) 32[deg]48.38[min] N lat., 118[deg]20.02[min] W long.;
    (7) 32[deg]47.60[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.00[min] W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg]44.59[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.52[min] W. long.;
    (9) 32[deg]49.97[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.52[min] W. long.;
    (10) 32[deg]53.62[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.94[min] W. long.;
    (11) 32[deg]55.63[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.82[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]00.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.42[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]03.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.81[min] W. long.; and
    (14) 33[deg]04.44[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.61[min] W. long.
    (i) The 60 fm (110 m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]28.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.17[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]29.23[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.27[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]28.85[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.85[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]26.69[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.37[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]26.30[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.38[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]25.39[min] N lat., 118[deg]22.80[min] W long.;
    (7) 33[deg]22.60[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.82[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]19.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.91[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]17.13[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.58[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]16.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.71[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]18.35[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.86[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]20.07[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.34[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]21.82[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.08[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]23.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.89[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]24.99[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.25[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]25.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.88[min] W. long.; and
    (17) 33[deg]28.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.17[min] W. long.
    (j) The 75-fm (137-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all

[[Page 104]]

of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]16.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]34.90[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]14.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]29.50[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]12.08[min] N. lat., 125[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]27.99[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]09.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]07.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]31.70[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]04.28[min] N. lat., 125[deg]29.00[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]02.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.70[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.19[min] W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]21.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.56[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]23.12[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.25[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]21.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.59[min] W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]23.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.30[min] W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]23.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.37[min] W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]23.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.80[min] W. long.;
    (16) 48[deg]17.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.82[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.54[min] W. long;
    (18) 48[deg]05.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.40[min] W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]04.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.00[min] W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]04.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.08[min] W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]05.20[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.90[min] W. long.;
    (22) 48[deg]06.25[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.40[min] W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]05.91[min] N. lat., 125[deg]08.30[min] W. long.;
    (24) 48[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]09.80[min] W. long.;
    (25) 48[deg]06.93[min] N. lat., 125[deg]11.48[min] W. long.;
    (26) 48[deg]04.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.02[min] W. long.;
    (27) 47[deg]54.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.98[min] W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]44.52[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]42.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.98[min] W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]35.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.50[min] W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]22.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.40[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]16.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.48[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]10.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.48[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]04.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.02[min] W. long.;
    (35) 46[deg]57.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.50[min] W. long.;
    (36) 46[deg]54.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.00[min] W. long.;
    (37) 46[deg]48.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.52[min] W. long.;
    (38) 46[deg]40.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (39) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.20[min] W. long.;
    (40) 46[deg]34.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.03[min] W. long.;
    (41) 46[deg]24.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.33[min] W. long.;
    (42) 46[deg]19.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (43) 46[deg]18.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.26[min] W. long.;
    (44) 46[deg]18.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.68[min] W. long.;
    (45) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.49[min] W. long.;
    (46) 46[deg]14.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.54[min] W. long.;
    (47) 46[deg]11.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.74[min] W. long.;
    (48) 46[deg]04.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.49[min] W. long.;
    (49) 45[deg]55.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.95[min] W. long.;
    (50) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.41[min] W. long.;
    (51) 45[deg]44.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.95[min] W. long.;
    (52) 45[deg]43.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.86[min] W. long.;
    (53) 45[deg]34.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.44[min] W. long.;
    (54) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.23[min] W. long.;
    (55) 45[deg]15.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.49[min] W. long.;
    (56) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.75[min] W. long.;
    (57) 44[deg]57.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.03[min] W. long.;
    (58) 44[deg]43.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.88[min] W. long.;
    (59) 44[deg]28.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.67[min] W. long.;
    (60) 44[deg]25.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.08[min] W. long.;
    (61) 44[deg]16.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.86[min] W. long.;
    (62) 44[deg]13.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.08[min] W. long.;
    (63) 44[deg]02.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.96[min] W. long.;
    (64) 44[deg]00.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.25[min] W. long.;
    (65) 43[deg]57.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.48[min] W. long.;
    (66) 43[deg]56.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.45[min] W. long.;
    (67) 43[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.23[min] W. long.;
    (68) 44[deg]01.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (69) 44[deg]02.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.62[min] W. long.;
    (70) 43[deg]58.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.39[min] W. long.;
    (71) 43[deg]53.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.39[min] W. long.;
    (72) 43[deg]35.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.17[min] W. long.;
    (73) 43[deg]21.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.07[min] W. long.;
    (74) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.49[min] W. long.;
    (75) 43[deg]19.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.87[min] W. long.;
    (76) 43[deg]09.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.29[min] W. long.;
    (77) 43[deg]07.11[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.66[min] W. long.;
    (78) 42[deg]56.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.28[min] W. long.;
    (79) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.30[min] W. long.;
    (80) 42[deg]45.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.50[min] W. long.;
    (81) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.46[min] W. long.;
    (82) 42[deg]39.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.11[min] W. long.;
    (83) 42[deg]32.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.13[min] W. long.;
    (84) 42[deg]32.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.04[min] W. long.;
    (85) 42[deg]26.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.30[min] W. long.;
    (86) 42[deg]24.11[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.16[min] W. long.;
    (87) 42[deg]21.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.46[min] W. long.;
    (88) 42[deg]14.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.30[min] W. long.;
    (89) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.29[min] W. long.;
    (90) 42[deg]09.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.04[min] W. long.;
    (91) 42[deg]01.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.71[min] W. long.;
    (92) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.02[min] W. long.;
    (93) 41[deg]46.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.60[min] W. long.;
    (94) 41[deg]29.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.04[min] W. long.;
    (95) 41[deg]09.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.75[min] W. long.;
    (96) 40[deg]50.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.80[min] W. long.;
    (97) 40[deg]43.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.30[min] W. long.;
    (98) 40[deg]40.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.86[min] W. long.;
    (99) 40[deg]39.40[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.90[min] W long.;
    (100) 40[deg]36.96[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.02[min] W long.;
    (101) 40[deg]34.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.65[min] W. long.;
    (102) 40[deg]34.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.61[min] W. long.;
    (103) 40[deg]31.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.13[min] W. long.;
    (104) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.50[min] W. long.;
    (105) 40[deg]25.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.77[min] W. long.;
    (106) 40[deg]23.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.49[min] W. long.;
    (107) 40[deg]23.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.35[min] W. long.;
    (108) 40[deg]22.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.76[min] W. long.;

[[Page 105]]

    (109) 40[deg]21.65[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.89[min] W long.;
    (110) 40[deg]21.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.63[min] W. long.;
    (111) 40[deg]19.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.15[min] W. long.;
    (112) 40[deg]18.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.38[min] W. long.;
    (113) 40[deg]18.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.94[min] W. long.;
    (114) 40[deg]15.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.75[min] W. long.;
    (115) 40[deg]16.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.48[min] W. long.;
    (116) 40[deg]15.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.69[min] W. long.;
    (117) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.28[min] W. long.;
    (118) 40[deg]08.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.99[min] W. long.;
    (119) 40[deg]09.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.77[min] W. long.;
    (120) 40[deg]06.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.49[min] W. long.;
    (121) 40[deg]03.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.60[min] W. long.;
    (122) 40[deg]06.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.23[min] W. long.;
    (123) 40[deg]00.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.57[min] W. long.;
    (124) 40[deg]00.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.84[min] W. long.;
    (125) 39[deg]57.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.53[min] W. long.;
    (126) 39[deg]55.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.67[min] W. long.;
    (127) 39[deg]52.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.54[min] W. long.;
    (128) 39[deg]48.07[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.48[min] W. long.;
    (129) 39[deg]41.60[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.12[min] W. long.;
    (130) 39[deg]30.39[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.03[min] W. long.;
    (131) 39[deg]29.48[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.12[min] W. long.;
    (132) 39[deg]13.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]54.65[min] W. long.;
    (133) 39[deg]05.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.38[min] W. long.;
    (134) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]54.50[min] W. long.;
    (135) 38[deg]55.90[min] N. lat., 123[deg]54.35[min] W. long.;
    (136) 38[deg]48.59[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.61[min] W. long.;
    (137) 38[deg]28.82[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.44[min] W. long.;
    (138) 38[deg]09.70[min] N. lat., 123[deg]18.66[min] W. long.;
    (139) 38[deg]01.81[min] N. lat., 123[deg]19.22[min] W. long.;
    (140) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]22.19[min] W. long.;
    (141) 37[deg]56.73[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.22[min] W. long.;
    (142) 37[deg]55.59[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.62[min] W. long.;
    (143) 37[deg]52.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]23.85[min] W. long.;
    (144) 37[deg]49.13[min] N. lat., 123[deg]18.83[min] W. long.;
    (145) 37[deg]46.01[min] N. lat., 123[deg]12.28[min] W. long.;
    (146) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]00.33[min] W. long.;
    (147) 37[deg]28.20[min] N. lat., 122[deg]54.92[min] W. long.;
    (148) 37[deg]27.34[min] N. lat., 122[deg]52.91[min] W. long.;
    (149) 37[deg]26.45[min] N. lat., 122[deg]52.95[min] W. long.;
    (150) 37[deg]26.06[min] N. lat., 122[deg]51.17[min] W. long.;
    (151) 37[deg]23.07[min] N. lat., 122[deg]51.34[min] W. long.;
    (152) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]43.89[min] W. long.;
    (153) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]41.06[min] W. long.;
    (154) 37[deg]04.49[min] N lat., 122[deg]38.50[min] W long.;
    (155) 37[deg]00.64[min] N. lat., 122[deg]33.26[min] W. long.;
    (156) 36[deg]59.15[min] N. lat., 122[deg]27.84[min] W. long.;
    (157) 37[deg]01.16[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.50[min] W long.;
    (158) 36[deg]58.75[min] N. lat., 122[deg]23.81[min] W. long.;
    (159) 36[deg]59.17[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.44[min] W. long.;
    (160) 36[deg]57.51[min] N. lat., 122[deg]20.69[min] W. long.;
    (161) 36[deg]51.46[min] N. lat., 122[deg]10.01[min] W. long.;
    (162) 36[deg]48.43[min] N. lat., 122[deg]06.47[min] W. long.;
    (163) 36[deg]48.66[min] N. lat., 122[deg]04.99[min] W. long.;
    (164) 36[deg]47.75[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.33[min] W. long.;
    (165) 36[deg]51.23[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.79[min] W. long.;
    (166) 36[deg]49.80[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.93[min] W long.;
    (167) 36[deg]48.84[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.68[min] W. long.;
    (168) 36[deg]47.89[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.53[min] W. long.;
    (169) 36[deg]48.66[min] N. lat., 121[deg]50.49[min] W. long.;

[[Page 106]]

    (170) 36[deg]45.56[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.11[min] W. long.;
    (171) 36[deg]45.30[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.62[min] W. long.;
    (172) 36[deg]38.54[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.13[min] W. long.;
    (173) 36[deg]35.76[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.87[min] W. long.;
    (174) 36[deg]32.58[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.12[min] W. long.;
    (175) 36[deg]32.95[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.62[min] W. long.;
    (176) 36[deg]31.96[min] N. lat., 121[deg]56.27[min] W. long.;
    (177) 36[deg]31.74[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.24[min] W. long.;
    (178) 36[deg]30.57[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.66[min] W. long.;
    (179) 36[deg]27.80[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.30[min] W. long.;
    (180) 36[deg]26.52[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.09[min] W. long.;
    (181) 36[deg]23.65[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.94[min] W. long.;
    (182) 36[deg]20.93[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.28[min] W. long.;
    (183) 36[deg]17.49[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.08[min] W. long.;
    (184) 36[deg]14.21[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.80[min] W. long.;
    (185) 36[deg]14.53[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.99[min] W. long.;
    (186) 36[deg]10.35[min] N lat., 121[deg]43.03[min] W long.;
    (187) 36[deg]02.50[min] N lat., 121[deg]36.47[min] W long.;
    (188) 36[deg]01.04[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.47[min] W. long.;
    (189) 36[deg]00.00[min] N lat., 121[deg]35.32[min] W long.;
    (190) 35[deg]58.20[min] N lat., 121[deg]32.97[min] W long.;
    (191) 35[deg]39.35[min] N. lat., 121[deg]22.63[min] W. long.;
    (192) 35[deg]25.09[min] N. lat., 121[deg]03.02[min] W. long.;
    (193) 35[deg]10.84[min] N. lat., 120[deg]55.90[min] W. long.;
    (194) 35[deg]04.35[min] N. lat., 120[deg]51.62[min] W. long.;
    (195) 34[deg]55.25[min] N. lat., 120[deg]49.36[min] W. long.;
    (196) 34[deg]47.95[min] N. lat., 120[deg]50.76[min] W. long.;
    (197) 34[deg]39.27[min] N. lat., 120[deg]49.16[min] W. long.;
    (198) 34[deg]31.05[min] N. lat., 120[deg]44.71[min] W. long.;
    (199) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.54[min] W. long.;
    (200) 34[deg]22.60[min] N. lat., 120[deg]25.41[min] W. long.;
    (201) 34[deg]25.45[min] N. lat., 120[deg]17.41[min] W. long.;
    (202) 34[deg]22.94[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.40[min] W. long.;
    (203) 34[deg]18.37[min] N. lat., 119[deg]42.01[min] W. long.;
    (204) 34[deg]11.22[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.47[min] W. long.;
    (205) 34[deg]09.58[min] N. lat., 119[deg]25.94[min] W. long.;
    (206) 34[deg]03.70[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.77[min] W long.;
    (207) 34[deg]03.57[min] N. lat., 119[deg]06.72[min] W. long.;
    (208) 34[deg]04.44[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.90[min] W long.;
    (209) 34[deg]02.94[min] N lat., 119[deg]02.89[min] W long.;
    (210) 34[deg]01.30[min] N lat., 119[deg]00.48[min] W long.;
    (211) 34[deg]00.22[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.20[min] W. long.;
    (212) 33[deg]59.56[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.36[min] W. long.;
    (213) 33[deg]59.35[min] N. lat., 119[deg]00.92[min] W. long.;
    (214) 34[deg]00.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]59.08[min] W. long.;
    (215) 33[deg]58.99[min] N lat., 118[deg]47.33[min] W long.;
    (216) 33[deg]58.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.45[min] W. long.;
    (217) 33[deg]55.24[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.42[min] W. long.;
    (218) 33[deg]53.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.01[min] W. long.;
    (219) 33[deg]51.19[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.50[min] W. long.;
    (220) 33[deg]49.85[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.31[min] W long.;
    (221) 33[deg]49.61[min] N lat., 118[deg]28.07[min] W long.;
    (222) 33[deg]49.77[min] N lat., 118[deg]26.34[min] W long.;
    (223) 33[deg]50.36[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.84[min] W. long.;
    (224) 33[deg]49.92[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.05[min] W. long.;
    (225) 33[deg]48.70[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.70[min] W. long.;
    (226) 33[deg]47.72[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.48[min] W. long.;
    (227) 33[deg]44.07[min] N lat., 118[deg]25.28[min] W long.;
    (228) 33[deg]41.62[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.31[min] W. long.;
    (229) 33[deg]38.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]15.85[min] W. long.;
    (230) 33[deg]37.53[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.82[min] W. long.;
    (231) 33[deg]35.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.75[min] W. long.;
    (232) 33[deg]33.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]11.37[min] W. long.;
    (233) 33[deg]33.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]07.94[min] W. long.;
    (234) 33[deg]35.59[min] N. lat., 118[deg]05.05[min] W. long.;
    (235) 33[deg]33.67[min] N. lat., 117[deg]59.98[min] W. long.;

[[Page 107]]

    (236) 33[deg]34.98[min] N. lat., 117[deg]55.66[min] W. long.;
    (237) 33[deg]34.84[min] N. lat., 117[deg]53.83[min] W. long.;
    (238) 33[deg]31.43[min] N. lat., 117[deg]48.76[min] W. long.;
    (239) 33[deg]16.61[min] N. lat., 117[deg]34.49[min] W. long.;
    (240) 33[deg]07.43[min] N. lat., 117[deg]22.40[min] W. long.;
    (241) 33[deg]02.93[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.12[min] W. long.;
    (242) 33[deg]02.09[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.28[min] W. long.;
    (243) 32[deg]59.91[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.28[min] W. long.;
    (244) 32[deg]57.27[min] N. lat., 117[deg]18.82[min] W. long.;
    (245) 32[deg]56.17[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.43[min] W. long.;
    (246) 32[deg]55.22[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.09[min] W. long.;
    (247) 32[deg]54.30[min] N. lat., 117[deg]17.13[min] W. long.;
    (248) 32[deg]52.89[min] N. lat., 117[deg]17.03[min] W. long.;
    (249) 32[deg]52.61[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.50[min] W. long.;
    (250) 32[deg]50.85[min] N. lat., 117[deg]21.14[min] W. long.;
    (251) 32[deg]47.11[min] N. lat., 117[deg]22.95[min] W. long.;
    (252) 32[deg]45.66[min] N. lat., 117[deg]22.60[min] W. long.;
    (253) 32[deg]42.99[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.70[min] W. long.;
    (254) 32[deg]40.72[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.23[min] W. long.;
    (255) 32[deg]38.11[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.59[min] W. long.; and
    (256) 32[deg]33.83[min] N. lat., 117[deg]19.18[min] W. long.
    (k) The 75 fm (137 m) depth contour around the northern Channel 
Islands off the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]10.82[min] N. lat., 120[deg]33.26[min] W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]11.78[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.12[min] W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]08.65[min] N. lat., 120[deg]18.46[min] W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]07.01[min] N. lat., 120[deg]10.46[min] W. long.;
    (5) 34[deg]06.56[min] N. lat., 120[deg]04.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 34[deg]08.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.01[min] W. long.;
    (7) 34[deg]05.18[min] N. lat., 119[deg]37.94[min] W. long.;
    (8) 34[deg]05.22[min] N. lat., 119[deg]35.52[min] W. long.;
    (9) 34[deg]05.12[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.74[min] W. long.;
    (10) 34[deg]04.32[min] N. lat., 119[deg]27.32[min] W. long.;
    (11) 34[deg]02.32[min] N. lat., 119[deg]18.46[min] W. long.;
    (12) 34[deg]00.95[min] N. lat., 119[deg]18.95[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]59.40[min] N. lat., 119[deg]21.74[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]58.70[min] N. lat., 119[deg]32.21[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]57.77[min] N lat., 119[deg]33.49[min] W long.;
    (16) 33[deg]57.64[min] N lat., 119[deg]35.78[min] W long.;
    (17) 33[deg]56.12[min] N. lat., 119[deg]41.10[min] W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]55.74[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]56.91[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.04[min] W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]59.06[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.38[min] W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]57.82[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.99[min] W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]56.58[min] N. lat., 119[deg]53.75[min] W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]54.43[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.07[min] W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]52.67[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.78[min] W. long.;
    (25) 33[deg]48.33[min] N. lat., 119[deg]55.09[min] W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]47.28[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.30[min] W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]47.36[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.39[min] W. long.;
    (28) 33[deg]49.16[min] N. lat., 120[deg]05.06[min] W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]51.69[min] N lat., 120[deg]07.98[min] W long.;
    (30) 33[deg]58.11[min] N. lat., 120[deg]25.59[min] W. long.;
    (31) 34[deg]02.15[min] N. lat., 120[deg]32.70[min] W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]08.86[min] N. lat., 120[deg]37.12[min] W. long.; and
    (33) 34[deg]10.82[min] N. lat., 120[deg]33.26[min] W. long.
    (l) The 75 fm (137 m) depth contour around San Clemente Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]04.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.54[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.56[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.12[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]55.57[min] N lat., 118[deg]28.84[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]55.02[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.69[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]49.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.88[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]48.32[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.89[min] W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]47.41[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.98[min] W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg]44.39[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.49[min] W. long.;
    (9) 32[deg]47.93[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.90[min] W. long.;
    (10) 32[deg]49.69[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.52[min] W. long.;
    (11) 32[deg]53.57[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.09[min] W. long.;
    (12) 32[deg]55.42[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.17[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]00.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.56[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]03.23[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.16[min] W. long.; and
    (15) 33[deg]04.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.54[min] W. long.
    (m) The 75 fm (137 m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]28.13[min] N lat., 118[deg]38.25[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]29.35[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.23[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]28.94[min] N lat., 118[deg]30.81[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]26.73[min] N lat., 118[deg]27.35[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]26.33[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.37[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]25.42[min] N lat., 118[deg]22.76[min] W long.;
    (7) 33[deg]22.47[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.53[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]19.51[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.82[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]17.07[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.38[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]16.58[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.61[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]18.35[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.86[min] W. long.;

[[Page 108]]

    (12) 33[deg]20.07[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.35[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]21.82[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.09[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]23.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.99[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]24.94[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.29[min] W long.;
    (16) 33[deg]25.67[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.88[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]27.57[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.90[min] W. long.; and
    (18) 33[deg]28.13[min] N lat., 118[deg]38.25[min] W long.;

[69 FR 77051, Dec. 23, 2004, as amended at 71 FR 8500, Feb. 17, 2006; 71 
FR 78672, Dec. 29, 2006; 74 FR 9898, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 
60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 27530, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 
2011; 78 FR 589, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12573, Mar. 10, 2015; 82 FR 9640, 
Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 63992, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019; 87 
FR 77016, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.73  Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the
100 fm (183 m) through 150 fm (274 m) depth contours.

    Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a 
series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides 
coordinates for the 100 fm (183 m) through 150 fm (274 m) depth 
contours.
    (a) The 100-fm (183-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]14.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]09.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.50[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]08.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]05.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.25[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]02.60[min] N. lat., 125[deg]34.70[min] W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]59.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]34.00[min] W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]57.26[min] N. lat., 125[deg]29.82[min] W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]59.87[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.81[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]01.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.53[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]02.08[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.98[min] W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]02.97[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.89[min] W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]04.47[min] N. lat., 125[deg]21.75[min] W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]06.11[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.33[min] W. long.;
    (16) 48[deg]07.95[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.55[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]09.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.00[min] W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.81[min] W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]11.31[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.55[min] W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]14.60[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.46[min] W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]16.67[min] N. lat., 125[deg]14.34[min] W. long.;
    (22) 48[deg]18.73[min] N. lat., 125[deg]14.41[min] W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]19.67[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.70[min] W. long.;
    (24) 48[deg]19.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]11.13[min] W. long.;
    (25) 48[deg]22.95[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.79[min] W. long.;
    (26) 48[deg]21.61[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.54[min] W. long.;
    (27) 48[deg]23.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.34[min] W. long.;
    (28) 48[deg]17.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.50[min] W. long.;
    (29) 48[deg]06.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (30) 48[deg]04.62[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.73[min] W. long.;
    (31) 48[deg]04.84[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.03[min] W. long.;
    (32) 48[deg]06.41[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.51[min] W. long.;
    (33) 48[deg]06.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]08.00[min] W. long.;
    (34) 48[deg]07.08[min] N. lat., 125[deg]09.34[min] W. long.;
    (35) 48[deg]07.28[min] N. lat., 125[deg]11.14[min] W. long.;
    (36) 48[deg]03.45[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.66[min] W. long.;
    (37) 48[deg]02.35[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.30[min] W. long.;
    (38) 48[deg]02.35[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.07[min] W. long.;
    (39) 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.30[min] W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]59.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.88[min] W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]58.68[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.19[min] W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]56.62[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.50[min] W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]53.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]11.96[min] W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]51.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]09.38[min] W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]49.95[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.07[min] W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]49.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]03.00[min] W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]46.95[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.00[min] W. long.;
    (48) 47[deg]46.58[min] N. lat., 125[deg]03.15[min] W. long.;
    (49) 47[deg]44.07[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.28[min] W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]43.32[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.41[min] W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]40.95[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.14[min] W. long.;
    (52) 47[deg]39.58[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.97[min] W. long.;
    (53) 47[deg]36.23[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.77[min] W. long.;
    (54) 47[deg]34.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.66[min] W. long.;
    (55) 47[deg]32.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.77[min] W. long.;
    (56) 47[deg]30.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.16[min] W. long.;
    (57) 47[deg]30.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.80[min] W. long.;
    (58) 47[deg]29.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.21[min] W. long.;
    (59) 47[deg]28.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.65[min] W. long.;
    (60) 47[deg]27.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.34[min] W. long.;
    (61) 47[deg]25.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.26[min] W. long.;
    (62) 47[deg]23.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.42[min] W. long.;
    (63) 47[deg]20.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.91[min] W. long.;
    (64) 47[deg]17.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.59[min] W. long.;
    (65) 47[deg]18.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.12[min] W. long.;
    (66) 47[deg]15.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.09[min] W. long.;
    (67) 47[deg]12.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.89[min] W. long.;
    (68) 47[deg]08.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.53[min] W. long.;
    (69) 47[deg]08.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.74[min] W. long.;
    (70) 47[deg]01.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.95[min] W. long.;
    (71) 47[deg]01.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.22[min] W. long.;
    (72) 46[deg]58.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.81[min] W. long.;
    (73) 46[deg]56.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.03[min] W. long.;
    (74) 46[deg]58.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.09[min] W. long.;
    (75) 46[deg]55.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.14[min] W. long.;
    (76) 46[deg]59.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.79[min] W. long.;
    (77) 46[deg]58.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.78[min] W. long.;
    (78) 46[deg]54.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.36[min] W. long.;
    (79) 46[deg]53.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.95[min] W. long.;
    (80) 46[deg]54.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.73[min] W. long.;
    (81) 46[deg]52.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.02[min] W. long.;
    (82) 46[deg]48.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.17[min] W. long.;
    (83) 46[deg]41.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.00[min] W. long.;
    (84) 46[deg]34.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.50[min] W. long.;
    (85) 46[deg]29.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.00[min] W. long.;
    (86) 46[deg]20.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.50[min] W. long.;

[[Page 109]]

    (87) 46[deg]18.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.70[min] W. long.;
    (88) 46[deg]18.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.46[min] W. long.;
    (89) 46[deg]17.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.50[min] W. long.;
    (90) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.62[min] W. long.;
    (91) 46[deg]13.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.49[min] W. long.;
    (92) 46[deg]12.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.74[min] W. long.;
    (93) 46[deg]10.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.96[min] W. long.;
    (94) 46[deg]09.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.01[min] W. long.;
    (95) 46[deg]02.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.37[min] W. long.;
    (96) 45[deg]56.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (97) 45[deg]51.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.50[min] W. long.;
    (98) 45[deg]47.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.58[min] W. long.;
    (99) 45[deg]46.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.36[min] W. long.;
    (100) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.10[min] W. long.;
    (101) 45[deg]41.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.12[min] W. long.;
    (102) 45[deg]36.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.47[min] W. long.;
    (103) 45[deg]31.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.04[min] W. long.;
    (104) 45[deg]27.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.74[min] W. long.;
    (105) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.54[min] W. long.;
    (106) 45[deg]18.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.59[min] W. long.;
    (107) 45[deg]11.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.97[min] W. long.;
    (108) 45[deg]04.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.35[min] W. long.;
    (109) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.60[min] W. long.;
    (110) 44[deg]58.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.58[min] W. long.;
    (111) 44[deg]47.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.41[min] W. long.;
    (112) 44[deg]44.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.58[min] W. long.;
    (113) 44[deg]39.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.00[min] W. long.;
    (114) 44[deg]32.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.81[min] W. long.;
    (115) 44[deg]30.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.56[min] W. long.;
    (116) 44[deg]30.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.31[min] W. long.;
    (117) 44[deg]26.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.91[min] W. long.;
    (118) 44[deg]17.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.04[min] W. long.;
    (119) 44[deg]12.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.28[min] W. long.;
    (120) 44[deg]02.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.46[min] W. long.;
    (121) 43[deg]59.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.94[min] W. long.;
    (122) 43[deg]56.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.74[min] W. long.;
    (123) 43[deg]56.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.41[min] W. long.;
    (124) 43[deg]55.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.21[min] W. long.;
    (125) 43[deg]54.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.23[min] W. long.;
    (126) 43[deg]55.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.11[min] W. long.;
    (127) 43[deg]57.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.68[min] W. long.;
    (128) 43[deg]56.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.61[min] W. long.;
    (129) 43[deg]42.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.41[min] W. long.;
    (130) 43[deg]30.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.43[min] W. long.;
    (131) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.39[min] W. long.;
    (132) 43[deg]17.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.16[min] W. long.;
    (133) 43[deg]07.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.25[min] W. long.;
    (134) 43[deg]03.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.36[min] W. long.;
    (135) 43[deg]03.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.81[min] W. long.;
    (136) 42[deg]55.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.79[min] W. long.;
    (137) 42[deg]54.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.36[min] W. long.;
    (138) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.33[min] W. long.;
    (139) 42[deg]44.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.38[min] W. long.;
    (140) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.71[min] W. long.;
    (141) 42[deg]38.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.25[min] W. long.;
    (142) 42[deg]33.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.38[min] W. long.;
    (143) 42[deg]31.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.04[min] W. long.;
    (144) 42[deg]30.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.67[min] W. long.;
    (145) 42[deg]28.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.08[min] W. long.;
    (146) 42[deg]25.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.51[min] W. long.;
    (147) 42[deg]19.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.91[min] W. long.;
    (148) 42[deg]16.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.11[min] W. long.;
    (149) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.81[min] W. long.;
    (150) 42[deg]05.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.92[min] W. long.;
    (151) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.27[min] W. long.;

[[Page 110]]

    (152) 41[deg]47.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.64[min] W. long.;
    (153) 41[deg]32.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.79[min] W. long.;
    (154) 41[deg]24.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.46[min] W. long.;
    (155) 41[deg]10.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.50[min] W. long.;
    (156) 40[deg]51.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.38[min] W. long.;
    (157) 40[deg]43.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.89[min] W. long.;
    (158) 40[deg]40.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.90[min] W. long.;
    (159) 40[deg]39.44[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.08[min] W long.;
    (160) 40[deg]37.08[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.29[min] W long.;
    (161) 40[deg]34.76[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.82[min] W long.;
    (162) 40[deg]36.78[min] N lat., 124[deg]37.06[min] W long.;
    (163) 40[deg]32.44[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.58[min] W long.;
    (164) 40[deg]30.37[min] N lat., 124[deg]37.30[min] W long.;
    (165) 40[deg]28.48[min] N lat., 124[deg]36.95[min] W long.;
    (166) 40[deg]24.82[min] N lat., 124[deg]35.12[min] W long.;
    (167) 40[deg]23.30[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.60[min] W long.;
    (168) 40[deg]23.52[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.78[min] W long.;
    (169) 40[deg]22.43[min] N lat., 124[deg]25.00[min] W long.;
    (170) 40[deg]21.72[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.94[min] W long.;
    (171) 40[deg]21.87[min] N lat., 124[deg]27.96[min] W long.;
    (172) 40[deg]21.40[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.74[min] W long.;
    (173) 40[deg]19.68[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.49[min] W long.;
    (174) 40[deg]17.73[min] N lat., 124[deg]25.43[min] W long.;
    (175) 40[deg]18.37[min] N lat., 124[deg]23.35[min] W long.;
    (176) 40[deg]15.75[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.05[min] W long.;
    (177) 40[deg]16.75[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.71[min] W long.;
    (178) 40[deg]16.29[min] N lat., 124[deg]34.36[min] W long.;
    (179) 40[deg]10.13[min] N lat., 124[deg]21.92[min] W long.;
    (180) 40[deg]07.70[min] N lat., 124[deg]18.44[min] W long.;
    (181) 40[deg]08.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]15.86[min] W long.;
    (182) 40[deg]06.39[min] N lat., 124[deg]17.26[min] W long.;
    (183) 40[deg]03.15[min] N lat., 124[deg]14.43[min] W long.;
    (184) 40[deg]02.19[min] N lat., 124[deg]12.85[min] W long.;
    (185) 40[deg]02.89[min] N lat., 124[deg]11.78[min] W long.;
    (186) 40[deg]02.78[min] N lat., 124[deg]10.70[min] W long.;
    (187) 40[deg]04.57[min] N lat., 124[deg]10.08[min] W long.;
    (188) 40[deg]06.06[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.30[min] W long.;
    (189) 40[deg]04.05[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.93[min] W long.;
    (190) 40[deg]01.17[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.80[min] W long.;
    (191) 40[deg]01.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]09.96[min] W long.;
    (192) 39[deg]58.07[min] N lat., 124[deg]11.81[min] W long.;
    (193) 39[deg]56.39[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.69[min] W long.;
    (194) 39[deg]54.64[min] N lat., 124[deg]07.30[min] W long.;
    (195) 39[deg]53.86[min] N lat., 124[deg]07.95[min] W long.;
    (196) 39[deg]51.95[min] N lat., 124[deg]07.63[min] W long.;
    (197) 39[deg]48.78[min] N lat., 124[deg]03.29[min] W long.;
    (198) 39[deg]47.36[min] N lat., 124[deg]03.31[min] W long.;
    (199) 39[deg]40.08[min] N lat., 123[deg]58.37[min] W long.;
    (200) 39[deg]36.16[min] N lat., 123[deg]56.90[min] W long.;
    (201) 39[deg]30.75[min] N lat., 123[deg]55.86[min] W long.;
    (202) 39[deg]31.62[min] N lat., 123[deg]57.33[min] W long.;
    (203) 39[deg]30.91[min] N lat., 123[deg]57.88[min] W long.;
    (204) 39[deg]01.79[min] N lat., 123[deg]56.59[min] W long.;
    (205) 38[deg]59.42[min] N lat., 123[deg]55.67[min] W long.;
    (206) 38[deg]58.89[min] N lat., 123[deg]56.28[min] W long.;
    (207) 38[deg]57.50[min] N lat., 123[deg]56.28[min] W long.;
    (208) 38[deg]54.72[min] N lat., 123[deg]55.68[min] W long.;
    (209) 38[deg]48.95[min] N lat., 123[deg]51.85[min] W long.;
    (210) 38[deg]36.67[min] N lat., 123[deg]40.20[min] W long.;
    (211) 38[deg]33.82[min] N lat., 123[deg]39.23[min] W long.;
    (212) 38[deg]29.02[min] N lat., 123[deg]33.52[min] W long.;
    (213) 38[deg]18.88[min] N lat., 123[deg]25.93[min] W long.;
    (214) 38[deg]14.12[min] N lat., 123[deg]23.26[min] W long.;
    (215) 38[deg]11.07[min] N lat., 123[deg]22.07[min] W long.;
    (216) 38[deg]03.18[min] N lat., 123[deg]20.77[min] W long.;
    (217) 38[deg]00.00[min] N lat., 123[deg]23.08[min] W long.;
    (218) 37[deg]55.07[min] N lat., 123[deg]26.81[min] W long.;
    (219) 37[deg]50.66[min] N lat., 123[deg]23.06[min] W long.;
    (220) 37[deg]45.18[min] N lat., 123[deg]11.88[min] W long.;
    (221) 37[deg]35.67[min] N lat., 123[deg]01.20[min] W long.;
    (222) 37[deg]26.81[min] N lat., 122[deg]55.57[min] W long.;
    (223) 37[deg]26.78[min] N lat., 122[deg]53.91[min] W long.;
    (224) 37[deg]25.74[min] N lat., 122[deg]54.13[min] W long.;
    (225) 37[deg]25.33[min] N lat., 122[deg]53.59[min] W long.;
    (226) 37[deg]25.29[min] N lat., 122[deg]52.57[min] W long.;
    (227) 37[deg]24.50[min] N lat., 122[deg]52.09[min] W long.;
    (228) 37[deg]23.25[min] N lat., 122[deg]53.12[min] W long.;
    (229) 37[deg]15.58[min] N lat., 122[deg]48.36[min] W long.;
    (230) 37[deg]11.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]44.50[min] W long.;
    (231) 37[deg]07.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]41.25[min] W long.;
    (232) 37[deg]03.18[min] N lat., 122[deg]38.15[min] W long.;
    (233) 37[deg]00.48[min] N lat., 122[deg]33.93[min] W long.;
    (234) 36[deg]58.70[min] N lat., 122[deg]27.22[min] W long.;
    (235) 37[deg]00.85[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.70[min] W long.;
    (236) 36[deg]58.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.14[min] W long.;
    (237) 36[deg]58.74[min] N lat., 122[deg]21.51[min] W long.;
    (238) 36[deg]56.97[min] N lat., 122[deg]21.32[min] W long.;
    (239) 36[deg]51.52[min] N lat., 122[deg]10.68[min] W long.;
    (240) 36[deg]48.39[min] N lat., 122[deg]07.60[min] W long.;
    (241) 36[deg]47.43[min] N lat., 122[deg]03.22[min] W long.;
    (242) 36[deg]50.95[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.03[min] W long.;
    (243) 36[deg]49.92[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.01[min] W long.;
    (244) 36[deg]48.86[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.80[min] W long.;
    (245) 36[deg]47.76[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.68[min] W long.;
    (246) 36[deg]48.39[min] N lat., 121[deg]51.10[min] W long.;
    (247) 36[deg]45.74[min] N lat., 121[deg]54.17[min] W long.;
    (248) 36[deg]45.51[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.72[min] W long.;
    (249) 36[deg]38.84[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.32[min] W long.;
    (250) 36[deg]35.62[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.98[min] W long.;
    (251) 36[deg]32.46[min] N lat., 121[deg]59.15[min] W long.;
    (252) 36[deg]32.79[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.67[min] W long.;
    (253) 36[deg]31.98[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.55[min] W long.;
    (254) 36[deg]31.79[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.40[min] W long.;
    (255) 36[deg]30.73[min] N lat., 121[deg]59.70[min] W long.;
    (256) 36[deg]30.31[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.22[min] W long.;
    (257) 36[deg]29.35[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.28[min] W long.;
    (258) 36[deg]27.66[min] N lat., 121[deg]59.80[min] W long.;
    (259) 36[deg]26.22[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.35[min] W long.;
    (260) 36[deg]21.20[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.72[min] W long.;
    (261) 36[deg]20.47[min] N lat., 122[deg]02.92[min] W long.;
    (262) 36[deg]18.46[min] N lat., 122[deg]04.51[min] W long.;

[[Page 111]]

    (263) 36[deg]15.92[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.33[min] W long.;
    (264) 36[deg]13.81[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.40[min] W long.;
    (265) 36[deg]14.43[min] N lat., 121[deg]55.43[min] W long.;
    (266) 36[deg]10.24[min] N lat., 121[deg]43.08[min] W long.;
    (267) 36[deg]07.66[min] N lat., 121[deg]40.91[min] W long.;
    (268) 36[deg]02.49[min] N lat., 121[deg]36.51[min] W long.;
    (269) 36[deg]01.08[min] N lat., 121[deg]36.63[min] W long.;
    (270) 36[deg]00.00[min] N lat., 121[deg]35.41[min] W long.;
    (271) 35[deg]57.84[min] N lat., 121[deg]32.81[min] W long.;
    (272) 35[deg]50.36[min] N lat., 121[deg]29.32[min] W long.;
    (273) 35[deg]39.03[min] N lat., 121[deg]22.86[min] W long.;
    (274) 35[deg]24.27[min] N lat., 121[deg]02.74[min] W long.;
    (275) 35[deg]16.53[min] N lat., 121[deg]00.39[min] W long.;
    (276) 35[deg]04.82[min] N lat., 120[deg]53.96[min] W long.;
    (277) 34[deg]52.51[min] N lat., 120[deg]51.62[min] W long.;
    (278) 34[deg]43.36[min] N lat., 120[deg]52.12[min] W long.;
    (279) 34[deg]38.06[min] N lat., 120[deg]49.65[min] W long.;
    (280) 34[deg]30.85[min] N lat., 120[deg]44.76[min] W long.;
    (281) 34[deg]27.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]39.00[min] W long.;
    (282) 34[deg]21.90[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.25[min] W long.;
    (283) 34[deg]24.86[min] N lat., 120[deg]16.81[min] W long.;
    (284) 34[deg]22.80[min] N lat., 119[deg]57.06[min] W long.;
    (285) 34[deg]18.59[min] N lat., 119[deg]44.84[min] W long.;
    (286) 34[deg]15.04[min] N lat., 119[deg]40.34[min] W long.;
    (287) 34[deg]14.40[min] N lat., 119[deg]45.39[min] W long.;
    (288) 34[deg]12.32[min] N lat., 119[deg]42.41[min] W long.;
    (289) 34[deg]09.71[min] N lat., 119[deg]28.85[min] W long.;
    (290) 34[deg]04.70[min] N lat., 119[deg]15.38[min] W long.;
    (291) 34[deg]03.33[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.93[min] W long.;
    (292) 34[deg]02.72[min] N lat., 119[deg]07.01[min] W long.;
    (293) 34[deg]03.90[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.64[min] W long.;
    (294) 34[deg]02.75[min] N lat., 119[deg]02.88[min] W long.;
    (295) 33[deg]59.44[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.43[min] W long.;
    (296) 33[deg]59.12[min] N lat., 118[deg]59.59[min] W long.;
    (297) 33[deg]59.84[min] N lat., 118[deg]57.29[min] W long.;
    (298) 33[deg]58.83[min] N lat., 118[deg]46.69[min] W long.;
    (299) 33[deg]58.73[min] N lat., 118[deg]41.76[min] W long.;
    (300) 33[deg]55.09[min] N lat., 118[deg]34.11[min] W long.;
    (301) 33[deg]54.09[min] N lat., 118[deg]38.42[min] W long.;
    (302) 33[deg]51.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]36.66[min] W long.;
    (303) 33[deg]49.06[min] N lat., 118[deg]31.86[min] W long.;
    (304) 33[deg]49.69[min] N lat., 118[deg]26.49[min] W long.;
    (305) 33[deg]49.35[min] N lat., 118[deg]26.04[min] W long.;
    (306) 33[deg]47.60[min] N lat., 118[deg]31.13[min] W long.;
    (307) 33[deg]39.82[min] N lat., 118[deg]18.31[min] W long.;
    (308) 33[deg]35.68[min] N lat., 118[deg]16.81[min] W long.;
    (309) 33[deg]32.85[min] N lat., 118[deg]09.41[min] W long.;
    (310) 33[deg]35.14[min] N lat., 118[deg]04.95[min] W long.;
    (311) 33[deg]33.56[min] N lat., 118[deg]00.63[min] W long.;
    (312) 33[deg]34.25[min] N lat., 117[deg]53.44[min] W long.;
    (313) 33[deg]31.65[min] N lat., 117[deg]49.21[min] W long.;
    (314) 33[deg]16.07[min] N lat., 117[deg]34.74[min] W long.;
    (315) 33[deg]07.06[min] N lat., 117[deg]22.71[min] W long.;
    (316) 33[deg]02.81[min] N lat., 117[deg]21.17[min] W long.;
    (317) 33[deg]01.76[min] N lat., 117[deg]20.51[min] W long.;
    (318) 32[deg]59.90[min] N lat., 117[deg]19.38[min] W long.;
    (319) 32[deg]57.29[min] N lat., 117[deg]18.94[min] W long.;
    (320) 32[deg]56.15[min] N lat., 117[deg]19.54[min] W long.;
    (321) 32[deg]55.30[min] N lat., 117[deg]19.38[min] W long.;
    (322) 32[deg]54.27[min] N lat., 117[deg]17.17[min] W long.;
    (323) 32[deg]52.94[min] N lat., 117[deg]17.11[min] W long.;
    (324) 32[deg]52.66[min] N lat., 117[deg]19.67[min] W long.;
    (325) 32[deg]50.95[min] N lat., 117[deg]21.17[min] W long.;
    (326) 32[deg]47.11[min] N lat., 117[deg]22.98[min] W long.;
    (327) 32[deg]45.60[min] N lat., 117[deg]22.64[min] W long.;
    (328) 32[deg]42.79[min] N lat., 117[deg]21.16[min] W long.; and
    (329) 32[deg]34.22[min] N lat., 117[deg]21.20[min] W long.
    (b) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour around San Clemente Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]04.80[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.90[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.65[min] N lat., 118[deg]34.08[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]55.80[min] N lat., 118[deg]28.92[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]55.04[min] N lat., 118[deg]27.68[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]49.79[min] N lat., 118[deg]20.87[min] W long.;
    (6) 32[deg]48.05[min] N lat., 118[deg]19.62[min] W long.;
    (7) 32[deg]47.41[min] N lat., 118[deg]21.86[min] W long.;
    (8) 32[deg]44.03[min] N lat., 118[deg]24.70[min] W long.;
    (9) 32[deg]47.81[min] N lat., 118[deg]30.20[min] W long.;
    (10) 32[deg]49.79[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.00[min] W long.;
    (11) 32[deg]53.36[min] N lat., 118[deg]33.23[min] W long.;
    (12) 32[deg]55.13[min] N lat., 118[deg]35.31[min] W long.;
    (13) 33[deg]00.22[min] N lat., 118[deg]38.68[min] W long.;
    (14) 33[deg]03.13[min] N lat., 118[deg]39.59[min] W long.; and
    (15) 33[deg]04.80[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.90[min] W long.
    (c) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island 
off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all 
of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]28.23[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.38[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]29.60[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.11[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]29.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.81[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]26.97[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.57[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]25.68[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]22.67[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.41[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]19.72[min] N. lat., 118[deg]16.25[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]17.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]14.96[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]16.09[min] N. lat., 118[deg]15.46[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]18.14[min] N lat., 118[deg]27.94[min] W long.;
    (11) 33[deg]19.84[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.22[min] W long.;
    (12) 33[deg]20.81[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.91[min] W long.;
    (13) 33[deg]21.94[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.03[min] W long.;
    (14) 33[deg]23.14[min] N lat., 118[deg]30.12[min] W long.;
    (15) 33[deg]24.87[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.45[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]25.30[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.32[min] W. long.; and
    (17) 33[deg]28.23[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.38[min] W. long.
    (d) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour around the northern Channel 
Islands off the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]12.89[min] N lat., 120[deg]29.31[min] W long.;

[[Page 112]]

    (2) 34[deg]10.96[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.19[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]08.74[min] N lat., 120[deg]18.00[min] W long.;
    (4) 34[deg]07.02[min] N lat., 120[deg]10.45[min] W long.;
    (5) 34[deg]06.75[min] N lat., 120[deg]05.09[min] W long.;
    (6) 34[deg]08.15[min] N lat., 119[deg]54.96[min] W long.;
    (7) 34[deg][min]07.17 N lat., 119[deg]48.54[min] W long.;
    (8) 34[deg]05.66[min] N lat., 119[deg]37.58[min] W long.;
    (9) 34[deg]04.76[min] N lat., 119[deg]26.28[min] W long.;
    (10) 34[deg]02.97[min] N lat., 119[deg]16.89[min] W long.;
    (11) 34[deg]00.97[min] N lat., 119[deg]18.78[min] W long.;
    (12) 33[deg]59.38[min] N lat., 119[deg]21.71[min] W long.;
    (13) 33[deg]58.62[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.05[min] W long.;
    (14) 33[deg]57.69[min] N lat., 119[deg]33.38[min] W long.;
    (15) 33[deg]57.40[min] N lat., 119[deg]35.84[min] W long.;
    (16) 33[deg]56.07[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.10[min] W long.
    (17) 33[deg]55.54[min] N lat., 119[deg]47.99[min] W long.;
    (18) 33[deg]56.60[min] N lat., 119[deg]51.40[min] W long.;
    (19) 33[deg]55.56[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.87[min] W long.;
    (20) 33[deg]54.40[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.74[min] W long.;
    (21) 33[deg]52.72[min] N lat., 119[deg]54.62[min] W long.;
    (22) 33[deg]47.95[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.50[min] W long.;
    (23) 33[deg]45.75[min] N lat., 119[deg]51.04[min] W long.;
    (24) 33[deg]40.18[min] N lat., 119[deg]50.36[min] W long.;
    (25) 33[deg]38.19[min] N lat., 119[deg]57.85[min] W long.;
    (26) 33[deg]44.92[min] N lat., 120[deg]02.95[min] W long.;
    (27) 33[deg]48.90[min] N lat., 120[deg]05.34[min] W long.;
    (28) 33[deg]51.64[min] N lat., 120[deg]08.11[min] W long.;
    (29) 33[deg]58.31[min] N lat., 120[deg]27.99[min] W long.;
    (30) 34[deg]03.23[min] N lat., 120[deg]34.34[min] W long.;
    (31) 34[deg]09.42[min] N lat., 120[deg]37.64[min] W long.; and
    (32) 34[deg]12.89[min] N lat., 120[deg]29.31[min] W long.
    (e) The 125-fm (229-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.13[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]13.05[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.43[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]08.62[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.68[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]07.42[min] N. lat., 125[deg]42.38[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]04.20[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.57[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]02.79[min] N. lat., 125[deg]35.55[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]00.48[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.84[min] W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]54.90[min] N. lat., 125[deg]34.79[min] W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]58.37[min] N. lat., 125[deg]26.58[min] W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]59.84[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.20[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]01.85[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.12[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]02.13[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.80[min] W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]03.31[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.46[min] W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]06.83[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.73[min] W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]10.08[min] N. lat., 125[deg]15.56[min] W. long.;
    (16) 48[deg]11.24[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.72[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]12.41[min] N. lat., 125[deg]14.48[min] W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]13.01[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.77[min] W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]13.59[min] N. lat., 125[deg]12.83[min] W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]12.22[min] N. lat., 125[deg]12.28[min] W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]11.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]12.26[min] W. long.;
    (22) 48[deg]10.18[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.44[min] W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]10.18[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.32[min] W. long.;
    (24) 48[deg]15.39[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.83[min] W. long.;
    (25) 48[deg]18.32[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.00[min] W. long.;
    (26) 48[deg]21.67[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.86[min] W. long.;
    (27) 48[deg]25.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.10[min] W. long.;
    (28) 48[deg]26.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.65[min] W. long.;
    (29) 48[deg]24.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.48[min] W. long.;
    (30) 48[deg]23.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.12[min] W. long.;
    (31) 48[deg]21.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.30[min] W. long.;
    (32) 48[deg]20.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.74[min] W. long.;
    (33) 48[deg]19.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.09[min] W. long.;
    (34) 48[deg]22.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.78[min] W. long.;
    (35) 48[deg]22.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.35[min] W. long.;
    (36) 48[deg]22.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.96[min] W. long.;
    (37) 48[deg]21.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.60[min] W. long.;
    (38) 48[deg]18.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.85[min] W. long.;
    (39) 48[deg]15.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.16[min] W. long.;
    (40) 48[deg]11.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.53[min] W. long.;
    (41) 48[deg]06.25[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.06[min] W. long.;
    (42) 48[deg]04.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.80[min] W. long.;
    (43) 48[deg]04.93[min] N. lat., 125[deg]03.92[min] W. long.;
    (44) 48[deg]06.44[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.50[min] W. long.;
    (45) 48[deg]07.34[min] N. lat., 125[deg]09.35[min] W. long.;
    (46) 48[deg]07.62[min] N. lat., 125[deg]11.37[min] W. long.;
    (47) 48[deg]03.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.63[min] W. long.;
    (48) 48[deg]01.35[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.66[min] W. long.;
    (49) 48[deg]00.05[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.66[min] W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]59.51[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.90[min] W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]58.29[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.64[min] W. long.;
    (52) 47[deg]54.67[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.20[min] W. long.;
    (53) 47[deg]53.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]12.53[min] W. long.;
    (54) 47[deg]48.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.72[min] W. long.;
    (55) 47[deg]46.10[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.00[min] W. long.;
    (56) 47[deg]44.60[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.49[min] W. long.;
    (57) 47[deg]42.90[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.72[min] W. long.;
    (58) 47[deg]40.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.68[min] W. long.;
    (59) 47[deg]39.02[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.63[min] W. long.;
    (60) 47[deg]34.86[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.11[min] W. long.;
    (61) 47[deg]31.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.11[min] W. long.;
    (62) 47[deg]29.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.71[min] W. long.;
    (63) 47[deg]29.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.23[min] W. long.;
    (64) 47[deg]28.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.34[min] W. long.;
    (65) 47[deg]25.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.20[min] W. long.;
    (66) 47[deg]23.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.15[min] W. long.;
    (67) 47[deg]18.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.74[min] W. long.;
    (68) 47[deg]18.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.51[min] W. long.;
    (69) 47[deg]18.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.58[min] W. long.;
    (70) 47[deg]17.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.45[min] W. long.;
    (71) 47[deg]16.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.92[min] W. long.;
    (72) 47[deg]15.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.62[min] W. long.;
    (73) 47[deg]14.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.49[min] W. long.;
    (74) 47[deg]11.32[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.19[min] W. long.;
    (75) 47[deg]09.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.46[min] W. long.;
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    (77) 47[deg]05.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.26[min] W. long.;
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    (79) 47[deg]02.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.15[min] W. long.;
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    (81) 46[deg]58.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.83[min] W. long.;
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    (84) 46[deg]54.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.14[min] W. long.;
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    (87) 46[deg]54.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.87[min] W. long.;
    (88) 46[deg]49.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.77[min] W. long.;
    (89) 46[deg]40.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.34[min] W. long.;
    (90) 46[deg]39.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.21[min] W. long.;
    (91) 46[deg]34.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.63[min] W. long.;
    (92) 46[deg]33.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.10[min] W. long.;
    (93) 46[deg]25.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.57[min] W. long.;
    (94) 46[deg]21.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.36[min] W. long.;
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    (97) 46[deg]17.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.10[min] W. long.;
    (98) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.17[min] W. long.;
    (99) 46[deg]13.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.70[min] W. long.;
    (100) 46[deg]12.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.04[min] W. long.;
    (101) 46[deg]11.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.68[min] W. long.;
    (102) 46[deg]09.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.91[min] W. long.;
    (103) 46[deg]03.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.03[min] W. long.;
    (104) 46[deg]01.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.06[min] W. long.;
    (105) 46[deg]00.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.26[min] W. long.;
    (106) 45[deg]52.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.62[min] W. long.;
    (107) 45[deg]49.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.14[min] W. long.;
    (108) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.92[min] W. long.;
    (109) 45[deg]45.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.39[min] W. long.;
    (110) 45[deg]43.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.77[min] W. long.;
    (111) 45[deg]34.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.58[min] W. long.;
    (112) 45[deg]19.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.34[min] W. long.;
    (113) 45[deg]12.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.34[min] W. long.;
    (114) 45[deg]07.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.73[min] W. long.;
    (115) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.20[min] W. long.;
    (116) 44[deg]59.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.91[min] W. long.;
    (117) 44[deg]54.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.84[min] W. long.;
    (118) 44[deg]51.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.41[min] W. long.;
    (119) 44[deg]49.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.37[min] W. long.;
    (120) 44[deg]47.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.43[min] W. long.;
    (121) 44[deg]41.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.52[min] W. long.;
    (122) 44[deg]31.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.11[min] W. long.;
    (123) 44[deg]30.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.03[min] W. long.;
    (124) 44[deg]27.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.13[min] W. long.;
    (125) 44[deg]24.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.42[min] W. long.;
    (126) 44[deg]19.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.17[min] W. long.;
    (127) 44[deg]17.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.52[min] W. long.;
    (128) 44[deg]13.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.45[min] W. long.;
    (129) 44[deg]12.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.53[min] W. long.;
    (130) 44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.17[min] W. long.;
    (131) 44[deg]07.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.19[min] W. long.;
    (132) 44[deg]04.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.31[min] W. long.;
    (133) 44[deg]01.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.07[min] W. long.;
    (134) 43[deg]59.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.22[min] W. long.;
    (135) 43[deg]57.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.31[min] W. long.;
    (136) 43[deg]55.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.41[min] W. long.;
    (137) 43[deg]54.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.15[min] W. long.;
    (138) 43[deg]54.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.18[min] W. long.;
    (139) 43[deg]53.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.41[min] W. long.;
    (140) 43[deg]53.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.45[min] W. long.;
    (141) 43[deg]53.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (142) 43[deg]47.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.18[min] W. long.;
    (143) 43[deg]39.32[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.14[min] W. long.;
    (144) 43[deg]32.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.26[min] W. long.;
    (145) 43[deg]30.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.89[min] W. long.;
    (146) 43[deg]27.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.42[min] W. long.;
    (147) 43[deg]23.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.66[min] W. long.;
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    (149) 43[deg]10.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.54[min] W. long.;
    (150) 43[deg]04.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.51[min] W. long.;
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    (154) 42[deg]56.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.38[min] W. long.;
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    (170) 41[deg]47.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.67[min] W. long.;
    (171) 41[deg]32.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.01[min] W. long.;
    (172) 41[deg]22.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.66[min] W. long.;
    (173) 41[deg]13.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.88[min] W. long.;
    (174) 41[deg]06.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.02[min] W. long.;
    (175) 40[deg]50.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.58[min] W. long.;
    (176) 40[deg]44.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.43[min] W. long.;
    (177) 40[deg]40.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.75[min] W. long.;
    (178) 40[deg]37.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.17[min] W. long.;
    (179) 40[deg]35.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.03[min] W. long.;
    (180) 40[deg]37.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.10[min] W. long.;
    (181) 40[deg]35.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.58[min] W. long.;
    (182) 40[deg]31.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.97[min] W. long.;
    (183) 40[deg]30.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.52[min] W. long.;
    (184) 40[deg]28.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.16[min] W. long.;
    (185) 40[deg]24.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.39[min] W. long.;
    (186) 40[deg]23.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.87[min] W. long.;
    (187) 40[deg]23.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.65[min] W. long.;
    (188) 40[deg]22.32[min] N lat., 124[deg]25.15[min] W long.;
    (189) 40[deg]21.85[min] N lat., 124[deg]25.09[min] W long.;
    (190) 40[deg]21.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.97[min] W. long.;
    (191) 40[deg]21.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.03[min] W. long.;
    (192) 40[deg]19.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.71[min] W. long.;
    (193) 40[deg]18.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.26[min] W. long.;
    (194) 40[deg]17.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.49[min] W. long.;
    (195) 40[deg]18.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.63[min] W. long.;
    (196) 40[deg]15.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.00[min] W. long.;
    (197) 40[deg]17.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.01[min] W. long.;
    (198) 40[deg]15.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.91[min] W. long.;
    (199) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.00[min] W. long.;
    (200) 40[deg]07.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.64[min] W. long.;
    (201) 40[deg]08.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.24[min] W. long.;
    (202) 40[deg]06.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.54[min] W. long.;
    (203) 40[deg]03.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.30[min] W. long.;
    (204) 40[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.97[min] W. long.;
    (205) 40[deg]02.67[min] N lat., 124[deg]11.83[min] W long.;
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    (209) 40[deg]01.23[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.91[min] W long.;
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    (268) 36[deg]48.89[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.90[min] W long.;
    (269) 36[deg]47.70[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.76[min] W long.;
    (270) 36[deg]48.37[min] N lat., 121[deg]51.15[min] W long.;
    (271) 36[deg]45.74[min] N lat., 121[deg]54.18[min] W long.;
    (272) 36[deg]45.52[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.74[min] W long.;
    (273) 36[deg]44.02[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.55[min] W long.;
    (274) 36[deg]38.84[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.44[min] W long.;
    (275) 36[deg]35.62[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.06[min] W long.;
    (276) 36[deg]32.41[min] N lat., 121[deg]59.18[min] W long.;
    (277) 36[deg]32.52[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.62[min] W long.;
    (278) 36[deg]30.16[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.55[min] W long.;
    (279) 36[deg]24.56[min] N lat., 121[deg]59.19[min] W long.;
    (280) 36[deg]22.19[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.30[min] W long.;
    (281) 36[deg]20.62[min] N lat., 122[deg]02.93[min] W long.;
    (282) 36[deg]18.89[min] N lat., 122[deg]05.18[min] W long.;
    (283) 36[deg]14.45[min] N lat., 121[deg]59.44[min] W long.;
    (284) 36[deg]13.66[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.17[min] W long.;
    (285) 36[deg]14.35[min] N lat., 121[deg]55.38[min] W long.;
    (286) 36[deg]10.18[min] N lat., 121[deg]43.26[min] W long.;
    (287) 36[deg]07.67[min] N lat., 121[deg]40.92[min] W long.;
    (288) 36[deg]02.51[min] N lat., 121[deg]36.76[min] W long.;
    (289) 36[deg]01.04[min] N lat., 121[deg]36.68[min] W long.;
    (290) 35[deg]59.96[min] N lat., 121[deg]35.39[min] W long.;
    (291) 35[deg]57.84[min] N lat., 121[deg]33.10[min] W long.;
    (292) 35[deg]45.57[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.26[min] W long.;
    (293) 35[deg]39.02[min] N lat., 121[deg]22.86[min] W long.;
    (294) 35[deg]25.92[min] N lat., 121[deg]05.52[min] W long.;
    (295) 35[deg]16.26[min] N lat., 121[deg]01.50[min] W long.;
    (296) 35[deg]07.60[min] N lat., 120[deg]56.49[min] W long.;
    (297) 34[deg]57.77[min] N lat., 120[deg]53.87[min] W long.;
    (298) 34[deg]42.30[min] N lat., 120[deg]53.42[min] W long.;
    (299) 34[deg]37.69[min] N lat., 120[deg]50.04[min] W long.;
    (300) 34[deg]30.13[min] N lat., 120[deg]44.45[min] W long.;
    (301) 34[deg]27.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]39.24[min] W long.;
    (302) 34[deg]24.71[min] N lat., 120[deg]35.37[min] W long.;
    (303) 34[deg]21.63[min] N lat., 120[deg]24.86[min] W long.;
    (304) 34[deg]24.39[min] N lat., 120[deg]16.65[min] W long.;
    (305) 34[deg]22.48[min] N lat., 119[deg]56.42[min] W long.;
    (306) 34[deg]18.54[min] N lat., 119[deg]46.26[min] W long.;
    (307) 34[deg]16.37[min] N lat., 119[deg]45.12[min] W long.;
    (308) 34[deg]15.91[min] N lat., 119[deg]47.29[min] W long.;
    (309) 34[deg]13.80[min] N lat., 119[deg]45.40[min] W long.;
    (310) 34[deg]11.69[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.80[min] W long.;
    (311) 34[deg]09.98[min] N lat., 119[deg]31.87[min] W long.;
    (312) 34[deg]08.12[min] N lat., 119[deg]27.71[min] W long.;
    (313) 34[deg]06.35[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.65[min] W long.;
    (314) 34[deg]06.80[min] N lat., 119[deg]40.08[min] W long.;
    (315) 34[deg]07.48[min] N lat., 119[deg]47.54[min] W long.;
    (316) 34[deg]08.21[min] N lat., 119[deg]54.90[min] W long.;
    (317) 34[deg]06.85[min] N lat., 120[deg]05.60[min] W long.;
    (318) 34[deg]07.06[min] N lat., 120[deg]10.42[min] W long.;
    (319) 34[deg]08.93[min] N lat., 120[deg]18.34[min] W long.;
    (320) 34[deg]11.04[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.20[min] W long.;
    (321) 34[deg]13.01[min] N lat., 120[deg]29.29[min] W long.;
    (322) 34[deg]09.41[min] N lat., 120[deg]37.69[min] W long.;
    (323) 34[deg]03.20[min] N lat., 120[deg]34.52[min] W long.;
    (324) 33[deg]58.07[min] N lat., 120[deg]28.33[min] W long.;
    (325) 33[deg]53.37[min] N lat., 120[deg]14.43[min] W long.;
    (326) 33[deg]50.53[min] N lat., 120[deg]07.20[min] W long.;
    (327) 33[deg]45.88[min] N lat., 120[deg]04.26[min] W long.;
    (328) 33[deg]38.19[min] N lat., 119[deg]57.85[min] W long.;
    (329) 33[deg]38.19[min] N lat., 119[deg]50.42[min] W long.;
    (330) 33[deg]42.36[min] N lat., 119[deg]49.60[min] W long.;

[[Page 116]]

    (331) 33[deg]53.95[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.81[min] W long.;
    (332) 33[deg]55.99[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.40[min] W long.;
    (333) 33[deg]58.48[min] N lat., 119[deg]27.90[min] W long.;
    (334) 33[deg]59.24[min] N lat., 119[deg]23.61[min] W long.;
    (335) 33[deg]59.35[min] N lat., 119[deg]21.71[min] W long.;
    (336) 33[deg]59.94[min] N lat., 119[deg]19.57[min] W long.;
    (337) 34[deg]04.48[min] N lat., 119[deg]15.32[min] W long.;
    (338) 34[deg]02.80[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.95[min] W long.;
    (339) 34[deg]02.39[min] N lat., 119[deg]07.17[min] W long.;
    (340) 34[deg]03.75[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.72[min] W long.;
    (341) 34[deg]01.82[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.24[min] W long.;
    (342) 33[deg]59.33[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.49[min] W long.;
    (343) 33[deg]59.01[min] N lat., 118[deg]59.56[min] W long.;
    (344) 33[deg]59.51[min] N lat., 118[deg]57.25[min] W long.;
    (345) 33[deg]58.83[min] N lat., 118[deg]52.50[min] W long.;
    (346) 33[deg]58.55[min] N lat., 118[deg]41.86[min] W long.;
    (347) 33[deg]55.10[min] N lat., 118[deg]34.25[min] W long.;
    (348) 33[deg]54.30[min] N lat., 118[deg]38.71[min] W long.;
    (349) 33[deg]50.88[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.02[min] W long.;
    (350) 33[deg]48.70[min] N lat., 118[deg]31.99[min] W long.;
    (351) 33[deg]48.87[min] N lat., 118[deg]29.47[min] W long.;
    (352) 33[deg]48.37[min] N lat., 118[deg]29.40[min] W long.;
    (353) 33[deg]47.63[min] N lat., 118[deg]31.57[min] W long.;
    (354) 33[deg]39.78[min] N lat., 118[deg]18.40[min] W long.;
    (355) 33[deg]35.50[min] N lat., 118[deg]16.85[min] W long.;
    (356) 33[deg]32.46[min] N lat., 118[deg]10.90[min] W long.;
    (357) 33[deg]32.81[min] N lat., 118[deg]07.30[min] W long.;
    (358) 33[deg]34.38[min] N lat., 118[deg]05.94[min] W long.;
    (359) 33[deg]34.42[min] N lat., 118[deg]03.95[min] W long.;
    (360) 33[deg]33.40[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.26[min] W long.;
    (361) 33[deg]34.11[min] N lat., 117[deg]54.07[min] W long.;
    (362) 33[deg]31.61[min] N lat., 117[deg]49.30[min] W long.;
    (363) 33[deg]16.36[min] N lat., 117[deg]35.48[min] W long.;
    (364) 33[deg]06.81[min] N lat., 117[deg]22.93[min] W long.;
    (365) 32[deg]59.28[min] N lat., 117[deg]19.69[min] W long.;
    (366) 32[deg]55.37[min] N lat., 117[deg]19.55[min] W long.;
    (367) 32[deg]53.12[min] N lat., 117[deg]17.49[min] W long.;
    (368) 32[deg]52.56[min] N lat., 117[deg]20.75[min] W long.;
    (369) 32[deg]46.42[min] N lat., 117[deg]23.45[min] W long.;
    (370) 32[deg]42.71[min] N lat., 117[deg]21.45[min] W long.; and
    (371) 32[deg]34.54[min] N lat., 117[deg]23.04[min] W long.
    (f) The 125 fm (229 m) depth contour around San Clemente Island off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]04.86[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.89[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.67[min] N lat., 118[deg]34.07[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]55.97[min] N lat., 118[deg]28.95[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]55.06[min] N lat., 118[deg]27.66[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]49.79[min] N lat., 118[deg]20.84[min] W long.;
    (6) 32[deg]48.02[min] N lat., 118[deg]19.49[min] W long.;
    (7) 32[deg]47.37[min] N lat., 118[deg]21.72[min] W long.;
    (8) 32[deg]43.58[min] N lat., 118[deg]24.54[min] W long.;
    (9) 32[deg]47.74[min] N lat., 118[deg]30.39[min] W long.;
    (10) 32[deg]49.74[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.11[min] W long.;
    (11) 32[deg]53.36[min] N lat., 118[deg]33.44[min] W long.;
    (12) 32[deg]54.89[min] N lat., 118[deg]35.37[min] W long.;
    (13) 33[deg]00.20[min] N lat., 118[deg]38.72[min] W long.;
    (14) 33[deg]03.15[min] N lat., 118[deg]39.80[min] W long.; and
    (15) 33[deg]04.86[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.89[min] W long.;
    (g) The 125 fm (229 m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island 
off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all 
of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]28.42[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.85[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]29.99[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.14[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]29.47[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.66[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]29.31[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.53[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]27.24[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.71[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]25.77[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.57[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]23.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.27[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]17.61[min] N. lat., 118[deg]13.61[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]16.16[min] N. lat., 118[deg]13.98[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]15.86[min] N. lat., 118[deg]15.27[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]18.11[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.96[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]19.85[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.25[min] W long.;
    (13) 33[deg]20.82[min] N lat., 118[deg]32.98[min] W long.;
    (14) 33[deg]21.99[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.04[min] W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]23.09[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.37[min] W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]24.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.46[min] W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]25.43[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.93[min] W. long.; and
    (18) 33[deg]28.42[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.85[min] W. long.
    (h) The 125 fm (229 m) depth contour around Lasuen Knoll off the 
state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]24.50[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.08[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]23.35[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.83[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]23.69[min] N lat., 117[deg]58.47[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]24.76[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.33[min] W long.; and
    (5) 33[deg]24.50[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.08[min] W long.
    (i) The 150-fm (274-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.96[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.24[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]12.89[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.83[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]11.49[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.27[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.65[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]08.72[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.84[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]45.00[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]06.13[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.57[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]05.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.00[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]04.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.71[min] W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]03.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]01.65[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.96[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]01.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]38.50[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.50[min] W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]56.53[min] N. lat., 125[deg]30.33[min] W. long.;

[[Page 117]]

    (15) 47[deg]57.28[min] N. lat., 125[deg]27.89[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]59.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.50[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]01.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.05[min] W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]02.08[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.98[min] W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]03.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.50[min] W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]03.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.10[min] W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]04.29[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.37[min] W. long.;
    (22) 48[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.50[min] W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]00.01[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.90[min] W. long.;
    (24) 47[deg]58.75[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.54[min] W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]53.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.50[min] W. long.;
    (26) 47[deg]48.88[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.91[min] W. long.;
    (27) 47[deg]48.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.00[min] W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]45.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.26[min] W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]45.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.50[min] W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]42.11[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.74[min] W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]39.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.00[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]35.53[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.55[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]30.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.31[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]29.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.50[min] W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]29.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.50[min] W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]28.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.50[min] W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]25.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (38) 47[deg]23.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.24[min] W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]23.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.00[min] W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]21.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.50[min] W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]18.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.84[min] W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]18.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]19.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.86[min] W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]18.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.29[min] W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]17.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.39[min] W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]16.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.85[min] W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]15.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.15[min] W. long.;
    (48) 47[deg]14.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.62[min] W. long.;
    (49) 47[deg]11.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.90[min] W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]12.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.09[min] W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]09.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.50[min] W. long.;
    (52) 47[deg]09.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.00[min] W. long.;
    (53) 47[deg]06.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.80[min] W. long.;
    (54) 47[deg]03.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.96[min] W. long.;
    (55) 47[deg]02.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.89[min] W. long.;
    (56) 47[deg]01.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.54[min] W. long.;
    (57) 46[deg]58.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.08[min] W. long.;
    (58) 46[deg]58.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.82[min] W. long.;
    (59) 46[deg]56.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (60) 46[deg]56.62[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (61) 46[deg]57.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.86[min] W. long.;
    (62) 46[deg]55.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.88[min] W. long.;
    (63) 46[deg]54.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.14[min] W. long.;
    (64) 46[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.00[min] W. long.;
    (65) 46[deg]54.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.;
    (66) 46[deg]54.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.94[min] W. long.;
    (67) 46[deg]49.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.41[min] W. long.;
    (68) 46[deg]42.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.86[min] W. long.;
    (69) 46[deg]39.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.50[min] W. long.;
    (70) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.50[min] W. long.;
    (71) 46[deg]37.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.00[min] W. long.;
    (72) 46[deg]36.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (73) 46[deg]33.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.99[min] W. long.;
    (74) 46[deg]33.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.50[min] W. long.;
    (75) 46[deg]32.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.00[min] W. long.;
    (76) 46[deg]30.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.55[min] W. long.;
    (77) 46[deg]25.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.00[min] W. long.;
    (78) 46[deg]23.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.00[min] W. long.;
    (79) 46[deg]21.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (80) 46[deg]20.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.21[min] W. long.;
    (81) 46[deg]20.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.85[min] W. long.;
    (82) 46[deg]19.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.35[min] W. long.;
    (83) 46[deg]17.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.54[min] W. long.;
    (84) 46[deg]16.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.20[min] W. long.;
    (85) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.00[min] W. long.;
    (86) 46[deg]14.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.15[min] W. long.;
    (87) 46[deg]13.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.36[min] W. long.;
    (88) 46[deg]12.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.39[min] W. long.;
    (89) 46[deg]09.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.64[min] W. long.;
    (90) 46[deg]07.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.89[min] W. long.;
    (91) 46[deg]02.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.01[min] W. long.;
    (92) 46[deg]01.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.47[min] W. long.;
    (93) 45[deg]51.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.89[min] W. long.;
    (94) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.88[min] W. long.;
    (95) 45[deg]45.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.72[min] W. long.;
    (96) 45[deg]44.11[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.09[min] W. long.;
    (97) 45[deg]34.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.28[min] W. long.;
    (98) 45[deg]21.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.11[min] W. long.;
    (99) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.92[min] W. long.;
    (100) 45[deg]09.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.45[min] W. long.;
    (101) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.30[min] W. long.;
    (102) 44[deg]56.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.65[min] W. long.;
    (103) 44[deg]44.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.85[min] W. long.;
    (104) 44[deg]37.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.60[min] W. long.;
    (105) 44[deg]35.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.27[min] W. long.;
    (106) 44[deg]31.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.60[min] W. long.;
    (107) 44[deg]31.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.30[min] W. long.;
    (108) 44[deg]12.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.87[min] W. long.;
    (109) 44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.84[min] W. long.;
    (110) 44[deg]07.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.87[min] W. long.;
    (111) 43[deg]57.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.20[min] W. long.;
    (112) 43[deg]52.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.;
    (113) 43[deg]51.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.49[min] W. long.;
    (114) 43[deg]47.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.43[min] W. long.;
    (115) 43[deg]31.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.80[min] W. long.;
    (116) 43[deg]29.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.77[min] W. long.;

[[Page 118]]

    (117) 43[deg]26.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.53[min] W. long.;
    (118) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.39[min] W. long.;
    (119) 43[deg]16.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.36[min] W. long.;
    (120) 43[deg]09.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.35[min] W. long.;
    (121) 43[deg]08.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.82[min] W. long.;
    (122) 43[deg]08.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.93[min] W. long.;
    (123) 43[deg]05.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.60[min] W. long.;
    (124) 43[deg]04.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.02[min] W. long.;
    (125) 43[deg]02.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.01[min] W. long.;
    (126) 43[deg]00.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.77[min] W. long.;
    (127) 42[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.99[min] W. long.;
    (128) 42[deg]57.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.10[min] W. long.;
    (129) 42[deg]53.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.76[min] W. long.;
    (130) 42[deg]52.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.76[min] W. long.;
    (131) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.97[min] W. long.;
    (132) 42[deg]47.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.27[min] W. long.;
    (133) 42[deg]46.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.60[min] W. long.;
    (134) 42[deg]41.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.07[min] W. long.;
    (135) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.52[min] W. long.;
    (136) 42[deg]38.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.77[min] W. long.;
    (137) 42[deg]35.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.22[min] W. long.;
    (138) 42[deg]32.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.68[min] W. long.;
    (139) 42[deg]32.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.00[min] W. long.;
    (140) 42[deg]30.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.50[min] W. long.;
    (141) 42[deg]28.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.38[min] W. long.;
    (142) 42[deg]18.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.01[min] W. long.;
    (143) 42[deg]13.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.82[min] W. long.;
    (144) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.99[min] W. long.;
    (145) 41[deg]47.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.41[min] W. long.;
    (146) 41[deg]23.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.50[min] W. long.;
    (147) 41[deg]13.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.31[min] W. long.;
    (148) 41[deg]06.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.62[min] W. long.;
    (149) 40[deg]55.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.04[min] W. long.;
    (150) 40[deg]49.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.57[min] W. long.;
    (151) 40[deg]45.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.00[min] W. long.;
    (152) 40[deg]40.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.11[min] W. long.;
    (153) 40[deg]37.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.27[min] W. long.;
    (154) 40[deg]35.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.49[min] W. long.;
    (155) 40[deg]37.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.14[min] W. long.;
    (156) 40[deg]36.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.97[min] W. long.;
    (157) 40[deg]31.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.74[min] W. long.;
    (158) 40[deg]30.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.63[min] W. long.;
    (159) 40[deg]28.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.23[min] W. long.;
    (160) 40[deg]24.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.71[min] W. long.;
    (161) 40[deg]23.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.94[min] W. long.;
    (162) 40[deg]23.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.64[min] W. long.;
    (163) 40[deg]22.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.25[min] W. long.;
    (164) 40[deg]21.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.18[min] W. long.;
    (165) 40[deg]22.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (166) 40[deg]21.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.53[min] W. long.;
    (167) 40[deg]19.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.95[min] W. long.;
    (168) 40[deg]18.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.08[min] W. long.;
    (169) 40[deg]17.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.53[min] W. long.;
    (170) 40[deg]17.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.12[min] W. long.;
    (171) 40[deg]15.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.05[min] W. long.;
    (172) 40[deg]17.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.01[min] W. long.;
    (173) 40[deg]15.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.90[min] W. long.;
    (174) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.96[min] W. long.;

[[Page 119]]

    (175) 40[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.00[min] W. long.;
    (176) 40[deg]08.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.70[min] W. long.;
    (177) 40[deg]05.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.77[min] W. long.;
    (178) 40[deg]02.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]15.55[min] W. long.;
    (179) 40[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.97[min] W. long.;
    (180) 40[deg]02.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.61[min] W. long.;
    (181) 40[deg]03.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.12[min] W. long.;
    (182) 40[deg]02.18[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.07[min] W. long.;
    (183) 39[deg]58.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.56[min] W. long.;
    (184) 39[deg]57.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.34[min] W. long.;
    (185) 39[deg]56.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.96[min] W. long.;
    (186) 39[deg]54.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.66[min] W. long.;
    (187) 39[deg]52.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.55[min] W. long.;
    (188) 39[deg]49.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.00[min] W. long.;
    (189) 39[deg]48.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.74[min] W. long.;
    (190) 39[deg]48.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]04.50[min] W. long.;
    (191) 39[deg]47.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.22[min] W. long.;
    (192) 39[deg]45.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.30[min] W. long.;
    (193) 39[deg]39.82[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.98[min] W. long.;
    (194) 39[deg]34.59[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.08[min] W. long.;
    (195) 39[deg]34.22[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.82[min] W. long.;
    (196) 39[deg]32.98[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.43[min] W. long.;
    (197) 39[deg]31.64[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.16[min] W. long.;
    (198) 39[deg]31.40[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.70[min] W. long.;
    (199) 39[deg]32.35[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.42[min] W. long.;
    (200) 39[deg]31.47[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.73[min] W. long.;
    (201) 39[deg]05.68[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.81[min] W. long.;
    (202) 39[deg]00.24[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.74[min] W. long.;
    (203) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.74[min] W. long.;
    (204) 38[deg]54.31[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.73[min] W. long.;
    (205) 38[deg]41.42[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.75[min] W. long.;
    (206) 38[deg]39.61[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.48[min] W. long.;
    (207) 38[deg]37.52[min] N. lat., 123[deg]43.78[min] W. long.;
    (208) 38[deg]35.25[min] N. lat., 123[deg]42.00[min] W. long.;
    (209) 38[deg]28.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]37.07[min] W. long.;
    (210) 38[deg]18.75[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.21[min] W. long.;
    (211) 38[deg]14.43[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.56[min] W. long.;
    (212) 38[deg]08.75[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.48[min] W. long.;
    (213) 38[deg]10.10[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.20[min] W. long.;
    (214) 38[deg]07.16[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.18[min] W. long.;
    (215) 38[deg]06.15[min] N. lat., 123[deg]30.00[min] W. long.;
    (216) 38[deg]04.28[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.70[min] W. long.;
    (217) 38[deg]01.88[min] N. lat., 123[deg]30.98[min] W. long.;
    (218) 38[deg]00.75[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.72[min] W. long.;
    (219) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.60[min] W. long.;
    (220) 37[deg]58.23[min] N. lat., 123[deg]26.90[min] W. long.;
    (221) 37[deg]55.32[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.19[min] W. long.;
    (222) 37[deg]51.47[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.92[min] W. long.;
    (223) 37[deg]44.47[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.57[min] W. long.;
    (224) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]01.76[min] W. long.;
    (225) 37[deg]26.10[min] N. lat., 122[deg]57.07[min] W. long.;
    (226) 37[deg]26.51[min] N. lat., 122[deg]54.23[min] W. long.;
    (227) 37[deg]25.05[min] N. lat., 122[deg]55.64[min] W. long.;
    (228) 37[deg]24.42[min] N. lat., 122[deg]54.94[min] W. long.;
    (229) 37[deg]25.16[min] N. lat., 122[deg]52.73[min] W. long.;
    (230) 37[deg]24.55[min] N. lat., 122[deg]52.48[min] W. long.;
    (231) 37[deg]22.81[min] N. lat., 122[deg]54.36[min] W. long.;
    (232) 37[deg]19.87[min] N. lat., 122[deg]53.98[min] W. long.;

[[Page 120]]

    (233) 37[deg]15.16[min] N. lat., 122[deg]51.64[min] W. long.;
    (234) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]47.20[min] W. long.;
    (235) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]42.90[min] W. long.;
    (236) 37[deg]01.68[min] N. lat., 122[deg]37.28[min] W. long.;
    (237) 36[deg]59.70[min] N. lat., 122[deg]33.71[min] W. long.;
    (238) 36[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]27.80[min] W. long.;
    (239) 37[deg]00.25[min] N. lat., 122[deg]24.85[min] W. long.;
    (240) 36[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 122[deg]24.98[min] W. long.;
    (241) 36[deg]58.38[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.85[min] W. long.;
    (242) 36[deg]55.85[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.95[min] W. long.;
    (243) 36[deg]52.02[min] N. lat., 122[deg]12.10[min] W. long.;
    (244) 36[deg]47.63[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.37[min] W. long.;
    (245) 36[deg]47.26[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.22[min] W. long.;
    (246) 36[deg]50.34[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.40[min] W. long.;
    (247) 36[deg]48.83[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.14[min] W. long.;
    (248) 36[deg]47.60[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.88[min] W. long.;
    (249) 36[deg]48.24[min] N. lat., 121[deg]51.40[min] W. long.;
    (250) 36[deg]45.84[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.21[min] W. long.;
    (251) 36[deg]45.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.61[min] W. long.;
    (252) 36[deg]44.81[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.28[min] W. long.;
    (253) 36[deg]39.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.71[min] W. long.;
    (254) 36[deg]29.60[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.49[min] W. long.;
    (255) 36[deg]23.43[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.76[min] W. long.;
    (256) 36[deg]18.90[min] N. lat., 122[deg]05.32[min] W. long.;
    (257) 36[deg]15.38[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.40[min] W. long.;
    (258) 36[deg]13.79[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.12[min] W. long.;
    (259) 36[deg]10.12[min] N. lat., 121[deg]43.33[min] W. long.;
    (260) 36[deg]02.57[min] N. lat., 121[deg]37.02[min] W. long.;
    (261) 36[deg]01.01[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.69[min] W. long.;
    (262) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]35.45[min] W. long.;
    (263) 35[deg]57.74[min] N. lat., 121[deg]33.45[min] W. long.;
    (264) 35[deg]51.32[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.08[min] W. long.;
    (265) 35[deg]45.84[min] N. lat., 121[deg]28.84[min] W. long.;
    (266) 35[deg]38.94[min] N. lat., 121[deg]23.16[min] W. long.;
    (267) 35[deg]26.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]08.00[min] W. long.;
    (268) 35[deg]07.42[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.08[min] W. long.;
    (269) 34[deg]42.76[min] N. lat., 120[deg]55.09[min] W. long.;
    (270) 34[deg]37.75[min] N. lat., 120[deg]51.96[min] W. long.;
    (271) 34[deg]29.29[min] N. lat., 120[deg]44.19[min] W. long.;
    (272) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]40.42[min] W. long.;
    (273) 34[deg]21.89[min] N. lat., 120[deg]31.36[min] W. long.;
    (274) 34[deg]20.79[min] N. lat., 120[deg]21.58[min] W. long.;
    (275) 34[deg]23.97[min] N. lat., 120[deg]15.25[min] W. long.;
    (276) 34[deg]22.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]56.63[min] W. long.;
    (277) 34[deg]19.00[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (278) 34[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (279) 34[deg]08.00[min] N. lat., 119[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (280) 34[deg]08.39[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.78[min] W. long.;
    (281) 34[deg]07.10[min] N lat., 120[deg]10.37[min] W long.;
    (282) 34[deg]09.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]18.40[min] W long.;
    (283) 34[deg]11.07[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.03[min] W long.;
    (284) 34[deg]13.16[min] N lat., 120[deg]29.40[min] W long.;
    (285) 34[deg]09.41[min] N lat., 120[deg]37.75[min] W long.;
    (286) 34[deg]03.15[min] N lat., 120[deg]34.71[min] W long.;
    (287) 33[deg]57.09[min] N lat., 120[deg]27.76[min] W long.;
    (288) 33[deg]51.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]09.00[min] W long.;
    (289) 33[deg]38.16[min] N lat., 119[deg]59.23[min] W long.;
    (290) 33[deg]37.04[min] N lat., 119[deg]50.17[min] W long.;
    (291) 33[deg]42.28[min] N lat., 119[deg]48.85[min] W long.;
    (292) 33[deg]53.96[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.77[min] W long.;
    (293) 33[deg]55.88[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.05[min] W long.;
    (294) 33[deg]59.18[min] N lat., 119[deg]23.64[min] W long.;
    (295) 33[deg]59.26[min] N lat., 119[deg]21.92[min] W long.;
    (296) 33[deg]59.94[min] N lat., 119[deg]19.57[min] W long.;
    (297) 34[deg]03.12[min] N lat., 119[deg]15.51[min] W long.;
    (298) 34[deg]01.97[min] N lat., 119[deg]07.28[min] W long.;
    (299) 34[deg]03.60[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.71[min] W long.;
    (300) 33[deg]59.30[min] N lat., 119[deg]03.73[min] W long.;
    (301) 33[deg]58.87[min] N lat., 118[deg]59.37[min] W long.;

[[Page 121]]

    (302) 33[deg]58.08[min] N lat., 118[deg]41.14[min] W long.;
    (303) 33[deg]50.93[min] N lat., 118[deg]37.65[min] W long.;
    (304) 33[deg]39.54[min] N lat., 118[deg]18.70[min] W long.;
    (305) 33[deg]35.42[min] N lat., 118[deg]17.14[min] W long.;
    (306) 33[deg]32.15[min] N lat., 118[deg]10.84[min] W long.;
    (307) 33[deg]33.71[min] N lat., 117[deg]53.72[min] W long.;
    (308) 33[deg]31.17[min] N lat., 117[deg]49.11[min] W long.;
    (309) 33[deg]16.53[min] N lat., 117[deg]36.13[min] W long.;
    (310) 33[deg]06.77[min] N lat., 117[deg]22.92[min] W long.;
    (311) 32[deg]58.94[min] N lat., 117[deg]20.05[min] W long.;
    (312) 32[deg]55.83[min] N lat., 117[deg]20.15[min] W long.;
    (313) 32[deg]46.29[min] N lat., 117[deg]23.89[min] W long.;
    (314) 32[deg]42.00[min] N lat., 117[deg]22.16[min] W long.;
    (315) 32[deg]39.47[min] N lat., 117[deg]27.78[min] W long.; and
    (316) 32[deg]34.83[min] N lat., 117[deg]24.69[min] W long.
    (j) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour used around San Clemente Island 
off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all 
of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]47.95[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.31[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]49.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.82[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]55.99[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.80[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]03.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.00[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]05.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]03.21[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.85[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]01.93[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.85[min] W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg]54.69[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.45[min] W. long.;
    (9) 32[deg]53.28[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.58[min] W. long.;
    (10) 32[deg]48.26[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.62[min] W. long.;
    (11) 32[deg]43.03[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.21[min] W. long.;
    (12) 32[deg]47.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.53[min] W. long.; and
    (13) 32[deg]47.95[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.31[min] W. long.
    (k) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour used around Santa Catalina 
Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]17.24[min] N. lat., 118[deg]12.94[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]23.60[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.79[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]26.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]22.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]27.57[min] N. lat., 118[deg]27.69[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]29.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.01[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]30.46[min] N. lat., 118[deg]36.52[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]28.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]41.07[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]23.23[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.69[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]20.97[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.29[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]19.81[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.24[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]18.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]15.62[min] N. lat., 118[deg]14.74[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]13.00[min] W. long.; and
    (14) 33[deg]17.24[min] N. lat., 118[deg]12.94[min] W. long.
    (l) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour used around Lasuen Knoll off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]25.07[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.26[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]23.69[min] N lat., 117[deg]58.13[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]23.18[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.87[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]24.61[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.31[min] W long.; and
    (5) 33[deg]25.07[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.26[min] W long.
    (m) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and 40[deg]10[min] N. lat., modified to allow fishing in 
petrale sole areas, is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.96[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.24[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]12.89[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.83[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]11.49[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.27[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.65[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]08.72[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.84[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]45.00[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]06.13[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.57[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]05.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.00[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]04.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.71[min] W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]03.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.00[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]01.65[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.96[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]01.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]38.50[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.50[min] W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]56.53[min] N. lat., 125[deg]30.33[min] W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]57.28[min] N. lat., 125[deg]27.89[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]59.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.50[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]01.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.05[min] W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]02.08[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.98[min] W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]03.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.50[min] W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]03.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.10[min] W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]04.29[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.37[min] W. long.;
    (22) 48[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.50[min] W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]00.01[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.90[min] W. long.;
    (24) 47[deg]58.75[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.54[min] W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]53.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]13.50[min] W. long.;
    (26) 47[deg]48.88[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.91[min] W. long.;
    (27) 47[deg]48.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.00[min] W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]45.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.26[min] W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]45.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.50[min] W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]42.11[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.74[min] W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]39.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.00[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]35.53[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.55[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]30.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.31[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]29.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.50[min] W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]29.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.50[min] W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]28.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.50[min] W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]25.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (38) 47[deg]23.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.24[min] W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]23.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.00[min] W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]21.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.50[min] W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]18.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.84[min] W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]18.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]19.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.86[min] W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]18.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.29[min] W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]17.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.39[min] W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]16.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.85[min] W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]15.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.15[min] W. long.;

[[Page 122]]

    (48) 47[deg]14.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.62[min] W. long.;
    (49) 47[deg]11.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.90[min] W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]12.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.09[min] W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]09.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.50[min] W. long.;
    (52) 47[deg]09.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.00[min] W. long.;
    (53) 47[deg]06.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.80[min] W. long.;
    (54) 47[deg]03.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.96[min] W. long.;
    (55) 47[deg]02.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.89[min] W. long.;
    (56) 47[deg]01.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.54[min] W. long.;
    (57) 46[deg]58.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.08[min] W. long.;
    (58) 46[deg]58.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.82[min] W. long.;
    (59) 46[deg]56.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (60) 46[deg]56.62[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (61) 46[deg]57.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.86[min] W. long.;
    (62) 46[deg]55.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.88[min] W. long.;
    (63) 46[deg]54.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.14[min] W. long.;
    (64) 46[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.00[min] W. long.;
    (65) 46[deg]54.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.;
    (66) 46[deg]54.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.94[min] W. long.;
    (67) 46[deg]49.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.41[min] W. long.;
    (68) 46[deg]42.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.86[min] W. long.;
    (69) 46[deg]39.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.50[min] W. long.;
    (70) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.50[min] W. long.;
    (71) 46[deg]37.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.00[min] W. long.;
    (72) 46[deg]36.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (73) 46[deg]33.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.99[min] W. long.;
    (74) 46[deg]33.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.50[min] W. long.;
    (75) 46[deg]32.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.00[min] W. long.;
    (76) 46[deg]30.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.55[min] W. long.;
    (77) 46[deg]25.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.00[min] W. long.;
    (78) 46[deg]23.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.00[min] W. long.;
    (79) 46[deg]21.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (80) 46[deg]20.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.21[min] W. long.;
    (81) 46[deg]20.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.85[min] W. long.;
    (82) 46[deg]19.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.35[min] W. long.;
    (83) 46[deg]17.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.54[min] W. long.;
    (84) 46[deg]16.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.20[min] W. long.;
    (85) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.00[min] W. long.;
    (86) 46[deg]14.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.15[min] W. long.;
    (87) 46[deg]13.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.36[min] W. long.;
    (88) 46[deg]12.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.39[min] W. long.;
    (89) 46[deg]09.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.64[min] W. long.;
    (90) 46[deg]07.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.89[min] W. long.;
    (91) 46[deg]02.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.01[min] W. long.;
    (92) 46[deg]01.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.47[min] W. long.;
    (93) 45[deg]51.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.89[min] W. long.;
    (94) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.88[min] W. long.;
    (95) 45[deg]45.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.72[min] W. long.;
    (96) 45[deg]45.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.70[min] W. long.;
    (97) 45[deg]42.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.22[min] W. long.;
    (98) 45[deg]34.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.28[min] W. long.;
    (99) 45[deg]21.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.11[min] W. long.;
    (100) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.92[min] W. long.;
    (101) 45[deg]09.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]20.45[min] W. long.;
    (102) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.30[min] W. long.;
    (103) 44[deg]56.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.65[min] W. long.;
    (104) 44[deg]44.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.85[min] W. long.;
    (105) 44[deg]37.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.60[min] W. long.;
    (106) 44[deg]35.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.27[min] W. long.;
    (107) 44[deg]31.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.60[min] W. long.;
    (108) 44[deg]31.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.30[min] W. long.;
    (109) 44[deg]12.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.87[min] W. long.;
    (110) 44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.84[min] W. long.;
    (111) 44[deg]07.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.87[min] W. long.;
    (112) 43[deg]57.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.20[min] W. long.;
    (113) 43[deg]52.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.00[min] W. long.;
    (114) 43[deg]51.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.49[min] W. long.;
    (115) 43[deg]47.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.43[min] W. long.;
    (116) 43[deg]31.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.80[min] W. long.;
    (117) 43[deg]29.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.77[min] W. long.;
    (118) 43[deg]26.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.53[min] W. long.;
    (119) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.39[min] W. long.;
    (120) 43[deg]16.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.36[min] W. long.;
    (121) 43[deg]09.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.35[min] W. long.;
    (122) 43[deg]08.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.82[min] W. long.;
    (123) 43[deg]08.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.93[min] W. long.;
    (124) 43[deg]05.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.60[min] W. long.;
    (125) 43[deg]04.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.02[min] W. long.;
    (126) 43[deg]02.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.01[min] W. long.;
    (127) 43[deg]00.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.77[min] W. long.;
    (128) 42[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.99[min] W. long.;
    (129) 42[deg]57.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.10[min] W. long.;
    (130) 42[deg]53.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.60[min] W. long.;
    (131) 42[deg]53.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.94[min] W. long.;
    (132) 42[deg]52.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.76[min] W. long.;

[[Page 123]]

    (133) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.97[min] W. long.;
    (134) 42[deg]47.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.27[min] W. long.;
    (135) 42[deg]46.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.60[min] W. long.;
    (136) 42[deg]41.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.07[min] W. long.;
    (137) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.52[min] W. long.;
    (138) 42[deg]38.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.77[min] W. long.;
    (139) 42[deg]35.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.22[min] W. long.;
    (140) 42[deg]32.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.68[min] W. long.;
    (141) 42[deg]32.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.00[min] W. long.;
    (142) 42[deg]30.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.50[min] W. long.;
    (143) 42[deg]28.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.38[min] W. long.;
    (144) 42[deg]18.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.01[min] W. long.;
    (145) 42[deg]13.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.82[min] W. long.;
    (146) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.99[min] W. long.;
    (147) 41[deg]47.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.41[min] W. long.;
    (148) 41[deg]41.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.46[min] W. long.;
    (149) 41[deg]22.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.10[min] W. long.;
    (150) 41[deg]13.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.31[min] W. long.;
    (151) 41[deg]06.23[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.62[min] W. long.;
    (152) 40[deg]55.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.04[min] W. long.;
    (153) 40[deg]53.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.16[min] W. long.;
    (154) 40[deg]53.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.10[min] W. long.;
    (155) 40[deg]50.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.16[min] W. long.;
    (156) 40[deg]49.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.58[min] W. long.;
    (157) 40[deg]49.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.57[min] W. long.;
    (158) 40[deg]45.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.00[min] W. long.;
    (159) 40[deg]40.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.11[min] W. long.;
    (160) 40[deg]38.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.18[min] W. long.;
    (161) 40[deg]38.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.18[min] W. long.;
    (162) 40[deg]37.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.27[min] W. long.;
    (163) 40[deg]35.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.49[min] W. long.;
    (164) 40[deg]37.38[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.14[min] W. long.;
    (165) 40[deg]36.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.97[min] W. long.;
    (166) 40[deg]31.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.74[min] W. long.;
    (167) 40[deg]30.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.63[min] W. long.;
    (168) 40[deg]28.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.23[min] W. long.;
    (169) 40[deg]24.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.71[min] W. long.;
    (170) 40[deg]23.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.94[min] W. long.;
    (171) 40[deg]23.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.64[min] W. long.;
    (172) 40[deg]22.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.25[min] W. long.;
    (173) 40[deg]21.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.18[min] W. long.;
    (174) 40[deg]22.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.00[min] W. long.;
    (175) 40[deg]21.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.53[min] W. long.;
    (176) 40[deg]19.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.95[min] W. long.;
    (177) 40[deg]18.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.08[min] W. long.;
    (178) 40[deg]17.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.53[min] W. long.;
    (179) 40[deg]17.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.12[min] W. long.;
    (180) 40[deg]15.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.05[min] W. long.;
    (181) 40[deg]16.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.20[min] W. long.;
    (182) 40[deg]16.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.50[min] W. long.;
    (183) 40[deg]14.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.60[min] W. long.; and
    (184) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.96[min] W. long.

[69 FR 77059, Dec. 23, 2004; 70 FR 13119, Mar. 18, 2005, as amended at 
70 FR 16149, Mar. 30, 2005; 71 FR 8500, Feb. 17, 2006; 71 FR 78678, Dec. 
29, 2006; 74 FR 9905, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 
2010; 76 FR 27531, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 78 FR 589, 
Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12573, Mar. 10, 2015; 82 FR 9640, Feb. 7, 2017; 83 
FR 63992, Dec. 12, 2018; 83 FR 66639, Dec. 27, 2018; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 
19, 2019; 85 FR 79893, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 14381, Mar. 16, 2021; 87 FR 
77017, Dec. 16, 2022]

[[Page 124]]



Sec. 660.74  Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 180 fm 
(329 m) through 250 fm (457 m) depth contours.

    Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a 
series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides 
coordinates for the 180 fm (329 m) through 250 fm (457 m) depth 
contours.
    (a) The 180-fm (329-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.82[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.61[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]12.86[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.95[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]11.28[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.67[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]10.13[min] N. lat., 125[deg]42.62[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]42.55[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]08.86[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.92[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]08.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]44.95[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]07.18[min] N. lat., 125[deg]45.67[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]05.79[min] N. lat., 125[deg]44.64[min] W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]06.04[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.84[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]04.26[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.09[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]04.18[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.94[min] W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]03.02[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.24[min] W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]01.75[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.42[min] W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]01.39[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.42[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]57.08[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.51[min] W. long.;
    (17) 47[deg]55.20[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.62[min] W. long.;
    (18) 47[deg]54.33[min] N. lat., 125[deg]34.98[min] W. long.;
    (19) 47[deg]54.73[min] N. lat., 125[deg]31.95[min] W. long.;
    (20) 47[deg]56.39[min] N. lat., 125[deg]30.22[min] W. long.;
    (21) 47[deg]55.86[min] N. lat., 125[deg]28.54[min] W. long.;
    (22) 47[deg]58.07[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.72[min] W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]00.81[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.39[min] W. long.;
    (24) 48[deg]01.81[min] N. lat., 125[deg]23.76[min] W. long.;
    (25) 48[deg]02.16[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.71[min] W. long.;
    (26) 48[deg]03.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.01[min] W. long.;
    (27) 48[deg]04.21[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.40[min] W. long.;
    (28) 48[deg]03.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.50[min] W. long.;
    (29) 48[deg]01.92[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.69[min] W. long.;
    (30) 48[deg]00.85[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.02[min] W. long.;
    (31) 48[deg]00.12[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.04[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]58.18[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.78[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]58.24[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.26[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]52.47[min] N. lat., 125[deg]15.30[min] W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]52.13[min] N. lat., 125[deg]12.95[min] W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]50.60[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.65[min] W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]49.39[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.59[min] W. long.;
    (38) 47[deg]48.74[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.07[min] W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]47.03[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.95[min] W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]47.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.20[min] W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]45.88[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.50[min] W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]44.51[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.64[min] W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]42.22[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.86[min] W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]38.49[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.32[min] W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]34.93[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.34[min] W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]30.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.42[min] W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]28.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.51[min] W. long.;
    (48) 47[deg]29.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.92[min] W. long.;
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    (50) 47[deg]24.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.38[min] W. long.;
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    (87) 46[deg]12.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.69[min] W. long.;
    (88) 46[deg]08.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.27[min] W. long.;
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    (266) 33[deg]35.99[min] N. lat., 119[deg]49.13[min] W. long.;
    (267) 33[deg]42.74[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.80[min] W. long.;
    (268) 33[deg]53.65[min] N. lat., 119[deg]53.29[min] W. long.;
    (269) 33[deg]57.85[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.05[min] W. long.;
    (270) 33[deg]56.78[min] N. lat., 119[deg]27.44[min] W. long.;
    (271) 33[deg]58.03[min] N. lat., 119[deg]27.82[min] W. long.;
    (272) 33[deg]59.31[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.02[min] W. long.;
    (273) 34[deg]02.91[min] N. lat., 119[deg]15.38[min] W. long.;
    (274) 33[deg]59.04[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.02[min] W. long.;
    (275) 33[deg]57.88[min] N. lat., 118[deg]41.69[min] W. long.;

[[Page 128]]

    (276) 33[deg]50.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.78[min] W. long.;
    (277) 33[deg]39.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.70[min] W. long.;
    (278) 33[deg]35.42[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.15[min] W. long.;
    (279) 33[deg]31.26[min] N. lat., 118[deg]10.84[min] W. long.;
    (280) 33[deg]32.71[min] N. lat., 117[deg]52.05[min] W. long.;
    (281) 32[deg]58.94[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.05[min] W. long.;
    (282) 32[deg]46.45[min] N. lat., 117[deg]24.37[min] W. long.;
    (283) 32[deg]42.25[min] N. lat., 117[deg]22.87[min] W. long.;
    (284) 32[deg]39.50[min] N. lat., 117[deg]27.80[min] W. long.; and
    (285) 32[deg]34.83[min] N. lat., 117[deg]24.67[min] W. long.
    (b) The 180 fm (329 m) depth contour used around San Clemente Island 
off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all 
of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]01.90[min] N. lat., 118[deg]40.17[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]03.23[min] N. lat., 118[deg]40.05[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]05.07[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.01[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]05.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.01[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]03.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.00[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]55.92[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.39[min] W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]49.78[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.82[min] W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg]47.32[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.30[min] W. long.;
    (9) 32[deg]47.46[min] N. lat., 118[deg]20.29[min] W. long.;
    (10) 32[deg]46.21[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.96[min] W. long.;
    (11) 32[deg]42.25[min] N. lat., 118[deg]24.07[min] W. long.;
    (12) 32[deg]47.73[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.74[min] W. long.;
    (13) 32[deg]53.16[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.85[min] W. long.;
    (14) 32[deg]54.51[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.56[min] W. long.; and
    (15) 33[deg]01.90[min] N. lat., 118[deg]40.17[min] W. long.
    (c) The 180 fm (329 m) depth contour used around Santa Catalina 
Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]44.18[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]30.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.07[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]29.88[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.89[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]27.54[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.91[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]26.11[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.97[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]24.20[min] N. lat., 118[deg]19.05[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]14.58[min] N. lat., 118[deg]10.35[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]17.91[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.20[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]19.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]31.34[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]20.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.75[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]23.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.80[min] W. long.;and
    (12) 33[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 118[deg]44.18[min] W. long.
    (d) The 180 fm (329 m) depth contour used around Lasuen Knoll off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]25.05[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.70[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]25.41[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.36[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]23.49[min] N lat., 117[deg]57.47[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]23.02[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.78[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]23.85[min] N lat., 118[deg]00.88[min] W long.; and
    (6) 33[deg]25.05[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.70[min] W long.
    (e) The 180 fm (329 m) depth contour used around San Diego Rise off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]49.98[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.19[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]44.10[min] N. lat., 117[deg]45.34[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]42.01[min] N. lat., 117[deg]46.01[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]44.42[min] N. lat., 117[deg]48.69[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]49.86[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.50[min] W. long.; and
    (6) 32[deg]49.98[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.19[min] W. long.
    (f) The 180 fm (329 m) depth contour between 42[deg] N. lat. and the 
U.S. border with Mexico, modified to allow fishing in petrale sole 
areas, is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.37[min] W. long.;
    (2) 41[deg]47.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.48[min] W. long.;
    (3) 41[deg]21.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.97[min] W. long.;
    (4) 41[deg]11.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.86[min] W. long.;
    (5) 41[deg]06.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.07[min] W. long.;
    (6) 40[deg]55.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.46[min] W. long.;
    (7) 40[deg]53.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.04[min] W. long.;
    (8) 40[deg]49.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.04[min] W. long.;
    (9) 40[deg]44.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.81[min] W. long.;
    (10) 40[deg]40.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.05[min] W. long.;
    (11) 40[deg]38.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.45[min] W. long.;
    (12) 40[deg]35.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.34[min] W. long.;
    (13) 40[deg]37.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (14) 40[deg]36.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.97[min] W. long.;
    (15) 40[deg]31.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.85[min] W. long.;
    (16) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.12[min] W. long.;
    (17) 40[deg]27.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.14[min] W. long.;
    (18) 40[deg]24.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.82[min] W. long.;
    (19) 40[deg]22.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.94[min] W. long.;
    (20) 40[deg]14.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.90[min] W. long.;
    (21) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.56[min] W. long.;
    (22) 40[deg]06.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.08[min] W. long.;
    (23) 40[deg]08.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.71[min] W. long.;
    (24) 40[deg]05.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.77[min] W. long.;
    (25) 40[deg]02.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.28[min] W. long.;
    (26) 40[deg]01.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.99[min] W. long.;
    (27) 40[deg]01.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.83[min] W. long.;
    (28) 39[deg]58.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.32[min] W. long.;
    (29) 39[deg]55.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.37[min] W. long.;

[[Page 129]]

    (30) 39[deg]42.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.11[min] W. long.;
    (31) 39[deg]34.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.51[min] W. long.;
    (32) 39[deg]34.22[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.82[min] W. long.;
    (33) 39[deg]32.98[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.43[min] W. long.;
    (34) 39[deg]32.14[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.83[min] W. long.;
    (35) 39[deg]07.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.72[min] W. long.;
    (36) 39[deg]00.99[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.56[min] W. long.;
    (37) 39[deg]00.05[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.83[min] W. long.;
    (38) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.04[min] W. long.;
    (39) 38[deg]51.19[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.70[min] W. long.;
    (40) 38[deg]47.29[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.12[min] W. long.;
    (41) 38[deg]45.48[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.36[min] W. long.;
    (42) 38[deg]43.24[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.91[min] W. long.;
    (43) 38[deg]41.61[min] N. lat., 123[deg]47.50[min] W. long.;
    (44) 38[deg]35.75[min] N. lat., 123[deg]43.76[min] W. long.;
    (45) 38[deg]34.92[min] N. lat., 123[deg]42.45[min] W. long.;
    (46) 38[deg]19.84[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.96[min] W. long.;
    (47) 38[deg]14.38[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.51[min] W. long.;
    (48) 38[deg]09.39[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.39[min] W. long.;
    (49) 38[deg]10.02[min] N. lat., 123[deg]26.73[min] W. long.;
    (50) 38[deg]04.11[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.62[min] W. long.;
    (51) 38[deg]02.11[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.11[min] W. long.;
    (52) 38[deg]00.23[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.51[min] W. long.;
    (53) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.72[min] W. long.;
    (54) 37[deg]58.07[min] N. lat., 123[deg]26.97[min] W. long.;
    (55) 37[deg]50.80[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.47[min] W. long.;
    (56) 37[deg]44.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.38[min] W. long.;
    (57) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]01.86[min] W. long.;
    (58) 37[deg]23.42[min] N. lat., 122[deg]56.78[min] W. long.;
    (59) 37[deg]23.23[min] N. lat., 122[deg]53.78[min] W. long.;
    (60) 37[deg]13.97[min] N. lat., 122[deg]49.91[min] W. long.;
    (61) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]45.61[min] W. long.;
    (62) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]42.89[min] W. long.;
    (63) 37[deg]01.10[min] N. lat., 122[deg]37.50[min] W. long.;
    (64) 36[deg]57.81[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.29[min] W. long.;
    (65) 36[deg]59.83[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.17[min] W. long.;
    (66) 36[deg]57.21[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.17[min] W. long.;
    (67) 36[deg]57.81[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.73[min] W. long.;
    (68) 36[deg]56.10[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.51[min] W. long.;
    (69) 36[deg]55.17[min] N. lat., 122[deg]16.94[min] W. long.;
    (70) 36[deg]52.06[min] N. lat., 122[deg]12.12[min] W. long.;
    (71) 36[deg]47.63[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.40[min] W. long.;
    (72) 36[deg]47.37[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.10[min] W. long.;
    (73) 36[deg]24.14[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.45[min] W. long.;
    (74) 36[deg]21.82[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.80[min] W. long.;
    (75) 36[deg]19.47[min] N. lat., 122[deg]05.28[min] W. long.;
    (76) 36[deg]14.67[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.88[min] W. long.;
    (77) 36[deg]09.34[min] N. lat., 121[deg]42.61[min] W. long.;
    (78) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]35.77[min] W. long.;
    (79) 35[deg]56.78[min] N. lat., 121[deg]32.69[min] W. long.;
    (80) 35[deg]52.71[min] N. lat., 121[deg]32.32[min] W. long.;
    (81) 35[deg]51.23[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.54[min] W. long.;
    (82) 35[deg]46.07[min] N. lat., 121[deg]29.75[min] W. long.;
    (83) 35[deg]34.08[min] N. lat., 121[deg]19.83[min] W. long.;
    (84) 35[deg]31.41[min] N. lat., 121[deg]14.80[min] W. long.;
    (85) 35[deg]15.42[min] N. lat., 121[deg]03.47[min] W. long.;
    (86) 35[deg]07.21[min] N. lat., 120[deg]59.05[min] W. long.;
    (87) 35[deg]07.45[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.09[min] W. long.;
    (88) 34[deg]44.29[min] N. lat., 120[deg]54.28[min] W. long.;
    (89) 34[deg]44.24[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.62[min] W. long.;
    (90) 34[deg]40.04[min] N. lat., 120[deg]53.95[min] W. long.;
    (91) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]41.50[min] W. long.;
    (92) 34[deg]21.16[min] N. lat., 120[deg]33.11[min] W. long.;
    (93) 34[deg]19.15[min] N. lat., 120[deg]19.78[min] W. long.;
    (94) 34[deg]23.24[min] N. lat., 120[deg]14.17[min] W. long.;
    (95) 34[deg]21.47[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.68[min] W. long.;
    (96) 34[deg]09.79[min] N. lat., 119[deg]44.51[min] W. long.;
    (97) 34[deg]07.34[min] N. lat., 120[deg]06.71[min] W. long.;
    (98) 34[deg]09.43[min] N. lat., 120[deg]18.34[min] W. long.;
    (99) 34[deg]12.50[min] N. lat., 120[deg]18.34[min] W. long.;
    (100) 34[deg]12.50[min] N. lat., 120[deg]26.11[min] W. long.;
    (101) 34[deg]14.02[min] N. lat., 120[deg]29.61[min] W. long.;
    (102) 34[deg]09.55[min] N. lat., 120[deg]37.83[min] W. long.;
    (103) 34[deg]05.35[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.23[min] W. long.;
    (104) 34[deg]02.21[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.23[min] W. long.;
    (105) 34[deg]02.21[min] N. lat., 120[deg]33.94[min] W. long.;
    (106) 33[deg]56.82[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.30[min] W. long.;
    (107) 33[deg]50.40[min] N. lat., 120[deg]09.94[min] W. long.;
    (108) 33[deg]38.21[min] N. lat., 119[deg]59.90[min] W. long.;
    (109) 33[deg]35.35[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.95[min] W. long.;
    (110) 33[deg]35.99[min] N. lat., 119[deg]49.13[min] W. long.;
    (111) 33[deg]42.74[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.81[min] W. long.;
    (112) 33[deg]51.63[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.94[min] W. long.;
    (113) 33[deg]51.62[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.94[min] W. long.;
    (114) 33[deg]54.67[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.94[min] W. long.;
    (115) 33[deg]57.84[min] N. lat., 119[deg]30.94[min] W. long.;
    (116) 33[deg]54.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]30.94[min] W. long.;
    (117) 33[deg]54.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]25.94[min] W. long.;
    (118) 33[deg]58.14[min] N. lat., 119[deg]25.94[min] W. long.;
    (119) 33[deg]59.31[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.02[min] W. long.;
    (120) 34[deg]02.91[min] N. lat., 119[deg]15.38[min] W. long.;
    (121) 33[deg]59.04[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.02[min] W. long.;
    (122) 33[deg]57.88[min] N. lat., 118[deg]41.69[min] W. long.;
    (123) 33[deg]50.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.78[min] W. long.;

[[Page 130]]

    (124) 33[deg]39.16[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.24[min] W. long.;
    (125) 33[deg]35.44[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.31[min] W. long.;
    (126) 33[deg]31.37[min] N. lat., 118[deg]10.39[min] W. long.;
    (127) 33[deg]32.71[min] N. lat., 117[deg]52.05[min] W. long.;
    (128) 32[deg]58.94[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.06[min] W. long.; and
    (129) 32[deg]35.48[min] N. lat., 117[deg]28.83[min] W. long.
    (g) The 200-fm (366-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with 
Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.75[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.73[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]12.85[min] N. lat., 125[deg]38.06[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.82[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]07.10[min] N. lat., 125[deg]45.65[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]05.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]44.70[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]04.07[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.96[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]03.05[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.38[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]01.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.41[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]01.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.61[min] W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]56.94[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.65[min] W. long.;
    (11) 47[deg]55.11[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.92[min] W. long.;
    (12) 47[deg]54.10[min] N. lat., 125[deg]34.98[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]54.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]32.01[min] W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]55.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]30.13[min] W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]55.65[min] N. lat., 125[deg]28.46[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]58.11[min] N. lat., 125[deg]26.60[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]00.40[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.83[min] W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]02.04[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.90[min] W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]03.60[min] N. lat., 125[deg]21.84[min] W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]03.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.65[min] W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]03.26[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.76[min] W. long.;
    (22) 48[deg]01.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.80[min] W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]01.03[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.12[min] W. long.;
    (24) 48[deg]00.04[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.26[min] W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]58.10[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.91[min] W. long.;
    (26) 47[deg]58.17[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.50[min] W. long.;
    (27) 47[deg]52.33[min] N. lat., 125[deg]15.78[min] W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]49.20[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.67[min] W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]48.27[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.38[min] W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]47.24[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.38[min] W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]45.95[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.61[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]44.58[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.12[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]42.24[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.15[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]38.54[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.76[min] W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]35.03[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.28[min] W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]28.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.24[min] W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]29.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.10[min] W. long.;
    (38) 47[deg]28.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.58[min] W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]24.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.50[min] W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]18.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.17[min] W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]19.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.00[min] W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]18.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.66[min] W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]17.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.94[min] W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]17.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.63[min] W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]16.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.23[min] W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]16.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.67[min] W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]14.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.02[min] W. long.;
    (48) 47[deg]12.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.77[min] W. long.;
    (49) 47[deg]13.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.70[min] W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]09.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.32[min] W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]09.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.50[min] W. long.;
    (52) 47[deg]05.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.30[min] W. long.;
    (53) 47[deg]03.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.26[min] W. long.;
    (54) 47[deg]00.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.52[min] W. long.;
    (55) 46[deg]56.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (56) 46[deg]51.55[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (57) 46[deg]50.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.90[min] W. long.;
    (58) 46[deg]44.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.97[min] W. long.;
    (59) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.66[min] W. long.;
    (60) 46[deg]33.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.11[min] W. long.;
    (61) 46[deg]33.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.64[min] W. long.;
    (62) 46[deg]27.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.95[min] W. long.;
    (63) 46[deg]18.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.28[min] W. long.;
    (64) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.88[min] W. long.;
    (65) 46[deg]14.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.29[min] W. long.;
    (66) 46[deg]11.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.58[min] W. long.;
    (67) 46[deg]08.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.71[min] W. long.;
    (68) 46[deg]05.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.26[min] W. long.;
    (69) 46[deg]03.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.20[min] W. long.;
    (70) 46[deg]02.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.51[min] W. long.;
    (71) 45[deg]58.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.42[min] W. long.;
    (72) 45[deg]46.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.50[min] W. long.;
    (73) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.27[min] W. long.;
    (74) 45[deg]44.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.93[min] W. long.;
    (75) 45[deg]43.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.93[min] W. long.;
    (76) 45[deg]34.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.59[min] W. long.;
    (77) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.47[min] W. long.;
    (78) 45[deg]13.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.25[min] W. long.;
    (79) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.13[min] W. long.;
    (80) 45[deg]00.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.29[min] W. long.;
    (81) 44[deg]55.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.36[min] W. long.;
    (82) 44[deg]48.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.61[min] W. long.;
    (83) 44[deg]42.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.05[min] W. long.;
    (84) 44[deg]41.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.03[min] W. long.;
    (85) 44[deg]40.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.11[min] W. long.;
    (86) 44[deg]38.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.11[min] W. long.;
    (87) 44[deg]21.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.82[min] W. long.;
    (88) 44[deg]17.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.04[min] W. long.;
    (89) 44[deg]13.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.66[min] W. long.;
    (90) 44[deg]08.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.50[min] W. long.;
    (91) 43[deg]57.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.13[min] W. long.;
    (92) 43[deg]50.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.80[min] W. long.;
    (93) 43[deg]50.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.27[min] W. long.;
    (94) 43[deg]39.05[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.56[min] W. long.;
    (95) 43[deg]28.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.00[min] W. long.;
    (96) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.84[min] W. long.;
    (97) 43[deg]20.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.05[min] W. long.;
    (98) 43[deg]13.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.00[min] W. long.;
    (99) 43[deg]13.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.61[min] W. long.;
    (100) 43[deg]04.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.01[min] W. long.;

[[Page 131]]

    (101) 42[deg]57.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.10[min] W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]53.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.76[min] W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]53.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.35[min] W. long.;
    (104) 42[deg]49.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.16[min] W. long.;
    (105) 42[deg]47.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.24[min] W. long.;
    (106) 42[deg]47.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.13[min] W. long.;
    (107) 42[deg]46.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.52[min] W. long.;
    (108) 42[deg]41.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.69[min] W. long.;
    (109) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.02[min] W. long.;
    (110) 42[deg]38.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.09[min] W. long.;
    (111) 42[deg]31.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.24[min] W. long.;
    (112) 42[deg]31.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.32[min] W. long.;
    (113) 42[deg]30.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.50[min] W. long.;
    (114) 42[deg]28.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.56[min] W. long.;
    (115) 42[deg]23.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.91[min] W. long.;
    (116) 42[deg]19.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.60[min] W. long.;
    (117) 42[deg]15.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.34[min] W. long.;
    (118) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.22[min] W. long.;
    (119) 42[deg]12.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.09[min] W. long.;
    (120) 42[deg]04.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.23[min] W. long.;
    (121) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.80[min] W. long.;
    (122) 41[deg]47.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.48[min] W. long.;
    (123) 41[deg]43.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.96[min] W. long.;
    (124) 41[deg]23.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.36[min] W. long.;
    (125) 41[deg]21.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.43[min] W. long.;
    (126) 41[deg]13.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.48[min] W. long.;
    (127) 41[deg]06.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.37[min] W. long.;
    (128) 40[deg]54.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.20[min] W. long.;
    (129) 40[deg]51.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.47[min] W. long.;
    (130) 40[deg]40.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.75[min] W. long.;
    (131) 40[deg]36.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.18[min] W. long.;
    (132) 40[deg]32.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.90[min] W. long.;
    (133) 40[deg]31.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.00[min] W. long.;
    (134) 40[deg]30.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.91[min] W. long.;
    (135) 40[deg]27.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.34[min] W. long.;
    (136) 40[deg]24.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.44[min] W. long.;
    (137) 40[deg]22.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.22[min] W. long.;
    (138) 40[deg]16.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.00[min] W. long.;
    (139) 40[deg]17.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.30[min] W. long.;
    (140) 40[deg]14.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.82[min] W. long.;
    (141) 40[deg]13.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.43[min] W. long.;
    (142) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.64[min] W. long.;
    (143) 40[deg]06.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.26[min] W. long.;
    (144) 40[deg]07.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.82[min] W. long.;
    (145) 40[deg]04.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.17[min] W. long.;
    (146) 40[deg]02.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.64[min] W. long.;
    (147) 40[deg]01.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.89[min] W. long.;
    (148) 39[deg]58.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]13.58[min] W. long.;
    (149) 39[deg]56.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.09[min] W. long.;
    (150) 39[deg]55.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.03[min] W. long.;
    (151) 39[deg]52.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.47[min] W. long.;
    (152) 39[deg]42.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.59[min] W. long.;
    (153) 39[deg]35.95[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.56[min] W. long.;
    (154) 39[deg]34.61[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.66[min] W. long.;
    (155) 39[deg]33.77[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.89[min] W. long.;
    (156) 39[deg]33.01[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.14[min] W. long.;
    (157) 39[deg]32.20[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.20[min] W. long.;
    (158) 39[deg]07.84[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.14[min] W. long.;

[[Page 132]]

    (159) 39[deg]01.11[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.97[min] W. long.;
    (160) 39[deg]00.51[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.96[min] W. long.;
    (161) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.57[min] W. long.;
    (162) 38[deg]56.57[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.80[min] W. long.;
    (163) 38[deg]56.39[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.48[min] W. long.;
    (164) 38[deg]50.22[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.55[min] W. long.;
    (165) 38[deg]46.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.56[min] W. long.;
    (166) 38[deg]45.27[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.63[min] W. long.;
    (167) 38[deg]42.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.83[min] W. long.;
    (168) 38[deg]41.53[min] N. lat., 123[deg]47.83[min] W. long.;
    (169) 38[deg]40.97[min] N. lat., 123[deg]48.14[min] W. long.;
    (170) 38[deg]38.02[min] N. lat., 123[deg]45.85[min] W. long.;
    (171) 38[deg]37.19[min] N. lat., 123[deg]44.08[min] W. long.;
    (172) 38[deg]33.43[min] N. lat., 123[deg]41.82[min] W. long.;
    (173) 38[deg]29.44[min] N. lat., 123[deg]38.49[min] W. long.;
    (174) 38[deg]28.08[min] N. lat., 123[deg]38.33[min] W. long.;
    (175) 38[deg]23.68[min] N. lat., 123[deg]35.47[min] W. long.;
    (176) 38[deg]19.63[min] N. lat., 123[deg]34.05[min] W. long.;
    (177) 38[deg]16.23[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.90[min] W. long.;
    (178) 38[deg]14.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.98[min] W. long.;
    (179) 38[deg]14.12[min] N. lat., 123[deg]26.36[min] W. long.;
    (180) 38[deg]10.85[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.84[min] W. long.;
    (181) 38[deg]13.15[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.25[min] W. long.;
    (182) 38[deg]12.28[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.88[min] W. long.;
    (183) 38[deg]10.19[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.11[min] W. long.;
    (184) 38[deg]07.94[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.52[min] W. long.;
    (185) 38[deg]06.51[min] N. lat., 123[deg]30.96[min] W. long.;
    (186) 38[deg]04.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]32.03[min] W. long.;
    (187) 38[deg]02.07[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.37[min] W. long.;
    (188) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.62[min] W. long.;
    (189) 37[deg]58.13[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.28[min] W. long.;
    (190) 37[deg]55.01[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.53[min] W. long.;
    (191) 37[deg]51.40[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.25[min] W. long.;
    (192) 37[deg]43.97[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.56[min] W. long.;
    (193) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]02.32[min] W. long.;
    (194) 37[deg]13.65[min] N. lat., 122[deg]54.25[min] W. long.;
    (195) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]50.97[min] W. long.;
    (196) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]45.90[min] W. long.;
    (197) 37[deg]00.66[min] N. lat., 122[deg]37.91[min] W. long.;
    (198) 36[deg]57.40[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.32[min] W. long.;
    (199) 36[deg]59.25[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.61[min] W. long.;
    (200) 36[deg]56.88[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.49[min] W. long.;
    (201) 36[deg]57.40[min] N. lat., 122[deg]22.69[min] W. long.;
    (202) 36[deg]55.43[min] N. lat., 122[deg]22.49[min] W. long.;
    (203) 36[deg]52.29[min] N. lat., 122[deg]13.25[min] W. long.;
    (204) 36[deg]47.12[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.62[min] W. long.;
    (205) 36[deg]47.10[min] N. lat., 122[deg]02.17[min] W. long.;
    (206) 36[deg]43.76[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.17[min] W. long.;
    (207) 36[deg]38.85[min] N. lat., 122[deg]02.26[min] W. long.;
    (208) 36[deg]23.41[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.17[min] W. long.;
    (209) 36[deg]19.68[min] N. lat., 122[deg]06.99[min] W. long.;
    (210) 36[deg]14.75[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.57[min] W. long.;
    (211) 36[deg]09.74[min] N. lat., 121[deg]45.06[min] W. long.;
    (212) 36[deg]06.75[min] N. lat., 121[deg]40.79[min] W. long.;
    (213) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]35.98[min] W. long.;
    (214) 35[deg]58.18[min] N. lat., 121[deg]34.69[min] W. long.;
    (215) 35[deg]52.31[min] N. lat., 121[deg]32.51[min] W. long.;
    (216) 35[deg]51.21[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.97[min] W. long.;

[[Page 133]]

    (217) 35[deg]46.32[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.36[min] W. long.;
    (218) 35[deg]33.74[min] N. lat., 121[deg]20.16[min] W. long.;
    (219) 35[deg]31.37[min] N. lat., 121[deg]15.29[min] W. long.;
    (220) 35[deg]23.32[min] N. lat., 121[deg]11.50[min] W. long.;
    (221) 35[deg]15.28[min] N. lat., 121[deg]04.51[min] W. long.;
    (222) 35[deg]07.08[min] N. lat., 121[deg]00.36[min] W. long.;
    (223) 34[deg]57.46[min] N. lat., 120[deg]58.29[min] W. long.;
    (224) 34[deg]44.25[min] N. lat., 120[deg]58.35[min] W. long.;
    (225) 34[deg]32.30[min] N. lat., 120[deg]50.28[min] W. long.;
    (226) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]42.61[min] W. long.;
    (227) 34[deg]19.08[min] N. lat., 120[deg]31.27[min] W. long.;
    (228) 34[deg]17.72[min] N. lat., 120[deg]19.32[min] W. long.;
    (229) 34[deg]22.45[min] N. lat., 120[deg]12.87[min] W. long.;
    (230) 34[deg]21.36[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.94[min] W. long.;
    (231) 34[deg]09.95[min] N. lat., 119[deg]46.24[min] W. long.;
    (232) 34[deg]09.08[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.59[min] W. long.;
    (233) 34[deg]07.53[min] N. lat., 120[deg]06.41[min] W. long.;
    (234) 34[deg]10.54[min] N. lat., 120[deg]19.13[min] W. long.;
    (235) 34[deg]14.68[min] N. lat., 120[deg]29.54[min] W. long.;
    (236) 34[deg]09.51[min] N. lat., 120[deg]38.38[min] W. long.;
    (237) 34[deg]03.06[min] N. lat., 120[deg]35.60[min] W. long.;
    (238) 33[deg]56.39[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.53[min] W. long.;
    (239) 33[deg]50.25[min] N. lat., 120[deg]09.49[min] W. long.;
    (240) 33[deg]37.96[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.14[min] W. long.;
    (241) 33[deg]34.52[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.90[min] W. long.;
    (242) 33[deg]35.51[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.55[min] W. long.;
    (243) 33[deg]42.76[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.83[min] W. long.;
    (244) 33[deg]53.62[min] N. lat., 119[deg]53.34[min] W. long.;
    (245) 33[deg]57.61[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.32[min] W. long.;
    (246) 33[deg]56.34[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.46[min] W. long.;
    (247) 33[deg]57.79[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.91[min] W. long.;
    (248) 33[deg]58.88[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.12[min] W. long.;
    (249) 34[deg]02.65[min] N. lat., 119[deg]15.17[min] W. long.;
    (250) 33[deg]59.02[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.05[min] W. long.;
    (251) 33[deg]57.61[min] N. lat., 118[deg]42.13[min] W. long.;
    (252) 33[deg]50.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.03[min] W. long.;
    (253) 33[deg]39.41[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.74[min] W. long.;
    (254) 33[deg]35.51[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.08[min] W. long.;
    (255) 33[deg]30.68[min] N. lat., 118[deg]10.40[min] W. long.;
    (256) 33[deg]32.49[min] N. lat., 117[deg]51.90[min] W. long.;
    (257) 32[deg]58.87[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.41[min] W. long.; and
    (258) 32[deg]35.53[min] N. lat., 117[deg]29.72[min] W. long.
    (h) The 200 fm (366 m) depth contour used around San Clemente Island 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]05.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.45[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.68[min] N. lat., 118[deg]33.14[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]57.32[min] N. lat., 118[deg]29.12[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]47.51[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.88[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]41.22[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.78[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]46.83[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.10[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]01.61[min] N. lat., 118[deg]40.64[min] W. long.; and
    (8) 33[deg]5.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.45[min] W. long.
    (i) The 200 fm (366 m) depth contour used around Santa Catalina 
Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]32.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]44.52[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]31.36[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.28[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]30.10[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.82[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]27.91[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.83[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]26.27[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.35[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]21.34[min] N. lat., 118[deg]15.24[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]13.66[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.98[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]17.15[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.35[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]20.94[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.34[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]23.32[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.60[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]28.68[min] N. lat., 118[deg]44.93[min] W. long.; and
    (12) 33[deg]32.06[min] N. lat., 118[deg]44.52[min] W. long.
    (j) The 200 fm (366 m) depth contour used around Lasuen Knoll off 
the state

[[Page 134]]

of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]25.91[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.44[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]23.37[min] N lat., 117[deg]56.97[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]22.88[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.72[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]23.85[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.03[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]25.20[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.89[min] W long.; and
    (6) 33[deg]25.91[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.44[min] W long.
    (k) The 200 fm (366 m) depth contour used around San Diego Rise off 
the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]50.30[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.18[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]44.01[min] N. lat., 117[deg]44.46[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]41.34[min] N. lat., 117[deg]45.86[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]45.45[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.09[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]50.10[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.76[min] W. long.; and
    (6) 32[deg]50.30[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.18[min] W. long.
    (l) The 200-fm (366-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico, modified to allow fishing 
in petrale sole areas, is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.75[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.73[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]12.85[min] N. lat., 125[deg]38.06[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.82[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]07.10[min] N. lat., 125[deg]45.65[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]05.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]44.69[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]04.07[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.96[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]03.05[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.38[min] W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]01.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.41[min] W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]01.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.61[min] W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]56.94[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.65[min] W. long.;
    (11) 47[deg]55.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]30.13[min] W. long.;
    (12) 47[deg]55.65[min] N. lat., 125[deg]28.46[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]58.11[min] N. lat., 125[deg]26.60[min] W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]00.40[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.83[min] W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]02.04[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.90[min] W. long.;
    (16) 48[deg]03.60[min] N. lat., 125[deg]21.84[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]03.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.65[min] W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]03.26[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.76[min] W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]01.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.80[min] W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]01.03[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.12[min] W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]00.04[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.26[min] W. long.;
    (22) 47[deg]58.10[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.91[min] W. long.;
    (23) 47[deg]58.17[min] N. lat., 125[deg]17.50[min] W. long.;
    (24) 47[deg]52.33[min] N. lat., 125[deg]15.78[min] W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]49.20[min] N. lat., 125[deg]10.67[min] W. long.;
    (26) 47[deg]48.27[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.38[min] W. long.;
    (27) 47[deg]47.24[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.38[min] W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]45.95[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.61[min] W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]44.58[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.12[min] W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]42.24[min] N. lat., 125[deg]05.15[min] W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]38.54[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.76[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]35.03[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.28[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]28.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.24[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]29.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.10[min] W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]28.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.58[min] W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]24.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.50[min] W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]18.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.17[min] W. long.;
    (38) 47[deg]19.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.00[min] W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]18.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.66[min] W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]17.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.94[min] W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]17.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.63[min] W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]16.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.23[min] W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]16.10[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.67[min] W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]14.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.02[min] W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]12.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.77[min] W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]13.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.70[min] W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]09.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.32[min] W. long.;
    (48) 47[deg]09.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.50[min] W. long.;
    (49) 47[deg]05.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.30[min] W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]03.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.26[min] W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]00.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.52[min] W. long.;
    (52) 46[deg]56.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (53) 46[deg]51.55[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (54) 46[deg]50.07[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.90[min] W. long.;
    (55) 46[deg]44.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.97[min] W. long.;
    (56) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.66[min] W. long.;
    (57) 46[deg]33.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.11[min] W. long.;
    (58) 46[deg]33.20[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.64[min] W. long.;
    (59) 46[deg]27.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.95[min] W. long.;
    (60) 46[deg]18.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.28[min] W. long.;
    (61) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.88[min] W. long.;
    (62) 46[deg]14.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.28[min] W. long.;
    (63) 46[deg]11.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.58[min] W. long.;
    (64) 46[deg]08.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.71[min] W. long.;
    (65) 46[deg]05.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.27[min] W. long.;
    (66) 46[deg]03.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.20[min] W. long.;
    (67) 46[deg]02.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.51[min] W. long.;
    (68) 45[deg]58.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.42[min] W. long.;
    (69) 45[deg]49.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.37[min] W. long.;
    (70) 45[deg]49.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.69[min] W. long.;
    (71) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.82[min] W. long.;
    (72) 45[deg]40.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.90[min] W. long.;
    (73) 45[deg]34.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.58[min] W. long.;
    (74) 45[deg]20.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.47[min] W. long.;
    (75) 45[deg]13.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.92[min] W. long.;
    (76) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.13[min] W. long.;
    (77) 45[deg]00.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.28[min] W. long.;
    (78) 44[deg]50.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.40[min] W. long.;
    (79) 44[deg]46.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.20[min] W. long.;
    (80) 44[deg]48.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.61[min] W. long.;
    (81) 44[deg]42.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.05[min] W. long.;
    (82) 44[deg]41.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.03[min] W. long.;
    (83) 44[deg]40.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.11[min] W. long.;
    (84) 44[deg]38.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.11[min] W. long.;
    (85) 44[deg]21.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.82[min] W. long.;
    (86) 44[deg]17.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.04[min] W. long.;
    (87) 44[deg]13.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.66[min] W. long.;
    (88) 43[deg]57.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.25[min] W. long.;
    (89) 43[deg]56.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.33[min] W. long.;

[[Page 135]]

    (90) 43[deg]52.32[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.43[min] W. long.;
    (91) 43[deg]51.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.94[min] W. long.;
    (92) 43[deg]49.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.26[min] W. long.;
    (93) 43[deg]39.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.55[min] W. long.;
    (94) 43[deg]28.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.99[min] W. long.;
    (95) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.89[min] W. long.;
    (96) 43[deg]20.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.05[min] W. long.;
    (97) 43[deg]13.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.00[min] W. long.;
    (98) 43[deg]10.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.95[min] W. long.;
    (99) 43[deg]04.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.05[min] W. long.;
    (100) 42[deg]53.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.60[min] W. long.;
    (101) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.60[min] W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]47.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.12[min] W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]46.19[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.52[min] W. long.;
    (104) 42[deg]41.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.69[min] W. long.;
    (105) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.02[min] W. long.;
    (106) 42[deg]38.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.09[min] W. long.;
    (107) 42[deg]31.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.23[min] W. long.;
    (108) 42[deg]32.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.58[min] W. long.;
    (109) 42[deg]30.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.84[min] W. long.;
    (110) 42[deg]28.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.17[min] W. long.;
    (111) 42[deg]24.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.93[min] W. long.;
    (112) 42[deg]19.71[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.60[min] W. long.;
    (113) 42[deg]15.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.34[min] W. long.;
    (114) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.28[min] W. long.;
    (115) 42[deg]12.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.09[min] W. long.;
    (116) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.83[min] W. long.;
    (117) 41[deg]47.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.55[min] W. long.;
    (118) 41[deg]21.15[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.04[min] W. long.;
    (119) 41[deg]13.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.40[min] W. long.;
    (120) 41[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.99[min] W. long.;
    (121) 41[deg]06.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.30[min] W. long.;
    (122) 40[deg]54.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.15[min] W. long.;
    (123) 40[deg]53.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.11[min] W. long.;
    (124) 40[deg]50.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.15[min] W. long.;
    (125) 40[deg]44.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.89[min] W. long.;
    (126) 40[deg]40.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.16[min] W. long.;
    (127) 40[deg]38.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.15[min] W. long.;
    (128) 40[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.43[min] W. long.;
    (129) 40[deg]37.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.06[min] W. long.;
    (130) 40[deg]36.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.11[min] W. long.;
    (131) 40[deg]31.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.01[min] W. long.;
    (132) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.15[min] W. long.;
    (133) 40[deg]27.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.28[min] W. long.;
    (134) 40[deg]25.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.36[min] W. long.;
    (135) 40[deg]22.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.35[min] W. long.;
    (136) 40[deg]16.29[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.50[min] W. long.;
    (137) 40[deg]14.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.02[min] W. long.;
    (138) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.55[min] W. long.;
    (139) 40[deg]06.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.24[min] W. long.;
    (140) 40[deg]07.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.80[min] W. long.;
    (141) 40[deg]05.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.11[min] W. long.;
    (142) 40[deg]04.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.11[min] W. long.;
    (143) 40[deg]02.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.54[min] W. long.;
    (144) 40[deg]01.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.89[min] W. long.;
    (145) 39[deg]58.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.43[min] W. long.;
    (146) 39[deg]55.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.86[min] W. long.;
    (147) 39[deg]42.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.52[min] W. long.;
    (148) 39[deg]35.96[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.47[min] W. long.;
    (149) 39[deg]34.61[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.59[min] W. long.;
    (150) 39[deg]33.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.77[min] W. long.;
    (151) 39[deg]33.03[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.06[min] W. long.;
    (152) 39[deg]32.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.12[min] W. long.;
    (153) 39[deg]07.81[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.06[min] W. long.;

[[Page 136]]

    (154) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.32[min] W. long.;
    (155) 38[deg]52.26[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.18[min] W. long.;
    (156) 38[deg]50.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.48[min] W. long.;
    (157) 38[deg]46.81[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.49[min] W. long.;
    (158) 38[deg]45.29[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.55[min] W. long.;
    (159) 38[deg]42.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.73[min] W. long.;
    (160) 38[deg]41.42[min] N. lat., 123[deg]47.45[min] W. long.;
    (161) 38[deg]35.74[min] N. lat., 123[deg]43.82[min] W. long.;
    (162) 38[deg]34.92[min] N. lat., 123[deg]42.53[min] W. long.;
    (163) 38[deg]19.65[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.95[min] W. long.;
    (164) 38[deg]14.38[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.51[min] W. long.;
    (165) 38[deg]09.39[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.40[min] W. long.;
    (166) 38[deg]10.06[min] N. lat., 123[deg]26.84[min] W. long.;
    (167) 38[deg]04.58[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.91[min] W. long.;
    (168) 38[deg]02.06[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.26[min] W. long.;
    (169) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.56[min] W. long.;
    (170) 37[deg]58.07[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.21[min] W. long.;
    (171) 37[deg]55.07[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.20[min] W. long.;
    (172) 37[deg]50.77[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.52[min] W. long.;
    (173) 37[deg]43.94[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.49[min] W. long.;
    (174) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]02.23[min] W. long.;
    (175) 37[deg]23.48[min] N. lat., 122[deg]57.77[min] W. long.;
    (176) 37[deg]23.23[min] N. lat., 122[deg]53.85[min] W. long.;
    (177) 37[deg]13.96[min] N. lat., 122[deg]49.97[min] W. long.;
    (178) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]45.68[min] W. long.;
    (179) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]43.37[min] W. long.;
    (180) 37[deg]01.04[min] N. lat., 122[deg]37.94[min] W. long.;
    (181) 36[deg]57.40[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.36[min] W. long.;
    (182) 36[deg]59.21[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.64[min] W. long.;
    (183) 36[deg]56.90[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.42[min] W. long.;
    (184) 36[deg]57.60[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.95[min] W. long.;
    (185) 36[deg]55.69[min] N. lat., 122[deg]22.32[min] W. long.;
    (186) 36[deg]52.27[min] N. lat., 122[deg]13.17[min] W. long.;
    (187) 36[deg]47.38[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.62[min] W. long.;
    (188) 36[deg]47.27[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.77[min] W. long.;
    (189) 36[deg]24.12[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.74[min] W. long.;
    (190) 36[deg]21.99[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.01[min] W. long.;
    (191) 36[deg]19.56[min] N. lat., 122[deg]05.88[min] W. long.;
    (192) 36[deg]14.63[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.10[min] W. long.;
    (193) 36[deg]09.74[min] N. lat., 121[deg]45.01[min] W. long.;
    (194) 36[deg]06.69[min] N. lat., 121[deg]40.77[min] W. long.;
    (195) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]36.01[min] W. long.;
    (196) 35[deg]56.54[min] N. lat., 121[deg]33.27[min] W. long.;
    (197) 35[deg]52.21[min] N. lat., 121[deg]32.46[min] W. long.;
    (198) 35[deg]51.21[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.94[min] W. long.;
    (199) 35[deg]46.28[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.29[min] W. long.;
    (200) 35[deg]33.68[min] N. lat., 121[deg]20.09[min] W. long.;
    (201) 35[deg]31.33[min] N. lat., 121[deg]15.22[min] W. long.;
    (202) 35[deg]23.29[min] N. lat., 121[deg]11.41[min] W. long.;
    (203) 35[deg]15.26[min] N. lat., 121[deg]04.49[min] W. long.;
    (204) 35[deg]07.05[min] N. lat., 121[deg]00.26[min] W. long.;
    (205) 35[deg]07.46[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.10[min] W. long.;
    (206) 34[deg]44.29[min] N. lat., 120[deg]54.28[min] W. long.;
    (207) 34[deg]44.24[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.69[min] W. long.;
    (208) 34[deg]39.06[min] N. lat., 120[deg]55.01[min] W. long.;
    (209) 34[deg]27.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]42.61[min] W long.;
    (210) 34[deg]19.08[min] N lat., 120[deg]31.21[min] W long.;
    (211) 34[deg]17.72[min] N. lat., 120[deg]19.26[min] W. long.;
    (212) 34[deg]22.45[min] N. lat., 120[deg]12.81[min] W. long.;

[[Page 137]]

    (213) 34[deg]21.36[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.88[min] W. long.;
    (214) 34[deg]09.95[min] N. lat., 119[deg]46.18[min] W. long.;
    (215) 34[deg]09.08[min] N. lat., 119[deg]57.53[min] W. long.;
    (216) 34[deg]07.53[min] N. lat., 120[deg]06.35[min] W. long.;
    (217) 34[deg]10.37[min] N. lat., 120[deg]18.40[min] W. long.;
    (218) 34[deg]12.50[min] N. lat., 120[deg]18.40[min] W. long.;
    (219) 34[deg]12.50[min] N. lat., 120[deg]24.96[min] W. long.;
    (220) 34[deg]14.68[min] N. lat., 120[deg]29.48[min] W. long.;
    (221) 34[deg]09.51[min] N. lat., 120[deg]38.32[min] W. long.;
    (222) 34[deg]04.66[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.29[min] W. long.;
    (223) 34[deg]02.21[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.29[min] W. long.;
    (224) 34[deg]02.21[min] N. lat., 120[deg]34.65[min] W. long.;
    (225) 33[deg]56.39[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.47[min] W. long.;
    (226) 33[deg]50.40[min] N. lat., 120[deg]10.00[min] W. long.;
    (227) 33[deg]37.96[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.08[min] W. long.;
    (228) 33[deg]34.52[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.84[min] W. long.;
    (229) 33[deg]35.51[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.49[min] W. long.;
    (230) 33[deg]42.76[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.77[min] W. long.;
    (231) 33[deg]51.63[min] N. lat., 119[deg]53.00[min] W. long.;
    (232) 33[deg]51.62[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (233) 33[deg]54.59[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W. long.;
    (234) 33[deg]57.69[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.00[min] W. long.;
    (235) 33[deg]54.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.00[min] W. long.;
    (236) 33[deg]54.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.00[min] W. long.;
    (237) 33[deg]57.94[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.00[min] W. long.;
    (238) 33[deg]58.88[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.06[min] W. long.;
    (239) 34[deg]02.65[min] N. lat., 119[deg]15.11[min] W. long.;
    (240) 33[deg]59.02[min] N. lat., 119[deg]02.99[min] W. long.;
    (241) 33[deg]57.61[min] N. lat., 118[deg]42.07[min] W. long.;
    (242) 33[deg]50.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]37.98[min] W. long.;
    (243) 33[deg]39.17[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.47[min] W. long.;
    (244) 33[deg]37.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.39[min] W. long.;
    (245) 33[deg]35.51[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.03[min] W. long.;
    (246) 33[deg]30.68[min] N. lat., 118[deg]10.35[min] W. long.;
    (247) 33[deg]32.49[min] N. lat., 117[deg]51.85[min] W. long.;
    (248) 32[deg]58.87[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.36[min] W. long.; and
    (249) 32[deg]35.56[min] N. lat., 117[deg]29.66[min] W. long.
    (m) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.95[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]13.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]43.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]08.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]45.00[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]06.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]46.50[min] W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]03.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]01.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.00[min] W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]55.20[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.26[min] W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]54.02[min] N. lat., 125[deg]36.60[min] W. long.;
    (11) 47[deg]53.70[min] N. lat., 125[deg]35.09[min] W. long.;
    (12) 47[deg]54.16[min] N. lat., 125[deg]32.38[min] W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]55.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]28.50[min] W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.00[min] W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]00.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.50[min] W. long.;
    (16) 48[deg]03.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]21.00[min] W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.50[min] W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]21.00[min] W. long.;
    (19) 47[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.00[min] W. long.;
    (20) 47[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.00[min] W. long.;
    (21) 47[deg]52.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.50[min] W. long.;
    (22) 47[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.00[min] W. long.;
    (23) 47[deg]44.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.50[min] W. long.;
    (24) 47[deg]42.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.00[min] W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]37.96[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.17[min] W. long.;
    (26) 47[deg]28.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.50[min] W. long.;
    (27) 47[deg]28.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.70[min] W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]27.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.87[min] W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]24.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.45[min] W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]21.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.42[min] W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]18.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.75[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]19.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.43[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]18.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.25[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]13.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.70[min] W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.10[min] W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]08.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.91[min] W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]05.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.00[min] W. long.;

[[Page 138]]

    (38) 47[deg]03.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.50[min] W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]01.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (40) 46[deg]55.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.00[min] W. long.;
    (41) 46[deg]53.32[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (42) 46[deg]51.55[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (43) 46[deg]50.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.90[min] W. long.;
    (44) 46[deg]47.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.00[min] W. long.;
    (45) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.45[min] W. long.;
    (46) 46[deg]34.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (47) 46[deg]30.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.00[min] W. long.;
    (48) 46[deg]33.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.00[min] W. long.;
    (49) 46[deg]29.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.00[min] W. long.;
    (50) 46[deg]20.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.00[min] W. long.;
    (51) 46[deg]18.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.00[min] W. long.;
    (52) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.00[min] W. long.;
    (53) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.01[min] W. long.;
    (54) 46[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.96[min] W. long.;
    (55) 46[deg]13.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.87[min] W. long.;
    (56) 46[deg]13.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.75[min] W. long.;
    (57) 46[deg]10.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.00[min] W. long.;
    (58) 46[deg]06.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.85[min] W. long.;
    (59) 46[deg]03.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.27[min] W. long.;
    (60) 45[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.52[min] W. long.;
    (61) 45[deg]46.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.91[min] W. long.;
    (62) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.84[min] W. long.;
    (63) 45[deg]45.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.05[min] W. long.;
    (64) 45[deg]44.87[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.98[min] W. long.;
    (65) 45[deg]43.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.03[min] W. long.;
    (66) 45[deg]35.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.72[min] W. long.;
    (67) 45[deg]35.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.89[min] W. long.;
    (68) 45[deg]24.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.21[min] W. long.;
    (69) 45[deg]11.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.38[min] W. long.;
    (70) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.03[min] W. long.;
    (71) 44[deg]57.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.02[min] W. long.;
    (72) 44[deg]44.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.79[min] W. long.;
    (73) 44[deg]32.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.21[min] W. long.;
    (74) 44[deg]23.36[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.53[min] W. long.;
    (75) 44[deg]13.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]59.03[min] W. long.;
    (76) 43[deg]57.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.57[min] W. long.;
    (77) 43[deg]50.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.36[min] W. long.;
    (78) 43[deg]49.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.96[min] W. long.;
    (79) 43[deg]42.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.40[min] W. long.;
    (80) 43[deg]24.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.61[min] W. long.;
    (81) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.48[min] W. long.;
    (82) 43[deg]19.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.12[min] W. long.;
    (83) 43[deg]19.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.95[min] W. long.;
    (84) 43[deg]17.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.02[min] W. long.;
    (85) 42[deg]56.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.59[min] W. long.;
    (86) 42[deg]53.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.76[min] W. long.;
    (87) 42[deg]53.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.88[min] W. long.;
    (88) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.12[min] W. long.;
    (89) 42[deg]49.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.17[min] W. long.;
    (90) 42[deg]46.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.39[min] W. long.;
    (91) 42[deg]43.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.64[min] W. long.;
    (92) 42[deg]45.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.35[min] W. long.;
    (93) 42[deg]43.92[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.92[min] W. long.;
    (94) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.30[min] W. long.;
    (95) 42[deg]38.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.51[min] W. long.;
    (96) 42[deg]34.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.56[min] W. long.;
    (97) 42[deg]31.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.89[min] W. long.;
    (98) 42[deg]31.59[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.85[min] W. long.;
    (99) 42[deg]31.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.82[min] W. long.;
    (100) 42[deg]28.48[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.96[min] W. long.;
    (101) 42[deg]26.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.99[min] W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]19.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.21[min] W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]13.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.06[min] W. long.;
    (104) 42[deg]05.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.06[min] W. long.;
    (105) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.76[min] W. long.;
    (106) 41[deg]47.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.79[min] W. long.;
    (107) 41[deg]21.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.35[min] W. long.;
    (108) 41[deg]07.11[min] N. lat., 124[deg]25.25[min] W. long.;
    (109) 40[deg]57.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.25[min] W. long.;
    (110) 40[deg]48.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.69[min] W. long.;
    (111) 40[deg]41.03[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.21[min] W. long.;
    (112) 40[deg]37.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.96[min] W. long.;
    (113) 40[deg]33.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.50[min] W. long.;
    (114) 40[deg]31.31[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.59[min] W. long.;
    (115) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.50[min] W. long.;
    (116) 40[deg]25.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.65[min] W. long.;
    (117) 40[deg]22.42[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.19[min] W. long.;
    (118) 40[deg]17.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.21[min] W. long.;
    (119) 40[deg]18.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.44[min] W. long.;
    (120) 40[deg]13.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.26[min] W. long.;
    (121) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.25[min] W. long.;
    (122) 40[deg]06.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]21.40[min] W. long.;
    (123) 40[deg]01.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.25[min] W. long.;
    (124) 40[deg]00.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.19[min] W. long.;
    (125) 39[deg]59.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.92[min] W. long.;
    (126) 39[deg]56.44[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.52[min] W. long.;
    (127) 39[deg]54.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.71[min] W. long.;

[[Page 139]]

    (128) 39[deg]52.60[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.01[min] W. long.;
    (129) 39[deg]37.37[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.58[min] W. long.;
    (130) 39[deg]32.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.01[min] W. long.;
    (131) 39[deg]05.40[min] N. lat., 124[deg]00.52[min] W. long.;
    (132) 39[deg]04.32[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.00[min] W. long.;
    (133) 38[deg]58.02[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.18[min] W. long.;
    (134) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]01.90[min] W. long.;
    (135) 38[deg]50.27[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.26[min] W. long.;
    (136) 38[deg]46.73[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.93[min] W. long.;
    (137) 38[deg]44.64[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.77[min] W. long.;
    (138) 38[deg]32.97[min] N. lat., 123[deg]41.84[min] W. long.;
    (139) 38[deg]14.56[min] N. lat., 123[deg]32.18[min] W. long.;
    (140) 38[deg]13.85[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.94[min] W. long.;
    (141) 38[deg]11.88[min] N. lat., 123[deg]30.57[min] W. long.;
    (142) 38[deg]08.72[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.56[min] W. long.;
    (143) 38[deg]05.62[min] N. lat., 123[deg]32.38[min] W. long.;
    (144) 38[deg]01.90[min] N. lat., 123[deg]32.00[min] W. long.;
    (145) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]30.00[min] W. long.;
    (146) 37[deg]58.07[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.35[min] W. long.;
    (147) 37[deg]54.97[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.69[min] W. long.;
    (148) 37[deg]51.32[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.40[min] W. long.;
    (149) 37[deg]43.82[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.69[min] W. long.;
    (150) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]02.62[min] W. long.;
    (151) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]54.50[min] W. long.;
    (152) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]48.59[min] W. long.;
    (153) 36[deg]59.99[min] N. lat., 122[deg]38.49[min] W. long.;
    (154) 36[deg]56.64[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.78[min] W. long.;
    (155) 36[deg]58.93[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.67[min] W. long.;
    (156) 36[deg]56.19[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.67[min] W. long.;
    (157) 36[deg]57.09[min] N. lat., 122[deg]22.85[min] W. long.;
    (158) 36[deg]54.95[min] N. lat., 122[deg]22.63[min] W. long.;
    (159) 36[deg]52.25[min] N. lat., 122[deg]13.94[min] W. long.;
    (160) 36[deg]46.94[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.90[min] W. long.;
    (161) 36[deg]46.86[min] N. lat., 122[deg]02.24[min] W. long.;
    (162) 36[deg]43.73[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.33[min] W. long.;
    (163) 36[deg]38.93[min] N. lat., 122[deg]02.46[min] W. long.;
    (164) 36[deg]30.77[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.40[min] W. long.;
    (165) 36[deg]23.78[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.52[min] W. long.;
    (166) 36[deg]19.98[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.63[min] W. long.;
    (167) 36[deg]15.36[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.50[min] W. long.;
    (168) 36[deg]09.47[min] N. lat., 121[deg]45.37[min] W. long.;
    (169) 36[deg]06.42[min] N. lat., 121[deg]41.34[min] W. long.;
    (170) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]37.68[min] W. long.;
    (171) 35[deg]52.25[min] N. lat., 121[deg]33.21[min] W. long.;
    (172) 35[deg]51.09[min] N. lat., 121[deg]31.83[min] W. long.;
    (173) 35[deg]46.47[min] N. lat., 121[deg]31.19[min] W. long.;
    (174) 35[deg]33.97[min] N. lat., 121[deg]21.69[min] W. long.;
    (175) 35[deg]30.94[min] N. lat., 121[deg]18.36[min] W. long.;
    (176) 35[deg]23.08[min] N. lat., 121[deg]15.56[min] W. long.;
    (177) 35[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 121[deg]05.79[min] W. long.;
    (178) 35[deg]06.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]02.45[min] W. long.;
    (179) 34[deg]53.32[min] N. lat., 121[deg]01.46[min] W. long.;
    (180) 34[deg]49.36[min] N. lat., 121[deg]03.04[min] W. long.;
    (181) 34[deg]44.12[min] N. lat., 121[deg]01.28[min] W. long.;
    (182) 34[deg]32.38[min] N. lat., 120[deg]51.78[min] W. long.;
    (183) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]44.25[min] W. long.;
    (184) 34[deg]17.93[min] N. lat., 120[deg]35.43[min] W. long.;
    (185) 34[deg]16.02[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.70[min] W. long.;

[[Page 140]]

    (186) 34[deg]09.84[min] N. lat., 120[deg]38.85[min] W. long.;
    (187) 34[deg]03.22[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.12[min] W. long.;
    (188) 33[deg]55.98[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.81[min] W. long.;
    (189) 33[deg]49.88[min] N. lat., 120[deg]10.07[min] W. long.;
    (190) 33[deg]37.75[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.35[min] W. long.;
    (191) 33[deg]33.91[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.74[min] W. long.;
    (192) 33[deg]35.07[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.14[min] W. long.;
    (193) 33[deg]42.60[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.40[min] W. long.;
    (194) 33[deg]53.25[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.58[min] W. long.;
    (195) 33[deg]57.48[min] N. lat., 119[deg]31.27[min] W. long.;
    (196) 33[deg]55.47[min] N. lat., 119[deg]24.96[min] W. long.;
    (197) 33[deg]57.60[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.68[min] W. long.;
    (198) 33[deg]58.68[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.13[min] W. long.;
    (199) 34[deg]02.02[min] N. lat., 119[deg]14.62[min] W. long.;
    (200) 33[deg]58.73[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.21[min] W. long.;
    (201) 33[deg]57.33[min] N. lat., 118[deg]43.08[min] W. long.;
    (202) 33[deg]50.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.33[min] W. long.;
    (203) 33[deg]39.27[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.76[min] W. long.;
    (204) 33[deg]35.16[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.33[min] W. long.;
    (205) 33[deg]28.82[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.73[min] W. long.;
    (206) 33[deg]31.44[min] N. lat., 117[deg]51.34[min] W. long.;
    (207) 32[deg]58.76[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.85[min] W. long.; and
    (208) 32[deg]35.61[min] N. lat., 117[deg]30.15[min] W. long.
    (n) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used around San Clemente Island 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]06.10[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.07[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]05.31[min] N. lat., 118[deg]40.88[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]03.03[min] N. lat., 118[deg]41.72[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]46.62[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.23[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]40.81[min] N. lat., 118[deg]23.85[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]47.55[min] N. lat., 118[deg]17.59[min] W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]57.35[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.83[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]02.79[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.85[min] W. long.; and
    (9) 33[deg]06.10[min] N. lat., 118[deg]39.07[min] W. long.
    (o) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used around Santa Catalina 
Island is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]13.37[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.39[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]20.86[min] N. lat., 118[deg]14.39[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]26.49[min] N. lat., 118[deg]21.17[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]28.14[min] N. lat., 118[deg]26.68[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]30.36[min] N. lat., 118[deg]30.55[min] W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]31.65[min] N. lat., 118[deg]35.33[min] W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]32.89[min] N. lat., 118[deg]42.97[min] W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]32.64[min] N. lat., 118[deg]49.44[min] W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]38.02[min] N. lat., 118[deg]57.35[min] W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]37.08[min] N. lat., 118[deg]57.93[min] W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]30.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]49.96[min] W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]23.24[min] N. lat., 118[deg]32.88[min] W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]20.91[min] N. lat., 118[deg]34.67[min] W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]17.04[min] N. lat., 118[deg]28.21[min] W. long.; and
    (15) 33[deg]13.37[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.39[min] W. long.
    (p) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used around Lasuen Knoll is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]26.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]00.77[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]25.30[min] N. lat., 117[deg]57.88[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]23.83[min] N lat., 117[deg]56.19[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]22.24[min] N lat., 117[deg]57.20[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]22.78[min] N lat., 117[deg]59.68[min] W long.;
    (6) 33[deg]23.79[min] N lat., 118[deg]01.32[min] W long.;
    (7) 33[deg]25.79[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.25[min] W long.; and
    (8) 33[deg]26.76[min] N. lat., 118[deg]00.77[min] W. long.
    (q) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used around San Diego Rise is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]51.58[min] N. lat., 117[deg]51.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]44.69[min] N. lat., 117[deg]44.55[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]37.05[min] N. lat., 117[deg]42.02[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]37.14[min] N lat., 117[deg]44.94[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]47.03[min] N. lat., 117[deg]50.97[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]51.50[min] N. lat., 117[deg]51.47[min] W. long.; and
    (7) 32[deg]51.58[min] N. lat., 117[deg]51.00[min] W. long.
    (r) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico, modified to allow fishing 
in petrale sole areas, is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.95[min] W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]13.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]39.00[min] W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]43.00[min] W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]08.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]45.00[min] W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]06.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]46.50[min] W. long.;

[[Page 141]]

    (6) 48[deg]03.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]01.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.00[min] W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]57.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]37.00[min] W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]55.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]28.50[min] W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]25.00[min] W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]00.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]24.50[min] W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]03.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]21.00[min] W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]02.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]19.50[min] W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]21.00[min] W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]20.00[min] W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]58.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]18.00[min] W. long.;
    (17) 47[deg]52.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.50[min] W. long.;
    (18) 47[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.00[min] W. long.;
    (19) 47[deg]44.50[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.50[min] W. long.;
    (20) 47[deg]42.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]06.00[min] W. long.;
    (21) 47[deg]37.96[min] N. lat., 125[deg]07.17[min] W. long.;
    (22) 47[deg]28.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.50[min] W. long.;
    (23) 47[deg]28.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.70[min] W. long.;
    (24) 47[deg]27.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.87[min] W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]24.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]48.45[min] W. long.;
    (26) 47[deg]21.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.42[min] W. long.;
    (27) 47[deg]18.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.75[min] W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]19.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.43[min] W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]18.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.25[min] W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]13.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.70[min] W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.10[min] W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]08.77[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.91[min] W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]05.80[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.00[min] W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]03.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.49[min] W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]01.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (36) 46[deg]55.00[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.00[min] W. long.;
    (37) 46[deg]53.32[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (38) 46[deg]51.55[min] N. lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (39) 46[deg]50.80[min] N. lat., 124[deg]56.90[min] W. long.;
    (40) 46[deg]47.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.00[min] W. long.;
    (41) 46[deg]38.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.45[min] W. long.;
    (42) 46[deg]34.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    (43) 46[deg]30.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.00[min] W. long.;
    (44) 46[deg]33.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.00[min] W. long.;
    (45) 46[deg]29.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.00[min] W. long.;
    (46) 46[deg]20.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.00[min] W. long.;
    (47) 46[deg]18.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.00[min] W. long.;
    (48) 46[deg]16.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]27.00[min] W. long.;
    (49) 46[deg]15.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.96[min] W. long.;
    (50) 46[deg]13.17[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.76[min] W. long.;
    (51) 46[deg]10.51[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.99[min] W. long.;
    (52) 46[deg]06.24[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.81[min] W. long.;
    (53) 46[deg]03.04[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.26[min] W. long.;
    (54) 45[deg]56.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.45[min] W. long.;
    (55) 45[deg]49.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.75[min] W. long.;
    (56) 45[deg]49.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.33[min] W. long.;
    (57) 45[deg]46.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.19[min] W. long.;
    (58) 45[deg]45.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.18[min] W. long.;
    (59) 45[deg]45.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.82[min] W. long.;
    (60) 45[deg]41.94[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.61[min] W. long.;
    (61) 45[deg]41.58[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.86[min] W. long.;
    (62) 45[deg]38.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.94[min] W. long.;
    (63) 45[deg]35.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.91[min] W. long.;
    (64) 45[deg]24.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.20[min] W. long.;
    (65) 45[deg]14.43[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.05[min] W. long.;
    (66) 45[deg]14.30[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.19[min] W. long.;
    (67) 45[deg]08.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]34.26[min] W. long.;
    (68) 45[deg]09.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.81[min] W. long.;
    (69) 45[deg]03.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.95[min] W. long.;
    (70) 44[deg]57.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.98[min] W. long.;
    (71) 44[deg]56.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.32[min] W. long.;
    (72) 44[deg]50.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.52[min] W. long.;
    (73) 44[deg]46.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.32[min] W. long.;
    (74) 44[deg]50.78[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.24[min] W. long.;
    (75) 44[deg]44.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]50.78[min] W. long.;
    (76) 44[deg]32.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.24[min] W. long.;
    (77) 44[deg]23.25[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.78[min] W. long.;
    (78) 44[deg]13.16[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.81[min] W. long.;
    (79) 43[deg]57.88[min] N. lat., 124[deg]58.25[min] W. long.;
    (80) 43[deg]56.89[min] N. lat., 124[deg]57.33[min] W. long.;
    (81) 43[deg]53.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.95[min] W. long.;
    (82) 43[deg]51.56[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.38[min] W. long.;
    (83) 43[deg]51.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.77[min] W. long.;
    (84) 43[deg]48.02[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.31[min] W. long.;
    (85) 43[deg]42.77[min] N. lat., 124[deg]41.39[min] W. long.;
    (86) 43[deg]24.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]42.57[min] W. long.;
    (87) 43[deg]20.83[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.45[min] W. long.;
    (88) 43[deg]19.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.09[min] W. long.;
    (89) 43[deg]15.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]47.76[min] W. long.;
    (90) 43[deg]04.14[min] N. lat., 124[deg]52.55[min] W. long.;
    (91) 43[deg]04.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.88[min] W. long.;
    (92) 42[deg]54.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]54.54[min] W. long.;
    (93) 42[deg]50.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]51.91[min] W. long.;
    (94) 42[deg]45.46[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.37[min] W. long.;
    (95) 42[deg]43.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]45.90[min] W. long.;
    (96) 42[deg]40.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.19[min] W. long.;
    (97) 42[deg]38.84[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.36[min] W. long.;
    (98) 42[deg]34.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.56[min] W. long.;
    (99) 42[deg]31.57[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.86[min] W. long.;
    (100) 42[deg]30.98[min] N. lat., 124[deg]44.27[min] W. long.;
    (101) 42[deg]29.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.93[min] W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]28.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]49.40[min] W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]26.06[min] N. lat., 124[deg]46.61[min] W. long.;
    (104) 42[deg]21.82[min] N. lat., 124[deg]43.76[min] W. long.;
    (105) 42[deg]17.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.89[min] W. long.;
    (106) 42[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.51[min] W. long.;
    (107) 42[deg]13.76[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.03[min] W. long.;
    (108) 42[deg]05.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]39.06[min] W. long.;
    (109) 42[deg]02.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]38.41[min] W. long.;
    (110) 42[deg]02.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.95[min] W. long.;
    (111) 42[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.83[min] W. long.;

[[Page 142]]

    (112) 41[deg]47.79[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.48[min] W. long.;
    (113) 41[deg]21.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.01[min] W. long.;
    (114) 41[deg]13.50[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.40[min] W. long.;
    (115) 41[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.99[min] W. long.;
    (116) 41[deg]06.69[min] N. lat., 124[deg]23.30[min] W. long.;
    (117) 40[deg]54.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]28.15[min] W. long.;
    (118) 40[deg]53.95[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.04[min] W. long.;
    (119) 40[deg]50.27[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.20[min] W. long.;
    (120) 40[deg]44.49[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.81[min] W. long.;
    (121) 40[deg]40.63[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.14[min] W. long.;
    (122) 40[deg]38.96[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.04[min] W. long.;
    (123) 40[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 124[deg]30.43[min] W. long.;
    (124) 40[deg]37.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.06[min] W. long.;
    (125) 40[deg]36.09[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.11[min] W. long.;
    (126) 40[deg]31.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]40.98[min] W. long.;
    (127) 40[deg]30.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.48[min] W. long.;
    (128) 40[deg]27.34[min] N. lat., 124[deg]37.28[min] W. long.;
    (129) 40[deg]25.01[min] N. lat., 124[deg]36.36[min] W. long.;
    (130) 40[deg]22.28[min] N. lat., 124[deg]31.83[min] W. long.;
    (131) 40[deg]13.68[min] N. lat., 124[deg]33.10[min] W. long.;
    (132) 40[deg]10.00[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.55[min] W. long.;
    (133) 40[deg]06.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.24[min] W. long.;
    (134) 40[deg]07.08[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.80[min] W. long.;
    (135) 40[deg]05.55[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.11[min] W. long.;
    (136) 40[deg]04.74[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.11[min] W. long.;
    (137) 40[deg]02.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]16.53[min] W. long.;
    (138) 40[deg]01.13[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.98[min] W. long.;
    (139) 40[deg]01.52[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.83[min] W. long.;
    (140) 39[deg]58.54[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.43[min] W. long.;
    (141) 39[deg]55.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.44[min] W. long.;
    (142) 39[deg]42.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]02.52[min] W. long.;
    (143) 39[deg]35.96[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.47[min] W. long.;
    (144) 39[deg]34.61[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.58[min] W. long.;
    (145) 39[deg]33.79[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.77[min] W. long.;
    (146) 39[deg]33.03[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.06[min] W. long.;
    (147) 39[deg]32.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.12[min] W. long.;
    (148) 39[deg]07.81[min] N. lat., 123[deg]59.06[min] W. long.;
    (149) 38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.25[min] W. long.;
    (150) 38[deg]52.26[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.18[min] W. long.;
    (151) 38[deg]50.21[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.48[min] W. long.;
    (152) 38[deg]46.81[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.49[min] W. long.;
    (153) 38[deg]45.29[min] N. lat., 123[deg]51.55[min] W. long.;
    (154) 38[deg]42.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]49.73[min] W. long.;
    (155) 38[deg]41.26[min] N. lat., 123[deg]47.28[min] W. long.;
    (156) 38[deg]35.75[min] N. lat., 123[deg]43.76[min] W. long.;
    (157) 38[deg]34.93[min] N. lat., 123[deg]42.46[min] W. long.;
    (158) 38[deg]19.95[min] N. lat., 123[deg]32.90[min] W. long.;
    (159) 38[deg]14.38[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.51[min] W. long.;
    (160) 38[deg]09.39[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.39[min] W. long.;
    (161) 38[deg]10.18[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.11[min] W. long.;
    (162) 38[deg]04.64[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.97[min] W. long.;
    (163) 38[deg]02.06[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.26[min] W. long.;
    (164) 38[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 123[deg]29.64[min] W. long.;
    (165) 37[deg]58.19[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.40[min] W. long.;
    (166) 37[deg]50.62[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.51[min] W. long.;
    (167) 37[deg]43.82[min] N. lat., 123[deg]11.69[min] W. long.;
    (168) 37[deg]35.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]02.62[min] W. long.;
    (169) 37[deg]23.53[min] N. lat., 122[deg]58.65[min] W. long.;

[[Page 143]]

    (170) 37[deg]23.23[min] N. lat., 122[deg]53.78[min] W. long.;
    (171) 37[deg]13.97[min] N. lat., 122[deg]49.91[min] W. long.;
    (172) 37[deg]11.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]45.61[min] W. long.;
    (173) 37[deg]07.00[min] N. lat., 122[deg]44.76[min] W. long.;
    (174) 36[deg]59.99[min] N. lat., 122[deg]38.49[min] W. long.;
    (175) 36[deg]56.64[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.78[min] W. long.;
    (176) 36[deg]58.93[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.67[min] W. long.;
    (177) 36[deg]56.19[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.67[min] W. long.;
    (178) 36[deg]57.09[min] N. lat., 122[deg]22.85[min] W. long.;
    (179) 36[deg]54.95[min] N. lat., 122[deg]22.63[min] W. long.;
    (180) 36[deg]52.25[min] N. lat., 122[deg]13.94[min] W. long.;
    (181) 36[deg]46.94[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.90[min] W. long.;
    (182) 36[deg]47.12[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.99[min] W. long.;
    (183) 36[deg]23.87[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.00[min] W. long.;
    (184) 36[deg]22.17[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.19[min] W. long.;
    (185) 36[deg]19.61[min] N. lat., 122[deg]06.29[min] W. long.;
    (186) 36[deg]14.73[min] N. lat., 122[deg]01.55[min] W. long.;
    (187) 36[deg]09.47[min] N. lat., 121[deg]45.37[min] W. long.;
    (188) 36[deg]06.42[min] N. lat., 121[deg]41.34[min] W. long.;
    (189) 36[deg]00.07[min] N. lat., 121[deg]37.68[min] W. long.;
    (190) 36[deg]00.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]37.66[min] W. long.;
    (191) 35[deg]52.25[min] N. lat., 121[deg]33.21[min] W. long.;
    (192) 35[deg]51.09[min] N. lat., 121[deg]31.83[min] W. long.;
    (193) 35[deg]46.47[min] N. lat., 121[deg]31.19[min] W. long.;
    (194) 35[deg]33.97[min] N. lat., 121[deg]21.69[min] W. long.;
    (195) 35[deg]30.94[min] N. lat., 121[deg]18.36[min] W. long.;
    (196) 35[deg]23.08[min] N. lat., 121[deg]15.56[min] W. long.;
    (197) 35[deg]13.67[min] N. lat., 121[deg]05.79[min] W. long.;
    (198) 35[deg]06.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]02.45[min] W. long.;
    (199) 35[deg]07.46[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.10[min] W. long.;
    (200) 34[deg]44.29[min] N. lat., 120[deg]54.28[min] W. long.;
    (201) 34[deg]44.24[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.62[min] W. long.;
    (202) 34[deg]41.65[min] N. lat., 120[deg]59.54[min] W. long.;
    (203) 34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat., 120[deg]44.25[min] W. long.;
    (204) 34[deg]17.97[min] N. lat., 120[deg]35.54[min] W. long.;
    (205) 34[deg]16.02[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.70[min] W. long.;
    (206) 34[deg]09.84[min] N. lat., 120[deg]38.85[min] W. long.;
    (207) 34[deg]02.21[min] N. lat., 120[deg]36.23[min] W. long.;
    (208) 33[deg]55.98[min] N. lat., 120[deg]28.81[min] W. long.;
    (209) 33[deg]49.88[min] N. lat., 120[deg]10.07[min] W. long.;
    (210) 33[deg]37.75[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.35[min] W. long.;
    (211) 33[deg]33.91[min] N. lat., 119[deg]51.74[min] W. long.;
    (212) 33[deg]35.07[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.14[min] W. long.;
    (213) 33[deg]42.60[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.40[min] W. long.;
    (214) 33[deg]51.63[min] N. lat., 119[deg]52.35[min] W. long.;
    (215) 33[deg]51.62[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.94[min] W. long.;
    (216) 33[deg]54.29[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.94[min] W. long.;
    (217) 33[deg]57.52[min] N. lat., 119[deg]30.94[min] W. long.;
    (218) 33[deg]54.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]30.94[min] W. long.;
    (219) 33[deg]54.11[min] N. lat., 119[deg]25.94[min] W. long.;
    (220) 33[deg]57.74[min] N. lat., 119[deg]25.94[min] W. long.;
    (221) 33[deg]58.68[min] N. lat., 119[deg]20.13[min] W. long.;
    (222) 34[deg]02.02[min] N. lat., 119[deg]14.62[min] W. long.;
    (223) 33[deg]58.73[min] N. lat., 119[deg]03.21[min] W. long.;
    (224) 33[deg]57.33[min] N. lat., 118[deg]43.08[min] W. long.;
    (225) 33[deg]50.71[min] N. lat., 118[deg]38.33[min] W. long.;
    (226) 33[deg]39.27[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.76[min] W. long.;
    (227) 33[deg]35.16[min] N. lat., 118[deg]18.33[min] W. long.;

[[Page 144]]

    (228) 33[deg]28.82[min] N. lat., 118[deg]08.73[min] W. long.;
    (229) 33[deg]31.44[min] N. lat., 117[deg]51.34[min] W. long.;
    (230) 32[deg]58.76[min] N. lat., 117[deg]20.85[min] W. long.; and
    (231) 32[deg]35.61[min] N. lat., 117[deg]30.15[min] W. long.

[69 FR 77069, Dec. 23, 2004; 70 FR 13119, Mar. 18, 2005, as amended at 
70 FR 16149, Mar. 30, 2005; 71 FR 78687, Dec. 29, 2006; 72 FR 13045, 
Mar. 20, 2007; 72 FR 53167, Sept. 18, 2007; 74 FR 9911, Mar. 6, 2009. 
Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 27531, May 11, 2011; 76 
FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 78 FR 589, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12573, Mar. 10, 
2015; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019; 87 FR 77020, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 
12867, Mar. 1, 2023]



Sec. 660.75  Essential Fish Habitat (EFH).

    Essential fish habitat (EFH) is defined as those waters and 
substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to 
maturity (16 U.S.C. 1802 (10)). EFH for Pacific Coast Groundfish 
includes all waters and substrate within areas with a depth less than or 
equal to 3,500 m (1,914 fm) shoreward to the mean higher high water 
level or the upriver extent of saltwater intrusion (defined as upstream 
and landward to where ocean-derived salts measure less than 0.5 parts 
per thousand during the period of average annual low flow). Seamounts in 
depths greater than 3,500 m (1,914 fm) are also included due to their 
ecological importance to groundfish. Geographically, EFH for Pacific 
Coast groundfish includes both a large band of marine waters that 
extends from the Northern edge of the EEZ at the U.S. border with Canada 
to the Southern edge of the EEZ at the U.S. border with Mexico, and 
inland within bays and estuaries. The seaward extent of EFH is 
consistent with the westward edge of the EEZ for areas approximately 
north of Cape Mendocino. Approximately south of Cape Mendocino, the 3500 
m depth contour and EFH is substantially shoreward of the seaward 
boundary of the EEZ. There are also numerous discrete areas seaward of 
the main 3500 m depth contour where the ocean floor rises to depths less 
than 3500 m and therefore are also EFH. The seaward boundary of EFH and 
additional areas of EFH are defined by straight lines connecting a 
series of latitude and longitude coordinates in Sec. Sec. 660.76 
through 660.79.
    (a) The seaward boundary of EFH, with the exception of the areas in 
paragraphs (b) through (qq), is bounded by the EEZ combined with a 
straight line connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated:
    (1) 40[deg]18.17[min] N. lat., 128[deg]46.72[min] W. long.;
    (2) 40[deg]17.33[min] N. lat., 125[deg]58.62[min] W. long.;
    (3) 39[deg]59.10[min] N. lat., 125[deg]44.13[min] W. long.;
    (4) 39[deg]44.99[min] N. lat., 125[deg]41.63[min] W. long.;
    (5) 39[deg]29.98[min] N. lat., 125[deg]23.86[min] W. long.;
    (6) 39[deg]08.46[min] N. lat., 125[deg]38.17[min] W. long.;
    (7) 38[deg]58.71[min] N. lat., 125[deg]22.33[min] W. long.;
    (8) 38[deg]33.22[min] N. lat., 125[deg]16.82[min] W. long.;
    (9) 38[deg]50.47[min] N. lat., 124[deg]53.20[min] W. long.;
    (10) 38[deg]51.66[min] N. lat., 124[deg]35.15[min] W. long.;
    (11) 37[deg]48.74[min] N. lat., 123[deg]53.79[min] W. long.;
    (12) 37[deg]45.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.18[min] W. long.;
    (13) 37[deg]05.55[min] N. lat., 123[deg]46.18[min] W. long.;
    (14) 36[deg]41.37[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.16[min] W. long.;
    (15) 36[deg]24.44[min] N. lat., 123[deg]25.03[min] W. long.;
    (16) 36[deg]10.47[min] N. lat., 123[deg]31.11[min] W. long.;
    (17) 35[deg]57.97[min] N. lat., 123[deg]21.33[min] W. long.;
    (18) 36[deg]05.20[min] N. lat., 123[deg]15.17[min] W. long.;
    (19) 36[deg]01.23[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.04[min] W. long.;
    (20) 35[deg]29.75[min] N. lat., 123[deg]02.44[min] W. long.;
    (21) 35[deg]22.25[min] N. lat., 122[deg]58.24[min] W. long.;
    (22) 35[deg]21.91[min] N. lat., 122[deg]34.83[min] W. long.;
    (23) 35[deg]34.35[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.83[min] W. long.;
    (24) 34[deg]57.35[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.03[min] W. long.;
    (25) 34[deg]20.19[min] N. lat., 121[deg]33.92[min] W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]55.10[min] N. lat., 121[deg]43.15[min] W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]39.65[min] N. lat., 121[deg]28.35[min] W. long.;
    (28) 33[deg]40.68[min] N. lat., 121[deg]23.06[min] W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]26.19[min] N. lat., 121[deg]06.16[min] W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]03.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]34.33[min] W. long.;
    (31) 32[deg]46.38[min] N. lat., 121[deg]02.84[min] W. long.;
    (32) 33[deg]05.45[min] N. lat., 120[deg]40.71[min] W. long.;
    (33) 32[deg]12.70[min] N. lat., 120[deg]10.85[min] W. long.;
    (34) 32[deg]11.36[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.19[min] W. long.;
    (35) 32[deg]00.77[min] N. lat., 119[deg]50.68[min] W. long.;
    (36) 31[deg]52.47[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.11[min] W. long.;
    (37) 31[deg]45.43[min] N. lat., 119[deg]40.89[min] W. long.;
    (38) 31[deg]41.96[min] N. lat., 119[deg]28.57[min] W. long.;
    (39) 31[deg]35.10[min] N. lat., 119[deg]33.50[min] W. long.;
    (40) 31[deg]24.37[min] N. lat., 119[deg]29.61[min] W. long.;
    (41) 31[deg]26.74[min] N. lat., 119[deg]18.47[min] W. long.;
    (42) 31[deg]03.75[min] N. lat., 118[deg]59.58[min] W. long.
    (b) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]11.94[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.84[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]06.87[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.42[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]06.29[min] N. lat., 122[deg]09.22[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]11.39[min] N. lat., 122[deg]09.10[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]11.94[min] N. lat., 121[deg]57.84[min] 
W. long.

[[Page 145]]

    (c) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]11.21[min] N. lat., 122[deg]10.24[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]07.62[min] N. lat., 122[deg]09.62[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]07.40[min] N. lat., 122[deg]19.34[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]12.84[min] N. lat., 122[deg]18.82[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]11.21[min] N. lat., 122[deg]10.24[min] 
W. long.
    (d) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]06.87[min] N. lat., 119[deg]28.05[min] W. long.;
    (2) 30[deg]58.83[min] N. lat., 119[deg]26.74[min] W. long.;
    (3) 30[deg]55.41[min] N. lat., 119[deg]45.63[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]05.90[min] N. lat., 119[deg]42.05[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]06.87[min] N. lat., 119[deg]28.05[min] 
W. long.
    (e) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]02.05[min] N. lat., 119[deg]08.97[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]04.96[min] N. lat., 119[deg]09.96[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]06.24[min] N. lat., 119[deg]07.45[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]02.63[min] N. lat., 119[deg]05.77[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]02.05[min] N. lat., 119[deg]08.97[min] 
W. long.
    (f) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]23.41[min] N. lat., 122[deg]23.99[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]25.98[min] N. lat., 122[deg]23.67[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]25.52[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.95[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]23.51[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.98[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]23.41[min] N. lat., 122[deg]23.99[min] 
W. long.
    (g) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]21.95[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.05[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]23.31[min] N. lat., 122[deg]27.73[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]26.63[min] N. lat., 122[deg]27.64[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]26.72[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.23[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]21.95[min] N. lat., 122[deg]25.05[min] 
W. long.
    (h) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]21.36[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.67[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]29.17[min] N. lat., 119[deg]48.51[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]29.48[min] N. lat., 119[deg]43.20[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]21.92[min] N. lat., 119[deg]40.68[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]21.36[min] N. lat., 119[deg]47.67[min] 
W. long.
    (i) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]37.36[min] N. lat., 122[deg]20.86[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]41.22[min] N. lat., 122[deg]21.35[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]42.68[min] N. lat., 122[deg]18.80[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]39.71[min] N. lat., 122[deg]15.99[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]37.36[min] N. lat., 122[deg]20.86[min] 
W. long.
    (j) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]45.92[min] N. lat., 121[deg]40.55[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]48.79[min] N. lat., 121[deg]40.52[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]48.61[min] N. lat., 121[deg]37.65[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]45.93[min] N. lat., 121[deg]38.00[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]45.92[min] N. lat., 121[deg]40.55[min] 
W. long.
    (k) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]36.78[min] N. lat., 120[deg]54.41[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]44.65[min] N. lat., 120[deg]58.01[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]48.56[min] N. lat., 120[deg]43.25[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]41.76[min] N. lat., 120[deg]41.50[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]36.78[min] N. lat., 120[deg]54.41[min] 
W. long.
    (l) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]45.66[min] N. lat., 123[deg]17.00[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]49.43[min] N. lat., 123[deg]19.89[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]54.54[min] N. lat., 123[deg]14.91[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]50.88[min] N. lat., 123[deg]13.17[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]45.66[min] N. lat., 123[deg]17.00[min] 
W. long.
    (m) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]55.28[min] N. lat., 121[deg]02.98[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]58.25[min] N. lat., 121[deg]05.08[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]59.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]00.37[min] W. long.;
    (4) 31[deg]57.88[min] N. lat., 120[deg]57.23[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]55.28[min] N. lat., 121[deg]02.98[min] 
W. long.
    (n) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]06.04[min] N. lat., 121[deg]29.08[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]59.52[min] N. lat., 121[deg]23.10[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]54.55[min] N. lat., 121[deg]31.53[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]01.66[min] N. lat., 121[deg]38.38[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]06.04[min] N. lat., 121[deg]29.08[min] 
W. long.
    (o) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 31[deg]59.89[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.82[min] W. long.;
    (2) 31[deg]59.69[min] N. lat., 120[deg]03.96[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]04.47[min] N. lat., 120[deg]00.09[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]59.89[min] N. lat., 119[deg]54.82[min] 
W. long.
    (p) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:

[[Page 146]]

    (1) 31[deg]59.49[min] N. lat., 121[deg]18.59[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]08.15[min] N. lat., 121[deg]22.16[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]12.16[min] N. lat., 121[deg]14.64[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]04.15[min] N. lat., 121[deg]08.61[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 31[deg]59.49[min] N. lat., 121[deg]18.59[min] 
W. long.
    (q) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]07.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]46.26[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]05.89[min] N. lat., 121[deg]38.01[min] W. long.;
    (3) 31[deg]59.35[min] N. lat., 121[deg]52.10[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]08.86[min] N. lat., 121[deg]52.13[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]19.76[min] N. lat., 121[deg]43.70[min] W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]14.85[min] N. lat., 121[deg]37.16[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]07.77[min] N. lat., 121[deg]46.26[min] 
W. long.
    (r) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]17.08[min] N. lat., 121[deg]11.84[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]18.96[min] N. lat., 121[deg]14.15[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]23.03[min] N. lat., 121[deg]10.52[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]21.23[min] N. lat., 121[deg]08.53[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]17.08[min] N. lat., 121[deg]11.84[min] 
W. long.
    (s) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]27.64[min] N. lat., 121[deg]27.83[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]15.43[min] N. lat., 121[deg]23.89[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]16.18[min] N. lat., 121[deg]30.67[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]25.80[min] N. lat., 121[deg]33.08[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]27.64[min] N. lat., 121[deg]27.83[min] 
W. long.
    (t) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]28.05[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.54[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]30.64[min] N. lat., 122[deg]06.11[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]35.90[min] N. lat., 121[deg]59.61[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]32.05[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.66[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]28.05[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.54[min] 
W. long.
    (u) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]44.69[min] N. lat., 121[deg]39.99[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]43.72[min] N. lat., 121[deg]43.03[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]47.31[min] N. lat., 121[deg]43.91[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]48.21[min] N. lat., 121[deg]40.74[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]44.69[min] N. lat., 121[deg]39.99[min] 
W. long.
    (v) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]48.07[min] N. lat., 121[deg]15.86[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]36.99[min] N. lat., 121[deg]20.21[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]25.33[min] N. lat., 121[deg]38.31[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]34.03[min] N. lat., 121[deg]44.05[min] W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]43.19[min] N. lat., 121[deg]41.58[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]48.07[min] N. lat., 121[deg]15.86[min] 
W. long.
    (w) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 32[deg]48.38[min] N. lat., 120[deg]47.95[min] W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]47.49[min] N. lat., 120[deg]41.50[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]43.79[min] N. lat., 120[deg]42.01[min] W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]44.01[min] N. lat., 120[deg]48.79[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]48.38[min] N. lat., 120[deg]47.95[min] 
W. long.
    (x) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]08.71[min] N. lat., 121[deg]41.24[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]00.10[min] N. lat., 121[deg]37.67[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]01.01[min] N. lat., 121[deg]45.93[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]07.71[min] N. lat., 121[deg]46.31[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 33[deg]08.71[min] N. lat., 121[deg]41.24[min] 
W. long.
    (y) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]19.30[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.69[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]11.41[min] N. lat., 121[deg]47.26[min] W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]56.93[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.41[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]03.85[min] N. lat., 122[deg]03.52[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]17.73[min] N. lat., 122[deg]00.05[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 33[deg]19.30[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.69[min] 
W. long.
    (z) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]23.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.28[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]22.88[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.93[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]23.66[min] N. lat., 123[deg]05.77[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]24.30[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.90[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 33[deg]23.67[min] N. lat., 123[deg]04.28[min] 
W. long.
    (aa) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]26.06[min] N. lat., 121[deg]44.42[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]32.00[min] N. lat., 121[deg]41.61[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]28.80[min] N. lat., 121[deg]26.92[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]23.50[min] N. lat., 121[deg]26.92[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 33[deg]26.06[min] N. lat., 121[deg]44.42[min] 
W. long.
    (bb) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]38.22[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.91[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]39.58[min] N. lat., 123[deg]58.56[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]41.37[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.22[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]40.08[min] N. lat., 123[deg]55.14[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 33[deg]38.22[min] N. lat., 123[deg]56.91[min] 
W. long.

[[Page 147]]

    (cc) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]46.86[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.49[min] W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]41.28[min] N. lat., 121[deg]52.80[min] W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]36.95[min] N. lat., 121[deg]54.42[min] W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]42.05[min] N. lat., 122[deg]07.48[min] W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]47.07[min] N. lat., 122[deg]05.71[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 33[deg]46.86[min] N. lat., 121[deg]58.49[min] 
W. long.
    (dd) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]17.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.04[min] W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]19.41[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.12[min] W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]21.61[min] N. lat., 124[deg]12.89[min] W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]20.35[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.11[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 34[deg]17.70[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.04[min] 
W. long.
    (ee) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]13.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.18[min] W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]19.45[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.21[min] W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]23.12[min] N. lat., 124[deg]05.49[min] W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]17.93[min] N. lat., 123[deg]57.87[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 34[deg]13.39[min] N. lat., 124[deg]03.18[min] 
W. long.
    (ff) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 35[deg]19.23[min] N. lat., 122[deg]39.91[min] W. long.;
    (2) 35[deg]08.76[min] N. lat., 122[deg]23.83[min] W. long.;
    (3) 35[deg]06.22[min] N. lat., 122[deg]28.09[min] W. long.;
    (4) 35[deg]15.81[min] N. lat., 122[deg]45.90[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 35[deg]19.23[min] N. lat., 122[deg]39.91[min] 
W. long.
    (gg) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 35[deg]25.81[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.05[min] W. long.;
    (2) 35[deg]21.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]23.47[min] W. long.;
    (3) 35[deg]21.05[min] N. lat., 123[deg]27.22[min] W. long.;
    (4) 35[deg]24.89[min] N. lat., 123[deg]28.49[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 35[deg]25.81[min] N. lat., 123[deg]24.05[min] 
W. long.
    (hh) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 35[deg]27.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]03.69[min] W. long.;
    (2) 35[deg]28.68[min] N. lat., 125[deg]04.86[min] W. long.;
    (3) 35[deg]30.23[min] N. lat., 125[deg]02.59[min] W. long.;
    (4) 35[deg]28.85[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.48[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 35[deg]27.15[min] N. lat., 125[deg]03.69[min] 
W. long.
    (ii) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 35[deg]31.14[min] N. lat., 123[deg]52.80[min] W. long.;
    (2) 35[deg]31.38[min] N. lat., 123[deg]54.83[min] W. long.;
    (3) 35[deg]32.98[min] N. lat., 123[deg]53.80[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 35[deg]31.14[min] N. lat., 123[deg]52.80[min] 
W. long.
    (jj) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 35[deg]24.08[min] N. lat., 123[deg]40.83[min] W. long.;
    (2) 35[deg]24.76[min] N. lat., 123[deg]45.92[min] W. long.;
    (3) 35[deg]33.04[min] N. lat., 123[deg]44.92[min] W. long.;
    (4) 35[deg]32.24[min] N. lat., 123[deg]39.16[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 35[deg]24.08[min] N. lat., 123[deg]40.83[min] 
W. long.
    (kk) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 36[deg]08.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.59[min] W. long.;
    (2) 36[deg]07.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.48[min] W. long.;
    (3) 36[deg]07.90[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.27[min] W. long.;
    (4) 36[deg]08.75[min] N. lat., 124[deg]24.10[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 36[deg]08.72[min] N. lat., 124[deg]22.59[min] 
W. long.
    (ll) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 36[deg]07.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.83[min] W. long.;
    (2) 36[deg]08.21[min] N. lat., 124[deg]19.86[min] W. long.;
    (3) 36[deg]09.64[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.70[min] W. long.;
    (4) 36[deg]08.62[min] N. lat., 124[deg]17.22[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 36[deg]07.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]18.83[min] 
W. long.
    (mm) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 36[deg]47.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.21[min] W. long.;
    (2) 36[deg]50.85[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.63[min] W. long.;
    (3) 36[deg]52.22[min] N. lat., 124[deg]08.65[min] W. long.;
    (4) 36[deg]49.93[min] N. lat., 124[deg]06.40[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 36[deg]47.33[min] N. lat., 124[deg]10.21[min] 
W. long.
    (nn) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 36[deg]56.03[min] N. lat., 123[deg]40.86[min] W. long.;
    (2) 36[deg]56.37[min] N. lat., 123[deg]40.86[min] W. long.;
    (3) 36[deg]56.42[min] N. lat., 123[deg]40.49[min] W. long.;
    (4) 36[deg]56.18[min] N. lat., 123[deg]40.37[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 36[deg]56.03[min] N. lat., 123[deg]40.86[min] 
W. long.
    (oo) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 36[deg]32.58[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.80[min] W. long.;
    (2) 36[deg]50.38[min] N. lat., 125[deg]44.21[min] W. long.;
    (3) 37[deg]00.91[min] N. lat., 125[deg]40.06[min] W. long.;
    (4) 36[deg]41.26[min] N. lat., 124[deg]55.90[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 36[deg]32.58[min] N. lat., 125[deg]01.80[min] 
W. long.

[[Page 148]]

    (pp) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 37[deg]45.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.40[min] W. long.;
    (2) 37[deg]47.91[min] N. lat., 124[deg]14.01[min] W. long.;
    (3) 37[deg]50.99[min] N. lat., 124[deg]09.09[min] W. long.;
    (4) 37[deg]47.97[min] N. lat., 124[deg]07.00[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 37[deg]45.73[min] N. lat., 124[deg]11.40[min] 
W. long.
    (qq) This area of EFH is bounded by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 38[deg]08.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.98[min] W. long.;
    (2) 38[deg]10.65[min] N. lat., 124[deg]32.69[min] W. long.;
    (3) 38[deg]12.81[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.45[min] W. long.;
    (4) 38[deg]10.86[min] N. lat., 124[deg]26.66[min] W. long.;
    and connecting back to 38[deg]08.53[min] N. lat., 124[deg]29.98[min] 
W. long.

[71 FR 27416, May 11, 2006. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 
76 FR 53836, Aug. 30, 2011]



Sec. 660.76  Coastwide EFHCAs.

    (a) General. EFHCAs are defined at Sec. 660.11. The boundaries of 
areas designated as EFHCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a 
series of latitude and longitude coordinates and other regulatory 
boundaries. This paragraph provides coordinates outlining the boundaries 
of the coastwide EFHCA. Coordinates outlining the boundaries of EFHCAs 
off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California are provided in 
Sec. Sec. 660.77, 660.78, and 660.79, respectively. Fishing activity 
that is prohibited or permitted within a particular EFHCA is detailed at 
subparts C through G of this part.
    (b) Seaward of the 700-fm (1280-m) contour. This area includes all 
waters designated as EFH within the West Coast EEZ west of a line 
approximating the 700-fm (1280-m) depth contour which is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated:
    (1) 48[deg]06.97[min] N lat., 126[deg]02.96[min] W long.;
    (2) 48[deg]00.44[min] N lat., 125[deg]54.96[min] W long.;
    (3) 47[deg]55.96[min] N lat., 125[deg]46.51[min] W long.;
    (4) 47[deg]47.21[min] N lat., 125[deg]43.73[min] W long.;
    (5) 47[deg]42.89[min] N lat., 125[deg]49.58[min] W long.;
    (6) 47[deg]38.18[min] N lat., 125[deg]37.26[min] W long.;
    (7) 47[deg]32.36[min] N lat., 125[deg]32.87[min] W long.;
    (8) 47[deg]29.77[min] N lat., 125[deg]26.27[min] W long.;
    (9) 47[deg]28.54[min] N lat., 125[deg]18.82[min] W long.;
    (10) 47[deg]19.25[min] N lat., 125[deg]17.18[min] W long.;
    (11) 47[deg]08.82[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.01[min] W long.;
    (12) 47[deg]04.69[min] N lat., 125[deg]03.77[min] W long.;
    (13) 46[deg]48.38[min] N lat., 125[deg]18.43[min] W long.;
    (14) 46[deg]41.92[min] N lat., 125[deg]17.29[min] W long.;
    (15) 46[deg]27.49[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.36[min] W long.;
    (16) 46[deg]14.13[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.72[min] W long.;
    (17) 46[deg]09.53[min] N lat., 125[deg]04.75[min] W long.;
    (18) 45[deg]46.64[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.44[min] W long.;
    (19) 45[deg]40.86[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.62[min] W long.;
    (20) 45[deg]36.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.91[min] W long.;
    (21) 44[deg]55.69[min] N lat., 125[deg]08.35[min] W long.;
    (22) 44[deg]49.93[min] N lat., 125[deg]01.51[min] W long.;
    (23) 44[deg]46.93[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.83[min] W long.;
    (24) 44[deg]41.96[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.64[min] W long.;
    (25) 44[deg]28.31[min] N lat., 125[deg]11.42[min] W long.;
    (26) 43[deg]58.37[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.93[min] W long.;
    (27) 43[deg]52.74[min] N lat., 125[deg]05.58[min] W long.;
    (28) 43[deg]44.18[min] N lat., 124[deg]57.17[min] W long.;
    (29) 43[deg]37.58[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.70[min] W long.;
    (30) 43[deg]15.95[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.84[min] W long.;
    (31) 42[deg]47.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]59.96[min] W long.;
    (32) 42[deg]39.02[min] N lat., 125[deg]01.07[min] W long.;
    (33) 42[deg]34.80[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.89[min] W long.;
    (34) 42[deg]34.11[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.62[min] W long.;
    (35) 42[deg]23.81[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.85[min] W long.;
    (36) 42[deg]16.80[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.20[min] W long.;
    (37) 42[deg]06.60[min] N lat., 124[deg]59.14[min] W long.;
    (38) 41[deg]59.28[min] N lat., 125[deg]06.23[min] W long.;
    (39) 41[deg]31.10[min] N lat., 125[deg]01.30[min] W long.;
    (40) 41[deg]14.52[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.67[min] W long.;
    (41) 40[deg]40.65[min] N lat., 124[deg]45.69[min] W long.;
    (42) 40[deg]35.05[min] N lat., 124[deg]45.65[min] W long.;
    (43) 40[deg]23.81[min] N lat., 124[deg]41.16[min] W long.;
    (44) 40[deg]20.54[min] N lat., 124[deg]36.36[min] W long.;
    (45) 40[deg]20.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]57.23[min] W long.;
    (46) 40[deg]18.54[min] N lat., 125[deg]09.47[min] W long.;
    (47) 40[deg]14.54[min] N lat., 125[deg]09.83[min] W long.;
    (48) 40[deg]11.79[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.39[min] W long.;
    (49) 40[deg]06.72[min] N lat., 125[deg]04.28[min] W long.;
    (50) 39[deg]52.62[min] N lat., 124[deg]40.65[min] W long.;
    (51) 39[deg]52.29[min] N lat., 124[deg]34.72[min] W long.;
    (52) 39[deg]55.19[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.32[min] W long.;
    (53) 39[deg]54.43[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.06[min] W long.;
    (54) 39[deg]44.25[min] N lat., 124[deg]12.60[min] W long.;
    (55) 39[deg]35.82[min] N lat., 124[deg]12.02[min] W long.;
    (56) 39[deg]24.54[min] N lat., 124[deg]16.01[min] W long.;
    (57) 39[deg]01.97[min] N lat., 124[deg]11.20[min] W long.;
    (58) 38[deg]33.48[min] N lat., 123[deg]48.21[min] W long.;
    (59) 38[deg]14.49[min] N lat., 123[deg]38.89[min] W long.;
    (60) 37[deg]56.97[min] N lat., 123[deg]31.65[min] W long.;
    (61) 37[deg]49.09[min] N lat., 123[deg]27.98[min] W long.;
    (62) 37[deg]40.29[min] N lat., 123[deg]12.83[min] W long.;
    (63) 37[deg]22.54[min] N lat., 123[deg]14.65[min] W long.;
    (64) 37[deg]05.98[min] N lat., 123[deg]05.31[min] W long.;
    (65) 36[deg]59.02[min] N lat., 122[deg]50.92[min] W long.;
    (66) 36[deg]51.52[min] N lat., 122[deg]22.03[min] W long.;
    (67) 36[deg]49.09[min] N lat., 122[deg]21.84[min] W long.;
    (68) 36[deg]50.47[min] N lat., 122[deg]19.03[min] W long.;
    (69) 36[deg]50.14[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.50[min] W long.;
    (70) 36[deg]44.54[min] N lat., 122[deg]19.42[min] W long.;
    (71) 36[deg]40.76[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.28[min] W long.;

[[Page 149]]

    (72) 36[deg]39.88[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.69[min] W long.;
    (73) 36[deg]40.02[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.09[min] W long.;
    (74) 36[deg]40.99[min] N lat., 122[deg]08.53[min] W long.;
    (75) 36[deg]41.17[min] N lat., 122[deg]08.97[min] W long.;
    (76) 36[deg]44.52[min] N lat., 122[deg]07.13[min] W long.;
    (77) 36[deg]42.26[min] N lat., 122[deg]03.54[min] W long.;
    (78) 36[deg]30.02[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.85[min] W long.;
    (79) 36[deg]22.33[min] N lat., 122[deg]22.99[min] W long.;
    (80) 36[deg]14.36[min] N lat., 122[deg]21.19[min] W long.;
    (81) 36[deg]09.50[min] N lat., 122[deg]14.25[min] W long.;
    (82) 35[deg]51.50[min] N lat., 121[deg]55.92[min] W long.;
    (83) 35[deg]49.53[min] N lat., 122[deg]13.00[min] W long.;
    (84) 34[deg]58.30[min] N lat., 121[deg]36.76[min] W long.;
    (85) 34[deg]53.13[min] N lat., 121[deg]37.49[min] W long.;
    (86) 34[deg]46.54[min] N lat., 121[deg]46.25[min] W long.;
    (87) 34[deg]37.81[min] N lat., 121[deg]35.72[min] W long.;
    (88) 34[deg]37.72[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.35[min] W long.;
    (89) 34[deg]26.77[min] N lat., 121[deg]07.58[min] W long.;
    (90) 34[deg]18.54[min] N lat., 121[deg]05.01[min] W long.;
    (91) 34[deg]02.68[min] N lat., 120[deg]54.30[min] W long.;
    (92) 33[deg]48.11[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.46[min] W long.;
    (93) 33[deg]42.54[min] N lat., 120[deg]38.24[min] W long.;
    (94) 33[deg]46.26[min] N lat., 120[deg]43.64[min] W long.;
    (95) 33[deg]40.71[min] N lat., 120[deg]51.29[min] W long.;
    (96) 33[deg]33.14[min] N lat., 120[deg]40.25[min] W long.;
    (97) 32[deg]51.57[min] N lat., 120[deg]23.35[min] W long.;
    (98) 32[deg]38.54[min] N lat., 120[deg]09.54[min] W long.;
    (99) 32[deg]35.76[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.43[min] W long.;
    (100) 32[deg]29.54[min] N lat., 119[deg]46.00[min] W long.;
    (101) 32[deg]25.99[min] N lat., 119[deg]41.16[min] W long.;
    (102) 32[deg]30.46[min] N lat., 119[deg]33.15[min] W long.;
    (103) 32[deg]23.47[min] N lat., 119[deg]25.71[min] W long.;
    (104) 32[deg]19.19[min] N lat., 119[deg]13.96[min] W long.;
    (105) 32[deg]13.18[min] N lat., 119[deg]04.44[min] W long.;
    (106) 32[deg]13.40[min] N lat., 118[deg]51.87[min] W long.;
    (107) 32[deg]19.62[min] N lat., 118[deg]47.80[min] W long.;
    (108) 32[deg]27.26[min] N lat., 118[deg]50.29[min] W long.;
    (109) 32[deg]28.42[min] N lat., 118[deg]53.15[min] W long.;
    (110) 32[deg]31.30[min] N lat., 118[deg]55.09[min] W long.;
    (111) 32[deg]33.04[min] N lat., 118[deg]53.57[min] W long.;
    (112) 32[deg]19.07[min] N lat., 118[deg]27.54[min] W long.;
    (113) 32[deg]18.57[min] N lat., 118[deg]18.97[min] W long.;
    (114) 32[deg]09.01[min] N lat., 118[deg]13.96[min] W long.;
    (115) 32[deg]06.57[min] N lat., 118[deg]18.78[min] W long.;
    (116) 32[deg]01.32[min] N lat., 118[deg]18.21[min] W long.; and
    (117) 31[deg]57.89[min] N lat., 118[deg]10.51[min] W long.

[84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019]



Sec. 660.77  EFHCAs off the Coast of Washington.

    (a) General. Boundary line coordinates for EFHCAs off Washington are 
provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or 
permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a groundfish 
EFHCAs is detailed at Sec. Sec. 660.12, 660.112, 660.130, 660.212, 
660.230, 660.312, 660.330, and 660.360.
    (b) Olympic 2. The boundary of the Olympic 2 EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 48[deg]21.46[min] N lat., 
124[deg]51.61[min] W long.:
    (1) 48[deg]21.46[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.61[min] W long.;
    (2) 48[deg]17.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]57.18[min] W long.;
    (3) 48[deg]06.13[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.68[min] W long.;
    (4) 48[deg]06.66[min] N lat., 125[deg]06.55[min] W long.;
    (5) 48[deg]08.44[min] N lat., 125[deg]14.61[min] W long.;
    (6) 48[deg]22.57[min] N lat., 125[deg]09.82[min] W long.;
    (7) 48[deg]21.42[min] N lat., 125[deg]03.55[min] W long.;
    (8) 48[deg]22.99[min] N lat., 124[deg]59.29[min] W long.; and
    (9) 48[deg]23.89[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.37[min] W long.
    (c) Biogenic 1. The boundary of the Biogenic 1 EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 47[deg]29.97[min] N lat., 
125[deg]20.14[min] W long.:
    (1) 47[deg]29.97[min] N lat., 125[deg]20.14[min] W long.;
    (2) 47[deg]30.01[min] N lat., 125[deg]30.06[min] W long.;
    (3) 47[deg]40.09[min] N lat., 125[deg]50.18[min] W long.;
    (4) 47[deg]47.27[min] N lat., 125[deg]50.06[min] W long.;
    (5) 47[deg]47.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]24.28[min] W long.;
    (6) 47[deg]39.53[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.49[min] W long.; and
    (7) 47[deg]30.31[min] N lat., 125[deg]08.81[min] W long.
    (d) Biogenic 2. The boundary of the Biogenic 2 EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 47[deg]08.77[min] N lat., 
125[deg]00.91[min] W long.:
    (1) 47[deg]08.77[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.91[min] W long.;
    (2) 47[deg]08.82[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.01[min] W long.;
    (3) 47[deg]20.01[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.00[min] W long.; and
    (4) 47[deg]20.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]01.25[min] W long.
    (e) Quinault Canyon. The boundary of the Quinault Canyon EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 47[deg]17.00[min] N lat., 
125[deg]15.63[min] W long.:
    (1) 47[deg]17.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]15.63[min] W long.;
    (2) 47[deg]17.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.00[min] W long.; and
    (3) 47[deg]08.82[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.01[min] W long.
    (f) Grays Canyon. The Grays Canyon EFHCA consists of two adjacent 
polygons defined in this paragraph, combined.
    (1) Grays Canyon North. The boundary of Grays Canyon North is 
defined by

[[Page 150]]

straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 46[deg]56.79[min] N lat., 
125[deg]00.00[min] W long.:
    (i) 46[deg]56.79[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W long.;
    (ii) 46[deg]58.30[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.21[min] W long.;
    (iii) 46[deg]58.47[min] N lat., 124[deg]59.08[min] W long.;
    (iv) 47[deg]01.04[min] N lat., 124[deg]59.54[min] W long.;
    (v) 47[deg]03.63[min] N lat., 124[deg]56.00[min] W long.,
    (vi) 47[deg]03.69[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.84[min] W long.;
    (vii) 47[deg]02.69[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.35[min] W long.;
    (viii) 46[deg]58.03[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.12[min] W long.;
    (ix) 46[deg]55.91[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.40[min] W long.; and
    (x) 46[deg]58.01[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.09[min] W long.
    (2) Grays Canyon South-Central. The boundary of Grays Canyon South-
Central is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 46[deg]56.79[min] N 
lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W long.:
    (i) 46[deg]56.79[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W long.;
    (ii) 46[deg]58.01[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.09[min] W long.;
    (iii) 46[deg]55.91[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.40[min] W long.;
    (iv) 46[deg]55.07[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.14[min] W long.;
    (v) 46[deg]59.60[min] N lat., 124[deg]49.79[min] W long.;
    (vi) 46[deg]58.72[min] N lat., 124[deg]48.78[min] W long.;
    (vii) 46[deg]54.45[min] N lat., 124[deg]48.36[min] W long.;
    (viii) 46[deg]53.99[min] N lat., 124[deg]49.95[min] W long.;
    (ix) 46[deg]54.38[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.73[min] W long.;
    (x) 46[deg]53.30[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.35[min] W long.;
    (xi) 46[deg]53.30[min] N lat., 124[deg]49.13[min] W long.;
    (xii) 46[deg]50.40[min] N lat., 124[deg]49.06[min] W long.;
    (xiii) 46[deg]48.12[min] N lat., 124[deg]47.94[min] W long.;
    (xiv) 46[deg]47.48[min] N lat., 124[deg]50.86[min] W long.;
    (xv) 46[deg]49.81[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.79[min] W long.; and
    (xvi) 46[deg]51.55[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.00[min] W long.
    (g) Biogenic 3. The boundary of the Biogenic 3 EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 46[deg]48.16[min] N lat., 
125[deg]10.75[min] W long.:
    (1) 46[deg]48.16[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.75[min] W long.;
    (2) 46[deg]40.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 46[deg]40.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]20.01[min] W long.; and
    (4) 46[deg]50.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]20.00[min] W long.
    (h) Willapa Canyonhead. The boundary of the Willapa Canyonhead EFHCA 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated and connecting back to 46[deg]33.50[min] N lat., 
124[deg]28.77[min] W long.:
    (1) 46[deg]33.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.77[min] W long.;
    (2) 46[deg]33.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.50[min] W long.;
    (3) 46[deg]33.85[min] N lat., 124[deg]36.99[min] W long.;
    (4) 46[deg]36.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.00[min] W long.;
    (5) 46[deg]37.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]41.00[min] W long.;
    (6) 46[deg]37.64[min] N lat., 124[deg]41.11[min] W long.;
    (7) 46[deg]39.43[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.69[min] W long.; and
    (8) 46[deg]34.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.50[min] W long.
    (i) Willapa Deep. The boundary of the Willapa Deep EFHCA is defined 
by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 46[deg]22.57[min] N lat., 
124[deg]46.70[min] W long.:
    (1) 46[deg]22.57[min] N lat., 124[deg]46.70[min] W long.;
    (2) 46[deg]24.38[min] N lat., 124[deg]56.31[min] W long.;
    (3) 46[deg]27.49[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.36[min] W long.;
    (4) 46[deg]36.87[min] N lat., 125[deg]09.27[min] W long.;
    (5) 46[deg]35.59[min] N lat., 125[deg]04.58[min] W long.;
    (6) 46[deg]31.54[min] N lat., 124[deg]57.53[min] W long.;
    (7) 46[deg]28.70[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.77[min] W long.; and
    (8) 46[deg]23.78[min] N lat., 124[deg]43.30[min] W long.

[84 FR 63975, Nov. 19, 2019]



Sec. 660.78  EFHCAs off the Coast of Oregon.

    (a) General. Boundary line coordinates for EFHCAs off Oregon are 
provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or 
permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a groundfish 
EFHCA is detailed at Sec. Sec. 660.12, 660.112, 660.130, 660.212, 
660.230, 660.312, 660.330, and 660.360.
    (b) Astoria Deep. The boundary of the Astoria Deep EFHCA is defined 
by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 46[deg]03.00[min] N lat., 
124[deg]57.36[min] W long.:
    (1) 46[deg]03.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]57.36[min] W long.;
    (2) 46[deg]05.37[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.88[min] W long.;
    (3) 46[deg]09.53[min] N lat., 125[deg]04.75[min] W long.;
    (4) 46[deg]14.13[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.72[min] W long.;
    (5) 46[deg]14.79[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.31[min] W long.;
    (6) 46[deg]08.28[min] N lat., 125[deg]00.20[min] W long.; and
    (7) 46[deg]05.74[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.32[min] W long.
    (c) Thompson Seamount. The boundary of the Thompson Seamount EFHCA 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated and connecting back to 46[deg]06.93[min] N lat., 
128[deg]39.77[min] W long.:
    (1) 46[deg]06.93[min] N lat., 128[deg]39.77[min] W long.;
    (2) 46[deg]06.76[min] N lat., 128[deg]39.60[min] W long.;
    (3) 46[deg]07.80[min] N lat., 128[deg]39.43[min] W long.;
    (4) 46[deg]08.50[min] N lat., 128[deg]34.39[min] W long.;

[[Page 151]]

    (5) 46[deg]06.76[min] N lat., 128[deg]29.36[min] W long.;
    (6) 46[deg]03.64[min] N lat., 128[deg]28.67[min] W long.;
    (7) 45[deg]59.64[min] N lat., 128[deg]31.62[min] W long.;
    (8) 45[deg]56.87[min] N lat., 128[deg]33.18[min] W long.;
    (9) 45[deg]53.92[min] N lat., 128[deg]39.25[min] W long.;
    (10) 45[deg]54.26[min] N lat., 128[deg]43.42[min] W long.;
    (11) 45[deg]56.87[min] N lat., 128[deg]45.85[min] W long.;
    (12) 46[deg]00.86[min] N lat., 128[deg]46.02[min] W long.;
    (13) 46[deg]03.29[min] N lat., 128[deg]44.81[min] W long.; and
    (14) 46[deg]06.24[min] N lat., 128[deg]42.90[min] W long.
    (d) Astoria Canyon. The boundary of the Astoria Canyon EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 46[deg]06.48[min] N lat., 
125[deg]05.46[min] W long.:
    (1) 46[deg]06.48[min] N lat., 125[deg]05.46[min] W long.;
    (2) 46[deg]03.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]57.36[min] W long.;
    (3) 46[deg]02.28[min] N lat., 124[deg]57.66[min] W long.;
    (4) 46[deg]01.92[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.46[min] W long.;
    (5) 45[deg]48.72[min] N lat., 124[deg]56.58[min] W long.;
    (6) 45[deg]47.70[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.20[min] W long.;
    (7) 45[deg]40.86[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.62[min] W long.;
    (8) 45[deg]29.82[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.30[min] W long.;
    (9) 45[deg]25.98[min] N lat., 124[deg]56.82[min] W long.;
    (10) 45[deg]26.04[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.50[min] W long.;
    (11) 45[deg]33.12[min] N lat., 125[deg]16.26[min] W long.;
    (12) 45[deg]40.32[min] N lat., 125[deg]17.16[min] W long.; and
    (13) 46[deg]03.00[min] N lat., 125[deg]14.94[min] W long.
    (e) Nehalem Bank/Shale Pile. The boundary of the Nehalem Bank/Shale 
Pile EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 45[deg]51.53[min] N 
lat., 124[deg]31.15[min] W long.:
    (1) 45[deg]51.53[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.15[min] W long.;
    (2) 45[deg]47.95[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.70[min] W long.;
    (3) 45[deg]52.75[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.20[min] W long.;
    (4) 45[deg]58.02[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.99[min] W long.;
    (5) 46[deg]00.83[min] N lat., 124[deg]36.78[min] W long.;
    (6) 45[deg]59.94[min] N lat., 124[deg]34.63[min] W long.;
    (7) 45[deg]58.90[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.47[min] W long.;
    (8) 45[deg]54.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.73[min] W long.;
    (9) 45[deg]53.62[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.83[min] W long.;
    (10) 45[deg]52.90[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.67[min] W long.;
    (11) 45[deg]52.03[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.60[min] W long.; and
    (12) 45[deg]51.74[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.85[min] W long.
    (f) Garibaldi Reef North. The boundary of the Garibaldi Reef North 
EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 45[deg]40.81[min] N 
lat., 124[deg]18.46[min] W long.:
    (1) 45[deg]40.81[min] N lat., 124[deg]18.46[min] W long.;
    (2) 45[deg]39.70[min] N lat., 124[deg]19.46[min] W long.;
    (3) 45[deg]40.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]22.17[min] W long.;
    (4) 45[deg]44.94[min] N lat., 124[deg]23.07[min] W long.;
    (5) 45[deg]45.17[min] N lat., 124[deg]22.19[min] W long.; and
    (6) 45[deg]43.49[min] N lat., 124[deg]18.94[min] W long.
    (g) Garibaldi Reef South. The boundary of the Garibaldi Reef South 
EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 45[deg]34.53[min] N 
lat., 124[deg]15.47[min] W long.:
    (1) 45[deg]34.53[min] N lat., 124[deg]15.47[min] W long.;
    (2) 45[deg]33.46[min] N lat., 124[deg]13.59[min] W long.;
    (3) 45[deg]32.53[min] N lat., 124[deg]14.39[min] W long.; and
    (4) 45[deg]33.58[min] N lat., 124[deg]16.54[min] W long.
    (h) Siletz Deepwater. The boundary of the Siletz Deepwater EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 44[deg]42.72[min] N lat., 
125[deg]18.49[min] W long.:
    (1) 44[deg]42.72[min] N lat., 125[deg]18.49[min] W long.;
    (2) 44[deg]56.26[min] N lat., 125[deg]12.61[min] W long.;
    (3) 44[deg]56.34[min] N lat., 125[deg]09.13[min] W long.;
    (4) 44[deg]49.93[min] N lat., 125[deg]01.51[min] W long.;
    (5) 44[deg]46.93[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.83[min] W long.;
    (6) 44[deg]41.96[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.64[min] W long.;
    (7) 44[deg]33.36[min] N lat., 125[deg]08.82[min] W long.; and
    (8) 44[deg]33.38[min] N lat., 125[deg]17.08[min] W long.
    (i) Daisy Bank/Nelson Island. The boundary of the Daisy Bank/Nelson 
Island EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated and connecting back to 
44[deg]39.24[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.65[min] W long.:
    (1) 44[deg]39.24[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.65[min] W long.;
    (2) 44[deg]37.17[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.60[min] W long.;
    (3) 44[deg]35.55[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.27[min] W long.;
    (4) 44[deg]37.57[min] N lat., 124[deg]41.70[min] W long.;
    (5) 44[deg]36.90[min] N lat., 124[deg]42.91[min] W long.;
    (6) 44[deg]38.25[min] N lat., 124[deg]46.28[min] W long.;
    (7) 44[deg]38.52[min] N lat., 124[deg]49.11[min] W long.;
    (8) 44[deg]40.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]49.11[min] W long.;
    (9) 44[deg]41.35[min] N lat., 124[deg]48.03[min] W long.; and
    (10) 44[deg]43.92[min] N lat., 124[deg]44.66[min] W long.
    (j) Newport Rockpile/Stonewall Bank. The boundary of the Newport 
Rockpile/Stonewall Bank EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting 
all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 
44[deg]27.42[min] N lat., 124[deg]19.52[min] W long.:
    (1) 44[deg]27.42[min] N lat., 124[deg]19.52[min] W long.;
    (2) 44[deg]27.42[min] N lat., 124[deg]25.31[min] W long.;
    (3) 44[deg]29.05[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.88[min] W long.;

[[Page 152]]

    (4) 44[deg]35.33[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.87[min] W long.;
    (5) 44[deg]36.94[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.78[min] W long.;
    (6) 44[deg]38.62[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.76[min] W long.;
    (7) 44[deg]39.02[min] N lat., 124[deg]25.56[min] W long.;
    (8) 44[deg]38.41[min] N lat., 124[deg]22.73[min] W long.;
    (9) 44[deg]35.12[min] N lat., 124[deg]21.79[min] W long.; and
    (10) 44[deg]28.82[min] N lat., 124[deg]18.80[min] W long.
    (k) Hydrate Ridge. The boundary of the Hydrate Ridge EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 44[deg]28.31[min] N lat., 
125[deg]11.42[min] W long.:
    (1) 44[deg]28.31[min] N lat., 125[deg]11.42[min] W long.;
    (2) 44[deg]33.37[min] N lat., 125[deg]11.13[min] W long.;
    (3) 44[deg]33.36[min] N lat., 125[deg]08.82[min] W long.;
    (4) 44[deg]35.36[min] N lat., 125[deg]09.24[min] W long.;
    (5) 44[deg]35.36[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.79[min] W long.; and
    (6) 44[deg]28.31[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.66[min] W long.
    (l) Heceta Bank. The boundary of the Heceta Bank EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 44[deg]22.27[min] N lat., 
124[deg]37.63[min] W long.:
    (1) 44[deg]22.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]37.63[min] W long.;
    (2) 44[deg]20.56[min] N lat., 124[deg]36.27[min] W long.;
    (3) 44[deg]21.06[min] N lat., 124[deg]32.69[min] W long.;
    (4) 44[deg]21.76[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.28[min] W long.;
    (5) 44[deg]21.23[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.08[min] W long.;
    (6) 44[deg]18.68[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.13[min] W long.;
    (7) 44[deg]17.66[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.42[min] W long.;
    (8) 44[deg]14.32[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.15[min] W long.;
    (9) 44[deg]13.02[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.53[min] W long.;
    (10) 44[deg]12.97[min] N lat., 124[deg]32.29[min] W long.;
    (11) 44[deg]13.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]32.87[min] W long.;
    (12) 44[deg]16.64[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.44[min] W long.;
    (13) 44[deg]17.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.52[min] W long.;
    (14) 44[deg]15.93[min] N lat., 124[deg]35.93[min] W long.;
    (15) 44[deg]14.38[min] N lat., 124[deg]37.37[min] W long.;
    (16) 44[deg]13.52[min] N lat., 124[deg]40.45[min] W long.;
    (17) 44[deg]09.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]45.30[min] W long.;
    (18) 44[deg]03.46[min] N lat., 124[deg]45.71[min] W long.;
    (19) 43[deg]58.55[min] N lat., 124[deg]45.79[min] W long.;
    (20) 43[deg]57.37[min] N lat., 124[deg]50.89[min] W long.;
    (21) 43[deg]56.66[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.47[min] W long.;
    (22) 43[deg]57.24[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.54[min] W long.;
    (23) 43[deg]57.68[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.48[min] W long.;
    (24) 44[deg]00.14[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.25[min] W long.;
    (25) 44[deg]02.88[min] N lat., 124[deg]53.96[min] W long.;
    (26) 44[deg]13.47[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.08[min] W long.;
    (27) 44[deg]19.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]41.03[min] W long.;
    (28) 44[deg]24.16[min] N lat., 124[deg]40.62[min] W long.; and
    (29) 44[deg]24.10[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.10[min] W long.
    (m) Deepwater off Coos Bay. The boundary of the Deepwater off Coos 
Bay EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 43[deg]29.32[min] N 
lat., 125[deg]20.11[min] W long.:
    (1) 43[deg]29.32[min] N lat., 125[deg]20.11[min] W long.;
    (2) 43[deg]38.96[min] N lat., 125[deg]18.75[min] W long.;
    (3) 43[deg]37.88[min] N lat., 125[deg]08.26[min] W long.;
    (4) 43[deg]36.58[min] N lat., 125[deg]06.56[min] W long.;
    (5) 43[deg]33.04[min] N lat., 125[deg]08.41[min] W long.;
    (6) 43[deg]27.74[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.25[min] W long.;
    (7) 43[deg]15.95[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.84[min] W long.;
    (8) 43[deg]15.38[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.47[min] W long.; and
    (9) 43[deg]25.73[min] N lat., 125[deg]19.36[min] W long.
    (n) Arago Reef. The boundary of the Arago Reef EFHCA is defined as 
the areas within the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a boundary line 
defined by connecting the following coordinates in the order stated:
    (1) 43[deg]08.49[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.78[min] W long.;
    (2) 43[deg]08.55[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.79[min] W long.;
    (3) 43[deg]10.22[min] N lat., 124[deg]37.82[min] W long.;
    (4) 43[deg]16.91[min] N lat., 124[deg]37.50[min] W long.;
    (5) 43[deg]16.51[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.97[min] W long.; and
    (6) 43[deg]16.88[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.16[min] W long.
    (o) Bandon High Spot. The boundary of the Bandon High Spot EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 42[deg]57.18[min] N lat., 
124[deg]46.01[min] W long.:
    (1) 42[deg]57.18[min] N lat., 124[deg]46.01[min] W long.;
    (2) 42[deg]56.10[min] N lat., 124[deg]47.48[min] W long.;
    (3) 42[deg]56.66[min] N lat., 124[deg]48.79[min] W long.;
    (4) 42[deg]53.67[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.81[min] W long.;
    (5) 42[deg]54.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]53.03[min] W long.;
    (6) 42[deg]55.11[min] N lat., 124[deg]53.71[min] W long.;
    (7) 42[deg]58.00[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.99[min] W long.;
    (8) 43[deg]00.39[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.77[min] W long.;
    (9) 43[deg]02.64[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.01[min] W long.;
    (10) 43[deg]06.07[min] N lat., 124[deg]50.97[min] W long.;
    (11) 43[deg]06.07[min] N lat., 124[deg]50.23[min] W long.;
    (12) 43[deg]04.47[min] N lat., 124[deg]48.50[min] W long.;
    (13) 43[deg]03.20[min] N lat., 124[deg]47.52[min] W long.; and
    (14) 43[deg]00.94[min] N lat., 124[deg]46.57[min] W long.
    (p) President Jackson Seamount. The boundary of the President 
Jackson Seamount EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 
42[deg]21.41[min] N lat., 127[deg]42.91[min] W long.:
    (1) 42[deg]21.41[min] N lat., 127[deg]42.91[min] W long.;
    (2) 42[deg]21.96[min] N lat., 127[deg]43.73[min] W long.;
    (3) 42[deg]23.78[min] N lat., 127[deg]46.09[min] W long.;

[[Page 153]]

    (4) 42[deg]26.05[min] N lat., 127[deg]48.64[min] W long.;
    (5) 42[deg]28.60[min] N lat., 127[deg]52.10[min] W long.;
    (6) 42[deg]31.06[min] N lat., 127[deg]55.02[min] W long.;
    (7) 42[deg]34.61[min] N lat., 127[deg]58.84[min] W long.;
    (8) 42[deg]37.34[min] N lat., 128[deg]01.48[min] W long.;
    (9) 42[deg]39.62[min] N lat., 128[deg]05.12[min] W long.;
    (10) 42[deg]41.81[min] N lat., 128[deg]08.13[min] W long.;
    (11) 42[deg]43.44[min] N lat., 128[deg]10.04[min] W long.;
    (12) 42[deg]44.99[min] N lat., 128[deg]12.04[min] W long.;
    (13) 42[deg]48.27[min] N lat., 128[deg]15.05[min] W long.;
    (14) 42[deg]51.28[min] N lat., 128[deg]15.05[min] W long.;
    (15) 42[deg]53.64[min] N lat., 128[deg]12.23[min] W long.;
    (16) 42[deg]52.64[min] N lat., 128[deg]08.49[min] W long.;
    (17) 42[deg]51.64[min] N lat., 128[deg]06.94[min] W long.;
    (18) 42[deg]50.27[min] N lat., 128[deg]05.76[min] W long.;
    (19) 42[deg]48.18[min] N lat., 128[deg]03.76[min] W long.;
    (20) 42[deg]45.45[min] N lat., 128[deg]01.94[min] W long.;
    (21) 42[deg]42.17[min] N lat., 127[deg]57.57[min] W long.;
    (22) 42[deg]41.17[min] N lat., 127[deg]53.92[min] W long.;
    (23) 42[deg]38.80[min] N lat., 127[deg]49.92[min] W long.;
    (24) 42[deg]36.43[min] N lat., 127[deg]44.82[min] W long.;
    (25) 42[deg]33.52[min] N lat., 127[deg]41.36[min] W long.;
    (26) 42[deg]31.24[min] N lat., 127[deg]39.63[min] W long.;
    (27) 42[deg]28.33[min] N lat., 127[deg]36.53[min] W long.;
    (28) 42[deg]23.96[min] N lat., 127[deg]35.89[min] W long.;
    (29) 42[deg]21.96[min] N lat., 127[deg]37.72[min] W long.; and
    (30) 42[deg]21.05[min] N lat., 127[deg]40.81[min] W long.
    (q) Rogue Canyon. The boundary of the Rogue Canyon EFHCA is defined 
by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 42[deg]41.33[min] N lat., 
125[deg]16.61[min] W long.:
    (1) 42[deg]41.33[min] N lat., 125[deg]16.61[min] W long.;
    (2) 42[deg]41.55[min] N lat., 125[deg]03.05[min] W long.;
    (3) 42[deg]35.29[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.21[min] W long.;
    (4) 42[deg]34.11[min] N lat., 124[deg]55.62[min] W long.;
    (5) 42[deg]30.61[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.97[min] W long.;
    (6) 42[deg]23.81[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.85[min] W long.; and
    (7) 42[deg]17.94[min] N lat., 125[deg]10.17[min] W long.
    (r) Rogue River Reef. The boundary of the Rogue River Reef EFHCA is 
defined as the areas within the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a 
boundary line defined by connecting the following coordinates in the 
order stated:
    (1) 42[deg]23.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.03[min] W long.;
    (2) 42[deg]24.10[min] N lat., 124[deg]32.41[min] W long.;
    (3) 42[deg]22.28[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.92[min] W long.;
    (4) 42[deg]25.46[min] N lat., 124[deg]43.91[min] W long.;
    (5) 42[deg]27.87[min] N lat., 124[deg]44.63[min] W long.;
    (6) 42[deg]29.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]44.22[min] W long.;
    (7) 42[deg]29.71[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.83[min] W long.;
    (8) 42[deg]29.36[min] N lat., 124[deg]36.53[min] W long.; and
    (9) 42[deg]28.16[min] N lat., 124[deg]34.05[min] W long.

[84 FR 63976, Nov. 19, 2019; 84 FR 70905, Dec. 26, 2019]



Sec. 660.79  EFHCAs off the Coast of California.

    (a) General. Boundary line coordinates for EFHCA off California are 
provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or 
permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a groundfish 
EFHCA is detailed at Sec. Sec. 660.12, 660.112, 660.130, 660.212, 
660.230, 660.312, 660.330, and 660.360.
    (b) Brush Patch. The boundary of the Brush Patch EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 41[deg]51.03[min] N lat., 
124[deg]48.65[min] W long.:
    (1) 41[deg]51.03[min] N lat., 124[deg]48.65[min] W long.;
    (2) 41[deg]51.98[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 41[deg]53.63[min] N lat., 124[deg]53.12[min] W long.;
    (4) 41[deg]55.22[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.50[min] W long.;
    (5) 41[deg]57.16[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.87[min] W long.;
    (6) 41[deg]59.16[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.89[min] W long.;
    (7) 41[deg]58.93[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.25[min] W long.;
    (8) 41[deg]57.98[min] N lat., 124[deg]50.42[min] W long.;
    (9) 41[deg]54.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]49.72[min] W long.;
    (10) 41[deg]52.66[min] N lat., 124[deg]47.85[min] W long.; and
    (11) 41[deg]51.24[min] N lat., 124[deg]47.23[min] W long.
    (c) Trinidad Canyon. The boundary of the Trinidad Canyon EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 41[deg]07.81[min] N lat., 
124[deg]51.29[min] W long.:
    (1) 41[deg]07.81[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.29[min] W long.;
    (2) 41[deg]14.52[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.67[min] W long.;
    (3) 41[deg]17.66[min] N lat., 124[deg]54.31[min] W long.;
    (4) 41[deg]18.37[min] N lat., 124[deg]45.50[min] W long.;
    (5) 41[deg]17.60[min] N lat., 124[deg]43.42[min] W long.; and
    (6) 41[deg]09.44[min] N lat., 124[deg]43.11[min] W long.
    (d) Mad River Rough Patch. The boundary of the Mad River Rough Patch 
EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 40[deg]53.66[min] N 
lat., 124[deg]26.68[min] W long.:
    (1) 40[deg]53.66[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.68[min] W long.;
    (2) 40[deg]54.49[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.22[min] W long.;
    (3) 40[deg]54.88[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.54[min] W long.;
    (4) 40[deg]57.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.10[min] W long.;
    (5) 40[deg]57.37[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.96[min] W long.;
    (6) 40[deg]57.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.34[min] W long.;

[[Page 154]]

    (7) 40[deg]54.56[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.25[min] W long.; and
    (8) 40[deg]54.13[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.27[min] W long.
    (e) Samoa Deepwater. The boundary of the Samoa Deepwater EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 40[deg]50.11[min] N lat., 
124[deg]35.29[min] W long.:
    (1) 40[deg]50.11[min] N lat., 124[deg]35.29[min] W long.;
    (2) 40[deg]46.37[min] N lat., 124[deg]34.69[min] W long.;
    (3) 40[deg]48.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.04[min] W long.;
    (4) 40[deg]51.96[min] N lat., 124[deg]41.23[min] W long.; and
    (5) 40[deg]52.04[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.08[min] W long.
    (f) Eel River Canyon. The boundary of the Eel River Canyon EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 40[deg]40.33[min] N lat., 
124[deg]41.82[min] W long.:
    (1) 40[deg]40.33[min] N lat., 124[deg]41.82[min] W long.;
    (2) 40[deg]39.69[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.36[min] W long.;
    (3) 40[deg]40.13[min] N lat., 124[deg]32.61[min] W long.;
    (4) 40[deg]39.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.21[min] W long.;
    (5) 40[deg]39.36[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.48[min] W long.;
    (6) 40[deg]39.42[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.40[min] W long.;
    (7) 40[deg]38.91[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.42[min] W long.;
    (8) 40[deg]38.57[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.49[min] W long.;
    (9) 40[deg]37.56[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.78[min] W long.;
    (10) 40[deg]37.08[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.42[min] W long.;
    (11) 40[deg]35.79[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.21[min] W long.;
    (12) 40[deg]37.52[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.41[min] W long.;
    (13) 40[deg]37.51[min] N lat., 124[deg]34.46[min] W long.;
    (14) 40[deg]38.22[min] N lat., 124[deg]35.72[min] W long.;
    (15) 40[deg]38.27[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.11[min] W long.;
    (16) 40[deg]37.47[min] N lat., 124[deg]40.46[min] W long.;
    (17) 40[deg]35.47[min] N lat., 124[deg]42.97[min] W long.;
    (18) 40[deg]32.78[min] N lat., 124[deg]44.79[min] W long.;
    (19) 40[deg]24.32[min] N lat., 124[deg]39.97[min] W long.;
    (20) 40[deg]23.26[min] N lat., 124[deg]42.45[min] W long.;
    (21) 40[deg]27.34[min] N lat., 124[deg]51.21[min] W long.;
    (22) 40[deg]32.68[min] N lat., 125[deg]05.63[min] W long.;
    (23) 40[deg]49.12[min] N lat., 124[deg]47.41[min] W long.;
    (24) 40[deg]44.32[min] N lat., 124[deg]46.48[min] W long.; and
    (25) 40[deg]41.67[min] N lat., 124[deg]42.92[min] W long.
    (g) Blunts Reef. The Blunts Reef EFHCA consists of the two adjacent 
polygons defined in this paragraph, combined.
    (1) Blunts Reef North. The boundary of Blunts Reef North is defined 
by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 40[deg]30.21[min] N lat., 
124[deg]26.85[min] W long.:
    (i) 40[deg]30.21[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.85[min] W long.;
    (ii) 40[deg]27.53[min] N lat., 124[deg]26.84[min] W long.;
    (iii) 40[deg]24.66[min] N lat., 124[deg]29.49[min] W long.;
    (iv) 40[deg]27.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.92[min] W long.;
    (v) 40[deg]28.31[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.49[min] W long.;
    (vi) 40[deg]29.99[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.49[min] W long.; and
    (vii) 40[deg]30.46[min] N lat., 124[deg]32.23[min] W long.
    (2) Blunts Reef South. The boundary of Blunts Reef South is defined 
as the areas within the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a boundary 
line defined by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in 
the order stated:
    (i) 40[deg]27.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.92[min] W long.;
    (ii) 40[deg]28.31[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.49[min] W long.;
    (iii) 40[deg]22.49[min] N lat., 124[deg]30.92[min] W long.; and
    (iv) 40[deg]23.67[min] N lat., 124[deg]28.43[min] W long.
    (h) Mendocino Ridge. The Mendocino Ridge EFHCA consists of the two 
adjacent polygons defined in this paragraph, combined.
    (1) Mendocino Ridge North. The boundary of Mendocino Ridge North is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 40[deg]25.23[min] N lat., 
124[deg]24.06[min] W long.:
    (i) 40[deg]25.23[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.06[min] W long.;
    (ii) 40[deg]12.50[min] N lat., 124[deg]22.59[min] W long.;
    (iii) 40[deg]13.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.89[min] W long.;
    (iv) 40[deg]14.96[min] N lat., 124[deg]35.42[min] W long.;
    (v) 40[deg]15.92[min] N lat., 124[deg]36.38[min] W long.;
    (vi) 40[deg]15.81[min] N lat., 124[deg]38.37[min] W long.;
    (vii) 40[deg]17.45[min] N lat., 124[deg]45.42[min] W long.;
    (viii) 40[deg]18.39[min] N lat., 124[deg]48.55[min] W long.;
    (ix) 40[deg]19.98[min] N lat., 124[deg]52.73[min] W long.;
    (x) 40[deg]20.06[min] N lat., 125[deg]02.18[min] W long.;
    (xi) 40[deg]11.79[min] N lat., 125[deg]07.39[min] W long.;
    (xii) 40[deg]12.55[min] N lat., 125[deg]11.56[min] W long.;
    (xiii) 40[deg]12.81[min] N lat., 125[deg]12.98[min] W long.;
    (xiv) 40[deg]20.72[min] N lat., 125[deg]57.31[min] W long.;
    (xv) 40[deg]23.96[min] N lat., 125[deg]56.83[min] W long.;
    (xvi) 40[deg]24.04[min] N lat., 125[deg]56.82[min] W long.;
    (xvii) 40[deg]25.68[min] N lat., 125[deg]09.77[min] W long.;
    (xviii) 40[deg]21.03[min] N lat., 124[deg]33.96[min] W long.; and
    (xix) 40[deg]25.72[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.15[min] W long.
    (2) Mendocino Ridge South. The boundary of Mendocino Ridge South is 
defined as the areas within the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a 
boundary line defined by connecting the following coordinates in the 
order stated:
    (i) 40[deg]10.03[min] N lat., 124[deg]20.51[min] W long.;
    (ii) 40[deg]10.42[min] N lat., 124[deg]22.26[min] W long.;

[[Page 155]]

    (iii) 40[deg]13.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]31.89[min] W long.; and
    (iv) 40[deg]12.82[min] N lat., 124[deg]24.85[min] W long.
    (i) Delgada Canyon. The boundary of the Delgada Canyon EFHCA is 
defined as the areas of the state territorial sea, east of the West 
Coast EEZ and within a boundary line defined by connecting the following 
coordinates in the order stated:
    (1) 40[deg]06.58[min] N lat., 124[deg]07.39[min] W long.;
    (2) 40[deg]01.37[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.79[min] W long.;
    (3) 40[deg]04.35[min] N lat., 124[deg]10.89[min] W long.;
    (4) 40[deg]05.71[min] N lat., 124[deg]09.42[min] W long.;
    (5) 40[deg]07.18[min] N lat., 124[deg]09.61[min] W long.; and
    (6) 40[deg]07.13[min] N lat., 124[deg]09.09[min] W long.
    (j) Tolo Bank. The boundary of the Tolo Bank EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 39[deg]58.75[min] N lat., 
124[deg]04.58[min] W long.:
    (1) 39[deg]58.75[min] N lat., 124[deg]04.58[min] W long.;
    (2) 39[deg]56.05[min] N lat., 124[deg]01.45[min] W long.;
    (3) 39[deg]53.99[min] N lat., 124[deg]00.17[min] W long.;
    (4) 39[deg]52.28[min] N lat., 124[deg]03.12[min] W long.; and
    (5) 39[deg]57.90[min] N lat., 124[deg]07.07[min] W long.
    (k) Navarro Canyon. The boundary of the Navarro Canyon EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 39[deg]04.76[min] N lat., 
124[deg]11.80[min] W long.:
    (1) 39[deg]04.76[min] N lat., 124[deg]11.80[min] W long.;
    (2) 39[deg]11.84[min] N lat., 124[deg]13.30[min] W long.;
    (3) 39[deg]11.39[min] N lat., 124[deg]10.38[min] W long.;
    (4) 39[deg]08.73[min] N lat., 124[deg]10.38[min] W long.;
    (5) 39[deg]07.16[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.98[min] W long.; and
    (6) 39[deg]06.07[min] N lat., 124[deg]08.55[min] W long.
    (l) Point Arena North. The boundary of the Point Arena North EFHCA 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated and connecting back to 39[deg]03.32[min] N lat., 
123[deg]51.15[min] W long.:
    (1) 39[deg]03.32[min] N lat., 123[deg]51.15[min] W long.;
    (2) 38[deg]56.54[min] N lat., 123[deg]49.79[min] W long.;
    (3) 38[deg]54.12[min] N lat., 123[deg]52.69[min] W long.;
    (4) 38[deg]59.64[min] N lat., 123[deg]55.02[min] W long.; and
    (5) 39[deg]02.83[min] N lat., 123[deg]55.21[min] W long.
    (m) Point Arena South Biogenic Area. The boundary of the Point Arena 
South Biogenic Area EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 
38[deg]33.24[min] N lat., 123[deg]35.18[min] W long.:
    (1) 38[deg]33.24[min] N lat., 123[deg]35.18[min] W long.;
    (2) 38[deg]32.01[min] N lat., 123[deg]35.78[min] W long.;
    (3) 38[deg]33.19[min] N lat., 123[deg]40.30[min] W long.;
    (4) 38[deg]34.62[min] N lat., 123[deg]42.32[min] W long.;
    (5) 38[deg]35.98[min] N lat., 123[deg]44.22[min] W long.;
    (6) 38[deg]38.27[min] N lat., 123[deg]46.57[min] W long.;
    (7) 38[deg]41.11[min] N lat., 123[deg]48.69[min] W long.;
    (8) 38[deg]41.95[min] N lat., 123[deg]45.41[min] W long.;
    (9) 38[deg]36.02[min] N lat., 123[deg]41.30[min] W long.; and
    (10) 38[deg]34.37[min] N lat., 123[deg]37.47[min] W long.
    (n) The Football. The boundary of The Football EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 38[deg]24.36[min] N lat., 
123[deg]32.10[min] W long.:
    (1) 38[deg]24.36[min] N lat., 123[deg]32.10[min] W long.;
    (2) 38[deg]23.58[min] N lat., 123[deg]33.96[min] W long.;
    (3) 38[deg]29.10[min] N lat., 123[deg]37.32[min] W long.; and
    (4) 38[deg]29.04[min] N lat., 123[deg]35.04[min] W long.
    (o) Gobbler's Knob. The boundary of the Gobbler's Knob EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 38[deg]06.84[min] N lat., 
123[deg]25.98[min] W long.:
    (1) 38[deg]06.84[min] N lat., 123[deg]25.98[min] W long.;
    (2) 38[deg]07.14[min] N lat., 123[deg]27.60[min] W long.;
    (3) 38[deg]11.64[min] N lat., 123[deg]29.58[min] W long.;
    (4) 38[deg]12.36[min] N lat., 123[deg]28.80[min] W long.;
    (5) 38[deg]12.42[min] N lat., 123[deg]27.78[min] W long.; and
    (6) 38[deg]08.70[min] N lat., 123[deg]25.98[min] W long.
    (p) Point Reyes Reef. The boundary of the Point Reyes Reef EFHCA is 
defined as the areas within the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a 
boundary line defined by connecting the following coordinates in the 
order stated:
    (1) 38[deg]2.88[min] N lat., 123[deg]03.46[min] W long.;
    (2) 38[deg]2.98[min] N lat., 123[deg]03.84[min] W long.;
    (3) 38[deg]6.52[min] N lat., 123[deg]03.63[min] W long.;
    (4) 38[deg]8.69[min] N lat., 123[deg]01.86[min] W long.; and
    (5) 38[deg]8.92[min] N lat., 123[deg]00.90[min] W long.
    (q) Cordell Bank/Biogenic Area. The boundary of the Cordell Bank/
Biogenic Area EFHCA is located offshore of California's Marin County 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 38[deg]05.46[min] N lat., 
123[deg]25.97[min] W long.:
    (1) 38[deg]05.46[min] N lat., 123[deg]25.97[min] W long.;
    (2) 38[deg]04.44[min] N lat., 123[deg]24.44[min] W long.;

[[Page 156]]

    (3) 38[deg]03.05[min] N lat., 123[deg]21.33[min] W long.;
    (4) 38[deg]03.07[min] N lat., 123[deg]07.35[min] W long.;
    (5) 38[deg]02.84[min] N lat., 123[deg]07.36[min] W long.;
    (6) 38[deg]01.09[min] N lat., 123[deg]07.06[min] W long.;
    (7) 38[deg]01.02[min] N lat., 123[deg]22.08[min] W long.;
    (8) 37[deg]54.75[min] N lat., 123[deg]23.64[min] W long.;
    (9) 37[deg]46.01[min] N lat., 123[deg]25.62[min] W long.;
    (10) 37[deg]46.68[min] N lat., 123[deg]27.05[min] W long.;
    (11) 37[deg]47.66[min] N lat., 123[deg]28.18[min] W long.;
    (12) 37[deg]50.26[min] N lat., 123[deg]30.94[min] W long.;
    (13) 37[deg]54.41[min] N lat., 123[deg]32.69[min] W long.;
    (14) 37[deg]56.94[min] N lat., 123[deg]32.87[min] W long.;
    (15) 37[deg]57.09[min] N lat., 123[deg]26.39[min] W long.;
    (16) 37[deg]57.76[min] N lat., 123[deg]26.48[min] W long.;
    (17) 37[deg]58.57[min] N lat., 123[deg]26.95[min] W long.;
    (18) 37[deg]59.94[min] N lat., 123[deg]28.58[min] W long.;
    (19) 38[deg]00.27[min] N lat., 123[deg]29.32[min] W long.;
    (20) 38[deg]00.63[min] N lat., 123[deg]29.95[min] W long.;
    (21) 38[deg]01.23[min] N lat., 123[deg]30.53[min] W long.;
    (22) 38[deg]01.60[min] N lat., 123[deg]30.81[min] W long.;
    (23) 38[deg]01.84[min] N lat., 123[deg]31.05[min] W long.;
    (24) 38[deg]02.00[min] N lat., 123[deg]31.31[min] W long.;
    (25) 38[deg]02.37[min] N lat., 123[deg]31.45[min] W long.;
    (26) 38[deg]03.99[min] N lat., 123[deg]30.75[min] W long.;
    (27) 38[deg]04.85[min] N lat., 123[deg]30.36[min] W long.; and
    (28) 38[deg]05.73[min] N lat., 123[deg]28.46[min] W long.
    (r) Cordell Bank (50-fm (91-m) isobath). The boundary of the Cordell 
Bank (50-fm (91-m) isobath) EFHCA is located offshore of California's 
Marin County defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 37[deg]57.62[min] N 
lat., 123[deg]24.22[min] W long.:
    (1) 37[deg]57.62[min] N lat., 123[deg]24.22[min] W long.;
    (2) 37[deg]57.70[min] N lat., 123[deg]25.25[min] W long.;
    (3) 37[deg]59.47[min] N lat., 123[deg]26.63[min] W long.;
    (4) 38[deg]00.24[min] N lat., 123[deg]27.87[min] W long.;
    (5) 38[deg]00.98[min] N lat., 123[deg]27.65[min] W long.;
    (6) 38[deg]02.81[min] N lat., 123[deg]28.75[min] W long.;
    (7) 38[deg]04.26[min] N lat., 123[deg]29.25[min] W long.;
    (8) 38[deg]04.55[min] N lat., 123[deg]28.32[min] W long.;
    (9) 38[deg]03.87[min] N lat., 123[deg]27.69[min] W long.;
    (10) 38[deg]04.27[min] N lat., 123[deg]26.68[min] W long.;
    (11) 38[deg]02.67[min] N lat., 123[deg]24.17[min] W long.;
    (12) 38[deg]00.87[min] N lat., 123[deg]23.15[min] W long.;
    (13) 37[deg]59.32[min] N lat., 123[deg]22.52[min] W long.; and
    (14) 37[deg]58.24[min] N lat., 123[deg]23.16[min] W long.
    (s) Rittenburg Bank. The boundary of the Rittenburg Bank EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 37[deg]51.36[min] N lat., 
123[deg]19.18[min] W long.:
    (1) 37[deg]51.36[min] N lat., 123[deg]19.18[min] W long.;
    (2) 37[deg]53.61[min] N lat., 123[deg]21.67[min] W long.;
    (3) 37[deg]54.32[min] N lat., 123[deg]19.69[min] W long.;
    (4) 37[deg]53.98[min] N lat., 123[deg]18.99[min] W long.;
    (5) 37[deg]54.96[min] N lat., 123[deg]16.32[min] W long.; and
    (6) 37[deg]53.32[min] N lat., 123[deg]15.00[min] W long.
    (t) Farallon Islands/Fanny Shoal/Cochrane Bank. The boundary of the 
Farallon Islands/Fanny Shoal/Cochrane Bank EFHCA is defined by straight 
lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and 
connecting back to 37[deg]51.58[min] N lat., 123[deg]14.07[min] W long.:
    (1) 37[deg]51.58[min] N lat., 123[deg]14.07[min] W long.;
    (2) 37[deg]44.51[min] N lat., 123[deg]01.50[min] W long.;
    (3) 37[deg]41.71[min] N lat., 122[deg]58.38[min] W long.;
    (4) 37[deg]40.80[min] N lat., 122[deg]58.54[min] W long.;
    (5) 37[deg]39.87[min] N lat., 122[deg]59.64[min] W long.;
    (6) 37[deg]42.05[min] N lat., 123[deg]03.72[min] W long.;
    (7) 37[deg]43.73[min] N lat., 123[deg]04.45[min] W long.;
    (8) 37[deg]46.94[min] N lat., 123[deg]11.65[min] W long.;
    (9) 37[deg]46.51[min] N lat., 123[deg]14.14[min] W long.;
    (10) 37[deg]47.87[min] N lat., 123[deg]16.94[min] W long.; and
    (11) 37[deg]49.23[min] N lat., 123[deg]16.81[min] W long.
    (u) Farallon Escarpment. The boundary of the Farallon Escarpment 
EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 37[deg]44.85[min] N 
lat., 123[deg]13.73[min] W long.:
    (1) 37[deg]44.85[min] N lat., 123[deg]13.73[min] W long.;
    (2) 37[deg]45.58[min] N lat., 123[deg]12.74[min] W long.;
    (3) 37[deg]45.18[min] N lat., 123[deg]11.87[min] W long.;
    (4) 37[deg]42.71[min] N lat., 123[deg]09.04[min] W long.;
    (5) 37[deg]40.73[min] N lat., 123[deg]08.42[min] W long.;
    (6) 37[deg]39.15[min] N lat., 123[deg]06.76[min] W long.;
    (7) 37[deg]38.26[min] N lat., 123[deg]08.27[min] W long.;
    (8) 37[deg]34.32[min] N lat., 123[deg]07.43[min] W long.;
    (9) 37[deg]29.55[min] N lat., 123[deg]09.74[min] W long.;
    (10) 37[deg]29.18[min] N lat., 123[deg]13.97[min] W long.;
    (11) 37[deg]40.29[min] N lat., 123[deg]12.83[min] W long.;
    (12) 37[deg]47.52[min] N lat., 123[deg]25.28[min] W long.; and
    (13) 37[deg]50.65[min] N lat., 123[deg]24.57[min] W long.
    (v) Half Moon Bay. The boundary of the Half Moon Bay EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 37[deg]18.14[min] N lat., 
122[deg]31.15[min] W long.:
    (1) 37[deg]18.14[min] N lat., 122[deg]31.15[min] W long.;
    (2) 37[deg]19.80[min] N lat., 122[deg]34.70[min] W long.;
    (3) 37[deg]19.28[min] N lat., 122[deg]38.76[min] W long.;
    (4) 37[deg]23.54[min] N lat., 122[deg]40.75[min] W long.;
    (5) 37[deg]25.41[min] N lat., 122[deg]33.20[min] W long.; and
    (6) 37[deg]23.28[min] N lat., 122[deg]30.71[min] W long.
    (w) Pescadero Reef. The boundary of the Pescadero Reef EFHCA is 
defined

[[Page 157]]

as the areas within the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a boundary 
line defined by connecting the following coordinates in the order 
stated:
    (1) 37[deg]17.18[min] N lat., 122[deg]28.34[min] W long.;
    (2) 37[deg]17.76[min] N lat., 122[deg]29.59[min] W long.;
    (3) 37[deg]19.38[min] N lat., 122[deg]29.63[min] W long.; and
    (4) 37[deg]19.50[min] N lat., 122[deg]28.00[min] W long.;
    (x) Pigeon Point Reef. The boundary of the Pigeon Point EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 37[deg]06.02[min] N lat., 
122[deg]28.14[min] W long.:
    (1) 37[deg]06.02[min] N lat., 122[deg]28.14[min] W long.;
    (2) 37[deg]08.91[min] N lat., 122[deg]31.76[min] W long.;
    (3) 37[deg]10.29[min] N lat., 122[deg]29.70[min] W long.; and
    (4) 37[deg]07.20[min] N lat., 122[deg]26.82[min] W long.
    (y) Ascension Canyonhead. The boundary of the Ascension Canyonhead 
EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 36[deg]56.88[min] N 
lat., 122[deg]24.84[min] W long.:
    (1) 36[deg]56.88[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.84[min] W long.;
    (2) 36[deg]57.30[min] N lat., 122[deg]26.36[min] W long.;
    (3) 36[deg]56.65[min] N lat., 122[deg]27.06[min] W long.;
    (4) 37[deg]01.55[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.73[min] W long.;
    (5) 37[deg]01.40[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.37[min] W long.;
    (6) 37[deg]01.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.35[min] W long.;
    (7) 37[deg]00.61[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.03[min] W long.; and
    (8) 36[deg]59.20[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.64[min] W long.
    (z) South of Davenport. The boundary of the South of Davenport EFHCA 
is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in 
the order stated and connecting back to 36[deg]54.00[min] N lat., 
122[deg]13.05[min] W long.:
    (1) 36[deg]54.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]13.05[min] W long.;
    (2) 36[deg]56.79[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.91[min] W long.;
    (3) 36[deg]57.80[min] N lat., 122[deg]18.14[min] W long.;
    (4) 36[deg]57.84[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.72[min] W long.;
    (5) 36[deg]57.38[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.05[min] W long.;
    (6) 36[deg]55.84[min] N lat., 122[deg]14.26[min] W long.;
    (7) 36[deg]54.80[min] N lat., 122[deg]12.61[min] W long.; and
    (8) 36[deg]54.49[min] N lat., 122[deg]12.48[min] W long.
    (aa) Monterey Bay/Canyon. The boundary of the Monterey Bay/Canyon 
EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 36[deg]54.17[min] N 
lat., 122[deg]23.68[min] W long.:
    (1) 36[deg]54.17[min] N lat., 122[deg]23.68[min] W long.;
    (2) 36[deg]53.58[min] N lat., 122[deg]22.48[min] W long.;
    (3) 36[deg]52.72[min] N lat., 122[deg]22.11[min] W long.;
    (4) 36[deg]49.09[min] N lat., 122[deg]21.84[min] W long.;
    (5) 36[deg]50.47[min] N lat., 122[deg]19.03[min] W long.;
    (6) 36[deg]49.60[min] N lat., 122[deg]15.08[min] W long.;
    (7) 36[deg]49.37[min] N lat., 122[deg]15.20[min] W long.;
    (8) 36[deg]48.31[min] N lat., 122[deg]18.59[min] W long.;
    (9) 36[deg]45.55[min] N lat., 122[deg]18.91[min] W long.;
    (10) 36[deg]44.32[min] N lat., 122[deg]18.49[min] W long.;
    (11) 36[deg]42.04[min] N lat., 122[deg]16.07[min] W long.;
    (12) 36[deg]40.30[min] N lat., 122[deg]13.31[min] W long.;
    (13) 36[deg]39.88[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.69[min] W long.;
    (14) 36[deg]40.02[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.09[min] W long.;
    (15) 36[deg]40.99[min] N lat., 122[deg]08.53[min] W long.;
    (16) 36[deg]41.30[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.35[min] W long.;
    (17) 36[deg]44.94[min] N lat., 122[deg]08.46[min] W long.;
    (18) 36[deg]46.31[min] N lat., 122[deg]05.48[min] W long.;
    (19) 36[deg]48.50[min] N lat., 122[deg]06.02[min] W long.;
    (20) 36[deg]49.18[min] N lat., 122[deg]03.12[min] W long.;
    (21) 36[deg]47.80[min] N lat., 122[deg]02.71[min] W long.;
    (22) 36[deg]49.60[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.85[min] W long.;
    (23) 36[deg]51.53[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.25[min] W long.;
    (24) 36[deg]50.78[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.89[min] W long.;
    (25) 36[deg]47.39[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.16[min] W long.;
    (26) 36[deg]48.34[min] N lat., 121[deg]50.95[min] W long.;
    (27) 36[deg]47.23[min] N lat., 121[deg]52.25[min] W long.;
    (28) 36[deg]45.60[min] N lat., 121[deg]54.17[min] W long.;
    (29) 36[deg]44.76[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.04[min] W long.;
    (30) 36[deg]41.68[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.33[min] W long.;
    (31) 36[deg]38.21[min] N lat., 121[deg]55.96[min] W long.; extending 
along the mainland coast to
    (32) 36[deg]25.31[min] N lat., 121[deg]54.86[min] W long.;
    (33) 36[deg]25.25[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.34[min] W long.;
    (34) 36[deg]30.86[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.45[min] W long.;
    (35) 36[deg]30.78[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.32[min] W long.;
    (36) 36[deg]31.22[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.35[min] W long.;
    (37) 36[deg]32.38[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.69[min] W long.;
    (38) 36[deg]35.41[min] N lat., 122[deg]04.44[min] W long.;
    (39) 36[deg]34.69[min] N lat., 122[deg]04.99[min] W long.;
    (40) 36[deg]30.59[min] N lat., 122[deg]03.45[min] W long.;
    (41) 36[deg]30.02[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.85[min] W long.;
    (42) 36[deg]30.23[min] N lat., 122[deg]36.82[min] W long.;
    (43) 36[deg]55.08[min] N lat., 122[deg]36.46[min] W long.;
    (44) 36[deg]54.01[min] N lat., 122[deg]29.95[min] W long.;
    (45) 36[deg]56.65[min] N lat., 122[deg]27.06[min] W long.;
    (46) 36[deg]57.30[min] N lat., 122[deg]26.36[min] W long.;
    (47) 36[deg]56.88[min] N lat., 122[deg]24.84[min] W long.; and
    (48) 36[deg]56.53[min] N lat., 122[deg]23.58[min] W long.
    (bb) West of Sobranes Point. The boundary of the West of Sobranes 
Point EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 36[deg]30.59[min] N 
lat., 122[deg]03.45[min] W long.:
    (1) 36[deg]30.59[min] N lat., 122[deg]03.45[min] W long.;
    (2) 36[deg]25.41[min] N lat., 122[deg]13.54[min] W long.;
    (3) 36[deg]25.71[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.22[min] W long.; and
    (4) 36[deg]30.02[min] N lat., 122[deg]09.85[min] W long.

[[Page 158]]

    (cc) Point Sur Deep. The boundary of the Point Sur Deep EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 36[deg]17.95[min] N lat., 
122[deg]17.13[min] W long.:
    (1) 36[deg]17.95[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.13[min] W long.;
    (2) 36[deg]17.83[min] N lat., 122[deg]22.56[min] W long.;
    (3) 36[deg]22.33[min] N lat., 122[deg]22.99[min] W long.;
    (4) 36[deg]26.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]20.81[min] W long.; and
    (5) 36[deg]25.41[min] N lat., 122[deg]13.54[min] W long.
    (dd) Big Sur Coast/Port San Luis. The Big Sur Coast/Port San Luis 
EFHCA consists of the three adjacent polygons defined in this paragraph, 
combined.
    (1) Main. The main polygon covers Davidson Seamount, portions of 
Santa Lucia Bank and Sur Canyon, and is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated and 
connecting back to 36[deg]15.74[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.75[min] W long.:
    (i) 36[deg]15.74[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.75[min] W long.;
    (ii) 36[deg]15.84[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.35[min] W long.;
    (iii) 36[deg]14.27[min] N lat., 121[deg]53.89[min] W long.;
    (iv) 36[deg]10.93[min] N lat., 121[deg]48.66[min] W long.;
    (v) 36[deg]07.40[min] N lat., 121[deg]43.14[min] W long.;
    (vi) 36[deg]07.36[min] N lat., 121[deg]43.26[min] W long.;
    (vii) 35[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 121[deg]50.49[min] W long.;
    (viii) 35[deg]55.70[min] N lat., 121[deg]50.02[min] W long.;
    (ix) 35[deg]53.05[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.69[min] W long.;
    (x) 35[deg]38.99[min] N lat., 121[deg]49.73[min] W long.;
    (xi) 35[deg]20.06[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.00[min] W long.;
    (xii) 35[deg]20.39[min] N lat., 121[deg]33.08[min] W long.;
    (xiii) 35[deg]09.72[min] N lat., 121[deg]33.92[min] W long.;
    (xiv) 35[deg]06.21[min] N lat., 121[deg]33.51[min] W long.;
    (xv) 35[deg]04.09[min] N lat., 121[deg]32.19[min] W long.;
    (xvi) 35[deg]02.65[min] N lat., 121[deg]30.63[min] W long.;
    (xvii) 35[deg]02.79[min] N lat., 121[deg]26.30[min] W long.;
    (xviii) 34[deg]58.71[min] N lat., 121[deg]24.21[min] W long.;
    (xix) 34[deg]47.24[min] N lat., 121[deg]22.40[min] W long.;
    (xx) 34[deg]35.70[min] N lat., 121[deg]45.99[min] W long.;
    (xxi) 35[deg]47.36[min] N lat., 122[deg]30.25[min] W long.;
    (xxii) 35[deg]27.26[min] N lat., 122[deg]45.15[min] W long.;
    (xxiii) 35[deg]34.39[min] N lat., 123[deg]00.25[min] W long.;
    (xxiv) 36[deg]01.64[min] N lat., 122[deg]40.76[min] W long.;
    (xxv) 36[deg]17.41[min] N lat., 122[deg]41.22[min] W long.;
    (xxvi) 36[deg]17.83[min] N lat., 122[deg]22.56[min] W long.;
    (xxvii) 36[deg]17.95[min] N lat., 122[deg]17.13[min] W long.;
    (xxviii) 36[deg]13.85[min] N lat., 122[deg]15.95[min] W long.;
    (xxix) 36[deg]12.30[min] N lat., 122[deg]10.19[min] W long.;
    (xxx) 36[deg]09.95[min] N lat., 122[deg]03.73[min] W long.;
    (xxxi) 36[deg]09.93[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.57[min] W long.;
    (xxxii) 36[deg]11.89[min] N lat., 121[deg]55.81[min] W long.;
    (xxxiii) 36[deg]12.58[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.55[min] W long.;
    (xxxiv) 36[deg]13.95[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.45[min] W long.;
    (xxxv) 36[deg]14.84[min] N lat., 122[deg]00.28[min] W long.; and
    (xxxvi) 36[deg]15.21[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.83[min] W long.
    (2) North. This area is a northern expansion in the vicinity of 
Point Sur Platform and is defined as the areas within the West Coast EEZ 
shoreward (east) of a boundary line defined by connecting the following 
coordinates in the order stated:
    (i) 36[deg]15.74[min] N lat., 121[deg]56.75[min] W long.;
    (ii) 36[deg]15.21[min] N lat., 121[deg]58.83[min] W long.;
    (iii) 36[deg]16.66[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.19[min] W long.;
    (iv) 36[deg]17.95[min] N lat., 122[deg]02.25[min] W long.;
    (v) 36[deg]18.56[min] N lat., 122[deg]01.53[min] W long.; and
    (vi) 36[deg]17.65[min] N lat., 121[deg]57.85[min] W long.
    (3) Northeast. This area is a northeastern expansion in the vicinity 
of Partington Point and Lopez Point and is defined as the areas within 
the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a boundary line defined by 
connecting the following coordinates in the order stated:
    (i) 36[deg]02.32[min] N lat., 121[deg]39.40[min] W long.;
    (ii) 35[deg]58.89[min] N lat., 121[deg]45.38[min] W long.;
    (iii) 35[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 121[deg]50.49[min] W long.; and
    (iv) 36[deg]07.36[min] N lat., 121[deg]43.26[min] W long.
    (ee) Davidson Seamount. The boundary of the Davidson Seamount EFHCA 
is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 35[deg]54.00[min] N lat., 
123[deg]00.00[min] W long.:
    (1) 35[deg]54.00[min] N lat., 123[deg]00.00[min] W long.;
    (2) 35[deg]54.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]30.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 35[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 122[deg]30.00[min] W long.; and
    (4) 35[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 123[deg]00.00[min] W long.
    (ff) La Cruz Canyon. The boundary of the La Cruz Canyon EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and

[[Page 159]]

connecting back to 35[deg]42.85[min] N lat., 121[deg]25.92[min] W long.:
    (1) 35[deg]42.85[min] N lat., 121[deg]25.92[min] W long.;
    (2) 35[deg]42.83[min] N lat., 121[deg]26.31[min] W long.;
    (3) 35[deg]43.63[min] N lat., 121[deg]26.92[min] W long.;
    (4) 35[deg]45.14[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.61[min] W long.;
    (5) 35[deg]46.88[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.80[min] W long.;
    (6) 35[deg]49.15[min] N lat., 121[deg]29.43[min] W long.;
    (7) 35[deg]49.53[min] N lat., 121[deg]28.71[min] W long.;
    (8) 35[deg]49.15[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.84[min] W long.;
    (9) 35[deg]48.68[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.58[min] W long.;
    (10) 35[deg]47.84[min] N lat., 121[deg]27.75[min] W long.;
    (11) 35[deg]46.50[min] N lat., 121[deg]26.57[min] W long.;
    (12) 35[deg]45.40[min] N lat., 121[deg]25.99[min] W long.;
    (13) 35[deg]44.19[min] N lat., 121[deg]24.69[min] W long.; and
    (14) 35[deg]43.83[min] N lat., 121[deg]26.52[min] W long.
    (gg) West of Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area. The 
boundary of the West of Piedras Blancas SMCA EFHCA is defined as the 
areas within the West Coast EEZ shoreward (east) of a boundary line 
defined by connecting the following coordinates in the order stated:
    (1) 35[deg]39.12[min] N lat., 121[deg]20.94[min] W long.;
    (2) 35[deg]39.11[min] N lat., 121[deg]21.32[min] W long.;
    (3) 35[deg]40.63[min] N lat., 121[deg]22.63[min] W long.;
    (4) 35[deg]42.84[min] N lat., 121[deg]23.67[min] W long.; and
    (5) 35[deg]42.85[min] N lat., 121[deg]22.81[min] W long.
    (hh) East San Lucia Bank. The boundary of the East San Lucia Bank 
EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 34[deg]45.09[min] N. 
lat., 121[deg]05.73[min] W. long.:
    (1) 34[deg]45.09[min] N lat., 121[deg]05.73[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]39.90[min] N lat., 121[deg]10.30[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]43.39[min] N lat., 121[deg]14.73[min] W long.;
    (4) 34[deg]52.83[min] N lat., 121[deg]14.85[min] W long.; and
    (5) 34[deg]52.82[min] N lat., 121[deg]05.90[min] W long.
    (ii) Point Conception. The boundary of the Point Conception EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 34[deg]29.24[min] N lat., 
120[deg]36.05[min] W long.:
    (1) 34[deg]29.24[min] N lat., 120[deg]36.05[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]28.57[min] N lat., 120[deg]34.44[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]26.81[min] N lat., 120[deg]33.21[min] W long.;
    (4) 34[deg]24.54[min] N lat., 120[deg]32.23[min] W long.;
    (5) 34[deg]23.41[min] N lat., 120[deg]30.61[min] W long.;
    (6) 33[deg]53.05[min] N lat., 121[deg]05.19[min] W long.;
    (7) 34[deg]13.64[min] N lat., 121[deg]20.91[min] W long.;
    (8) 34[deg]40.04[min] N lat., 120[deg]54.01[min] W long.;
    (9) 34[deg]36.41[min] N lat., 120[deg]43.48[min] W long.;
    (10) 34[deg]33.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]43.72[min] W long.;
    (11) 34[deg]31.22[min] N lat., 120[deg]42.06[min] W long.;
    (12) 34[deg]30.04[min] N lat., 120[deg]40.27[min] W long.;
    (13) 34[deg]30.02[min] N lat., 120[deg]40.23[min] W long.; and
    (14) 34[deg]29.26[min] N lat., 120[deg]37.89[min] W long.
    (jj) Harris Point. The boundary of the Harris Point EFHCA is defined 
by the mean high water line and straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]03.10[min] N lat., 120[deg]23.30[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]12.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]23.30[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]12.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]18.40[min] W long.;
    (4) 34[deg]01.80[min] N lat., 120[deg]18.40[min] W long.;
    (5) 34[deg]02.90[min] N lat., 120[deg]20.20[min] W long.; and
    (6) 34[deg]03.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]21.30[min] W long.
    (kk) Harris Point Exception. An exemption to the Harris Point 
reserve, where commercial and recreational take of living marine 
resources is allowed, exists between the mean high water line in Cuyler 
Harbor and a straight line connecting all of the following points:
    (1) 34[deg]02.90[min] N lat., 120[deg]20.20[min] W long.; and
    (2) 34[deg]03.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]21.30[min] W long.
    (ll) Richardson Rock. The boundary of the Richardson Rock EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 34[deg]10.40[min] N lat., 
120[deg]28.20[min] W long.:
    (1) 34[deg]10.40[min] N lat., 120[deg]28.20[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]10.40[min] N lat., 120[deg]36.29[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]02.21[min] N lat., 120[deg]36.29[min] W long.; and
    (4) 34[deg]02.21[min] N lat., 120[deg]28.20[min] W long.
    (mm) Scorpion. The boundary of the Scorpion EFHCA is defined by the 
mean high water line and a straight line connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]02.94[min] N lat., 119[deg]35.50[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]09.35[min] N lat., 119[deg]35.50[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]09.35[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.80[min] W long.; and
    (4) 34[deg]02.80[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.80[min] W long.
    (nn) Painted Cave. The boundary of the Painted Cave EFHCA is defined 
by the mean high water line and a straight line connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]04.50[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.00[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]05.20[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]05.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]51.00[min] W long.; and
    (4) 34[deg]04.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]51.00[min] W long.

[[Page 160]]

    (oo) Anacapa Island. The boundary of the Anacapa Island EFHCA is 
defined by the mean high water line and straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]00.80[min] N lat., 119[deg]26.70[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]05.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]26.70[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]05.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]21.40[min] W long.; and
    (4) 34[deg]01.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]21.40[min] W long.
    (pp) Carrington Point. The boundary of the Carrington Point EFHCA is 
defined by the mean high water line and straight lines connecting all of 
the following points:
    (1) 34[deg]01.30[min] N lat., 120[deg]05.20[min] W long.;
    (2) 34[deg]04.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]05.20[min] W long.;
    (3) 34[deg]04.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]01.00[min] W long.;
    (4) 34[deg]00.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]01.00[min] W long.; and
    (5) 34[deg]00.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]02.80[min] W long.
    (qq) Judith Rock. The boundary of the Judith Rock EFHCA is defined 
by the mean high water line and a straight line connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]01.80[min] N lat., 120[deg]26.60[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]58.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]26.60[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]58.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.30[min] W long.; and
    (4) 34[deg]01.50[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.30[min] W long.
    (rr) Skunk Point. The boundary of the Skunk Point EFHCA is defined 
by the mean high water line and straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]58.80[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]58.02[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]57.10[min] N lat., 119[deg]58.00[min] W long.; and
    (4) 33[deg]57.10[min] N lat., 119[deg]58.20[min] W long.
    (ss) Footprint. The boundary of the Footprint EFHCA is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 33[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 
119[deg]26.00[min] W long.:
    (1) 33[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]26.00[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]31.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]54.11[min] N lat., 119[deg]31.00[min] W long.; and
    (4) 33[deg]54.11[min] N lat., 119[deg]26.00[min] W long.
    (tt) Gull Island. The boundary of the Gull Island EFHCA is defined 
by the mean high water line and straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]58.02[min] N lat., 119[deg]51.00[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]58.02[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]51.63[min] N lat., 119[deg]53.00[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]51.62[min] N lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W long.; and
    (5) 33[deg]57.70[min] N lat., 119[deg]48.00[min] W long.
    (uu) South Point. The boundary of the South Point EFHCA is defined 
by the mean high water line and straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]55.00[min] N lat., 120[deg]10.00[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]50.40[min] N lat., 120[deg]10.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]50.40[min] N lat., 120[deg]06.50[min] W long.; and
    (4) 33[deg]53.80[min] N lat., 120[deg]06.50[min] W long.
    (vv) Hidden Reef/Kidney Bank. The boundary of the Hidden Reef/Kidney 
Bank EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated and connecting back to 33[deg]48.00[min] N 
lat., 119[deg]15.06[min] W long.:
    (1) 33[deg]48.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]15.06[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]48.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]57.06[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]33.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]57.06[min] W long.; and
    (4) 33[deg]33.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]15.06[min] W long.
    (ww) Catalina Island. The boundary of the Catalina Island EFHCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated and connecting back to 33[deg]34.71[min] N lat., 
118[deg]11.40[min] W long.:
    (1) 33[deg]34.71[min] N lat., 118[deg]11.40[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]25.88[min] N lat., 118[deg]03.76[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]11.69[min] N lat., 118[deg]09.21[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]19.73[min] N lat., 118[deg]35.41[min] W long.;
    (5) 33[deg]23.90[min] N lat., 118[deg]35.11[min] W long.;
    (6) 33[deg]25.68[min] N lat., 118[deg]41.66[min] W long.;
    (7) 33[deg]30.25[min] N lat., 118[deg]42.25[min] W long.;
    (8) 33[deg]32.73[min] N lat., 118[deg]38.38[min] W long.; and
    (9) 33[deg]27.07[min] N lat., 118[deg]20.33[min] W long.
    (xx) Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara EFHCA is defined by the mean 
high water line and straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 33[deg]28.50[min] N lat., 119[deg]01.70[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]28.50[min] N lat., 118[deg]54.54[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]21.78[min] N lat., 118[deg]54.54[min] W long.;
    (4) 33[deg]21.78[min] N lat., 119[deg]02.20[min] W long.; and
    (5) 33[deg]27.90[min] N lat., 119[deg]02.20[min] W long.
    (yy) Potato Bank. Potato Bank is within the Western Cowcod 
Conservation Area, defined at Sec. 660.70. The boundary of the Potato 
Bank EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order

[[Page 161]]

stated and connecting back to 33[deg]11.00' N lat., 119[deg]55.67' W 
long.:
    (1) 33[deg]11.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]55.67[min] W long.;
    (2) 33[deg]21.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]55.67[min] W long.;
    (3) 33[deg]21.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]45.67[min] W long.; and
    (4) 33[deg]11.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]45.67[min] W long.
    (zz) Cherry Bank. Cherry Bank is within the Cowcod Conservation Area 
West, an area south of Point Conception. The Cherry Bank EFH 
Conservation Area is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated and connecting back to 
32[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.05[min] W long.:
    (1) 32[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.05[min] W long.;
    (2) 32[deg]59.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]17.05[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]46.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]17.05[min] W long.; and
    (4) 32[deg]46.00[min] N lat., 119[deg]32.05[min] W long.
    (aaa) Cowcod EFHCA East. The Cowcod EFHCA East is defined by 
straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated and connecting back to 32[deg]41.15[min] N lat., 
118[deg]02.00[min] W long.:
    (1) 32[deg]41.15[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.00[min] W long.;
    (2) 32[deg]42.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.00[min] W long.;
    (3) 32[deg]42.00[min] N lat., 117[deg]50.00[min] W long.;
    (4) 32[deg]36.70[min] N lat., 117[deg]50.00[min] W long.;
    (5) 32[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 117[deg]53.50[min] W long.;
    (6) 32[deg]30.00[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.00[min] W long.; and
    (7) 32[deg]40.49[min] N lat., 118[deg]02.00[min] W long.
    (bbb) Southern California Bight. The boundary of the Southern 
California Bight EFHCA is defined as the area that includes all waters 
within the West Coast EEZ that is: south of a straight line connecting 
34[deg]02.65[min] N lat., 120[deg]54.25[min] W long. and 
34[deg]23.09[min] N lat., 120[deg]30.98[min] W long.; shoreward (east 
and northeast) of the boundary line approximating the 700-fm (1280-m) 
depth contour, defined at Sec. 660.76(b) and seaward (south and 
southwest) of a line defined by the inner boundary of the West Coast EEZ 
and a series of straight lines connecting the coordinates listed below 
in the order stated. The straight line segments and coordinates defined 
below exclude nearshore portions of the West Coast EEZ from this EFHCA.
    (1) Northern Boundary. The northern boundary of the Southern 
California Bight EFHCA is a straight line connecting the following 
points in the order stated.
    (i) 34[deg]02.68[min] N lat., 120[deg]54.30[min] W long.; and
    (ii) 34[deg]23.09[min] N lat., 120[deg]30.98[min] W long.
    (2) Santa Barbara Channel. In the area of the Santa Barbara Channel, 
the EFHCA extends seaward/southwest of a boundary line defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
    (i) 34[deg]02.68[min] N lat., 120[deg]54.30[min] W long.;
    (ii) 34[deg]23.09[min] N lat., 120[deg]30.98[min] W long.;
    (iii) 34[deg]21.64[min] N lat., 120[deg]25.32[min] W long.;
    (iv) 34[deg]23.55[min] N lat., 120[deg]15.12[min] W long.;
    (v) 34[deg]20.15[min] N lat., 119[deg]57.09[min] W long.;
    (vi) 34[deg]16.84[min] N lat., 119[deg]49.14[min] W long.;
    (vii) 34[deg]11.24[min] N lat., 119[deg]42.12[min] W long.;
    (viii) 34[deg]11.30[min] N lat., 119[deg]37.11[min] W long.;
    (ix) 34[deg]09.89[min] N lat., 119[deg]29.78[min] W long.;
    (x) 34[deg]09.19[min] N lat., 119[deg]27.45[min] W long.;
    (xi) 34[deg]04.70[min] N lat., 119[deg]15.38[min] W long.;
    (xii) 34[deg]03.33[min] N lat., 119[deg]12.93[min] W long.; and
    (xiii) 34[deg]02.84[min] N lat., 119[deg]07.92[min] W long.
    (3) Santa Monica Bay. In the area of Santa Monica bay, the EFHCA 
extends seaward/southwest of a boundary line defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:
    (i) 33[deg]58.64[min] N lat., 118[deg]44.34[min] W long.;
    (ii) 33[deg]55.90[min] N lat., 118[deg]36.39[min] W long.;
    (iii) 33[deg]53.54[min] N lat., 118[deg]39.81[min] W long.;
    (iv) 33[deg]50.10[min] N lat., 118[deg]36.30[min] W long.; and
    (v) 33[deg]46.75[min] N lat., 118[deg]29.33[min] W long.
    (4) San Pedro Bay. In the area between Long Beach, CA and Newport 
Beach, CA, the EFHCA extends seaward/southwest of a boundary line 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:
    (i) 33[deg]39.28[min] N lat., 118[deg]16.82[min] W long.;
    (ii) 33[deg]35.78[min] N lat., 118[deg]17.28[min] W long.;
    (iii) 33[deg]33.74[min] N lat., 118[deg]12.53[min] W long.;
    (iv) 33[deg]34.71[min] N lat., 118[deg]11.40[min] W long.;
    (v) 33[deg]32.69[min] N lat., 118[deg]09.66[min] W long.; and
    (vi) 33[deg]33.70[min] N lat., 117[deg]57.43[min] W long.
    (5) San Clemente. In the area between Dana Point, CA and Oceanside, 
CA, the EFHCA extends seaward/southwest of a boundary line defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
    (i) 33[deg]24.37[min] N lat., 117[deg]42.49[min] W long.;
    (ii) 33[deg]16.07[min] N lat., 117[deg]34.74[min] W long.; and
    (iii) 33[deg]09.00[min] N lat., 117[deg]25.27[min] W long.

[[Page 162]]

    (6) San Diego. In the area west of San Diego, CA, the EFHCA extends 
seaward/west of a boundary line defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:
    (i) 32[deg]51.02[min] N lat., 117[deg]20.47[min] W long.;
    (ii) 32[deg]46.31[min] N lat., 117[deg]23.44[min] W long.;
    (iii) 32[deg]42.68[min] N lat., 117[deg]20.98[min] W long.; and
    (iv) 32[deg]34.18[min] N lat., 117[deg]21.08[min] W long.

[84 FR 63979, Nov. 19, 2019; 84 FR 70905, Dec. 26, 2019]



Sec. Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C--2023, Specifications of OFL, ABC, 
                         ACL, ACT and Fishery HG

   Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C--2023, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines
                          [Weights in metric tons]; [Capitalized stocks are overfished]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Stocks                    Area              OFL             ABC           ACL \a\     Fishery HG \b\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \c\........  Coastwide.......             123             103              66            55.3
Arrowtooth Flounder \d\.......  Coastwide.......          26,391          18,632          18,632          16,537
Big Skate \e\.................  Coastwide.......           1,541           1,320           1,320         1,260.2
Black Rockfish \f\............  California (S of             368             334             334           332.1
                                 42[deg] N lat.).
Black Rockfish \g\............  Washington (N of             319             290             290           271.8
                                 46[deg]16[min]
                                 N lat.).
Bocaccio \h\..................  S of                       2,009           1,842           1,842         1,793.9
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Cabezon \i\...................  California (S of             197             182             182           180.4
                                 42[deg] N lat.).
California Scorpionfish \j\...  S of                         290             262             262           258.4
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Canary Rockfish \k\...........  Coastwide.......           1,413           1,284           1,284         1,215.1
Chilipepper \l\...............  S of                       2,401           2,183           2,183           2,085
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Cowcod \m\....................  S of                         113              80              80            68.8
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
    Cowcod....................  (Conception)....              94              69              NA              NA
    Cowcod....................  (Monterey)......              19              11              NA              NA
Darkblotched Rockfish \n\.....  Coastwide.......             856             785             785           761.2
Dover Sole \o\................  Coastwide.......          63,834          59,685          50,000        48,402.9
English Sole \p\..............  Coastwide.......          11,133           9,018           9,018         8,758.5
Lingcod \q\...................  N of                       5,010           4,378           4,378         4,098.4
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Lingcod \r\...................  S of                         846             739             726           710.5
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Longnose Skate \s\............  Coastwide.......           1,993           1,708           1,708         1,456.7
Longspine Thornyhead \t\......  N of                       4,616           3,019           2,295         2,241.3
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Longspine Thornyhead \u\......  S of                                                         725           722.8
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Pacific Cod \v\...............  Coastwide.......           3,200           1,926           1,600           1,094
Pacific Ocean Perch \w\.......  N of              ..............  ..............
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Pacific Whiting \x\...........  Coastwide.......         778,008           (\X\)           (\X\)         380,194
Petrale Sole \y\..............  Coastwide.......           3,763           3,485           3,485         3,098.8
Sablefish \z\.................  Coastwide.......          11,577          10,825
Sablefish \z\.................  N of 36[deg] N    ..............  ..............           8,486    See Table 1c
                                 lat.
Sablefish \aa\................  S of 36[deg] N    ..............  ..............           2,338         2,310.6
                                 lat.
Shortspine Thornyhead.........  Coastwide.......           3,177           2,078
Shortspine Thornyhead \bb\....  N of              ..............  ..............           1,359         1,280.7
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Shortspine Thornyhead \cc\....  S of              ..............  ..............             719           712.3
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Spiny Dogfish \dd\............  Coastwide.......           1,911           1,456           1,456         1,104.5
Splitnose \ee\................  S of                       1,803           1,592           1,592         1,573.4
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Starry Flounder \ff\..........  Coastwide.......             652             392             392           343.7
Widow Rockfish \gg\...........  Coastwide.......          13,633          12,624          12,624        12,385.7
Yellowtail Rockfish \hh\......  N of                       6,178           5,666           5,666         4,638.5
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Stock Complexes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue/Deacon/Black Rockfish      Oregon..........             679             597             597           595.2
 \ii\.
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \jj\...  Washington......             202             185             185           184.2
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \kk\...  Oregon..........              25              20              20            18.0
Nearshore Rockfish North \ll\.  N of                         110              93              93            89.7
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Nearshore Rockfish South \mm\.  S of                       1,089             897             887           882.5
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Other Fish \nn\...............  Coastwide.......             286             223             223           201.8
Other Flatfish \oo\...........  Coastwide.......           7,887           4,862           4,862           4,641
Shelf Rockfish North \pp\.....  N of                       1,614           1,283           1,283         1,212.1
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Shelf Rockfish South \qq\.....  S of                       1,835           1,469           1,469         1,336.2
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Slope Rockfish North \rr\.....  N of                       1,819           1,540           1,540         1,474.6
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Slope Rockfish South \ss\.....  S of                         870             701             701           662.1
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total
  catch values.
\b\ Fishery HGs means the HG or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and
  projected catch, projected research catch, deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and
  deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.

[[Page 163]]

 
\c\ Yelloweye rockfish. The 66 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of
  2029 and an SPR harvest rate of 65 percent. 10.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery
  (5 mt), EFP fishing (0.12 mt), research catch (2.92 mt), and incidental open access mortality (2.66 mt)
  resulting in a fishery HG of 55.3 mt. The non-trawl HG is 50.9 mt. The combined non-nearshore/nearshore HG is
  10.7 mt. Recreational HGs are: 13.2 mt (Washington); 11.7 mt (Oregon); and 15.3 mt (California). In addition,
  the non-trawl ACT is 39.9 mt, and the combined non-nearshore/nearshore ACT is 8.4 mt. Recreational ACTs are:
  10.4 mt (Washington), 9.2 mt (Oregon), and 12.0 mt (California).
\d\ Arrowtooth flounder. 2,094.98 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt),
  research catch (12.98 mt) and incidental open access mortality (41 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 16,537
  mt.
\e\ Big skate. 59.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), research catch (5.49
  mt), and incidental open access mortality (39.31 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,260.2 mt.
\f\ Black rockfish (California). 2.26 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1.0 mt), research
  catch (0.08 mt), and incidental open access mortality (1.18 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 332.1 mt.
\g\ Black rockfish (Washington). 18.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (18 mt) and
  research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 271.8 mt.
\h\ Bocaccio south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat Bocaccio are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south
  of 40[deg]10[min] N lat and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 48.12 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (40 mt), research catch (5.6 mt), and incidental open access
  mortality (2.52 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,793.9 mt. The California recreational fishery south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. has an HG of 755.6 mt.
\i\ Cabezon (California). 1.63 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1 mt), research catch
  (0.02 mt), and incidental open access fishery mortality (0.61 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 180.4 mt.
\j\ California scorpionfish south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 3.89 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  research (0.18 mt) and the incidental open access fishery (3.71 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 258.4 mt.
\k\ Canary rockfish. 68.91 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), EFP fishing (6
  mt), and research catch (10.08 mt), and incidental open access mortality (2.83 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 1,215.1 mt. The combined nearshore/non-nearshore HG is 121.2 mt. Recreational HGs are: 41.4 mt
  (Washington); 62.3 mt (Oregon); and 111.7 mt (California).
\l\ Chilipepper rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest
  specifications south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. 97.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (70 mt), research catch
  (14.04 mt), incidental open access fishery mortality (13.66 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,085 mt.
\m\ Cowcod south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Cowcod are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 11.17 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1 mt), research catch (10 mt), and incidental open access
  mortality (0.17 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 68.8 mt.
\n\ Darkblotched rockfish. 23.76 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (5 mt), EFP
  fishing (0.5 mt), research catch (8.46 mt), and incidental open access mortality (9.8 mt) resulting in a
  fishery HG of 761.2 mt.
\o\ Dover sole. 1,597.11 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), research
  catch (50.84 mt), and incidental open access mortality (49.27 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,402.9 mt.
\p\ English sole. 259.52 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), research catch
  (17 mt), and incidental open access mortality (42.52 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8,758.5 mt.
\q\ Lingcod north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 279.63 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt),
  research catch (17.71 mt), and incidental open access mortality (11.92 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of
  4,098.4 mt.
\r\ Lingcod south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 15.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (4 mt),
  research catch (3.19 mt), and incidental open access mortality (8.31 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 710.5
  mt.
\s\ Longnose skate. 251.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), research catch
  (12.46 mt), and incidental open access mortality (18.84 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,456.7 mt.
\t\ Longspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 53.71 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (30 mt), research catch (17.49 mt), and incidental open access mortality (6.22 mt), resulting
  in a fishery HG of 2,241.3 mt.
\u\ Longspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 2.24 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research
  catch (1.41 mt) and incidental open access mortality (0.83 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 722.8 mt.
\v\ Pacific cod. 506 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch
  (5.47 mt), and incidental open access mortality (0.53 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,094 mt.
\w\ Pacific ocean perch north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Pacific ocean perch are managed with stock-specific
  harvest specifications north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. 145.48 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), research
  catch (5.39 mt), and incidental open access mortality (10.09 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 3,427.5 mt.
\x\ Pacific hake/whiting. The 2023 OFL of 778,008 mt is based on the 2023 assessment with an F40 percent of FMSY
  proxy. The 2023 coastwide adjusted Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is 625,000 mt. The U.S. TAC is 73.88 percent of
  the coastwide TAC. The 2023 adjusted U.S. TAC is 461,750 mt. From the U.S. TAC, 80,806 mt is deducted to
  accommodate the Tribal fishery, and 750 mt is deducted to accommodate research and bycatch in other fisheries,
  resulting in a 2023 fishery HG of 380,194-mt. The TAC for Pacific whiting is established under the provisions
  of the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on
  Pacific Hake/Whiting of 2003 and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 7001-7010, and the international
  exception applies. Therefore, no ABC or ACL values are provided for Pacific whiting.
\y\ Petrale sole. 386.24 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (350 mt), EFP fishing (1
  mt), research catch (24.14 mt), and incidental open access mortality (11.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
  3,098.8 mt.
\z\ Sablefish north of 36[deg] N lat. The sablefish coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The
  coastwide sablefish ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N lat., using the rolling 5-year
  average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 78.4 percent apportioned north of
  36[deg] N lat. and 21.6 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N lat. The northern ACL is 8,486 mt and is
  reduced by 849 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 percent of the ACL north of 36[deg] N lat.). The 849 mt Tribal
  allocation is reduced by 1.7 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations are
  shown in Table 1c.
\aa\ Sablefish south of 36[deg] N lat. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N lat. is 2,338 mt (21.6 percent of
  the calculated coastwide ACL value). 27.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch (2.40 mt)
  and incidental open access mortality (25 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,310.6 mt.
\bb\ Shortspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 78.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (50 mt), research catch (10.48 mt), and incidental open access mortality (17.82 mt), resulting
  in a fishery HG of 1,280.7 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.
\cc\ Shortspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 6.71 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  research catch (0.71 mt) and incidental open access mortality (6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 712.3 mt
  for the area south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.
\dd\ Spiny dogfish. 351.48 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), EFP fishing
  (1 mt), research catch (41.85 mt), and incidental open access mortality (33.63 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 1,104.5 mt.
\ee\ Splitnose rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 18.42 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP
  fishing (1.5 mt), research catch (11.17 mt), and incidental open access mortality (5.75 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 1,573.4 mt.
\ff\ Starry flounder. 48.28 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), research catch
  (0.57 mt), and incidental open access mortality (45.71 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 343.7 mt.
\gg\ Widow rockfish. 238.32 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), EFP fishing
  (18 mt), research catch (17.27 mt), and incidental open access mortality (3.05 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 12,385.7 mt.

[[Page 164]]

 
\hh\ Yellowtail rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Yellowtail rockfish are managed with stock-specific
  harvest specifications north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. 1,027.55 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt),
  research catch (20.55 mt), and incidental open access mortality (7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,638.5
  mt.
\ii\ Black rockfish/Blue rockfish/Deacon rockfish (Oregon). 1.82 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  research catch (0.08 mt) and incidental open access mortality (1.74 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 595.2
  mt.
\jj\ Cabezon/kelp greenling (Oregon). 0.79 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch (0.05 mt),
  and incidental open access mortality (0.74 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 184.2 mt.
\kk\ Cabezon/kelp greenling (Washington). 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery,
  resulting in a fishery HG is 18 mt.
\ll\ Nearshore Rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 3.27 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), research catch (0.47 mt), and incidental open access mortality (1.3 mt), resulting in
  a fishery HG of 89.7 mt. State specific HGs are Washington (17.7 mt), Oregon (32.0 mt), and California (39.6
  mt). The ACT for copper rockfish (California) is 6.93 mt. The ACT for quillback rockfish (California) is 0.87
  mt.
\mm\ Nearshore Rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 4.54 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research
  catch (2.68 mt) and incidental open access mortality (1.86 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 882.5 mt. The ACT
  for copper rockfish is 84.61 mt. The ACT for quillback rockfish is 0.89 mt.
\nn\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling off California and leopard shark
  coastwide. 21.24 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch (6.29 mt) and incidental open
  access mortality (14.95 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 201.8 mt.
\oo\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are
  not managed with stock-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are
  unassessed and include: butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rock sole, sand sole, and
  rex sole. 220.79 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), research catch (23.63
  mt), and incidental open access mortality (137.16 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,641.2 mt.
\pp\ Shelf Rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 70.94 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal
  fishery (30 mt), research catch (15.32 mt), and incidental open access mortality (25.62 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 1,212.1 mt.
\qq\ Shelf Rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 132.77 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing
  (50 mt), research catch (15.1 mt), and incidental open access mortality (67.67 mt) resulting in a fishery HG
  of 1,336.2 mt.
\rr\ Slope Rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 65.39 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal
  fishery (36 mt), and research catch (10.51 mt), and incidental open access mortality (18.88 mt), resulting in
  a fishery HG of 1,474.6 mt.
\ss\ Slope Rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 38.94 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing
  (1 mt), research catch (18.21 mt), and incidental open access mortality (19.73 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 662.1 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish fishery south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. set equal to the species' contribution to the ACL. Harvest of blackgill rockfish in all
  groundfish fisheries south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. counts against this HG of 172.4 mt.


[88 FR 34787, May 31, 2023]



 Sec. Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C--2023, Allocations by Species or 
                              Species Group

                               Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C--2023, and Beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group
                                                                 [Weight in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Trawl                         Non-trawl
          Stocks/stock complexes                        Area               Fishery HG or ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            ACT \a\ \b\          %              Mt               %              Mt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \a\....................  Coastwide...................            55.3               8             4.4              92            50.9
Arrowtooth flounder.......................  Coastwide...................          16,537              95        15,710.2               5           826.9
Big skate \a\.............................  Coastwide...................         1,260.2              95         1,197.2               5              63
Bocaccio \a\..............................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,793.9              39           700.3              61         1,093.5
Canary rockfish \a\.......................  Coastwide...................         1,215.1            72.3           878.5            27.7           336.6
Chilipepper rockfish......................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...           2,085              75         1,563.8              25           521.3
Cowcod \a\................................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...            68.8              36            24.8              64            44.1
Darkblotched rockfish.....................  Coastwide...................           761.2              95           723.2               5            38.1
Dover sole................................  Coastwide...................        48,402.8              95        45,982.7               5         2,420.1
English sole..............................  Coastwide...................         8,758.5              95         8,320.6               5           437.9
Lingcod...................................  N of 40[min]10[deg] N lat...         4,098.4              45         1,844.3              55         2,254.1
Lingcod \a\...............................  S of 40[min]10[deg] N lat...           710.5              40           284.2              60           426.3
Longnose skate \a\........................  Coastwide...................         1,456.7              90           1,311              10           145.7
Longspine thornyhead......................  N of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...         2,241.3              95         2,129.2               5           112.1
Pacific cod...............................  Coastwide...................           1,094              95         1,039.3               5            54.7
Pacific ocean perch.......................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         3,427.5              95         3,256.1               5           171.4
Pacific whiting \c\.......................  Coastwide...................         380,194             100         380,194               0               0
Petrale sole \a\..........................  Coastwide...................         3,098.8  ..............         3,068.8  ..............              30
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish.................................  N of 36[deg] N lat..........              NA                           See Table 1c
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish.................................  S of 36[deg] N lat..........         2,310.6              42           970.5              58         1,340.1
Shortspine thornyhead.....................  N of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...         1,280.7              95         1,216.7               5              64
Shortspine thornyhead.....................  S of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...           712.3  ..............              50  ..............           662.3
Splitnose rockfish........................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,572.4              95         1,494.7               5            78.7
Starry flounder...........................  Coastwide...................           343.7              50           171.9              50           171.9

[[Page 165]]

 
Widow rockfish \a\........................  Coastwide...................        12,385.7  ..............        11,985.7  ..............             400
Yellowtail rockfish.......................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         4,638.5              88         4,081.8              12           556.6
Other Flatfish............................  Coastwide...................         4,641.2              90         4,177.1              10           464.1
Shelf Rockfish \a\........................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,212.1            60.2           729.7            39.8           482.4
Shelf Rockfish \a\........................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,336.2            12.2             163            87.8         1,173.2
Slope Rockfish............................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,474.6              81         1,194.4              19           280.2
Slope Rockfish \a\........................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...           662.1              63           417.1              37             245
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
\b\ The cowcod non-trawl allocation is further split 50:50 between the commercial and recreational sectors. This results in a sector-specific ACT of 22
  mt for the commercial sector and 22 mt for the recreational sector.
\c\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(i)(2), the commercial harvest guideline for Pacific whiting is allocated as follows: 34 percent for the
  C/P Coop Program; 24 percent for the MS Coop Program; and 42 percent for the Shorebased IFQ Program. No more than 5 percent of the Shorebased IFQ
  Program allocation may be taken and retained south of 42[deg] N lat. before the start of the primary Pacific whiting season north of 42[deg] N lat.


[88 FR 34790, May 31, 2023]



Sec. Table 1c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N Lat. 
                            Allocations, 2023

[[Page 166]]



                                                      Table 1c. to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N Lat. Allocations, 2023
                                                                                     [Weight in metric tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Set-asides                                                         Limited entry HG           Open access HG
                         Year                               ACL     ------------------------------- Recreational       EFP       Commercial  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Tribal \a\       Research       estimate                       HG         Percent         mt        Percent       mt \b\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023.................................................        8,486           849             30.7             6             1         7,600         90.6        6,885          9.4          714
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year                                                      LE all                      Limited entry trawl \c\
                                                                             Limited entry fixed gear \d\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       All trawl    At-sea whiting        Shorebased IFQ           All FG              Primary
                                                                   DTL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023.................................................        6,885         3,994              100             3,893.5                 2,892             2,458
                                                                   434
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ The tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.7 percent for discard mortality resulting in 834.6 mt in 2023.
\b\ The open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery.
\c\ The trawl allocation is 58 percent of the limited entry HG.
\d\ The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42 percent of the limited entry HG.


[[Page 167]]


[88 FR 12867, Mar. 1, 2023]

[[Page 168]]



 Sec. Table 1d to Part 660, Subpart C--Whiting and non-whiting initial 
   issuance allocation percentage for IFQ decided through the harvest 
                          specifications, 2011
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR11MY11.002


[76 FR 27531, May 11, 2011. Redesignated at 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019]

[[Page 169]]



 Sec. Table 2a to Part 660, Subpart C--2024, and Beyond, Specifications 
          of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines

  Table 2a. to Part 660, Subpart C--2024, and Beyond, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest
                                                   Guidelines
                         [(Weights in metric tons). Capitalized stocks are overfished.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Stocks                    Area              OFL             ABC           ACL \a\     Fishery HG \b\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \c\........  Coastwide.......             123             103              66            55.3
Arrowtooth Flounder \d\.......  Coastwide.......          20,459          14,178          14,178          12,083
Big Skate \e\.................  Coastwide.......           1,492           1,267           1,267         1,207.2
Black Rockfish \f\............  California (S of             364             329             329           326.6
                                 42[deg] N lat.).
Black Rockfish\g\.............  Washington (N of             319             289             289           270.5
                                 46[deg]16[min]
                                 N lat.).
Bocaccio \h\..................  S of                       2,002           1,828           1,828         1,779.9
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Cabezon \i\...................  California (S of             185             171             171           169.4
                                 42[deg] N lat.).
California Scorpionfish \j\...  S of                         280             252             252             248
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Canary Rockfish \k\...........  Coastwide.......           1,401           1,267           1,267         1,198.1
Chilipepper \l\...............  S of                       2,346           2,121           2,121         2,023.4
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
    Cowcod \m\................  S of                         112              79              79            67.8
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
    Cowcod....................  (Conception)....              93              67              NA              NA
    Cowcod....................  (Monterey)......              19              12              NA              NA
Darkblotched Rockfish \n\.....  Coastwide.......             822             750             750           726.2
Dover Sole \o\................  Coastwide.......          55,859          51,949          50,000        48,402.9
English Sole \p\..............  Coastwide.......          11,158           8,960           8,960         8,700.5
Lingcod \q\...................  N of                       4,455           3,854           3,854         3,574.4
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Lingcod \r\...................  S of                         855             740             722           706.5
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Longnose Skate \s\............  Coastwide.......           1,955           1,660           1,660         1,408.7
Longspine Thornyhead..........  Coastwide.......           4,433           2,846             n/a             n/a
Longspine Thornyhead \t\......  N of                         n/a             n/a           2,162         2,108.3
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Longspine Thornyhead \u\......  S of                         n/a             n/a             683           680.8
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Pacific Cod \v\...............  Coastwide.......           3,200           1,926           1,600           1,094
Pacific Ocean Perch \w\.......  N of                       4,133           3,443           3,443         3,297.5
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Pacific Whiting \x\...........  Coastwide.......           (\x\)           (\x\)           (\x\)           (\x\)
Petrale Sole\y\...............  Coastwide.......           3,563           3,285           3,285         2,898.8
Sablefish.....................  Coastwide.......          10,670           9,923             n/a             n/a
Sablefish \z\.................  N of 36[deg] N               n/a             n/a           7,780    See Table 2c
                                 lat.
Sablefish \aa\................  S of 36[deg] N               n/a             n/a           2,143         2,115.6
                                 lat.
Shortspine Thornyhead.........  Coastwide.......           3,162           2,030
Shortspine Thornyhead \bb\....  N of                         n/a             n/a           1,328         1,249.7
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Shortspine Thornyhead \cc\....  S of                         n/a             n/a             702           695.3
                                 34[deg]27[min]
                                 N lat.
Spiny Dogfish \dd\............  Coastwide.......           1,883           1,407           1,407         1,055.5
Splitnose \ee\................  S of                       1,766           1,553           1,553         1,534.3
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Starry Flounder \ff\..........  Coastwide.......             652             392             392           343.7
Widow Rockfish \gg\...........  Coastwide.......          12,453          11,482          11,482        11,243.7
Yellowtail Rockfish \hh\......  N of                       6,090           5,560           5,560         4,532.5
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Stock Complexes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue/Deacon/Black Rockfish      Oregon..........             671             594             594           592.2
 \ii\.
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \jj\...  Washington......              22              17              17              15
Cabezon/Kelp Greenling \kk\...  Oregon..........             198             180             180           179.2
Nearshore Rockfish North \ll\.  N of                         109              91              91            87.7
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Nearshore Rockfish South \mm\.  S of                       1,097             902             891           886.5
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Other Fish \nn\...............  Coastwide.......             286             223             223           201.8
Other Flatfish \oo\...........  Coastwide.......           7,946           4,874           4,874         4,653.2
Shelf Rockfish North \pp\.....  N of                       1,610           1,278           1,278           1,207
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Shelf Rockfish South \qq\.....  S of                       1,838           1,469           1,469         1,336.2
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Slope Rockfish North \rr\.....  N of                       1,797           1,516           1,516         1,450.6
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
Slope Rockfish South \ss\.....  S of                         868             697             697           658.1
                                 40[deg]10[min]
                                 N lat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total
  catch values.
\b\ Fishery HGs means the HG or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and
  projected catch, projected research catch, deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and
  deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
\c\ Yelloweye rockfish. The 66 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of
  2029 and an SPR harvest rate of 65 percent. 10.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery
  (5 mt), EFP fishing (0.12 mt), research catch (2.92 mt), and incidental open access mortality (2.66 mt)
  resulting in a fishery HG of 55.3 mt. The non-trawl HG is 50.9 mt. The combined non-nearshore/nearshore HG is
  10.7 mt. Recreational HGs are: 13.2 mt (Washington); 11.7 mt (Oregon); and 15.3 mt (California). In addition,
  the non-trawl ACT is 39.9, and the combined non-nearshore/nearshore ACT is 8.4 mt. Recreational ACTs are: 10.4
  mt (Washington), 9.2 (Oregon), and 12.0 mt (California).
\d\ Arrowtooth flounder. 2,094.98 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt),
  research catch (12.98 mt) and incidental open access mortality (41 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 12,083
  mt.
\e\ Big skate. 59.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), research catch (5.49
  mt), and incidental open access mortality (39.31 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,207.2 mt.

[[Page 170]]

 
\f\ Black rockfish (California). 2.26 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1.0 mt), research
  catch (0.08 mt), and incidental open access mortality (1.18 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 326.6 mt.
\g\ Black rockfish (Washington). 18.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (18 mt) and
  research catch (0.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 270.5 mt.
\h\ Bocaccio south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Bocaccio are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications
  south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.
  48.12 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (40 mt), research catch (5.6 mt), and incidental
  open access mortality (2.52 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,779.9 mt. The California recreational fishery
  south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. has an HG of 749.7 mt.
\i\ Cabezon (California). 1.63 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1 mt), research catch
  (0.02 mt), and incidental open access mortality (0.61 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 169.4 mt.
\j\ California scorpionfish south of 34[deg]27prime; N lat. 3.89 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  research catch (0.18 mt) and incidental open access mortality (3.71 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 248 mt.
\k\ Canary rockfish. 68.91 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), EFP fishing (6
  mt), research catch (10.08 mt), and incidental open access mortality (2.83 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
  1,198.1 mt. The combined nearshore/non-nearshore HG is 119.4 mt. Recreational HGs are: 40.8 mt (Washington);
  61.4 mt (Oregon); and 110.2 mt (California).
\l\ Chilipepper rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest
  specifications south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. 97.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (70 mt), research catch
  (14.04 mt), incidental open access mortality (13.66 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,023.4 mt.
\m\ Cowcod south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Cowcod are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 11.17 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1 mt), research catch (10 mt), and incidental open access
  mortality (0.17 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 67.8 mt.
\n\ Darkblotched rockfish. 23.76 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (5 mt), EFP
  fishing (0.5 mt), research catch (8.46 mt), and incidental open access mortality (9.8 mt) resulting in a
  fishery HG of 726.2 mt.
\o\ Dover sole. 1,597.11 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), research
  catch (50.84 mt), and incidental open access mortality (49.27 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,402.9 mt.
\p\ English sole. 259.52 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), research catch
  (17 mt), and incidental open access mortality (42.52 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8,700.5 mt.
\q \Lingcod north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 279.63 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt),
  research catch (17.71 mt), and incidental open access mortality (11.92 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of
  3,574.4 mt.
\r\ Lingcod south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 15.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (4 mt),
  research catch (3.19 mt), and incidental open access mortality (8.31 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 706.5
  mt.
\s\ Longnose skate. 251.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), and research
  catch (12.46 mt), and incidental open access mortality (18.84 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,408.7 mt.
\t\ Longspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 53.71 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (30 mt), research catch (17.49 mt), and incidental open access mortality (6.22 mt), resulting
  in a fishery HG of 2,108.3 mt.
\u\ Longspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 2.24 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research
  catch (1.41 mt) and incidental open access mortality (0.83 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 680.8 mt.
\v\ Pacific cod. 506 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch
  (5.47 mt), and incidental open access mortality (0.53 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,094 mt.
\w\ Pacific ocean perch north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Pacific ocean perch are managed with stock-specific
  harvest specifications north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. 145.48 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), EFP
  fishing, research catch (5.39 mt), and incidental open access mortality (10.09 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 3,297.5 mt.
\x\ Pacific whiting. Pacific whiting are assessed annually. The final specifications will be determined
  consistent with the U.S.-Canada Pacific Whiting Agreement and will be announced after the Council's April 2024
  meeting.
\y\ Petrale sole. 386.24 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (350 mt), EFP fishing (1
  mt), research catch (24.14 mt), and incidental open access mortality (11.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
  2,898.8 mt.
\z\ Sablefish north of 36[deg] N lat. The sablefish coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The
  sablefish coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N lat., using the rolling 5-year
  average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 78.4 percent apportioned north of
  36[deg] N lat. and 21.6 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N lat. The northern ACL is 7,780 mt and is
  reduced by 778 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 percent of the ACL north of 36[deg] N lat.). The 778 mt Tribal
  allocation is reduced by 1.7 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations are
  shown in Table 1c.
\aa\ Sablefish south of 36[deg] N lat. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N lat. is 2,143 mt (21.6 percent of
  the calculated coastwide ACL value). 27.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch (2.40 mt)
  and the incidental open access fishery (25 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,115.6 mt.
\bb\ Shortspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 78.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (50 mt), research catch (10.48 mt), and incidental open access mortality (17.82 mt), resulting
  in a fishery HG of 1,249.7 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.
\cc\ Shortspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. 6.71 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  research catch (0.71 mt) and incidental open access mortality (6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 695.3 mt
  for the area south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.
\dd\ Spiny dogfish. 351.48 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), EFP fishing
  (1 mt), research catch (41.85 mt), and incidental open access mortality (33.63 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 1,055.5 mt.
\ee\ Splitnose rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the Slope
  Rockfish complex and with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 18.42 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (1.5 mt), research catch (11.17 mt), and incidental open
  access mortality (5.75 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,534.3 mt.
\ff\ Starry flounder. 48.28 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), research catch
  (0.57 mt), and incidental open access mortality (45.71 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 343.7 mt.
\gg\ Widow rockfish. 238.32 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), EFP fishing
  (18 mt), research catch (17.27 mt), and incidental open access mortality (3.05 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 11,243.7 mt.
\hh\ Yellowtail rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. Yellowtail rockfish are managed with stock-specific
  harvest specifications north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. 1,027.55 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt),
  research catch (20.55 mt), and incidental open access mortality (7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,532.5
  mt.
\ii\ Black rockfish/Blue rockfish/Deacon rockfish (Oregon). 1.82 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  research catch (0.08 mt), and incidental open access mortality (1.74 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 592.2
  mt.
\jj\ Cabezon/kelp greenling (Washington). 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery,
  resulting in a fishery HG is 15 mt.
\kk\ Cabezon/kelp greenling (Oregon). 0.79 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch (0.05 mt)
  and incidental open access mortality (0.74 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 179.2 mt.
\ll\ Nearshore Rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 3.27 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), research catch (0.47 mt), and incidental open access mortality (1.31 mt), resulting
  in a fishery HG of 87.7 mt. State-specific HGs are 17.2 mt (Washington), 30.9 mt (Oregon), and 39.9 mt
  (California). The ACT for copper rockfish (California) is 6.99 mt. The ACT for quillback rockfish (California)
  is 0.96 mt.
\mm\ Nearshore Rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 4.54 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research
  catch (2.68 mt) and incidental open access mortality (1.86 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 886.5 mt. The ACT
  for copper rockfish is 87.73 mt. The ACT for quillback rockfish is 0.97 mt.

[[Page 171]]

 
\nn\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling off California and leopard shark
  coastwide. 21.24 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch (6.29 mt) and incidental open
  access mortality (14.95 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 201.8 mt.
\oo\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are
  not managed with stock-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are
  unassessed and include: butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rock sole, sand sole, and
  rex sole. 220.79 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), research catch (23.63
  mt), and incidental open access mortality (137.16 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,653.2 mt.
\pp\ Shelf Rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 70.94 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal
  fishery (30 mt), research catch (15.32 mt), and incidental open access mortality (25.62 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 1,207.1 mt.
\qq\ Shelf Rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 132.77 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing
  (50 mt), research catch (15.1 mt), and incidental open access mortality (67.67 mt) resulting in a fishery HG
  of 1,336.2 mt.
\rr\ Slope Rockfish north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 65.39 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal
  fishery (36 mt), research catch (10.51 mt), and incidental open access mortality (18.88 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 1,450.6 mt.
\ss\ Slope Rockfish south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 38.94 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing
  (1 mt), research catch (18.21 mt), and incidental open access mortality (19.73 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
  of 658.1 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish fishery south of
  40[deg]10[min] N lat. set equal to the species' contribution to the 40-10-adjusted ACL. Harvest of blackgill
  rockfish in all groundfish fisheries south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. counts against this HG of 169.9 mt.


[87 FR 77023, Dec. 16, 2022]



 Sec. Table 2b to Part 660, Subpart C--2024, and Beyond, Allocations by 
                        Species or Species Group

                               Table 2b. to Part 660, Subpart C--2024, and Beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group
                                                                 [Weight in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Trawl                         Non-trawl
          Stocks/stock complexes                        Area               Fishery HG or ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                ACT              %              Mt               %              Mt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \a\....................  Coastwide...................            55.3               8             4.4              92            50.9
Arrowtooth flounder.......................  Coastwide...................          12,083              95        11,478.9               5           604.2
Big skate \a\.............................  Coastwide...................         1,207.2              95         1,146.8               5            60.4
Bocaccio \a\..............................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,779.9           39.04           694.9           60.96           1,085
Canary rockfish \a\.......................  Coastwide...................         1,198.1            72.3           866.2            27.7           331.9
Chilipepper rockfish......................  S of 40[deg][min] N lat.....         2,023.4              75         1,517.6              25           505.9
Cowcod \a\ \b\............................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...            67.8              36            24.4              64            43.4
Darkblotched rockfish.....................  Coastwide...................           726.2              95           689.9               5            36.3
Dover sole................................  Coastwide...................        48,402.9              95        45,982.7               5         2,420.1
English sole..............................  Coastwide...................         8,700.5              95         8,265.5               5             435
Lingcod...................................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         3,574.4              45         1,608.5              55         1,965.9
Lingcod \ a\..............................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...           706.5              40           282.6              60           423.9
Longnose skate \a\........................  Coastwide...................         1,408.7              90         1,267.8              10           140.9
Longspine thornyhead......................  N of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...         2,108.3              95         2,002.9               5           105.4
Pacific cod...............................  Coastwide...................           1,094              95         1,039.3               5            54.7
Pacific ocean perch.......................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         3,297.5              95         3,132.6               5           164.9
Pacific whiting \c\.......................  Coastwide...................             TBD             100             TBD               0               0
Petrale sole \a\..........................  Coastwide...................         2,898.8  ..............         2,868.8  ..............              30
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish.................................  N of 36[deg] N lat..........              NA                           See Table 2c
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish.................................  S of 36[deg] N lat..........         2,115.6              42           888.6              58           1,227
Shortspine thornyhead.....................  N of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...         1,249.7              95         1,187.2               5            62.5
Shortspine thornyhead.....................  S of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...           695.3  ..............              50  ..............           645.3
Splitnose rockfish........................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,534.3              95         1,457.6               5            76.7
Starry flounder...........................  Coastwide...................           343.7              50           171.9              50           171.9
Widow rockfish \a\........................  Coastwide...................        11,243.7  ..............        10,843.7  ..............             400
Yellowtail rockfish.......................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         4,532.5              88         3.988.6              12           543.9
Other Flatfish............................  Coastwide...................         4,653.2              90         4,187.9              10           465.3
Shelf Rockfish \a\........................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,207.1            60.2           726.7            39.8           480.4
Shelf Rockfish \a\........................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,336.2            12.2             163            87.8         1,173.2
Slope Rockfish............................  N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...         1,450.6              81           1,175              19           275.6
Slope Rockfish \a\........................  S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...           658.1              63           414.6              37           243.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
\b\ The cowcod non-trawl allocation is further split 50:50 between the commercial and recreational sectors. This results in a sector-specific ACT of
  21.7 mt for the commercial sector and 21.7 mt for the recreational sector.

[[Page 172]]

 
\c\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(i)(2), the commercial harvest guideline for Pacific whiting is allocated as follows: 34 percent for the
  C/P Coop Program; 24 percent for the MS Coop Program; and 42 percent for the Shorebased IFQ Program. No more than 5 percent of the Shorebased IFQ
  Program allocation may be taken and retained south of 42[deg] N lat. before the start of the primary Pacific whiting season north of 42[deg] N lat.


[87 FR 77023, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. Table 2c to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N. Lat. 
                      Allocations, 2024 and Beyond

[[Page 173]]



                                                Table 2c. to Part 660, Subpart C--Sablefish North of 36[deg] N. Lat. Allocations, 2024 and Beyond
                                                                                    [Weights in metric tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Set-asides                                                         Limited entry HG           Open access HG
                         Year                               ACL     ------------------------------- Recreational       EFP       Commercial  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Tribal \a\       Research       estimate                       HG         Percent         mt        Percent       mt \b\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024.................................................        7,780           778             30.7             6             1         6,964         90.6        6,309          9.4          665
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year                                                      LE all                      Limited entry trawl \c\
                                                                             Limited entry fixed gear \d\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       All trawl    At-sea whiting        Shorebased IFQ           All FG              Primary
                                                                   DTL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024.................................................        6,309         3,659              100              3,559                  2,650             2,252
                                                                   397
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ The tribal allocation is further reduced by 1.7 percent for discard mortality resulting in 764.8 mt in 2024.
\b\ The open access HG is taken by the incidental OA fishery and the directed OA fishery.
\c\ The trawl allocation is 58 percent of the limited entry HG.
\d\ The limited entry fixed gear allocation is 42 percent of the limited entry HG.


[[Page 174]]


[88 FR 12867, Mar. 1, 2023]



 Sec. Table 3 to Part 660, Subpart C--Vessel Capacity Ratings for West 
                 Coast Groundfish Limited Entry Permits

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Capacity
                        Vessel length                            rating
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<20..........................................................       1.00
 21..........................................................       1.13
 22..........................................................       1.27
 23..........................................................       1.42
 24..........................................................       1.58
 25..........................................................       1.75
 26..........................................................       1.93
 27..........................................................       2.12
 28..........................................................       2.32
 29..........................................................       2.53
 30..........................................................       2.76
 31..........................................................       2.99
 32..........................................................       3.24
 33..........................................................       3.50
 34..........................................................       3.77
 35..........................................................       4.05
 36..........................................................       4.35
 37..........................................................       4.66
 38..........................................................       4.98
 39..........................................................       5.31
 40..........................................................       5.66
 41..........................................................       6.02
 42..........................................................       6.39
 43..........................................................       6.78
 44..........................................................       7.18
 45..........................................................       7.59
 46..........................................................       8.02
 47..........................................................       8.47
 48..........................................................       8.92
 49..........................................................       9.40
 50..........................................................       9.88
 51..........................................................      10.38
 52..........................................................      10.90
 53..........................................................      11.43
 54..........................................................      11.98
 55..........................................................      12.54
 56..........................................................      13.12
 57..........................................................      13.71
 58..........................................................      14.32
 59..........................................................      14.95
 60..........................................................      15.59
 61..........................................................      16.25
 62..........................................................      16.92
 63..........................................................      17.61
 64..........................................................      18.32
 65..........................................................      19.04
 66..........................................................      19.78
 67..........................................................      20.54
 68..........................................................      21.32
 69..........................................................      22.11
 70..........................................................      22.92
 71..........................................................      23.74
 72..........................................................      24.59
 73..........................................................      25.45
 74..........................................................      26.33
 75..........................................................      27.23
 76..........................................................      28.15
 77..........................................................      29.08
 78..........................................................      30.04
 79..........................................................      31.01
 80..........................................................      32.00
 81..........................................................      33.01
 82..........................................................      34.04
 83..........................................................      35.08
 84..........................................................      36.15
 85..........................................................      37.24
 86..........................................................      38.34
 87..........................................................      39.47
 88..........................................................      40.61
 89..........................................................      41.77
 90..........................................................      42.96
 91..........................................................      44.16
 92..........................................................      45.38
 93..........................................................      46.63
 94..........................................................      47.89
 95..........................................................      49.17
 96..........................................................      50.48
 97..........................................................      51.80
 98..........................................................      53.15
 99..........................................................      54.51
100..........................................................      55.90
101..........................................................      57.31
102..........................................................      58.74
103..........................................................      60.19
104..........................................................      61.66
105..........................................................      63.15
106..........................................................      64.67
107..........................................................      66.20
108..........................................................      67.76
109..........................................................      69.34
110..........................................................      70.94
111..........................................................      72.57
112..........................................................      74.21
113..........................................................      75.88
114..........................................................      77.57
115..........................................................      79.28
116..........................................................      81.02
117..........................................................      82.77
118..........................................................      84.55
119..........................................................      86.36
120..........................................................      88.18
121..........................................................      90.03
122..........................................................      91.90
123..........................................................      93.80
124..........................................................      95.72
125..........................................................      97.66
126..........................................................      99.62
127..........................................................     101.61
128..........................................................     103.62
129..........................................................     105.66
130..........................................................     107.72
131..........................................................     109.80
132..........................................................     111.91
133..........................................................     114.04
134..........................................................     116.20
135..........................................................     118.38
136..........................................................     120.58
137..........................................................     122.81
138..........................................................     125.06
139..........................................................     127.34
140..........................................................     129.64
141..........................................................     131.97
142..........................................................     134.32
143..........................................................     136.70
144..........................................................     139.10
145..........................................................     141.53
146..........................................................     143.98
147..........................................................     146.46
148..........................................................     148.96
149..........................................................     151.49
150..........................................................     154.05
151..........................................................     154.68
152..........................................................     155.31
153..........................................................     155.94

[[Page 175]]

 
154..........................................................     156.57
155..........................................................     157.20
156..........................................................     157.83
157..........................................................     158.46
158..........................................................     159.10
159..........................................................     159.73
160..........................................................     160.36
161..........................................................     160.99
162..........................................................     161.62
163..........................................................     162.25
164..........................................................     162.88
165..........................................................     163.51
166..........................................................     164.14
167..........................................................     164.77
168..........................................................     165.41
169..........................................................     166.04
170..........................................................     166.67
171..........................................................     167.30
172..........................................................     167.93
173..........................................................     168.56
174..........................................................     169.19
175..........................................................     169.82
176..........................................................     170.45
177..........................................................     171.08
178..........................................................     171.72
179..........................................................     172.35
180..........................................................     172.98
181..........................................................     173.61
182..........................................................     174.24
183..........................................................     174.87
184..........................................................     175.50
185..........................................................     176.13
186..........................................................     176.76
187..........................................................     177.40
188..........................................................     178.03
189..........................................................     178.66
190..........................................................     179.29
191..........................................................     179.92
192..........................................................     180.55
193..........................................................     181.18
194..........................................................     181.81
195..........................................................     182.44
196..........................................................     183.07
197..........................................................     183.71
198..........................................................     184.34
199..........................................................     184.97
200..........................................................     185.60
201..........................................................     186.23
202..........................................................     186.86
203..........................................................     187.49
204..........................................................     188.12
205..........................................................     188.75
206..........................................................     189.38
207..........................................................     190.02
208..........................................................     190.65
209..........................................................     191.28
210..........................................................     191.91
211..........................................................     192.54
212..........................................................     193.17
213..........................................................     193.80
214..........................................................     194.43
215..........................................................     195.06
216..........................................................     195.69
217..........................................................     196.33
218..........................................................     196.96
219..........................................................     197.59
220..........................................................     198.22
221..........................................................     198.85
222..........................................................     199.48
223..........................................................     200.11
224..........................................................     200.74
225..........................................................     201.37
226..........................................................     202.01
227..........................................................     202.64
228..........................................................     203.27
229..........................................................     203.90
230..........................................................     204.53
231..........................................................     205.16
232..........................................................     205.79
233..........................................................     206.42
234..........................................................     207.05
235..........................................................     207.68
236..........................................................     208.32
237..........................................................     208.95
238..........................................................     209.58
239..........................................................     210.21
240..........................................................     210.84
241..........................................................     211.47
242..........................................................     212.10
243..........................................................     212.73
244..........................................................     213.36
245..........................................................     213.99
246..........................................................     214.63
247..........................................................     215.26
248..........................................................     215.89
249..........................................................     216.52
250..........................................................     217.15
251..........................................................     217.78
252..........................................................     218.41
253..........................................................     219.04
254..........................................................     219.67
255..........................................................     220.30
256..........................................................     220.94
257..........................................................     221.57
258..........................................................     222.20
259..........................................................     222.83
260..........................................................     223.46
261..........................................................     224.09
262..........................................................     224.72
263..........................................................     225.35
264..........................................................     225.98
265..........................................................     226.61
266..........................................................     227.25
267..........................................................     227.88
268..........................................................     228.51
269..........................................................     229.14
270..........................................................     229.77
271..........................................................     230.40
272..........................................................     231.03
273..........................................................     231.66
274..........................................................     232.29
275..........................................................     232.93
276..........................................................     233.56
277..........................................................     234.19
278..........................................................     234.82
279..........................................................     235.45
280..........................................................     236.08
281..........................................................     236.71
282..........................................................     237.34
283..........................................................     237.97
284..........................................................     238.60
285..........................................................     239.24
286..........................................................     239.87
287..........................................................     240.50
288..........................................................     241.13
289..........................................................     241.76
290..........................................................     242.39
291..........................................................     243.02
292..........................................................     243.65
293..........................................................     244.28
294..........................................................     244.91
295..........................................................     245.55
296..........................................................     246.18
297..........................................................     246.81
298..........................................................     247.44
299..........................................................     248.07

[[Page 176]]

 
300..........................................................     248.70
301..........................................................     249.33
302..........................................................     249.96
303..........................................................     250.59
304..........................................................     251.22
305..........................................................     251.86
306..........................................................     252.49
307..........................................................     253.12
308..........................................................     253.75
309..........................................................     254.38
310..........................................................     255.01
311..........................................................     255.64
312..........................................................     256.27
313..........................................................     256.90
314..........................................................     257.54
315..........................................................     258.17
316..........................................................     258.80
317..........................................................     259.43
318..........................................................     260.06
319..........................................................     260.69
320..........................................................     261.32
321..........................................................     261.95
322..........................................................     262.58
323..........................................................     263.21
324..........................................................     263.85
325..........................................................     264.48
326..........................................................     265.11
327..........................................................     265.74
328..........................................................     266.37
329..........................................................     267.00
330..........................................................     267.63
331..........................................................     268.26
332..........................................................     268.89
333..........................................................     269.52
334..........................................................     270.16
335..........................................................     270.79
336..........................................................     271.42
337..........................................................     272.05
338..........................................................     272.68
339..........................................................     273.31
340..........................................................     273.94
341..........................................................     274.57
342..........................................................     275.20
343..........................................................     275.83
344..........................................................     276.47
345..........................................................     277.10
346..........................................................     277.73
347..........................................................     278.36
348..........................................................     278.99
349..........................................................     279.62
350..........................................................     280.25
351..........................................................     280.88
352..........................................................     281.51
353..........................................................     282.14
354..........................................................     282.78
355..........................................................     283.41
356..........................................................     284.04
357..........................................................     284.67
358..........................................................     285.30
359..........................................................     285.93
360..........................................................     286.56
361..........................................................     287.19
362..........................................................     287.82
363..........................................................     288.46
364..........................................................     289.09
365..........................................................     289.72
366..........................................................     290.35
367..........................................................     290.98
368..........................................................     291.61
369..........................................................     292.24
370..........................................................     292.87
371..........................................................     293.50
372..........................................................     294.13
373..........................................................     294.77
374..........................................................     295.40
375..........................................................     296.03
376..........................................................     296.66
377..........................................................     297.29
378..........................................................     297.92
379..........................................................     298.55
380..........................................................     299.18
381..........................................................     299.81
382..........................................................     300.44
383..........................................................     301.08
384..........................................................     301.71
385..........................................................     302.34
386..........................................................     302.97
387..........................................................     303.60
388..........................................................     304.23
389..........................................................     304.86
390..........................................................     305.49
391..........................................................     306.12
392..........................................................     306.75
393..........................................................     307.39
394..........................................................     308.02
395..........................................................     308.65
396..........................................................     309.28
397..........................................................     309.91
398..........................................................     310.54
399..........................................................     311.17
400...............................................     311.80
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010]



      Subpart D_West Coast Groundfish_Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries

    Source: 75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.100  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart applies to the Pacific coast groundfish limited entry 
trawl fishery. Under the trawl rationalization program, the limited 
entry trawl fishery consists of the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Coop 
Program, and the C/P Coop Program. Nothing in these regulations shall be 
construed to modify, impair, or supersede the operation of any of the 
antitrust laws. The trawl rationalization program creates limited access 
privileges. These limited access privileges, including the QS or IBQ, QP 
or IBQ pounds, and catch history assignments, may be revoked, limited or 
modified at any time in accordance with the MSA--and do not create any 
right of compensation to the holder of the limited access privilege if 
it is revoked, limited, or modified. The trawl rationalization program 
does not create any right, title, or interest in or

[[Page 177]]

to any fish before the fish is harvested by the holder and shall be 
considered a grant of permission to the holder of the limited access 
privilege to engage in activities permitted by the trawl rationalization 
program.

[75 FR 78383, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 77271, Dec. 14, 2015]



Sec. 660.111  Trawl fishery--definitions.

    These definitions are specific to the limited entry trawl fisheries 
covered in this subpart. General groundfish definitions are found at 
Sec. 660.11.
    Accumulation limits mean the maximum extent of permissible 
ownership, control or use of a privilege within the trawl 
rationalization program, and include the following:
    (1) Shorebased IFQ Program--(i) Control limits means the maximum 
amount of QS or IBQ that a person may own or control, as described at 
Sec. 660.140(d)(4).
    (ii) Vessel limits means the maximum amount of QP a vessel can hold, 
acquire, and/or use during a calendar year, and specify the maximum 
amount of QP that may be registered to a single vessel during the year 
(QP Vessel Limit) and, for some species, the maximum amount of unused QP 
registered to a vessel account at any one time (Unused QP Vessel Limit), 
as described at Sec. 660.140(e)(4). Compliance with the QP vessel limit 
(annual limit) is calculated as all QPs transferred in minus all QPs 
transferred out of the vessel account.
    (2) MS Coop Program. (i) MS/CV permit ownership limit means the 
maximum amount of catch history assignment that a person may own, no 
more than 20 percent of the MS sector's allocation of Pacific whiting, 
as described at Sec. 660.150(g)(3)(i).
    (ii) Catcher vessel usage limit means the maximum amount of the 
annual mothership sector Pacific whiting allocation that a vessel may 
catch, no more than 30 percent, as described at Sec. 660.150(g)(3)(ii).
    Block area closures or BACs are a type of groundfish conservation 
area, defined at Sec. 660.11, bounded on the north and south by 
commonly used geographic coordinates, defined at Sec. 660.11, and on 
the east and west by the EEZ, and boundary lines approximating depth 
contours, defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. Sec. 
660.71 through 660.74 (10 fm through 250 fm), and Sec. 660.76 (700 fm). 
BACs may be implemented or modified as routine management measures, per 
regulations at Sec. 660.60(c). BACs may be implemented in the EEZ 
seaward of Washington, Oregon and California for vessels using limited 
entry bottom trawl and/or midwater trawl gear. BACs may be implemented 
within tribal Usual and Accustomed fishing areas but may only apply to 
non-tribal vessels. BACs may close areas to specific trawl gear types 
(e.g., closed for midwater trawl, bottom trawl, or bottom trawl unless 
using selective flatfish trawl) and/or specific programs within the 
trawl fishery (e.g., Pacific whiting fishery or MS Coop Program). BACs 
may vary in their geographic boundaries and duration. Their geographic 
boundaries, applicable gear type(s) and/or specific trawl fishery 
program, and effective dates will be announced in the Federal Register. 
BACs may have a specific termination date as described in the Federal 
Register, or may be in effect until modified. BACs that are in effect 
until modified by Council recommendation and subsequent NMFS action are 
set out in Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) of this subpart.
    Catch history assignment or CHA means a percentage of the mothership 
sector allocation of Pacific whiting based on a limited entry permit's 
qualifying history and which is specified on the MS/CV-endorsed limited 
entry permit.
    Catcher/processor coop or C/P coop means a harvester group that 
includes all eligible catcher/processor at-sea Pacific whiting endorsed 
permit owners who voluntarily form a coop and who manage the catcher/
processor-specified allocations through private agreements and 
contracts.
    Catcher/Processor (C/P) Coop Program or C/P sector, refers to the 
fishery described at Sec. 660.160, subpart D. The C/P Coop Program is 
composed of vessels registered to a limited entry permit with a C/P 
endorsement and a valid declaration for limited entry, midwater trawl, 
Pacific whiting catcher/processor sector.
    Charterer means, for the purpose of economic data collection 
program, a

[[Page 178]]

person, other than the owner of the vessel, who: entered in to any 
agreement or commitment by which the possession or services of the 
vessel are secured for a period of time for the purposes of commercially 
harvesting or processing fish. A long-term or exclusive contract for the 
sale of all or a portion of the vessel's catch or processed products is 
not considered a charter.
    Columbia River Salmon Conservation Zone means the ocean area 
surrounding the Columbia River mouth bounded by a line extending for 6 
nm due west from North Head along 46[deg]18[min] N lat. to 
124[deg]13.30[min] W long., then southerly along a line of 167 True to 
46[deg]11.10[min] N lat. and 124[deg]11[min] W long. (Columbia River 
Buoy), then northeast along Red Buoy Line to the tip of the south jetty.
    Complete economic data collection (EDC) form means that a response 
is supplied for each question, sub-question, and answer-table cell. If 
particular question or sub-question is not applicable, ``NA'', must be 
entered in the appropriate space on the form. The form must also be 
signed and dated to certify that the information is true and complete to 
the best of the signatory's knowledge.
    Coop agreement means a private agreement between a group of MS/CV-
endorsed limited entry permit owners or C/P-endorsed permit owners that 
contains all information specified at Sec. Sec. 660.150 and 660.160, 
subpart D.
    Coop member means a permit owner of an MS/CV-endorsed permit for the 
MS Coop Program that is a party to an MS coop agreement, or a permit 
owner of a C/P-endorsed permit for the C/P Coop Program that is legally 
obligated to the C/P coop.
    Coop permit means a Federal permit required to participate as a 
Pacific whiting coop in the catcher/processor or mothership sectors.
    Designated coop manager means an individual appointed by a permitted 
coop that is identified in the coop agreement and is responsible for 
actions described at Sec. Sec. 660.150 (for an MS coop) or 660.160 (for 
a C/P coop), subpart D.
    Ex-vessel value means, for the purposes of the cost recovery program 
specified at Sec. 660.115, all compensation (based on an arm's length 
transaction between a buyer and seller) that a fish buyer pays to a fish 
seller in exchange for groundfish species (as defined in Sec. 660.11), 
and includes the value of all in-kind compensation and all other goods 
or services exchanged in lieu of cash. Ex-vessel value shall be 
determined before any deductions are made for transferred or leased 
allocation, or for any goods or services.
    (1) For the Shorebased IFQ Program, the value of all groundfish 
species (as defined in Sec. 660.11) from IFQ landings.
    (2) For the MS Co-op Program, the value of Pacific whiting delivered 
by a catcher vessel to an MS-permitted vessel.
    (3) For the C/P Co-op Program, the value as determined by the 
aggregate pounds of Pacific whiting retained on board by the vessel 
registered to a C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit, multiplied by 
the MS Co-op Program average price per pound as announced pursuant to 
Sec. 660.115(b)(2).
    Fish buyer means, for the purposes of the cost recovery program 
specified at Sec. 660.115,
    (1) For the Shorebased IFQ Program, the IFQ first receiver as 
defined in Sec. 660.111.
    (2) For the MS Coop Program, the owner of a vessel registered to an 
MS permit, the operator of a vessel registered to an MS permit, and the 
owner of the MS permit registered to that vessel. All three parties 
shall be jointly and severally responsible for fulfilling the 
obligations of a fish buyer.
    (3) For the C/P Coop Program, the owner of a vessel registered to a 
C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit, the operator of a vessel 
registered to a C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit, and the owner 
of the C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit registered to that 
vessel. All three parties shall be jointly and severally responsible for 
fulfilling the obligations of a fish buyer.
    Fish seller means the party who harvests and first sells or 
otherwise delivers groundfish species (as defined in Sec. 660.11) to a 
fish buyer.
    IBQ pounds means the quotas, expressed in round weight of fish, that 
are issued annually to each QS permit owner in the Shorebased IFQ 
Program based on the amount of IBQ they own

[[Page 179]]

and the amount of allowable bycatch mortality allocated to the 
Shorebased IFQ Program. IBQ pounds have the same species/species group 
and area designations as the IBQ from which they are issued.
    IFQ first receivers mean persons who first receive, purchase, or 
take custody, control, or possession of catch onshore directly from a 
vessel that harvested the catch while fishing under the Shorebased IFQ 
Program described at Sec. 660.140, subpart D.
    IFQ landing means an offload of fish harvested under the Shorebased 
IFQ Program described at Sec. 660.140, subpart D.
    IFQ trip means a trip in which the vessel has a valid fishing 
declaration for any of the following: Limited entry midwater trawl, non-
whiting shorebased IFQ; Limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting 
shorebased IFQ; Limited entry bottom trawl, shorebased IFQ, not 
including demersal trawl; Limited entry demersal trawl, shorebased IFQ; 
or Limited entry groundfish non-trawl, shorebased IFQ.
    Individual bycatch quota (IBQ) means the amount of bycatch quota for 
an individual species/species group and area expressed as a percentage 
of the annual allocation of allowable bycatch mortality to the 
Shorebased IFQ Program. IBQ is used as the basis for the annual 
calculation and allocation of a QS permit owner's IBQ pounds in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program. Both IBQ and QS may be listed on a QS permit and 
in the associated QS account. Species for which IBQ will be issued for 
the Shorebased IFQ Program are listed at Sec. 660.140, subpart D.
    Individual fishing quota (IFQ) means a Federal permit to harvest a 
quantity of fish, expressed as a percentage of the total allowable catch 
of a fishery that may be received or held for exclusive use by a person. 
An IFQ is a harvest privilege that may be revoked at any time in 
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. IFQ species for the Shorebased 
IFQ Program are listed at Sec. 660.140, subpart D.
    Inter-coop means two or more permitted coops that have submitted an 
accepted inter-coop agreement to NMFS that specifies a coordinated 
strategy for harvesting pooled allocations of Pacific whiting and non-
whiting groundfish.
    Inter-coop agreement means a written agreement between two or more 
permitted mothership coops and which contains private contractual 
arrangements for sharing catch and/or bycatch with one another.
    Klamath River Salmon Conservation Zone means the ocean area 
surrounding the Klamath River mouth bounded on the north by 
41[deg]38.80[min] N lat. (approximately 6 nm north of the Klamath River 
mouth), on the west by 124[deg]23[min] W long. (approximately 12 nm from 
shore), and on the south by 41[deg]26.80[min] N lat. (approximately 6 nm 
south of the Klamath River mouth).
    Lessee means, for the purpose of economic data collection program, a 
person, other than the owner of the vessel or facility, who: was 
identified as the leaseholder, in a written lease, of the vessel or 
facility, or paid expenses of the vessel or facility, or claimed 
expenses for the vessel or facility as a business expense on a federal 
income tax return, or on a state income tax return.
    Material change means, for the purposes of a coop agreement, a 
change to any of the required components of the coop agreement, defined 
at Sec. Sec. 660.150 and 660.160, subpart D, which was submitted to 
NMFS during the application process for the coop permit.
    Maximized retention means a vessel retains all catch from a trip 
until landing, subject to the specifications of this subpart.
    Mothership coop or MS coop means a group of MS/CV-endorsed limited 
entry permit owners that are authorized by means of a coop permit to 
jointly harvest and process from a single coop allocation.
    Mothership (MS) Coop Program or MS sector refers to the fishery 
described at Sec. 660.150, subpart D, and includes both the coop and 
non-coop fisheries. The MS Coop Program is composed of motherships with 
MS permits and catcher vessels registered to a limited entry permit with 
an MS/CV endorsement and a valid declaration for limited entry, midwater 
trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector. The MS Coop Program also 
includes vessels

[[Page 180]]

registered to a limited entry permit without an MS/CV endorsement if the 
vessel is authorized to harvest the MS sector's allocation and has a 
valid declaration for limited entry, midwater trawl, Pacific whiting 
mothership sector.
    Net ex-vessel value means, for the purposes of the cost recovery 
program specified at Sec. 660.115, the ex-vessel value minus the cost 
recovery fee.
    Pacific halibut set-aside means an amount of Pacific halibut 
annually set aside for the at-sea whiting fisheries (mothership and C/P 
sectors) and which is based on the trawl allocation of Pacific whiting.
    Pacific whiting fishery refers to the Pacific whiting primary season 
fisheries described at Sec. 660.131. The Pacific whiting fishery is 
composed of vessels participating in the C/P Coop Program, the MS Coop 
Program, or the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery.
    Pacific whiting IFQ fishery is composed of vessels on Pacific 
whiting IFQ trips.
    Pacific whiting IFQ trip means a trip in which a vessel uses 
midwater groundfish trawl gear during the dates of the Pacific whiting 
primary season to target Pacific whiting, and Pacific whiting 
constitutes 50 percent or more of the catch by weight at landing as 
reported on the state landing receipt. Vessels on Pacific whiting IFQ 
trips must have a valid declaration for limited entry midwater trawl, 
Pacific whiting shorebased IFQ.
    Quota pounds (QP) means the quotas, expressed in round weight of 
fish, that are issued annually to each QS permit owner in the Shorebased 
IFQ Program based on the amount of QS they own and the amount of fish 
allocated to the Shorebased IFQ Program. QP have the same species/
species group and area designations as the QS from which they are 
issued.
    Quota share (QS) means the amount of fishing quota for an individual 
species/species group and area expressed as a percentage of the annual 
allocation of fish to the Shorebased IFQ Program. The QS is used as the 
basis for the annual calculation and allocation of a QS permit owner's 
QP in the Shorebased IFQ Program. Both QS and IBQ may be listed on a QS 
permit and in the associated QS account. Species for which QS will be 
issued for the Shorebased IFQ Program are listed at Sec. 660.140, 
subpart D.
    Salmon Mitigation Plan (SMP) means a voluntary agreement amongst a 
group of at least three vessels in the MS Coop Program, C/P Coop 
Program, or Pacific whiting IFQ fishery to manage Chinook salmon 
bycatch, approved by NMFS under Sec. 660.113(e). Vessels fishing under 
an approved SMP would have access to the Chinook salmon bycatch reserve 
as described in Sec. 660.60(i)(2). Routine management measures to 
minimize Chinook salmon bycatch as described in Sec. 660.60(i) may be 
implemented for vessels that are parties to an approved SMP.
    Shorebased IFQ Program or Shorebased IFQ sector, refers to the 
fishery described at Sec. 660.140, subpart D, and includes all vessels 
on IFQ trips.
    Stow or stowed, for the purposes of this subpart, means the subject 
trawl gear is either stored below deck; or, if the gear cannot readily 
be moved, must be stowed in a secured and covered manner detached from 
all towing lines so that it is rendered unusable for fishing; or, if 
remaining on deck uncovered, must be stowed disconnected from the trawl 
doors with the trawl doors hung from their stanchions.
    Vessel account means an account held by the vessel owner where QP 
and IBQ pounds are registered for use by a vessel in the Shorebased IFQ 
Program.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78383, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 74739, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 68769, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75278, Dec. 
11, 2013; 80 FR 77271, Dec. 14, 2015; 84 FR 63986, Nov. 19, 2019; 84 FR 
68806, Dec. 17, 2019; 86 FR 10869, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 77026, Dec. 16, 
2022; 87 FR 77005, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.112  Trawl fishery--prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 660.12 
and Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person or 
vessel to:
    (a) General--(1) Trawl gear endorsement. Fish with groundfish trawl 
gear, or carry groundfish trawl gear on board a vessel that also has 
groundfish on board, unless the vessel is registered for use with a 
valid limited entry permit with a trawl gear endorsement, with the 
following exception.

[[Page 181]]

    (i) The vessel is in continuous transit from outside the fishery 
management area to a port in Washington, Oregon, or California;
    (ii) The vessel is registered to a limited entry MS permit with a 
valid mothership fishery declaration, in which case trawl nets and doors 
must be stowed in a secured and covered manner, and detached from all 
towing lines, so as to be rendered unusable for fishing.
    (2) Sorting, retention, and disposition. (i) Fail to sort, retain, 
discard, or dispose of catch consistent with the requirements specified 
at Sec. Sec. 660.130(d), 660.140 (b)(2)(iii) and (viii), 660.140(g), 
and 660.140(j)(2).
    (ii) Fail to sort, retain, discard, or dispose of prohibited and 
protected species from maximized retention landings consistent with the 
requirements specified at Sec. 660.140(g)(3).
    (iii) Retain for personal use or allow to reach commercial markets 
any part of any prohibited or protected species.
    (3) Recordkeeping and reporting. (i) Fail to comply with all 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements at Sec. 660.13, subpart C; 
including failure to submit information, or submission of inaccurate or 
false information on any report required at Sec. 660.13(d), subpart C, 
and Sec. 660.113.
    (ii) Falsify or fail to make and/or file, retain or make available 
any and all reports of groundfish landings, containing all data, and in 
the exact manner, required by the regulation at Sec. 660.13, subpart C, 
or Sec. 660.113.
    (iii) Failure to submit a complete EDC form to NMFS as required by 
Sec. 660.113.
    (4) Observers. (i) Fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Coop 
Program, or the C/P Coop Program without observer coverage unless exempt 
from the observer coverage requirement for gear testing activity and 
have satisfied the declaration and notification requirements, as 
described in Sec. 660.140(h), Sec. 660.150(j), or Sec. 660.160(g).
    (ii) Fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Coop Program, or the 
C/P Coop Program if the vessel is inadequate or unsafe for observer 
deployment as described at Sec. 660.12(e).
    (iii) Fail to maintain observer coverage in port as specified at 
Sec. 660.140(h)(1)(i).
    (5) Fishing in conservation areas with trawl gear. (i) Operate any 
vessel registered to a limited entry permit with a trawl endorsement in 
an applicable GCA (defined at Sec. Sec. 660.11 and 660.130), except for 
purposes of continuous transiting (defined at Sec. 660.11), unless all 
groundfish trawl gear on board is stowed (as defined at Sec. 660.111), 
or unless otherwise authorized at Sec. 660.130.
    (ii) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) anywhere 
within EFH seaward of a line approximating the 700-fm (1,280-m) depth 
contour, as defined in Sec. 660.76. For the purposes of regulation, EFH 
seaward of 700-fm (1,280-m) within the EEZ is described at Sec. 660.75.
    (iii) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) with a 
footrope diameter greater than 19 inches (48 cm) (including rollers, 
bobbins or other material encircling or tied along the length of the 
footrope) anywhere within EFH within the EEZ. For the purposes of 
regulation, EFH within the EEZ is described at Sec. 660.75.
    (iv) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) with a 
footrope diameter greater than 8 inches (20 cm) (including rollers, 
bobbins or other material encircling or tied along the length of the 
footrope) anywhere within the EEZ shoreward of a line approximating the 
100-fm (183-m) depth contour (defined at Sec. 660.73).
    (v) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11), within 
the EEZ in the following EFHCAs areas (defined at Sec. Sec. 660.77 and 
660.78): Olympic 2, Biogenic 1, Biogenic 2, Quinault Canyon, Grays 
Canyon, Willapa Canyonhead, Willapa Deep, Biogenic 3, Astoria Deep, 
Astoria Canyon, Nehalem Bank/Shale Pile, Garibaldi Reef North, Garibaldi 
Reef South, Siletz Deepwater, Daisy Bank/Nelson Island, Newport 
Rockpile/Stonewall Bank, Hydrate Ridge, Heceta Bank, Deepwater off Coos 
Bay, Arago Reef, Bandon High Spot, Rogue Canyon, and Rogue River Reef.
    (vi) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11), other 
than demersal seine, unless otherwise specified in this section or Sec. 
660.130, within the EEZ in the following EFHCAs areas (defined at

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Sec. 660.79): Brush Patch, Trinidad Canyon, Mad River Rough Patch, 
Samoa Deepwater, Eel River Canyon, Blunts Reef, Mendocino Ridge, Delgada 
Canyon, Tolo Bank, Navarro Canyon, Point Arena North, Point Arena South 
Biogenic Area, The Football, Gobbler's Knob, Point Reyes Reef, Cordell 
Bank/Biogenic Area, Rittenburg Bank, Farallon Islands/Fanny Shoal/
Cochrane Bank, Farallon Escarpment, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero Reef, 
Pigeon Point Reef, Ascension Canyonhead, South of Davenport, Monterey 
Bay/Canyon, West of Sobranes Point, Point Sur Deep, Big Sur Coast/Port 
San Luis, La Cruz Canyon, West of Piedras Blancas State Marine 
Conservation Area, East San Lucia Bank, Point Conception, Hidden Reef/
Kidney Bank (within Cowcod Conservation Area West), Catalina Island, 
Potato Bank (within Cowcod Conservation Area West), Cherry Bank (within 
Cowcod Conservation Area West), Cowcod EFHCA Conservation Area East, and 
Southern California Bight.
    (vii) Fish with bottom contact gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) within 
specific EFHCAs and the DECA, consistent with the prohibitions at Sec. 
660.12(a)(4), (16) through (18).
    (6) Cost recovery program. (i) Fail to fully pay or collect any fee 
due under the cost recovery program specified at Sec. 660.115 and/or 
otherwise avoid, decrease, interfere with, hinder, or delay any such 
payment or collection.
    (ii) Convert, or otherwise use any paid or collected fee for any 
purpose other than the purposes specified in this subpart.
    (iii) For the Shorebased IFQ Program and the MS Coop Program, fail 
to deposit on time the full amount of all fee revenue collected under 
the cost recovery program specified at Sec. 660.115 into a deposit 
account, or fail to timely disburse the full amount of all deposit 
principal to the Fund.
    (iv) Fail to maintain records as required by Sec. 660.113 and/or 
fail to make reports to NMFS as required under Sec. 660.113.
    (v) Fail to advise NMFS of any fish buyer's failure to collect any 
fee due and payable under the cost recovery program specified at Sec. 
660.115.
    (vi) Refuse to allow NMFS employees, agents, or contractors to 
review and audit all records and other information required to be 
maintained as set forth in Sec. 660.113, and/or Sec. 660.115.
    (vii) Make any false statement to NMFS, including any NMFS employee, 
agent or contractor, concerning a matter related to the cost recovery 
program described in this subpart.
    (viii) Obstruct, prevent, or delay, or attempt to obstruct, prevent, 
or delay, any audit or investigation NMFS employees, agents, or 
contractors conduct, or attempt to conduct, in connection with any of 
the matters in the cost recovery program described in this subpart.
    (7) Gear testing. (i) Retain fish while gear testing.
    (ii) Fish with a closed codend, use terminal gear (i.e., hooks), or 
fish with open pot gear while gear testing.
    (iii) Test gear in groundfish conservation areas described in Sec. 
660.70, or EFHCAs described in Sec. Sec. 660.76 through 660.79.
    (iv) Test experimental gear, or any other gear not currently 
approved for groundfish fishing.
    (b) Shorebased IFQ Program--(1) General. (i) Own or control by any 
means whatsoever an amount of QS or IBQ that exceeds the Shorebased IFQ 
Program accumulation limits.
    (ii) Fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program with a vessel that does not 
have a valid vessel account or that has a vessel account with a deficit 
(negative balance) for any species/species group.
    (iii) Have any IFQ species/species group catch (landings and 
discards) from an IFQ trip not covered by QP for greater than 30 days 
from the date the deficit (negative balance) from that trip is 
documented, unless the deficit is within the limits of the carryover 
provision specified at Sec. 660.140(e)(5), subpart D, in which case the 
vessel has 30 days after the QP for the following year are issued to 
eliminate the deficit.
    (iv) Register the limited entry trawl endorsed permit to another 
vessel or sell the limited entry trawl endorsed permit to another owner 
if the vessel registered to the permit has a deficit (negative balance) 
in their vessel account, until the deficit is covered, regardless of the 
amount of the deficit.

[[Page 183]]

    (v) Use QP by vessels not registered to a limited entry trawl permit 
with a valid vessel account.
    (vi) Use QP in an area or for species/species groups other than that 
for which it is designated.
    (vii) For vessels fishing with multiple trawl gear types on a single 
trip, fail to keep catch from different trawl gears separate and land 
the catch separately by gear type.
    (viii) Fish on a Pacific whiting IFQ trip with a gear other than 
midwater groundfish trawl gear.
    (ix) Fish on a Pacific whiting IFQ trip without a valid declaration 
for limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting shorebased IFQ.
    (x) Use midwater groundfish trawl gear outside the Pacific whiting 
IFQ fishery primary season dates as specified at Sec. 660.131(b).
    (xi) Mix catch from different hauls before all sampling and 
monitoring requirements for the hauls have been met.
    (xii) Process groundfish at-sea (``at-sea processing'') by vessels 
in the Shorebased IFQ Program regardless of the type of gear used, with 
the following exceptions:
    (A) A vessel that is 75-ft (23-m) or less LOA that harvests Pacific 
whiting and, in addition to heading and gutting, cuts the tail off and 
freezes the whiting, is not considered to be a C/P vessel nor is it 
considered to be processing fish, and
    (B) A vessel that has a non-whiting at-sea processing exemption, 
described at Sec. 660.25(b)(6)(ii) may process non-whiting groundfish 
at sea.
    (xiii) Discard or attempt to discard IFQ species/species group at 
sea unless the observer has documented or estimated the discards.
    (xiv) Begin a new fishing trip until all fish from an IFQ landing 
have been offloaded from the vessel, consistent with Sec. 
660.12(a)(11).
    (xv) Fail to establish a new registered vessel account in the name 
of the current vessel owner, following a change in ownership of a 
vessel, prior to fishing in the Shorebased IFQ Program with that vessel.
    (xvi) Land groundfish taken and retained during an IFQ trip, from 
the vessel that harvested the fish, to a first receiver that does not 
hold a valid first receiver site license for the physical location where 
the IFQ landing occurred.
    (xvii) When declared into the limited entry groundfish non-trawl 
Shorebased IFQ fishery, retain fish caught with fixed gear in more than 
one IFQ management area, specified at Sec. 660.140(c)(1), on the same 
trip.
    (2) IFQ first receivers. (i) Receive, purchase, or take custody, 
control, or possession of an IFQ landing from a vessel that harvested 
the catch while fishing under the Shorebased IFQ Program without a valid 
first receiver site license.
    (ii) Fail to sort or dispose of catch received from an IFQ trip in 
accordance with the requirements of Sec. Sec. 660.130(d) and 
660.140(g)(3).
    (iii) Process, sell, or discard any groundfish received from an IFQ 
landing that has not been weighed on a scale that is in compliance with 
requirements at Sec. 660.15, subpart C.
    (iv) Transport catch away from the point of landing before that 
catch has been sorted and weighed by federal groundfish species or 
species group, and recorded for submission on an electronic fish ticket. 
(If fish will be transported to a different location for processing, all 
sorting and weighing to federal groundfish species groups must occur 
before transporting the catch away from the point of landing).
    (v) Receive an IFQ landing without coverage by a catch monitor when 
one is required by regulations, unless NMFS has granted a written waiver 
exempting the IFQ first receiver from the catch monitor coverage 
requirements. On a case-by-case basis, a temporary written waiver may be 
granted by the Assistant Regional Administrator or designee if he/she 
determines that the failure to obtain coverage of a catch monitor was 
due to circumstances beyond the control of the first receiver. The 
duration of the waiver will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
    (vi) Receive an IFQ landing without a NMFS-accepted catch monitoring 
plan or not in accordance with their NMFS-accepted catch monitoring 
plan.
    (vii) Mix catch from more than one IFQ landing prior to the catch 
being sorted and weighed.

[[Page 184]]

    (viii) Fail to comply with the IFQ first receiver responsibilities 
specified at Sec. 660.140(b)(2).
    (ix) Process, sell, or discard any groundfish received from an IFQ 
landing that has not been accounted for on an electronic fish ticket 
with the identification number for the vessel that delivered the fish.
    (x) Fail to submit, or submit incomplete or inaccurate information 
on any report, application, or statement required under this part.
    (c) MS and C/P Coop Programs. (1) Process Pacific whiting in the 
fishery management area during times or in areas where at-sea processing 
is prohibited for the sector in which the vessel fishes, unless:
    (i) The fish are received from a member of a Pacific Coast treaty 
Indian tribe fishing under Sec. 660.50, subpart C;
    (ii) The fish are processed by a waste-processing vessel according 
to Sec. 660.131(g); or
    (iii) The vessel is completing processing of Pacific whiting taken 
on board prior to the close of that vessel's primary season.
    (2) During times or in areas where at-sea processing is prohibited, 
take and retain or receive Pacific whiting, except as cargo or fish 
waste, on a vessel in the fishery management area that already has 
processed Pacific whiting on board. An exception to this prohibition is 
provided if the fish are received within the tribal U&A fishing area, 
described at Sec. 660.4, subpart A, from a member of a Pacific Coast 
treaty Indian tribe fishing under Sec. 660.50, subpart C.
    (3) Operate as a waste-processing vessel within 48 hours of a 
primary season for Pacific whiting in which that vessel operates as a 
catcher/processor or mothership, according to Sec. 660.131(g).
    (4) Catch, take, or harvest fish in the MS Coop Program with a 
vessel that does not have a valid VMS declaration for limited entry 
midwater trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector, as specified at Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), subpart C.
    (5) Fail to weigh all fish taken and retained aboard the vessel on a 
scale that meets the performance and technical requirements specified at 
Sec. 660.15(b).
    (6) Weigh fish taken and retained aboard the vessel without 
operating and maintaining a video monitoring system that meets the 
performance and technical requirements specified at Sec. 660.15(e).
    (d) MS Coop Program (coop and non-coop fisheries). (1) Catch, take, 
or harvest fish in the mothership non-coop fishery with a vessel that is 
not registered to a current MS/CV-endorsed limited entry trawl permit.
    (2) Receive catch, process catch, or otherwise fish as a mothership 
vessel if it is not registered to a current MS permit.
    (3) Catch, take, or harvest fish in the MS Coop Program with a 
vessel that does not have a valid VMS declaration for limited entry 
midwater trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector, as specified at Sec. 
660.13(d)(5)(iv)(A), subpart C.
    (4) Transfer catch to a vessel that is not registered to an MS 
permit. (i.e., a tender vessel).
    (5) Use a vessel registered to a limited entry permit with a trawl 
endorsement (with or without an MS/CV endorsement) to catch more than 30 
percent of the Pacific whiting allocation for the mothership sector.
    (6) Catch, take, or harvest fish before all catch from any previous 
haul has been transferred to a single vessel registered to an MS permit.
    (7) Transfer catch from a single haul to more than one permitted MS 
vessel.
    (8) Catch, take, or harvest fish for a MS coop with a vessel that 
has not been identified by the coop as a vessel authorized to harvest 
that coop's allocation.
    (9) Catch, take, or harvest fish in the non-coop fishery with a 
vessel registered to an MS/CV-endorsed permit in the same year the MS/
CV-endorsed permit was registered to a vessel that fished as a member of 
a coop in the MS Coop Program.
    (10) Sort or discard any portion of the catch taken by a catcher 
vessel in the MS Coop Program before the catcher vessel observer 
completes sampling of the catch, except for minor operational amounts of 
catch lost by a catcher vessel provided the observer has accounted for 
the discard (i.e., a maximized retention fishery).

[[Page 185]]

    (11) Mix catch from more than one haul before the observer completes 
their collection of catch for sampling.
    (12) Take deliveries without a valid scale inspection report signed 
by an authorized scale inspector on board the MS vessel.
    (13) Sort, process, or discard catch delivered to MS vessels before 
the catch is weighed on a scale that meets the requirements of Sec. 
660.15(b), including the daily test requirements.
    (14) Retain and process more than 1 mt of Shared EC Species other 
than squid species in any calendar year; or, retain and process more 
than 40 mt of any Shared EC squid species in any calendar year.
    (e) C/P Coop Program. (1) Fish with a vessel in the catcher/
processor sector that is not registered to a current C/P-endorsed 
limited entry trawl permit.
    (2) Fish as a catcher/processor vessel in the same year that the 
vessel fishes as a catcher vessel in the mothership fishery.
    (3) Fish in the C/P Coop Program with a vessel that does not have a 
valid VMS declaration for limited entry midwater trawl, Pacific whiting 
catcher/processor sector, as specified at Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A).
    (4) Fish in the C/P Coop Program with a vessel that is not 
identified in the C/P coop agreement.
    (5) Fish in the C/P Coop Program without a valid scale inspection 
report signed by an authorized scale inspector on board the vessel.
    (6) Sort, process, or discard catch before the catch is weighed on a 
scale that meets the requirements of Sec. 660.15(b), including the 
daily test requirements.
    (7) Discard any catch from the codend or net (i.e., bleeding) before 
the observer has completed their data collection.
    (8) Mix catch from more than one haul before the observer completes 
their collection of catch for sampling.
    (9) Retain and process more than 1 mt of Shared EC Species other 
than squid species in any calendar year; or, retain and process more 
than 40 mt of any Shared EC squid species in any calendar year.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78384, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 53837, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74739, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 55155, Sept. 
7, 2012; 78 FR 629, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 68769, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 
75279, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 2015; 80 FR 77272, Dec. 14, 
2015; 81 FR 19058, Apr. 4, 2016; 81 FR 27010, May 5, 2016; 81 FR 36808, 
June 8, 2016; 81 FR 84429, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 2018; 84 
FR 63986, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 2020; 85 FR 35601, June 
11, 2020; 86 FR 26442, May 14, 2021; 86 FR 58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 87 FR 
11599, Mar. 2, 2022; 87 FR 77005, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.113  Trawl fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.

    General groundfish recordkeeping and reporting requirements are 
defined at Sec. 660.13, subpart C. The following recordkeeping and 
reporting requirements are in addition to those and are specific to the 
limited entry trawl fisheries.
    (a) General requirements. (1) All records or reports required by 
this paragraph (a) must: be maintained in English, be accurate, be 
legible, be based on local time, and be submitted in a timely manner.
    (2) All records used in the preparation of records or reports 
specified in this section or corrections to these reports must be 
maintained for a period of not less than three years after the date of 
landing and must be immediately available upon request for inspection by 
NMFS or authorized officers or others as specifically authorized by 
NMFS. Records used in the preparation of required reports specified in 
this section or corrections to these reports that are required to be 
kept include, but are not limited to, any written, recorded, graphic, 
electronic, or digital materials as well as other information stored in 
or accessible through a computer or other information retrieval system; 
worksheets; weight slips; preliminary, interim, and final tally sheets; 
receipts; checks; ledgers; notebooks; diaries; spreadsheets; diagrams; 
graphs; charts; tapes; disks; or computer printouts. All relevant 
records used in the preparation of electronic fish ticket reports or 
corrections to these reports, including dock tickets, must be maintained 
for a period of not less than three years after the date of landing and 
must be

[[Page 186]]

immediately available upon request for inspection by NMFS or authorized 
officers or others as specifically authorized by NMFS.
    (b) Shorebased IFQ Program--(1) Economic data collection (EDC) 
program. The following persons are required to submit an EDC form as 
specified at Sec. 660.114:
    (i) All owners, lessees, and charterers of a catcher vessel 
registered to a limited entry trawl endorsed permit.
    (ii) All owners of a first receiver site license.
    (iii) All owners and lessees of a shorebased processor.
    (iv) All owners of a quota share (QS) permit as defined at Sec. 
660.25(c).
    (2) Electronic vessel logbook. [Reserved]
    (3) Gear switching declaration. Any person with a limited entry 
trawl permit participating in the Shorebased IFQ Program using 
groundfish non-trawl gear (i.e., gear switching) must submit a valid 
gear declaration reporting such participation as specified in Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A).
    (4) Electronic fish ticket. The IFQ first receiver is responsible 
for compliance with all reporting requirements described in this 
paragraph.
    (i) Required information. All IFQ first receivers must provide the 
following types of information: Date of landing, vessel that made the 
delivery, vessel account number, name of the vessel operator, gear type 
used, catch area, first receiver, actual weights of species landed 
listed by species or species group including species with no value, 
condition landed, number of salmon by species, number of Pacific 
halibut, ex-vessel value of the landing by species, fish caught inside/
outside 3 miles or both, and any other information deemed necessary by 
the Regional Administrator as specified on the appropriate electronic 
fish ticket form.
    (ii) Submissions. The IFQ first receiver must:
    (A) Include, as part of each electronic fish ticket submission, the 
actual scale weight for each groundfish species as specified by 
requirements at Sec. 660.15(c), and the vessel identification number. 
Use, and maintain in good working order, hardware, software, and 
internet access as specified at Sec. 660.15(d).
    (B) Submit a completed electronic fish ticket for every IFQ landing 
no later than 24 hours after the date the fish are received, unless a 
waiver of this requirement has been granted under provisions specified 
at paragraph (b)(4)(iv) of this section.
    (C) Follow these process and submittal requirements for offloading 
at a first receiver site where the fish will be processed at the offload 
site or if an electronic fish ticket will be recorded prior to 
transport:
    (1) The IFQ first receiver must communicate the electronic fish 
ticket number to the catch monitor.
    (2) After completing the offload, the electronic fish ticket 
information must be recorded immediately.
    (3) Prior to submittal of the electronic fish ticket, the 
information recorded for the electronic fish ticket must be reviewed by 
the catch monitor and the vessel operator who delivered the fish.
    (4) After review, the IFQ first receiver and the vessel operator 
must sign a printed hard copy of the electronic fish ticket or, if the 
delivery occurs outside of business hours, the original dock ticket.
    (5) Prior to submittal, three copies of the printed, signed, 
electronic fish ticket must be produced by the IFQ first receiver and a 
copy provided to each of the following:
    (i) The vessel operator,
    (ii) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (iii) The IFQ first receiver.
    (6) After review and signature, the electronic fish ticket must be 
submitted within 24 hours of the completion of the offload, as specified 
in paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (D) Follow these process and submittal requirements for offloading 
at a first receiver site where the fish will be transported for 
processing at a different location if an electronic fish ticket is not 
recorded prior to transport:
    (1) The IFQ first receiver must communicate the electronic fish 
ticket number to the catch monitor at the beginning of the offload.

[[Page 187]]

    (2) The vessel name and the electronic fish ticket number must be 
recorded on each dock ticket related to that delivery.
    (3) Upon completion of the dock ticket, but prior to transfer of the 
offload to another location, the dock ticket information that will be 
used to complete the electronic fish ticket must be reviewed by the 
catch monitor and the vessel operator who delivered the fish.
    (4) After review, the IFQ first receiver and the vessel operator 
must sign the original copy of each dock ticket related to that 
delivery.
    (5) Prior to submittal of the electronic fish ticket, three copies 
of the signed dock ticket must be produced by the IFQ first receiver and 
a copy provided to each of the following:
    (i) The vessel operator,
    (ii) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (iii) The IFQ first receiver.
    (6) Based on the information contained in the signed dock ticket, 
the electronic fish ticket must be completed and submitted within 24 
hours of the completion of the offload, as specified in paragraph 
(b)(4)(ii)(D) of this section.
    (7) Three copies of the electronic fish ticket must be produced by 
the IFQ first receiver and a copy provided to each of the following:
    (i) The vessel operator,
    (ii) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (iii) The IFQ first receiver.
    (iii) Revising a submission. In the event that a data error is 
found, electronic fish ticket submissions must be revised by 
resubmitting the revised form electronically. Electronic fish tickets 
are to be used for the submission of final data. Preliminary data, 
including estimates of fish weights or species composition, shall not be 
submitted on electronic fish tickets.
    (iv) Waivers for submission. On a case-by-case basis, a temporary 
written waiver of the requirement to submit electronic fish tickets may 
be granted by the Assistant Regional Administrator or designee if he/she 
determines that circumstances beyond the control of a first receiver 
would result in inadequate data submissions using the electronic fish 
ticket system. The duration of the waiver will be determined on a case-
by-case basis.
    (v) Reporting requirements when a temporary waiver has been granted. 
IFQ first receivers that have been granted a temporary waiver from the 
requirement to submit electronic fish tickets must submit on paper the 
same data as is required on electronic fish tickets within 24 hours of 
the date received during the period that the waiver is in effect. Paper 
fish tickets must be sent by facsimile to NMFS, West Coast Region, 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, 206-526-6736 or by delivering it in 
person to 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. The requirements 
for submissions of paper tickets in this paragraph are separate from, 
and in addition to existing state requirements for landing receipts or 
fish receiving tickets.
    (5) Cost recovery program. In addition to the requirements at 
paragraph (a) of this section, the fish buyer, as defined at Sec. 
660.111 for the Shorebased IFQ Program, is required to comply with the 
following recordkeeping and reporting requirements:
    (i) Reporting. The fish buyer must submit a cost recovery form at 
the time cost recovery fees are paid to NMFS as specified at Sec. 
660.115. The cost recovery form requires providing information that 
includes, but is not limited to, fish buyer's name, address, phone 
number, first receiver site license number, month and year of landings, 
weight of landings, ex-vessel value, and fee due.
    (ii) Recordkeeping. The fish buyer must maintain the following 
records:
    (A) For all deliveries of groundfish that the fish buyer buys from 
each fish seller:
    (1) The date of delivery,
    (2) The fish seller's identity,
    (3) The weight of each species of groundfish delivered,
    (4) Information sufficient to specifically identify the fishing 
vessel which delivered the groundfish,
    (5) The ex-vessel value of each species of groundfish,
    (6) The net ex-vessel value of each species of groundfish,
    (7) The identity of the payee to whom the net ex-vessel value is 
paid, if different than the fish seller,

[[Page 188]]

    (8) The date the net ex-vessel value was paid,
    (9) The total fee amount collected as a result of all groundfish.
    (B) For all fee collection deposits to and disbursements from the 
deposit account:
    (1) The date of each deposit in to the deposit account required at 
Sec. 660.115(d)(1)(ii)(A),
    (2) The total amount deposited in to the deposit account,
    (3) The date of each disbursement,
    (4) The total amount disbursed,
    (5) The dates and amounts of disbursements to the fish buyer, or 
other parties, of interest earned on deposits.
    (c) MS Coop Program (coop and non-coop fisheries)--(1) Economic data 
collection (EDC) program. The following persons are required to submit a 
complete economic data collection form as specified at Sec. 660.114.
    (i) All owners, lessees, and charterers of a catcher vessel 
registered to a limited entry trawl MS/CV-endorsed permit.
    (ii) All owners, lessees, and charterers of a vessel registered to 
an MS permit.
    (2) NMFS-approved scale--(i) Scale test report form. Mothership 
vessel operators are responsible for conducting scale tests and for 
recording the scale test information on the scale test report form as 
specified at Sec. 660.15(b), for mothership vessels.
    (ii) Printed scale reports. Requirements pertaining to printed scale 
reports and scale weight printouts are specified at Sec. 660.15(b), for 
mothership vessels.
    (iii) Retention of scale records and reports. Vessels must maintain 
scale test report forms on board until the end of the fishing year 
during which the tests were conducted, and make the report forms 
available to observers, NMFS staff, or authorized officers. In addition, 
the scale test report forms must be maintained for 3 years after the end 
of the fishing year during which the tests were performed. All scale 
test report forms must be signed by the operator.
    (3) Annual co-op report. The designated co-op manager for the 
mothership co-op must submit an annual report to NMFS and the Council by 
March 17 each year, before a co-op permit is issued for that year. The 
annual co-op report will contain information about the previous year's 
fishery, including:
    (i) The mothership sector's annual allocation of Pacific whiting and 
the permitted mothership coop allocation;
    (ii) The mothership coop's actual retained and discarded catch of 
Pacific whiting, salmon, Pacific halibut, rockfish, groundfish, and 
other species on a vessel-by-vessel basis;
    (iii) A description of the method used by the mothership coop to 
monitor performance of coop vessels that participated in the fishery;
    (iv) A description of any actions taken by the mothership coop in 
response to any vessels that exceed their allowed catch and bycatch; and
    (v) Plans for the current year's mothership coop fishery, including 
the companies participating in the cooperative, the harvest agreement, 
and catch monitoring and reporting requirements.
    (4) Cease fishing report. If required, as specified at Sec. 
660.150(c)(4)(ii), the designated coop manager, or, in the case of an 
inter-coop agreement, all of the designated coop managers must submit a 
cease fishing report to NMFS indicating that harvesting has concluded 
for the year.
    (5) Cost recovery program. In addition to the requirements at 
paragraph (a) of this section, the fish buyer, as defined at Sec. 
660.111 for the MS Coop Program, is required to comply with the 
following recordkeeping and reporting requirements:
    (i) Reporting--(A) Cost recovery form. The fish buyer must submit a 
cost recovery form at the time cost recovery fees are paid to NMFS as 
specified at Sec. 660.115. The cost recovery form requires providing 
information that includes, but is not limited to, fish buyer's name, 
address, phone number, MS permit number, vessel name, USCG vessel 
documentation number, month and year of deliveries, weight of 
deliveries, ex-vessel value, and fee due.
    (B) Annual report. By March 31 each year, each fish buyer must 
submit to NMFS a report containing the following information from the 
preceding

[[Page 189]]

calendar year for all groundfish each fish buyer purchases from fish 
sellers:
    (1) Total weight bought,
    (2) Total ex-vessel value paid,
    (3) Total fee amounts collected,
    (4) Total fee collection amounts deposited by month,
    (5) Dates and amounts of monthly disbursements to the Fund.
    (ii) Recordkeeping. The fish buyer must maintain the following 
records:
    (A) For all deliveries of Pacific whiting that the fish buyer buys 
from each fish seller:
    (1) The date of delivery,
    (2) The fish seller's identity,
    (3) The weight of Pacific whiting delivered;
    (4) Information sufficient to specifically identify the fishing 
vessel which delivered the groundfish,
    (5) The ex-vessel value of Pacific whiting;
    (6) The net ex-vessel value of Pacific whiting;
    (7) The identity of the payee to whom the net ex-vessel value is 
paid, if different than the fish seller,
    (8) The date the net ex-vessel value was paid,
    (9) The total fee amount collected as a result of all Pacific 
whiting.
    (B) For all fee collection deposits to and disbursements from the 
deposit account:
    (1) The date of each deposit in to the deposit account required at 
Sec. 660.115(d)(1)(ii)(A),
    (2) The total amount deposited in to the deposit account,
    (3) The date of each disbursement,
    (4) The total amount disbursed,
    (5) The dates and amounts of disbursements to the fish buyer, or 
other parties, of interest earned on deposits.
    (d) C/P Coop Program--(1) Economic data collection (EDC) program. 
All owners, lessees, and charterers of a vessel registered to a C/P-
endorsed limited entry trawl permit are required to submit a complete 
economic data collection form as specified at Sec. 660.114.
    (2) NMFS-approved scales--(i) Scale test report form. Catcher/
processor vessel operators are responsible for conducting scale tests 
and for recording the scale test information on the scale test report 
form as specified at Sec. 660.15(b), for catcher/processor vessels.
    (ii) Printed scale reports. Specific requirements pertaining to 
printed scale reports and scale weight printouts are specified at Sec. 
660.15(b), for catcher/processor vessels.
    (iii) Retention of scale records and reports. The vessel must 
maintain the scale test report form on board until the end of the 
fishing year during which the tests were conducted, and make the report 
forms available to observers, NMFS staff, or authorized officers. In 
addition, the scale test report forms must be maintained for 3 years 
after the end of the fishing year during which the tests were performed. 
All scale test report forms must be signed by the operator.
    (3) Annual co-op report. The designated co-op manager for the C/P 
co-op must submit an annual report to NMFS and the Council by March 17 
each year, before a co-op permit is issued for that year. The annual co-
op report will contain information about the previous year's fishery, 
including:
    (i) The C/P sector's annual allocation of Pacific whiting;
    (ii) The C/P coop's actual retained and discarded catch of Pacific 
whiting, salmon, Pacific halibut, rockfish, groundfish, and other 
species on a vessel-by-vessel basis;
    (iii) A description of the method used by the C/P coop to monitor 
performance of cooperative vessels that participated in the fishery;
    (iv) A description of any actions taken by the C/P coop in response 
to any vessels that exceed their allowed catch and bycatch; and
    (v) Plans for the current year's C/P coop fishery, including the 
companies participating in the cooperative, the harvest agreement, and 
catch monitoring and reporting requirements.
    (4) Cease fishing report. If required, as specified at Sec. 
660.160(c)(5), the designated coop manager must submit a cease fishing 
report to NMFS indicating that harvesting has concluded for the year.
    (5) Cost recovery program. In addition to the requirements at 
paragraph (a) of this section, the fish buyer, as defined at Sec. 
660.111 for the C/P Coop Program, is required to comply with the 
following recordkeeping and reporting requirements:

[[Page 190]]

    (i) Reporting. The fish buyer must submit a cost recovery form at 
the time cost recovery fees are paid to NMFS as specified at Sec. 
660.115. The cost recovery form requires providing information that 
includes, but is not limited to, fish buyer's name, address, phone 
number, C/P-endorsed limited entry permit number, vessel name, USCG 
vessel documentation number, year of harvest, weight, ex-vessel value, 
and fee due.
    (ii) Recordkeeping. The fish buyer must maintain the following 
records:
    (A) For all Pacific whiting:
    (1) The date of harvest,
    (2) The weight of Pacific whiting retained on board;
    (3) Information sufficient to specifically identify the fishing 
vessel which harvested the groundfish,
    (4) The ex-vessel value of Pacific whiting retained on board;
    (5) The net ex-vessel value of Pacific whiting retained on board; 
and
    (6) The total fee amount collected as a result of all Pacific 
whiting.
    (B) For all disbursements to NMFS:
    (1) The date of each disbursement,
    (2) The total amount disbursed.
    (e) Salmon Mitigation Plan (SMP). NMFS may approve a SMP for a group 
of at least three vessels in the MS Coop Program, C/P Coop Program, or 
Pacific whiting IFQ fishery. NMFS may approve an SMP for more than one 
group in a given year.
    (1) Applicability of further measures to manage salmon bycatch. 
Routine management measures to minimize Chinook salmon bycatch as 
described in Sec. 660.60(i) may be implemented for vessels with an 
approved SMP.
    (2) SMP contents. The SMP must contain, at a minimum, the 
following--
    (i) SMP name. The name of the SMP.
    (ii) Vessels party to the SMP. The vessel name and USCG vessel 
registration number (as given on USCG Form 1270) or state registration 
number, if no USCG documentation, of each vessel that is party to the 
SMP. A minimum of three vessels must be party to the SMP.
    (iii) Compliance agreement. A written statement that all parties to 
the SMP agree to voluntarily comply with all provisions of the SMP.
    (iv) Signatures of those party to SMP. The names and signatures of 
the owner or representative for each vessel that is party to the SMP.
    (v) Designated SMP representative. The name, telephone number, 
mailing address, and email address of a person appointed by those party 
to the SMP who is responsible for:
    (A) Serving as the SMP contact person between NMFS and the Council;
    (B) Submitting the SMP proposal and any SMP amendments; and
    (C) Submitting the SMP postseason report to the Council and NMFS.
    (vi) Plan. A description of:
    (A) How parties to the SMP will adequately monitor and account for 
the catch of Chinook salmon.
    (B) How parties to the SMP will avoid and minimize Chinook salmon 
bycatch, including a description of tools parties will employ. Tools may 
include, but would not be limited to, information sharing, area 
closures, movement rules, salmon excluder use, and internal bycatch 
guidelines.
    (C) How the SMP is expected to promote reductions in Chinook salmon 
bycatch relative to what would have occurred in absence of the SMP.
    (3) Deadline for proposed SMP. A proposed SMP must be submitted 
between February 1 and March 17 of the year in which it intends to be in 
effect to NMFS at: NMFS, West Coast Region, ATTN: Fisheries Permit 
Office, Bldg. 1, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
    (4) Duration. Once approved, the SMP expires on December 31 of the 
year in which it was approved. An SMP may not expire mid-year. No party 
may join or leave an SMP once it is approved, except as allowed in 
paragraph (e)(5)(iii) of this section.
    (5) NMFS review of a proposed SMP--(i) Approval. The Assistant 
Regional Administrator will provide written notification of approval to 
the designated SMP representative if the SMP meets the following 
requirements:
    (A) Contains the information required in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section;
    (B) Is submitted in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs 
(e)(3) and (4) of this section; and

[[Page 191]]

    (C) As determined by NMFS, is reasonably expected to reduce Chinook 
salmon bycatch.
    (ii) SMP identification number. If approved, NMFS will assign an SMP 
identification number to the approved SMP.
    (iii) Amendments to an SMP. After the SMP is approved, the 
designated SMP representative must submit any changes to the SMP, 
including any changes in the vessels party to the SMP, as an amendment 
to the SMP for approval by NMFS. The designated SMP representative may 
submit amendments to an approved SMP to NMFS at any time during the year 
in which the SMP is approved. The amendment must include the SMP 
identification number. An amendment to an approved SMP is effective upon 
written notification of approval by NMFS to the designated SMP 
representative. The Assistant Regional Administrator will provide 
written notification of approval to the designated SMP representative if 
the SMP as amended meets the following requirements:
    (A) Contains the information required in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section;
    (B) Is submitted in compliance with the requirements of paragraph 
(e)(4) of this section; and
    (C) As determined by NMFS, is reasonably expected to reduce Chinook 
salmon bycatch.
    (iv) Disapproval--(A) NMFS Disapproval. NMFS will disapprove a 
proposed SMP or a proposed amendment to an SMP for any of the following 
reasons:
    (1) If the proposed SMP fails to meet any of the requirements of 
paragraphs (e)(2) through (4) of this section,
    (2) If a proposed amendment to an SMP would cause the SMP to no 
longer meet the requirements of paragraphs (e)(2) and (4) of this 
section, or
    (3) If NMFS determines the proposed SMP or SMP amendment is not 
reasonably expected to reduce Chinook salmon bycatch.
    (B) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). If, in NMFS' review 
of the proposed SMP or amendment, NMFS identifies deficiencies in the 
proposed SMP that would require disapproval of the proposed SMP or 
amendment, NMFS will notify the applicant in writing. The applicant will 
be provided one 30-day period to address, in writing, the deficiencies 
identified by NMFS. Additional information or a revised SMP received by 
NMFS after the expiration of the 30-day period specified by NMFS will 
not be considered for purposes of the review of the proposed SMP or 
amendment. NMFS will evaluate any additional information submitted by 
the applicant within the 30-day period. If the Assistant Regional 
Administrator determines the additional information addresses 
deficiencies in the proposed SMP or amendment, the Assistant Regional 
Administrator will approve the proposed SMP or amendment under paragraph 
(e)(5)(i) or (iii) of this section. However, if, after consideration of 
the original proposed SMP or amendment, any additional information, or a 
revised SMP submitted during the 30-day period, NMFS determines the 
proposed SMP or amendment does not comply with the requirements of 
paragraph (e)(5)(i) or (iii) of this section, the Assistant Regional 
Administrator will issue an IAD to the applicant in writing providing 
the reasons for disapproving the proposed SMP or amendment.
    (C) Administrative Appeals. An applicant who receives an IAD 
disapproving a proposed SMP or amendment may appeal. The appeal must be 
filed in writing within 30 calendar days of when NMFS issues the IAD. 
The NOAA Fisheries National Appeals Office will process any appeal. The 
regulations and policy of the National Appeals Office will govern the 
appeals process. The National Appeals Office regulations are specified 
at 15 CFR part 906.
    (D) Pending appeal. While the appeal of an IAD disapproving a 
proposed SMP or amendment is pending, proposed parties to the SMP 
subject to the IAD will not have access to the Chinook salmon bycatch 
reserve unless a measure described in Sec. 660.60(i)(1)(ii) has been 
implemented for that component of the whiting fishery.
    (6) SMP postseason report. The designated SMP representative for an 
approved SMP must submit a written postseason report to NMFS and the

[[Page 192]]

Council for the year in which the SMP was approved.
    (i) Submission deadline. The SMP postseason report must be received 
by NMFS and the Council no later than March 17 of the year following 
that in which the SMP was approved.
    (ii) Information requirements. The SMP postseason report must 
contain, at a minimum, the following information:
    (A) Name of the SMP and SMP identification number.
    (B) A comprehensive description of Chinook salmon bycatch avoidance 
measures used in the fishing year in which the SMP was approved, 
including but not limited to, information sharing, area closures, 
movement rules, salmon excluder use, and internal bycatch guidelines.
    (C) An evaluation of the effectiveness of these avoidance measures 
in minimizing Chinook salmon bycatch.
    (D) A description of any amendments to the terms of the SMP that 
were approved by NMFS during the fishing year in which the SMP was 
approved and the reasons the amendments to the SMP were made.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78385, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 53837, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74740, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 68769, Nov. 
15, 2013; 78 FR 75279, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 2015; 81 FR 
27010, May 5, 2016; 81 FR 84430, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 
2018; 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019; 86 FR 10869, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 
77005, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.114  Trawl fishery--economic data collection program.

    (a) General. The economic data collection (EDC) program collects 
mandatory economic data from participants in the trawl rationalization 
program. NMFS requires submission of EDC forms to gather ongoing, annual 
economic data, including, but not limited to the following categories of 
information related to participation in the trawl rationalization 
program:
    (1) Annual data related to QS permit owner activity and 
characteristics of participation in the fishery, costs and earnings from 
quota trades, and quota leasing.
    (2) Annual data related to costs, earnings, value, labor, 
operations, physical characteristics, ownership and leasing information 
for vessels, first receiver sites, or shorebased processors.
    (b) Economic data collection program requirements. The following 
fishery participants in the limited entry groundfish trawl fisheries are 
required to comply with the following EDC program requirements:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Consequence for failure to
                                                                                        submit (In addition to
                                          Economic data        Who is required to     consequences listed below,
        Fishery participant                collection            submit an EDC?        failure to submit an EDC
                                                                                      may be a violation of the
                                                                                                MSA.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Limited entry trawl catcher      (i) Annual/ongoing      (A) All owners,         (1) For permit owner, a
 vessels.                             economic data.          lessees, and            limited entry trawl permit
                                                              charterers of a         application (including MS/
                                                              catcher vessel          CV-endorsed limited entry
                                                              registered to a         trawl permit) will not be
                                                              limited entry trawl     considered complete until
                                                              endorsed permit.        the required EDC for that
                                                                                      permit owner associated
                                                                                      with that permit is
                                                                                      submitted, as specified at
                                                                                      Sec. 660.25(b)(4)(i).
                                                                                     (2) For a vessel owner,
                                                                                      participation in the
                                                                                      groundfish fishery
                                                                                      (including, but not
                                                                                      limited to, changes in
                                                                                      vessel registration,
                                                                                      vessel account actions, or
                                                                                      if own QS permit, issuance
                                                                                      of annual QP or IBQ
                                                                                      pounds) will not be
                                                                                      authorized until the
                                                                                      required EDC for that
                                                                                      owner for that vessel is
                                                                                      submitted, as specified,
                                                                                      in part, at Sec.
                                                                                      660.25(b)(4)(vi) and Sec.
                                                                                       660.140(e).

[[Page 193]]

 
                                                                                     (3) For a vessel lessee or
                                                                                      charterer, participation
                                                                                      in the groundfish fishery
                                                                                      (including, but not
                                                                                      limited to, issuance of
                                                                                      annual QP or IBQ pounds if
                                                                                      own QS or IBQ) will not be
                                                                                      authorized, until the
                                                                                      required EDC for their
                                                                                      operation of that vessel
                                                                                      is submitted.
                                                             (B) [Reserved]
(2) Motherships....................  (i) Annual/ongoing      (A) All owners,         (1) For permit owner, an MS
                                      economic data.          lessees, and            permit application will
                                                              charterers of a         not be considered complete
                                                              mothership vessel       until the required EDC for
                                                              registered to an MS     that permit owner
                                                              permit.                 associated with that
                                                                                      permit is submitted, as
                                                                                      specified at Sec.
                                                                                      660.25(b)(4)(i).
                                                                                     (2) For a vessel owner,
                                                                                      participation in the
                                                                                      groundfish fishery
                                                                                      (including, but not
                                                                                      limited to, changes in
                                                                                      vessel registration) will
                                                                                      not be authorized until
                                                                                      the required EDC for that
                                                                                      owner for that vessel is
                                                                                      submitted, as specified,
                                                                                      in part, at Sec.
                                                                                      660.25(b)(4)(vi).
                                                                                     (3) For a vessel lessee or
                                                                                      charterer, participation
                                                                                      in the groundfish fishery
                                                                                      will not be authorized,
                                                                                      until the required EDC for
                                                                                      their operation of that
                                                                                      vessel is submitted.
                                                             (B) [Reserved]
(3) Catcher processors.............  (i) Annual/ongoing      (A) All owners,         (1) For permit owner, a C/P-
                                      economic data.          lessees, and            endorsed limited entry
                                                              charterers of a         trawl permit application
                                                              catcher processor       will not be considered
                                                              vessel registered to    complete until the
                                                              a C/P-endorsed          required EDC for that
                                                              limited entry trawl     permit owner associated
                                                              permit.                 with that permit is
                                                                                      submitted, as specified at
                                                                                      Sec. 660.25(b)(4)(i).
                                                                                     (2) For a vessel owner,
                                                                                      participation in the
                                                                                      groundfish fishery
                                                                                      (including, but not
                                                                                      limited to, changes in
                                                                                      vessel registration) will
                                                                                      not be authorized until
                                                                                      the required EDC for that
                                                                                      owner for that vessel is
                                                                                      submitted, as specified,
                                                                                      in part, at Sec.
                                                                                      660.25(b)(4)(vi).
                                                                                     (3) For a vessel lessee or
                                                                                      charterer, participation
                                                                                      in the groundfish fishery
                                                                                      will not be authorized,
                                                                                      until the required EDC for
                                                                                      their operation of that
                                                                                      vessel is submitted.
                                                             (B) [Reserved]
(4) First receivers/shorebased       (i) Annual/ongoing      (A) All owners of a     (1) A first receiver site
 processors.                          economic data.          first receiver site     license application will
                                                              license.                not be considered complete
                                                                                      until the required EDC for
                                                                                      that license owner
                                                                                      associated with that
                                                                                      license is submitted, as
                                                                                      specified at Sec.
                                                                                      660.140(f)(3). See
                                                                                      paragraph (b)(4)(i)(A) of
                                                                                      this table.
                                                                                     (2) [Reserved]

[[Page 194]]

 
                                                             (B) All owners and
                                                              lessees of a
                                                              shorebased processor
                                                              (as defined under
                                                              ``processor'' at Sec.
                                                                660.11, for
                                                              purposes of EDC) that
                                                              received round or
                                                              headed-and-gutted IFQ
                                                              species groundfish or
                                                              whiting from a first
                                                              receiver.
(5) Quota Share Permit Owners......  (i) Annual/ongoing      (A) All owners of a     (1) A Quota Share permit
                                      economic data.          Quota Share permit      application or permit
                                                              and account (as         renewal package will not
                                                              defined under Sec. be considered complete
                                                              660.25 (c)).            until the required EDC for
                                                                                      that permit is submitted,
                                                                                      as specified at Sec.
                                                                                      660.140, subpart D.
                                                                                     (2) [Reserved]
                                                             (B) [Reserved]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Submission of the EDC forms, and deadline--(1) Submission of the 
EDC form. The complete, certified EDC forms must contain valid responses 
for all data fields, and must be submitted either by paper or web form 
submission as follows:
    (i) Paper form submission. Paper forms must be submitted to ATTN: 
Economic Data Collection Program (FRAM Division), NMFS, Northwest 
Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 
98112.
    (ii) Web form submission. Completed EDC web forms must be submitted 
electronically via the Economic Data Collection Program Web Form portal 
through NOAA.gov/fisheries and the signature page faxed, mailed, or 
hand-delivered to NWFSC.
    (2) Deadline. Complete, certified EDC forms must be mailed and 
postmarked by or hand-delivered to NMFS NWFSC no later than September 1 
each year for the prior year's data.
    (3) Quota Share Permit Owner Survey Submissions and Deadline. Quota 
Share Permit Owner survey forms are submitted by webform only during the 
quota account application and renewal process specified at Sec. 660.140 
(d)(2). The complete certified Quota Share Permit Owner survey must be 
submitted no later than November 30 of each year.
    (d) Confidentiality of information. Information received on an EDC 
form will be considered confidential under applicable law and guidance.
    (e) EDC audit procedures--(1) NMFS reserves the right to conduct 
verification of economic data with the submitter of the form. NMFS may 
employ a third party agent to conduct the audits.
    (2) The submitter of the EDC form must respond to any inquiry by 
NMFS or a NMFS agent within 20 days of the date of issuance of the 
inquiry, unless an extension is granted by NMFS.
    (3) The submitter of the form must provide copies of additional data 
to facilitate verification by NMFS or NMFS' agent upon request. The NMFS 
auditor may review and request copies of additional data provided by the 
submitter, including but not limited to, previously audited or reviewed 
financial statements, worksheets, tax returns, invoices, receipts, and 
other original documents substantiating the economic data submitted.

[75 FR 78387, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 
81 FR 84430, Nov. 23, 2016; 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019]



Sec. 660.115  Trawl fishery--cost recovery program.

    (a) General. The cost recovery program collects mandatory fees of up 
to three percent of the ex-vessel value of fish harvested by sector 
under the

[[Page 195]]

trawl rationalization program in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act. NMFS collects the fees to recover the actual costs directly related 
to the management, data collection, and enforcement of the trawl 
rationalization program. In addition to the requirements of this 
section, the following groundfish regulations also apply:
    (1) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: 
Sec. 660.11 Definitions and Sec. 660.25 Permits.
    (2) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: 
Sec. 660.111 Definitions, Sec. 660.112 Trawl fishery prohibitions, 
Sec. 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting, Sec. 660.140 
Shorebased IFQ Program, Sec. 660.150 MS Coop Program, and Sec. 660.160 
C/P Coop Program.
    (b) Fee percentage by sector. The annual fee percentage by sector is 
calculated as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. NMFS will 
establish the fee percentage each year and will announce the fee 
percentage by sector in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section. The fee percentage must not exceed three percent of the ex-
vessel value of fish harvested by sector under the trawl rationalization 
program pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).
    (1) Calculation. In the last quarter of each calendar year, NMFS 
will calculate the fee percentage by sector based on information from 
the previous fiscal year (defined at Sec. 660.11). The fee percentage 
will be rounded to the nearest 0.1 percent and must not exceed three 
percent for each sector (Shorebased IFQ Program, MS Coop Program, and C/
P Coop Program). NMFS will use the following equation to annually 
determine the fee percentage by sector: Fee percentage = the lower of 3% 
or (DPC/V) x 100, where:
    (i) ``DPC,'' or direct program costs, are the actual incremental 
costs for the previous fiscal year directly related to the management, 
data collection, and enforcement of each sector (Shorebased IFQ Program, 
MS Coop Program, and C/P Coop Program). Actual incremental costs means 
those net costs that would not have been incurred but for the 
implementation of the trawl rationalization program, including 
additional costs for new requirements of the program and reduced trawl 
sector related costs resulting from efficiencies as a result of the 
program. If the amount of fees collected by NMFS is greater or less than 
the actual net incremental costs incurred, the DPC will be adjusted 
accordingly for calculation of the fee percentage in the following year.
    (ii) ``V'' is, for each applicable sector, the total ex-vessel 
value, as defined at Sec. 660.111, from the previous calendar year 
attributable to that sector of the trawl rationalization program 
(Shorebased IFQ Program, MS Coop Program, and C/P Coop Program).
    (2) Notification of the fee percentage and MS average pricing. 
During the last quarter of each calendar year, NMFS will announce the 
following through a Federal Register notice:
    (i) The fee percentage to be applied by fish buyers and fish 
sellers, for each sector, that will be in effect for the upcoming 
calendar year, and
    (ii) The average MS price per pound from the previous fiscal year as 
reported for the MS Coop Program to be used in the C/P Coop Program to 
calculate the fee amount for the upcoming calendar year as specified in 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (iii) Information on how to pay in to the Fund subaccount as 
specified at paragraph (d) of this section.
    (c) Fee amount. The fee amount is the ex-vessel value, as defined at 
Sec. 660.111, for each sector multiplied by the fee percentage for that 
sector as announced in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (d) Fee payment and collection--(1) Fee payment and collection in 
the Shorebased IFQ Program and MS Coop Program. Payment of fees at the 
fee percentage rate announced in paragraph (b)(2) of this section begins 
January 1 and continues without interruption through December 31 each 
year.
    (i) Between the fish seller and fish buyer. Except as described 
below, the full fee is due and payable at the time of fish landing/
delivery. Each fish buyer must collect the fee at the time of fish 
landing/delivery by deducting the fee from the ex-vessel value before 
paying the net ex-vessel value to the fish seller. Each fish seller must 
pay

[[Page 196]]

the fee at the time of fish landing/delivery by receiving from the fish 
buyer the net ex-vessel value, as defined at Sec. 660.111.
    (A) In the event of any post-delivery payment for fish, the fish 
seller must pay, and the fish buyer must collect, at the time the amount 
of such post-landing/delivery payment, the fee that would otherwise have 
been due and payable at the time of initial fish landing/delivery.
    (B) When the fish buyer and fish seller are the same entity, that 
entity must comply with the requirements for both the fish seller and 
the fish buyer as specified in this section.
    (ii) Between the fish buyer and NMFS--(A) Deposit accounts. Each 
fish buyer shall maintain a segregated account at a federally insured 
financial institution for the sole purpose of depositing collected fee 
revenue from the cost recovery program specified in this section and 
disbursing the deposit principal directly to NMFS in accordance with 
paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(C) of this section.
    (B) Fee collection deposits. Each fish buyer, no less frequently 
than at the end of each month, shall deposit, in the deposit account 
established under paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, all fees 
collected, not previously deposited, that the fish buyer collects 
through a date not more than two calendar days before the date of 
deposit. The deposit principal may not be pledged, assigned, or used for 
any purpose other than aggregating collected fee revenue for 
disbursement to the Fund in accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(C) of 
this section. The fish buyer is entitled, at any time, to withdraw 
deposit interest, if any, but never deposit principal, from the deposit 
account for the fish buyer's own use and purposes. If the fish buyer has 
used a credit card to pay the cost recovery fee, the deposit principal 
may be used to reimburse the credit card in the same amount as the fee 
payment.
    (C) Deposit principal disbursement. Not later than the 14th calendar 
day after the last calendar day of each month, or more frequently if the 
amount in the account exceeds the account limit for insurance purposes, 
the fish buyer shall disburse to NMFS the full deposit principal then in 
the deposit account. The fish buyer shall disburse deposit principal by 
electronic payment to the Fund subaccount to which the deposit principal 
relates. If the fish buyer has used a credit card to pay the cost 
recovery fee, the deposit principal may be used to reimburse the credit 
card in the same amount as the fee payment. NMFS will announce 
information about how to make an electronic payment to the Fund 
subaccount in the notification on fee percentage specified in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section. Each disbursement must be accompanied by a cost 
recovery form provided by NMFS. Recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
are specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this section and at Sec. 
660.113(b)(5) for the Shorebased IFQ Program and Sec. 660.113(c)(5) for 
the MS Coop Program. The cost recovery form will be available on the 
pay.gov website.
    (2) Fee payment and collection in the C/P Coop Program. Payment of 
fees for the calendar year at the fee percentage rate announced in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section is due in the last quarter of the 
calendar year and no later than December 31 each year. The fish buyer is 
responsible for fee payment to NMFS. The fish seller and the fish buyer, 
as defined at Sec. 660.111, are considered the same entity in the C/P 
Coop Program. The fish buyer shall disburse to NMFS the full fee amount 
for the calendar year by electronic payment to the Fund subaccount. NMFS 
will announce information about how to make an electronic payment to the 
Fund subaccount in the notification on fee percentage specified in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Each disbursement must be accompanied 
by a cost recovery form provided by NMFS. Recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements are specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this section and at 
Sec. 660.113(d)(5) for the C/P Coop Program. The cost recovery form 
will be available on the pay.gov Web site.
    (3) Failure to pay or collect--(i) Responsibility to notify NMFS. 
(A) If a fish buyer fails to collect the fee in the amount and manner 
required by this section, the fish seller shall then advise the fish 
buyer of the fish seller's fee

[[Page 197]]

payment obligation and of the fish buyer's cost recovery fee collection 
obligation. If the fish buyer still fails to properly collect the fee, 
the fish seller, within the next 7 calendar days, shall forward the fee 
to NMFS. The fish seller at the same time shall also advise NMFS in 
writing at the address in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(C) of this section of the 
full particulars, including:
    (1) The fish buyer's and fish seller's name, address, and telephone 
number,
    (2) The name of the fishing vessel from which the fish seller made 
fish delivery and the date of doing so,
    (3) The weight and ex-vessel value of each species of fish that the 
fish seller delivered, and
    (4) The fish buyer's reason, if known, for failing or refusing to 
collect the fee in accordance with this subpart;
    (B) Notifications must be mailed or faxed to: National Marine 
Fisheries Service, West Coast Region, Office of Management and 
Information, ATTN: Cost Recovery Notification, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 
Seattle, WA 98115; Fax: 206-526-6426; or delivered to National Marine 
Fisheries Service at the same address.
    (ii) IAD, appeals, and final decision. If NMFS determines the fish 
buyer or other responsible party has not submitted a complete cost 
recovery form and corresponding payment by the due date specified in 
paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section, NMFS will at any time 
thereafter notify the fish buyer or other responsible party in writing 
via an initial administrative determination (IAD) letter.
    (A) IAD. In the IAD, NMFS will state the discrepancy and provide the 
person 30 calendar days to either pay the specified amount due or appeal 
the IAD in writing.
    (B) Appeals. If the fish buyer appeals an IAD, the appeal must be 
postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered to NMFS no later than 30 calendar 
days after the date on the IAD. If the last day of the time period is a 
Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the time period will extend to the 
close of business on the next business day. The appeal must be in 
writing, must allege credible facts or circumstances, and must include 
any relevant information or documentation to support the appeal. Appeals 
must be mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to: National Marine Fisheries 
Service, West Coast Region, Office of Management and Information, ATTN: 
Cost Recovery Appeals, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115; Fax: 
206-526-6426; or delivered to National Marine Fisheries Service at the 
same address.
    (C) Final decision--(1) Final decision on appeal. For the appeal of 
an IAD, the Regional Administrator shall appoint an appeals officer. 
After determining there is sufficient information and that all 
procedural requirements have been met, the appeals officer will review 
the record and issue a recommendation on the appeal to the Regional 
Administrator, which shall be advisory only. The recommendation must be 
based solely on the record. Upon receiving the findings and 
recommendation, the Regional Administrator, acting on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce, will issue a written decision on the appeal which 
is the final decision of the Secretary of Commerce.
    (2) Final decision if there is no appeal. If the fish buyer does not 
appeal the IAD within 30 calendar days, NMFS will notify the fish buyer 
or other responsible party in writing via a final decision letter. The 
final decision will be from the Regional Administrator acting on behalf 
of the Secretary of Commerce.
    (3) If the final decision determines that the fish buyer is out of 
compliance, the final decision will require payment within 30 calendar 
days. If such payment is not received within 30 calendar days of 
issuance of the final decision, NMFS will refer the matter to the 
appropriate authorities for purposes of collection. As of the date of 
the final decision if the fish buyer is out of compliance, NMFS will not 
approve a permit renewal for an MS permit or a C/P-endorsed limited 
entry trawl permit until all cost recovery fees due have been paid as 
specified at Sec. 660.25(b)(4)(i)(G); or reissue an IFQ first receiver 
site license until all cost recovery fees due have been paid, as 
specified at Sec. 660.140(f)(4).
    (4) Recordkeeping, reporting, and audits--(i) Recordkeeping. Each 
fish buyer and fish seller shall retain records in

[[Page 198]]

accordance with Sec. 660.113(a). In addition, fish buyers shall retain 
records in accordance with the following paragraphs: Sec. 660.113(b)(5) 
for the Shorebased IFQ Program, Sec. 660.113(c)(5) for the MS Coop 
Program, and Sec. 660.113(d)(5) for the C/P Coop Program.
    (ii) Reporting, including annual report. Each fish buyer shall 
submit reports in accordance with the following paragraphs: Sec. 
660.113(b)(5) for the Shorebased IFQ Program, Sec. 660.113(c)(5) for 
the MS Coop Program, and Sec. 660.113(d)(5) for the C/P Coop Program. 
The fish buyer must submit a cost recovery form along with fee payment 
to NMFS. By March 31 each year, fish buyers in the MS Coop Program must 
submit an annual report to NMFS containing information from the 
preceding calendar year as specified at Sec. 660.113(c)(5).
    (iii) Audits. NMFS or its agents may audit, in whatever manner NMFS 
determines reasonably necessary for the duly diligent administration of 
the cost recovery program, the financial records of fish buyers and fish 
sellers in order to ensure proper fee payment, collection, deposit, 
disbursement, accounting, recordkeeping, and reporting. Fish buyers and 
fish sellers must respond to any inquiry by NMFS or a NMFS agent within 
20 calendar days of the date of issuance of the inquiry, unless an 
extension is granted by NMFS. Fish buyers and fish sellers shall make 
all relevant records available to NMFS or NMFS' agents at reasonable 
times and places and promptly provide all requested information 
reasonably related to these records. NMFS may employ a third party agent 
to conduct the audits. The NMFS auditor may review and request copies of 
additional data provided by the submitter, including but not limited to, 
previously audited or reviewed financial statements, worksheets, tax 
returns, invoices, receipts, and other original documents substantiating 
the data submitted.

[78 FR 75280, Dec. 11, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 68808, Dec. 17, 2019]



Sec. 660.120  Trawl fishery--crossover provisions.

    The crossover provisions listed at Sec. 660.60(h)(7), apply to 
vessels fishing in the limited entry trawl fishery.

[76 FR 74740, Dec. 1, 2011]



Sec. 660.130   Trawl fishery--management measures.

    (a) General. This section applies to the limited entry trawl 
fishery. Most species taken in the limited entry trawl fishery will be 
managed with quotas (see Sec. 660.140), allocations or set-asides (see 
Sec. 660.150 or Sec. 660.160), or cumulative trip limits (see trip 
limits in Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) of this subpart), size limits 
(see Sec. 660.60 (h)(5)), seasons (see Pacific whiting at Sec. 
660.131(b), subpart D), gear restrictions (see paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this section) and closed areas (see paragraphs (c) and (e) of this 
section and Sec. Sec. 660.70 through 660.79). The limited entry trawl 
fishery has gear requirements and harvest limits that differ by the type 
of groundfish trawl gear on board and the area fished. Groundfish 
vessels operating south of Point Conception must adhere to CCA 
restrictions (see paragraph (e)(1) of this section and Sec. 660.70). 
The trip limits in Tables 1 (North) and 1 (South) of this subpart 
applies to vessels participating in the limited entry trawl fishery and 
may not be exceeded. Federal commercial groundfish regulations are not 
intended to supersede any more restrictive state commercial groundfish 
regulations relating to federally-managed groundfish.
    (b) Trawl gear requirements and restrictions. Trawl nets may be 
fished with or without otter boards, and may use warps or cables to herd 
fish.
    (1) Bottom trawl gear--(i) Large footrope trawl gear. 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 19 inches (48 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.

[[Page 199]]

    (ii) Small footrope trawl gear. 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.
    (A) Selective flatfish trawl gear. Selective flatfish trawl gear is 
a type of small footrope trawl gear. The selective flatfish trawl net 
must be either a two-seamed or four-seamed net with no more than four 
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. The headrope shall 
be measured along the length of the headrope from the outside edge to 
the opposite outside edge. An explanatory diagram of a selective 
flatfish trawl net is provided as Figure 1 of part 660, subpart D.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (2) Midwater (pelagic or off-bottom) trawl gear. Midwater trawl gear 
must have unprotected footropes at the trawl mouth, and must not have 
rollers, bobbins, tires, wheels, rubber discs, or any similar device 
anywhere on any part of the net. The footrope of midwater gear may not 
be enlarged by encircling it with chains or by any other means. Ropes or 
lines running parallel to the footrope of midwater trawl gear must be 
bare and may not be suspended with chains or any other materials. Sweep 
lines, including the bottom leg of the bridle, must be bare. For at 
least 20 ft (6.15 m) immediately behind the footrope or headrope, bare 
ropes or mesh of 16-inch (40.6-cm) minimum mesh size must completely 
encircle the net.
    (c) Restrictions by limited entry trawl gear type. Management 
measures may vary depending on the type of trawl gear (i.e., large 
footrope, small footrope, selective flatfish, or midwater trawl gear) 
used and/or on board a vessel during a fishing trip, cumulative limit 
period, and the area fished. Trawl nets may be used on and off the 
seabed. For some species or species groups, Table 1 (North) and Table 1 
(South) of this subpart provide trip limits that are specific to 
different types of trawl gear: Large footrope, small footrope (including 
selective flatfish), selective flatfish, midwater, and multiple types. 
If Table 1 (North) and Table 1 (South) of this subpart provide gear 
specific limits or closed areas for a particular species or species 
group, prohibitions at Sec. Sec. 660.12 and 660.112(a)(5) apply. 
Additional conservation areas applicable to vessels registered to 
limited entry permits with trawl endorsements are listed at paragraph 
(e) of this section.
    (1) Fishing with large footrope trawl gear--(i) North of 
46[deg]16[min] N lat. It is unlawful for any vessel using large footrope 
gear to fish for groundfish shoreward of the trawl RCA, defined at Sec. 
660.11 and with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. Sec. 660.71 
through 660.74. The use of large footrope gear is allowed where bottom 
trawling is allowed seaward of the trawl RCA.
    (ii) South of 46[deg]16[min] N lat. It is unlawful for any vessel 
using large footrope gear to fish for groundfish shoreward of the 
boundary line approximating the 100 fm (183 m) depth contour defined 
with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.73. The use of 
large footrope gear is allowed where bottom trawling is allowed seaward 
of the boundary line approximating the 100 fm (183 m) depth contour.
    (2) Fishing with small footrope trawl gear. The use of small 
footrope bottom trawl gear is allowed in all areas where bottom trawling 
is allowed with the following requirements:
    (i) Fishing with selective flatfish trawl gear. The use of selective 
flatfish trawl gear, a type of small footrope trawl gear, is allowed in 
all areas where bottom trawling is allowed. Selective flatfish trawl 
gear is required shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 100 fm 
(183 m) depth contour between 42[deg] N lat. and 40[deg]10[min] N lat. 
and fishing with all other types of small footrope trawl gear is 
prohibited in this area.

[[Page 200]]

    (ii) Salmon bycatch mitigation restrictions. The use of small 
footrope trawl, other than selective flatfish trawl gear, is prohibited 
between 42[deg] N lat. and 40[deg]10[min] N lat.
    (iii) Salmon conservation area restrictions. The use of small 
footrope trawl, other than of selective flatfish trawl gear, is 
prohibited inside the Klamath River Salmon Conservation Zone and the 
Columbia River Salmon Conservation Zone (defined at Sec. 
660.131(e)(8)).
    (3) Fishing with limited entry midwater trawl gear--(i) North of 
40[deg]10[min] N lat., limited entry midwater trawl gear is required for 
vessels declared into the Pacific whiting fishery; limited entry 
midwater trawl gear is allowed for vessels declared into the non-whiting 
Shorebased IFQ Program during the Pacific whiting primary season.
    (ii) South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat., vessels declared into limited 
entry midwater trawl are prohibited from operating, other than for the 
purpose of continuous transiting with prohibited gear stowed, shoreward 
of the boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) depth contour, as 
defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.73. Vessels 
declared limited entry midwater trawl may operate seaward of a boundary 
line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) depth contour. See also paragraph 
(c)(4)(ii) of this section for additional restrictions.
    (4) More than one type of trawl gear on board. The trip limits in 
Table 1 (North) or Table 1 (South) of this subpart must not be exceeded. 
A vessel may not have both groundfish trawl gear and non-groundfish 
trawl gear onboard simultaneously. A vessel may have more than one type 
of limited entry trawl gear on board (midwater, large or small footrope, 
including selective flatfish trawl), either simultaneously or 
successively, during a cumulative limit period except between 42[deg] N 
lat. and 40[deg]10[min] N lat. as described in this section. If a vessel 
fishes both north and south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. with any type of 
small or large footrope gear onboard the vessel at any time during the 
cumulative limit period, the most restrictive cumulative limit 
associated with the gear on board would apply for that trip and all 
catch would be counted toward that cumulative limit (See crossover 
provisions at Sec. 660.60(h)(7)). When operating in an applicable GCA, 
all trawl gear must be stowed, consistent with prohibitions at Sec. 
660.112(a)(5)(i), unless authorized in this section.
    (i) Vessels operating north of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.--(A) Limited 
entry bottom trawl gears. 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 with the following 
exception: between 42[deg] N lat. and 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and 
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 100 fm (183 m) depth 
contour defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.73. 
In this area, vessels may not have any type of small footrope trawl gear 
other than selective flatfish trawl gear on board when fishing, per 
prohibitions at Sec. 660.112(a)(5)(i).
    (B) Limited entry midwater trawl gears. A vessel may have more than 
one type of midwater groundfish trawl gear on board, either 
simultaneously or successively, during a cumulative limit period.
    (C) Limited entry selective flatfish trawl gear. If a vessel fishes 
exclusively with selective flatfish trawl gear during an entire 
cumulative limit period, then the vessel is subject to the selective 
flatfish trawl gear-cumulative limits during that limit period, 
regardless of whether the vessel is fishing shoreward or seaward of the 
trawl RCA or the boundary line approximating the 100 fm (183 m) depth 
contour defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.73.
    (D) Cumulative limits. If a vessel fishes exclusively with large or 
small footrope trawl gear during an entire cumulative limit period, the 
vessel is subject to the cumulative limits for that gear. If more than 
one type of groundfish bottom trawl gear (selective flatfish, large 
footrope, or small footrope) is on board, either simultaneously or 
successively, at any time during a cumulative limit period, then the 
most restrictive cumulative limit associated with the groundfish bottom

[[Page 201]]

trawl gear on board during that cumulative limit period applies for the 
entire cumulative limit period.
    (ii) Vessels operating south of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.--(A) Limited 
entry bottom trawl gears. 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.
    (B) Limited entry midwater trawl gear. Vessels may not operate, 
other than transiting through, with limited entry midwater trawl gear on 
board that is not stowed, consistent with Sec. 660.112(a)(5), in the 
area shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) 
depth contour defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 
660.73. If a vessel fishes with limited entry bottom trawl gear in this 
area, vessels may have midwater trawl gear on board that is stowed, 
consistent with Sec. 660.112(a)(5), and may fish seaward of the 
boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) depth contour on the same 
trip with appropriate declaration changes. Vessels with groundfish on 
board harvested using limited entry midwater trawl gear may transit the 
area shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274 m) 
depth contour defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 
660.73 if the midwater gear is stowed consistent with Sec. 
660.112(a)(5).
    (d) Sorting. In addition to the requirements at Sec. 660.12(a)(8), 
the States of Washington, Oregon, and California may also require that 
vessels record their landings as sorted on their state landing receipt. 
Sector-specific sorting requirements and exceptions are listed at 
paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) of this section.
    (1) Species and areas--(i) Coastwide. Widow rockfish, canary 
rockfish, darkblotched rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, shortbelly 
rockfish, black rockfish, blue/deacon rockfish, minor nearshore 
rockfish, minor shelf rockfish, minor slope rockfish, shortraker 
rockfish, rougheye/blackspotted rockfish, shortspine and longspine 
thornyhead, Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, petrale sole, starry 
flounder, English sole, other flatfish, lingcod, sablefish, Pacific cod, 
spiny dogfish, other fish, longnose skate, Pacific whiting, and big 
skate.
    (ii) North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat. POP, yellowtail rockfish, 
Washington cabezon/kelp greenling complex, Oregon cabezon/kelp greenling 
complex, cabezon off California; and
    (iii) South of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat. Minor shallow nearshore 
rockfish, minor deeper nearshore rockfish, California scorpionfish, 
chilipepper, bocaccio, splitnose rockfish, Pacific sanddabs, cowcod, 
bronzespotted rockfish, blackgill rockfish and cabezon.
    (2) Sorting requirements for the Shorebased IFQ Program--(i) First 
receivers. Fish landed at IFQ first receivers (including shoreside 
processing facilities and buying stations that intend to transport catch 
for processing elsewhere) must be sorted, prior to first weighing after 
offloading from the vessel and prior to transport away from the point of 
landing, with the following exception: Catch from a Pacific whiting IFQ 
trip may be sorted after weighing as specified at Sec. 660.140(j)(2).
    (ii) Catcher vessels. All catch must be sorted to the species groups 
specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section for vessels with limited 
entry permits, except those engaged in maximized retention while 
declared into a Pacific whiting IFQ trip. The catch must not be 
discarded from the vessel and the vessel must not mix catch from hauls 
until the observer has sampled the catch, unless otherwise allowed under 
the EM Program requirements at Sec. 660.604 of subpart J. Prohibited 
species must be sorted according to the following species groups: 
Dungeness crab, Pacific halibut, Chinook salmon, other salmon. Non-
groundfish species must be sorted as required by the state of landing.
    (3) Sorting requirements for the MS Coop and the C/P Coop Programs. 
(i) Processing vessels in the MS and C/P Coop Programs may use a bulk 
weighing scale in compliance with the equipment requirement at Sec. 
660.15(b) to derive an accurate total catch weight prior to sorting. 
Immediately following weighing of the total catch, the catch must be 
sorted to the species groups specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section and all catch of-groundfish and

[[Page 202]]

non-groundfish species must be accurately accounted for and the weight 
of all catch other than a single predominant species deducted from the 
total catch weight to derive the weight of a single predominant species.
    (ii) If sorting occurs on a catcher vessel in the MS Co-op Program, 
the catch must not be discarded from the vessel and the vessel must not 
mix catch from hauls until the observer has sampled the catch, or unless 
otherwise allowed under the EM Program requirements at Sec. 660.604 of 
subpart J.
    (e) Groundfish conservation areas (GCAs). GCAs are closed areas, 
defined at Sec. 660.11, and using latitude and longitude coordinates 
specified at Sec. Sec. 660.70 through 660.74, and Sec. 660.76.
    (1) Cowcod conservation areas (CCAs). This closure applies to 
vessels with limited entry trawl gear on board. Limited entry trawl 
vessels may transit through the Western CCA within the transit corridor, 
defined at Sec. 660.70.
    (2) Farallon islands. Under California law, commercial fishing for 
all groundfish is prohibited around the Farallon Islands, as defined at 
Sec. 660.70. Vessels may transit through with all trawl gear stowed.
    (3) Cordell Banks. Commercial fishing for groundfish is prohibited 
in waters of depths less than 100-fm (183-m) around Cordell Banks, 
defined at Sec. 660.70. Vessels may transit through with all trawl gear 
stowed.
    (4) Trawl RCA. This GCA is off the coast of Washington, between the 
US/Canada border and 46[deg]16[min] N lat. Boundaries for the trawl RCA 
applicable to groundfish trawl vessels throughout the year are provided 
in the header to Table 1 (North) of this subpart and may be modified by 
NMFS inseason pursuant to Sec. 660.60(c). Prohibitions at Sec. 
660.112(a)(5) do not apply under the following conditions and when the 
vessel has a valid declaration for the allowed fishing:
    (i) Limited entry midwater trawl gear. Limited entry midwater trawl 
gear may be used within the trawl RCA by vessels targeting Pacific 
whiting or non-whiting when it is an authorized gear type for the area 
and season. If a vessel fishes in the trawl RCA using midwater trawl 
gear, it may also fish outside the trawl RCA with limited entry trawl 
gear on the same trip with appropriate declaration changes.
    (ii) Transiting. A vessel authorized to operate in the trawl RCA may 
continuously transit through the trawl RCA, with or without groundfish 
on board, with prohibited trawl gear stowed, as defined at Sec. 
660.111.
    (5) Block area closures or BACs. BACs, defined at Sec. 660.111, are 
applicable to vessels with groundfish bottom trawl or midwater trawl 
gear on board that is not stowed, per the prohibitions in Sec. 
660.112(a)(5). When in effect, BACs are areas closed to bottom trawl 
and/or midwater trawl fishing. A vessel operating, for any purpose other 
than continuous transiting, in the BAC must have prohibited trawl gear 
stowed, as defined at Sec. 660.111. Nothing in these Federal 
regulations supersedes any state regulations that may prohibit trawling 
shoreward of the fishery management area, defined at Sec. 660.11. 
Prohibitions at Sec. 660.112(a)(5) do not apply under any of the 
following conditions and when the vessel has a valid declaration for the 
allowed fishing:
    (i) Trawl gear. Limited entry midwater trawl gear and bottom trawl 
gear may be used within the BAC only when it is an authorized gear type 
for the area and season, and not prohibited by the BAC.
    (ii) Transiting. A vessel authorized to operate in a BAC may 
continuously transit through the BAC, with or without groundfish on 
board, with prohibited trawl gear stowed, as defined at Sec. 660.111.
    (iii) Multiple gears. If a vessel fishes in a BAC with an authorized 
groundfish trawl gear, it may fish outside the BAC on the same trip 
using another authorized trawl gear type for that area and season, 
provided it makes the appropriate declaration change.
    (6) Bycatch reduction areas or BRAs. Vessels using midwater 
groundfish trawl gear during the applicable Pacific whiting primary 
season may be prohibited from fishing shoreward of a boundary line 
approximating the 75 fm (137 m), 100 fm (183 m), 150 fm (274 m), or 200 
fm (366 m) depth contours.
    (7) Eureka management area midwater trawl trip limits. No more than 
10,000-lb (4,536 kg) of whiting may be taken and

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retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at any time during a 
fishing trip, fished with midwater groundfish trawl gear in the fishery 
management area shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 100 fm 
(183 m) depth contour in the Eureka management area, defined at Sec. 
660.11. See also midwater trawl depth restrictions in paragraph (c) of 
this section.
    (8) Salmon conservation zones. Fishing with midwater trawl gear and 
bottom trawl gear, other than selective flatfish trawl gear, is 
prohibited in the Klamath River Salmon Conservation Zone and the 
Columbia River Salmon Conservation Zone (defined at Sec. 660.111).
    (f) Essential fish habitat conservation areas. EFHCAs are defined at 
Sec. 660.11 and at Sec. Sec. 660.76 through 660.79. EFHCAs apply to 
vessels using bottom trawl gear or to vessels using bottom contact gear, 
defined at Sec. 660.11. Vessels may transit through, with or without 
groundfish on board, with all prohibited gear stowed. EFHCAs closed to 
bottom trawl gear are listed at Sec. 660.112(a)(5)(v). EFHCAs off 
California that are closed to bottom trawl gear, except vessels fishing 
with a valid declaration for demersal seine gear, are listed in Sec. 
660.112(a)(5)(vi). EFHCAs closed to bottom contact gear are listed at 
Sec. 660.12(a)(4), (16) and (17).
    (g) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic 
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(iv) and (v).

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78389, Dec. 15, 2010; 75 
FR 82305, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27546, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53837, Aug. 
30, 2011; 76 FR 74741, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 629, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 
68769, Nov. 15, 2013; 79 FR 71343, Dec. 2, 2014; 80 FR 12590, Mar. 10, 
2015; 80 FR 31860, June 4, 2015; 80 FR 77272, Dec. 14, 2015; 82 FR 9658, 
Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 62277, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 64002, Dec. 12, 2018; 83 
FR 66638, Dec. 27, 2018; 84 FR 31159, June 28, 2019; 84 FR 49962, Sept. 
24, 2019; 84 FR 63986, Nov. 19, 2019; 86 FR 10870, Feb. 23, 2021]



Sec. 660.131   Pacific whiting fishery management measures.

    (a) General. This section applies to the MS sector, the C/P sector, 
the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, and Shorebased IFQ vessels targeting 
Pacific whiting under trip limits outside the Pacific whiting primary 
season.
    (b) Pacific whiting primary seasons and Pacific whiting trip 
limits--(1) Pacific whiting fishery primary seasons. (i) For the Pacific 
whiting IFQ fishery, the primary season is the period(s) of the large-
scale Pacific whiting target fishery conducted after the primary season 
start date.
    (ii) For the C/P sector, the primary season is the period(s) when 
catching and at-sea processing are allowed (after the season closes, at-
sea processing of any fish already on board the processing vessel is 
allowed to continue).
    (iii) For vessels delivering to motherships, the primary season is 
the period(s) when catching and at-sea processing is allowed for the MS 
sector (after the season closes, at-sea processing of any fish already 
on board the processing vessel is allowed to continue).
    (2) Different primary season start dates. North of 40[deg]30[min] N. 
lat., different primary season starting dates may be established for the 
C/P Coop Program, the MS Coop Program, and the Pacific whiting IFQ 
fishery for vessels delivering to IFQ first receivers north of 42[deg] 
N. lat. and vessels delivering to IFQ first receivers between 42[deg] 
and 40[deg]30[min] N. lat.
    (i) Procedures. The Pacific whiting primary seasons north of 
40[deg]30[min] N. lat. generally will be established according to the 
procedures of the PCGFMP for developing and implementing harvest 
specifications and apportionments. The season opening dates remain in 
effect unless changed.
    (ii) Criteria. The start of a Pacific whiting primary season may be 
changed based on a recommendation from the Council and consideration of 
the following factors, if applicable: Size of the harvest guidelines for 
whiting and bycatch species; age/size structure of the whiting 
population; expected harvest of bycatch and prohibited species; 
availability and stock status of prohibited species; expected 
participation by catchers and processors; environmental conditions; 
timing of alternate or competing fisheries; industry agreement; fishing 
or processing rates; and other relevant information.
    (iii) Primary whiting season start dates and duration. After the 
start of a primary season for a sector of the Pacific whiting fishery, 
the primary season remains open for that sector until the

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sector allocation of whiting or non-whiting groundfish (with 
allocations) is reached or projected to be reached and the primary 
season for that sector is closed by NMFS. The starting dates for the 
primary seasons are as follows:
    (A) Catcher/processor sector--May 1.
    (B) Mothership sector--May 1.
    (C) Shorebased IFQ Program. The start of the Shorebased IFQ Program 
primary whiting season is:
    (1) North of 40[deg]30[min] N lat.--May 1; and
    (2) South of 40[deg]30[min] N. lat.--April 15.
    (3) Pacific whiting trip limits. For Shorebased IFQ Program vessels 
targeting Pacific whiting outside the primary season, the ``per trip'' 
limit for whiting is announced in Table 1 of this subpart. The per-trip 
limit is a routine management measure under Sec. 660.60(c). This trip 
limit includes any whiting caught shoreward of 100 fm (183 m) in the 
Eureka management-area. The per-trip limit for other groundfish species 
are announced in Table 1 (North) and Table 1 (South) of this subpart and 
apply as follows:
    (i) During the groundfish cumulative limit periods both before and 
after the primary whiting season, vessels may use either small and/or 
large footrope gear, but are subject to the more restrictive trip limits 
for those entire cumulative periods.
    (ii) If a vessel on a Pacific whiting IFQ trip harvests a groundfish 
species other than whiting for which there is a midwater trip limit, 
then that vessel may also harvest up to another footrope-specific limit 
for that species during any cumulative limit period that overlaps the 
start or close of the primary season.
    (c) Closed areas. The conservation areas described here are in 
addition to conservation areas applicable to vessels operating with 
midwater trawl gear on board described in Sec. 660.130(c) and (e). 
Vessels fishing during the Pacific whiting primary seasons shall not 
target Pacific whiting with midwater groundfish trawl gear in the 
following portions of the fishery management area:
    (1) Klamath river salmon conservation zone, defined at Sec. 
660.111.
    (2) Columbia river salmon conservation zone, defined at Sec. 
660.111.
    (3) Bycatch reduction areas or BRAs. Bycatch reduction area closures 
specified at Sec. 660.130(e) may be implemented inseason through 
automatic action when NMFS projects that a Pacific whiting sector will 
exceed an allocation for a non-whiting groundfish species specified for 
that sector before the sector's whiting allocation is projected to be 
reached.
    (d) Eureka management area trip limits. Trip landing or frequency 
limits may be established, modified, or removed under Sec. 660.60 or 
this paragraph, specifying the amount of Pacific whiting that may be 
taken and retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at any time 
during a fishing trip, fished in the fishery management area shoreward 
of the 100 fathom (183 m) contour in the Eureka management area. Unless 
otherwise specified, no more than 10,000-lb (4,536 kg) of whiting may be 
taken and retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at any time 
during a fishing trip, fished in the fishery management area shoreward 
of the 100 fm (183 m) contour in the Eureka management area.
    (e) At-sea processing. Whiting may not be processed at sea south of 
42[deg]00[min] N. lat. (Oregon-California border), unless by a waste-
processing vessel as authorized under paragraph (g) of this section.
    (f) Time of day. Vessels fishing in the Pacific whiting primary 
seasons for the Shorebased IFQ Program, MS Coop Program or C/P Coop 
Program shall not target Pacific whiting with midwater trawl gear in the 
fishery management area south of 42[deg]00[min] N. lat. between 0001 
hours to one-half hour after official sunrise (local time). During this 
time south of 42[deg]00[min] N. lat., trawl doors must be on board any 
vessel used to fish for whiting and the trawl must be attached to the 
trawl doors. Official sunrise is determined, to the nearest 5[deg] lat., 
in The Nautical Almanac issued annually by the Nautical Almanac Office, 
U.S. Naval Observatory, and available from the U.S. Government Printing 
Office.
    (g) Processing fish waste at sea. A vessel that processes only fish 
waste (a ``waste-processing vessel'') is not considered a whiting 
processor and therefore is not subject to the allocations,

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seasons, or restrictions for catcher/processors or motherships while it 
operates as a waste-processing vessel. However, no vessel may operate as 
a waste-processing vessel 48 hours immediately before and after a 
primary season for whiting in which the vessel operates as a catcher/
processor or mothership. A vessel must meet the following conditions to 
qualify as a waste-processing vessel:
    (1) The vessel makes meal (ground dried fish), oil, or minced 
(ground flesh) product, but does not make, and does not have on board, 
surimi (fish paste with additives), fillets (meat from the side of the 
fish, behind the head and in front of the tail), or headed and gutted 
fish (head and viscera removed).
    (2) The amount of whole whiting on board does not exceed the trip 
limit (if any) allowed under Sec. 660.60(c), subpart C, or Tables 1 
(North) or 1 (South) in subpart D.
    (3) Any trawl net and doors on board are stowed in a secured and 
covered manner, and detached from all towing lines, so as to be rendered 
unusable for fishing.
    (4) The vessel does not receive codends containing fish.
    (5) The vessel's operations are consistent with applicable state and 
Federal law, including those governing disposal of fish waste at sea.
    (h) Reapportionment of Pacific whiting. (1) Upon receipt of written 
notice to the Regional Administrator from the tribe(s) participating in 
the fishery that they do not intend to use a portion of the tribal 
allocation, the Regional Administrator may, no earlier than 7 days 
following notice to other treaty tribes with rights to whiting, 
reapportion any remainder to the other sectors of the trawl fishery as 
soon as practicable after receiving such notice. If no such 
reapportionment has occurred prior to September 15 of the fishing year, 
the Regional Administrator will, based on discussions with 
representatives of the tribes participating in the Pacific whiting 
fishery for that fishing year, consider the tribal harvests to date and 
catch projections for the remainder of the year relative to the tribal 
allocation of Pacific whiting, as specified at Sec. 660.50. That 
portion of the tribal allocation that the Regional Administrator 
determines will not be used by the end of the fishing year may be 
reapportioned to the other sectors of the trawl fishery on September 15 
or as soon as practicable thereafter. Subsequent reapportionments may be 
made based on subsequent determinations by the Regional Administrator 
based on the factors described above in order to ensure full utilization 
of the resource. However, no reapportionments will occur after December 
1 of the fishing year.
    (2) The reapportionment of surplus whiting will be made by actual 
notice under the automatic action authority provided at Sec. 
660.60(d)(1).
    (3) The reapportionment of surplus whiting will be made effective 
immediately by actual notice under the automatic action authority 
provided at Sec. 660.60(d)(1).
    (4) Estimates of the portion of the tribal allocation that will not 
be used by the end of the fishing year will be based on the best 
information available to the Regional Administrator.
    (i) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic 
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) Prior to reapportionment, NMFS will consider Chinook salmon take 
numbers and bycatch rates in each sector of the Pacific whiting fishery, 
in order to prevent a reapportionment that would limit Pacific Coast 
treaty Indian Tribes' access to the tribal allocation by triggering 
inseason closure of the Pacific whiting fishery as described at Sec. 
660.60(d)(1)(v).
    (i) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic 
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 75421, Dec. 3, 2010; 75 
FR 78390, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 27546, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53837, Aug. 
30, 2011; 77 FR 28516, May 15, 2012; 80 FR 27600, May 14, 2015; 80 FR 
19036, Apr. 9, 2015; 80 FR 77273, Dec. 14, 2015; 83 FR 64002, Dec. 12, 
2018; 84 FR 63988, Nov. 19, 2019; 84 FR 65926, Dec. 2, 2019; 87 FR 
77006, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.140  Shorebased IFQ Program.

    (a) General. The regulations in this section apply to the Shorebased 
IFQ Program. The Shorebased IFQ Program includes a system of 
transferable QS

[[Page 206]]

for most groundfish species or species groups, IBQ for Pacific halibut, 
and trip limits or set-asides for the remaining groundfish species or 
species groups. NMFS will issue a QS permit to eligible participants and 
will establish a QS account for each QS permit owner to track the amount 
of QS or IBQ and QP or IBQ pounds owned by that owner. QS permit owners 
may own QS or IBQ for IFQ species, expressed as a percent of the 
allocation to the Shorebased IFQ Program for that species. NMFS will 
issue QP or IBQ pounds to QS permit owners, expressed in pounds, on an 
annual basis, to be deposited in the corresponding QS account. NMFS will 
establish a vessel account for each eligible vessel owner participating 
in the Shorebased IFQ Program, which is independent of the QS permit and 
QS account. In order to use QP or IBQ pounds, a QS permit owner must 
transfer the QP or IBQ pounds from the QS account into the vessel 
account for the vessel to which the QP or IBQ pounds is to be assigned. 
Harvests of IFQ species may only be delivered to an IFQ first receiver 
with a first receiver site license. In addition to the requirements of 
this section, the Shorebased IFQ Program is subject to the following 
groundfish regulations of subparts C and D:
    (1) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: 
Sec. 660.11 Definitions, Sec. 660.12 Prohibitions, Sec. 660.13 
Recordkeeping and reporting, Sec. 660.14 VMS requirements, Sec. 660.15 
Equipment requirements, Sec. 660.16 Groundfish observer program, Sec. 
660.20 Vessel and gear identification, Sec. 660.25 Permits, Sec. 
660.55 Allocations, Sec. 660.60 Specifications and management measures, 
Sec. 660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications, and Sec. Sec. 660.70 
through 660.79 Closed areas.
    (2) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: 
Sec. 660.111 Trawl fishery definitions, Sec. 660.112 Trawl fishery 
prohibitions, Sec. 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting, 
Sec. 660.115 Trawl fishery cost recovery program, Sec. 660.120 Trawl 
fishery crossover provisions, Sec. 660.130 Trawl fishery management 
measures, and Sec. 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures.
    (3) The Shorebased IFQ Program may be restricted or closed as a 
result of projected overages within the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS 
Coop Program, or the C/P Coop Program. As determined necessary by the 
Regional Administrator, area restrictions, season closures, or other 
measures will be used to prevent the trawl sector in aggregate or the 
individual trawl sectors (Shorebased IFQ, MS Coop, or C/P Coop) from 
exceeding an ACL, OY, ACT or formal allocation specified in the PCGFMP 
or regulation at Sec. 660.55, subpart C, or Sec. Sec. 660.140, 
660.150, or 660.160, subpart D.
    (b) Participation requirements and responsibilities--(1) IFQ 
vessels. (i) Vessels must be registered to a groundfish limited entry 
permit, endorsed for trawl gear with no C/P endorsement.
    (ii) To start a fishing trip in the Shorebased IFQ Program, a vessel 
and its owner(s) (as described on the USCG documentation or state 
registration document) must be registered to the same vessel account 
established by NMFS with no deficit (negative balance) for any species/
species group.
    (iii) All IFQ species/species group catch (landings and discards) 
must be covered by QP or IBQ pounds. Any deficit (negative balance in a 
vessel account) must be cured within 30 calendar days from the date the 
deficit from that trip is documented in the vessel account, unless the 
deficit is within the limits of the carryover provision at paragraph 
(e)(5) of this section, in which case the vessel account owner must 
declare out of the Shorebased IFQ Program, and must eliminate the 
deficit prior to re-entry into the fishery in the current year, or 
within 30 days after the issuance of QP or IBQ pounds for the following 
year.
    (iv) Any vessel with a deficit (negative balance) in its vessel 
account is prohibited from fishing that is within the scope of the 
Shorebased IFQ Program until sufficient QP or IBQ pounds are transferred 
into the vessel account to remove any deficit, regardless of the amount 
of the deficit.
    (v) A vessel account may not have QP or IBQ pounds (used and unused 
combined) in excess of the QP Vessel Limit in any year, and for species 
covered by Unused QP Vessel Limit, may not have

[[Page 207]]

QP or IBQ pounds in excess of the Unused QP Vessel Limit at any time. 
These amounts are specified at paragraph (e)(4) of this section.
    (vi) Vessels must use either trawl gear as specified at Sec. 
660.130(b), or a legal non-trawl groundfish gear under the gear 
switching provisions as specified at Sec. 660.140(k).
    (vii) Vessels that are registered to MS/CV-endorsed permits may be 
used to fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program provided that the vessel is 
registered to a valid Shorebased IFQ Program vessel account.
    (viii) In the same calendar year, a vessel registered to a trawl 
endorsed limited entry permit with no MS/CV or C/P endorsements may be 
used to fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program if the vessel has a valid 
vessel account, and to fish in the mothership sector for a permitted MS 
coop as authorized by the MS coop.
    (ix) Vessels that are registered to C/P-endorsed permits may not be 
used to fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program.
    (x) Fish sellers must pay cost recovery program fees, as specified 
at Sec. 660.115.
    (2) IFQ first receivers. The IFQ first receiver must:
    (i) Ensure that all catch removed from a vessel making an IFQ 
delivery is weighed on a scale or scales meeting the requirements 
described in Sec. 660.15(c).
    (ii) Ensure that all catch is landed, sorted, and weighed in 
accordance with a valid catch monitoring plan as described in Sec. 
660.140(f)(3)(iii).
    (iii) Ensure that all catch is sorted, prior to first weighing, as 
specified at Sec. 660.130(d) and consistent with Sec. 
660.140(j)(2)(viii).
    (iv) Provide unrestricted access to all areas where fish are or may 
be sorted or weighed to catch monitors, NMFS staff, NMFS-authorized 
personnel, or authorized officers at any time when a delivery of IFQ 
species, or the processing of those species, is taking place.
    (v) Ensure that each scale produces a complete and accurate printed 
record of the weight of all catch in a delivery, unless exempted in the 
NMFS-accepted catch monitoring plan.
    (vi) Retain and make available to catch monitors, NMFS staff, NMFS-
authorized personnel, or authorized officers, all printed output from 
any scale used to weigh catch, and any hand tally sheets, worksheets, or 
notes used to determine the total weight of any species.
    (vii) Ensure that each delivery of IFQ catch is monitored by a catch 
monitor and that the catch monitor is on site the entire time the 
delivery is being weighed or sorted.
    (viii) Ensure that sorting and weighing is completed prior to catch 
leaving the area that can be monitored from the observation area 
described paragraph (i) of this section.
    (ix) Collect and remit to NMFS cost recovery program fees, as 
specified at Sec. 660.115.
    (c) IFQ species, management areas, and allocations.
    (1) IFQ management areas. IFQ management areas are as follows:
    (i) Between the U.S./Canada border and 40[deg]10[min] N lat.,
    (ii) Between 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and 36[deg] N lat.,
    (iii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27[min] N lat., and
    (iv) Between 34[deg]27[min] N lat. and the U.S./Mexico border.
    (2) Moving pot or trap gear between multiple IFQ management areas. A 
vessel using fixed gear declared into the limited entry groundfish non-
trawl Shorebased IFQ fishery may deploy pot or trap gear in multiple IFQ 
management areas on a trip provided the vessel does not retrieve gear 
from more than one IFQ management area during a trip.
    (3) IFQ program allocations. Allocations for the Shorebased IFQ 
Program are determined for IFQ species as follows:
    (i) For Pacific whiting, the Shorebased IFQ Program allocation is 
specified at Sec. 660.55(i)(2), subpart C, 42 percent.
    (ii) For Sablefish N. of 36[deg] N. lat., the Shorebased IFQ Program 
allocation is the limited entry trawl allocation specified at Sec. 
660.55(h), subpart C, minus any set-asides for the mothership and C/P 
sectors for that species.
    (iii) For IFQ species listed in the trawl/non-trawl allocation 
table, specified at Sec. 660.55(c), subpart C, allocations are 
determined by applying the trawl

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column percent to the fishery harvest guideline minus any set-asides for 
the mothership and C/P sectors for that species.
    (iv) The remaining IFQ species (bocaccio, canary rockfish, cowcod, 
darkblotched rockfish, lingcod S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat., minor shelf 
rockfish N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat., minor shelf rockfish S of 
40[deg]10[min] N lat., and minor slope rockfish S of 40[deg]10[min] N 
lat., POP, widow rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish) are allocated through 
the biennial specifications and management measures process minus any 
set-asides for the mothership and C/P sectors for that species.
    (v) For Pacific halibut N. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat., the Shorebased 
IFQ Program allocation is specified at 660.55(m).
    (vi) For each IFQ species, NMFS will determine annual sub-
allocations to individual QS accounts by multiplying the percent of QS 
or IBQ registered to the account by the amount of each respective IFQ 
species allocated to the Shorebased IFQ Program for that year. For each 
IFQ species, NMFS will deposit QP or IBQ pounds in the respective QS 
account in the amount of each sub-allocation determined.
    (vii) Reallocations--(A) Reallocation with changes in management 
areas.
    (1) Area subdivision. If at any time after the initial allocation, 
an IFQ species is geographically subdivided, those holding QS or IBQ for 
the IFQ species being subdivided will receive an amount of QS or IBQ for 
each newly created area that is equivalent to the amount they held for 
the area before it was subdivided.
    (2) Area recombination. When two areas are combined for an IFQ 
species, the QS or IBQ held by individuals in each area will be adjusted 
proportionally such that:
    (i) The total QS or IBQ for the area sums to 100 percent, and
    (ii) A person holding QS or IBQ in the newly created area will 
receive the same amount of total QP or IBQ pounds as they would if the 
areas had not been combined.
    (3) Area line movement. When a management area boundary line is 
moved for an IFQ species, the QS or IBQ held by individuals in each area 
will be adjusted proportionally such that they each maintain their same 
share of the trawl allocation on a coastwide basis (a fishing area may 
expand or decrease, but the individual's QP or IBQ pounds for both areas 
combined wouldn't change because of the change in areas). In order to 
achieve this end, the holders of QS or IBQ in the area being reduced 
will receive QS or IBQ for the area being expanded, such that the total 
QP or IBQ pounds they would be issued will not be reduced as a result of 
the area reduction. Those holding QS or IBQ in the area being expanded 
will have their QS or IBQ reduced such that the total QP or IBQ pounds 
they receive in the year of the line movement will not increase as a 
result of the expansion (nor will it be reduced).
    (B) Reallocation with subdivision of a species group. If at any time 
after the initial allocation an IFQ species which is a species group is 
subdivided, each species or species group resulting from the subdivision 
will be an IFQ species. QS owners for the species group being subdivided 
will receive an amount of QS for each newly created IFQ species that is 
equivalent to the amount they held for the species group before it was 
subdivided. For example, if a person holds one percent of a species 
group before the subdivision, that person will hold one percent of the 
QS for each IFQ species resulting from the subdivision.
    (d) QS permits and QS accounts--(1) General. In order to obtain QS 
and/or IBQ, a person must apply for a QS permit. NMFS will determine if 
the applicant is eligible to own QS and/or IBQ in accordance with 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section. If eligible, NMFS will issue a QS 
permit, and will establish a QS account to track QS and IBQ balances for 
all IFQ species identified at Sec. 660.140(c)(1). NMFS will issue 
initial allocations of QS and IBQ in accordance with paragraph (d)(8) of 
this section. Transfers of QS and IBQ, and of QP or IBQ pounds, are 
subject to provisions at paragraph (d)(3) of this section. QS permit 
owners can monitor the status of their QS and IBQ, and associated QP and 
IBQ pounds, throughout the year in their QS account.
    (i) Annual QS adjustments. On or about January 1 each year, QS 
permit owners will be notified, via the IFQ Web site and their QS 
account, of any

[[Page 209]]

adjustments to their QS and/or IBQ allocations, for each of the IFQ 
species. Updated QS and/or IBQ values, if applicable, will reflect the 
results of: any recalculation of initial allocation formulas resulting 
from changes in provisional OYs used in the allocation formulas or 
appeals, any redistribution of QS and IBQ (e.g., resulting from 
permanent revocation of applicable permits, subject to accumulation 
limits), and any transfers of QS and/or IBQ made during the prior year.
    (ii) Annual QP and IBQ pound allocations. QP and IBQ pounds will be 
deposited into QS accounts annually. QS permit owners will be notified 
of QP deposits via the IFQ website and their QS account. QP and IBQ 
pounds will be issued to the nearest whole pound using standard rounding 
rules (i.e., decimal amounts less than 0.5 round down and 0.5 and 
greater round up). NMFS will distribute such allocations to the maximum 
extent practicable, not to exceed the total allocation. QS permit owners 
must transfer their QP and IBQ pounds from their QS account to a vessel 
account in order for those QP and IBQ pounds to be fished. QP and IBQ 
pounds must be transferred in whole pounds (i.e., no fraction of a QP or 
IBQ pound can be transferred). All QP and IBQ pounds in a QS account 
must be transferred to a vessel account between January 1 and December 
31 of the year for which they were issued in order to be fished.
    (A) Non-whiting QP annual sub-allocations. NMFS will issue QP for 
IFQ species other than Pacific whiting and Pacific halibut annually by 
multiplying the QS permit owner's QS for each such IFQ species by that 
year's shorebased trawl allocation for that IFQ species. Deposits to QS 
accounts for IFQ species other than Pacific whiting and Pacific halibut 
will be made on or about January 1 each year. Until the implementation 
of any regulatory changes developed pursuant to the first program review 
for the trawl rationalization program, the resulting AMP QP will be 
issued to all QS permit owners in proportion to their non-whiting QS.
    (1) In years where the groundfish harvest specifications are known 
by January 1, deposits to QS accounts for IFQ species will be made on or 
about January 1.
    (2) In years where the groundfish harvest specifications are not 
known by January 1, NMFS will issue QP in two parts. On or about January 
1, NMFS will deposit QP based on the shorebased trawl allocation 
multiplied by the lower end of the range of potential harvest 
specifications for that year. After the final harvest specifications are 
established later in the year, NMFS will deposit additional QP to the QS 
account.
    (3) In years where the non-tribal deductions from the TAC, ACL, or 
ACT when specified, described at Sec. 660.55(b), were too high and 
would go unharvested, NMFS may increase the shorebased trawl allocation, 
consistent with Sec. 660.60(c), and issue additional QP to QS accounts.
    (B) Pacific whiting QP annual allocation. NMFS will issue QP for 
Pacific whiting annually by multiplying the QS permit owner's QS for 
Pacific whiting by that year's shorebased trawl allocation for Pacific 
whiting.
    (1) In years where the Pacific whiting harvest specification is 
known by January 1, deposits to QS accounts for Pacific whiting will be 
made on or about January 1.
    (2) In years where the Pacific whiting harvest specification is not 
known by January 1, NMFS will issue Pacific whiting QP in two parts. On 
or about January 1, NMFS will deposit Pacific whiting QP based on the 
shorebased trawl allocation multiplied by the lower end of the range of 
potential harvest specifications for Pacific whiting for that year. 
After the final Pacific whiting harvest specifications are established 
later in the year, NMFS will deposit additional QP to QS accounts.
    (3) In years where the non-tribal deductions from the TAC, ACL, or 
ACT when specified, described at Sec. 660.55(b), were too high and 
would go unharvested, NMFS may increase the shorebased trawl allocation, 
consistent with Sec. 660.60(c), and issue additional QP to QS accounts.
    (4) In years where there is reapportionment of Pacific whiting, 
specified at Sec. 660.131(h), to the Shorebased IFQ Program, NMFS will 
increase the shorebased trawl allocation and issue

[[Page 210]]

additional QP to QS accounts as described at paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(B)(3) 
of this section.
    (C) Pacific halibut IBQ pounds annual allocation. NMFS will issue 
IBQ pounds for Pacific halibut annually by multiplying the QS permit 
owner's IBQ percent by the Shorebased IFQ Program component of the trawl 
bycatch mortality limit for that year. Deposits to QS accounts for 
Pacific halibut IBQ pounds will be made on or about January 1 each year. 
Mortality of any size Pacific halibut count against IBQ pounds.
    (1) In years where the Pacific halibut total constant exploitation 
yield is known by January 1, deposits to QS accounts will be made on or 
about January 1.
    (2) In years where the Pacific halibut total constant exploitation 
yield is not known by January 1, NMFS will issue QP in two parts. On or 
about January 1, NMFS will deposit QP based on some portion of the 
International Pacific Halibut Commission's staff recommended total 
constant exploitation yield from their interim meeting. After the final 
Pacific halibut total constant exploitation yield is established from 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission's annual meeting, NMFS will 
deposit additional QP to the QS account.
    (D) Shorebased trawl allocations. For the trawl fishery, NMFS will 
issue QP based on the following shorebased trawl allocations:

                                       Table 1 to Paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               2023 shorebased   2024 shorebased
                 IFQ species                               Area               trawl allocation  trawl allocation
                                                                                     (mt)              (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH..........................  Coastwide.....................              4.42              4.42
Arrowtooth flounder.........................  Coastwide.....................         15,640.17         11,408.87
Bocaccio....................................  South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.            700.33            694.87
Canary rockfish.............................  Coastwide.....................            842.50            830.22
Chilipepper.................................  South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.          1,563.80           1517.60
Cowcod......................................  South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.             24.80             24.42
Darkblotched rockfish.......................  Coastwide.....................            646.78            613.53
Dover sole..................................  Coastwide.....................         45,972.75         45,972.75
English sole................................  Coastwide.....................          8,320.56          8,265.46
Lingcod.....................................  North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.          1,829.27          1,593.47
Lingcod.....................................  South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.            284.20            282.60
Longspine thornyhead........................  North of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.          2,129.23          2,002.88
Pacific cod.................................  Coastwide.....................          1,039.30          1,039.30
Pacific halibut (IBQ) \a\...................  North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.               TBD               TBD
Pacific ocean perch.........................  North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.          2,956.14          2,832.64
Pacific whiting \a\.........................  Coastwide.....................        159,681.38               TBD
Petrale sole................................  Coastwide.....................          3,063.76          2,863.76
Sablefish...................................  North of 36[deg] N lat........          3,893.50          3,559.38
Sablefish...................................  South of 36[deg] N lat........            970.00            889.00
Shortspine thornyhead.......................  North of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.          1,146.67          1,117.22
Shortspine thornyhead.......................  South of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.                50                50
Splitnose rockfish..........................  South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.          1,494.70          1,457.60
Starry flounder.............................  Coastwide.....................            171.86            171.86
Widow rockfish..............................  Coastwide.....................         11,509.68         10,367.68
Yellowtail rockfish.........................  North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.          3,761.84          3,668.56
Other Flatfish complex......................  Coastwide.....................          4,142.09          4,152.89
Shelf Rockfish complex......................  North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.            694.70            691.65
Shelf Rockfish complex......................  South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.            163.02            163.02
Slope Rockfish complex......................  North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.            894.43            874.99
Slope Rockfish complex......................  South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.             417.1            414.58
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Managed through an international process. These allocations will be updated when announced.

    (2) Eligibility and registration--(i) Eligibility. Only the 
following persons are eligible to own QS permits:
    (A) A United States citizen, that is eligible to own and control a 
U.S. fishing vessel with a fishery endorsement pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 
12113 (general fishery endorsement requirements and 75 percent 
citizenship requirement for entities);
    (B) A permanent resident alien, that is eligible to own and control 
a U.S.

[[Page 211]]

fishing vessel with a fishery endorsement pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 12113 
(general fishery endorsement requirements and 75 percent citizenship 
requirement for entities); or
    (C) A corporation, partnership, or other entity established under 
the laws of the United States or any State, that is eligible to own and 
control a U.S. fishing vessel with a fishery endorsement pursuant to 46 
U.S.C. 12113 (general fishery endorsement requirements and 75 percent 
citizenship requirement for entities). However, there is an exception 
for any entity that owns a mothership that participated in the west 
coast groundfish fishery during the allocation period and is eligible to 
own or control that U.S. fishing vessel with a fishery endorsement 
pursuant to sections 203(g) and 213(g) of the AFA.
    (ii) Registration. A QS account will be established by NMFS with the 
issuance of a QS permit. The administrative functions associated with 
the Shorebased IFQ Program (e.g., account registration, landing 
transactions, and transfers) are designed to be accomplished online; 
therefore, a participant must have access to a computer with Internet 
access and must set up online access to their QS account to participate. 
The computer must have Internet browser software installed (e.g., 
Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Firefox); as well as the Adobe 
Flash Player software version 9.0 or greater. NMFS will mail initial QS 
permit owners instructions to set up online access to their QS account. 
NMFS will use the QS account to send messages to QS permit owners; it is 
important for QS permit owners to monitor their online QS account and 
all associated messages.
    (iii) QS permit application process. NMFS will accept a QS permit 
application from January 1 to November 30 of each calendar year. QS 
permit applications received between December 1 and December 31 will be 
processed by NMFS in the following calendar year. NMFS will issue only 
one QS permit to each unique person, as defined at Sec. 660.11 subject 
to the eligibility requirements at paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section. 
Each applicant must submit a complete application. A complete 
application includes a QS permit application form, payment of required 
fees, complete documentation of QS permit ownership on the Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form as required under paragraph 
(d)(4)(iv) of this section, and a complete economic data collection form 
as required under Sec. 660.114. NMFS may require additional 
documentation as it deems necessary to make a determination on the 
application. The QS permit application will be considered incomplete 
until the required information is submitted.
    (A) Initial administrative determination. For all complete 
applications, NMFS will issue an IAD that either approves or disapproves 
the application. If approved, the QS permit serves as the IAD. If 
disapproved, the IAD will provide the reasons for this determination. If 
the applicant does not appeal the IAD within 30 calendar days, the IAD 
becomes the final decision of the Regional Administrator acting on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce.
    (B) Effective date. The QS permit is effective on the date given on 
the permit and remains effective until the end of the calendar year.
    (C) Appeals. If NMFS does not accept the QS permit application, the 
applicant may appeal the IAD consistent with the general permit appeals 
process defined at Sec. 660.25(g).
    (3) Renewal, change of permit ownership, and transfers--(i) Renewal. 
(A) QS permits expire at the end of each calendar year, and must be 
renewed between October 1 and November 30 of each year in order to 
remain in effect the following year. A complete QS permit renewal 
package must be received by NMFS no later than November 30 to be 
accepted by NMFS. A QS permit owner may submit a paper renewal package 
after January 1 of the following year as described in paragraph 
(d)(3)(i)(C) of this section.
    (B) Notification to renew QS permits will be sent by SFD by 
September 15 each year to the QS permit owner's most recent address in 
the SFD record. The QS permit owner shall provide SFD with notice of any 
address change within 15 days of the change.
    (C) A complete QS permit renewal package must be received by 
November 30 of each calendar year. If a complete

[[Page 212]]

QS permit renewal package is not received by November 30, NMFS will not 
renew the QS permit, the associated QS account will not be activated in 
the following calendar year, and QS may not be transferred. NMFS will 
not issue QP or IBQ pounds associated with the non-renewed QS permit for 
that year. Any QP or IBQ pounds derived from the QS or IBQ in the 
inactive QS account will be distributed to the active QS accounts in 
proportion to the QS or IBQ for each IFQ species given on the renewed QS 
permit. If a QS permit is not renewed during the October 1 through 
November 30 renewal period, the QS permit owner may renew after January 
1 in the following year by submission of a paper renewal application, or 
may renew the QS permit during the next October 1 through November 30 
renewal period. For renewals submitted after January 1, QPs allocated as 
specified at paragraph (d)(1) of this section will not be allocated to 
the QS account in that year. The QS permit owner will be able to 
transfer QS percentages from the time the QS account is activated until 
November 30 of that calendar year.
    (D) QS permits will not be renewed until SFD has received a complete 
application for a QS permit renewal, which includes payment of required 
fees, complete documentation of QS permit ownership on the Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form as required under paragraph 
(d)(4)(iv) of this section, a complete economic data collection form as 
required under Sec. 660.114. The QS permit renewal will be considered 
incomplete until the required information is submitted.
    (E) Effective Date. A QS permit is effective on the date given on 
the permit and remains effective until the end of the calendar year.
    (F) IAD and appeals. QS permit renewals are subject to the permit 
appeals process specified at Sec. 660.25(g), subpart C.
    (ii) Change of permit ownership and transfer restrictions--(A) 
Change in QS permit ownership. Ownership of a QS permit cannot be 
registered to another individual or entity. The QS permit owner cannot 
change or add additional individuals or entities as owners of the permit 
(i.e., cannot change the legal name of the permit owner(s) as given on 
the permit). Any change in ownership of the QS permit requires the new 
owner(s) to apply for a QS permit, and is subject to accumulation limits 
and approval by NMFS.
    (B) Transfers of QS or IBQ or QP or IBQ pounds. (1) General. 
Transfers of QS or IBQ from one QS account to another QS account and 
transfers of QP or IBQ pounds from a QS account to a vessel account must 
be accomplished via the online QS account. During the year there may be 
situations where NMFS deems it necessary to prohibit transfers (i.e., 
account reconciliation, system maintenance, or for emergency fishery 
management reasons). To make a transfer, a QS permit owner must initiate 
a transfer request by logging onto the online QS account. Following the 
instructions provided on the Web site, the QS permit owner must enter 
pertinent information regarding the transfer request including, but not 
limited to: IFQ species, amount of QS, IBQ, QP, or IBQ pounds to be 
transferred for each IFQ species; name and any other identifier of the 
eligible transferee (e.g., QS permit number, vessel account number); and 
the value of the transferred QS, IBQ, QP, or IBQ pounds for each IFQ 
species. The online system will verify whether all information has been 
entered and whether the transfer complies with ownership limits or 
vessel limits, as applicable. If the information is not accepted, an 
electronic message will record as much in the transferor's QS account 
explaining the reason(s). If the information is accepted, the online 
system will record the pending transfer in both the transferor's QS 
account and the transferee's QS account or vessel account. The 
transferee must approve the transfer by electronic signature in order 
for the transfer to be completed. If the transferee accepts the 
transfer, the online system will record the transfer and confirm the 
transaction in both the transferor's QS account and the transferee's QS 
account or vessel account through a transaction confirmation notice. 
Once the transferee accepts the transaction, the transaction is final 
and permanent.
    (2) Transfer of QS or IBQ between QS accounts. QS permit owners may 
transfer QS or IBQ to another owner of a QS permit, subject to 
accumulation limits

[[Page 213]]

and approval by NMFS. QS or IBQ is transferred as a percent, divisible 
to one-thousandth of a percent (i.e., greater than or equal to 0.001 
percent). QS or IBQ cannot be transferred to a vessel account. Owners of 
non-renewed QS permits may not transfer QS. QP in QS accounts cannot be 
transferred between QS accounts. NMFS will allocate QP based on the QS 
percentages as listed on a QS permit that was renewed during the 
previous October 1 through November 30 renewal period. QS transfers will 
be recorded in the QS account but will not become effective for purposes 
of allocating QPs until the following year. QS or IBQ may not be 
transferred between December 1 through December 31 each year. Any QS 
transaction that is pending as of December 1 will be administratively 
retracted. NMFS will allocate QP for the following year based on the QS 
percentages as of December 1 of each year.
    (3) Transfer of QP or IBQ pounds from a QS account to a vessel 
account. QP or IBQ pounds must be transferred in whole pounds (i.e., no 
fraction of a QP can be transferred). QP or IBQ pounds must be 
transferred to a vessel account in order to be used. Transfers of QP or 
IBQ pounds from a QS account to a vessel account are subject to annual 
vessel accumulation limits and NMFS' approval. Once QP or IBQ pounds are 
transferred from a QS account to a vessel account (accepted by the 
transferee/vessel owner), they cannot be transferred back to a QS 
account and may only be transferred to another vessel account. QP or IBQ 
pounds may not be transferred from one QS account to another QS account. 
All QP or IBQ pounds from a QS account must be transferred to one or 
more vessel accounts by December 31 each year in order to be fished. All 
QP or IBQ pounds expire at the end of the post-season transfer period of 
the year after which they were issued. If, in any year, the Regional 
Administrator makes a decision to reapportion Pacific whiting from the 
tribal to the non-tribal fishery or NMFS releases additional QP 
consistent with Sec. 660.60(c) and paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this 
section, NMFS will credit QS accounts with additional QP proportionally, 
based on the QS percent for a particular QS permit owner and the 
increase in the shorebased trawl allocation specified at paragraph 
(d)(1)(ii)(D) of this section.
    (C) Effective date--(1) Transfer of QS or IBQ between QS accounts is 
effective on the date approved by NMFS.
    (2) Transfer of QP or IBQ pounds from a QS account to a vessel 
account is effective on the date approved by NMFS.
    (D) IAD and appeals. Transfers are subject to the permit appeals 
process specified at Sec. 660.25 (g), subpart C.
    (4) Accumulation limits--(i) QS and IBQ control limits. QS and IBQ 
control limits are accumulation limits and are the amount of QS and IBQ 
that a person, individually or collectively, may own or control. QS and 
IBQ control limits are expressed as a percentage of the Shorebased IFQ 
Program's allocation.
    (A) Control limits for individual species. No person may own or 
control, or have a controlling influence over, by any means whatsoever 
an amount of QS or IBQ for any individual species that exceeds the 
Shorebased IFQ Program accumulation limits.
    (B) Control limit for aggregate nonwhiting QS holdings. To determine 
how much aggregate nonwhiting QS a person holds, NMFS will convert the 
person's QS to pounds. This conversion will always be conducted using 
the trawl allocations applied to the 2010 OYs, until such time as the 
Council recommends otherwise. Specifically, NMFS will multiply each 
person's QS for each species by the shoreside trawl allocation for that 
species. The person's pounds for all nonwhiting species will be summed 
and divided by the shoreside trawl allocation of all nonwhiting species 
to calculate the person's share of the aggregate nonwhiting trawl quota. 
To determine the shoreside trawl allocation for the purpose of 
determining compliance with the aggregate nonwhiting control limit, for 
species that have specific trawl allocation percentages in Amendment 21, 
NMFS will apply the Amendment 21 trawl allocation percentages to (set 
forth at Sec. 660.55) the 2010 OYs, and where applicable, will deduct 
the preliminary set-asides for the at-sea sectors from Amendment 21. For 
species

[[Page 214]]

that do not have specific trawl allocation percentages in Amendment 21, 
NMFS will apply a percentage based on the Northwest Fishery Science 
Center final report on 2010 estimated total fishing mortality of 
groundfish by sector, or, if the final report for 2010 is not available, 
based on the most recent report available.
    (C) The Shorebased IFQ Program accumulation limits are as follows:

                           Accumulation Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            QS and IBQ
                    Species category                      control limit
                                                           (in percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder....................................             10
Bocaccio S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat...................             13.2
Canary rockfish........................................              4.4
Chilipepper S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat................             10
Cowcod S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.....................             17.7
Darkblotched rockfish..................................              4.5
Dover sole.............................................              2.6
English sole...........................................              5
Lingcod:
  N. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat..........................              2.5
  S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat..........................              2.5
Longspine thornyhead:
  N. of 34[deg]27[min] N. lat..........................              6
Minor rockfish complex N. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.:
  Shelf species........................................              5
  Slope species........................................              5
Minor rockfish complex S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.:
  Shelf species........................................              9
  Slope species........................................              6
Other flatfish stock complex...........................             10
Pacific cod............................................             12
Pacific halibut (IBQ) N. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat......              5.4
Pacific ocean perch N. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat........              4
Pacific whiting (shoreside)............................             10
Petrale sole...........................................              3
Sablefish:
  N. of 36[deg] N. lat. (Monterey north)...............              3
  S. of 36[deg] N. lat. (Conception area)..............             10
Shortspine thornyhead:
  N. of 34[deg]27[min] N. lat..........................              6
  S. of 34[deg]27[min] N. lat..........................              6
Splitnose rockfish S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.........             10
Starry flounder........................................             10
Widow rockfish.........................................              5.1
Yelloweye rockfish.....................................              5.7
Yellowtail rockfish N. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat........              5
Non-whiting groundfish species.........................              2.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Ownership--individual and collective rule. The QS or IBQ that 
counts toward a person's accumulation limit will include:
    (A) The QS or IBQ owned by that person, and
    (B) That portion of the QS or IBQ owned by an entity in which that 
person has an economic or financial interest, where the person's share 
of interest in that entity will determine the portion of that entity's 
QS or IBQ that counts toward the person's limit.
    (iii) Control. Control means, but is not limited to, the following:
    (A) The person has the right to direct, or does direct, in whole or 
in part, the business of the entity to which the QS or IBQ are 
registered, with the exception of those activities allowed under 
paragraphs (d)(4)(iii)(C) and (G) of this section;
    (B) The person has the right to limit the actions of or replace, or 
does limit the actions of or replace, the chief executive officer, a 
majority of the board of directors, any general partner, or any person 
serving in a management capacity of the entity to which the QS or IBQ 
are registered, with the exception of those activities allowed under 
paragraphs (d)(4)(iii)(C) and (G) of this section;
    (C) The person, excluding banks and other financial institutions 
that rely on QS or IBQ as collateral for loans as described under 
paragraph (d)(4)(iii)(G) of this section, has the right to direct, or 
does direct, and/or the right to prevent or delay, or does prevent or 
delay, the transfer of QS or IBQ, or the resulting QP or IBQ pounds;
    (D) The person, through loan covenants or any other means, has the 
right to restrict, or does restrict, and/or has a controlling influence 
over the day to day business activities or management policies of the 
entity to which the QS or IBQ are registered, with the exception of 
those activities allowed under paragraphs (d)(4)(iii)(C) and (G) of this 
section;
    (E) The person, has the right to restrict, or does restrict, any 
activity related to QS or IBQ or QP or IBQ pounds, including, but not 
limited to, use of QS or IBQ, or the resulting QP or IBQ pounds, or 
disposition of fish harvested under the resulting QP or IBQ pounds, with 
the exception of those activities allowed under paragraphs 
(d)(4)(iii)(C) and (G) of this section;
    (F) The person has the right to control, or does control, the 
management of, or to be a controlling factor in, the entity to which the 
QS or IBQ, or the resulting QP or IBQ pounds, are registered, with the 
exception of those activities allowed under paragraphs (d)(4)(iii)(C) 
and (G) of this section;
    (G) The person, excluding banks and other financial institutions 
that rely

[[Page 215]]

on QS or IBQ as collateral for loans, has the right to cause or prevent, 
or does cause or prevent, the sale, lease or other disposition of QS or 
IBQ, or the resulting QP or IBQ pounds; and
    (1) To qualify for this exception, a bank or other financial 
institution must be regularly or primarily engaged in the business of 
lending and not engaged in or controlled by entities whose primary 
business is the harvesting, processing, or distribution of fish or fish 
products.
    (2) Any state or federally chartered bank or financial institution 
that meets the requirement of paragraph (d)(4)(iii)(G)(1) of this 
section does not need to submit additional information to NMFS.
    (3) Any entity that is not a state or federally chartered bank or 
financial institution, must submit a letter requesting the exception and 
disclose the identity and interest share of any shareholder with a 2% or 
more ownership interest in the lender through submission of the Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form (see paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of 
this section). The lender must make subsequent annual submissions of the 
letter and Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form to maintain 
the exception. Letters requesting the exception and complete Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Forms may be submitted to NMFS, 
West Coast Region, Permits Office, ATTN: Fisheries Permit Office, Bldg. 
1, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. NMFS will only accept 
complete applications.
    (H) The person has the ability through any means whatsoever to 
control or have a controlling influence over the entity to which QS or 
IBQ is registered, with the exception of those activities allowed under 
paragraphs (d)(4)(iii)(C) and (G) of this section.
    (iv) Trawl identification of ownership interest form. Any person 
that owns a limited entry trawl permit and that is applying for or 
renewing a QS permit shall document those persons that have an ownership 
interest in the limited entry trawl or QS permit greater than or equal 
to 2 percent. This ownership interest must be documented with the SFD 
via the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form. For renewal, if 
the limited entry trawl permit and QS permit have identical ownership 
interest, only one form need be submitted attesting to such ownership. 
SFD will not issue a QS permit unless the Trawl Identification of 
Ownership Interest Form has been completed. Further, if SFD discovers 
through review of the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form 
that a person owns or controls more than the accumulation limits and is 
not authorized to do so under paragraph (d)(4)(v) of this section, the 
person will be notified and the QS permit will be issued up to the 
accumulation limit specified in the QS or IBQ control limit table from 
paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section. NMFS may request additional 
information of the applicant as necessary to verify compliance with 
accumulation limits.
    (v) Divestiture. Accumulation limits will be calculated by first 
calculating the aggregate nonwhiting QS limit and then the individual 
species QS or IBQ control limits. For QS permit owners (including any 
person who has ownership interest in the owner named on the permit) that 
are found to exceed the accumulation limits during the reallocation of 
widow rockfish QS, an adjustment period will be provided during which 
they will have to completely divest their QS or IBQ in excess of the 
accumulation limits. If NMFS identifies that a QS permit owner exceeds 
the accumulation limits in 2016 or beyond, the QS permit owner must 
divest of the QS or IBQ in excess of the accumulation limits according 
to the procedure provided under paragraph (d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this 
section. Owners of QS or IBQ in excess of the control limits may receive 
and use the QP or IBQ pounds associated with that excess, up to the time 
their divestiture is completed.
    (A) Divestiture and redistribution process in 2016 and beyond. Any 
person owning or controlling QS or IBQ must comply with the accumulation 
limits, even if that control is not reflected in the ownership records 
available to NMFS as specified under paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (iii) of 
this section. If NMFS identifies that a QS permit owner exceeds

[[Page 216]]

an accumulation limit in 2016 or beyond for a reason other than the 
reallocation of widow rockfish, NMFS will notify the QS permit owner 
that he or she has 90 days to divest of the excess QS or IBQ. In the 
case that a QS permit owner exceeds the control limit for aggregate 
nonwhiting QS holdings, the QS permit owner may abandon QS to NMFS 
within 60 days of the notification by NMFS, using the procedure provided 
under paragraph (d)(4)(v)(C) of this section. After the 90-day 
divestiture period, NMFS will revoke all QS or IBQ held by a person 
(including any person who has ownership interest in the owner names on 
the permit) in excess of the accumulation limits following the 
procedures specified under paragraphs (d)(4)(v)(D) through (G) of this 
section. All abandoned or revoked shares will be redistributed to all 
other QS permit owners in proportion to their QS or IBQ holdings on or 
about January 1 of the following calendar year, based on current 
ownership records, except that no person will be allocated an amount of 
QS or IBQ that would put that person over an accumulation limit.
    (B) Divestiture and redistribution process for the reallocation of 
widow rockfish. Any person owning or controlling QS or IBQ must comply 
with the accumulation limits, even if that control is not reflected in 
the ownership records available to NMFS as specified under paragraphs 
(d)(4)(i) and (iii) of this section. If the reallocation of widow 
rockfish puts any QS permit owner over an accumulation limit, the QS 
permit owner will have until November 30 of the year widow rockfish 
becomes transferrable to divest of their excess widow rockfish QS. In 
the case that a QS permit owner exceeds the control limit for aggregate 
nonwhiting QS holdings as the result of the reallocation of widow 
rockfish, the permit owner may abandon QS to NMFS by November 15 of the 
year widow rockfish becomes transferrable, using the procedure provided 
under paragraph (d)(4)(v)(C) of this section. NMFS will announce the QS 
transfer date for widow rockfish, the divestiture deadline, and the 
abandonment deadline after the widow reallocation IAD appeal deadline. 
After the widow rockfish reallocation divestiture period, NMFS will 
revoke all QS and IBQ held by a person (including any person who has 
ownership interest in the owner names on the permit) in excess of the 
accumulation limits following the procedures specified under paragraphs 
(d)(4)(v)(D) through (G) of this section. All abandoned or revoked 
shares will be redistributed to all other QS permit owners in proportion 
to their QS or IBQ holdings on or about January 1 of the following 
calendar year, based on current ownership records, except that no person 
will be allocated an amount of QS or IBQ that would put that person over 
an accumulation limit.
    (C) Abandonment of QS. QS permit owners that are over the control 
limit for aggregate nonwhiting QS holdings may voluntarily abandon QS if 
they notify NMFS in writing by the applicable deadline specified under 
paragraph (d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this section. The written abandonment 
request must include the following information: QS permit number, IFQ 
species, and the QS percentage to be abandoned. Either the QS permit 
owner or an authorized representative of the QS permit owner must sign 
the request. QS permit owners choosing to utilize the abandonment option 
will permanently relinquish to NMFS any right to the abandoned QS, and 
the QS will be redistributed as described under paragraph (d)(4)(v)(A) 
or (B) of this section. No compensation will be due for any abandoned 
shares.
    (D) Revocation. NMFS will revoke QS from any QS permit owner who 
exceeds an accumulation limit after the divestiture deadline specified 
under paragraph (d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this section. NMFS will follow 
the revocation approach summarized in the following table and explained 
under paragraphs (d)(4)(v)(E) through (G) of this section:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     If, after the divestiture
    deadline, a QS permit owner                     Then
              exceeds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
An individual species control       NMFS will revoke excess QS at the
 limit in one QS permit.             species level.

[[Page 217]]

 
An individual species control       NMFS will revoke QS at the species
 limit across multiple QS permits.   level in proportion to the amount
                                     the QS percentage from each permit
                                     contributes to the total QS
                                     percentage owned.
The control limit for aggregate     NMFS will revoke QS at the species
 nonwhiting QS holdings.             level in proportion to the amount
                                     of the aggregate overage divided by
                                     the aggregate total owned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (E) Revocation of excess QS or IBQ from one QS permit. In cases 
where a person has not divested to the control limits for individual 
species in one QS permit by the deadline specified under paragraph 
(d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this section, NMFS will revoke excess QS at the 
species level in order to get that person to the limits. NMFS will 
redistribute the revoked QS following the process specified in paragraph 
(d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this section. No compensation will be due for any 
revoked shares.
    (F) Revocation of excess QS or IBQ from multiple QS permits. In 
cases where a person has not divested to the control limits for 
individual species across QS permits by the deadline specified under 
paragraph (d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this section, NMFS will revoke QS at 
the species level in proportion to the amount the QS percentage from 
each permit contributes to the total QS percentage owned. NMFS will 
redistribute the revoked QS following the process specified in paragraph 
(d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this section. No compensation will be due for any 
revoked shares.
    (G) Revocation of QS in excess of the control limit for aggregate 
nonwhiting QS holdings. In cases where a QS permit owner has not 
divested to the control limit for aggregate nonwhiting QS holdings by 
the deadline specified under paragraph (d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this 
section, NMFS will revoke QS at the species level in proportion to the 
amount of the aggregate overage divided by the aggregate total owned. 
NMFS will redistribute the revoked QS following the process in paragraph 
(d)(4)(v)(A) or (B) of this section. No compensation will be due for any 
revoked shares.
    (5) Appeals. An appeal to a QS permit or QS account action follows 
the same process as the general permit appeals process as defined at 
Sec. 660.25(g), subpart C.
    (6) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge fees 
for administrative costs associated with the issuance of a QS permit 
consistent with the provisions given at Sec. 660.25(f), subpart C.
    (7) [Reserved]
    (8) Application requirements and initial issuance for QS permit and 
QS/IBQ--(i) Additional definitions. The following definitions are 
applicable to paragraph (d)(8) of this section and apply to terms used 
for the purposes of application requirements and initial issuance of QS 
permits and QS/IBQ:
    (A) Nonwhiting trip means a fishing trip where less than 50 percent 
by weight of all fish reported on the state landing receipt is whiting.
    (B) PacFIN means the Pacific Fisheries Information Network of the 
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
    (C) Relative history means the landings history of a permit for a 
species, year, and area subdivision, divided by the total fleet history 
of the sector for that species, year, and area subdivision, as 
appropriate, or, in the case of shoreside processors, the annual sum of 
the shoreside processor's whiting receipts divided by the aggregate 
annual sum of whiting received by all shoreside processors in that year. 
Relative history is expressed as a percent.
    (D) Shoreside processor means an operation, working on U.S. soil, 
that takes delivery of trawl caught groundfish that has not been 
processed; and that thereafter engages that fish in shoreside 
processing. Entities that received fish that have not undergone at-sea 
processing or shoreside processing and sell that fish directly to 
consumers shall not be considered a processor for purposes of QS 
allocations. Shoreside processing is defined as either of the following:
    (1) Any activity that takes place shoreside; and that involves: 
Cutting groundfish into smaller portions; or

[[Page 218]]

freezing, cooking, smoking, drying groundfish; or packaging that 
groundfish for resale into 100 pound units or smaller for sale or 
distribution into a wholesale or retail market.
    (2) The purchase and redistribution in to a wholesale or retail 
market of live groundfish from a harvesting vessel.
    (E) Whiting trip means a fishing trip where greater than or equal to 
50 percent by weight of all fish reported on the state landing receipt 
is whiting.
    (ii) Eligibility criteria for QS permit and QS/IBQ. Only the 
following persons are eligible to receive a QS permit or QS/IBQ:
    (A) The owner of a valid trawl limited entry permit is eligible to 
receive a QS permit and its associated QS or IBQ amount. Any past 
landings history associated with the current limited entry trawl permit 
accrues to the current permit owner. NMFS will not recognize any person 
as the limited entry permit owner other than the person listed as 
limited entry permit owner in NMFS permit database. If a limited entry 
permit has history on state landing receipts and has been combined with 
a permit that has received or will receive a C/P endorsement, the trawl 
limited entry permit does not qualify for QS or IBQ.
    (B) Shoreside processors that meet the recent participation 
requirement of having received deliveries of 1 mt or more of whiting 
from whiting trips in each of any two years from 1998 through 2004 are 
eligible for an initial issuance of whiting QS. NMFS will initially 
identify shoreside processors by reference to Pacific whiting shoreside 
first receivers recorded on fish tickets in the relevant PacFIN dataset 
on July 1, 2010, subject to correction as described in paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(G) of this section.
    (iii) Steps for QS and IBQ allocation formulas. The QS and IBQ 
allocation formulas are applied in the following steps:
    (A) First, for each limited entry trawl permit owner, NMFS will 
determine a preliminary QS allocation for non-whiting trips.
    (B) Second, for each limited entry trawl permit owner, NMFS will 
determine a preliminary QS allocation for whiting trips.
    (C) Third, for each limited entry trawl permit owner, NMFS will 
combine the amounts resulting from paragraphs (d)(8)(iii)(A) and (B) of 
this section.
    (D) Fourth, NMFS will reduce the results for limited entry trawl 
permit owners by 10 percent of non-whiting species as a set aside for 
Adaptive Management Program (AMP) and by 20 percent of whiting for the 
initial issuance of QS allocated to qualifying shoreside processors.
    (E) Fifth, NMFS will determine the whiting QS allocation for 
qualifying shoreside processors from the 20 percent of whiting QS 
allocated to qualifying shoreside processors at initial issuance of QS.
    (F) Sixth, for each limited entry trawl permit owner, NMFS will 
determine the Pacific halibut IBQ allocation.
    (G) Seventh, for limited entry trawl permits transferred after 
November 8, 2008, or if transferred earlier, not registered with NMFS by 
November 30, 2008, for which NMFS determines the owners of such permits 
would exceed the accumulation limits specified at paragraph (d)(4) of 
this section based on the previous steps, NMFS will redistribute the 
excess QS or IBQ to other qualified QS permit owners within the 
accumulation limits.
    (iv) Allocation formula for specific QS and IBQ amounts--(A) 
Allocation formula rules. Unless otherwise specified, the following 
rules will be applied to data for the purpose of calculating an initial 
allocation of QS and IBQ:
    (1) For limited entry trawl permit owners, a permit will be assigned 
catch history or relative history based on the landing history of the 
vessel(s) associated with the permit at the time the landings were made.
    (2) The relevant PacFIN dataset includes species compositions based 
on port sampled data and applied to data at the vessel level.
    (3) Only landings of IFQ species which are caught in the exclusive 
economic zone or adjacent state waters off Washington, Oregon and 
California will be used for calculation of allocation formulas. For the 
purpose of allocation

[[Page 219]]

of IFQ species for which the QS or IBQ will be subdivided by area, catch 
areas have been assigned to landings of IFQ species reported on state 
landing receipts based on port of landing.
    (4) History from limited entry permits that have been combined with 
a permit that may qualify for a C/P endorsement and which has shorebased 
permit history will not be included in the preliminary QS and IBQ 
allocation formula, other than in the determination of fleet history 
used in the calculation of relative history for permits that do not have 
a C/P endorsement.
    (5) History of illegal landings and landings made under non-whiting 
EFPs that are in excess of the cumulative limits in place for the non-
EFP fishery will not count toward the allocation of QS or IBQ.
    (6) The limited entry permit's landings history includes the 
landings history of permits that have been previously combined with that 
permit.
    (7) If two or more limited entry trawl permits have been 
simultaneously registered to the same vessel, NMFS will split the 
landing history evenly between all such limited entry trawl-endorsed 
permits during the time they were simultaneously registered to the 
vessel.
    (8) Unless otherwise noted, the calculation for QS or IBQ allocation 
under paragraph (d)(8) of this section will be based on state landing 
receipts (fish tickets) as recorded in the relevant PacFIN dataset on 
July 1, 2010.
    (9) For limited entry trawl permits, landings under provisional 
``A'' permits that did not become ``A'' permits and ``B'' permits will 
not count toward the allocation of QS or IBQ, other than in the 
determination of fleet history used in the calculation of relative 
history for permits that do not have a C/P endorsement.
    (10) For limited entry trawl permits, NMFS will calculate initial 
issuance of QS separately based on whiting trips and non-whiting trips, 
and will weigh each calculation according to initial issuance 
allocations between whiting trips and non-whiting trips, which are one-
time allocations necessary for the formulas used during the initial 
issuance of QS to create a single Shorebased IFQ Program. The initial 
issuance allocations between whiting and non-whiting trips for canary 
rockfish, bocaccio, cowcod, yelloweye rockfish, minor shelf rockfish N. 
of 40[deg]10[min], minor shelf rockfish S. of 40[deg]10[min], and minor 
slope rockfish S. of 40[deg]10[min] will be determined through the 
biennial specifications process. The initial issuance allocations for 
the remaining IFQ species are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Initial issuance allocation percentage
            Species             ----------------------------------------
                                   Non-whiting            Whiting
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lingcod........................  99.7%..........  0.3%
Pacific Cod....................  99.9%..........  0.1%
Pacific Whiting................  0.1%...........  99.9%
Sablefish N. of 36[deg] N. lat.  98.2%..........  1.8%
Sablefish S. of 36[deg] N. lat.  100.0%.........  0.0%
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH............  remaining......  17% or 30 mt,
                                                   whichever is greater,
                                                   to shorebased + at-
                                                   sea whiting.
                                                  If under rebuilding,
                                                   52% to shorebased +
                                                   at-sea whiting.
WIDOW..........................  remaining......  If stock rebuilt, 10%
                                                   or 500 mt, whichever
                                                   is greater, to
                                                   shorebased + at-sea
                                                   whiting.
Chilipepper S. of                100.0%.........  0.0%
 40[deg]10[min] N. lat..
Splitnose S. of 40[deg]10[min]   100.0%.........  0.0%
 N. lat..
Yellowtail N. of 40[deg]10[min]  remaining......  300 mt.
 N. lat..
Shortspine N. of 34[deg]27[min]  99.9%..........  0.1%
 N. lat..
Shortspine S. of 34[deg]27[min]  100.0%.........  0.0%
 N. lat..
Longspine N. of 34[deg]27[min]   100.0%.........  0.0%
 N. lat..
DARKBLOTCHED...................  remaining......  9% or 25 mt, whichever
                                                   is greater, to
                                                   shorebased + at-sea
                                                   whiting.
Minor Slope Rockfish N. of       98.6%..........  1.4%
 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.
Dover Sole.....................  100.0%.........  0.0%
English Sole...................  99.9%..........  0.1%
Petrale Sole...................  100.0%.........  0.0%
Arrowtooth Flounder............  100.0%.........  0.0%
Starry Flounder................  100.0%.........  0.0%
Other Flatfish.................  99.9%..........  0.1%
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 220]]

    (B) Preliminary QS allocation for nonwhiting trips. NMFS will 
calculate the non-whiting preliminary QS allocation differently for 
different species groups, Groups 1 through 3.
    (1) Allocation formula species groups. For the purposes of 
preliminary QS allocation, IFQ species will be grouped as follows:
    (i) Group 1 includes lingcod, Pacific cod, Pacific whiting, 
sablefish north of 36[deg] N. lat., sablefish south of 36[deg] N. lat., 
Dover sole, English sole, petrale sole, arrowtooth flounder, starry 
flounder, other flatfish stock complex, chilipepper rockfish, splitnose 
rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, shortspine thornyhead north of 
34[deg]27[min] N. lat., shortspine thornyhead south of 34[deg]27[min] N. 
lat., longspine thornyhead north of 34[deg]27[min] N. lat., minor 
rockfish north slope species complex, minor rockfish south slope species 
complex, minor rockfish north shelf species complex, and minor rockfish 
south shelf species complex.
    (ii) Group 2 includes bocaccio, cowcod, darkblotched rockfish, 
Pacific ocean perch, widow rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish.
    (iii) Group 3 includes canary rockfish.
    (2) Group 1 species: The preliminary QS allocation process indicated 
in paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(A) of this section for Group 1 species follows 
a two-step process, one to allocate a pool of QS equally among all 
eligible limited entry permits and the other to allocate the remainder 
of the preliminary QS based on permit history. Through these two 
processes, preliminary QS totaling 100 percent for each Group 1 species 
will be allocated. In later steps this amount will be adjusted and 
reduced as indicated in paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(C) and (D), to determine 
the QS allocation.
    (i) QS to be allocated equally. The pool of QS for equal allocation 
will be determined using the landings history from Federal limited entry 
groundfish permits that were retired through the Federal buyback program 
(i.e., buyback permit) (70 FR 45695, August 8, 2005). The QS pool 
associated with the buyback permits will be the buyback permit history 
as a percent of the total fleet history for the allocation period. The 
calculation will be based on total absolute pounds with no dropped years 
and no other adjustments. The QS pool will be divided equally among 
qualifying limited entry permits for all QS species/species groups and 
areas in Group 1.
    (ii) QS to be allocated based on each permit's history. The pool for 
QS allocation based on limited entry trawl permit history will be the QS 
remaining after subtracting out the QS allocated equally. This pool will 
be allocated to each qualifying limited entry trawl permit based on the 
permit's relative history from 1994 through 2003. For each limited entry 
trawl permit, NMFS will calculate a set of relative histories using the 
following methodology. First, NMFS will sum the permit's landings by 
each year for each Group 1 species/species group and area subdivision. 
Second, NMFS will divide each permit's annual sum for a particular 
species/species group and area subdivision by the shoreside limited 
entry trawl fleet's annual sum for the same species/species group and 
area subdivision. NMFS will then calculate a total relative history for 
each permit by species/species group and area subdivision by adding all 
relative histories for the permit together and subtracting the three 
years with the lowest relative history for the permit. The result for 
each permit by species/species group and areas subdivision will be 
divided by the aggregate sum of all total relative histories of all 
qualifying limited entry trawl permits for that species/species group 
and area subdivision. NMFS will then multiply the result from this 
calculation by the amount of QS in the pool to be allocated based on 
each permit's history.
    (3) Group 2 species: The preliminary QS allocation step indicated in 
paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(A) of this section will be calculated for each 
limited entry trawl permit using a formula based on QS allocations for 
each limited entry trawl permit for 11 target species, areas of 
distribution of fishing effort as determined from 2003-2006 target 
species catch data from the PacFIN Coastwide Trawl Logbook Database, 
average bycatch ratios for each area as derived from West Coast 
Groundfish Observer Program (WCGOP) data from 2003 through 2006, and the 
non-whiting

[[Page 221]]

initial issuance allocation of the limited entry trawl allocation 
amounts for 2011 for each of the 11 target species. These data are used 
in a series of sequential steps to estimate the allocation of Group 2 
species to each limited entry trawl permit. Paragraphs 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(iii) to (vi) of this section estimate the permit's 
total 2003-2006 target species by area. Paragraphs (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(vii) 
to (xii) of this section project Group 2 species bycatch amounts using 
2003-2006 WCGOP observer ratios and the initial issuance allocation 
applied to the 2011 limited entry trawl allocation. Paragraphs 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(xiv) to (xvii) of this section convert these amounts 
into QS. As with Group 1 species, preliminary QS totaling 100 percent 
for each Group 2 species unit will be allocated and the amount of the 
allocations will be adjusted and reduced as indicated in paragraph 
(d)(8)(iii)(C) and (D) of this section to determine the QS allocation.
    (i) The 11 target species are arrowtooth flounder, starry flounder, 
other flatfish, Dover sole, English sole, petrale sole, minor slope 
rockfish, shortspine thornyheads, longspine thornyheads, sablefish, and 
Pacific cod.
    (ii) The 8 areas of distribution of fishing effort are defined 
latitudinally and by depth. The latitudinal areas are (a) north of 
47[deg]40 N. lat.; (b) between 47[deg]40 N. lat. and 43[deg]55[min] N. 
lat.; (c) 43[deg]55[min] N. lat. and 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.; and (d) 
south of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat. Each latitudinal area is further divided 
by depth into areas shoreward and seaward of the trawl Rockfish 
Conservation Area as defined at Sec. 660.130(e)(4) of this subpart.
    (iii) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will review the 
permit logbook data for that permit and sum target species catch 
recorded for the years 2003-2006, resulting in total target species 
catch in each area for each permit for the years 2003 through 2006 for 
all 11 target species in aggregate.
    (iv) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will also sum target 
species catch by area into total coastwide target species catch for each 
permit for the years 2003 through 2006 for all 11 target species in 
aggregate. For practicability, seaward or shoreward of the RCA as 
identified in the logbook data is defined as being deeper than or 
shallower than 115 fathoms, respectively.
    (v) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will divide logbook 
aggregate target species catch in each area (paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(iii) of this section) by the permit's total coastwide 
target species catch (paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(iv) of this section) to 
create a set of 8 area catch ratios for each permit. (Note: The sum of 
all area catch ratios equals 1 for each permit).
    (vi) For limited entry trawl permits where the vessel registered to 
the permit did not submit logbooks showing any catch of the 11 target 
species for any of the years 2003 through 2006, NMFS will use the 
following formula to calculate area target catch ratios: (a) NMFS will 
sum by area all limited entry trawl permits' total logbook area target 
catches from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(iii) of this section, (b) NMFS 
will sum coastwide all limited entry trawl permits' total logbook target 
catches across all areas from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(iv) of this 
section, and (c) NMFS will divide these sums (i.e., a/b) to create 
average permit logbook area target catch ratios.
    (vii) NMFS will calculate the 2011 non-whiting short term allocation 
amount for each of the 11 target species by multiplying the limited 
entry trawl allocation amounts for 2011 for each by the corresponding 
initial issuance allocation percentage for the non-whiting sector given 
in paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(A)(10) of this section or determined through 
the biennial specifications process, as applicable.
    (viii) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will obtain the 
percentage of the limited entry trawl permit initial QS allocation for 
each of the 11 target species resulting from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(2) 
of this section.
    (ix) NMFS will calculate each limited entry trawl permit's projected 
non-whiting sector quota pounds for 2011 by multiplying the 2011 non-
whiting sector initial issuance allocation amounts for each of the 11 
target species from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(vii) of this section by 
each permit's target species QS allocation percentage from paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(viii) of this section.

[[Page 222]]

    (x) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will sum the projected 
quota pounds for the 11 target species from paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(ix) of this section to get a total projected weight of 
all 11 target species for the limited entry trawl permit.
    (xi) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will estimate the 
permit's total incidental catch of Group 2 species by area by 
multiplying the projected 2011 total weight of all 11 target species by 
the applicable area catch ratio for each area as calculated in either 
paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(v) of this section (permits with logbook 
data) or paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(vi) of this section (permits without 
logbook data).
    (xii) NMFS will apply WCGOP average bycatch ratios for each Group 2 
species (observed Group 2 species catch/total target species catch) by 
area. The WCGOP average bycatch ratios are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Area                        Shoreward      Seaward
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Bocaccio
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]40[min] N. lat.................  ............  ............
43[deg]55[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]40[min] N.   ............  ............
 lat........................................
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 43[deg]55[min] N.   ............  ............
 lat........................................
S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.................   0.019013759   0.001794203
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Cowcod
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]40[min] N. lat.................  ............  ............
43[deg]55[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]40[min] N.   ............  ............
 lat........................................
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 43[deg]55[min] N.   ............  ............
 lat........................................
S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.................   0.001285088   0.000050510
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Darkblotched
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]40[min] N. lat.................   0.001560461   0.009950330
43[deg]55[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]40[min] N.    0.002238054   0.018835786
 lat........................................
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 43[deg]55[min] N.    0.002184788   0.015025697
 lat........................................
S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.................   0.000006951   0.004783988
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Pacific ocean perch
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]40[min] N. lat.................   0.001069954   0.019848047
43[deg]55[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]40[min] N.    0.000110802   0.015831815
 lat........................................
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 43[deg]55[min] N.    0.000148715   0.001367645
 lat........................................
S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.................  ............  ............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Widow
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]40[min] N. lat.................   0.000132332   0.000065291
43[deg]55[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]40[min] N.    0.000387346   0.000755163
 lat........................................
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 43[deg]55[min] N.    0.000175128   0.000008118
 lat........................................
S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.................   0.001049485   0.000676828
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Yelloweye
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]40[min] N. lat.................   0.000334697   0.000006363
43[deg]55[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]40[min] N.    0.000083951   0.000010980
 lat........................................
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 43[deg]55[min] N.    0.000128942   0.000006300
 lat........................................
S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.................   0.000094029  ............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (xiii) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will calculate 
projected Group 2 species amounts by area by multiplying the limited 
entry trawl permit's projected 2011 total weight of all target species 
by area from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(xi) of this section by the 
applicable average bycatch ratio for each Group 2 species and 
corresponding area of paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(xii) of this section.
    (xiv) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will sum all area 
amounts for each Group 2 species from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(xiii) 
of this section to calculate the total projected amounts of each Group 2 
species for each limited entry trawl permit.
    (xv) NMFS will sum all limited entry trawl permits' projected Group 
2 species amounts from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(xiv) of this section 
to calculate coastwide total projected amounts for each Group 2 species.
    (xvi) NMFS will estimate preliminary QS for each limited entry trawl 
permit for each Group 2 species by dividing each limited entry trawl 
permit's total projected amount of each Group 2 species from paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(xiv) of this section by the coastwide total projected 
amount for that species from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3)(xv) of this 
section.
    (4) Group 3 Species: (i) The preliminary QS allocation step 
indicated in paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(A) of this section will be performed 
in two calculations that result in the division of preliminary QS 
allocation into two pools, one to allocate QS equally among all eligible 
limited entry permits, using the approach identified for Group 1 species 
in paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(2)(i) of this section, and the other to 
allocate QS using a formula based on QS allocations for target species 
and areas fished, using the approach identified for Group 2 species in 
paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(3) of this section, using the following WCGOP 
average bycatch rates:

                                 Canary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Area                        Shoreward      Seaward
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]40[min] N. lat.................   0.008041898   0.000030522
43[deg]55[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]40[min] N.    0.003081830   0.000142136
 lat........................................
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 43[deg]55[min] N.    0.008716148   0.000021431
 lat........................................
S. of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.................   0.001581194   0.000009132
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 223]]

    (ii) Through these two processes, preliminary QS totaling 100 
percent for each species will be allocated. In later steps, this amount 
will be adjusted and reduced as indicated in paragraphs (d)(8)(iii)(C) 
and (D) of this section to determine the QS allocation. In combining the 
two QS pools for each permit, the equal allocation portion is weighted 
according to the process in paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(B)(2)(i) of this 
section, and the portion calculated based on allocations for target 
species and areas fished is weighted according to the process in 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (C) Preliminary QS allocation for whiting trips. The preliminary QS 
allocation based on whiting trips as indicated in paragraph 
(d)(8)(iii)(B) of this section for limited entry trawl permits follows a 
two step process, one to allocate a pool of QS equally among all 
eligible limited entry permits and the other to allocate the remainder 
of the preliminary QS based on permit history. Through these two 
processes, preliminary QS totaling 100 percent for each species will be 
allocated. In later steps, this amount will be adjusted and reduced, as 
indicated in paragraphs (d)(8)(iii)(C) and (D) of this section, to 
determine the QS allocation.
    (1) QS to be allocated equally. The pool of QS for equal allocation 
will be determined using the whiting trip landings history from Federal 
limited entry groundfish permits that were retired through the Federal 
buyback program (i.e., buyback permit) (70 FR 45695, August 8, 2005). 
For each species, the whiting trip QS pool associated with the buyback 
permits will be the buyback permit history as a percent of the total 
fleet history for the allocation period. The calculation will be based 
on total absolute pounds with no dropped years and no other adjustments. 
The whiting trip QS pool associated with the buyback permits will be 
divided equally among all qualifying limited entry permits for each 
species.
    (2) QS to be allocated based on each permit's history. The pool for 
QS allocation based on each limited entry trawl permit's history will be 
the QS remaining after subtracting out the QS associated with the 
buyback permits allocated equally.
    (i) Whiting QS allocated based on each permit's history. Whiting QS 
based on each limited entry trawl permit's history will be allocated 
based on the permit's relative history from 1994 through 2003. For each 
limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will calculate a whiting relative 
history for each qualifying year, as follows. First, NMFS will sum the 
permit's history of landings of whiting from whiting trips for each 
year. Second, NMFS will divide each permit's annual sum of whiting from 
whiting trips by the shoreside limited entry trawl fleet's annual sum of 
whiting. NMFS will then calculate a total relative history for each 
permit by adding all relative histories for the permit together and 
subtracting the two years with the lowest relative history. NMFS will 
then divide the result for each permit by the total relative history for 
whiting of all qualifying limited entry trawl permits. The result from 
this calculation will then be multiplied by the amount of whiting QS in 
the pool to be allocated based on each permit's history.
    (ii) Other incidentally caught species QS allocation for eligible 
limited entry trawl permit owners. Other incidentally caught species 
from the QS remaining after subtracting out the QS associated with the 
buyback permits will be allocated pro-rata based on each limited entry 
trawl permit's whiting QS from whiting trips. Pro-rata means a percent 
that is equal to the percent of whiting QS.
    (D) QS from limited entry permits calculated separately for non-
whiting trips and whiting trips. NMFS will calculate the portion of QS 
for each species which a permit receives based on non-whiting trips and 
whiting trips separately and will weight each preliminary QS in 
proportion to the initial issuance allocation percentage between whiting 
trips and non-whiting trips for that species in paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(A)(10) of this section or determined through the biennial 
specifications process, as applicable.
    (1) Nonwhiting trips. To determine the amount of QS of each species 
for non-whiting trips for each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will 
multiply the preliminary QS for the permit from paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(A) 
of this section

[[Page 224]]

for each species by the initial issuance allocation percentage for that 
species for non-whiting trips.
    (2) Whiting trips. To determine the amount of QS of each species for 
whiting trips for each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will multiply 
the preliminary QS from paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(B) of this section for 
each species by the initial issuance allocation percentage for that 
species for whiting trips.
    (E) QS for each limited entry trawl permit. For each limited entry 
trawl permit, NMFS will add the results for the permit from paragraphs 
(d)(8)(iv)(D)(1) and (D)(2) of this section in order to determine the 
total QS for each species on that permit.
    (F) Adjustment for AMP set-aside and shoreside processor initial 
issuance allocations. NMFS will reduce the non-whiting QS allocation to 
each limited entry trawl permit by 10 percent, for a QS set-aside to 
AMP. NMFS will reduce the whiting QS allocation to each limited entry 
trawl permit by 20 percent for the initial QS allocation to shoreside 
processors.
    (G) Allocation of initial issuance of whiting QS for shoreside 
processors. NMFS will calculate the amount of whiting QS available to 
shoreside processors from the 20 percent adjustment of whiting QS 
allocations in paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(F) of this section. For each 
eligible shoreside processor, whiting QS will be allocated based on the 
eligible shoreside processor's relative history from 1998 through 2004. 
Only the deliveries for which the shoreside processor is the first 
processor of the fish will be used in the calculation of whiting 
relative history.
    (1) For each shoreside processor which has received deliveries of at 
least 1 mt of whiting from whiting trips in each of any two years from 
1998 through 2004, NMFS will calculate a whiting relative history for 
each qualifying year, as follows. First, NMFS will sum the shoreside 
processor's receipts of whiting for each year. Second, NMFS will 
calculate the relative history for each year by dividing each shoreside 
processor's annual sum of whiting receipts by the aggregate annual sum 
of whiting received by all shoreside processors in that year. NMFS will 
then calculate a total relative history for each shoreside processor by 
adding all relative histories for the shoreside processor together and 
subtracting the two years with the lowest relative history. NMFS will 
then divide the result for each shoreside processor by the aggregate sum 
of all total relative histories for whiting by all qualifying shoreside 
processors. The result from this calculation will then be multiplied by 
20 percent to determine the shoreside processor's whiting QS.
    (2) For purposes of making an initial issuance of whiting QS to a 
shoreside processor, NMFS will attribute landing history to the Pacific 
whiting shoreside first receiver reported on the landing receipt (the 
entity responsible for filling out the state landing receipt) as 
recorded in the relevant PacFIN dataset on July 1, 2010. History may be 
reassigned to a shoreside processor not on the state landings receipt as 
described at paragraph (d)(8)(vi)(B) of this section.
    (H) Allocation of Pacific halibut IBQ for each limited entry trawl 
permit. For each eligible limited entry trawl permit owner, NMFS will 
calculate Pacific halibut individual bycatch quota (IBQ) for the area 
north of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat. using a formula based on (a) QS 
allocations for each limited entry trawl permit for two target species, 
(b) areas of distribution of fishing effort as determined from 2003-2006 
target species catch data from the PacFIN Coastwide Trawl Logbook 
Database, (c) average bycatch ratios for each area as derived from WCGOP 
data from 2003 through 2006, and (d) the non-whiting initial issuance 
allocation of the limited entry trawl allocation amounts for 2011 for 
arrowtooth and petrale sole. These data are used in a series of 
sequential steps to determine the allocation of IBQ to each limited 
entry trawl permit. Paragraphs (d)(8)(iv)(H)(3) to (6) of this section 
estimate the permit's total 2003-2006 target species by area. Paragraphs 
(d)(8)(iv)(H)(7) to (13) of this section project Pacific halibut bycatch 
amounts using 2003-2006 WCGOP observer ratios and the 2011 non-whiting 
initial issuance allocation of the limited entry trawl allocation 
amounts. Paragraphs (d)(8)(iv)(H)(14) to (16) of

[[Page 225]]

this section convert these amounts into QS.
    (1) The target species are arrowtooth flounder and petrale sole.
    (2) The four bycatch areas are defined latitudinally and by depth. 
The latitudinal areas are (a) north of 47[deg]30[min] N. lat., and (b) 
between 40[deg]10[min] N. lat. and 47[deg]30[min] N. lat. Each 
latitudinal area is further divided by depth into areas shoreward and 
seaward of the trawl Rockfish Conservation Area as defined at Sec. 
660.130(e)(4), subpart D.
    (3) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will review the permit 
logbook data for that permit and sum target species catch recorded for 
the years 2003-2006, resulting in total target species catch in each of 
the four areas for each permit for the years 2003 through 2006 for both 
target species in aggregate. For practicability, seaward or shoreward of 
the RCA as identified in the logbook data is defined as being deeper 
than or shallower than 115 fathoms, respectively.
    (4) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will also sum the 
target species catch by area into total aggregate target species catch 
for each permit for the years 2003 through 2006.
    (5) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will divide logbook 
aggregate target species catch in each area (paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(3) 
of this section) by the sum of the permit's catch of each target species 
in all four bycatch areas (paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(4) of this section) 
to create a set of area catch ratios for each permit. (Note: The sum of 
all four area catch ratios in aggregate equals 1 for each permit).
    (6) For limited entry trawl permits where the vessel registered to 
the permit did not submit logbooks showing any catch of either of the 
two target species for any of the years 2003 through 2006, NMFS will use 
the following formula to calculate area target catch ratios: NMFS will 
sum by area all limited entry trawl permits' total logbook area target 
catches from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(3) of this section, and sum all 
limited entry trawl permits' total logbook target catches across all 
four areas from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(4) of this section; and divide 
these sums to create average permit logbook area target catch ratios.
    (7) NMFS will calculate the 2011 non-whiting initial issuance 
allocation amount for each of the two target species by multiplying the 
limited entry trawl allocation amounts for 2011 for each by the 
corresponding initial issuance allocation percentage for the non-whiting 
sector given in paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(A)(10) of this section.
    (8) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will obtain the non-
whiting portion of each limited entry trawl permit's initial QS 
allocations for each of the two target species resulting from paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(B)(2) of this section.
    (9) NMFS will calculate each limited entry trawl permit's projected 
non-whiting sector quota pounds for the two target species for 2011 by 
multiplying the 2011 non-whiting sector short term allocation amounts 
for each of the target species by the permit's QS allocation percentage 
for the species from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(8) of this section.
    (10) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will sum the 
projected quota pounds for the two target species from paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(H)(9) of this section to get a total projected weight of the 
two target species for the limited entry trawl permit.
    (11) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will multiply the 
projected 2011 total weight of the two target species by the applicable 
area catch ratio for each area as calculated in either paragraph 
(d)(8)(iv)(H)(5) of this section (permits with logbook data) or 
paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(6) of this section (permits without logbook 
data).
    (12) NMFS will apply WCGOP average halibut bycatch ratios (observed 
halibut catch/total of two target species catch) by area. The WCGOP 
average halibut bycatch ratios are as follows:

                             Pacific Halibut
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Area                        Shoreward      Seaward
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. of 47[deg]30[min] N. lat.................   0.225737162   0.084214162
40[deg]10[min] N. lat. to 47[deg]30[min] N.    0.086250913   0.033887839
 lat........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (13) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will calculate 
projected Pacific halibut amounts by area by multiplying the limited 
entry trawl permit's projected 2011 total weight of the two target 
species by area from paragraph

[[Page 226]]

(d)(8)(iv)(H)(11) of this section by the average bycatch ratio for the 
corresponding area of paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(12) of this section.
    (14) For each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will sum all area 
amounts from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(13) of this section to calculate 
the total projected Pacific halibut amount for each limited entry trawl 
permit.
    (15) NMFS will sum all limited entry trawl permits' projected 
Pacific halibut amounts from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(14) of this section 
to calculate aggregate total amounts of Pacific halibut.
    (16) NMFS will estimate preliminary Pacific halibut IBQ for each 
limited entry trawl permit by dividing each limited entry trawl permit's 
total projected Pacific halibut amount from paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(14) 
of this section by the aggregate total amounts of Pacific halibut from 
paragraph (d)(8)(iv)(H)(15) of this section.
    (I) Redistribution of QS and IBQ. For each limited entry trawl 
permit transferred after November 8, 2008, or if transferred earlier, 
not registered with NMFS by November 30, 2008, for which NMFS determines 
that the owner of such permit would exceed the accumulation limits 
specified at paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section based on calculation of 
the preceding allocation formulas for all limited entry trawl permits 
owned by such owner using the individual and collective rule described 
at Sec. 660.140(d)(4)(ii), NMFS will redistribute the excess QS or IBQ 
to other qualified QS permit owners within the accumulation limits.
    (v) QS application. Persons may apply for an initial issuance of QS 
and IBQ and a QS permit in one of two ways: Complete and submit a 
prequalified application received from NMFS, or complete and submit an 
application package. The completed application must be either postmarked 
or hand-delivered within normal business hours no later than November 1, 
2010. If an applicant fails to submit a completed application by the 
deadline date, they forgo the opportunity to receive consideration for 
initial issuance of QS and IBQ and a QS permit.
    (A) Prequalified application. A ``prequalified application'' is a 
partially pre-filled application where NMFS has preliminarily determined 
the landings history that may qualify the applicant for an initial 
issuance of QS and IBQ. The application package will include a 
prequalified application (with landings history), a Trawl Identification 
of Ownership Interest form, and any other documents NMFS believes are 
necessary to aid the limited entry permit owner in completing the QS 
application.
    (1) For current trawl limited entry permit owners, NMFS will mail a 
prequalified application to all owners, as listed in the NMFS permit 
database at the time applications are mailed, that NMFS determines may 
qualify for QS or IBQ. NMFS will mail the application by certified mail 
to the current address of record in the NMFS permit database. The 
application will contain the basis of NMFS' calculation of the permit 
owner's QS and IBQ for each species/species group or area.
    (2) For shoreside processors, NMFS will mail a prequalified 
application to those Pacific whiting shoreside first receivers with 
receipts of 1 mt or more of whiting from whiting trips in each of any 
two years from 1998 through 2004, as documented on fish tickets in the 
relevant PacFIN dataset on July 1, 2010. NMFS will mail the prequalified 
application by certified mail to the current address of record given by 
the state in which the entity is registered. For all qualified entities 
who meet the eligibility requirement at paragraph (d)(8)(ii)(B) of this 
section, the application will provide the basis of NMFS' calculation of 
the initial issuance of Pacific whiting QS.
    (B) Request for an application. An owner of a current limited entry 
trawl permit or a Pacific whiting first receiver or shoreside processor 
that believes it is qualified for an initial issuance of QS and IBQ and 
does not receive a prequalified application, must complete an 
application package and submit the completed application to NMFS by the 
application deadline. Application packages are available on NMFS' Web 
site (http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ Groundfish-Halibut/

[[Page 227]]

Groundfish-Permits/ index.cfm) or by contacting SFD. An application must 
include valid PacFIN data or other credible information that 
substantiates the applicant's qualification for an initial issuance of 
QS and IBQ.
    (vi) Corrections to the application. If an applicant does not accept 
NMFS' calculation in the prequalified application either in part or 
whole, the applicant must identify in writing to NMFS which parts the 
applicant believes to be inaccurate, and must provide specific credible 
information to substantiate any requested corrections. The completed 
application and specific credible information must be provided to NMFS 
in writing by the application deadline. Written communication must 
either be post-marked or hand-delivered within normal business hours no 
later than November 1, 2010. Requests for corrections may only be 
granted for the following reasons:
    (A) Errors in NMFS' use or application of data, including:
    (1) Errors in NMFS' use or application of landings data from PacFIN;
    (2) Errors in NMFS' use or application of state logbook data from 
PacFIN;
    (3) Errors in NMFS' application of the QS or IBQ allocation formula;
    (4) Errors in identification of the permit owner, permit 
combinations, or vessel registration as listed in NMFS permit database;
    (5) Errors in identification of ownership information for the first 
receiver or the processor that first processed the fish; and
    (6) Errors in NMFS' use or application of ownership interest 
information.
    (B) Reassignment of Pacific whiting landings history for shoreside 
processors. For shoreside processors, the landing history may be 
reassigned from the Pacific whiting shoreside first receive identified 
in the relevant PacFIN database to a shoreside processor that was in 
fact the first processor of the fish. In order for an applicant to 
request that landing history be reassigned, an authorized representative 
for the Pacific whiting shoreside first receiver identified on the state 
landing receipt must submit, by the application deadline date specified 
in paragraph (d)(8)(vii)(B) of this section for initial issuance of QS, 
a written request that the whiting landings history from the qualifying 
years be conveyed to a shoreside processor. The letter must be signed 
and dated by the authorized representative of the Pacific whiting 
shoreside first receiver named on the state landing receipt and signed 
and dated by the authorized representative of the shoreside processor to 
which the Pacific whiting landing history is requested to be reassigned. 
The letter must identify the dates of the landings history and the 
associated amounts that are requested to be reassigned, and include the 
legal name of the shoreside processor to which the Pacific whiting 
landing history is requested to be reassigned, their date of birth or 
tax identification number, business address, business phone number, fax 
number, and e-mail address. If any document exists that demonstrates 
that the shoreside processor to which the Pacific whiting landing 
history is requested to be reassigned was in fact the first processor of 
the fish, such documentation must be provided to NMFS. NMFS will review 
the information submitted and will make a determination as part of the 
IAD.
    (vii) Submission of the application and application deadline--(A) 
Submission of the application. Submission of the complete, certified 
application includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    (1) The applicant is required to sign and date the application and 
have the document notarized by a licensed Notary Public.
    (2) The applicant must certify that they qualify to own QS and IBQ.
    (3) The applicant must indicate they accept NMFS' calculation of 
initial issuance of QS and IBQ provided in the prequalified application, 
or provide credible information that demonstrates their qualification 
for QS and IBQ.
    (4) The applicant is required to provide a complete Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form as specified at paragraph 
(d)(4)(iv) of this section.
    (5) Business entities may be required to submit a corporate 
resolution or other credible documentation as proof that the 
representative of the entity is authorized to act on behalf of the 
entity; and

[[Page 228]]

    (6) NMFS may request additional information of the applicant as 
necessary to make an IAD on initial issuance of QS or IBQ.
    (B) Application deadline. A complete, certified application must be 
either postmarked or hand-delivered within normal business hours to 
NMFS, Northwest Region, Permits Office, Bldg. 1, 7600 Sand Point Way, 
NE., Seattle, WA 98115, no later than November 1, 2010. NMFS will not 
accept or review any applications received or postmarked after the 
application deadline. There are no hardship exemptions for this 
deadline.
    (viii) Permit transfer during application period. NMFS will not 
review or approve any request for a change in limited entry trawl permit 
owner at any time after either November 1, 2010 or the date upon which 
the application is received by NMFS, whichever occurs first, until a 
final decision is made by the Regional Administrator on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce regarding the QS and IBQ to be issued for that 
permit.
    (ix) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). NMFS will issue an 
IAD for all complete, certified applications received by the application 
deadline date. If NMFS approves an application for initial issuance of 
QS and IBQ, the applicant will receive a QS permit specifying the 
amounts of QS and IBQ for which the applicant has qualified and the 
applicant will be registered to a QS account. If NMFS disapproves or 
partially disapproves an application, the IAD will provide the reasons. 
As part of the IAD, NMFS will indicate whether the QS permit owner 
qualifies for QS or IBQ in amounts that exceed the accumulation limits 
and are subject to divestiture provisions given at paragraph (d)(4)(v) 
of this section, or whether the QS permit owner qualifies for QS or IBQ 
that exceed the accumulation limits and does not qualify to receive the 
excess under paragraph (d)(4)(v) of this section. If the applicant does 
not appeal the IAD within 60 calendar days of the date on the IAD, the 
IAD becomes the final decision of the Regional Administrator acting on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce.
    (x) Appeals. For QS permits and QS/IBQ issued under this section, 
the appeals process and timelines are specified at Sec. 660.25(g), 
subpart C. For the initial issuance of QS/IBQ and the QS permits, the 
bases for appeal are described in paragraph (d)(8)(vi) of this section. 
An additional basis for appeal for whiting QS based on shoreside 
processing is an allegation that the shoreside processor or Pacific 
whiting shoreside first receiver to which a QS permit and whiting QS 
have been assigned was not in fact the first processor of the fish 
included in the qualifying landings history. The appellant must submit 
credible information supporting the allegation that they were in fact 
the first shoreside processor for the fish in question. Items not 
subject to appeal include, but are not limited to, the accuracy of 
permit landings data or Pacific whiting shoreside first receiver 
landings data in the relevant PacFIN dataset on July 1, 2010.
    (9) Reallocation of widow rockfish QS--(i) Additional definitions. 
The following definitions are applicable to paragraph (d)(9) of this 
section and apply only to terms used for the purposes of reallocation of 
widow rockfish QS:
    (A) Nonwhiting trip means a fishing trip where less than 50 percent 
by weight of all fish reported on the state landing receipt is whiting.
    (B) PacFIN means the Pacific Fisheries Information Network of the 
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
    (C) Relative history means the landings history of a limited entry 
trawl permit for a species, year, and area subdivision, divided by the 
total fleet history of the sector for that species, year, and area 
subdivision, as appropriate.
    (D) Whiting trip means a fishing trip where greater than or equal to 
50 percent by weight of all fish reported on the state landing receipt 
is whiting.
    (ii) Eligibility criteria for receiving reallocated widow rockfish 
QS. Only the owner of an original QS permit (non-shoreside processor) to 
which QS was initially allocated in 2011 is eligible to receive 
reallocated widow rockfish QS based on the history of the limited entry 
trawl permit(s) that accrued to that QS permit, regardless of current 
limited entry permit ownership. For those new QS permits to which widow

[[Page 229]]

rockfish was administratively transferred by NMFS under U.S. court 
order, NMFS will reallocate widow rockfish QS directly to the new QS 
permit. Any limited entry trawl permit owners who did not submit an 
initial application for a QS permit will not be eligible to receive 
reallocated widow rockfish QS.
    (iii) Steps for widow rockfish QS reallocation formula. The widow 
rockfish QS reallocation formula is applied in the following steps:
    (A) First, for each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will determine 
a preliminary QS allocation for nonwhiting trips.
    (B) Second, for each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will determine 
a preliminary QS allocation for whiting trips.
    (C) Third, for each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will combine 
the amounts resulting from paragraphs (d)(9)(iii)(A) and (B) of this 
section.
    (D) Fourth, NMFS will reduce the total widow rockfish QS reallocated 
to QS permit owners by 10 percent as a set aside for AMP.
    (iv) Reallocation formula for specific widow rockfish QS amounts--
(A) Reallocation formula rules. The following rules will be applied to 
data for the purpose of calculating the initial reallocation of widow 
rockfish QS:
    (1) Limited entry trawl permits will be assigned catch history or 
relative history based on the landing history of the vessel(s) 
associated with the permit at the time the landings were made.
    (2) The relevant PacFIN dataset includes species compositions based 
on port sampled data and applied to data at the vessel level.
    (3) Only landings of widow rockfish that were caught in the 
exclusive economic zone or adjacent state waters off Washington, Oregon, 
and California will be used for calculating the reallocation of widow 
rockfish QS.
    (4) History from limited entry trawl permits that have been combined 
with a limited entry trawl permit that qualified for a C/P endorsement 
and which has shorebased permit history will not be included in the 
preliminary QS and IBQ allocation formula, other than in the 
determination of fleet history used in the calculation of relative 
history for limited entry trawl permits that do not have a C/P 
endorsement.
    (5) History of illegal landings and landings made under nonwhiting 
EFPs that are in excess of the cumulative limits in place for the non-
EFP fishery will not count toward the allocation of QS.
    (6) The limited entry trawl permit's landings history includes the 
landings history of limited entry trawl permits that have been 
previously combined with that limited entry trawl permit.
    (7) If two or more limited entry trawl permits have been 
simultaneously registered to the same vessel, NMFS will split the 
landing history evenly between all such limited entry trawl permits 
during the time they were simultaneously registered to the vessel.
    (8) Unless otherwise noted, the calculation for the reallocation of 
widow rockfish QS under paragraph (d)(9) will be based on state landing 
receipts (fish tickets) as recorded in the relevant PacFIN dataset on 
July 27, 2016.
    (9) For limited entry trawl permits, landings under provisional 
``A'' permits that did not become ``A'' permits and ``B'' permits will 
not count toward the reallocation of widow rockfish QS, other than in 
the determination of fleet history used in the calculation of relative 
history for permits that do not have a C/P endorsement.
    (10) For limited entry trawl permits, NMFS will calculate the 
reallocation of widow rockfish QS separately based on whiting trips and 
nonwhiting trips, and will weigh each calculation according to a split 
between whiting trips and nonwhiting trips of 10.833 percent for whiting 
trips and 89.167 percent for nonwhiting trips, which is a one-time 
proportion necessary for the reallocation formula.
    (B) Preliminary widow rockfish QS reallocation for nonwhiting trips. 
The preliminary reallocation process in paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(A) of this 
section follows a two-step process, one to allocate a pool of QS equally 
among all eligible limited entry permits and the other to allocate the 
remainder of the preliminary QS based on limited entry trawl permit 
history. Through these two processes, preliminary QS totaling 100 
percent will be allocated. In later steps, this will be adjusted and 
reduced

[[Page 230]]

as indicated in paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(C) and (D) to determine the QS 
allocation.
    (1) QS to be allocated equally. The pool of QS for equal allocation 
will be determined using the nonwhiting trip landings history from 
Federal limited entry groundfish permits that were retired through the 
Federal buyback program (i.e., buyback program) (68 FR 42613, July 18, 
2003). The nonwhiting trip QS pool associated with the buyback permits 
will be the buyback permit history as a percent of the total fleet 
history for the 1994 to 2003 nonwhiting trip reallocation period. The 
calculation will be based on total absolute pounds with no dropped years 
and no other adjustments. The QS pool associated with the buyback 
permits will be divided equally among all qualifying limited entry 
permits.
    (2) QS to be allocated based on each permit's history. The pool of 
QS for allocation based on limited entry trawl permit nonwhiting trip 
history will be the QS remaining after subtracting out the QS allocated 
equally. This pool will be allocated to each qualifying limited entry 
trawl permit based on the permit's relative nonwhiting trip history from 
1994 through 2002, dropping the three lowest years. For each limited 
entry trawl permit, NMFS will calculate relative history using the 
following methodology. First, NMFS will sum the permit's widow rockfish 
landings on nonwhiting trips for each year in the reallocation period. 
Second, NMFS will divide each permit's annual sum by the shoreside 
limited entry trawl fleet's annual sum. NMFS will then calculate a total 
relative history for each permit by adding all relative histories for 
the permit together and subtracting the three years with the lowest 
relative history for the permit. The result for each permit will be 
divided by the aggregate sum of all total relative histories of all 
qualifying limited entry trawl permits. NMFS will then multiply the 
result from this calculation by the amount of QS in the pool to be 
allocated based on each permit's history.
    (C) Preliminary widow rockfish QS reallocation for whiting trips. 
The preliminary reallocation process in paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(B) of this 
section follows a two-step process, one to allocate a pool of QS equally 
among all eligible limited entry permits and the other to allocate the 
remainder of the preliminary QS based on permit history. Through these 
two processes, preliminary QS totaling 100 percent will be allocated. In 
later steps, this will be adjusted and reduced as indicated in paragraph 
(d)(9)(iii)(C) and (D) to determine the QS allocation.
    (1) QS to be allocated equally. The pool of QS for equal allocation 
will be determined using whiting trip landings history from Federal 
limited entry groundfish permits that were retired through the Federal 
buyback program (i.e., buyback program) (68 FR 42613, July 18, 2003). 
The whiting trip QS pool associated with the buyback permits will be the 
buyback permit history as a percent of the total fleet history for the 
1994 to 2003 whiting trip reallocation period. The calculation will be 
based on total absolute pounds with no dropped years and no other 
adjustments. The QS pool associated with the buyback permits will be 
divided equally among all qualifying limited entry permits.
    (2) QS to be allocated based on each permit's history. The pool of 
QS for allocation based on each limited entry trawl permit's whiting 
trip history will be the QS remaining after subtracting out the QS 
allocated equally. Widow rockfish QS for this pool will be allocated 
pro-rata based on each limited entry trawl permit's whiting QS from 
whiting trips that was established in 2010 and used to allocate the 
whiting trip portion of whiting QS at the time of initial implementation 
in 2011. Pro-rata means a percent that is equal to the percent of 
whiting QS from whiting trips.
    (D) QS from limited entry permits calculated separately for 
nonwhiting trips and whiting trips. NMFS will calculate the portion of 
widow QS a limited entry trawl permit receives based on nonwhiting trips 
and whiting trips separately, and will weight each preliminary QS in 
proportion to the one-time reallocation percentage between whiting trips 
and nonwhiting trips of 10.833 percent and 89.167 percent, respectively.
    (1) Nonwhiting trips. To determine the amount of widow QS for 
nonwhiting

[[Page 231]]

trips for each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will multiply the 
preliminary QS for the permit from paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(A) of this 
section by the one-time reallocation percentage of 89.167 percent for 
nonwhiting trips.
    (2) Whiting trips. To determine the amount of widow QS for whiting 
trips for each limited entry trawl permit, NMFS will multiply the 
preliminary QS for the permit from paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(B) of this 
section by the one-time reallocation percentage of 10.833 percent for 
whiting trips.
    (E) QS for each limited entry trawl permit. For each limited entry 
trawl permit, NMFS will add the results for the permit from paragraphs 
(d)(9)(iv)(D)(1) and (D)(2) of this section in order to determine the 
total QS widow for that permit.
    (F) Adjustment for AMP set-aside. NMFS will reduce the widow QS 
reallocated to each permit owner by a proportional amount that is 
equivalent to a reduction of 10 percent across all widow reallocation 
recipients' holdings as a set aside for AMP.
    (v) Widow rockfish QS reallocation application. Persons may apply 
for issuance of reallocated widow rockfish QS by completing and 
submitting a prequalified application. A ``prequalified application'' is 
a partially pre-filled application where NMFS has preliminarily 
determined the landings history for each limited entry trawl permit that 
qualifies the applicant for a reallocation of widow QS. The application 
package will include a prequalified application with landings history. 
The completed application must be either postmarked or hand-delivered to 
NMFS within normal business hours no later than December 26, 2017. If an 
applicant fails to submit a completed application by the deadline date, 
they forgo the opportunity to receive reallocated widow rockfish QS and 
their percentage will be redistributed to other QS permit owners who 
submitted complete widow rockfish reallocation applications in 
proportion to their reallocated widow QS amount.
    (vi) Corrections to the application. If an applicant does not accept 
NMFS's calculation in the prequalified application either in part or 
whole, the applicant must identify in writing to NMFS which parts the 
applicant believes to be inaccurate, and must provide specific credible 
information to substantiate any requested corrections. The completed 
application and specific credible information must be provided to NMFS 
in writing by the application deadline. Written communication must 
either be post-marked or hand-delivered to NMFS within normal business 
hours no later than December 26, 2017. Requests for corrections may only 
be granted for the following reasons:
    (A) Errors in NMFS's use or application of data, including:
    (1) Errors in NMFS's use or application of landings data from 
PacFIN;
    (2) Errors in NMFS's application of the reallocation formula; and
    (3) Errors in identification of the QS permit owner, permit 
combinations, or vessel registration as listed in NMFS permit database.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (vii) Submission of the application and application deadline--(A) 
Submission of the application. Submission of the complete, certified 
application includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    (1) The applicant is required to sign and date the application and 
declare that the contents are true, correct and complete.
    (2) The applicant must certify that they qualify to own reallocated 
widow rockfish QS.
    (3) The applicant must indicate they accept NMFS's calculation of 
reallocated widow rockfish QS provided in the prequalified application, 
or provide a written statement and credible information if they do not 
accept NMFS's calculation.
    (4) NMFS may request additional information of the applicant as 
necessary to make an IAD on reallocated widow rockfish QS.
    (B) Application deadline. A complete, certified application must be 
either postmarked or hand-delivered within normal business hours to 
NMFS, West Coast Region, Permits Office, Bldg. 1, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE., Seattle, WA 98115, no later than December 26, 2017. NMFS will not 
accept or review any applications received or postmarked after the 
application deadline. There are no hardship exemptions for this 
deadline.

[[Page 232]]

    (viii) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). NMFS will issue 
an IAD for all complete, certified applications received by the 
application deadline date. If NMFS approves an application for 
reallocated widow rockfish QS, the IAD will say so, and the applicant 
will receive a 2018 QS permit specifying the reallocated amount of widow 
rockfish QS the applicant has qualified for. If NMFS disapproves or 
partially disapproves an application, the IAD will provide the reasons. 
As part of the IAD, NMFS will indicate to the best of its knowledge 
whether the QS permit owner qualifies for QS or IBQ in amounts that 
exceed the accumulation limits and are subject to divestiture provisions 
given at paragraph (d)(4)(v) of this section. If the applicant does not 
appeal the IAD within 60 calendar days of the date on the IAD, the IAD 
becomes the final decision of the Regional Administrator acting on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce.
    (ix) Appeals. For reallocated widow rockfish QS issued under this 
section, the appeals process and timelines are specified at Sec. 
660.25(g), subpart C. For the reallocation of widow rockfish QS, the 
bases for appeal are described in paragraph (d)(9)(vi) of this section. 
Items not subject to appeal include, but are not limited to, the 
accuracy of permit landings data in the relevant PacFIN dataset on July 
27, 2016.
    (e) Vessel accounts--(1) General. In order to participate in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program, a vessel must be registered to an eligible 
limited entry trawl permit. A vessel account will be established on 
request for an owner of a vessel registered to an eligible limited entry 
trawl permit in order to track QP and IBQ pounds. QP or IBQ pounds will 
have the same species/species groups and area designations as the QS or 
IBQ from which it was issued. Annually, QS or IBQ (expressed as a 
percent) are converted to QP or IBQ pounds (expressed as a weight) in a 
QS account. QP or IBQ pounds may be transferred from a QS account to a 
vessel account or from one vessel account to another vessel account. QP 
or IBQ pounds are required to cover catch (landings and discards) by 
limited entry trawl vessels of all IFQ species/species groups, except 
for:
    (i) Gear exception. Vessels registered to a limited entry trawl 
permit using the following gears would not be required to cover 
groundfish catch with QP or Pacific halibut catch with IBQ pounds: Non-
groundfish trawl, gear types defined in the coastal pelagic species FMP, 
gear types defined in the highly migratory species FMP, salmon troll, 
crab pot, and limited entry fixed gear when the vessel also has a 
limited entry permit endorsed for fixed gear and has declared that it is 
fishing in the limited entry fixed gear fishery. Vessels using gears 
falling under this exception are subject to the open access fishery 
restrictions and limits when declared in to an open access fishery.
    (ii) Species exception. QP are not required for the following 
species: Longspine thornyheads south of 34[deg]27[min] N. lat., minor 
nearshore rockfish (north and south), black rockfish (coastwide), 
California scorpionfish, cabezon, kelp greenling, shortbelly rockfish, 
and ``other fish'' (as defined at Sec. 660.11, subpart C, under the 
definition of ``groundfish''). For these species, trip limits remain in 
place as specified in the trip limit tables at Table 1 (North) and Table 
1 (South) of this subpart.
    (2) Eligibility and registration--(i) Eligibility. To establish a 
registered vessel account, a person must own a vessel and that vessel 
must be registered to a groundfish limited entry permit endorsed for 
trawl gear.
    (ii) Registration. A vessel account must be registered with the NMFS 
SFD Permits Office. A vessel account may be established at any time 
during the year. An eligible vessel owner must submit a request in 
writing to NMFS to establish a vessel account. The request must include 
the vessel name; USCG vessel registration number (as given on USCG Form 
1270) or state registration number, if no USCG documentation; all vessel 
owner names (as given on USCG Form 1270, or on state registration, as 
applicable); and business contact information, including: Address, phone 
number, fax number, and email. Requests for a vessel account must also 
include the following information: A complete economic data collection 
form as required under

[[Page 233]]

Sec. 660.113(b), (c) and (d), and a complete Trawl Identification of 
Ownership Interest Form as required under paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this 
section. The request for a vessel account will be considered incomplete 
until the required information is submitted. Any change specified at 
paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section, including a change in the legal 
name of the vessel owner(s), will require the new owner to register with 
NMFS for a vessel account. A participant must have access to a computer 
with Internet access and must set up online access to their vessel 
account to participate. The computer must have Internet browser software 
installed (e.g., Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Firefox); as well 
as the Adobe Flash Player software version 9.0 or greater. NMFS will 
mail vessel account owners instructions to set up online access to their 
vessel account. NMFS will use the vessel account to send messages to 
vessel owners in the Shorebased IFQ Program; it is important for vessel 
owners to monitor their online vessel account and all associated 
messages.
    (3) Renewal, change of account ownership, and transfer of QP or IBQ 
pounds--(i) Renewal. (A) Vessel accounts expire at the end of each 
calendar year, and must be renewed between October 1 and November 30 of 
each year in order to ensure the vessel account is active on January 1 
of the following year. A complete vessel account renewal package must be 
received by SFD no later than November 30 to be accepted by NMFS.
    (B) Notification to renew vessel accounts will be issued by SFD by 
September 15 each year to the vessel account owner's most recent address 
in the SFD record. The vessel account owner shall provide SFD with 
notice of any address change within 15 days of the change.
    (C) Any vessel account for which SFD does not receive a vessel 
account renewal request by November 30 will have its vessel account 
inactivated by NMFS at the end of the calendar year. NMFS will not issue 
QP or IBQ pounds to the inactivated vessel account. Any QP or IBQ pounds 
in the vessel account will expire and surplus QP or IBQ pounds will not 
be available for carryover. A non-renewed vessel account may be renewed 
in a subsequent year by submission of a complete vessel account renewal 
package.
    (D) Vessel accounts will not be renewed until SFD has received a 
complete application for a vessel account renewal, which includes 
payment of required fees, a complete documentation of permit ownership 
on the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form as required under 
paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section, and a complete economic data 
collection form as required under Sec. 660.114. The vessel account 
renewal will be considered incomplete until the required information is 
submitted.
    (E) Effective Date. A vessel account is effective on the date issued 
by NMFS and remains effective until the end of the calendar year.
    (F) IAD and appeals. Vessel account renewals are subject to the 
appeals process specified at Sec. 660.25(g), subpart C.
    (ii) Change in vessel account ownership. Vessel accounts are non-
transferable and ownership of a vessel account cannot change (i.e., 
cannot change the legal name of the owner(s) as given on the vessel 
account). If the ownership of a vessel changes (as given on a USCG or 
state vessel registration documentation), then a new vessel account must 
be opened by the new owner in order for the vessel to participate in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program.
    (iii) Transfer of QP or IBQ pounds--(A) General. QP or IBQ pounds 
may only be transferred from a QS account to a vessel account or between 
vessel accounts. QP or IBQ pounds cannot be transferred from a vessel 
account to a QS account. Transfers of QP or IBQ pounds are subject to 
annual vessel accumulation limits. QP or IBQ pounds must be transferred 
in whole pounds (i.e., no fraction of a QP or IBQ pound can be 
transferred). During the year there may be situations where NMFS deems 
it necessary to prohibit transfers (i.e., account reconciliation, system 
maintenance, or for emergency fishery management reasons).
    (B) Transfer procedures. QP or IBQ pound transfers from one vessel 
account to another vessel account must be accomplished via the online 
vessel account. To make a transfer, a vessel account owner must initiate 
a transfer

[[Page 234]]

request by logging onto the online vessel account. Following the 
instructions provided on the website, the vessel account owner must 
enter pertinent information regarding the transfer request including, 
but not limited to: IFQ species, amount of QP or IBQ pounds to be 
transferred for each IFQ species (in whole pound increments); name and 
any other identifier of the eligible transferee (e.g., USCG 
documentation number or state registration number, as applicable) of the 
eligible vessel account receiving the transfer; and the value of the 
transferred QP or IBQ pounds. The online system will verify whether all 
information has been entered and whether the transfer complies with 
vessel limits, as applicable. If the information is not accepted, an 
electronic message will record as much in the transferor's vessel 
account explaining the reason(s). If the information is accepted, the 
online system will record the pending transfer in both the transferor's 
and the transferee's vessel accounts. The transferee must approve the 
transfer by electronic signature. If the transferee accepts the 
transfer, the online system will record the transfer and confirm the 
transaction in both accounts through a transaction confirmation notice. 
Once the transferee accepts the transaction, the transaction is final 
and permanent. QP or IBQ pounds may be transferred between vessel 
accounts at any time during January 1 through December 31 each year 
unless otherwise notified by NMFS. Unused QP from the previous fishing 
year (base year) may be transferred for the purpose of covering end-of-
the-year vessel account deficits through the end of the post-season 
transfer period described at paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of this section.
    (4) Accumulation limits--(i) Vessel limits. For each IFQ species or 
species group specified in this paragraph, vessel accounts may not have 
QP or IBQ pounds in excess of the annual QP vessel limit in any year, 
except as allowed by paragraph (e)(5)(iii) of this section. The annual 
QP vessel limit is calculated as all QPs transferred in minus all QPs 
transferred out of the vessel account.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Annual QP
                    Species category                       vessel limit
                                                           (in percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder.....................................              20
Bocaccio S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat......................            15.4
Canary rockfish.........................................              10
Chilipepper S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...................              15
Cowcod S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat........................            17.7
Darkblotched rockfish...................................             6.8
Dover sole..............................................             3.9
English sole............................................             7.5
Lingcod:
    N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...........................             5.3
    S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...........................            13.3
Longspine thornyhead:
    N of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...........................               9
Minor rockfish complex N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.:
    Shelf species.......................................             7.5
    Slope species.......................................             7.5
Minor rockfish complex S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.:
    Shelf species.......................................            13.5
    Slope species.......................................               9
Other Flatfish complex..................................              15
Pacific cod.............................................              20
Pacific halibut (IBQ) N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.........            14.4
Pacific ocean perch N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...........               6
Pacific whiting (shoreside).............................              15
Petrale sole............................................             4.5
Sablefish:
    N of 36[deg] N lat. (Monterey north)................             4.5
    S of 36[deg] N lat. (Conception area)...............              15
Shortspine thornyhead:
    N of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...........................               9
    S of 34[deg]27[min] N lat...........................               9
Splitnose rockfish S of 40[deg]10[min] N lat............              15
Starry flounder.........................................              20
Widow rockfish..........................................             8.5
Yelloweye rockfish......................................            11.4

[[Page 235]]

 
Yellowtail rockfish N of 40[deg]10[min] N lat...........             7.5
Non-whiting groundfish species..........................             3.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Trawl identification of ownership interest form. Any person 
that owns a vessel registered to a limited entry trawl permit and that 
is applying for or renewing a vessel account shall document those 
persons that have an ownership interest in the vessel greater than or 
equal to 2 percent. This ownership interest must be documented with the 
SFD via the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form. SFD will 
not generate and issue a vessel account unless the Trawl Identification 
of Ownership Interest Form has been completed. NMFS may request 
additional information of the applicant as necessary to verify 
compliance with accumulation limits.
    (5) Carryover of Surplus and Deficit QP or IBQ. The carryover 
provision allows a limited amount of surplus QP or IBQ pounds in a 
vessel account to be carried over from one year (the base year) to the 
next immediately following year or allows a deficit in a vessel account 
from fishing during the base year to be covered in the immediately 
following year with QP or IBQ pounds from the base year or the a 
immediately following year, up to a carryover limit without violating 
the provisions of this section.
    (i) Surplus QP or IBQ pounds. A vessel account with a surplus of QP 
or IBQ (unused QP or IBQ pounds) for any IFQ species following the post-
season transfer period specified at paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of this 
section, may carryover for use in the year immediately following the 
base year amounts of unused QP or IBQ pounds up to its carryover limit 
specified at (e)(5)(ii) of this section, and subject to the limitations 
of this paragraph. After the post-season transfer period is concluded, 
NMFS will complete determination of surplus QP or IBQ pound amounts that 
may be carried over into the following year up to the surplus carryover 
limit specified at paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section. The amount of 
surplus QP or IBQ pounds issued as carryover will be reduced in 
proportion to any reduction in the ACL-between the base year and the 
immediately following year. At the end of the post-season transfer 
period, any base year QP or IBQ pounds remaining in vessel accounts will 
be suspended from use while NMFS calculates annual surplus carryover 
amounts. NMFS will consult with the Council in making its final 
determination of the IFQ species and total QP or IBQ amounts to be 
issued as annual surplus carryover. After NMFS completes determination 
of the annual surplus carryover amounts for each vessel account, 
suspended QP or IBQ pounds in excess of the annual surplus carryover 
amount will expire. NMFS will subsequently release any remaining 
suspended QP or IBQ pounds for issuance as surplus carryover to vessel 
accounts from which they were suspended, and notify vessel account 
owners of the issuance. Surplus carryover QP or IBQ pounds are valid for 
the year in which they are issued (i.e., the year immediately following 
the base year). Surplus carryover amounts that would place a vessel 
above the annual QP vessel limits for the immediately following year 
(specified at paragraph (e)(4) of this section) will not be issued. 
Amounts issued as surplus QP or IBQ pounds do not change the shorebased 
trawl allocation in the year in which the carryover was issued. Surplus 
QP or IBQ pounds may not be carried over for more than one year.
    (ii) Surplus Carryover Limit. The limit for the surplus carryover is 
calculated by multiplying 10 percent by the cumulative total QP or IBQ 
pounds (used and unused) transferred into a vessel account for the base 
year, less any transfers out of the vessel account, QP resulting from 
reapportionment of whiting specified at Sec. 660.60(d), additional QP 
issued to the account during the year (as specified at Sec. 
660.60(c)(3)(ii)), and previous carryover amounts. The percentage used 
for the carryover surplus limit may be

[[Page 236]]

changed by Council recommendation during the biennial specifications and 
management measures process or by routine management measures as 
specified in Sec. 660.60(c).
    (iii) Deficit QP or IBQ pounds. After the end of the base year, a 
vessel account may cover the full amount of any deficit (negative 
balance) of QP or IBQ pounds using QP or IBQ from the following year, 
base year QP or IBQ pounds, through the post-season transfer period, or 
a combination, without restriction by annual QP vessel limits. A vessel 
account acquiring QP or IBQ after the base year to cover a deficit 
resulting from catch in excess of the base year annual QP vessel limits 
may still be in violation of annual vessel QP limit provisions specified 
at paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section, or other provisions of this 
section, if the deficit exceeds the deficit carryover limit specified at 
paragraph (e)(5)(iii)(B) of this section. If an IFQ species is 
reallocated between the base year and the following year due to changes 
in management areas or subdivision of a species group as specified at 
paragraph (c)(3)(vii) of this section, a vessel account will not 
carryover the deficit for that IFQ species into the following year. A 
vessel account with a deficit for any IFQ species in the base year may 
cover that deficit during the post-season transfer period or with QP or 
IBQ pounds from the following year without violating the provisions of 
this section if all of the following conditions are met:
    (A) The vessel account owner declares out of the Shorebased IFQ 
Program for the remainder of the year in which the deficit occurred. The 
vessel account owner must submit a signed, dated, and notarized letter 
to OLE, declaring out of the Shorebased IFQ Program for the remainder of 
the year and invoking the carryover provision to cover the deficit. 
Signed, dated, and notarized letters may be submitted to NMFS, West 
Coast Region, Office of Law Enforcement, ATTN VMS, Bldg. 1, 7600 Sand 
Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. If the vessel account owner covers the 
deficit later within the same calendar year, the vessel may re-enter the 
Shorebased IFQ Program. If the deficit is documented less than 30 days 
before the end of the calendar year, exiting out of the Shorebased IFQ 
Program for the remainder of the year is not required.
    (B) The amount of QP or IBQ pounds required to cover the deficit 
from the current fishing year is less than or equal to the vessel's 
carryover limit for a deficit. The carryover limit for a deficit is 
calculated as 10 percent of the total cumulative QP or IBQ pounds (used 
and unused, less any transfers out of the vessel account, and any 
previous carryover amounts) in the vessel account 30 days after the date 
the deficit is documented;
    (C) Sufficient QP or IBQ pounds are transferred into the vessel 
account to cure the deficit within 30 days of NMFS' issuance of QP or 
IBQ pounds to QS accounts in the following year or the date the deficit 
is documented (whichever is later) but not later than the end of the 
post-season transfer period; and
    (D) The total QP required to cover the vessel's total catch from the 
base year is not greater than the annual QP vessel limit for the base 
year.
    (iv) Post-Season QP or IBQ transfers. A vessel account with a 
deficit (negative balance) of QP or IBQ pounds after December 31 for any 
IFQ species may conduct post-season transfers to cure the deficit by 
obtaining available unused QP or IBQ pounds remaining in other vessel 
accounts from the base fishing year. Vessel account owners may conduct 
post-season transfers of QP and IBQ pounds according to transfer 
procedures specified in paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section, and 
subject to the following conditions:
    (A) Post-season transfers may be conducted during a period starting 
January 1 and ending 14 calendar days after NMFS has completed its 
determination of the total base year IFQ catch for all vessels for end-
of-the-year account reconciliation. NMFS will issue a public notice when 
end-of-the-year account reconciliation has been completed, on or about 
March 1 of each year.
    (B) QP or IBQ pounds from the base fishing year transferred during 
the post-season transfer period may not be fished in any way, and may 
only be transferred for the purpose of covering deficits carried into 
the immediately

[[Page 237]]

following fishing year from the base fishing year.
    (C) After the post-season transfer period, remaining QP and IBQ 
pounds surplus and deficits from the base fishing year are subject to 
carryover provisions specified at paragraphs (e)(5)(ii) and (e)(5)(iii) 
of this section.
    (6) Appeals. An appeal to a vessel account action follows the 
appeals process defined at Sec. 660.25(g), subpart C.
    (7) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge fees 
for administrative costs associated with the vessel accounts consistent 
with the provisions given at Sec. 660.25(f), subpart C.
    (8) Cost recovery. The fish seller, as defined at Sec. 660.111, is 
subject to the cost recovery program specified at Sec. 660.115.
    (f) First receiver site license--(1) General. The first receiver 
site license authorizes the holder to receive, purchase, or take 
custody, control, or possession of an IFQ landing at a specific physical 
site onshore directly from a vessel. Each buyer of groundfish from a 
vessel making an IFQ landing must have a first receiver site license for 
each physical location where the IFQ landing is offloaded.
    (2) Issuance. (i) First receiver site licenses will only be issued 
to a person registered to a valid license issued by the state of 
Washington, Oregon, or California, and that authorizes the person to 
receive fish from a catcher vessel.
    (ii) An IFQ first receiver must have a separate first receiver site 
license for each unique physical location where the IFQ first receiver 
will receive, purchase or take custody, control, or take possession of 
an IFQ landing from a vessel.
    (iii) An IFQ first receiver may apply for a first receiver site 
license at any time during the calendar year.
    (iv) IFQ first receivers must reapply for a first receiver site 
license as specified at paragraphs (f)(6) and (7) of this section:
    (3) Application process. Persons interested in being licensed as an 
IFQ first receiver for a specific physical location must submit a 
complete application for a first receiver site license to NMFS, West 
Coast Region, ATTN: Fisheries Permit Office, Bldg. 1, 7600 Sand Point 
Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. NMFS will only consider complete 
applications for approval. A complete application includes:
    (i) State license. The license owner must provide a copy of a valid 
license issued by the state in which they operate that allows the person 
to receive fish from a catcher vessel.
    (ii) Application form. A completed IFQ first receiver application 
form provided by NMFS, signed and dated by an authorized representative 
of the first receiver. To be considered complete, the form must also be 
notarized.
    (iii) A catch monitoring plan. All IFQ first receivers must prepare 
and operate under a NMFS-accepted catch monitoring plan for each 
specific physical location. A proposed catch monitoring plan detailing 
how the IFQ first receiver will meet each of the performance standards 
in paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) of this section must be included with the 
application. NMFS will not issue a first receiver site license to a 
person that does not have a current, NMFS-accepted catch monitoring 
plan.
    (A) Catch monitoring plan review process. NMFS will accept a catch 
monitoring plan if it includes all the required elements specified in 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) of this section and conforms with the actual 
operations and layout at the site. A site inspection is required for new 
first receiver site licenses. For re-registration of an existing first 
receiver site license, the site must be inspected at least once every 
three years or more frequently, as deemed necessary by NMFS, or by a 
NMFS designated representative. If NMFS does not accept a catch 
monitoring plan for any reason, a new or revised catch monitoring plan 
may be required of the first receiver.
    (B) Arranging a site inspection. After receiving a complete 
application for a first receiver site license, if a site inspection is 
required, NMFS will contact the applicant to schedule a site inspection. 
A complete application for a first receiver site license must include 
the proposed catch monitoring plan. NMFS may request a representative of 
the first receiver to be at the site at the time of inspection. If the 
requested representative of the first receiver is not made available for 
the inspection,

[[Page 238]]

the site inspection may be postponed until the requested representative 
of the first receiver is made available.
    (C) Contents of a catch monitoring plan. The catch monitoring plan 
must:
    (1) Catch sorting. Describe the amount and location of all space 
used for sorting catch, the number of staff assigned to catch sorting, 
and the maximum rate that catch will flow through the sorting area.
    (2) Monitoring for complete sorting. Detail how IFQ first receiver 
staff will ensure that sorting is complete; what steps will be taken to 
prevent unsorted catch from entering the factory or other areas beyond 
the location where catch sorting and weighing can be monitored from the 
observation area; and what steps will be taken if unsorted catch enters 
the factory or other areas beyond the location where catch sorting and 
weighing can be monitored from the observation area.
    (3) Scales used for weighing IFQ landings. Identify each scale that 
will be used to weigh IFQ landings by the type and capacity and describe 
where it is located and what it will be used for. Each scale must be 
appropriate for its intended use.
    (4) Printed record. Identify all scales that will be used to weigh 
IFQ landings that cannot produce a complete printed record as specified 
at Sec. 660.15(c), subpart C. State how the scale will be used, and how 
the plant intends to produce a complete and accurate record of the total 
weight of each delivery.
    (5) Weight monitoring. Detail how the IFQ first receiver will ensure 
that all catch is weighed and the process used to meet the catch 
weighing requirements specified at paragraph (j) of this section. If a 
catch monitoring plan proposes the use of totes in which IFQ species 
will be weighed, or a deduction for the weight of ice, the catch 
monitoring plan must detail how the process will accurately account for 
the weight of ice and/or totes.
    (6) Delivery points. Identify specific delivery points where catch 
is removed from an IFQ vessel. The delivery point is the first location 
where fish removed from a delivering catcher vessel can be sorted or 
diverted to more than one location. If the catch is pumped from the hold 
of a catcher vessel or a codend, the delivery point will be the location 
where the pump first discharges the catch. If catch is removed from a 
vessel by brailing, the delivery point normally will be the bin or belt 
where the brailer discharges the catch.
    (7) Observation area. Designate and describe the observation area. 
The observation area is a location where a catch monitor may monitor the 
flow of fish during a delivery, including: Access to the observation 
area, the flow of fish, and lighting used during periods of limited 
visibility. Standards for the observation area are specified at 
paragraph (i)(4)(ii) of this section.
    (8) Lockable cabinet. Identify the location of a secure, dry, and 
lockable cabinet or locker with the minimum interior dimensions of two 
feet wide by two feet tall by two feet deep for the exclusive use of the 
catch monitor, NMFS staff, or authorized officers.
    (9) Plant liaison. Identify the designated plant liaison. The plant 
liaison responsibilities are specified at paragraph (i)(6) of this 
section.
    (10) First receiver diagram. The catch monitoring plan must be 
accompanied by a diagram of the plant showing:
    (i) The delivery point(s);
    (ii) The observation area;
    (iii) The lockable cabinet;
    (iv) The location of each scale used to weigh catch; and
    (v) Each location where catch is sorted.
    (11) Electronic fish ticket submittal. Describe how the electronic 
fish ticket submittal requirements specified at Sec. 660.113(b)(4)(ii) 
will be met.
    (12) Applicant contact. Print the name of the first receiver, 
physical location of the first receiver, name and phone number of the 
applicant, and the date of the application. The applicant must sign the 
catch monitoring plan.
    (D) Catch monitoring plan acceptance period and changes. NMFS will 
accept a catch monitoring plan if it includes the required elements 
specified in paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) of this section and conforms with 
the actual operations and layout at the site. For the first receiver 
site license to remain in effect, the owner or manager must notify NMFS 
in writing of any and all

[[Page 239]]

changes made in IFQ first receiver operations or layout that do not 
conform to the catch monitoring plan.
    (E) Changing a NMFS-accepted catch monitoring plan. An owner and 
manager may change an accepted catch monitoring plan by submitting a 
plan addendum to NMFS. NMFS will accept the modified catch monitoring 
plan if it continues to meet the performance standards specified in 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) of this section. Depending on the nature and 
magnitude of the change requested, NMFS may require an additional catch 
monitoring plan inspection. A catch monitoring plan addendum must 
contain:
    (1) Name and signature of the person submitting the addendum;
    (2) Address, telephone number, fax number and email address (if 
available) of the person submitting the addendum;
    (3) A complete description of the proposed catch monitoring plan 
change.
    (iv) Completed EDC form. A first receiver site license application 
must include a complete economic data collection form as required under 
Sec. 660.113(b), subpart D. The application for a first receiver site 
license will be marked incomplete until the required information is 
submitted.
    (4) Initial administrative determination. For all complete 
applications, NMFS will issue an IAD that either approves or disapproves 
the application. If approved, the IAD will include a first receiver site 
license. If disapproved, the IAD will provide the reasons for this 
determination. NMFS will not reissue a first receiver site license until 
the required cost recovery program fees, as specified at Sec. 660.115, 
have been paid. The IAD, appeals, and final decision process for the 
cost recovery program is specified at Sec. 660.115(d)(3)(ii).
    (5) Effective dates. The first receiver site license is valid from 
the effective date identified on the license until June 30, or until the 
state license required by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section is no 
longer effective, whichever occurs first. A first receiver site license 
may not be valid for more than 365 days.
    (6) Re-registration of FRSL in subsequent years. Existing first 
receiver site license holders must reapply annually by following the 
application process specified in paragraph (f)(3) of this section. If 
the existing license holder fails to reapply, the first receiver site 
license will expire as specified in paragraph (f)(5) of this section. 
NMFS will not reissue a first receiver site license until all required 
cost recovery program fees, as specified at Sec. 660.115, associated 
with that license have been paid. For existing first receiver site 
license holders to continue to receive IFQ landings without a lapse in 
the effectiveness of their first receiver site license, the following 
re-registration deadlines apply:
    (i) NMFS will mail a first receiver site license application to 
existing license holders on or about February 1 each year.
    (ii) Applicants who want to have their new license effective for 
July 1 must submit their complete re-registration application to NMFS by 
April 15. For those first receiver site license holders who do not 
submit a complete re-registration application by April 15, NMFS may not 
be able to issue the new license by July 1 of that calendar year, and 
will issue the new license as soon as practicable.
    (7) Change in ownership of an IFQ first receiver. If there are any 
changes to the owner of a first receiver registered to a first receiver 
site license during a calendar year, the first receiver site license is 
void. The new owner of the first receiver must apply to NMFS for a first 
receiver site license. A first receiver site license may not be 
registered to any other person.
    (8) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge fees 
for administrative costs associated with processing the application 
consistent with the provisions given at Sec. 660.25(f), subpart C.
    (9) Appeals. If NMFS does not accept the first receiver site license 
application through an IAD, the applicant may appeal the IAD consistent 
with the general permit appeals process defined at Sec. 660.25(g), 
subpart C.
    (10) Cost recovery. The first receiver site license holder is 
considered the fish buyer as defined at Sec. 660.111, and must comply 
with the cost recovery program specified at Sec. 660.115.

[[Page 240]]

    (g) Retention and disposition requirements--(1) General. Shorebased 
IFQ Program vessels may discard IFQ species/species groups, provided 
such discards are accounted for and deducted from QP in the vessel 
account. With the exception of vessels on a declared Pacific whiting IFQ 
trip and engaged in maximized retention, and vessels fishing under a 
valid EM Authorization in accordance with Sec. 660.604 of subpart J, 
prohibited and protected species (except short-tailed albatross as 
directed by Sec. 660.21(c)(1)(v)) must be discarded at sea; Pacific 
halibut must be discarded as soon as practicable and the discard 
mortality must be accounted for and deducted from IBQ pounds in the 
vessel account. Non-IFQ species and non-groundfish species may be 
discarded at sea, unless otherwise required by EM Program requirements 
at Sec. 660.604 of subpart J. The sorting of catch, the weighing and 
discarding of any IBQ and IFQ species, and the retention of IFQ species 
must be monitored by the observer or EM system.
    (2) Maximized retention for Pacific whiting IFQ trips. Vessels on 
Pacific whiting IFQ trips may engage in maximized retention. Maximized 
retention allows for the discard minor operational amounts of catch at 
sea if the observer has accounted for the discard. Vessels engaged in 
maximized retention must retain prohibited species until landing. 
Protected species may be retained until landing except as provided under 
paragraph (g)(3) of this section. Pacific halibut must be accounted for 
and deducted from IBQ pounds in the vessel account.
    (3) Disposition of prohibited species and protected species in 
maximized retention landings--(i) Prohibited species handling and 
disposition. To ensure compliance with fishery regulations at 50 CFR 
part 300, subparts E and F, and part 600, subpart H; with the Pacific 
Salmon Fishery Management Plan; and with the Pacific Halibut Catch Share 
Plan; the handling and disposition of all prohibited species in 
maximized retention landings are the responsibility of the first 
receiver and must be consistent with the following requirements:
    (A) Any prohibited species landed at first receivers must not be 
transferred, processed, or mixed with another landing until the catch 
monitor has: recorded the number and weight of salmon by species; 
inspected all prohibited species for tags or marks; and, collected 
biological data, specimens, and genetic samples.
    (B) No part of any prohibited species may be retained for personal 
use by a vessel owner or crew member, or by a first receiver or 
processing crew member. No part of any prohibited species may be allowed 
to reach commercial markets.
    (C) Prohibited species suitable for human consumption at landing 
must be handled and stored to preserve the quality. Priority in 
disposition must be given to the donation to surplus food collection and 
distribution system operated and established to assist in bringing 
donated food to nonprofit charitable organizations and individuals for 
the purpose of reducing hunger and meeting nutritional needs.
    (D) The first receiver must report all prohibited species landings 
on the electronic fish ticket and is responsible for maintaining records 
verifying the disposition of prohibited species. Records on catch 
disposition may include, but are not limited to: Receipts from 
charitable organizations that include the organization's name and amount 
of catch donated; cargo manifests setting forth the origin, weight, and 
destination of all prohibited species; or disposal receipts identifying 
the recipient organization and amount disposed. Any such records must be 
maintained for a period not less than three years after the date of 
disposal and such records must be provided to OLE upon request.
    (ii) Protected Species handling and disposition. All protected 
species must be abandoned to NMFS or the US Fish and Wildlife Service or 
disposed of consistent with paragraphs (g)(3)(ii)(A) and (B) of this 
section. No part of any protected species may be retained for personal 
use by a vessel owner or crew member, or by a first receiver or 
processing crew member. No part of any protected species may be allowed 
to reach commercial markets.
    (A) Eulachon and green sturgeon. Must be sorted and reported by 
species on electronic fish tickets and state landing receipts and may 
not be reported in unspecified categories. Whole body

[[Page 241]]

specimens of green sturgeon must be retained, frozen, stored separately 
by delivery, and labeled with the vessel name, electronic fish ticket 
number, and date of landing. Arrangements for transferring the specimens 
must be made by contacting NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center at 
831-420-3903 within 72 hours after the completion of the offload.
    (B) Seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles. Short-tailed 
albatross must be reported as soon as possible and directions for 
surrendering must be followed as directed by Sec. 660.21(c)(1)(v). 
Marine mammals and sea turtles must be reported to NMFS as soon as 
possible (206-526-6550) and directions for surrendering or disposal must 
be followed. Whole body specimens must be labeled with the vessel name, 
electronic fish ticket number, and date of landing. Whole body specimens 
must be kept frozen or on ice until arrangements for surrendering or 
disposing are completed. Unless directed otherwise, after reporting is 
completed, seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles may be disposed by 
incinerating, rendering, composting, or returning the carcasses to sea.
    (h) Observer requirements--(1) Observer coverage requirements--(i) 
Coverage. The following observer coverage pertains to certified 
observers obtained from an observer provider permitted by NMFS.
    (A) Any vessel participating in the Shorebased IFQ Program:
    (1) Must carry a certified observer on any fishing trip from the 
time the vessel leaves port and until the completion of landing (until 
all catch from that fishing trip has been offloaded--see landing at 
Sec. Sec. 660.11 and 660.60(h)(2)).
    (2) Must carry an observer at any time the vessel is underway in 
port, including transit between delivery points when fish is offloaded 
at more than one IFQ first receiver.
    (3) Is exempt from the requirement to maintain observer coverage as 
specified in this paragraph (h) while remaining docked in port when the 
observer makes available to the catch monitor an Observer Program 
reporting form documenting the weight and number of any overfished 
species listed under a rebuilding plan at Sec. 660.40 retained during 
that trip and which documents any discrepancy the vessel operator and 
observer may have in the weights and number of the overfished species, 
unless modified inseason under routine management measures at Sec. 
660.60(c)(1).
    (4) Is exempt from the requirement to carry an observer if the 
vessel has a valid EM Authorization and is fishing with EM under Sec. 
660.604 of subpart J.
    (5) Is exempt from the requirement to maintain observer coverage as 
specified in this paragraph (h) while gear testing as defined in Sec. 
660.11. The vessel operator must submit a valid declaration for gear/
equipment testing, as required by Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), and must 
notify the Observer Program of the gear testing activity at least 48 
hours prior to departing on a trip to test gear/equipment.
    (B) Any vessel 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer that is engaged in at-
sea processing must carry two certified observers, and any vessel 
shorter than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA that is engaged in at-sea processing 
must carry one certified observer, each day that the vessel is used to 
take, retain, receive, land, process, or transport groundfish.
    (ii) Observer deployment limitations and workload. If an observer is 
unable to perform their duties for any reason, the vessel is required to 
be in port within 36 hours of the last haul sampled by the observer. An 
observer must not be deployed for more than 22 calendar days in a 
calendar month, except for when a waiver has been issued by the Observer 
Program. The Observer Program may issue waivers to the observer provider 
to allow observers to work more than 22 calendar days per month in the 
following circumstances:
    (A) When it's anticipated that one trip will last over 20 days.
    (B) When a replacement observer is not available due to injury or 
illness.
    (C) When the Observer Program has predetermined that the extended 
deployment is not likely to result in data delays or otherwise impact 
the overall duties and obligations of the observer.
    (iii) Refusal to board. Any boarding refusal on the part of the 
observer or vessel must be immediately reported to the Observer Program 
and OLE by the observer provider. The observer must be available for an 
interview with the Observer Program or OLE if necessary.

[[Page 242]]

    (2) Vessel responsibilities. As specified at Sec. 
660.140(h)(1)(ii), if an observer is unable to perform their duties for 
any reason, the vessel is required to be in port within 36 hours of the 
last haul sampled by the observer. An operator and/or crew of a vessel 
required to carry an observer must provide:
    (i) Accommodations and food. (A) Accommodations and food for trips 
less than 24 hours must be equivalent to those provided for the crew.
    (B) Accommodations and food for trips of 24 hours or more must be 
equivalent to those provided for the crew and must include berthing 
space, a space that is intended to be used for sleeping and is provided 
with installed bunks and mattresses. A mattress or futon on the floor or 
a cot is not acceptable if a regular bunk is provided to any crew 
member, unless other arrangements are approved in advance by the 
Regional Administrator or designee.
    (ii) Safe conditions. (A) Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for 
the protection of observers including adherence to all U.S. Coast Guard 
and other applicable rules, regulations, statutes, and guidelines 
pertaining to safe operation of the vessel, including, but not limited 
to rules of the road, vessel stability, emergency drills, emergency 
equipment, vessel maintenance, vessel general condition and port bar 
crossings. An observer may refuse boarding or reboarding a vessel and 
may request a vessel to return to port if operated in an unsafe manner 
or if unsafe conditions are identified.
    (B) Have on board a valid Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal 
that certifies compliance with regulations found in 33 CFR chapter I and 
46 CFR chapter I, a certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 
28.710 or a valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311. 
Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for the protection of observer(s) 
including adherence to all USCG and other applicable rules, regulations, 
or statutes pertaining to safe operation of the vessel, and provisions 
at Sec. Sec. 600.725 and 600.746 of this chapter.
    (iii) Computer hardware and software. [Reserved]
    (iv) Vessel position. Allow observer(s) access to the vessel's 
navigation equipment and personnel, on request, to determine the 
vessel's position.
    (v) Access. Allow observer(s) free and unobstructed access to the 
vessel's bridge, trawl or working deck, holding bins, sorting areas, 
cargo hold, and any other space that may be used to hold, process, 
weigh, or store fish at any time.
    (vi) Prior notification. Notify observer(s) at least 15 minutes 
before fish are brought on board to allow sampling the catch.
    (vii) Records. Allow observer(s) to inspect and copy any state or 
Federal logbook maintained voluntarily or as required by regulation.
    (viii) [Reserved]
    (ix) Sampling station. To allow the observer to carry out the 
required duties, the vessel owner must provide an observer sampling 
station that is:
    (A) Accessible. The observer sampling station must be available to 
the observer at all times.
    (B) Limits hazards. To the extent possible, the area should be free 
and clear of hazards including, but not limited to, moving fishing gear, 
stored fishing gear, inclement weather conditions, and open hatches.
    (x) Transfers at sea. Transfers at-sea are prohibited.
    (xi) Housing on vessel in port. During all periods an observer is 
housed on a vessel, the vessel operator must ensure that at least one 
crew member is aboard.
    (3) Procurement of observer services. Owners of vessels required to 
carry observers under paragraph (h)(1) of this section must arrange for 
observer services from an observer provider, except that:
    (i) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program when NMFS has determined and given notification 
that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual authorized by 
NMFS in lieu of an observer provided by an observer provider.
    (ii) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program and an observer provider when NMFS has determined 
and given notification that the vessel must carry NMFS staff and/or 
individuals authorized by NMFS, in addition to an

[[Page 243]]

observer provided by an observer provider.
    (4) Application to become an observer provider. See Sec. 660.18.
    (5) Observer provider responsibilities.
    (i) Provide qualified candidates to serve as observers. Observer 
providers must provide qualified candidates to serve as observers. To be 
qualified, a candidate must have:
    (A) A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or 
university with a major in one of the natural sciences;
    (B) Successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester hours or 
equivalent in applicable biological sciences with extensive use of 
dichotomous keys in at least one course;
    (C) Successfully completed at least one undergraduate course each in 
math and statistics with a minimum of 5 semester hours total for both; 
and
    (D) Computer skills that enable the candidate to work competently 
with standard database software and computer hardware.
    (ii) Hiring an observer candidate--(A) The observer provider must 
provide the candidate a copy of NMFS-provided pamphlets, information and 
other literature describing observer duties, for example, the West Coast 
Groundfish Observer Program's sampling manual. Observer job information 
is available from the Observer Program Office's web site at http://
www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/ research/divisions/fram/ observer/index.cfm.
    (B) Observer contracts. The observer provider must have a written 
contract or a written contract addendum signed by the observer and 
observer provider prior to the observer's deployment with the following 
clauses:
    (1) That the observer will return all phone calls, emails, text 
messages, or other forms of communication within the time specified by 
the Observer Program;
    (2) That the observer inform the observer provider prior to the time 
of embarkation if he or she is experiencing any new mental illness or 
physical ailments or injury since submission of the physician's 
statement as required as a qualified observer candidate that would 
prevent him or her from performing their assigned duties; and
    (3) That every observer successfully completes a Red Cross (or 
equivalent) basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation/first aid certification 
course prior to the end of the West Coast Groundfish Observer Training 
class.
    (iii) Ensure that observers complete duties in a timely manner. An 
observer provider must ensure that observers employed by that observer 
provider do the following in a complete and timely manner:
    (A) Submit to NMFS all data, logbooks and reports and biological 
samples as required under the observer program policy deadlines.
    (B) Report for his or her scheduled debriefing and complete all 
debriefing responsibilities; and
    (C) Return all sampling and safety gear to the Observer Program 
Office at the termination of their contract.
    (D) Immediately report to the Observer Program Office and the OLE 
any refusal to board an assigned vessel.
    (iv) Observers provided to vessel. (A) Must have a valid West Coast 
Groundfish observer certification with the required endorsements;
    (B) Must not have informed the observer provider prior to the time 
of embarkation that he or she is experiencing a mental illness or a 
physical ailment or injury developed since submission of the physician's 
statement, as required in paragraph (h)(5)(xi)(B) of this section that 
would prevent him or her from performing his or her assigned duties; and
    (C) Must have successfully completed all NMFS required training and 
briefing before deployment.
    (v) Respond to industry requests for observers. An observer provider 
must provide an observer for deployment pursuant to the terms of the 
contractual relationship with the vessel to fulfill vessel requirements 
for observer coverage under paragraphs (h)(5)(xi)(D) of this section. An 
alternate observer must be supplied in each case where injury or illness 
prevents an observer from performing his or her duties or where an 
observer resigns prior to completion of his or her duties. If the 
observer provider is unable to respond to an industry request for 
observer coverage from a vessel for whom the observer provider is in a 
contractual relationship due to

[[Page 244]]

the lack of available observers by the estimated embarking time of the 
vessel, the observer provider must report it to NMFS at least four hours 
prior to the vessel's estimated embarking time, unless the vessel 
provides less than four hour notice to the provider, in which case the 
provider is to notify NMFS as soon as practical after the situation 
arises.
    (vi) Provide observer salaries and benefits. An observer provider 
must provide to its observer employees salaries and any other benefits 
and personnel services in accordance with the terms of each observer's 
contract.
    (vii) Provide observer deployment logistics. (A) An observer 
provider must ensure each of its observers under contract:
    (1) Has an individually assigned mobile or cell phones, in working 
order, for all necessary communication. An observer provider may 
alternatively compensate observers for the use of the observer's 
personal cell phone or pager for communications made in support of, or 
necessary for, the observer's duties.
    (2) Has a check-in system in which the observer is required to 
contact the observer provider each time they depart and return to port 
on a vessels.
    (3) Remains available to OLE and the Observer Program until the 
conclusion of debriefing.
    (4) Receives all necessary transportation, including arrangements 
and logistics to the initial location of deployment, to all subsequent 
vessel assignments during that deployment, and to and from the location 
designated for an observer to be interviewed by the Observer Program; 
and
    (5) Receives lodging, per diem, and any other services necessary to 
observers assigned to fishing vessels.
    (i) An observer under contract may be housed on a vessel to which he 
or she is assigned: Prior to their vessel's initial departure from port; 
for a period not to exceed 24 hours following the completion of an 
offload when the observer has duties and is scheduled to disembark; or 
for a period not to exceed 24 hours following the vessel's arrival in 
port when the observer is scheduled to disembark.
    (ii) Otherwise, each observer between vessels, while still under 
contract with an observer provider, shall be provided with 
accommodations in accordance with the contract between the observer and 
the observer provider. If the observer provider is responsible for 
providing accommodations under the contract with the observer, the 
accommodation must be at a licensed hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or 
other shoreside accommodations that has an assigned bed for each 
observer that no other person may be assigned to for the duration of 
that observer's stay. Additionally, no more than four beds may be in any 
room housing observers at accommodations meeting the requirements of 
this section.
    (viii) Observer deployment limitations and workload. (A) Not deploy 
an observer on the same vessel more than 90 calendar days in a 12-month 
period, unless otherwise authorized by NMFS.
    (B) Not exceed observer deployment limitations and workload as 
outlined in paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (ix) Verify vessel's Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal. An 
observer provider must ensure that the observer completes a current 
observer vessel safety checklist, and verify that a vessel has a valid 
USCG Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal as required under paragraph 
(h)(2)(ii)(B) of this section prior to the observer embarking on the 
first trip and before an observer may get underway aboard the vessel. 
The provider must submit all vessel safety checklists to the Observer 
Program, as specified by Observer Program. One of the following 
acceptable means of verification must be used to verify the decal 
validity:
    (A) An employee of the observer provider, including the observer, 
visually inspects the decal aboard the vessel and confirms that the 
decal is valid according to the decal date of issuance; or
    (B) The observer provider receives a hard copy of the USCG 
documentation of the decal issuance from the vessel owner or operator.
    (x) Maintain communications with observers. An observer provider 
must have an employee responsible for observer activities on call 24 
hours a day to handle emergencies involving observers or

[[Page 245]]

problems concerning observer logistics, whenever observers are at sea, 
in transit, or in port awaiting vessel reassignment.
    (xi) Maintain communications with the Observer Program Office. An 
observer provider must provide all of the following information by 
electronic transmission (email), fax, or other method specified by NMFS.
    (A) Observer training, briefing, and debriefing registration 
materials. This information must be submitted to the Observer Program 
Office at least 10 business days prior to the beginning of a scheduled 
West Coast groundfish observer certification training or briefing 
session. Submissions received less than 10 business days prior to a West 
Coast groundfish observer certification training or briefing session 
will be approved by the Observer Program on a case-by-case basis.
    (1) Training registration materials consist of the following:
    (i) Date of requested training;
    (ii) A list of observer candidates that includes each candidate's 
full name (i.e., first, middle and last names), date of birth, and 
gender;
    (iii) A copy of each candidate's academic transcripts and resume;
    (iv) A statement signed by the candidate under penalty of perjury 
which discloses the candidate's criminal convictions;
    (v) Length of each observer's contract.
    (2) Briefing registration materials consist of the following:
    (i) Date and type of requested briefing session;
    (ii) List of observers to attend the briefing session, that includes 
each observer's full name (first, middle, and last names);
    (iii) Length of each observer's contract.
    (3) Debriefing. The Observer Program will notify the observer 
provider which observers require debriefing and the specific time period 
the observer provider has to schedule a date, time, and location for 
debriefing. The observer provider must contact the Observer Program 
within 5 business days by telephone to schedule debriefings.
    (i) Observer providers must immediately notify the observer program 
when observers end their contract earlier than anticipated.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (B) Physical examination. A signed and dated statement from a 
licensed physician that he or she has physically examined an observer or 
observer candidate. The statement must confirm that, based on that 
physical examination, the observer or observer candidate does not have 
any health problems or conditions that would jeopardize that 
individual's safety or the safety of others while deployed, or prevent 
the observer or observer candidate from performing his or her duties 
satisfactorily. The statement must declare that, prior to the 
examination, the physician was made aware of the duties of the observer 
and the dangerous, remote, and rigorous nature of the work by reading 
the NMFS-prepared information. The physician's statement must be 
submitted to the Observer Program Office prior to certification of an 
observer. The physical exam must have occurred during the 12 months 
prior to the observer's or observer candidate's deployment. The 
physician's statement expires 12 months after the physical exam occurred 
and a new physical exam must be performed, and accompanying statement 
submitted, prior to any deployment occurring after the expiration of the 
statement.
    (C) Certificates of insurance. The observer provider must submit 
copies of ``certificates of insurance'' that name the Northwest 
Fisheries Science Center Observer Program manager as the ``certificate 
holder'' to the Observer Program Office by February 1 of each year. The 
certificates of insurance shall verify all coverage provisions specified 
at Sec. 600.748(b) and (c) of this chapter and state that the insurance 
company will notify the certificate holder if insurance coverage is 
changed or canceled.
    (D) Observer provider contracts. If requested, observer providers 
must submit to the Observer Program Office a completed and unaltered 
copy of each type of signed and valid contract (including all 
attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the 
contract) between the observer provider and those entities requiring 
observer services under paragraph

[[Page 246]]

(h)(1)(i) of this section. Observer providers must also submit to the 
Observer Program Office, upon request, a completed and unaltered copy of 
the current or most recent signed and valid contract (including all 
attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the 
contract and any agreements or policies with regard to observer 
compensation or salary levels) between the observer provider and the 
particular entity identified by the Observer Program or with specific 
observers. The copies must be submitted to the Observer Program Office 
via email, fax, or mail within 5 business days of the request. Signed 
and valid contracts include the contracts an observer provider has with:
    (1) Vessels required to have observer coverage as specified at 
paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section; and
    (2) Observers.
    (E) Change in observer provider management and contact information. 
An observer provider must submit to the Observer Program Office any 
change of management or contact information as required at Sec. 
660.18(h).
    (F) Biological samples. The observer provider must ensure that 
biological samples are stored/handled properly prior to delivery/
transport to NMFS.
    (G) Observer status report. Observer providers must provide NMFS 
with an updated list of observer trips per Observer Program protocol. 
Trip information includes observer provider name, observer last name, 
observer first name, trip start date, trip end date, status of observer, 
vessel name, and vessel identification number.
    (H) Other information. Observer providers must submit to NMFS, if 
requested, copies of any information developed and used by the observer 
providers distributed to vessels, such as informational pamphlets, 
payment notification, description of observer duties, etc.
    (I) Other reports. Reports of the following must be submitted in 
writing to the Observer Program Office by the observer provider via fax 
or email address designated by the Observer Program Office within 24 
hours after the observer provider becomes aware of the information:
    (1) Any information regarding possible observer harassment;
    (2) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec. 
660.12(e); Sec. 660.112(a)(4); or Sec. 600.725(o), (t) and (u) of this 
chapter;
    (3) Any concerns about vessel safety or marine casualty under 46 CFR 
4.05-1(a)(1) through (7);
    (4) Any observer illness or injury that prevents the observer from 
completing any of his or her duties described in the observer manual; 
and
    (5) Any information, allegations or reports regarding observer 
conflict of interest or breach of the standards of behavior described in 
observer provider policy.
    (xii) Replace lost or damaged gear. Lost or damaged gear issued to 
an observer by NMFS must be replaced by the observer provider. All 
replacements must be provided to NMFS and be in accordance with 
requirements and procedures identified in writing by the Observer 
Program Office.
    (xiii) Maintain confidentiality of information. An observer provider 
must ensure that all records on individual observer performance received 
from NMFS under the routine use provision of the Privacy Act U.S.C. 552a 
or as otherwise required by law remain confidential and are not further 
released to any person outside the employ of the observer provider 
company to whom the observer was contracted except with written 
permission of the observer.
    (xiv) Limitations on conflict of interest. Observer providers:
    (A) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer, catch monitor or other biological sampling 
services, in any federal or state managed fisheries, including, but not 
limited to:
    (1) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel or shoreside processor facility involved in the catching, taking, 
harvesting or processing of fish;
    (2) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel or shoreside processors participating in a fishery managed 
pursuant to an FMP in the waters off the coasts of Alaska, California, 
Oregon, and Washington, or

[[Page 247]]

    (3) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel or shoreside processor participating in a fishery 
managed pursuant to an FMP in the waters off the coasts of Alaska, 
California, Oregon, and Washington.
    (B) Must assign observers without regard to any preference by 
representatives of vessels other than when an observer will be deployed.
    (C) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value except for compensation for providing observer services from any 
person who conducts fishing or fish processing activities that are 
regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may be substantially 
affected by the performance or non-performance of the official duties of 
observer providers.
    (xv) Observer conduct and behavior. An observer provider must 
develop and maintain a policy addressing observer conduct and behavior 
for their employees that serve as observers.
    (A) The policy shall address the following behavior and conduct 
regarding:
    (1) Observer use of alcohol;
    (2) Observer use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs in 
violation of applicable law; and;
    (3) Sexual contact with personnel of the vessel or processing 
facility to which the observer is assigned, or with any vessel or 
processing plant personnel who may be substantially affected by the 
performance or non-performance of the observer's official duties.
    (B) An observer provider shall provide a copy of its conduct and 
behavior policy by February 1 of each year, to: observers, observer 
candidates and the Observer Program Office.
    (xvi) Refusal to deploy an observer. Observer providers may refuse 
to deploy an observer on a requesting vessel if the observer provider 
has determined that the requesting vessel is inadequate or unsafe 
pursuant to those described at Sec. 600.746 or U.S. Coast Guard and 
other applicable rules, regulations, statutes, or guidelines pertaining 
to safe operation of the vessel.
    (6) Observer certification and responsibilities--(i) Applicability. 
Observer certification authorizes an individual to fulfill duties as 
specified in writing by the Observer Program Office while under the 
employ of an observer provider and according to certification 
requirements as designated under paragraph (h)(6)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) Observer certification official. The Regional Administrator 
will designate a NMFS observer certification official who will make 
decisions for the Observer Program Office on whether to issue or deny 
observer certification.
    (iii) Certification requirements--(A) Initial certification. NMFS 
may certify individuals who, in addition to any other relevant 
considerations:
    (1) Are employed by an permitted observer provider at the time of 
the of the certification is issued;
    (2) Have provided, through their observer provider:
    (i) Information identified by NMFS at Sec. 679.52 (b) of this 
chapter regarding an observer candidate's health and physical fitness 
for the job;
    (ii) Meet all observer candidate education and health standards as 
specified in Sec. 679.52 (b) of this chapter; and
    (iii) Have successfully completed NMFS-approved training as 
prescribed by the Observer Program. Successful completion of training by 
an observer applicant consists of meeting all attendance and conduct 
standards issued in writing at the start of training; meeting all 
performance standards issued in writing at the start of training for 
assignments, tests, and other evaluation tools; and completing all other 
training requirements established by the Observer Program.
    (iv) Have not been decertified under paragraph (h)(6)(ix) of this 
section, or pursuant to Sec. 679.53(c) of this chapter.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (iv) Denial of a certification. The NMFS observer certification 
official will issue a written determination denying observer 
certification if the candidate fails to successfully complete training, 
or does not meet the qualifications for certification for any other 
relevant reason.
    (v) Issuance of an observer certification. An observer certification 
may be issued upon determination by the observer certification official 
that the candidate has successfully met all requirements

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for certification as specified at paragraph (h)(6)(iii) of this section. 
The following endorsements as prescribed by the Observer Program must be 
obtained in addition to observer certification.
    (A) West Coast Groundfish Observer Program training endorsement. A 
training endorsement signifies the successful completion of the training 
course required to obtain observer certification. This endorsement 
expires when the observer has not been deployed and performed sampling 
duties as required by the Observer Program Office for a period of time, 
specified by the Observer Program, after his or her most recent 
debriefing. The Observer can renew the endorsement by successfully 
completing training once more.
    (B) West Coast Groundfish Observer Program annual general 
endorsement. Each observer must obtain an annual general endorsement to 
their certification prior to his or her first deployment within any 
calendar year subsequent to a year in which a training endorsement is 
obtained. To obtain an annual general endorsement, an observer must 
successfully complete the annual briefing, as specified by the Observer 
Program. All briefing attendance, performance, and conduct standards 
required by the Observer Program must be met.
    (C) West Coast Groundfish Observer Program deployment endorsement. 
Each observer who has completed an initial deployment, as defined by the 
Observer Program, after receiving a training endorsement or annual 
general endorsement, must complete all applicable debriefing 
requirements specified by the Observer Program. A deployment endorsement 
is issued to observers who meet the performance standards specified by 
the Observer Program. A deployment endorsement must be obtained prior to 
any subsequent deployments for the remainder of that calendar year. If a 
deployment endorsement is not issued, certification training must be 
repeated.
    (vi) Maintaining the validity of an observer certification. After 
initial issuance, an observer must keep their certification valid by 
meeting all of the following requirements specified below:
    (A) Successfully perform their assigned duties as described in the 
observer manual or other written instructions from the Observer Program.
    (B) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment.
    (C) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel or in the processing facility to any person except the owner or 
operator of the observed vessel or an authorized officer or NMFS.
    (D) Successfully complete any required trainings or briefings as 
prescribed by the Observer Program.
    (E) Successful completion of briefing by an observer applicant 
consists of meeting all attendance and conduct standards issued in 
writing at the start of training; meeting all performance standards 
issued in writing at the start of briefing for assignments, tests, and 
other evaluation tools; and completing all other briefing requirements 
established by the Observer Program.
    (F) Hold a Red Cross (or equivalent) basic cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation/first aid certification.
    (G) Successfully meet Observer Program performance standards 
reporting for assigned debriefings or interviews.
    (H) Submit all data and information required by the Observer Program 
within the program's stated guidelines.
    (I) Meet the minimum annual deployment period of 45 days every 12 
months. On a case-by case basis, the Observer Program may consider 
waiving the 45 day requirement.
    (vii) Limitations on conflict of interest. Observers:
    (A) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer services or catch monitor services, in a North 
Pacific fishery managed pursuant to an FMP for the waters off the coast 
of Alaska, Alaska state waters, or in a Pacific Coast fishery managed by 
either the state or Federal Governments in waters off Washington, 
Oregon, or California, including but not limited to:
    (1) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, shore-based or floating stationary

[[Page 249]]

processor facility involved in the catching, taking, harvesting or 
processing of fish,
    (2) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processing facility; or
    (3) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processing 
facilities.
    (B) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value from any person who either conducts activities that are regulated 
by NMFS in the Pacific coast or North Pacific regions or has interests 
that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance 
of the observers' official duties.
    (C) May not serve as observers on any vessel or at any shore-based 
or floating stationary processor owned or operated by a person who 
employed the observer in the last two years.
    (D) May not solicit or accept employment as a crew member or an 
employee of a vessel or shore-based or floating stationary processor 
while employed by an observer provider.
    (E) Provisions for remuneration of observers under this section do 
not constitute a conflict of interest.
    (viii) Standards of behavior. Observers must:
    (A) Perform their duties as described in the observer manual or 
other written instructions from the Observer Program Office.
    (B) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to the conservation of marine resources of their 
environment.
    (C) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel to any person except the owner or operator of the observed 
vessel, an authorized officer, or NMFS.
    (ix) Suspension and decertification--(A) Suspension and 
decertification review official. The Regional Administrator (or a 
designee) will designate an observer suspension and decertification 
review official(s), who will have the authority to review observer 
certifications and issue IAD of observer certification suspension and/or 
decertification.
    (B) Causes for suspension or decertification. In addition to any 
other supported basis connected to an observer's job performance, the 
suspension and decertification official may initiate suspension or 
decertification proceedings against an observer:
    (1) When it is alleged that the observer has not met applicable 
standards, including any of the following:
    (i) Failed to satisfactorily perform duties as described or directed 
by the Observer Program; or
    (ii) Failed to abide by the standards of conduct for observers, 
including conflicts of interest;
    (2) Upon conviction of a crime or upon entry of a civil judgment 
for:
    (i) Commission of fraud or other violation in connection with 
obtaining or attempting to obtain certification, or in performing the 
duties as specified in writing by the NMFS Observer Program;
    (ii) Commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, 
falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or 
receiving stolen property;
    (iii) Commission of any other offense indicating a lack of integrity 
or honesty that seriously and directly affects the fitness of observers.
    (C) Issuance of an IAD. Upon determination that suspension or 
decertification is warranted, the suspension/decertification official 
will issue a written IAD to the observer via certified mail at the 
observer's most current address provided to NMFS. The IAD will identify 
whether a certification is suspended or revoked and will identify the 
specific reasons for the action taken. Decertification is effective 30 
calendar days after the date on the IAD, unless there is an appeal.
    (D) Appeals. A certified observer who receives an IAD that suspends 
or revokes his or her observer certification may appeal the 
determination within 30 calendar days after the date on the IAD to the 
Office of Administrative Appeals pursuant to Sec. 660.19.
    (i) Catch monitor requirements for IFQ first receivers--(1) Catch 
monitor coverage

[[Page 250]]

requirements. A catch monitor is required be present at each IFQ first 
receiver whenever an IFQ landing is received, unless the first receiver 
has been granted a written waiver from the catch monitor requirements by 
NMFS.
    (2) Procurement of catch monitor services. Owners or managers of 
each IFQ first receiver must arrange for catch monitor services from a 
catch monitor provider prior to accepting IFQ landings.
    (3) Catch monitor safety. (i) Each IFQ first receiver must adhere to 
all applicable rules, regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe 
operation and maintenance of a processing and/or receiving facility.
    (ii) Unless alternative arrangements are approved by the Catch 
Monitor Program Office, the working hours of each individual catch 
monitor will be limited as follows: the time required for a catch 
monitor to conduct monitoring duties must not exceed 14 consecutive 
hours in a calendar day. Following a monitoring shift of more than 10 
hours, each catch monitor must be provided with a minimum 8 hours break 
before they may resume monitoring.
    (4) Catch monitor access. (i) Each IFQ first receiver must allow 
catch monitors free and unobstructed access to the catch throughout the 
sorting process and the weighing process.
    (ii) The IFQ first receiver must ensure that there is an observation 
area available to the catch monitor that meets the following standards:
    (A) Access to the observation area. The observation area must be 
freely accessible to NMFS staff, NMFS-authorized personnel, or 
authorized officers at any time a valid catch monitoring plan is 
required.
    (B) Monitoring the flow of fish. The catch monitor must have an 
unobstructed view or otherwise be able to monitor the entire flow of 
fish between the delivery point and a location where all sorting has 
takes place and each species has been weighed.
    (C) Adequate lighting. Adequate lighting must be provided during 
periods of limited visibility.
    (iii) Each IFQ first receiver must allow catch monitors free and 
unobstructed access to any documentation required by regulation 
including fish tickets, scale printouts and scale test results.
    (5) Lockable cabinet. Each IFQ first receiver must provide a secure, 
dry, and lockable cabinet or locker with the minimum interior dimensions 
of two feet wide by two feet tall by two feet deep for the exclusive use 
the catch monitor and NMFS staff or NMFS-authorized agents.
    (6) Plant liaison for the catch monitor. Each IFQ first receiver 
must designate a plant liaison. The plant liaison is responsible for:
    (i) Orienting new catch monitors to the facility;
    (ii) Assisting in the resolution of catch monitoring concerns; and
    (iii) Informing NMFS if changes must be made to the catch monitoring 
plan.
    (7) Reasonable assistance. Each IFQ first receiver must provide 
reasonable assistance to the catch monitors to enable each catch monitor 
to carry out his or her duties. Reasonable assistance includes, but is 
not limited to: informing the monitor when bycatch species will be 
weighed, and providing a secure place to store equipment and gear.
    (j) Catch weighing requirements--(1) Catch monitoring plan. All IFQ 
first receivers must operate under a NMFS-accepted catch monitoring plan 
for each specific physical location where IFQ landings will be received, 
purchased, or taken custody, control, or possession of.
    (2) Sorting and weighing IFQ landings--(i) Approved scales. The IFQ 
first receiver must ensure that all IFQ species received from a vessel 
making an IFQ landing are weighed on a scale(s) that meets the 
requirements specified at Sec. 660.15(c).
    (ii) Printed record. All scales identified in the catch monitoring 
plan accepted by NMFS during the first receiver site license application 
process, must produce a printed record as specified at Sec. 660.15(c).
    (iii) Scales that may be exempt from printed report. An IFQ first 
receiver that receives no more than 200,000 pounds of groundfish in any 
calendar month will be exempt from the requirement to produce a printed 
record provided that:

[[Page 251]]

    (A) The first receiver has not previously operated under a catch 
monitoring plan where a printed record was required;
    (B) The first receiver ensures that all catch is weighed; and
    (C) The catch monitor, NMFS staff, or authorized officer can verify 
that all catch is weighed.
    (iv) Retention of printed records. An IFQ first receiver must 
maintain printouts on site until the end of the fishing year during 
which the printouts were made consistent with Sec. 660.113(a)(2).
    (v) Weight monitoring. An IFQ first receiver must ensure that it is 
possible for the catch monitor, NMFS staff, or authorized officer to 
verify the weighing of all catch.
    (vi) Catch sorting. All fish delivered to the plant must be sorted 
and weighed by species as specified at Sec. 660.130(d).
    (vii) Complete sorting. Sorting and weighing must be completed prior 
to catch leaving the area that can be monitored from the catch monitor's 
observation area.
    (viii) Pacific whiting IFQ trips. Immediately following weighing of 
the total catch and prior to processing or transport away from the point 
of landing, the catch must be sorted to the species groups specified at 
Sec. 660.130(d) and all catch other than the target species (groundfish 
and non groundfish species) must be accurately weighed and the weight of 
non-target species deducted from the total catch weight to derive the 
weight of a single predominant species. Catch from a Pacific whiting IFQ 
trip may be sorted after weighing and the weight of a single predominant 
species determined by deducting the weight of all other species from the 
total weight of the landing, provided that:
    (A) The unsorted catch is weighed on a bulk weighing scale in 
compliance with equipment requirements at Sec. 660.15(c);
    (B) All catch (groundfish and non-groundfish species) in the landing 
other than the single predominant species is reweighed on a scale in 
compliance with equipment requirements at Sec. 660.15(c) and the 
reweighed catch is deducted from the total weight of the landing;
    (C) The catch is sorted to the species groups specified at Sec. 
660.130(d) prior to processing or transport away from the point of 
landing; and
    (D) Prohibited species are sorted by species, counted, and weighed.
    (ix) For all other IFQ landings the following weighing standards 
apply:
    (A) A belt or automatic hopper scale may be used to weigh all of the 
catch prior to sorting. All but a single predominant species must then 
be reweighed.
    (B) An in-line conveyor or automatic hopper scale may be used to 
weigh the single predominant species after catch has been sorted. Other 
species must be weighed in a manner that facilitates tracking of the 
weights of those species.
    (C) IFQ species or species group may be weighed in totes on a 
platform scale capable of printing a label or tag and recording the 
label or tag information to memory for printing a report as specified at 
Sec. 660.15. The label or tag must remain affixed to the tote until the 
tote is emptied. The label or tag must show the following information:
    (1) The species or species group;
    (2) The weight of the fish in the tote;
    (3) The date the label or tag was printed; and
    (4) The vessel name.
    (D) Totes and ice. If a catch monitoring plan proposes the use of 
totes in which fish will be weighed, or a deduction for the weight of 
ice, the deduction must be accurately accounted for. No deduction may be 
made for the weight of water or slime. This standard may be met by:
    (1) Taring the empty or pre-iced tote on the scale prior to filling 
with fish;
    (2) Labeling each tote with an individual tare weight. This weight 
must be accurate within 500 grams (1 pound if scale is denominated in 
pounds) for any given tote and the average error for all totes may not 
exceed 200 grams (8 ounces for scales denominated in pounds);
    (3) An alternate approach accepted by NMFS. NMFS will only accept 
approaches that do not involve the estimation of the weight of ice or 
the weight of totes and allow NMFS staff or an authorized officer to 
verify that

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the deduction or tare weight is accurate.
    (E) An alternate approach accepted by NMFS in the catch monitoring 
plan.
    (3) IFQ first receiver responsibilities relative to catch weighing 
and monitoring of catch weighing. The IFQ first receiver must:
    (i) General. Ensure that all IFQ landings are sorted and weighed as 
specified at Sec. 660.130(d) and in accordance with an approved catch 
monitoring plan.
    (ii) Catch monitors, NMFS staff, and authorized officers. (A) Have a 
catch monitor on site the entire time an IFQ landing is being offloaded, 
sorted, or weighed.
    (B) Notify the catch monitor of the offloading schedule.
    (C) Provide catch monitors, NMFS staff, or an authorized officer 
with unobstructed access to any areas where IFQ species are or may be 
sorted or weighed at any time IFQ species are being landed or processed.
    (D) Ensure that catch monitors, NMFS staff, or an authorized officer 
are able to simultaneously observe the weighing of catch on the scale 
and read the scale display at any time.
    (E) Ensure that printouts of the scale weight of each delivery or 
offload are made available to catch monitors, NMFS staff, or an 
authorized officer at the time printouts are generated.
    (4) Scale tests. All testing must meet the scale test standards 
specified at Sec. 660.15(c).
    (k) Gear switching. (1) Participants in the Shorebased IFQ Program 
may take IFQ species using any legal groundfish non-trawl gear (i.e., 
gear switching) and are exempt from the gear endorsements at Sec. 
660.25(b)(3) for limited entry fixed gear permits, provided the 
following requirements are met:
    (i) The vessel must be registered to a limited entry trawl permit.
    (ii) The vessel must be registered to a vessel account that is not 
in deficit on any IFQ species.
    (iii) The vessel operator must have submitted a valid gear 
declaration for the trip that declares ``Limited entry groundfish non-
trawl, shorebased IFQ,'' as specified in Sec. 660.13(d)(5)(iv)(A), and 
does not declare any other designation (a Shorebased IFQ Program trip 
may not be combined with any other designation).
    (iv) The vessel must comply with prohibitions applicable to the 
limited entry fixed gear fishery as specified at Sec. 660.212, gear 
restrictions applicable to limited entry fixed gear as specified in 
Sec. Sec. 660.219 and 660.230(b), and management measures specified in 
Sec. 660.230(d), including restrictions on the fixed gear allowed 
onboard, its usage, and applicable fixed gear groundfish conservation 
area restrictions, except that the vessel will not be subject to limited 
entry fixed gear trip limits when fishing in the Shorebased IFQ Program. 
Vessels using bottom longline and snap gears as defined at Sec. 660.11 
are subject to the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance Program 
described in Sec. 660.21.
    (v) The vessel must comply with the limited entry trawl trip limits 
for species/species groups not covered under the Shorebased IFQ Program 
or whiting trip limits outside the primary season.
    (vi) The vessel must comply with recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements applicable to limited entry trawl gear as specified in 
Sec. 660.113.
    (vii) The vessel must comply with and observer requirements and all 
other provisions of the Shoreside IFQ Program as specified in this 
section.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (l) Adaptive management program--(1) General. The adaptive 
management program (AMP) is a set-aside of 10 percent of the non-whiting 
QS to address the following objectives:
    (i) Community stability;
    (ii) Processor stability;
    (iii) Conservation;
    (iv) Unintended/unforeseen consequences of IFQ management; or
    (v) Facilitating new entrants.
    (2) AMP QP pass through. The 10 percent of non-whiting QS will be 
reserved for the AMP, but the resulting AMP QP will be issued to all QS 
permit owners in proportion to their non-whiting QS until an alternative 
use of AMP QP is implemented.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
660.140, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the

[[Page 253]]

Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 660.150  Mothership (MS) Co-op Program.

    (a) General. The MS Coop Program is a general term to describe the 
limited access program that applies to eligible harvesters and 
processors in the mothership sector of the Pacific whiting at-sea trawl 
fishery. Eligible harvesters and processors, including coop and non-coop 
fishery participants, must meet the requirements set forth in this 
section of the Pacific Coast groundfish regulations. Each year a vessel 
registered to an MS/CV-endorsed permit may fish in either the coop or 
non-coop portion of the MS Coop Program, but not both. In addition to 
the requirements of this section, the MS Coop Program is subject to the 
following groundfish regulations of subparts C and D of this part:
    (1) Pacific whiting seasons Sec. 660.131(b), subpart D.
    (2) Area restrictions specified for midwater trawl gear used to 
harvest Pacific whiting fishery specified at Sec. 660.131(c), Subpart D 
for GCAs, RCAs, Salmon Conservation Zones, BRAs, and EFHCAs.
    (3) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: 
Sec. 660.11 Definitions, Sec. 660.12 Prohibitions, Sec. 660.13 
Recordkeeping and reporting, Sec. 660.14 VMS requirements, Sec. 660.15 
Equipment requirements, Sec. 660.16 Groundfish Observer Program, Sec. 
660.20 Vessel and gear identification, Sec. 660.25 Permits, Sec. 
660.55 Allocations, Sec. 660.60 Specifications and management measures, 
Sec. 660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications, and Sec. Sec. 660.70 
through 660.79 Closed areas.
    (4) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: 
Sec. 660.111 Trawl fishery definitions, Sec. 660.112 Trawl fishery 
prohibitions, Sec. 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting, 
Sec. 660.115 Trawl fishery cost recovery program, Sec. 660.120 Trawl 
fishery crossover provisions, Sec. 660.130 Trawl fishery management 
measures, and Sec. 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures.
    (5) The MS Coop Program may be restricted or closed as a result of 
projected overages within the MS Coop Program, the C/P Coop Program, or 
the Shorebased IFQ Program. As determined necessary by the Regional 
Administrator, area restrictions, season closures, or other measures 
will be used to prevent the trawl sectors in aggregate or the individual 
trawl sector (Shorebased IFQ, MS Coop, or C/P Coop) from exceeding an 
ACL, ACT, or formal allocation specified in the PCGFMP or regulation at 
Sec. 660.55, subpart C, or Sec. Sec. 660.140, 660.150, or 660.160, 
subpart D.
    (b) Participation requirements and responsibilities--(1) Mothership 
vessels--(i) Mothership vessel participation requirements. A vessel is 
eligible to receive and process catch as a mothership in the MS Coop 
Program if:
    (A) The vessel is registered to an MS permit; and
    (B) The vessel is not used to fish as a catcher vessel in the 
mothership sector of the Pacific whiting fishery in the same calendar 
year.
    (ii) Mothership vessel responsibilities. The owner and operator of a 
mothership vessel must:
    (A) Recordkeeping and reporting. Maintain a valid declaration as 
specified at Sec. 660.13(d); maintain records as specified at Sec. 
660.113(a); and maintain and submit all records and reports specified at 
Sec. 660.113(c) including, economic data, scale tests records, cease 
fishing reports, and cost recovery.
    (B) Observers. As specified at paragraph (j) of this section, 
procure observer services, maintain the appropriate level of coverage, 
and meet the vessel responsibilities.
    (C) Catch weighing requirements. The owner and operator of a 
mothership vessel must:
    (1) Ensure that all catch is weighed in its round form on a NMFS-
approved scale that meets the requirements described in section Sec. 
660.15(b);
    (2) Provide a NMFS-approved platform scale, belt scale, and test 
weights that meet the requirements described in section Sec. 660.15(b).
    (D) Cost recovery program. Collect and remit to NMFS cost recovery 
program fees as specified at Sec. 660.115.
    (2) Mothership catcher vessels--(i) Mothership catcher vessel 
participation requirements--(A) A vessel is eligible to

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harvest in the MS Coop Program if the following conditions are met:
    (1) If the vessel is used to fish as a mothership catcher vessel for 
a permitted MS coop, the vessel is registered to a limited entry permit 
with a trawl endorsement and NMFS has been notified that the vessel is 
authorized to fish for the coop.
    (2) If the vessel is used to harvest fish in the non-coop fishery, 
the vessel is registered to an MS/CV-endorsed limited entry permit.
    (3) The vessel does not catch more than 30 percent of the Pacific 
whiting allocation for the mothership sector.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (ii) Mothership catcher vessel responsibilities--(A) Observers. As 
specified at paragraph (j) of this section, procure observer services, 
maintain the appropriate level of coverage, and meet the vessel 
responsibilities.
    (B) Recordkeeping and reporting. Maintain a valid declaration as 
specified at Sec. 660.13(d), subpart C; and, maintain and submit all 
records and reports specified at Sec. 660.113(c) including, economic 
data and scale tests records, if applicable.
    (C) Cost recovery program. Vessel must pay cost recovery program 
fees, as specified at Sec. 660.115.
    (3) MS coops--(i) MS coop participation requirements. For a MS coop 
to participate in the Pacific whiting mothership sector fishery it must:
    (A) Be issued a MS coop permit;
    (B) Be composed of MS/CV-endorsed limited entry permit owners;
    (C) Be formed voluntarily;
    (D) Be a legally recognized entity that represents its members;
    (E) Designate an individual as a coop manager; and
    (F) Include at least 20 percent of all MS/CV-endorsed permits as 
members. The coop membership percentage will be interpreted by rounding 
to the nearest whole permit (i.e., less than 0.5 rounds down and 0.5 and 
greater rounds up).
    (ii) MS coop responsibilities. A MS coop is responsible for:
    (A) Applying for and being registered to a MS coop permit;
    (B) Organizing and coordinating harvest activities of vessels 
authorized to fish for the coop;
    (C) Reassigning catch history assignments for use by coop members;
    (D) Organizing and coordinating the transfer and leasing of catch 
allocations with other permitted coops through inter-coop agreements;
    (E) Monitoring harvest activities and enforcing the catch limits of 
coop members;
    (F) Submitting an annual report.
    (G) Having a designated coop manager. The designated coop manager 
must:
    (1) Serve as the contact person between NMFS, the Council, and other 
coops;
    (2) Be responsible for the annual distribution of catch and bycatch 
allocations among coop members;
    (3) Oversee reassignment of catch allocations within the coop;
    (4) Oversee inter-coop catch allocation reassignments;
    (5) Prepare and submit an annual report on behalf of the coop;
    (6) Be authorized to receive or respond to any legal process in 
which the coop is involved; and
    (7) Notify NMFS if the coop dissolves.
    (iii) MS coop compliance and joint/several liability. An MS coop 
must comply with the provisions of this section. The MS coop, member 
limited entry permit owners, and owners and operators of vessels 
registered to member limited entry permits, are jointly and severally 
responsible for compliance with the provisions of this section. Pursuant 
to 15 CFR part 904, each MS coop, member permit owner, and owner and 
operator of a vessel registered to a coop member permit may be charged 
jointly and severally for violations of the provisions of this section. 
For purposes of enforcement, an MS coop is a legal entity that can be 
subject to NOAA enforcement action for violations of the provisions of 
this section.
    (c) MS Coop Program species and allocations--(1) MS Co-op Program 
species. All species other than Pacific whiting are managed with set-
asides for the MS and C/P Co-op Programs, as described in the biennial 
specifications.
    (2) Annual mothership sector sub-allocations. Annual allocation 
amount(s) will be determined using the following procedure:

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    (i) MS/CV catch history assignments. Catch history assignments will 
be based on catch history using the following methodology:
    (A) Pacific whiting catch history assignment. Each MS/CV 
endorsement's associated catch history assignment of Pacific whiting 
will be annually allocated to a single permitted MS coop or to the non-
coop fishery. If multiple MS/CV endorsements and their associated CHAs 
are registered to a limited entry permit, that permit may be 
simultaneously registered to more than one MS coop or to both a coop(s) 
and non-coop fishery. Once assigned to a permitted MS coop or to the 
non-coop fishery, each MS/CV endorsement's catch history assignment 
remains with that permitted MS coop or non-coop fishery for that 
calendar year. When the mothership sector allocation is established, the 
information for the conversion of catch history assignment to pounds 
will be made available to the public through a Federal Register 
announcement and/or public notice and/or the NMFS website. The amount of 
whiting from the catch history assignment will be issued to the nearest 
whole pound using standard rounding rules (i.e., less than 0.5 rounds 
down and 0.5 and greater rounds up).
    (1) In years where the Pacific whiting harvest specification is 
known by the start of the mothership sector primary whiting season 
specified at Sec. 660.131(b)(2)(iii)(B), allocation for Pacific whiting 
will be made by the start of the season.
    (2) In years where the Pacific whiting harvest specification is not 
known by the start of the mothership sector primary whiting season 
specified at Sec. 660.131(b)(2)(iii)(B), NMFS will issue Pacific 
whiting allocations in two parts. Before the start of the primary 
whiting season, NMFS will allocate Pacific whiting based on the MS Coop 
Program allocation percent multiplied by the lower end of the range of 
potential harvest specifications for Pacific whiting for that year. 
After the final Pacific whiting harvest specifications are established, 
NMFS will allocate any additional amounts of Pacific whiting to the MS 
Coop Program.
    (B) Non-whiting groundfish species catch--(1) At-sea set-asides of 
non-whiting groundfish species will be managed on an annual basis unless 
there is a risk of a harvest specification being exceeded, unforeseen 
impact on other fisheries, or conservation concerns, in which case 
inseason action may be taken. Set asides may be adjusted through the 
biennial specifications and management measures process as necessary.
    (2) Groundfish species not addressed in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B)(1) of 
this section, will be managed on an annual basis unless there is a risk 
of a harvest specification being exceeded, unforeseen impact on other 
fisheries, or conservation concerns, in which case inseason action may 
be taken.
    (3) Annually a specified amount of the Pacific halibut will be held 
in reserve as a shared set-aside for bycatch in the at-sea Pacific 
whiting fisheries and the shorebased trawl sector south of 
40[deg]10[min] N lat.
    (C) Rounding rules and MS/CV allocations. Rounding rules may affect 
distribution of the MS Coop Program allocations among the catch history 
assignments for individual MS/CV-endorsed permits. NMFS will distribute 
such allocations to the maximum extent practicable, not to exceed the 
total allocation.
    (ii) Annual coop allocations--(A) Pacific whiting. Each permitted MS 
coop is authorized to harvest a quantity of Pacific whiting that is 
based on the sum of the catch history assignments for each member MS/CV-
endorsed permit identified in the NMFS-accepted coop agreement for a 
given calendar year. Other limited entry permits registered to vessels 
that will fish for the coop do not bring catch allocation to a permitted 
MS coop.
    (B) Single MS/CV Coop Fishery. If all MS/CV-endorsed permits are 
members of a single coop in a given year and there is not a non-coop 
fishery, then NMFS will allocate 100 percent of the MS Coop Program 
allocation to that coop.
    (iii) Annual non-coop allocation--(A) Pacific whiting. The non-coop 
whiting fishery is authorized to harvest a quantity of Pacific whiting 
that is remaining in the mothership sector annual allocation after the 
deduction of all coop allocations.

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    (B) Announcement of the non-coop fishery allocations. Information on 
the amount of Pacific whiting and non-whiting groundfish with 
allocations that will be made available to the non-coop fishery when the 
final Pacific whiting specifications for the mothership sector is 
established and will be announced to the public through a Federal 
Register announcement and/or public notice and/or the NMFS website.
    (3) Reaching an allocation or sub-allocation. When the mothership 
sector Pacific whiting allocation, or Pacific whiting sub-allocation is 
reached or is projected to be reached, the following action may be 
taken:
    (i) Further harvesting, receiving or at-sea processing by a 
mothership or catcher vessel in the mothership sector is prohibited when 
the mothership sector Pacific whiting allocation is projected to be 
reached. No additional unprocessed groundfish may be brought on board 
after at-sea processing is prohibited, but a mothership may continue to 
process catch that was on board before at-sea processing was prohibited. 
Pacific whiting may not be taken and retained, possessed, or landed by a 
catcher vessel participating in the mothership sector.
    (ii) When a permitted MS coop sub-allocation of Pacific whiting-is 
reached, further harvesting or receiving of groundfish by vessels 
fishing in the permitted MS coop must cease, unless the permitted MS 
coop is operating under an NMFS-accepted inter-coop agreement.
    (iii) When the non-coop fishery sub-allocation of Pacific whiting is 
projected to be reached, further harvesting or receiving of groundfish 
by vessels fishing in the non-coop fishery must cease.
    (4) [Reserved]
    (5) Announcements. The Regional Administrator will announce in the 
Federal Register when the mothership sector allocation of Pacific 
whiting is reached, or is projected to be reached, and specify the 
appropriate action. In order to prevent exceeding an allocation and to 
avoid underutilizing the resource, prohibitions against further taking 
and retaining, receiving, or at-sea processing of Pacific whiting may be 
made effective immediately by actual notice to fishers and processors, 
by email, internet, phone, fax, letter, press release, and/or USCG 
Notice to Mariners (monitor channel 16 VHF), followed by publication in 
the Federal Register, in which instance public comment will be sought 
for a reasonable period of time thereafter.
    (6) Redistribution of annual allocation--(i) Between permitted MS 
coops (inter-coop). (A) Through an inter-co-op agreement, the designated 
co-op managers of permitted MS co-ops may distribute Pacific whiting 
allocations among one or more permitted MS co-ops.
    (B) In the case of a MS coop failure during the Pacific whiting 
primary season for the mothership sector, unused allocation associated 
with the catch history will not be available for harvest by the coop 
that failed, by any former members of the coop that failed, or any other 
MS coop for the remainder of that calendar year.
    (1) Between the MS coop and non-coop fisheries. Pacific whiting may 
not be redistributed between the coop and non-coop fisheries.
    (2) Between Pacific whiting sectors. Pacific whiting may not be 
redistributed between the mothership sector and catcher/processor 
sector. Whiting may not be redistributed to the Shorebased IFQ Program.
    (d) MS coop permit and agreement--(1) Eligibility and registration--
(i) Eligibility. To be an eligible coop entity a group of MS/CV-endorsed 
permit owners (coop members) must be a recognized entity under the laws 
of the United States or the laws of a State and represent all of the 
coop members.
    (ii) Annual registration and deadline. Each year, a co-op entity 
intending to participate as a co-op under the MS Co-op Program must 
submit an application for a MS co-op permit between January 17 and March 
17 of the year in which it intends to fish. NMFS will not consider any 
applications received after March 17. An MS co-op permit expires on 
December 31 of the year in which it was issued.
    (iii) Application for MS co-op permit. The designated co-op manager, 
on behalf of the co-op entity, must submit a complete application form 
and include

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each of the items listed in paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(A) of this section. 
Only complete applications will be considered for issuance of a MS co-op 
permit. An application will not be considered complete if any required 
application fees and annual co-op reports have not been received by 
NMFS. NMFS may request additional supplemental documentation as 
necessary to make a determination of whether to approve or disapprove 
the application. Application forms and instruction are available on the 
NMFS West Coast Region (WCR) website (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ 
permit/groundfish-mothership- cooperative-permit) or by request from 
NMFS. The designated co-op manager must sign the application 
acknowledging the responsibilities of a designated co-op manager defined 
in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. For permit owners with more than 
one MS/CV endorsement and associated CHA, paragraph (g)(2)(iv)(D) of 
this section specifies how to join an MS co-op(s).
    (A) Coop agreement. Signed copies of the coop agreement must be 
submitted to NMFS before the coop is authorized to engage in fishing 
activities. A coop agreement must include all of the information listed 
in this paragraph to be considered a complete coop agreement. NMFS will 
only review complete coop agreements. A coop agreement will not be 
accepted unless it includes all of the required information; the 
descriptive items listed in this paragraph appear to meet the stated 
purpose; and information submitted is correct and accurate.
    (1) Coop agreement contents. Each coop agreement must be signed by 
all of the coop members (MS/CV-endorsed permit owners) and include the 
following information:
    (i) A list of all vessels and permit owners participating in the 
coop and their share of the allocated catch history assignments which 
must match the amount distributed to individual permit owners by NMFS.
    (ii) All MS/CV-endorsed limited entry member permits identified by 
permit number.
    (iii) A clause indicting that each member MS/CV-endorsed permit's 
catch history assignment is based on the catch history assignment 
calculation by NMFS used for distribution to the coop.
    (iv) A description of the coop's plan to adequately monitor and 
account for the catch of Pacific whiting and non-whiting groundfish, and 
to monitor and account for the catch of prohibited species.
    (v) A clause stating that if a permit is registered to a new permit 
owner during the effective period of the coop agreement, any new owners 
of that member permit would be coop members required to comply with 
membership restrictions in the coop agreement.
    (vi) A description of the coop's enforcement and penalty provisions 
adequate to maintain catch of Pacific whiting and non-whiting groundfish 
within the allocations.
    (vii) A description of measures to reduce catch of overfished 
species.
    (viii) A clause describing the co-op manager's responsibility for 
managing inter-coop reassignments of catch history assignment, should 
any occur.
    (ix) A clause describing how the annual report will be produced to 
document the coop's catch, bycatch data, inseason catch history 
reassignments and any other significant activities undertaken by the 
coop during the year, and the submission deadlines for that report.
    (x) Identification of the designated coop manager.
    (xi) Provisions that prohibit member permit owners that have 
incurred legal sanctions that prevent them from fishing groundfish in 
the Council region from fishing in the coop.
    (2) Inter-coop agreement. The coop entity must provide, at the time 
of annual application, copies of any inter-coop agreement(s) into which 
the coop has entered. Such agreements must incorporate and honor the 
provisions of the individual coop agreements for each coop that is a 
party to the inter-coop agreement. Inter-coop agreements are specified 
at paragraph (e) of this section.
    (B) Acceptance of a coop agreement--(1) If NMFS does not accept the 
coop agreement, the coop permit application will be returned to the 
applicant with a letter stating the reasons the coop agreement was not 
accepted by NMFS.

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    (2) Coop agreements that are not accepted may be resubmitted for 
review by sufficiently addressing the deficiencies identified in the 
NMFS letter and resubmitting the entire coop permit application by the 
date specified in the NMFS letter.
    (3) An accepted coop agreement that was submitted with the MS coop 
permit application and for which a MS coop permit was issued will remain 
in place through the end of the calendar year. The designated coop 
manager must resubmit a complete coop agreement to NMFS consistent with 
the coop agreement contents described in paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(A)(1) of 
this section if there is a material change to the coop agreement.
    (4) Within 7 calendar days following a material change, the 
designated coop manager must notify NMFS of the material change. Within 
30 calendar days, the designated coop manger must submit to NMFS the 
revised coop agreement with a letter that describes such changes. NMFS 
will review the material changes and provide a letter to the coop 
manager that either accepts the changes as given or does not accept the 
revised coop agreement with a letter stating the reasons that it was not 
accepted by NMFS. The coop may resubmit the coop agreement with further 
revisions to the material changes responding to NMFS concerns.
    (iv) Effective date of MS coop permit. A MS coop permit will be 
effective upon the date approved by NMFS and will allow fishing from the 
start of the MS sector primary whiting season until the end of the 
calendar year or until one or more of the following events occur, 
whichever comes first:
    (A) NMFS permanently closes the mothership sector fishing season for 
the year or a specific MS coop or the designated coop manager notifies 
NMFS that the coop has completed fishing for the calendar year,
    (B) The coop has reached its Pacific whiting allocation,
    (C) A material change to the coop agreement has occurred and the 
designated coop manager failed to notify NMFS within 7 calendar days of 
the material change and submit to NMFS the revised coop agreement with a 
letter that describes such changes within 30 calendar days, or
    (D) NMFS has determined that a coop failure occurred.
    (2) Initial administrative determination. For all complete 
applications, NMFS will issue an IAD that either approves or disapproves 
the application. If approved, the IAD will include a MS coop permit. If 
disapproved, the IAD will provide the reasons for this determination. 
The IAD for a MS coop permit follows the same requirement as specified 
for limited entry permits at Sec. 660.25(g)(4)(ii); if the applicant 
does not appeal the IAD within the 30 calendar days, the IAD becomes the 
final decision of the Regional Administrator acting on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce.
    (3) Appeals. An appeal to a MS coop permit action follows the same 
process as the general permit appeals process defined at Sec. 
660.25(g), subpart C.
    (4) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge fees 
for administrative costs associated with the issuance of a MS coop 
permit consistent with the provisions given at Sec. 660.25(f), subpart 
C.
    (e) Inter-coop agreements--(1) General. Permitted MS coops may 
voluntarily enter into inter-coop agreements for the purpose of sharing 
permitted MS coop allocations of Pacific whiting and allocated non-
whiting groundfish. If two or more permitted MS coops enter into an 
inter-coop agreement, the inter-coop agreement must incorporate and 
honor the provisions of each permitted MS coop subject to the inter-coop 
agreement.
    (2) Submission of inter-coop agreements. Inter-coop agreements must 
be submitted to NMFS for acceptance.
    (3) Inter-coop agreement review process. Each designated coop 
manager must submit a copy of the inter-coop agreement signed by both 
designated coop managers for review. Complete coop agreements containing 
all items listed under paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(A)(1) will be reviewed by 
NMFS.
    (f) Mothership (MS) permit.
    (1) General. Any vessel that processes or receives deliveries as a 
mothership processor in the Pacific whiting fishery mothership sector 
must be registered to an MS permit. A vessel registered to

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an MS permit may receive fish from a vessel that fishes in an MS coop 
and/or may receive fish from a vessel that fishes in the non-coop 
fishery at the same time or during the same year.
    (i) Vessel size endorsement. An MS permit does not have a vessel 
size endorsement. The endorsement provisions at Sec. 660.25(b)(3)(iii), 
subpart C, do not apply to an MS permit.
    (ii) Restriction on C/P vessels operating as motherships. 
Restrictions on a vessel registered to a limited entry permit with a C/P 
endorsement operating as a mothership are specified at Sec. 660.160, 
subpart D.
    (2) Renewal, change of permit ownership, or vessel registration--(i) 
Renewal. An MS permit must be renewed annually consistent with the 
limited entry permit regulations given at Sec. 660.25(b)(4). If a 
vessel registered to the MS permit will operate as a mothership in the 
year for which the permit is renewed, the permit owner must make a 
declaration as part of the permit renewal that while participating in 
the whiting fishery it will operate solely as a mothership during the 
calendar year to which its limited entry permit applies. Any such 
declaration is binding on the vessel for the calendar year, even if the 
permit is registered to a different permit owner during the year, unless 
it is rescinded in response to a written request from the permit owner. 
Any request to rescind a declaration must be made by the permit owner 
and granted in writing by the Regional Administrator before any 
unprocessed whiting has been taken on board the vessel that calendar 
year.
    (ii) Change of permit ownership. An MS permit is subject to the 
limited entry permit change in permit ownership regulations given at 
Sec. 660.25(b)(4), subpart C.
    (iii) Change of vessel registration. An MS permit is subject to the 
limited entry permit change of vessel registration regulations given at 
Sec. 660.25(b)(4), subpart C.
    (3) Appeals. An appeal to an MS permit action follows the same 
process as the general permit appeals process defined at Sec. 
660.25(g), subpart C.
    (4) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge fees 
for administrative costs associated with the issuance of an MS permit 
consistent with the provisions given at Sec. 660.25(f), Subpart C.
    (5) Cost recovery. The owner of a vessel registered to an MS permit, 
the operator of a vessel registered to an MS permit, and the owner of 
the MS permit registered to that vessel, are considered to be the fish 
buyer as defined at Sec. 660.111, and must comply with the cost 
recovery program specified at Sec. 660.115.
    (g) Mothership catcher vessel (MS/CV)--endorsed permit--(1) General. 
Any vessel that delivers whiting to a mothership processor in the 
Pacific whiting fishery mothership sector must be registered to an MS/
CV-endorsed permit, except that a vessel registered to limited entry 
trawl permit without an MS/CV or C/P endorsement may fish for a coop if 
authorized by the coop. Within the MS Coop Program, an MS/CV-endorsed 
permit may participate in an MS coop or in the non-coop fishery. An MS/
CV-endorsed permit is a limited entry permit and is subject to the 
limited entry permit provisions given at Sec. 660.25(b), subpart C.
    (i) Catch history assignment. NMFS will assign a catch history 
assignment to each MS/CV-endorsed permit. The catch history assignment 
is based on the catch history in the Pacific whiting mothership sector 
during the qualifying years of 1994 through 2003. The catch history 
assignment is expressed as a percentage of Pacific whiting of the total 
mothership sector allocation as described at paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this 
section. Catch history assignments will be issued to the nearest whole 
pound using standard rounding rules (i.e., decimal amounts from zero up 
to 0.5 round down and 0.5 up to 1.0 round up).
    (ii) Pacific whiting mothership sector allocation. The catch history 
assignment allocation accrues to the coop to which the MS/CV-endorsed 
permit is tied through private agreement, or will be assigned to the 
non-coop fishery if the MS/CV-endorsed permit does not participate in 
the coop fishery.
    (iii) MS/CV endorsement and CHA non-severable. Subject to the 
regulations at paragraph (g)(2)(iv) and (v) of this section, an MS/CV 
endorsement and its associated CHA are permanently linked

[[Page 260]]

together as originally issued by NMFS and cannot be divided or 
registered separately to another limited entry trawl permit. An MS/CV 
endorsement and its associated CHA must be registered to a limited entry 
trawl permit and any change in endorsement registration must be to 
another limited entry trawl permit.
    (iv) Restrictions on processing for MS/CV-endorsed permits. A vessel 
registered to an MS/CV-endorsed permit in a given year shall not engage 
in processing of Pacific whiting during that year.
    (2) Renewal, change of permit owner, vessel registration, or 
combination--(i) Renewal. An MS/CV-endorsed permit must be renewed 
annually consistent with the limited entry permit regulations given at 
Sec. 660.25(b)(4). During renewal, all MS/CV-endorsed limited entry 
permit owners must make a preliminary declaration regarding their intent 
to participate in the co-op or non-co-op portion of the MS Co-op Program 
for the following year. MS/CV-endorsed permits not obligated to a 
permitted MS co-op by March 17 of the fishing year will be assigned to 
the non-co-op fishery. For an MS/CV-endorsed permit that is not renewed, 
the following occurs:
    (A) For the first year after the permit is not renewed, the permit 
will be extinguished, and the catch history assignment from that permit 
will be assigned to the non-coop fishery.
    (B) In the year after the permit is extinguished (the second year 
after the permit is not renewed), the catch history assignment from that 
permit will be redistributed proportionally to all valid MS/CV-endorsed 
permits.
    (ii) Change of permit ownership. An MS/CV-endorsed permit is subject 
to the limited entry permit change in permit ownership regulations given 
at Sec. 660.25(b)(4), subpart C.
    (iii) Change of vessel registration. An MS/CV-endorsed permit is 
subject to the limited entry permit change of vessel registration 
regulations given at Sec. 660.25(b)(4), subpart C.
    (iv) Change in MS/CV endorsement registration. As specified at Sec. 
660.25(b)(3)(v), each MS/CV endorsement has an associated CHA that is 
permanently linked as originally issued by NMFS and cannot be divided or 
registered separately to another limited entry trawl permit. An MS/CV 
endorsement and associated CHA must be registered to a limited entry 
trawl permit and any change in MS/CV endorsement registration must be to 
another limited entry trawl permit. Any change in MS/CV endorsement 
registration will be registered separately on the limited entry trawl 
permit. An MS/CV endorsement and its associated CHA cannot be registered 
to any other person other than the specified owner of the limited entry 
trawl permit to which it is registered.
    (A) Multiple MS/CV endorsements on a limited entry trawl permit. 
Multiple MS/CV endorsements and associated CHAs may be registered to a 
single limited entry trawl permit. If multiple endorsements are 
registered to a single limited entry trawl permit, the whiting CHA 
amount (expressed as a percent) will remain in the amount that it was 
originally issued by NMFS and will not be combined as a single larger 
CHA, unless two or more MS/CV-endorsed permits are combined for purposes 
of increasing the size endorsement, as specified at Sec. 
660.25(b)(4)(ii)(B). Any change in MS/CV endorsement registration may be 
disapproved if the person owning the limited entry trawl permit has 
aggregate CHA amounts in excess of the accumulation limits specified at 
paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
    (B) Application. NMFS will begin accepting applications for a change 
in MS/CV endorsement registration beginning September 1, 2014. A request 
for a change in MS/CV endorsement registration must be made between 
September 1 and December 31 of each year. Any transfer of MS/CV 
endorsement and its associated CHA to another limited entry trawl permit 
must be requested using a Change in Registration of a Mothership/Catcher 
Vessel Endorsement/Catch History Assignment Application form and the 
permit owner or an authorized representative of the permit owner must 
certify that the application is true and correct by signing and dating 
the form. In addition, the form must be notarized, and the permit owner 
selling the MS/CV endorsement and its CHA must provide the sale price of 
the MS/CV endorsement and its

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associated CHA. If any assets in addition to the MS/CV endorsement and 
its associated CHA are included in the sale price, those assets must be 
itemized and described.
    (C) Effective date. Any change in MS/CV endorsement registration 
from one limited entry trawl permit to another limited entry trawl 
permit will be effective on January 1 in the year following the 
application period.
    (D) A limited entry trawl permit owner with multiple MS/CV-
endorsements and associated CHA on a single permit may assign each 
distinct MS/CV endorsement and catch history assignment separately to 
coop(s) or the non-coop fishery. In such cases, as part of the coop 
permit application process, specified at paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this 
section, the permit owner must specify on the coop permit application 
form which MS/CV endorsement and associated CHA is specifically 
registered to a particular coop.
    (v) Combination. An MS/CV-endorsed permit may be combined with one 
or more other limited entry trawl permits; the resulting permit will be 
a single permit with an increased size endorsement. If the MS/CV-
endorsed permit is combined with another limited entry trawl-endorsed 
permit other than a C/P-endorsed permit, the resulting permit will be 
MS/CV-endorsed. If an MS/CV-endorsed permit is combined with a C/P-
endorsed permit, the resulting permit will be exclusively a C/P-endorsed 
permit, and will not have an MS/CV endorsement. If an MS/CV-endorsed 
permit is combined with another MS/CV-endorsed permit, the combined 
catch history assignment of the permit(s) will be added to the active 
permit (the permit remaining after combination) and the other permit 
will be retired. If a trawl permit has more than one MS/CV endorsements 
and it is combined with a non C/P-endorsed trawl permit with no such 
endorsements, the MS/CV endorsements on the resulting permit will be 
maintained as separate endorsements on the resulting permit. NMFS will 
not approve a permit combination if it results in a person exceeding the 
accumulation limits specified at paragraph (g)(3) of this section. Any 
request to combine permits is subject to the provision provided at Sec. 
660.25(b), including the combination formula for resulting size 
endorsements.
    (vi) One-time request to undo a permit combination. If two or more 
MS/CV-endorsed permits have been combined before January 1, 2012 for 
purposes of increasing the vessel's size endorsement, a permit owner of 
the resulting combined permit will have until February 29, 2012 to undo 
that permit combination. The permit owner must submit a letter to NMFS 
requesting such action. The letter must be postmarked or hand-delivered 
to NMFS by the deadline.
    (3) Accumulation limits--(i) MS/CV-endorsed permit ownership limit. 
No person shall own MS/CV-endorsed permits for which the collective 
Pacific whiting allocation total is greater than 20 percent of the total 
mothership sector allocation. For purposes of determining accumulation 
limits, NMFS requires that permit owners submit a complete trawl 
ownership interest form for the permit owner as part of annual renewal 
of an MS/CV-endorsed permit. An ownership interest form will also be 
required whenever a new permit owner obtains an MS/CV-endorsed permit as 
part of a request for a change in permit ownership. Accumulation limits 
will be determined by calculating the percentage of ownership interest a 
person has in any MS/CV-endorsed permit and the amount of the Pacific 
whiting catch history assignment given on the permit. Determination of 
ownership interest will be subject to the individual and collective 
rule.
    (A) Ownership--Individual and collective rule. The Pacific whiting 
catch history assignment that applies to a person's accumulation limit 
will include:
    (1) The catch history assignment on any MS/CV-endorsed permit owned 
by that person, and
    (2) That portion of the catch history assignment on any MS/CV-
endorsed permit owned by an entity in which that person has an economic 
or financial interest, where the person's share of interest in that 
entity will determine the portion of that entity's catch history 
assignment that counts toward the person's limit.
    (B) [Reserved]

[[Page 262]]

    (C) Trawl identification of ownership interest form. Any person that 
owns a limited entry trawl permit and that is applying for or renewing 
an MS/CV endorsement shall document those persons that have an ownership 
interest in the permit greater than or equal to 2 percent. This 
ownership interest must be documented with the SFD via the Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form. SFD will not issue an MS/CV 
endorsement unless the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form 
has been completed. NMFS may request additional information of the 
applicant as necessary to verify compliance with accumulation limits. 
Further, if SFD discovers through review of the Trawl Identification of 
Ownership Interest Form that a person owns or controls more than the 
accumulation limits, the person will be subject to divestiture 
provisions specified in paragraph (g)(3)(i)(D) of this section.
    (D) Divestiture. For MS/CV-endorsed permit owners that are found to 
exceed the accumulation limits during the initial issuance of MS/CV-
endorsed permits, an adjustment period will be provided during which 
they will have to completely divest of ownership in permits that exceed 
the accumulation limits. Any person that NMFS determines, as a result of 
the initial issuance of MS/CV-endorsed permits, to own in excess of 20 
percent of the total catch history assignment in the MS Coop Program 
applying the individual and collective rule described at Sec. 
660.150(g)(3)(i)(A) will be allowed to receive such permit(s), but must 
divest themselves of the excess ownership by August 31, 2016. Owners of 
such permit(s) may receive and use the MS/CV-endorsed permit(s), up to 
the time their divestiture is completed. After August 31, 2016, any MS/
CV-endorsed permits owned by a person (including any person who has 
ownership interest in the owner named on the permit) in excess of the 
accumulation limits will not be issued (renewed) until the permit owner 
complies with the accumulation limits.
    (ii) Catcher vessel usage limit. No vessel may catch more than 30 
percent of the mothership sector's whiting allocation.
    (4) Appeals. An appeal to an MS/CV-endorsed permit action follows 
the same process as the general permit appeals process defined at Sec. 
660.25(g), subpart C.
    (5) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge a fee 
for administrative costs associated with the issuance of an MS/CV-
endorsed permit, as provided at Sec. 660.25(f), subpart C.
    (6) Application requirements and initial issuance for MS/CV 
endorsement--(i) Eligibility criteria for MS/CV endorsement. Only a 
current trawl limited entry permit with a qualifying history of Pacific 
whiting deliveries in the MS Pacific whiting sector is eligible to 
receive an MS/CV endorsement. Any past catch history associated with the 
current limited entry trawl permit accrues to the permit. If a trawl 
limited entry permit is eligible to receive both a C/P endorsement and 
an MS/CV endorsement, the permit owner must choose which endorsement to 
apply for (i.e., the owner of such a permit may not receive both a C/P 
and an MS/CV endorsement). NMFS will not recognize any other person as 
permit owner other than the person listed as permit owner in NMFS permit 
database.
    (ii) Qualifying criteria for MS/CV endorsement. In order to qualify 
for an MS/CV endorsement, a qualifying trawl-endorsed limited entry 
permit must have been registered to a vessel or vessels that caught and 
delivered a cumulative amount of at least 500 mt of Pacific whiting to 
motherships between 1994 through 2003. The calculation will be based on 
the following:
    (A) To determine a permit's qualifying catch history, NMFS will use 
documented deliveries to a mothership in Pacific whiting observer data 
as recorded in the relevant NORPAC dataset on August 1, 2010.
    (B) The qualifying catch history will include any deliveries of 
Pacific whiting to motherships by vessels registered to limited entry 
trawl-endorsed permits that were subsequently combined to generate the 
current permit.
    (C) If two or more limited entry trawl permits have been 
simultaneously registered to the same vessel, NMFS will divide the 
qualifying catch history evenly between all such limited entry trawl-
endorsed permits during

[[Page 263]]

the time they were simultaneously registered to the vessel.
    (D) History of illegal deliveries will not be included in the 
qualifying catch history.
    (E) Deliveries made from Federal limited entry groundfish permits 
that were retired through the Federal buyback program will not be 
included in the qualifying catch history.
    (F) Deliveries made under provisional ``A'' permits that did not 
become ``A'' permits and ``B'' permits will not be included in the 
qualifying catch history.
    (iii) Qualifying criteria for catch history assignment. A catch 
history assignment will be specified as a percent on the MS/CV-endorsed 
permit. The calculation will be based on the following:
    (A) For determination of a permit's catch history, NMFS will use 
documented deliveries to a mothership in Pacific whiting observer data 
as recorded in the relevant NORPAC dataset on August 1, 2010.
    (B) NMFS will use relative history, which means the catch history of 
a permit for a year divided by the total fleet history for that year, 
expressed as a percent. NMFS will calculate relative history for each 
year in the qualifying period from 1994 through 2003 by dividing the 
total deliveries of Pacific whiting to motherships for the vessel(s) 
registered to the permit for each year by the sum of the total catch of 
Pacific whiting delivered to mothership vessel(s) for that year.
    (C) NMFS will select the eight years with the highest relative 
history of Pacific whiting, unless the applicant requests a different 
set of eight years during the initial issuance and appeals process, and 
will add the relative histories for these years to generate the permit's 
total relative history. NMFS will then divide the permit's total 
relative history by the sum of all qualifying permits' total relative 
histories to determine the permit's catch history assignment, expressed 
as a percent.
    (D) The total relative history will include any deliveries of 
Pacific whiting to motherships by vessels registered to limited entry 
trawl-endorsed permits that were subsequently combined to generate the 
current permit.
    (E) If two or more limited entry trawl permits have been 
simultaneously registered to the same vessel, NMFS will split the catch 
history evenly between all such limited entry trawl-endorsed permits 
during the time they were simultaneously registered to the vessel.
    (F) History of illegal deliveries will not be included in the 
calculation of a permit's catch history assignment or in the calculation 
of relative history for individual years.
    (G) Deliveries made from Federal limited entry groundfish permits 
that were retired through the Federal buyback program will not be 
included in the calculation of a permit's catch history assignment other 
than for the purpose of calculating relative history for individual 
years.
    (H) Deliveries made under provisional ``A'' permits that did not 
become ``A'' permits and ``B'' permits will not be included in the 
calculation of a permit's catch history assignment other than for the 
purpose of calculating relative history for individual years.
    (iv) MS/CV endorsement and catch history assignment application. 
Persons may apply for an initial issuance of an MS/CV endorsement on a 
limited entry trawl permit and its associated catch history assignment 
in one of two ways: complete and submit a prequalified application 
received from NMFS, or complete and submit an application package. The 
completed application must be either postmarked or hand-delivered within 
normal business hours no later than November 1, 2010. If an applicant 
fails to submit a completed application by the deadline date, they forgo 
the opportunity to receive consideration for an initial issuance of an 
MS/CV endorsement and associated catch history assignment.
    (A) Prequalified application. A ``prequalified application'' is a 
partially pre-filled application where NMFS has preliminarily determined 
the catch history that may qualify the applicant for an initial issuance 
of an MS/CV endorsement and associated catch history assignment. NMFS 
will mail prequalified application packages to the owners of current 
limited entry trawl permits, as listed in the NMFS

[[Page 264]]

permit database at the time applications are mailed, which NMFS 
determines may qualify for an MS/CV endorsement and associated catch 
history assignment. NMFS will mail the application by certified mail to 
the current address of record in the NMFS permit database. The 
application will contain the basis of NMFS' calculation. The application 
package will include, but is not limited to: a prequalified application 
(with landings history), a Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest 
form, and any other documents NMFS believes are necessary to aid the 
limited entry permit owner in completing the application.
    (B) Request for an application. Any owner of a current limited entry 
trawl permit that does not receive a prequalified application that 
believes the permit qualifies for an initial issuance of an MS/CV 
endorsement and associated catch history assignment must complete an 
application package and submit the completed application to NMFS by the 
application deadline. Application packages are available on the NMFS Web 
site (http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ Groundfish-Halibut/Groundfish- Permits/
index.cfm) or by contacting SFD. An application must include valid 
NORPAC data, copies of NMFS observer data forms, or other credible 
information that substantiates the applicant's qualification for an 
initial issuance of an MS/CV endorsement and associated catch history 
assignment.
    (v) Corrections to the application. If the applicant does not accept 
NMFS' calculation in the prequalified application either in part or 
whole, in order for NMFS to reconsider NMFS' calculation, the applicant 
must identify in writing to NMFS which parts of the application that the 
applicant contends to be inaccurate, and must provide specific credible 
information to substantiate any requested corrections. The completed 
application and specific credible information must be provided to NMFS 
in writing by the application deadline. Written communication must be 
either post-marked or hand-delivered within normal business hours no 
later than November 1, 2010. Requests for corrections may only be 
granted for changes to the selection of the eight years with the highest 
relative history of whiting and errors in NMFS' use or application of 
data, including:
    (A) Errors in NMFS' use or application of data from NORPAC;
    (B) Errors in NMFS' calculations;
    (C) Errors in the identification of the permit owner, permit 
combinations, or vessel registration as listed in the NMFS permit 
database; and
    (D) Errors in NMFS' use or application of ownership interest 
information.
    (vi) Submission of the application and application deadline--(A) 
Submission of the application. Submission of the complete, certified 
application includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    (1) The applicant is required to sign and date the application and 
have the document notarized by a licensed Notary Public.
    (2) The applicant must certify that they qualify to own an MS/CV-
endorsed permit and associated catch history assignment.
    (3) The applicant must indicate they accept NMFS' calculation of 
initial issuance of an MS/CV-endorsed permit and associated catch 
history assignment provided in the prequalified application, or provide 
credible information that demonstrates their qualification for an MS/CV-
endorsed permit and associated catch history assignment.
    (4) The applicant is required to provide a complete Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form as specified at paragraph 
(g)(3)(i)(C) of this section.
    (5) Business entities may be required to submit a corporate 
resolution or other credible documentation as proof that the 
representative of the entity is authorized to act on behalf of the 
entity; and
    (6) NMFS may request additional information of the applicant as 
necessary to make an IAD on initial issuance of an MS/CV-endorsed permit 
and associated catch history assignment.
    (B) Application deadline. A complete, certified application must be 
either postmarked or hand-delivered within normal business hours to 
NMFS, Northwest Region, Permits Office, Bldg. 1, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE., Seattle, WA 98115, no later than November 1, 2010. NMFS will not 
accept or review any applications received or postmarked after the 
application deadline.

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There are no hardship provisions for this deadline.
    (vii) Permit transfer during application period. NMFS will not 
review or approve any request for a change in limited entry trawl permit 
owner at any time after either November 1, 2010 or the date upon which 
the application is received by NMFS, whichever occurs first, until a 
final decision is made by the Regional Administrator on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce on that permit.
    (viii) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). NMFS will issue 
an IAD for all complete, certified applications received by the 
application deadline date. If NMFS approves an application for initial 
issuance of an MS/CV-endorsed permit and associated catch history 
assignment, the applicant will receive an MS/CV endorsement on a limited 
entry trawl permit specifying the amounts of catch history assignment 
for which the applicant has qualified. If NMFS disapproves an 
application, the IAD will provide the reasons. If known at the time of 
the IAD, NMFS will indicate if the owner of the MS/CV-endorsed permit 
has ownership interest in catch history assignments that exceed the 
accumulation limits and are subject to divestiture provisions given at 
paragraph (g)(3)(i)(D) of this section. If the applicant does not appeal 
the IAD within 60 calendar days of the date on the IAD, the IAD becomes 
the final decision of the Regional Administrator acting on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce.
    (ix) Appeals. For an MS/CV-endorsed permit and associated catch 
history assignment issued under this section, the appeals process and 
timelines are specified at Sec. 660.25(g), subpart C. For the initial 
issuance of an MS/CV-endorsed permit and associated catch history 
assignment, the bases for appeal are described in paragraph (g)(6)(v) of 
this section. Items not subject to appeal include, but are not limited 
to, the accuracy of data in the relevant NORPAC dataset on August 1, 
2010.
    (7) Cost recovery. The fish seller, as defined at Sec. 660.111, is 
subject to the cost recovery program specified at Sec. 660.115.
    (h) Non-coop fishery--(1) Access to non-coop fishery allocation. All 
vessels registered to the MS/CV-endorsed permits assigned to the non-
coop fishery will have access to harvest and deliver the aggregate catch 
history assignment of all MS/CV permits assigned to the non-coop 
fishery.
    (2) Non-coop fishery closure. The non-coop fishery will be closed by 
automatic action as specified at Sec. 660.60(d) when the Pacific 
whiting or non-whiting allocations to the non-coop fishery have been 
reached or are projected to be reached.
    (i) Retention requirements. Catcher vessels participating in the MS 
Co-op Program may discard minor operational amounts of catch at sea if 
the observer or EMS has accounted for the discard (i.e., a maximized 
retention fishery).
    (j) Observer requirements--(1) Observer coverage requirements--(i) 
Coverage. The following observer coverage pertains to certified 
observers obtained from an observer provider permitted by NMFS.
    (A) MS vessels. Any vessel registered to an MS permit 125 ft (38.1 
m) LOA or longer must carry two certified observers, and any vessel 
registered to an MS permit shorter than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA must carry 
one certified observer, each day that the vessel is used to take, 
retain, receive, land, process, or transport groundfish.
    (B) Catcher vessels. Any vessel delivering catch to any MS vessel 
must carry one certified observer each day that the vessel is used to 
take groundfish, unless the catcher vessel has a valid EM Authorization 
and is fishing with EM under Sec. 660.604 of subpart J.
    (C) Gear testing exemption. Vessels are exempt from the requirement 
to maintain observer coverage as specified in this paragraph (j) while 
gear testing as defined at Sec. 660.11. The vessel operator must submit 
a valid declaration for gear/equipment testing, as required by Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), and must notify the Observer Program of the gear 
testing activity at least 48 hours prior to departing on a trip to test 
gear/equipment.
    (ii) Observer workload--(A) MS vessels. The time required for the 
observer to complete sampling duties must not exceed 12 consecutive 
hours in each 24-hour period.

[[Page 266]]

    (B) Catcher vessels. If an observer is unable to perform their 
duties for any reason, the vessel is required to be in port within 36 
hours of the last haul sampled by the observer.
    (iii) Refusal to board. Any boarding refusal on the part of the 
observer or vessel must be reported to the Observer Program and OLE by 
the observer provider. The observer must be available for an interview 
with the Observer Program or OLE if necessary.
    (2) Vessel responsibilities. An operator and/or crew of a vessel 
required to carry an observer must provide:
    (i) Accommodations and food--(A) MS vessels. Provide accommodations 
and food that are equivalent to those provided for officers, engineers, 
foremen, deck-bosses or other management level personnel of the vessel.
    (B) Catcher vessels--(1) Accommodations and food for trips less than 
24 hours must be equivalent to those provided for the crew.
    (2) Accommodations and food for trips of 24 hours or more must be 
equivalent to those provided for the crew and must include berthing 
space, a space that is intended to be used for sleeping and is provided 
with installed bunks and mattresses. A mattress or futon on the floor or 
a cot is not acceptable if a regular bunk is provided to any crew 
member, unless other arrangements are approved in advance by the 
Regional Administrator or designee.
    (ii) Safe conditions. MS vessels and catcher vessels must:
    (A) Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for the protection of 
observers including adherence to all U.S. Coast Guard and other 
applicable rules, regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe operation 
of the vessel including, but not limited to, rules of the road, vessel 
stability, emergency drills, emergency equipment, vessel maintenance, 
vessel general condition, and port bar crossings. An observer may refuse 
boarding or reboarding a vessel and may request a vessel return to port 
if operated in an unsafe manner or if unsafe conditions are indentified.
    (B) Have on board a valid Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal 
that certifies compliance with regulations found in 33 CFR chapter I and 
46 CFR chapter I, a certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 
28.710 or a valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311. 
Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for the protection of observer(s) 
including adherence to all USCG and other applicable rules, regulations, 
or statutes pertaining to safe operation of the vessel, and provisions 
at Sec. Sec. 600.725 and 600.746 of this chapter.
    (iii) Computer hardware and software. MS vessels must:
    (A) Provide hardware and software pursuant to regulations at Sec. 
679.51(e)(iii)(B) of this chapter.
    (B) Provide the observer(s) access to a computer required under 
paragraph (j)(2)(iii)(A) of this section, and that is connected to a 
communication device that provides a point-to-point connection to the 
NMFS host computer.
    (C) Ensure that the MS vessel has installed the most recent release 
of NMFS data entry software or other approved software prior to the 
vessel receiving, catching or processing IFQ species.
    (D) Ensure that the communication equipment required in paragraph 
(j)(2)(iii) of this section and that is used by observers to enter and 
transmit data, is fully functional and operational. ``Functional'' means 
that all the tasks and components of the NMFS supplied, or other 
approved, software described at paragraph (j)(2)(iii) of this section 
and the data transmissions to NMFS can be executed effectively aboard 
the vessel by the communications equipment.
    (iv) Vessel position. Allow observer(s) access to the vessel's 
navigation equipment and personnel, on request, to determine the 
vessel's position.
    (v) Access. Allow observer(s) free and unobstructed access to the 
vessel's bridge, trawl or working decks, holding bins, processing areas, 
freezer spaces, weight scales, cargo holds, and any other space that may 
be used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any 
time.
    (vi) Prior notification. Notify observer(s) at least 15 minutes 
before fish are brought on board, or fish and fish products are 
transferred from the vessel, to allow sampling the catch or observing 
the transfer.

[[Page 267]]

    (vii) Records. Allow observer(s) to inspect and copy any state or 
Federal logbook maintained voluntarily or as required by regulation.
    (viii) Assistance. Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable 
observer(s) to carry out their duties, including, but not limited to:
    (A) Measuring decks, codends, and holding bins.
    (B) Providing the observer(s) with a safe work area.
    (C) Collecting samples of catch.
    (D) Collecting and carrying baskets of fish.
    (E) Allowing the observer(s) to collect biological data and samples.
    (F) Providing adequate space for storage of biological samples.
    (ix) Sample station and operational requirements.
    (A) MS vessels. To allow the observer to carry out required duties, 
the vessel owner must provide an observer sampling station that meets 
the following requirements:
    (1) Accessibility. The observer sampling station must be available 
to the observer at all times.
    (2) Location. The observer sampling station must be located within 4 
m of the location from which the observer samples unsorted catch.
    (3) Access. Unobstructed passage must be provided between the 
observer sampling station and the location where the observer collects 
sample catch.
    (4) Minimum work space. The observer must have a working area of at 
least 4.5 square meters, including the observer's sampling table, for 
sampling and storage of fish to be sampled. The observer must be able to 
stand upright and have a work area at least 0.9 m deep in the area in 
front of the table and scale.
    (5) Table. The observer sampling station must include a table at 
least 0.6 m deep, 1.2 m wide and 0.9 m high and no more than 1.1 m high. 
The entire surface area of the table must be available for use by the 
observer. Any area for the observer sampling scale is in addition to the 
minimum space requirements for the table. The observer's sampling table 
must be secured to the floor or wall.
    (6) Diverter board. The conveyor belt conveying unsorted catch must 
have a removable board (``diverter board'') to allow all fish to be 
diverted from the belt directly into the observer's sampling baskets. 
The diverter board must be located downstream of the scale used to weigh 
total catch. At least 1 m of accessible belt space, located downstream 
of the scale used to weigh total catch, must be available for the 
observer's use when sampling.
    (7) Other requirements. The sampling station must be in a well-
drained area that includes floor grating (or other material that 
prevents slipping), lighting adequate for day or night sampling, and a 
hose that supplies fresh or sea water to the observer.
    (8) Observer sampling scale. The observer sample station must 
include a NMFS-approved platform scale (pursuant to requirements at 
Sec. 679.28(j)(2)) with a capacity of at least 50 kg located within 1 m 
of the observer's sampling table. The scale must be mounted so that the 
weighing surface is no more than 0.7 m above the floor.
    (B) Catcher vessels. To allow the observer to carry out the required 
duties, the vessel owner must provide an observer sampling station that 
is:
    (1) Accessible. The observer sampling station must be available to 
the observer at all times.
    (2) Limits hazards. To the extent possible, the area should be free 
and clear of hazards including, but not limited to, moving fishing gear, 
stored fishing gear, inclement weather conditions, and open hatches.
    (x) Transfer at sea. Observers may be transferred at-sea between MS 
vessels, between MS vessels and C/P vessels, or between a MS vessel and 
a catcher vessel. Transfers at-sea between catcher vessels is 
prohibited. For transfers, both vessels must:
    (A) Ensure that transfers of observers at sea via small boat under 
its own power are carried out during daylight hours, under safe 
conditions, and with the agreement of observers involved.
    (B) Notify observers at least 3 hours before observers are 
transferred, such that the observers can finish any sampling work, 
collect personal belongings, equipment, and scientific samples.

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    (C) Provide a safe pilot ladder and conduct the transfer to ensure 
the safety of observers during transfers.
    (D) Provide an experienced crew member to assist observers in the 
small boat in which any transfer is made.
    (xi) Housing on vessel in port. During all periods an observer is 
housed on a vessel, the vessel operator must ensure that at least one 
crew member is aboard.
    (3) Procurement of observer services--(i) MS vessels. Owners of 
vessels required to carry observers under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this 
section must arrange for observer services from an observer provider, 
except that:
    (A) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program when NMFS has determined and given notification 
that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual authorized by 
NMFS in lieu of an observer provided by an observer provider.
    (B) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program and an observer provider when NMFS has determined 
and given notification that the vessel must carry NMFS staff and/or 
individuals authorized by NMFS, in addition to an observer provided by 
an observer provider.
    (ii) Catcher vessels. Owners of vessels required to carry observers 
under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section must arrange for observer 
services from an observer provider, except that:
    (A) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program when NMFS has determined and given notification 
that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual authorized by 
NMFS in lieu of an observer provided by an observer provider.
    (B) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program and an observer provider when NMFS has determined 
and given notification that the vessel must carry NMFS staff and/or 
individuals authorized by NMFS, in addition to an observer provided by 
an observer provider.
    (4) Observer provider responsibilities. (i) Provide qualified 
candidates to serve as observers. Observer providers must provide 
qualified candidates to serve as observers. To be qualified, a candidate 
must have:
    (A) A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or 
university with a major in one of the natural sciences;
    (B) Successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester hours or 
equivalent in applicable biological sciences with extensive use of 
dichotomous keys in at least one course;
    (C) Successfully completed at least one undergraduate course each in 
math and statistics with a minimum of 5 semester hours total for both; 
and
    (D) Computer skills that enable the candidate to work competently 
with standard database software and computer hardware.
    (ii) Hiring an observer candidate--(A) MS vessels. (1) The observer 
provider must provide the candidate a copy of NMFS-provided pamphlets, 
information and other literature describing observer duties (i.e. The 
At-Sea Hake Observer Program's Observer Manual) prior to hiring the 
candidate. Observer job information is available from the Observer 
Program Office's Web site at http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/ research/
divisions/fram/ observer/index.cfm.
    (2) The observer provider must have a written contract or a written 
contract addendum that is signed by the observer and observer provider 
prior to the observer's deployment with the following clauses:
    (i) That the observer will return all phone calls, emails, text 
messages, or other forms of communication within the time specified by 
the Observer Program;
    (ii) That the observer inform the observer provider prior to the 
time of embarkation if he or she is experiencing any new mental illness 
or physical ailments or injury since submission of the physician's 
statement as required as a qualified observer candidate that would 
prevent him or her from performing their assigned duties.
    (B) Catcher vessels. (1) Provide the candidate a copy of NMFS-
provided pamphlets, information and other literature describing observer 
duties, for example, the West Coast Groundfish Observer Program's 
sampling manual.

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Observer job information is available from the Observer Program Office's 
Web site at http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/ research/divisions/fram/ 
observer/index.cfm.
    (2) The observer provider must have a written contract or a written 
contract addendum that is signed by the observer and observer provider 
prior to the observer's deployment with the following clauses:
    (i) That the observer will return all phone calls, emails, text 
messages, or other forms of communication within the time specified by 
the Observer Program;
    (ii) That the observer inform the observer provider prior to the 
time of embarkation if he or she is experiencing any new mental illness 
or physical ailments or injury since submission of the physician's 
statement as required as a qualified observer candidate that would 
prevent him or her from performing their assigned duties; and
    (iii) That the observer successfully completes a Red Cross (or 
equivalent) basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation/first aid certification 
course prior to the end of the Observer Program Training class.
    (iii) Ensure that observers complete duties in a timely manner--(A) 
MS vessels. An observer provider must ensure that observers employed by 
that observer provider do the following in a complete and timely manner:
    (1) Submit to NMFS all data, logbooks, and reports as required by 
the observer manual;
    (2) Report for his or her scheduled debriefing and complete all 
debriefing responsibilities;
    (3) Return all sampling and safety gear to the Observer Program 
Office;
    (4) Submit all biological samples from the observer's deployment by 
the completion of the electronic vessel and/or processor survey(s); and
    (5) Immediately report to the Observer Program Office and the OLE 
any refusal to board an assigned vessel.
    (B) Catcher vessels. An observer provider must ensure that observers 
employed by that observer provider do the following in a complete and 
timely manner:
    (1) Submit to NMFS all data, logbooks, and reports and biological 
samples as required under the Observer Program policy deadlines;
    (2) Report for his or her scheduled debriefing and complete all 
debriefing responsibilities;
    (3) Return all sampling and safety gear to the Observer Program 
Office; and
    (4) Immediately report to the Observer Program Office and the OLE 
any refusal to board an assigned vessel.
    (iv) Observers provided to vessel--(A) MS vessels. Observers 
provided to MS vessels:
    (1) Must have a valid North Pacific groundfish observer 
certification with required endorsements and an At-Sea Hake Observer 
Program endorsement;
    (2) Must not have informed the observer provider prior to the time 
of embarkation that he or she is experiencing a mental illness or a 
physical ailment or injury developed since submission of the physician's 
statement that would prevent him or her from performing his or her 
assigned duties; and
    (3) Must have successfully completed all NMFS required training and 
briefing before deployment.
    (B) Catcher vessels. Observers provided to catcher vessels:
    (1) Must have a valid West Coast Groundfish observer certification 
with the required endorsements;
    (2) Must have not informed the observer provider prior to the time 
of embarkation that he or she is experiencing a mental illness or a 
physical ailment or injury developed since submission of the physician's 
statement (required in paragraph (j)(4)(xi)(B)(2) of this section) that 
would prevent him or her from performing his or her assigned duties; 
and,
    (3) Must have successfully completed all NMFS required training and 
briefing before deployment.
    (v) Respond to industry requests for observers. An observer provider 
must provide an observer for deployment pursuant to the terms of the 
contractual relationship with the vessel to fulfill vessel requirements 
for observer coverage specified at paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section. 
An alternate observer must be supplied in each case where injury or 
illness prevents an observer from performing his or her duties or where 
the

[[Page 270]]

observer resigns prior to completion of his or her duties. If the 
observer provider is unable to respond to an industry request for 
observer coverage from a vessel for whom the observer provider is in a 
contractual relationship due to lack of available observers by the 
estimated embarking time of the vessel, the observer provider must 
report it to the Observer Program at least four hours prior to the 
vessel's estimated embarking time.
    (vi) Provide observer salaries and benefits. An observer provider 
must provide to its observer employees salaries and any other benefits 
and personnel services in accordance with the terms of each observer's 
contract.
    (vii) Provide observer deployment logistics--(A) MS vessels. An 
observer provider must provide to each of its observers under contract:
    (1) All necessary transportation, including arrangements and 
logistics, to the initial location of deployment, to all subsequent 
vessel assignments during that deployment, and to and from the location 
designated for an observer to be interviewed by the Observer Program; 
and
    (2) Lodging, per diem, and any other services necessary to observers 
assigned to fishing vessels.
    (3) An observer under contract may be housed on a vessel to which he 
or she is assigned:
    (i) Prior to their vessel's initial departure from port;
    (ii) For a period not to exceed 24 hours following the completion of 
an offload when the observer has duties and is scheduled to disembark; 
or
    (iii) For a period not to exceed 24 hours following the vessel's 
arrival in port when the observer is scheduled to disembark.
    (iv) An observer under contract who is between vessel assignments 
must be provided with shoreside accommodations pursuant to the terms of 
the contract between the observer provider and the observers. If the 
observer provider is responsible for providing accommodations under the 
contract with the observer, the accommodations must be at a licensed 
hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or other shoreside accommodations for 
the duration of each period between vessel or shoreside assignments. 
Such accommodations must include an assigned bed for each observer and 
no other person may be assigned that bed for the duration of that 
observer's stay. Additionally, no more than four beds may be in any room 
housing observers at accommodations meeting the requirements of this 
section.
    (B) Catcher vessels. An observer provider must ensure each of its 
observers under contract:
    (1) Has an individually assigned mobile or cell phones, in working 
order, for all necessary communication. An observer provider may 
alternatively compensate observers for the use of the observer's 
personal cell phone or pager for communications made in support of, or 
necessary for, the observer's duties.
    (2) Has a check-in system in which the observer is required to 
contact the observer provider each time they depart and return to port 
on a vessel.
    (3) Remains available to OLE and the Observer Program until the 
conclusion of debriefing.
    (4) Receives all necessary transportation, including arrangements 
and logistics to the initial location of deployment, to all subsequent 
vessel assignments during that deployment, and to and from the location 
designated for an observer to be interviewed by the Observer Program; 
and
    (5) Receives lodging, per diem, and any other services necessary to 
observers assigned to fishing vessels.
    (i) An observer under contract may be housed on a vessel to which he 
or she is assigned: Prior to their vessel's initial departure from port; 
for a period not to exceed 24 hours following the completion of an 
offload when the observer has duties and is scheduled to disembark; or 
for a period not to exceed 24 hours following the vessel's arrival in 
port when the observer is scheduled to disembark.
    (ii) Otherwise, each observer between vessels, while still under 
contract with an observer provider, shall be provided with 
accommodations in accordance with the contract between the observer

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and the observer provider. If the observer provider is responsible for 
providing accommodations under the contract with the observer, the 
accommodations must be at a licensed hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or 
other shoreside accommodations that has an assigned bed for each 
observer that no other person may be assigned to for the duration of 
that observer's stay. Additionally, no more than four beds may be in any 
room housing observers at accommodations meeting the requirements of 
this section.
    (viii) Observer deployment limitations--(A) MS vessels. Unless 
alternative arrangements are approved by the Observer Program Office, an 
observer provider must not:
    (1) Deploy an observer on the same vessel more than 90 days in a 12-
month period;
    (2) Deploy an observer for more than 90 days in a single deployment;
    (3) Include more than four vessels assignments in a single 
deployment, or
    (4) Disembark an observer from a vessel before that observer has 
completed his or her sampling or data transmission duties.
    (B) Catcher vessels. Unless alternative arrangements are approved by 
the Observer Program Office, an observer provider must not deploy an 
observer on the same vessel more than 90 calendar days in a 12-month 
period.
    (ix) Verify vessel's Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal. An 
observer provider must ensure that the observer completes an observer 
vessel safety checklist, and verify that a vessel has a valid USCG 
Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal as required under paragraph 
(j)(2)(ii)(B) of this section prior to the observer embarking on the 
first trip and before an observer may get underway aboard the vessel. 
The provider must submit all vessel safety checklists to the Observer 
Program, as specified by Observer Program policy. One of the following 
acceptable means of verification must be used to verify the decal 
validity:
    (A) The observer provider or employee of the observer provider, 
including the observer, visually inspects the decal aboard the vessel 
and confirms that the decal is valid according to the decal date of 
issuance; or
    (B) The observer provider receives a hard copy of the USCG 
documentation of the decal issuance from the vessel owner or operator.
    (x) Maintain communications with observers. An observer provider 
must have an employee responsible for observer activities on call 24 
hours a day to handle emergencies involving observers or problems 
concerning observer logistics, whenever observers are at sea, in 
transit, or in port awaiting vessel reassignment.
    (xi) Maintain communications with the Observer Program Office. An 
observer provider must provide all of the following information by 
electronic transmission (email), fax, or other method specified by NMFS.
    (A) Motherships--(1) Training and briefing registration materials. 
The observer provider must submit training and briefing registration 
materials to the Observer Program Office at least 5 business days prior 
to the beginning of a scheduled observer at-sea hake training or 
briefing session.
    (i) Registration materials. Registration materials consist of the 
date of requested training or briefing with a list of observers 
including each observer's full name (i.e., first, middle and last 
names).
    (ii) Projected observer assignments. Prior to the observer's 
completion of the training or briefing session, the observer provider 
must submit to the Observer Program Office a statement of projected 
observer assignments that include the observer's name; vessel, gear 
type, and vessel/processor code; port of embarkation; and area of 
fishing.
    (2) Observer debriefing registration. The observer provider must 
contact the At-Sea Hake Observer Program within 5 business days after 
the completion of an observer's deployment to schedule a date, time and 
location for debriefing. Observer debriefing registration information 
must be provided at the time of debriefing scheduling and must include 
the observer's name, cruise number, vessel name(s) and code(s), and 
requested debriefing date.
    (3) Observer provider contracts. If requested, observer providers 
must submit to the Observer Program Office a completed and unaltered 
copy of each

[[Page 272]]

type of signed and valid contract (including all attachments, 
appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the contract) 
between the observer provider and those entities requiring observer 
services under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section. Observer providers 
must also submit to the Observer Program Office upon request, a 
completed and unaltered copy of the current or most recent signed and 
valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and 
exhibits incorporated into the contract and any agreements or policies 
with regard to observer compensation or salary levels) between the 
observer provider and the particular entity identified by the Observer 
Program or with specific observers. The copies must be submitted to the 
Observer Program Office via fax or mail within 5 business days of the 
request. Signed and valid contracts include the contracts an observer 
provider has with:
    (i) Vessels required to have observer coverage as specified at 
paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section; and
    (ii) Observers.
    (4) Change in observer provider management and contact information. 
Observer providers must submit notification of any other change to 
provider contact information, including but not limited to, changes in 
contact name, phone number, email address, and address.
    (5) Other reports. Reports of the following must be submitted in 
writing to the At-Sea Hake Observer Program Office by the observer 
provider via fax or email address designated by the Observer Program 
Office within 24 hours after the observer provider becomes aware of the 
information:
    (i) Any information regarding possible observer harassment;
    (ii) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec. 
660.12(e); Sec. 660.112(a)(4); or Sec. 600.725(o), (t) and (u) of this 
chapter;
    (iii) Any concerns about vessel safety or marine casualty under 46 
CFR 4.05-1(a)(1) through (7);
    (iv) Any observer illness or injury that prevents the observer from 
completing any of his or her duties described in the observer manual; 
and
    (v) Any information, allegations or reports regarding observer 
conflict of interest or breach of the standards of behavior described in 
observer provider policy.
    (6) Certificates of insurance. The observer service provider must 
submit copies of ``certificates of insurance'' that name the Northwest 
Fisheries Science Center Observer Program manager as the ``certificate 
holder'' to the Observer Program Office by February 1 of each year. The 
certificates of insurance shall verify all coverage provisions specified 
at Sec. 600.748(b) and (c) of this chapter and state that the insurance 
company will notify the certificate holder if insurance coverage is 
changed or canceled.
    (B) Catcher vessels. An observer provider must provide all of the 
following information by electronic transmission (email), fax, or other 
method specified by NMFS.
    (1) Observer training, briefing, and debriefing registration 
materials. This information must be submitted to the Observer Program 
Office at least 10 business days prior to the beginning of a scheduled 
West Coast groundfish observer certification training or briefing 
session. Submissions received less than 10 business days prior to a West 
Coast groundfish observer certification training or briefing session 
will be approved by the Observer Program on a case-by-case basis.
    (i) Training registration materials consist of the following: Date 
of requested training; a list of observer candidates that includes each 
candidate's full name (i.e., first, middle and last names), date of 
birth, and gender; a copy of each candidate's academic transcripts and 
resume; a statement signed by the candidate under penalty of perjury 
which discloses the candidate's criminal convictions; and length of 
observer contract.
    (ii) Briefing registration materials consist of the following: Date 
and type of requested briefing session; list of observers to attend the 
briefing session, that includes each observer's full name (first, 
middle, and last names); and length of observer contract.
    (iii) The Observer Program will notify the observer provider which 
observers require debriefing and the specific time period the observer 
provider has to schedule a date, time, and location for

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debriefing. The observer provider must contact the Observer Program 
within 5 business days by telephone to schedule debriefings. Observer 
providers must immediately notify the Observer Program when observers 
end their contract earlier than anticipated.
    (2) Physical examination. A signed and dated statement from a 
licensed physician that he or she has physically examined an observer or 
observer candidate. The statement must confirm that, based on that 
physical examination, the observer or observer candidate does not have 
any health problems or conditions that would jeopardize that 
individual's safety or the safety of others while deployed, or prevent 
the observer or observer candidate from performing his or her duties 
satisfactorily. The statement must declare that, prior to the 
examination, the physician was made aware of the duties of the observer 
and the dangerous, remote, and rigorous nature of the work by reading 
the NMFS-prepared information. The physician's statement must be 
submitted to the Observer Program Office prior to certification of an 
observer. The physical exam must have occurred during the 12 months 
prior to the observer's or observer candidate's deployment. The 
physician's statement expires 12 months after the physical exam occurred 
and a new physical exam must be performed, and accompanying statement 
submitted, prior to any deployment occurring after the expiration of the 
statement.
    (3) Certificates of insurance. The observer provider must submit 
copies of ``certificates of insurance'' that name the Northwest 
Fisheries Science Center Observer Program manager as the ``certificate 
holder'' to the Observer Program Office by February 1 of each year. The 
certificates of insurance shall verify all coverage provisions specified 
at Sec. 600.748(b) and (c) of this chapter and state that the insurance 
company will notify the certificate holder if insurance coverage is 
changed or canceled.
    (4) Observer provider contracts. If requested, observer providers 
must submit to the Observer Program Office a completed and unaltered 
copy of each type of signed and valid contract (including all 
attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the 
contract) between the observer provider and those entities requiring 
observer services under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section. Observer 
providers must also submit to the Observer Program Office upon request, 
a completed and unaltered copy of the current or most recent signed and 
valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and 
exhibits incorporated into the contract and any agreements or policies 
with regard to observer compensation or salary levels) between the 
observer provider and the particular entity identified by the Observer 
Program or with specific observers. The copies must be submitted to the 
Observer Program Office via fax or mail within 5 business days of the 
request. Signed and valid contracts include the contracts an observer 
provider has with:
    (i) Vessels required to have observer coverage as specified at 
paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section; and
    (ii) Observers.
    (5) Change in observer provider management and contact information. 
An observer provider must submit to the Observer Program office any 
change of management or contact information as required at Sec. 
660.18(f).
    (6) Biological samples. The observer provider must ensure that 
biological samples are stored/handled properly prior to delivery/
transport to NMFS.
    (7) Observer status report. Observer providers must provide NMFS 
with an updated list of observer trip per Observer Program protocol. 
Trip information includes observer provider name, observer last name, 
observer first name, trip start date, trip end date, status of observer, 
vessel name, and vessel identification number.
    (8) Other information. An observer provider must submit to NMFS, if 
requested, copies of any information developed and used by the observer 
providers distributed to vessels, such as informational pamphlets, 
payment notification, description of observer duties, etc.
    (9) Other reports. Reports of the following must be submitted in 
writing to the Observer Program Office by the observer provider via fax 
or email address designated by the Observer Program

[[Page 274]]

Office within 24 hours after the observer provider becomes aware of the 
information:
    (i) Any information regarding possible observer harassment;
    (ii) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec. 
660.12(e); Sec. 660.112(a)(4); or Sec. 600.725(o), (t) and (u) of this 
chapter;
    (iii) Any concerns about vessel safety or marine casualty under 46 
CFR 4.05-1(a)(1) through (7);
    (iv) Any observer illness or injury that prevents the observer from 
completing any of his or her duties described in the observer manual; 
and
    (v) Any information, allegations or reports regarding observer 
conflict of interest or breach of the standards of behavior described in 
observer provider policy.
    (xii) Replace lost or damaged gear. Lost or damaged gear issued to 
an observer by NMFS must be replaced by the observer provider. All 
replacements must be provided to NMFS and be in accordance with 
requirements and procedures identified in writing by the Observer 
Program Office.
    (xiii) Maintain confidentiality of information. An observer provider 
must ensure that all records on individual observer performance received 
from NMFS under the routine use provision of the Privacy Act under 5 
U.S.C. 552a or as otherwise required by law remain confidential and are 
not further released to any person outside the employ of the observer 
provider company to whom the observer was contracted except with written 
permission of the observer.
    (xiv) Limitations on conflict of interest. Observer providers must 
meet limitations on conflict of interest. Observer providers:
    (A) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer, catch monitor or other biological sampling 
services, in any federal or state managed fisheries, including but not 
limited to:
    (1) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, or shoreside processor facility involved in the catching, 
taking, harvesting or processing of fish,
    (2) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel or shoreside processors participating in a fishery managed 
pursuant to an FMP in the waters off the coasts of Alaska, California, 
Oregon, and Washington, or
    (3) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel or shoreside processor participating in a fishery 
managed pursuant to an FMP in the waters off the coasts of Alaska, 
California, Oregon, and Washington.
    (B) Must assign observers without regard to any preference by 
representatives of vessels other than when an observer will be deployed.
    (C) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value except for compensation for providing observer services from any 
person who conducts fishing or fish processing activities that are 
regulated by NMFS in the Pacific coast or North Pacific regions, or who 
has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or 
nonperformance of the official duties of observer providers.
    (xv) Observer conduct and behavior. An observer provider must 
develop and maintain a policy addressing observer conduct and behavior 
for their employees that serve as observers. The policy shall address 
the following behavior and conduct regarding:
    (A) Observer use of alcohol;
    (B) Observer use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs in 
violation of applicable law; and
    (C) Sexual contact with personnel of the vessel or processing 
facility to which the observer is assigned, or with any vessel or 
processing plant personnel who may be substantially affected by the 
performance or non-performance of the observer's official duties.
    (D) An observer provider shall provide a copy of its conduct and 
behavior policy by February 1 of each year, to: observers, observer 
candidates and the Observer Program Office.
    (xvi) Refusal to deploy an observer. Observer providers may refuse 
to deploy an observer on a requesting vessel if the observer provider 
has determined that the requesting vessel is inadequate or unsafe 
pursuant to those regulations described at Sec. 600.746 of this

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chapter or U.S. Coast Guard and other applicable rules, regulations, 
statutes, or guidelines pertaining to safe operation of the vessel.
    (5) Observer certification and responsibilities--(i) Applicability. 
Observer certification authorizes an individual to fulfill duties as 
specified in writing by the NMFS Observer Program Office while under the 
employ of a NMFS-permitted observer provider and according to 
certification endorsements as designated under paragraph (j)(6)(iii) of 
this section.
    (ii) Observer certification official. The Regional Administrator 
will designate a NMFS observer certification official who will make 
decisions for the Observer Program Office on whether to issue or deny 
observer certifications and endorsements.
    (iii) Certification requirements--(A) Initial certification. NMFS 
may certify individuals who, in addition to any other relevant 
considerations:
    (1) Are employed by an observer provider company permitted pursuant 
to Sec. 660.16 at the time of the issuance of the certification;
    (2) Have provided, through their observer provider:
    (i) Information identified by NMFS at Sec. 679.52(b) of this 
chapter regarding an observer candidate's health and physical fitness 
for the job;
    (ii) Meet all observer education and health standards as specified 
in Sec. 679.52(b) of this chapter; and
    (iii) Have successfully completed NMFS-approved training as 
prescribed by the Observer Program. Successful completion of training by 
an observer applicant consists of meeting all attendance and conduct 
standards issued in writing at the start of training; meeting all 
performance standards issued in writing at the start of training for 
assignments, tests, and other evaluation tools; and completing all other 
training requirements established by the Observer Program.
    (iv) Have not been decertified under paragraph (j)(5)(ix) of this 
section, or pursuant to Sec. 679.53(c) of this chapter.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (iv) Denial of a certification. The NMFS observer certification 
official will issue a written determination denying observer 
certification if the candidate fails to successfully complete training, 
or does not meet the qualifications for certification for any other 
relevant reason.
    (v) Issuance of an observer certification. An observer certification 
will be issued upon determination by the observer certification official 
that the candidate has successfully met all requirements for 
certification as specified at paragraph (j)(6)(iii) of this section. The 
following endorsements must be obtained, in addition to observer 
certification, in order for an observer to deploy.
    (A) MS vessels--(1) North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program 
certification training endorsement. A certification training endorsement 
signifies the successful completion of the training course required to 
obtain observer certification. This endorsement expires when the 
observer has not been deployed and performed sampling duties as required 
by the Observer Program Office for a period of time, specified by the 
Observer Program, after his or her most recent debriefing. The observer 
can renew the endorsement by successfully completing certification 
training once more.
    (2) North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program annual general 
endorsements. Each observer must obtain an annual general endorsement to 
their certification prior to his or her first deployment within any 
calendar year subsequent to a year in which a certification training 
endorsement is obtained. To obtain an annual general endorsement, an 
observer must successfully complete the annual briefing, as specified by 
the Observer Program. All briefing attendance, performance, and conduct 
standards required by the Observer Program must be met.
    (3) North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program deployment 
endorsements. Each observer who has completed an initial deployment 
after certification or annual briefing must receive a deployment 
endorsement to their certification prior to any subsequent deployments 
for the remainder of that year. An observer may obtain a deployment 
endorsement by successfully completing all pre-cruise briefing 
requirements. The type of briefing the observer must attend and 
successfully complete will be specified in writing by

[[Page 276]]

the Observer Program during the observer's most recent debriefing.
    (4) At-Sea Hake Observer Program endorsements. A Pacific whiting 
fishery endorsement is required for purposes of performing observer 
duties aboard vessels that process groundfish at sea in the Pacific 
whiting fishery. A Pacific whiting fishery endorsement to an observer's 
certification may be obtained by meeting the following requirements:
    (i) Have a valid North Pacific groundfish observer certification;
    (ii) Receive an evaluation by NMFS for his or her most recent 
deployment that indicated that the observer's performance met Observer 
Program expectations for that deployment; successfully complete any 
required briefings as prescribed by the Observer Program; and comply 
with all of the other requirements of this section.
    (B) Catcher vessels. The following endorsements as prescribed by the 
Observer Program must be obtained in addition to observer certification, 
in order for an observer to deploy.
    (1) West Coast Groundfish Observer Program training endorsement. A 
training endorsement signifies the successful completion of the training 
course required to obtain observer certification. This endorsement 
expires when the observer has not been deployed and performed sampling 
duties as required by the Observer Program office for a period of time, 
specified by the Observer Program, after his or her most recent 
debriefing. The observer can renew the endorsement by successfully 
completing training once more.
    (2) West Coast Groundfish Observer Program annual general 
endorsement. Each observer must obtain an annual general endorsement to 
their certification prior to his or her first deployment within any 
calendar year subsequent to a year in which a training certification 
endorsement is obtained. To obtain an annual general endorsement, an 
observer must successfully complete the annual briefing, as specified by 
the Observer Program. All briefing attendance, performance, and conduct 
standards required by the Observer Program must be met.
    (3) West Coast Groundfish Observer Program deployment endorsement. 
Each observer who has completed an initial deployment, as defined by the 
Observer Program, after receiving a training endorsement or annual 
general endorsement, must complete all applicable debriefing 
requirements specified by the Observer Program. A deployment endorsement 
is issued to observers who meet the performance standards specified by 
the Observer Program. A deployment endorsement must be obtained prior to 
any subsequent deployments for the remainder of that calendar year. If a 
deployment endorsement is not issued, certification training must be 
repeated.
    (vi) Maintaining the validity of an observer certification. After 
initial issuance, an observer must keep their certification valid by 
meeting all of the following requirements specified below:
    (A) MS vessels. (1) Successfully perform their assigned duties as 
described in the observer manual or other written instructions from the 
Observer Program.
    (2) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment.
    (3) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel or in the processing facility to any person except the owner or 
operator of the observed vessel or an authorized officer or NMFS.
    (4) Successfully complete any required briefings as prescribed by 
the At-Sea Hake Observer Program.
    (5) Successful completion of briefing by an observer applicant 
consists of meeting all attendance and conduct standards issued in 
writing at the start of training; meeting all performance standards 
issued in writing at the start of training for assignments, tests, and 
other evaluation tools; and completing all other briefing requirements 
established by the Observer Program.
    (6) Successfully meet all debriefing expectations including meeting 
Observer Program performance standards reporting for assigned 
debriefings or interviews.
    (7) Submit all data and information required by the Observer Program 
within the program's stated guidelines.

[[Page 277]]

    (B) Catcher vessels. After initial issuance, an observer must keep 
their certification valid by meeting all of the following requirements 
specified below:
    (1) Successfully perform their assigned duties as described in the 
observer manual or other written instructions from the Observer Program.
    (2) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment.
    (3) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel or in the processing facility to any person except the owner or 
operator of the observed vessel or an authorized officer or NMFS.
    (4) Successfully complete any required trainings or briefings as 
prescribed by the Observer Program.
    (5) Successful completion of briefing by an observer applicant 
consists of meeting all attendance and conduct standards issued in 
writing at the start of training; meeting all performance standards 
issued in writing at the start of training for assignments, tests, and 
other evaluation tools; and completing all other briefing requirements 
established by the Observer Program.
    (6) Hold current a Red Cross (or equivalent) basic cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation/first aid certification.
    (7) Successfully meet all expectations in all debriefings including 
reporting for assigned debriefings or interviews and meeting program 
standards.
    (8) Submit all data and information required by the observer program 
within the program's stated guidelines.
    (9) Meet the minimum annual deployment period of 45 days every 12 
months. On a case-by case basis, the Observer Program may consider 
waiving the 45 day requirement.
    (vii) Limitations on conflict of interest. Observers:
    (A) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer services or catch monitor services, in a North 
Pacific fishery managed pursuant to an FMP for the waters off the coast 
of Alaska, Alaska state waters, or in a Pacific Coast fishery managed by 
either the state or Federal Governments in waters off Washington, 
Oregon, or California, including but not limited to:
    (1) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processor facility involved 
in the catching, taking, harvesting or processing of fish,
    (2) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processing facility; or
    (3) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processing 
facilities.
    (B) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value from any person who either conducts activities that are regulated 
by NMFS in the Pacific coast or North Pacific regions or has interests 
that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance 
of the observers' official duties.
    (C) May not serve as observers on any vessel or at any shore-based 
or floating stationary processor owned or operated by a person who 
employed the observer in the last two years.
    (D) May not solicit or accept employment as a crew member or an 
employee of a vessel or shore-based or floating stationary processor 
while employed by an observer provider.
    (E) Provisions for remuneration of observers under this section do 
not constitute a conflict of interest.
    (viii) Standards of behavior. Observers must:
    (A) Perform their assigned duties as described in the observer 
manual or other written instructions from the Observer Program Office.
    (B) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment.
    (C) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel to any person except the owner or operator of the observed 
vessel, an authorized officer, or NMFS.
    (D) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel

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to any person except the owner or operator of the observed vessel, an 
authorized officer, or NMFS.
    (ix) Suspension and decertification--(A) Suspension and 
decertification review official. The Regional Administrator (or a 
designee) will designate an observer suspension and decertification 
review official(s), who will have the authority to review observer 
certifications and issue IADs of observer certification suspension and/
or decertification.
    (B) Causes for suspension or decertification. The suspension/
decertification official may initiate suspension or decertification 
proceedings against an observer:
    (1) When it is alleged that the observer has not met applicable 
standards, including any of the following:
    (i) Failed to satisfactorily perform duties of observers as 
specified in writing by the NMFS Observer Program; or
    (ii) Failed to abide by the standards of conduct for observers, 
including conflicts of interest;
    (2) Upon conviction of a crime or upon entry of a civil judgment 
for:
    (i) Commission of fraud or other violation in connection with 
obtaining or attempting to obtain certification, or in performing the 
duties as specified in writing by the NMFS Observer Program;
    (ii) Commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, 
falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or 
receiving stolen property;
    (iii) Commission of any other offense indicating a lack of integrity 
or honesty that seriously and directly affects the fitness of observers.
    (C) Issuance of an IAD. Upon determination that suspension or 
decertification is warranted, the suspension/decertification official 
will issue a written IAD to the observer via certified mail at the 
observer's most current address provided to NMFS. The IAD will identify 
whether a certification is suspended or revoked and will identify the 
specific reasons for the action taken. Decertification is effective 30 
calendar days after the date on the IAD, unless there is an appeal.
    (D) Appeals. A certified observer who receives an IAD that suspends 
or revokes his or her observer certification may appeal the 
determination within 30 calendar days after the date on the IAD to the 
Office of Administrative Appeals pursuant to Sec. 660.19.
    (k) MS coop failure--(1) The Regional Administrator will determine 
that a permitted MS coop is considered to have failed if:
    (i) The coop members dissolve the coop, or
    (ii) The coop membership falls below 20 percent of the MS/CV-
endorsed limited entry permits, or
    (iii) The coop agreement is no longer valid.
    (2) If a permitted MS coop dissolves, the designated coop manager 
must notify NMFS SFD in writing of the dissolution of the coop.
    (3) In the event of a NMFS determined coop failure, or reported 
failure, the designated coop manager will be notified in writing about 
NMFS' determination. Upon notification of a coop failure, fishing under 
the MS coop permit will no longer be allowed. Should a coop failure 
determination be made during the Pacific whiting primary season for the 
mothership sector, unused allocation associated with the catch history 
will not be available for harvest by the coop that failed, by any former 
members of the coop that failed, or any other MS coop for the remainder 
of that calendar year.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78406, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 27547, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74744, Dec. 1, 
2011; 77 FR 45512, Aug. 1, 2012; 77 FR 55157, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 
18896, Mar. 28, 2013; 78 FR 68772, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75282, Dec. 11, 
2013; 80 FR 22290, Apr. 21, 2015; 81 FR 27011, May 5, 2016; 83 FR 762, 
Jan. 8, 2018; 83 FR 64004, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019; 84 
FR 68810, Dec. 17, 2019; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 2020; 85 FR 35601, June 
11, 2020; 86 FR 26443, May 14, 2021; 86 FR 58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 87 FR 
54909, Sept. 8, 2022; 87 FR 77027, Dec. 16, 2022; 87 FR 77006, Dec. 16, 
2022]



Sec. 660.160  Catcher/processor (C/P) Coop Program.

    (a) General. The C/P Coop Program is a limited access program that 
applies to vessels in the C/P sector of the Pacific whiting at-sea trawl 
fishery and is a single voluntary coop. Eligible harvesters and 
processors must meet the requirements set forth in this section

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of the Pacific Coast groundfish regulations. In addition to the 
requirements of this section, the C/P Coop Program is subject to the 
following groundfish regulations:
    (1) Pacific whiting seasons Sec. 660.131(b), subpart D.
    (2) Area restrictions specified for midwater trawl gear used to 
harvest Pacific whiting fishery specified at Sec. 660.131(c), subpart D 
for GCAs, RCAs, Salmon Conservation Zones, BRAs, and EFHCAs.
    (3) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: 
Sec. 660.11 Definitions, Sec. 660.12 Prohibitions, Sec. 660.13 
Recordkeeping and reporting, Sec. 660.14 VMS requirements, Sec. 660.15 
Equipment requirements, Sec. 660.16 Groundfish Observer Program, Sec. 
660.20 Vessel and gear identification, Sec. 660.25 Permits, Sec. 
660.55 Allocations, Sec. 660.60 Specifications and management measures, 
Sec. 660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications, and Sec. Sec. 660.70 
through 660.79 Closed areas.
    (4) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: 
Sec. 660.111 Trawl fishery definitions, Sec. 660.112 Trawl fishery 
prohibitions, Sec. 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting, 
Sec. 660.115 Trawl fishery cost recovery program, Sec. 660.120 Trawl 
fishery crossover provisions, Sec. 660.130 Trawl fishery management 
measures, and Sec. 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures.
    (5) The C/P Coop Program may be restricted or closed as a result of 
projected overages within the MS Coop Program, the C/P Coop Program, or 
the Shorebased IFQ Program. As determined necessary by the Regional 
Administrator, area restrictions, season closures, or other measures 
will be used to prevent the trawl sectors in aggregate or the individual 
trawl sector (Shorebased IFQ, MS Coop, or C/P Coop) from exceeding an 
ACL, ACT, or formal allocation specified in the PCGFMP or regulation at 
Sec. 660.55, subpart C, or Sec. Sec. 660.140, 660.150, or 660.160, 
subpart D.
    (b) Participation requirements and responsibilities--(1) C/P 
vessels--(i) C/P vessel participation requirements. A vessel is eligible 
to fish as a catcher/processor in the C/P Coop Program if:
    (A) The vessel is registered to a C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl 
permit.
    (B) The vessel is not used to harvest fish as a catcher vessel in 
the mothership coop program in the same calendar year.
    (ii) Catcher/processor vessel responsibilities. The owner and 
operator of a catcher/processor vessel must:
    (A) Recordkeeping and reporting. Maintain a valid declaration as 
specified at Sec. 660.13(d); maintain records as specified at Sec. 
660.113(a); and maintain and submit all records and reports specified at 
Sec. 660.113(d) including, economic data, scale tests records, cease 
fishing reports, and cost recovery.
    (B) Observers. As specified at paragraph (g) of this section, 
procure observer services, maintain the appropriate level of coverage, 
and meet the vessel responsibilities.
    (C) Catch weighing requirements. The owner and operator of a 
catcher/processor vessel must:
    (1) Ensure that all catch is weighed in its round form on a NMFS-
approved scale that meets the requirements described in Sec. 660.15(b);
    (2) Provide a NMFS-approved platform scale, belt scale, and test 
weights that meet the requirements described in Sec. 660.15(b).
    (D) Cost recovery program. Collect and remit to NMFS cost recovery 
program fees, as specified at Sec. 660.115.
    (2) C/P coops--(i) C/P coop participation requirements. For a C/P 
coop to participate in the catcher/processor sector of the Pacific 
whiting fishery, the C/P coop must:
    (A) Be issued a C/P coop permit;
    (B) Be composed of all C/P-endorsed limited entry permits and their 
owners;
    (C) Be formed voluntarily;
    (D) Be a legally recognized entity that represents its members; and
    (E) Designate an individual as a coop manager.
    (ii) C/P coop responsibilities. A C/P coop is responsible for:
    (A) Applying for and being registered to a C/P coop permit;
    (B) Organizing and coordinating harvest activities of vessels that 
fish for the coop;
    (C) Allocating catch for use by specific coop members;

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    (D) Monitoring harvest activities and enforcing the catch limits of 
coop members;
    (E) Submitting an annual report.
    (F) Having a designated coop manager. The designated coop manager 
must:
    (1) Serve as the contact person with NMFS and the Council;
    (2) Be responsible for the annual distribution of catch and bycatch 
allocations among coop members;
    (3) Prepare and submit an annual report on behalf of the coop; and
    (4) Be authorized to receive or respond to any legal process in 
which the coop is involved; and
    (5) Notify NMFS if the coop dissolves.
    (iii) C/P coop compliance and joint/several liability. A C/P coop 
must comply with the provisions of this section. The C/P coop, member 
limited entry permit owners, and owners and operators of vessels 
registered to member limited entry permits, are jointly and severally 
responsible for compliance with the provisions of this section. Pursuant 
to 15 CFR part 904, each C/P coop, member permit owner, and owner and 
operator of a vessel registered to a coop member permit may be charged 
jointly and severally for violations of the provisions of this section. 
For purposes of enforcement, a C/P coop is a legal entity that can be 
subject to NOAA enforcement action for violations of the provisions of 
this section.
    (c) C/P Coop Program species and allocations--(1) C/P Coop Program 
species. All species other than Pacific whiting are managed with set-
asides for the MS and C/P Coop Programs.
    (i) Species with formal allocations to the C/P Coop Program: Pacific 
whiting.
    (ii) Species with set-asides for the MS and C/P Programs, as 
described in the biennial specifications.
    (2) C/P Coop Program annual allocations. The C/P Coop Program 
allocation of Pacific whiting is equal to the catcher/processor sector 
allocation. Only a single coop may be formed in the catcher/processor 
sector with the one permitted coop receiving the catcher/processor 
sector allocation.
    (i) In years where the Pacific whiting harvest specification is 
known by the start of the catcher/processor sector primary whiting 
season specified at Sec. 660.131(b)(2)(iii)(A), allocation for Pacific 
whiting will be made by the start of the season.
    (ii) In years where the Pacific whiting harvest specification is not 
known by the start of the catcher/processor sector primary whiting 
season specified at Sec. 660.131(b)(2)(iii)(A), NMFS will issue Pacific 
whiting allocations in two parts. Before the start of the primary 
whiting season, NMFS will allocate Pacific whiting based on the C/P Coop 
Program allocation percent multiplied by the lower end of the range of 
potential harvest specifications for Pacific whiting for that year. 
After the final Pacific whiting harvest specifications are established, 
NMFS will allocate any additional amounts of Pacific whiting to the C/P 
Coop Program.
    (3) Non-whiting groundfish species--(i) At-sea sector set-asides of 
non-whiting groundfish species will be managed on an annual basis unless 
there is a risk of a harvest specification being exceeded, unforeseen 
impact on other fisheries, or conservation concerns, in which case 
inseason action may be taken. Set asides may be adjusted through the 
biennial specifications and management measures process as necessary.
    (ii) Groundfish species not addressed in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this 
section, will be managed on an annual basis unless there is a risk of a 
harvest specification being exceeded, unforeseen impact on other 
fisheries, or conservation concerns, in which case inseason action may 
be taken.
    (4) Halibut set-asides. Annually a specified amount of the Pacific 
halibut will be held in reserve as a shared set-aside for bycatch in the 
at-sea Pacific whiting fisheries and the shorebased trawl sector south 
of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.
    (5) [Reserved]
    (6) Reaching the catcher/processor sector allocation. When the 
catcher/processor sector allocation of Pacific whiting is reached or is 
projected to be reached, further taking and retaining, receiving, or at-
sea processing by a catcher/processor is prohibited. No additional 
unprocessed groundfish may be brought on board after at-sea processing 
is prohibited, but a catcher/processor may continue to process catch 
that was on board before at-sea processing was prohibited. The catcher/

[[Page 281]]

processor sector will close when the allocation of any one species is 
reached or projected to be reached.
    (7) Announcements. The Regional Administrator will announce in the 
Federal Register when the catcher/processor sector allocation of Pacific 
whiting is reached, or is projected to be reached, and specify the 
appropriate action. In order to prevent exceeding an allocation and to 
avoid underutilizing the resource, prohibitions against further taking 
and retaining, receiving, or at-sea processing of Pacific whiting may be 
made effective immediately by actual notice to fishers and processors, 
by email, internet, phone, fax, letter, press release, and/or USCG 
Notice to Mariners (monitor channel 16 VHF), followed by publication in 
the Federal Register, in which instance public comment will be sought 
for a reasonable period of time thereafter.
    (d) C/P coop permit and agreement--(1) Eligibility and 
registration--(i) Eligibility. To be an eligible coop entity a group of 
C/P-endorsed permit owners (coop members) must be a recognized entity 
under the laws of the United States or the laws of a State and that 
represents all of the coop members.
    (ii) Annual registration and deadline. Each year, the co-op entity 
must submit a complete application to NMFS for a C/P co-op permit. The 
application must be submitted to NMFS by between January 17 and March 17 
of the year in which it intends to participate. NMFS will not consider 
any applications received after March 17. A C/P co-op permit expires on 
December 31 of the year in which it was issued.
    (iii) Application for a C/P coop permit. The designated coop 
manager, on behalf of the coop entity, must submit a complete 
application form and include each of the items listed in paragraph 
(d)(1)(iii)(A) of this section. Only complete applications will be 
considered for issuance of a C/P coop permit. An application will not be 
considered complete if any required application fees and annual coop 
reports have not been received by NMFS. NMFS may request additional 
supplemental documentation as necessary to make a determination of 
whether to approve or disapprove the application. Application forms and 
instruction are available on the NMFS NWR Web site (http://
www.nwr.noaa.gov) or by request from NMFS. The designated coop manager 
must sign the application acknowledging the responsibilities of a 
designated coop manager defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (A) Coop agreement. Signed copies of the coop agreement must be 
submitted to NMFS before the coop is authorized to engage in fishing 
activities. A coop agreement must include all of the information listed 
in this paragraph to be considered a complete coop agreement. NMFS will 
only review complete coop agreements. A coop agreement will not be 
accepted unless it includes all of the required information; the 
descriptive items listed in this paragraph appear to meet the stated 
purpose; and information submitted is correct and accurate.
    (1) Coop agreement contents. The coop agreement must be signed by 
the coop members (C/P-endorsed permit owners) and include the following 
information:
    (i) A list of all vessels registered to C/P-endorsed permits that 
the member permit owners intend to use for fishing under the C/P coop 
permit.
    (ii) All C/P-endorsed limited entry member permits identified by 
permit number.
    (iii) A description of the coop's plan to adequately monitor and 
account for the catch of Pacific whiting and non-whiting groundfish, and 
to monitor and account for the catch of prohibited species.
    (iv) A clause stating that if a permit is registered to a new permit 
owner during the effective period of the coop agreement, any new owners 
of that member permit would be coop members and are required to comply 
with membership restrictions in the coop agreement.
    (v) A description of the coop's enforcement and penalty provisions 
adequate to maintain catch of Pacific whiting and non-whiting groundfish 
within the allocations.
    (vi) A description of measures to reduce catch of overfished 
species.
    (vii) A clause describing how the annual report will be produced to 
document the coop's catch, bycatch data,

[[Page 282]]

and any other significant activities undertaken by the coop during the 
year, and the submission deadlines for that report.
    (viii) Identification of the designated coop manager.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (B) Acceptance of a coop agreement--(1) If NMFS does not accept the 
coop agreement, the coop permit application will be returned to the 
applicant with a letter stating the reasons the coop agreement was not 
accepted by NMFS.
    (2) Coop agreements that are not accepted may be resubmitted for 
review by sufficiently addressing the deficiencies identified in the 
NMFS letter and resubmitting the entire coop permit application by the 
date specified in the NMFS letter.
    (3) An accepted coop agreement that was submitted with the C/P coop 
permit application and for which a C/P coop permit was issued will 
remain in place through the end of the calendar year. The designated 
coop manager must resubmit a complete coop agreement to NMFS consistent 
with the coop agreement contents described in this paragraph if there is 
a material change to the coop agreement.
    (4) Within 7 calendar days following a material change, the 
designated coop manager must notify NMFS of the material change. Within 
30 calendar days, the designated coop manger must submit to NMFS the 
revised coop agreement with a letter that describes such changes. NMFS 
will review the material changes and provide a letter to the coop 
manager that either accepts the changes as given or does not accept the 
revised coop agreement with a letter stating the reasons that it was not 
accepted by NMFS. The coop may resubmit the coop agreement with further 
revisions to the material changes responding to NMFS concerns.
    (iv) Effective date of C/P coop permit. A C/P coop permit will be 
effective on the date approved by NMFS and will allow fishing from the 
start of the C/P sector primary whiting season until the end of the 
calendar year or until one or more of the following events occur, 
whichever comes first:
    (A) NMFS closes the C/P sector fishing season for the year or the 
designated coop manager notifies NMFS that the coop has completed 
fishing for the calendar year,
    (B) The C/P coop has reached its Pacific whiting allocation,
    (C) A material change to the coop agreement has occurred and the 
designated coop manager failed to notify NMFS within 7 calendar days of 
the material change and submit to NMFS the revised coop agreement with a 
letter that describes such changes within 30 calendar days, or
    (D) NMFS has determined that a coop failure occurred.
    (2) Initial administrative determination. For all complete 
applications, NMFS will issue an IAD that either approves or disapproves 
the application. If approved, the IAD will include a C/P coop permit. If 
disapproved, the IAD will provide the reasons for this determination. 
The IAD for a C/P coop permit follows the same requirement as specified 
for limited entry permits at Sec. 660.25(g)(4)(ii), if the applicant 
does not appeal the IAD within the 30 calendar days, the IAD becomes the 
final decision of the Regional Administrator acting on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce.
    (3) Appeals. An appeal to a C/P coop permit action follows the same 
process as the general permit appeals process defined at Sec. 
660.25(g), subpart C.
    (4) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge fees 
for administrative costs associated with the issuance of a C/P coop 
permit consistent with the provisions given at Sec. 660.25(f), subpart 
C.
    (e) C/P-endorsed permit--(1) General. Any vessel participating in 
the C/P sector of the non-tribal primary Pacific whiting fishery-must be 
registered to a valid limited entry permit with a C/P endorsement--
subject to the limited entry permit provisions given at Sec. 660.25(b).
    (i) Non-severable. A C/P endorsement is not severable from the 
limited entry trawl permit, and therefore, the endorsement may not be 
registered to another permit owner or to another vessel separately from 
the limited entry trawl permit.
    (ii) Restriction on C/P vessel operating as a catcher vessel in the 
mothership sector. A vessel registered to a C/P-endorsed permit cannot 
operate as a

[[Page 283]]

catcher vessel delivering unprocessed Pacific whiting to a mothership 
processor during the same calendar year it participates in the C/P 
sector.
    (iii) Restriction on C/P vessel operating as mothership. A vessel 
registered to a C/P-endorsed permit may operate as a mothership during 
the same calendar year it participates in the C/P sector but not on the 
same trip.
    (iv) Trawl identification of ownership interest form. Any person 
that is applying for or renewing a C/P-endorsed permit shall document 
those persons that have an ownership interest in the permit greater than 
or equal to 2 percent. This ownership interest must be documented with 
the SFD via the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form. SFD 
will not issue a C/P-endorsed permit unless the Trawl Identification of 
Ownership Interest Form has been completed.
    (2) Renewal, change in permit ownership, vessel registration, or 
combination--(i) Renewal. A C/P-endorsed permit must be renewed annually 
consistent with the limited entry permit regulations given at Sec. 
660.25(b)(4).
    (ii) Change of permit ownership. A C/P-endorsed permit is subject to 
the limited entry permit change in permit ownership regulations given at 
Sec. 660.25(b)(4), subpart C.
    (iii) Change of vessel registration. A C/P-endorsed permit is 
subject to the limited entry permit change of vessel registration 
regulations given at Sec. 660.25(b)(4), subpart C.
    (iv) Combination. If two or more permits are combined, the resulting 
permit is one permit with an increased size endorsement. A C/P-endorsed 
permit that is combined with another limited entry trawl-endorsed permit 
that does not have a C/P endorsement will result in a single trawl 
limited entry permit with a C/P endorsement with a larger size 
endorsement. Any request to combine permits is subject to the provisions 
provided at Sec. 660.25(b), including the combination formula for 
resulting size endorsements.
    (3) Appeals. An appeal to a C/P-endorsed permit action follows the 
same process as the general permit appeals process defined at Sec. 
660.25(g), subpart C.
    (4) Fees. The Regional Administrator is authorized to charge fees 
for the administrative costs associated with review and issuance of a C/
P endorsement consistent with the provisions at Sec. 660.25(f), subpart 
C.
    (5) Cost recovery. The owner of a vessel registered to a C/P-
endorsed limited entry trawl permit, the operator of a vessel registered 
to a C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit, and the owner of the C/P-
endorsed limited entry trawl permit registered to that vessel, are 
considered both the fish buyer and the fish seller as defined at Sec. 
660.111, and must comply with the cost recovery program specified at 
Sec. 660.115.
    (f) Retention requirements. [Reserved]
    (g) Observer requirements--(1) Observer coverage requirements--(i) 
Coverage. The following observer coverage pertains to certified 
observers obtained from an observer provider permitted by NMFS. Any 
vessel registered to a C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit that is 
125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer must carry two certified observers, and 
any vessel registered to a C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit that 
is shorter than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA must carry one certified observer, 
each day that the vessel is used to take, retain, receive, land, 
process, or transport groundfish.
    (ii) Observer workload. The time required for the observer to 
complete sampling duties must not exceed 12 consecutive hours in each 
24-hour period.
    (iii) Refusal to board. Any boarding refusal on the part of the 
observer or vessel must be reported to the Observer Program and OLE by 
the observer provider. The observer must be available for an interview 
with the Observer Program or OLE if necessary.
    (iv) Gear testing exemption. Vessels exempt from the requirement to 
maintain observer coverage as specified in this paragraph (g) while gear 
testing as defined at Sec. 660.11. The vessel operator must submit a 
valid declaration for gear/equipment testing, as required by Sec. 
660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A), and must notify the Observer Program of the gear 
testing activity at least 48 hours prior to departing on a trip to test 
gear/equipment.
    (v) Certificates of insurance. The observer provider must submit 
copies of ``certificates of insurance'' that name the Northwest 
Fisheries Science Center

[[Page 284]]

Observer Program manager as the ``certificate holder'' to the Observer 
Program Office by February 1 of each year. The certificates of insurance 
shall verify all coverage provisions specified at Sec. 600.748(b) and 
(c) of this chapter and state that the insurance company will notify the 
certificate holder if insurance coverage is changed or canceled.
    (2) Vessel responsibilities. An operator and/or crew of a vessel 
required to carry an observer must provide:
    (i) Accommodations and food. Provide accommodations and food that 
are equivalent to those provided for officers, engineers, foremen, deck-
bosses or other management level personnel of the vessel.
    (ii) Safe conditions--(A) Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for 
the protection of observers including adherence to all U.S. Coast Guard 
and other applicable rules, regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe 
operation of the vessel, including but not limited to, rules of the 
road, vessel stability, emergency drills, emergency equipment, vessel 
maintenance, vessel general condition, and port bar crossings. An 
observer may refuse boarding or reboarding a vessel and may request a 
vessel to return to port if operated in an unsafe manner or if unsafe 
conditions are identified.
    (B) Have on board a valid Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal 
that certifies compliance with regulations found in 33 CFR chapter I and 
46 CFR chapter I, a certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 
28.710 or a valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311. 
Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for the protection of observer(s) 
including adherence to all USCG and other applicable rules, regulations, 
or statutes pertaining to safe operation of the vessel, and provisions 
at Sec. Sec. 600.725 and 600.746 of this chapter.
    (iii) Computer hardware and software. C/P vessels must:
    (A) Provide hardware and software pursuant to regulations at Sec. 
679.51 (e)(iii)(B) of this chapter.
    (B) Provide the observer(s) access to a computer required under 
paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section that is connected to a 
communication device that provides a point-to-point connection to the 
NMFS host computer.
    (C) Ensure that the C/P vessel has installed the most recent release 
of NMFS data entry software, or other approved software prior to the 
vessel receiving, catching or processing IFQ species.
    (D) Ensure that the communication equipment required in paragraph 
(g)(2)(iii) of this section and used by observers to enter and transmit 
data, is fully functional and operational. ``Functional'' means that all 
the tasks and components of the NMFS supplied, or other approved, 
software described at paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section and the data 
transmissions to NMFS can be executed effectively aboard the vessel by 
the communications equipment.
    (iv) Vessel position. Allow observer(s) access to, the vessel's 
navigation equipment and personnel, on request, to determine the 
vessel's position.
    (v) Access. Allow observer(s) free and unobstructed access to the 
vessel's bridge, trawl or working decks, holding bins, processing areas, 
freezer spaces, weight scales, cargo holds, and any other space that may 
be used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any 
time.
    (vi) Prior notification. Notify observer(s) at least 15 minutes 
before fish are brought on board, or fish and fish products are 
transferred from the vessel, to allow sampling the catch or observing 
the transfer.
    (vii) Records. Allow observer(s) to inspect and copy any State or 
Federal logbook maintained voluntarily or as required by regulation.
    (viii) Assistance. Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable 
observer(s) to carry out their duties, including, but not limited to:
    (A) Measuring decks, codends, and holding bins.
    (B) Providing the observer(s) with a safe work area.
    (C) Collecting samples of catch.
    (D) Collecting and carrying baskets of fish.
    (E) Allowing the observer(s) to collect biological data and samples.
    (F) Providing adequate space for storage of biological samples.

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    (ix) Sampling station and operational requirements for C/P vessels. 
This paragraph contains the requirements for observer sampling stations. 
To allow the observer to carry out the required duties, the vessel owner 
must provide an observer sampling station that meets the following 
requirements:
    (A) Accessibility. The observer sampling station must be available 
to the observer at all times.
    (B) Location. The observer sampling station must be located within 4 
m of the location from which the observer samples unsorted catch.
    (C) Access. Unobstructed passage must be provided between the 
observer sampling station and the location where the observer collects 
sample catch.
    (D) Minimum work space. The observer must have a working area of at 
least 4.5 square meters, including the observer's sampling table, for 
sampling and storage of fish to be sampled. The observer must be able to 
stand upright and have a work area at least 0.9 m deep in the area in 
front of the table and scale.
    (E) Table. The observer sampling station must include a table at 
least 0.6 m deep, 1.2 m wide and 0.9 m high and no more than 1.1 m high. 
The entire surface area of the table must be available for use by the 
observer. Any area for the observer sampling scale is in addition to the 
minimum space requirements for the table. The observer's sampling table 
must be secured to the floor or wall.
    (F) Diverter board. The conveyor belt conveying unsorted catch must 
have a removable board (``diverter board'') to allow all fish to be 
diverted from the belt directly into the observer's sampling baskets. 
The diverter board must be located downstream of the scale used to weigh 
total catch. At least 1 m of accessible belt space, located downstream 
of the scale used to weight total catch, must be available for the 
observer's use when sampling.
    (G) Other requirements. The sampling station must be in a well-
drained area that includes floor grating (or other material that 
prevents slipping), lighting adequate for day or night sampling, and a 
hose that supplies fresh or sea water to the observer.
    (H) Observer sampling scale. The observer sample station must 
include a NMFS-approved platform scale (pursuant to requirements at 
Sec. 679.28(d)(5)) with a capacity of at least 50 kg located within 1 m 
of the observer's sampling table. The scale must be mounted so that the 
weighing surface is no more than 0.7 m above the floor.
    (x) Transfer at sea. Observers may be transferred at-sea between 
catcher-processors, between catcher-processors and motherships, or 
between a catcher-processor and a catcher vessel. Transfers at-sea 
between catcher vessels is prohibited. For transfers, both vessels must:
    (A) Ensure that transfers of observers at sea via small boat under 
its own power are carried out during daylight hours, under safe 
conditions, and with the agreement of observers involved.
    (B) Notify observers at least 3 hours before observers are 
transferred, such that the observers can finish any sampling work, 
collect personal belongings, equipment, and scientific samples.
    (C) Provide a safe pilot ladder and conduct the transfer to ensure 
the safety of observers during transfers.
    (D) Provide an experienced crew member to assist observers in the 
small boat in which any transfer is made.
    (xi) Housing on vessel in port. During all periods an observer is 
housed on a vessel, the vessel operator must ensure that at least one 
crew member is aboard.
    (3) Procurement of observer services. Owners of vessels required to 
carry observers under paragraph (g)(1) of this section must arrange for 
observer services from an observer provider permitted by NMFS, except 
that:
    (i) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program when NMFS has determined and given notification 
that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual authorized by 
NMFS in lieu of an observer provided by an observer provider.
    (ii) Vessels are required to procure observer services directly from 
the Observer Program and an observer provider when NMFS has determined 
and given notification that the vessel must

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carry NMFS staff and/or individuals authorized by NMFS, in addition to 
an observer provided by an observer provider.
    (4) Observer provider responsibilities--(i) Provide qualified 
candidates to serve as observers. Observer providers must provide 
qualified candidates to serve as observers. To be qualified, a candidate 
must have:
    (A) A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or 
university with a major in one of the natural sciences;
    (B) Successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester hours or 
equivalent in applicable biological sciences with extensive use of 
dichotomous keys in at least one course;
    (C) Successfully completed at least one undergraduate course each in 
math and statistics with a minimum of 5 semester hours total for both; 
and
    (D) Computer skills that enable the candidate to work competently 
with standard database software and computer hardware.
    (ii) Hiring an observer candidate. (A) The observer provider must 
provide the candidate a copy of NMFS-provided pamphlets, information and 
other literature describing observer duties (i.e. The At-Sea Hake 
Observer Program's Observer Manual) prior to hiring an observer 
candidate. Observer job information is available from the Observer 
Program Office's Web site at http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/ research/
divisions/fram/ observer/index.cfm.
    (B) The observer provider must have a written contract or a written 
contract addendum that is signed by the observer and observer provider 
prior to the observer's deployment with the following clauses:
    (1) That the observer will return all phone calls, emails, text 
messages, or other forms of communication within the time specified by 
the Observer Program;
    (2) That the observer inform the observer provider prior to the time 
of embarkation if he or she is experiencing any new mental illness or 
physical ailments or injury since submission of the physician's 
statement as required as a qualified observer candidate that would 
prevent him or her from performing their assigned duties.
    (iii) Ensure that observers complete duties in a timely manner. An 
observer provider must ensure that observers employed by that observer 
provider do the following in a complete and timely manner:
    (A) Submit to NMFS all data, logbooks and reports as required by the 
observer manual;
    (B) Report for his or her scheduled debriefing and complete all 
debriefing responsibilities;
    (C) Return all sampling and safety gear to the Observer Program 
Office;
    (D) Submit all biological samples from the observer's deployment by 
the completion of the electronic vessel and/or processor survey(s); and
    (E) Immediately report to the Observer Program Office and the OLE 
any refusal to board an assigned vessel.
    (iv) Observers provided to vessel. Observers provided to C/P 
vessels:
    (A) Must have a valid North Pacific groundfish observer 
certification with required endorsements and an At-Sea Hake Observer 
Program endorsement;
    (B) Must not have informed the observer provider prior to the time 
of embarkation that he or she is experiencing a mental illness or a 
physical ailment or injury developed since submission of the physician's 
statement that would prevent him or her from performing his or her 
assigned duties; and
    (C) Must have successfully completed all NMFS required training and 
briefing before deployment.
    (v) Respond to industry requests for observers. An observer provider 
must provide an observer for deployment as requested pursuant to the 
contractual relationship with the vessel to fulfill vessel requirements 
for observer coverage specified under paragraph (g)(1) of this section. 
An alternate observer must be supplied in each case where injury or 
illness prevents the observer from performing his or her duties or where 
the observer resigns prior to completion of his or her duties. If the 
observer provider is unable to respond to an industry request for 
observer coverage from a vessel for whom the observer provider is in a 
contractual relationship due to lack of available observers by the 
estimated embarking time of the vessel, the observer provider must 
report it to

[[Page 287]]

the Observer Program at least four hours prior to the vessel's estimated 
embarking time.
    (vi) Provide observer salaries and benefits. An observer provider 
must provide to its observer employees salaries and any other benefits 
and personnel services in accordance with the terms of each observer's 
contract.
    (vii) Provide observer deployment logistics. An observer provider 
must provide to each of its observers under contract:
    (A) All necessary transportation, including arrangements and 
logistics, to the initial location of deployment, to all subsequent 
vessel assignments during that deployment, and to and from the location 
designated for an observer to be interviewed by the Observer Program; 
and
    (B) Lodging, per diem, and any other services necessary to observers 
assigned to fishing vessels.
    (1) An observer under contract may be housed on a vessel to which he 
or she is assigned:
    (i) Prior to their vessel's initial departure from port;
    (ii) For a period not to exceed 24 hours following the completion of 
an offload when the observer has duties and is scheduled to disembark; 
or
    (iii) For a period not to exceed 24 hours following the vessel's 
arrival in port when the observer is scheduled to disembark.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (C) An observer under contract who is between vessel assignments 
must be provided with shoreside accommodations in accordance with the 
contract between the observer and the observer provider. If the observer 
provider is providing accommodations, it must be at a licensed hotel, 
motel, bed and breakfast, or other shoreside accommodations for the 
duration of each period between vessel or shoreside assignments. Such 
accommodations must include an assigned bed for each observer and no 
other person may be assigned that bed for the duration of that 
observer's stay. Additionally, no more than four beds may be in any room 
housing observers at accommodations meeting the requirements of this 
section.
    (viii) Observer deployment limitations. An observer provider must 
not exceed observer deployment limitations specified in this paragraph 
unless alternative arrangements are approved by the Observer Program 
Office. An observer provider must not:
    (A) Deploy an observer on the same vessel for more than 90 days in a 
12-month period;
    (B) Deploy an observer for more than 90 days in a single deployment;
    (C) Include more than four vessel assignments in a single 
deployment, or
    (D) Disembark an observer from a vessel before that observer has 
completed his or her sampling or data transmission duties.
    (ix) Verify vessel's Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal. An 
observer provider must ensure that the observer completes an observer 
vessel safety checklist, and verify that a vessel has a valid USCG 
Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety decal as required under paragraph 
(h)(2)(ii)(B) of this section prior to the observer embarking on the 
first trip and before an observer may get underway aboard the vessel. 
The provider must submit all vessel safety checklists to the Observer 
Program, as specified by Observer Program policy. One of the following 
acceptable means of verification must be used to verify the decal 
validity:
    (A) The observer provider or employee of the observer provider, 
including the observer, visually inspects the decal aboard the vessel 
and confirms that the decal is valid according to the decal date of 
issuance; or
    (B) The observer provider receives a hard copy of the USCG 
documentation of the decal issuance from the vessel owner or operator.
    (x) Maintain communications with observers. An observer provider 
must have an employee responsible for observer activities on call 24 
hours a day to handle emergencies involving observers or problems 
concerning observer logistics, whenever observers are at sea, in 
transit, or in port awaiting vessel reassignment.
    (xi) Maintain communications with the Observer Program Office. An 
observer provider must provide all of the following information by 
electronic transmission (email), fax, or other method specified by NMFS.

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    (A) Observer training and briefing. Observer training and briefing 
registration materials must be submitted to the Observer Program Office 
at least 5 business days prior to the beginning of a scheduled observer 
at-sea hake training or briefing session. Registration materials consist 
of the following: The date of requested training or briefing with a list 
of observers including each observer's full name (i.e., first, middle 
and last names).
    (B) Observer debriefing registration. The observer provider must 
contact the Observer Program within 5 business days after the completion 
of an observer's deployment to schedule a date, time and location for 
debriefing. Observer debriefing registration information must be 
provided at the time of debriefing scheduling and must include the 
observer's name, cruise number, vessel name(s) and code(s), and 
requested debriefing date.
    (C) Observer provider contracts. If requested, observer providers 
must submit to the Observer Program Office a completed and unaltered 
copy of each type of signed and valid contract (including all 
attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the 
contract) between the observer provider and those entities requiring 
observer services under paragraph (g)(1) of this section. Observer 
providers must also submit to the Observer Program Office upon request, 
a completed and unaltered copy of the current or most recent signed and 
valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and 
exhibits incorporated into the contract and any agreements or policies 
with regard to observer compensation or salary levels) between the 
observer provider and the particular entity identified by the Observer 
Program or with specific observers. The copies must be submitted to the 
Observer Program Office via fax or mail within 5 business days of the 
request. Signed and valid contracts include the contracts an observer 
provider has with:
    (1) Vessels required to have observer coverage as specified at 
paragraph (g)(1) of this section; and
    (2) Observers.
    (D) Change in observer provider management and contact information. 
Observer providers must submit notification of any other change to 
provider contact information, including but not limited to, changes in 
contact name, phone number, email address, and address.
    (E) Other reports. Reports of the following must be submitted in 
writing to the Observer Program Office by the observer provider via fax 
or email address designated by the Observer Program Office within 24 
hours after the observer provider becomes aware of the information:
    (1) Any information regarding possible observer harassment;
    (2) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec. Sec. 
660.12(e), 660.112 or 600.725(o), (t) and (u) of this chapter;
    (3) Any concerns about vessel safety or marine casualty under 46 CFR 
4.05-1(a)(1) through (7);
    (4) Any observer illness or injury that prevents the observer from 
completing any of his or her duties described in the observer manual; 
and
    (5) Any information, allegations or reports regarding observer 
conflict of interest or breach of the standards of behavior described in 
observer provider policy.
    (xii) Replace lost or damaged gear. Lost or damaged gear issued to 
an observer by NMFS must be replaced by the observer provider. All 
replacements must be provided to NMFS and be in accordance with 
requirements and procedures identified in writing by the Observer 
Program Office.
    (xiii) Maintain confidentiality of information. An observer provider 
must ensure that all records on individual observer performance received 
from NMFS under the routine use provision of the Privacy Act 5 U.S.C. 
552a or other applicable law remain confidential and are not further 
released to any person outside the employ of the observer provider 
company to whom the observer was contracted except with written 
permission of the observer.
    (xiv) Limitations on conflict of interest. An observer provider must 
meet limitations on conflict of interest. Observer providers:
    (A) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of

[[Page 289]]

observer, catch monitor or other biological sampling services, in any 
federal or state managed fisheries, including but not limited to:
    (1) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel or shoreside processor facility involved in the catching, taking, 
harvesting or processing of fish,
    (2) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel or shoreside processors participating in a fishery managed 
pursuant to an FMP in the waters off the coasts of Alaska, California, 
Oregon, and Washington, or
    (3) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel or shoreside processor participating in a fishery 
managed pursuant to an FMP in the waters off the coasts of Alaska, 
California, Oregon, and Washington.
    (B) Must assign observers without regard to any preference by 
representatives of vessels other than when an observer will be deployed.
    (C) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value except for compensation for providing observer services from any 
person who conducts fishing or fish processing activities that are 
regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may be substantially 
affected by the performance or nonperformance of the official duties of 
observer providers.
    (xv) Observer conduct and behavior. An observer provider must 
develop and maintain a policy addressing observer conduct and behavior 
for their employees that serve as observers. The policy shall address 
the following behavior and conduct:
    (A) Observer use of alcohol;
    (B) Observer use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs in 
violation of applicable law; and
    (C) Sexual contact with personnel of the vessel or processing 
facility to which the observer is assigned, or with any vessel or 
processing plant personnel who may be substantially affected by the 
performance or non-performance of the observer's official duties.
    (D) An observer provider shall provide a copy of its conduct and 
behavior policy by February 1 of each year, to observers, observer 
candidates, and the Observer Program Office.
    (xvi) Refusal to deploy an observer. Observer providers may refuse 
to deploy an observer on a requesting vessel if the observer provider 
has determined that the requesting vessel is inadequate or unsafe 
pursuant to those regulations described at Sec. 600.746 of this chapter 
or U.S. Coast Guard and other applicable rules, regulations, statutes, 
or guidelines pertaining to safe operation of the vessel.
    (5) Observer certification and responsibilities--(i) Applicability. 
Observer certification authorizes an individual to fulfill duties as 
specified in writing by the Observer Program Office while under the 
employ of an observer provider and according to certification 
endorsements as designated under paragraph (g)(5)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) Observer certification official. The Regional Administrator 
will designate a NMFS observer certification official who will make 
decisions for the Observer Program Office on whether to issue or deny 
observer certifications and endorsements.
    (iii) Certification requirements--(A) Initial certification. NMFS 
may certify individuals who, in addition to any other relevant 
considerations:
    (1) Are employed by an observer provider company holding a valid 
North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program permit at the time of the 
issuance of the certification to the observer;
    (2) Have provided, through their observer provider:
    (i) Information set forth at Sec. 679.52(b) of this chapter 
regarding an observer candidate's health and physical fitness for the 
job;
    (ii) Meet all observer education and health standards as specified 
in Sec. 679.52(b) of this chapter; and
    (iii) Have successfully completed NMFS-approved training as 
prescribed by the Observer Program. Successful completion of training by 
an observer applicant consists of meeting all attendance and conduct 
standards issued in writing at the start of training; meeting all 
performance standards issued in writing at the start of training for 
assignments, tests, and other evaluation tools; and completing all

[[Page 290]]

other training requirements established by the Observer Program.
    (iv) Have not been decertified under paragraph (g)(5)(ix) of this 
section, or pursuant to Sec. 679.53(c) of this chapter.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (iv) Denial of a certification. The NMFS observer certification 
official will issue a written determination denying observer 
certification if the candidate fails to successfully complete training, 
or does not meet the qualifications for certification for any other 
relevant reason.
    (v) Issuance of an observer certification. An observer certification 
may be issued upon determination by the observer certification official 
that the candidate has successfully met all requirements for 
certification as specified in paragraph (g)(6)(iii) of this section. The 
following endorsements must be obtained, in addition to observer 
certification, in order for an observer to deploy.
    (A) North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program certification training 
endorsement. A certification training endorsement signifies the 
successful completion of the training course required to obtain observer 
certification. This endorsement expires when the observer has not been 
deployed and performed sampling duties as required by the Observer 
Program Office for a period of time, specified by the Observer Program, 
after his or her most recent debriefing. The observer can renew the 
endorsement by successfully completing certification training once more.
    (B) North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program annual general 
endorsements. Each observer must obtain an annual general endorsement to 
their certification prior to his or her first deployment within any 
calendar year subsequent to a year in which a certification training 
endorsement is obtained. To obtain an annual general endorsement, an 
observer must successfully complete the annual briefing, as specified by 
the Observer Program. All briefing attendance, performance, and conduct 
standards required by the Observer Program must be met.
    (C) North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program deployment 
endorsements. Each observer who has completed an initial deployment 
after certification or annual briefing must receive a deployment 
endorsement to their certification prior to any subsequent deployments 
for the remainder of that year. An observer may obtain a deployment 
endorsement by successfully completing all pre-cruise briefing 
requirements. The type of briefing the observer must attend and 
successfully complete will be specified in writing by the Observer 
Program during the observer's most recent debriefing.
    (D) At-Sea Hake Observer Program endorsements. A Pacific whiting 
fishery endorsement is required for purposes of performing observer 
duties aboard vessels that process groundfish at sea in the Pacific 
whiting fishery. A Pacific whiting fishery endorsement to an observer's 
certification may be obtained by meeting the following requirements:
    (1) Have a valid North Pacific groundfish observer certification.
    (2) Receive an evaluation by NMFS for his or her most recent 
deployment that indicated that the observer's performance met Observer 
Program expectations for that deployment;
    (3) Successfully complete any required briefings as prescribed by 
the Observer Program; and
    (4) Comply with all of the other requirements of this section.
    (vi) Maintaining the validity of an observer certification. After 
initial issuance, an observer must keep their certification valid by 
meeting all of the following requirements specified below:
    (A) Successfully perform their assigned duties as described in the 
observer manual or other written instructions from the Observer Program.
    (B) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment.
    (C) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel or in the processing facility to any person except the owner or 
operator of the observed vessel or an authorized officer or NMFS.
    (D) Successfully complete any required briefings as prescribed by 
the At-Sea Hake Observer Program.

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    (E) Successful completion of briefing by an observer applicant 
consists of meeting all attendance and conduct standards issued in 
writing at the start of training; meeting all performance standards 
issued in writing at the start of training for assignments, tests, and 
other evaluation tools; and completing all other briefing requirements 
established by the Observer Program.
    (F) Successfully meet all debriefing expectations including meeting 
Observer Program performance standards reporting for assigned 
debriefings or interviews.
    (G) Submit all data and information required by the Observer Program 
within the program's stated guidelines.
    (vii) Limitations on conflict of interest. Observers:
    (A) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer services or catch monitor services, in a North 
Pacific fishery managed pursuant to an FMP for the waters off the coast 
of Alaska, Alaska state waters, or in a Pacific Coast fishery managed by 
either the state or Federal Governments in waters off Washington, 
Oregon, or California, including but not limited to:
    (1) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processor facility involved 
in the catching, taking, harvesting or processing of fish,
    (2) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processing facility; or
    (3) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel, shore-based or floating stationary processing 
facilities.
    (B) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value from anyone who either conducts activities that are regulated by 
NMFS in the Pacific coast or North Pacific regions or has interests that 
may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of 
the observers' official duties.
    (C) May not serve as observers on any vessel or at any shore-based 
owned or operated by a person who employed the observer in the last two 
years.
    (D) May not solicit or accept employment as a crew member or an 
employee of a vessel or shore-based processor while employed by an 
observer provider.
    (E) Provisions for remuneration of observers under this section do 
not constitute a conflict of interest.
    (viii) Standards of behavior. Observers must:
    (A) Perform their assigned duties as described in the observer 
manual or other written instructions from the Observer Program Office.
    (B) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment.
    (C) Not disclose collected data and observations made on board the 
vessel to any person except the owner or operator of the observed 
vessel, an authorized officer, or NMFS.
    (ix) Suspension and decertification-- (A) Suspension and 
decertification review official. The Regional Administrator (or a 
designee) will designate an observer suspension and decertification 
review official(s), who will have the authority to review observer 
certifications and issue IADs of observer certification suspension and/
or decertification.
    (B) Causes for suspension or decertification. The suspension/
decertification official may initiate suspension or decertification 
proceedings against an observer:
    (1) When it is alleged that the observer has committed any acts or 
omissions of any of the following: Failed to satisfactorily perform the 
duties of observers as specified in writing by the Observer Program; or 
failed to abide by the standards of conduct for observers (including 
conflicts of interest);
    (2) Upon conviction of a crime or upon entry of a civil judgment 
for: Commission of fraud or other violation in connection with obtaining 
or attempting to obtain certification, or in performing the duties as 
specified in writing by the Observer Program; commission of 
embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of 
records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property; or

[[Page 292]]

commission of any other offense indicating a lack of integrity or 
honesty that seriously and directly affects the fitness of observers.
    (C) Issuance of an IAD. Upon determination that suspension or 
decertification is warranted, the suspension/decertification official 
will issue a written IAD to the observer via certified mail at the 
observer's most current address provided to NMFS. The IAD will identify 
whether a certification is suspended or revoked and will identify the 
specific reasons for the action taken. Decertification is effective 30 
calendar days after the date on the IAD, unless there is an appeal.
    (D) Appeals. A certified observer who receives an IAD that suspends 
or revokes the observer certification may appeal the determination 
within 30 calendar days after the date on the IAD to the Office of 
Administrative Appeals pursuant to Sec. 660.19.
    (h) C/P coop failure--(1) Conditions for determination of coop 
failure. The Regional Administrator will determine that a permitted C/P 
coop has failed if any one of the following occurs:
    (i) Any current C/P-endorsed limited entry trawl permit is not 
identified as a C/P coop member in the coop agreement submitted to NMFS 
during the C/P coop permit application process;
    (ii) Any current C/P-endorsed permit withdraws from the C/P coop 
agreement;
    (iii) The coop members voluntarily dissolve the coop; or
    (iv) The coop agreement is no longer valid.
    (2) Notification of coop failure. If the permitted C/P coop 
dissolves, the designated coop manager must notify NMFS SFD in writing 
of the dissolution of the coop to allow the Regional Administrator to 
make a determination of coop failure. The Regional Administrator may 
also make an independent determination of a coop failure based on 
factual information collected by or provided to NMFS. NMFS will notify 
the designated coop manager in writing in the event the Regional 
Administrator determines the coop has failed.
    (3) Coop permit no longer in effect. Upon determination of a coop 
failure, the C/P coop permit will no longer be in effect.
    (4) Conversion to IFQ Fishery. The C/P sector will convert to an 
IFQ-based fishery beginning the following calendar year after a 
determination of a coop failure, or as soon as practicable thereafter. 
NMFS will develop additional regulations, as necessary to implement an 
IFQ-based fishery for the C/P sector. Each C/P-endorsed permit will 
receive an equal amount of QS from the total C/P sector allocation. That 
QS will not be transferable separate from the C/P-endorsed permit until 
a determination is made to allow such transfers, necessary regulations 
are implemented, and public notice is provided. Any use of QP or IBQ 
pounds associated with C/P endorsed permits is prohibited until the 
regulations for a C/P sector IFQ system are implemented.
    (5) Accumulation limits. C/P Sector accumulation limits will take 
effect in the event that the C/P coop fails and converts to an IFQ-based 
fishery. If an IFQ fishery is implemented, any individual or entity may 
own or control a maximum of five C/P endorsed permits and QS allocations 
associated with those permits, as described in paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of 
this section. C/P endorsed permit accumulation limits will only take 
effect after determination of a coop failure is made and the following 
administrative process occurs:
    (i) Divestiture Period. Upon determination of a coop failure, a 
divestiture period will occur starting with the date that co-op failure 
has been determined and running through the date on which an IFQ program 
is implemented for the C/P sector or another date specified in the IFQ 
program implementing regulations. During the divestiture period, an 
individual or entity may not acquire ownership or control over a total 
of more than five C/P-endorsed permits. Any entity that already owns or 
controls more than five C/P-endorsed permits may not acquire additional 
permits. During the divestiture period any entity who owns or controls 
C/P-endorsed permits may sell or trade any permits it owns. C/P-endorsed 
permits may be voluntarily abandoned to NMFS using the procedures 
provided under paragraph (h)(5)(iii) of this section.

[[Page 293]]

    (ii) Divestiture and redistribution process. After conversion to an 
IFQ fishery and completion of the divestiture period, any person owning 
or controlling C/P-endorsed permits must be in compliance with 
accumulation limits, even if that ownership is not reflected in the 
ownership records available to NMFS as specified at Sec. 
660.140(e)(1)(iv). Permit owners found to exceed the five permit 
accumulation limit for C/P-endorsed permits after the divestiture period 
are in violation of the accumulation limits and required to completely 
divest of ownership or control of C/P-endorsed permits that exceed the 
accumulation limit. C/P-endorsed permits may be voluntarily abandoned to 
NMFS using the procedures provided under paragraph (h)(5)(iii) of this 
section. If NMFS finds that any entity owns or controls more than five 
C/P-endorsed permits, NMFS will make an Initial Administrative 
Determination (IAD) that the entity must divest of control or ownership 
of permits that exceed the accumulation limit within 30 days or NMFS 
will revoke the excess permits in accordance with Sec. 
660.25(h)(2)(ii). The permit owner will have the opportunity to appeal 
the IAD through the National Appeals Office under the provisions 
established at 15 CFR part 906. All QS associated with revoked permits 
will be redistributed to all other C/P-endorsed permit owners in 
proportion to their QS holdings, based on current ownership records, on 
or about January 1 of the calendar year following the year in which the 
permits are revoked. This redistribution process will not allow any 
entity to receive more than 50 percent of the total QS allocations for 
the C/P sector.
    (iii) Abandonment of C/P-endorsed permits. C/P-endorsed permits 
owners that own or control more than the five permit accumulation limit 
may voluntarily abandon C/P-endorsed permits if they notify NMFS in 
writing during the divestiture period specified at paragraph (h)(5)(i) 
of this section or within 30 days of conversion to an IFQ fishery. The 
written abandonment request must include the C/P endorsed permit number 
and the associated QS allocation percentage that will be abandoned. 
Either the C/P-endorsed permit owner or an authorized representative of 
the C/P-endorsed permit owner must sign the request. C/P-endorsed permit 
owners choosing to utilize the abandonment option will permanently 
relinquish to NMFS any right to the abandoned C/P-endorsed permit, and 
the QS associated with that permit will be redistributed as described 
under paragraph (h)(5)(ii) of this section. No compensation will be due 
for any abandoned permit, or associated QS or QP.
    (iv) Review of C/P-permit ownership interest and accumulation 
limits. NMFS may request additional information from C/P-permit owners 
as necessary to verify compliance with accumulation limits in the event 
of C/P coop failure and conversion to IFQ fishery. If NMFS discovers 
through review of the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form 
that a person is not in compliance with accumulation limits, the person 
will be subject to divestiture provisions specified in paragraph 
(h)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (v) Definition of Ownership or Control. For the purpose of 
determining ownership or control a person or entity has over a C/P 
endorsed permit, all of the following criteria apply:
    (A) The person or entity has the right to direct, or does direct, in 
whole or in part, the business of the entity to which the permits are 
registered, with the exception of those activities allowed under 
paragraphs (h)(5)(v)(C) and (G) of this section.
    (B) The person or entity has the right to limit the actions of or 
replace, or does limit the actions of or replace, the chief executive 
officer, a majority of the board of directors, any general partner, or 
any person serving in a management capacity of the entity to which the 
C/P permits are registered, with the exception of those activities 
allowed under paragraphs (h)(5)(v)(C) and (G) of this section.
    (C) With the exception of banks and other financial institutions 
that rely on permits as collateral for loans as described under 
paragraphs (h)(5)(v)(G) of this section, the person or entity has the 
right to direct, or does direct, and/or the right to prevent or delay, 
or does prevent or delay, the transfer of the C/P permit associated QS, 
or the resulting QP.

[[Page 294]]

    (D) The person or entity, through loan covenants or any other means, 
has the right to restrict, or does restrict, and/or has a controlling 
influence over the day to day business activities or management policies 
of the entity to which the permits are registered, with the exception of 
those activities allowed under paragraphs (h)(5)(v)(C) and (G) of this 
section.
    (E) The person or entity has the right to restrict, or does 
restrict, any activity related to the C/P permit, associated QS or the 
resulting QP, including, but not limited to, use of permits, or 
associated QS, or disposition of fish harvested and processed under the 
resulting QP, with the exception of those activities allowed under 
paragraphs (h)(5)(v)(C) and (G) of this section.
    (F) The person or entity has the right to control, or does control, 
the management of, or to be a controlling factor in, the entity to which 
the C/P permit, associated QS, or the resulting QP, are registered, with 
the exception of those activities allowed under paragraphs (h)(5)(v)(C) 
and (G) of this section.
    (G) With the exception of banks and other financial institutions 
that rely on permits as collateral for loans, the person or entity has 
the right to cause or prevent, or does cause or prevent, the sale, lease 
or other disposition of C/P permits, associated QS, or the resulting QP.
    (1) To qualify for this exception for banks and other financial 
institutions that rely on permits as collateral for loans, a bank or 
other financial institution must be regularly or primarily engaged in 
the business of lending, and must not be engaged in business with, or be 
controlled by, entities whose primary business is the harvesting, 
processing, or distribution of fish or fish products.
    (2) Any state or federally chartered bank or financial institution 
that meets the requirement of paragraph (h)(5)(v)(G)(1) of this section 
does not need to submit additional information to NMFS.
    (3) Any entity that is not a state or federally chartered bank or 
financial institution must submit a letter requesting the exception and 
disclose the identity and interest share of any shareholder with a 2 
percent or more ownership interest in the lender through submission of 
the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form (see paragraph 
(e)(1)(iv) of this section). The lender must make subsequent annual 
submissions of the letter and Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest 
Form to maintain the exception. Letters requesting the exception and 
complete Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Forms may be 
submitted to NMFS, West Coast Region, Permits Office, ATTN: Fisheries 
Permit Office, Bldg. 1, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. NMFS 
will only accept complete applications.
    (H) The person or entity has the ability through any means 
whatsoever to control or have a controlling influence over the entity to 
which a permit associated QS is registered, with the exception of those 
activities allowed under paragraphs (h)(5)(v)(C) and (G) of this 
section.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78419, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 27547, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74746, Dec. 1, 
2011; 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 75282, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 
22297, Apr. 21, 2015; 81 FR 27011, May 5, 2016; 83 FR 763, Jan. 8, 2018; 
83 FR 64004, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 68812, Dec. 17, 2019; 85 FR 35601, 
June 11, 2020; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 2020; 86 FR 26443, May 14, 2021; 86 
FR 58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 87 FR 54910, Sept. 8, 2022; 87 FR 77027, Dec. 
16, 2022; 87 FR 77006, Dec. 16, 2022]

[[Page 295]]



    Sec. Table 1 (North) to Part 660, Subpart D--Limited Entry Trawl 
 Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for Non-IFQ Species 
           and Pacific Whiting North of 40[deg]10[min] N. Lat.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR24MY21.012


[85 FR 79919, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 27818, May 24, 2021]

[[Page 296]]



    Sec. Table 1 (South) to Part 660, Subpart D--Limited Entry Trawl 
 Rockfish Conservation Areas and Landing Allowances for Non-IFQ Species 
           and Pacific Whiting South of 40[deg]10[min] N. Lat.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR11DE20.017


[85 FR 79919, Dec. 11, 2020]

[[Page 297]]



  Sec. Figure 1 to Part 660, Subpart D--Diagram of Selective Flatfish 
                                  Trawl
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01OC10.015



   Subpart E_West Coast Groundfish_Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries

    Source: 75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.210  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart covers the Pacific Coast Groundfish limited entry fixed 
gear fishery.



Sec. 660.211  Fixed gear fishery--definitions.

    These definitions are specific to the limited entry fixed gear 
fisheries covered in this subpart. General groundfish definitions are 
found at Sec. 660.11, subpart C.
    Daily Trip Limit (DTL) Fishery means a sablefish fishery that occurs 
both north and south of 36[deg] N. lat. that is subject to trip limit 
restrictions including daily and/or weekly and/or bimonthly trip limits.
    Limited entry fixed gear fishery means the fishery composed of 
vessels registered to limited entry permits with longline and pot/trap 
endorsements.
    Sablefish primary fishery means, for the limited entry fixed gear 
sablefish fishery north of 36[deg] N. lat, the fishery where vessels 
registered to at least one limited entry permit with both a gear 
endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear and a sablefish 
endorsement fish up to a specified tier limit and when they are not 
eligible to fish in the DTL fishery.
    Sablefish primary season means, for the limited entry fixed gear 
sablefish fishery north of 36[deg] N. lat, the period when vessels 
registered to at least one limited entry permit with both a gear 
endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear and a sablefish 
endorsement, are allowed to fish in the sablefish primary fishery 
described at Sec. 660.231 of this subpart.
    Tier limit means a specified amount of sablefish that may be 
harvested by a vessel registered to a limited entry fixed gear permit(s) 
with a Tier 1, Tier 2, and/or Tier 3 designation; a gear endorsement for 
longline or trap (or pot) gear; and a sablefish endorsement.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011]



Sec. 660.212  Fixed gear fishery--prohibitions.

    These prohibitions are specific to the limited entry fixed gear 
fisheries and to the limited entry trawl fishery Shorebased IFQ Program 
under gear switching. In addition to the general prohibitions specified 
in Sec. Sec. 660.12 and 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any 
person to:
    (a) General. (1) Possess, deploy, haul, or carry onboard a fishing 
vessel subject to subparts C and E a set net, trap or pot, longline, or 
commercial vertical hook-and-line as defined at Sec. 660.11, subpart C, 
that is not in compliance with

[[Page 298]]

the gear restrictions in Sec. 660.230, subpart E, unless such gear is 
the gear of another vessel that has been retrieved at sea and made 
inoperable or stowed in a manner not capable of being fished. The 
disposal at sea of such gear is prohibited by Annex V of the 
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 
1973 (Annex V of MARPOL 73/78).
    (2) Take and retain, possess, or land more than a single cumulative 
limit of a particular species, per vessel, per applicable cumulative 
limit period, except for sablefish taken in the limited entry fixed gear 
sablefish primary season from a vessel authorized to fish in that 
season, as described at Sec. 660.231 and except for IFQ species taken 
in the Shorebased IFQ Program from a vessel authorized under gear 
switching provisions as described at Sec. 660.140(k).
    (3) Transport fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, 
away from the point of landing before being sorted and weighed by 
federal groundfish species or species group, and recorded for submission 
on an electronic fish ticket under Sec. 660.213(e). (If fish will be 
transported to a different location for processing, all sorting and 
weighing to federal groundfish species groups must occur before 
transporting the fish away from the point of landing).
    (4) Mix fish from more than one landing, where one or more of the 
landings includes any sablefish, prior to the fish being sorted and 
weighed for reporting on an electronic fish ticket under Sec. 
660.213(e).
    (5) Process, sell, or discard any fish, if that fish includes any 
amount of sablefish, that has not been accounted for on an electronic 
fish ticket under Sec. 660.213(e).
    (b) Recordkeeping and reporting. (1) Fail to comply with all 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements at Sec. 660.13, subpart C; 
including failure to submit information, or submission of inaccurate or 
false information on any report required at Sec. 660.13(d), subpart C, 
and Sec. 660.213.
    (2) Falsify or fail to make and/or file, retain or make available 
any and all reports of groundfish landings that include sablefish, 
containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the regulation 
at Sec. 660.13, subpart C, or Sec. 660.213.
    (c) Fishing in conservation areas.(1) Operate a vessel registered to 
a limited entry permit with a longline, trap (pot), or trawl endorsement 
and longline and/or trap gear onboard in an applicable GCA (as defined 
at Sec. 660.230(d)), except for purposes of continuous transiting, with 
all groundfish longline and/or trap gear stowed in accordance with Sec. 
660.212(a) or except as authorized in the groundfish management measures 
at Sec. 660.230.
    (2) Fish with bottom contact gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) within 
specific EFHCAs or the DECA, as specified in Sec. 660.12(a).
    (d) Sablefish fisheries. (1) Take and retain, possess or land 
sablefish under the tier limits provided for the limited entry, fixed 
gear sablefish primary season, described in Sec. 660.231(b)(3), from a 
vessel that is not registered to a limited entry permit with a sablefish 
endorsement.
    (2) Take and retain, possess or land sablefish in the sablefish 
primary season, described at Sec. 660.231(b), unless the owner of the 
limited entry permit registered for use with that vessel and authorizing 
the vessel to fish in the sablefish primary season is on board that 
vessel. Exceptions to this prohibition are provided at Sec. 
660.231(b)(4)(i) and (ii).
    (3) Process sablefish taken at-sea in the limited entry fixed gear 
sablefish primary fishery defined at Sec. 660.231, from a vessel that 
does not have a sablefish at-sea processing exemption, described at 
Sec. 660.25(b)(6)(i).

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78427, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 
FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74746, Dec. 1, 2011; 81 FR 84430, Nov. 
23, 2016; 84 FR 63991, Nov. 19, 2019]



Sec. 660.213  Fixed gear fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) General. General reporting requirements specified at Sec. 
660.13 (a) through (c), subpart C, apply to limited entry fixed gear 
fishery vessels.
    (b) Declaration reports for limited entry fixed gear fishery 
vessels. Declaration reporting requirements for limited entry fixed gear 
fishery vessels are specified at Sec. 660.13 (d), subpart C.

[[Page 299]]

    (c) VMS requirements for limited entry fixed gear fishery vessels. 
VMS requirements for limited entry fixed gear fishery vessels are 
specified at Sec. 660.14, subpart C.
    (d) Retention of records. (1) Any person landing groundfish must 
retain on board the vessel from which groundfish are landed, and provide 
to an authorized officer upon request, copies of any and all reports of 
groundfish landings containing all data, and in the exact manner, 
required by the applicable state law throughout the cumulative limit 
period during which a landing occurred and for 15 days thereafter. All 
relevant records used in the preparation of electronic fish ticket 
reports or corrections to these reports, including dock tickets, must be 
maintained for a period of not less than three years after the date of 
landing and must be immediately available upon request for inspection by 
NMFS or authorized officers or others as specifically authorized by 
NMFS.
    (2) For participants in the sablefish primary season, the cumulative 
limit period to which this requirement applies is April 1 through 
December 31 or, for an individual vessel owner, when the tier limit for 
the permit(s) registered to the vessel has been reached, whichever is 
earlier.
    (e) Electronic fish ticket. The first receiver, as defined at Sec. 
660.11, subpart C, of fish, if that fish includes any amount of 
sablefish, from a limited entry fixed gear vessel, is responsible for 
compliance with all reporting requirements described in this paragraph. 
Per requirements at Sec. 660.212(a), all fish, if that fish includes 
any amount of sablefish, must be reported via electronic fish ticket. 
When used in this paragraph, submit means to transmit final electronic 
fish ticket information via web-based form or, if a waiver is granted, 
by paper form. When used in this paragraph, record means the action of 
documenting electronic fish ticket information in any written format.
    (1) Required information. All first receivers must provide the 
following types of information: Date of landing, vessel that made the 
landing, vessel identification number, limited entry permit number(s), 
name of the vessel operator, gear type used, receiver, actual weights of 
species landed listed by species or species group including species with 
no value, condition landed, number of salmon by species, number of 
Pacific halibut, ex-vessel value of the landing by species, fish caught 
inside/outside 3 miles or both, and any other information deemed 
necessary by the Regional Administrator (or designee) as specified on 
the appropriate electronic fish ticket form.
    (2) Submissions. The first receiver must:
    (i) Include, as part of each electronic fish ticket submission, the 
actual scale weight for each groundfish species as specified by 
requirements at Sec. 660.15(c), the vessel identification number, and 
the limited entry permit number. Use and maintain, for the purposes of 
submitting electronic fish tickets, equipment as specified at Sec. 
660.15(d).
    (ii) Submit a completed electronic fish ticket(s) no later than 24 
hours after the date of landing, unless a waiver of this requirement has 
been granted under provisions specified at paragraph (e)(4) of this 
section.
    (iii) Sablefish from a single landing in the limited entry fixed 
gear sablefish primary fishery may be counted against more than one 
stacked permit, or against a tier limit(s) and the cumulative trip limit 
in the DTL fishery. For vessels with stacked limited entry sablefish 
permits, defined at Sec. 660.12, sablefish may be divided for the 
purposes of apportioning the sablefish amongst the remaining tier limits 
associated with each of the stacked permits; in that instance the 
electronic fish ticket(s) must record all pertinent limited entry permit 
numbers and apportion sablefish landed against each tier limit. Per 
regulations at Sec. 660.232(a)(2) a vessel may apportion sablefish 
catch between the remainder of its tier limit(s) and against the 
applicable DTL limits; in that instance the electronic fish ticket must 
be used to apportion sablefish landed against the tier(s) from the 
sablefish landed against cumulative trip limits of the DTL fishery. If 
sablefish is apportioned in either of the ways described in this 
paragraph, the electronic fish ticket must meet the process and 
submittal requirements specified in paragraphs

[[Page 300]]

(e)(iv) and (v) of this section. In addition, the owner-on-board, unless 
exempted under regulations at Sec. 660.231(a)(4), must review and sign 
documentation of the landing, as described in paragraphs (e)(2)(iv) and 
(v) of this section.
    (iv) If electronic fish tickets will be submitted prior to 
processing or transport, follow these process and submittal 
requirements:
    (A) After completing the landing, the electronic fish ticket 
information must be recorded immediately.
    (B) Prior to submittal of the electronic fish ticket, the 
information recorded for the electronic fish ticket must be reviewed by 
the vessel operator who delivered the fish and the port sampler, if one 
is present. If required by regulations at Sec. 660.231(a)(4), the 
owner-on-board must also review the information recorded on the 
electronic fish ticket prior to submittal.
    (C) After review, the receiver and the vessel operator must sign a 
printed hard copy of the electronic fish ticket or, if the landing 
occurs outside of business hours, the original dock ticket. If required 
by regulations at Sec. 660.231(a)(4), the owner-on-board must also sign 
a printed copy of the electronic fish ticket or, if the landing occurs 
outside of business hours, the original dock ticket.
    (D) Prior to submittal, three copies of the signed electronic fish 
ticket must be produced by the receiver and a copy provided to each of 
the following:
    (1) The vessel operator and/or the owner-on-board,
    (2) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (3) The first receiver.
    (E) After review and signature, the electronic fish ticket must be 
submitted within 24 hours after the date of landing, as specified in 
paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (v) If electronic fish tickets will be submitted after transport, 
follow these process and submittal requirements:
    (A) The vessel name, limited entry permit number, and the electronic 
fish ticket number must be recorded on each dock ticket related to that 
landing.
    (B) Upon completion of the dock ticket, but prior to transfer of the 
landing to another location, the dock ticket information that will be 
used to complete the electronic fish ticket must be reviewed by the 
vessel operator who delivered the fish. If the electronic fish ticket 
will report landings of sablefish in the sablefish primary fishery, the 
owner-on-board, unless exempted under regulations at Sec. 
660.231(a)(4), must review the information recorded on the dock ticket 
prior to transfer of the landing to another location.
    (C) After review, the first receiver and the vessel operator must 
sign the original copy of each dock ticket related to that landing. If a 
dock ticket includes landings of sablefish in the sablefish primary 
fishery, the owner-on-board, unless exempted under regulations at Sec. 
660.231(a)(4), must sign the original copy of that dock ticket.
    (D) Prior to submittal of the electronic fish ticket, three copies 
of the signed dock ticket must be produced by the first receiver and a 
copy provided to each of the following:
    (1) The vessel operator and/or the owner-on-board,
    (2) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (3) The first receiver.
    (E) Based on the information contained in the signed dock ticket, 
the electronic fish ticket must be completed and submitted within 24 
hours of the completion of the landing, as specified in paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (F) Three copies of the electronic fish ticket must be produced by 
the first receiver and a copy provided to each of the following:
    (1) The vessel operator and/or the owner-on-board,
    (2) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (3) The first receiver.
    (3) Revising a submission. In the event that a data error is found, 
electronic fish ticket submissions must be revised by resubmitting the 
revised form electronically. Electronic fish tickets are to be used for 
the submission of final data. Preliminary data, including estimates of 
fish weights or species composition, shall not be submitted on 
electronic fish tickets.

[[Page 301]]

    (4) Waivers for submission. On a case-by-case basis, a temporary 
written waiver of the requirement to submit electronic fish tickets may 
be granted by the Assistant Regional Administrator or designee if he/she 
determines that circumstances beyond the control of a receiver would 
result in inadequate data submissions using the electronic fish ticket 
system. The duration of the waiver will be determined on a case-by-case 
basis.
    (5) Reporting requirements when a temporary waiver has been granted. 
Receivers that have been granted a temporary waiver from the requirement 
to submit electronic fish tickets must submit on paper the same data as 
is required on electronic fish tickets within 24 hours of the date 
received during the period that the waiver is in effect. Paper fish 
tickets must be sent by facsimile to NMFS, West Coast Region, 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, 206-526-6736 or by delivering it in 
person to 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. The requirements 
for submissions of paper tickets in this paragraph are separate from, 
and in addition to existing state requirements for landing receipts or 
fish receiving tickets.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 68773, Nov. 15, 2013; 81 
FR 84430, Nov. 23, 2016; 85 FR 68004, Oct. 27, 2020; 86 FR 14693, Mar. 
18, 2021; 86 FR 59876, Oct. 29, 2021; 86 FR 70422, Dec. 10, 2021; 87 FR 
77027, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.216  Fixed gear fishery--observer requirements.

    (a) Observer coverage requirements--(1) Harvesting vessels. When 
NMFS notifies the owner, operator, permit holder, or the manager of a 
harvesting vessel of any requirement to carry an observer, the 
harvesting vessel may not be used to fish for groundfish without 
carrying an observer.
    (2) Processing vessels. Unless specified otherwise by the Observer 
Program, any vessel 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer that is engaged in at-
sea processing must carry two certified observers procured from a 
permitted observer provider, and any vessel shorter than 125 ft (38.1 m) 
LOA that is engaged in at-sea processing must carry one certified 
observer procured from a permitted observer provider, each day that the 
vessel is used to take, retain, receive, land, process, or transport 
groundfish. Owners of vessels required to carry observers under this 
paragraph must arrange for observer services from a permitted observer 
provider except when the Observer Program has determined and given 
notification that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual 
authorized by NMFS in addition to or in lieu of an observer provided by 
a permitted observer provider.
    (b) Notice of departure basic rule. At least 24 hours (but not more 
than 36 hours) before departing on a fishing trip, a harvesting vessel 
that has been notified by NMFS that it is required to carry an observer, 
or that is operating in an active sampling unit, must notify NMFS (or 
its designated agent) of the vessel's intended time of departure.
    (1) Optional notice--weather delays. A harvesting vessel that 
anticipates a delayed departure due to weather or sea conditions may 
advise NMFS of the anticipated delay when providing the basic notice 
described in paragraph (b) of this section. If departure is delayed 
beyond 36 hours from the time the original notice is given, the vessel 
must provide an additional notice of departure not less than four hours 
prior to departure, in order to enable NMFS to place an observer.
    (2) Optional notice--back-to-back fishing trips. A harvesting vessel 
that intends to make back-to-back fishing trips (i.e., trips with less 
than 24 hours between offloading from one trip and beginning another), 
may provide the basic notice described in paragraph (b) of this section 
for both trips, prior to making the first trip. A vessel that has given 
such notice is not required to give additional notice of the second 
trip.
    (c) Cease fishing report. Within 24 hours of ceasing the taking and 
retaining of groundfish, vessel owners, operators, or managers must 
notify NMFS or its designated agent that fishing has ceased. This 
requirement applies to any harvesting and processing vessel that is 
required to carry an observer, or that is operating in a segment of the 
fleet that NMFS has identified as an active sampling unit.
    (d) Waiver. The West Coast Regional Administrator (or designee) may 
provide written notification to the vessel

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owner stating that a determination has been made to temporarily waive 
coverage requirements because of circumstances that are deemed to be 
beyond the vessel's control.
    (e) Vessel responsibilities--(1) Accommodations and food. An 
operator of a vessel required to carry one or more observer(s) must 
provide accommodations and food that are Equivalent to those provided to 
the crew.
    (2) Safe conditions. Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for the 
protection of observer(s) including adherence to all USCG and other 
applicable rules, regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe operation 
of the vessel, and provisions at Sec. Sec. 600.725 and 600.746 of this 
chapter. Have on board a valid Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal 
that certifies compliance with regulations found in 33 CFR chapter I and 
46 CFR chapter I, a certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 
28.710 or a valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311.
    (3) Observer communications. Facilitate observer communications by:
    (i) Observer use of equipment. Allowing observer(s) to use the 
vessel's communication equipment and personnel, on request, for the 
entry, transmission, and receipt of work-related messages, at no cost to 
the observer(s), the observer provider or NMFS.
    (ii) Functional equipment. Ensuring that the vessel's communications 
equipment, used by observers to enter and transmit data, is fully 
functional and operational.
    (4) Vessel position. Allow observer(s) access to, and the use of, 
the vessel's navigation equipment and personnel, on request, to 
determine the vessel's position.
    (5) Access. Allow observer(s) free and unobstructed access to the 
vessel's bridge, trawl or working decks, holding bins, processing areas, 
freezer spaces, weight scales, cargo holds, and any other space that may 
be used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any 
time.
    (6) Prior notification. Notify observer(s) at least 15 minutes 
before fish are brought on board, or fish and fish products are 
transferred from the vessel, to allow sampling the catch or observing 
the transfer, unless the observer specifically requests not to be 
notified.
    (7) Records. Allow observer(s) to inspect and copy any state or 
Federal logbook maintained voluntarily or as required by regulation.
    (8) Assistance. Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable 
observer(s) to carry out their duties, including, but not limited to:
    (i) Measuring decks, codends, and holding bins.
    (ii) Providing the observer(s) with a safe work area.
    (iii) Collecting bycatch when requested by the observer(s).
    (iv) Collecting and carrying baskets of fish when requested by the 
observer(s).
    (v) Allowing the observer(s) to collect biological data and samples.
    (vi) Providing adequate space for storage of biological samples.
    (f) Observer sampling station. This paragraph contains the 
requirements for observer sampling stations. The vessel owner must 
provide an observer sampling station that complies with this section so 
that the observer can carry out required duties.
    (1) Accessibility. The observer sampling station must be available 
to the observer at all times.
    (2) Location. The observer sampling station must be located within 
four meters of the location from which the observer samples unsorted 
catch. Unobstructed passage must be provided between the observer 
sampling station and the location where the observer collects sample 
catch.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 
FR 68773, Nov. 15, 2013; 80 FR 22301, Apr. 21, 2015]



Sec. 660.219  Fixed gear identification and marking.

    (a) Gear identification. (1) Limited entry fixed gear (longline, 
trap or pot) must be marked at the surface and at each terminal end, 
with a pole, flag, light, radar reflector, and a buoy.
    (2) A buoy used to mark fixed gear must be marked with a number 
clearly identifying the owner or operator of the vessel. The number may 
be either:
    (i) If required by applicable state law, the vessel's number, the 
commercial

[[Page 303]]

fishing license number, or buoy brand number; or
    (ii) The vessel documentation number issued by the USCG, or, for an 
undocumented vessel, the vessel registration number issued by the state.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 660.220  Fixed gear fishery--crossover provisions.

    The crossover provisions listed at Sec. 660.60(h)(7), apply to 
vessels fishing in the limited entry fixed gear fishery.

[76 FR 74746, Dec. 1, 2011]



Sec. 660.230  Fixed gear fishery--management measures.

    (a) General. Most species taken in limited entry fixed gear 
(longline and pot/trap) fisheries will be managed with cumulative trip 
limits (see trip limits in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) of this 
subpart), size limits (see Sec. 660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see trip limits 
in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) of this subpart and sablefish primary 
season details in Sec. 660.231), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) 
of this section), and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section 
and Sec. Sec. 660.70 through 660.79). Cowcod retention is prohibited in 
all fisheries, and groundfish vessels operating south of Point 
Conception must adhere to CCA restrictions (see paragraph (d)(10) of 
this section and Sec. 660.70). Yelloweye rockfish retention is 
prohibited in the limited entry fixed gear fisheries. Regulations 
governing and tier limits for the limited entry, fixed gear sablefish 
primary season north of 36[deg] N lat. are found in Sec. 660.231. 
Vessels not participating in the sablefish primary season are subject to 
daily or weekly sablefish limits in addition to cumulative limits for 
each cumulative limit period. Only one sablefish landing per week may be 
made in excess of the daily trip limit and, if the vessel chooses to 
make a landing in excess of that daily trip limit, then that is the only 
sablefish landing permitted for that week. The trip limit for black 
rockfish caught with hook-and-line gear also applies, see Sec. 
660.230(e). The trip limits in Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) of 
this subpart apply to vessels participating in the limited entry 
groundfish fixed gear fishery and may not be exceeded. Federal 
commercial groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any more 
restrictive state commercial groundfish regulations relating to 
federally-managed groundfish.
    (b) Gear restrictions--(1) Longline and pot or trap gear are 
authorized in the limited entry fixed gear fishery, providing the gear 
is in compliance with the restrictions set forth in this section, and 
gear marking requirements described in Sec. 660.219 of this subpart.
    (2) Vessels participating in the limited entry fixed gear fishery 
may also fish with open access gear subject to the gear restrictions at 
Sec. 660.330(b), subpart F, but will be subject to the most restrictive 
trip limits for the gear used as specified at Sec. 660.60(h)(7), 
subpart C.
    (3) Limited entry fixed gear (longline, trap or pot gear) must be 
attended at least once every 7 days.
    (4) Traps or pots must have biodegradable escape panels constructed 
with 21 or smaller untreated cotton twine in such a manner that an 
opening at least 8 inches (20.3 cm) in diameter results when the twine 
deteriorates.
    (5) Vessels fishing with bottom longline and snap gears as defined 
at Sec. 660.11 are subject to the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance 
Program described in Sec. 660.21.
    (c) Sorting Requirements. (1) In addition to the requirements at 
Sec. 660.12(a)(8) the States of Washington, Oregon, and California may 
also require that vessels record their landings as sorted on their state 
landing receipts.
    (2) For limited entry fixed gear vessels, the following species must 
be sorted:
    (i) Coastwide--arrowtooth flounder, big skate, black rockfish, blue/
deacon rockfish, canary rockfish, darkblotched rockfish, Dover sole, 
English sole, lingcod, longnose skate, longspine thornyhead, petrale 
sole, minor nearshore rockfish, minor shelf rockfish, minor slope 
rockfish, other fish, other flatfish, Pacific cod, Pacific whiting, 
rougheye/blackspotted rockfish, sablefish, shortbelly rockfish, 
shortraker rockfish, shortspine thornyhead, spiny dogfish, starry 
flounder, widow rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish;

[[Page 304]]

    (ii) North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.--cabezon (California), copper 
rockfish (California), Oregon cabezon/kelp greenling complex, POP, 
quillback rockfish (California), Washington cabezon/kelp greenling 
complex, yellowtail rockfish; and
    (iii) South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.--blackgill rockfish, bocaccio, 
bronzespotted rockfish, cabezon, California scorpionfish, chilipepper 
rockfish, copper rockfish, cowcod, minor shallow nearshore rockfish, 
minor deeper nearshore rockfish, Pacific sanddabs, quillback rockfish, 
splitnose rockfish, and vermilion rockfish.
    (d) Groundfish conservation areas. GCAs are defined by coordinates 
expressed in degrees of latitude and longitude. The latitude and 
longitude coordinates of the GCA boundaries are specified at Sec. Sec. 
660.70 through 660.74. A vessel that is authorized by this paragraph to 
fish within a GCA (e.g., fishing for ``other flatfish'' with hook and 
line gear only), may not simultaneously have other gear on board the 
vessel that is unlawful to use for fishing within the GCA. The following 
GCAs apply to vessels participating in the limited entry fixed gear 
fishery.
    (1) North coast recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. 
The latitude and longitude coordinates of the North Coast Recreational 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) boundaries are specified at 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C. The North Coast Recreational YRCA is designated 
as an area to be avoided (a voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear 
fishers.
    (2) North coast commercial yelloweye rockfish conservation area. The 
latitude and longitude coordinates of the North Coast Commercial 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) boundaries are specified at 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is 
prohibited within the North Coast Commercial YRCA. It is unlawful to 
take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry 
fixed gear within the North Coast Commercial YRCA. Limited entry fixed 
gear vessels may transit through the North Coast Commercial YRCA with or 
without groundfish on board.
    (3) South coast recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. 
The latitude and longitude coordinates of the South Coast Recreational 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) boundaries are specified at 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C. The South Coast Recreational YRCA is designated 
as an area to be avoided (a voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear 
fishers.
    (4) Westport offshore recreational YRCA. The latitude and longitude 
coordinates that define the Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA 
boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. The Westport 
Offshore Recreational YRCA is designated as an area to be avoided (a 
voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear fishers.
    (5) Point St. George YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of 
the Point St. George YRCA boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, 
subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within 
the Point St. George YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is 
unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with 
limited entry fixed gear within the Point St. George YRCA, on dates when 
the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. 
This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry 
fixed gear vessels may transit through the Point St. George YRCA, at any 
time, with or without groundfish on board.
    (6) South Reef YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the 
South Reef YRCA boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. 
Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the South 
Reef YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to 
take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry 
fixed gear within the South Reef YRCA, on dates when the closure is in 
effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be 
imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels 
may transit through the South Reef YRCA, at any time, with or without 
groundfish on board.
    (7) Reading Rock YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the 
Reading Rock YRCA boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. 
Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited

[[Page 305]]

within the Reading Rock YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It 
is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with 
limited entry fixed gear within the Reading Rock YRCA, on dates when the 
closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This 
closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed 
gear vessels may transit through the Reading Rock YRCA, at any time, 
with or without groundfish on board.
    (8) Point Delgada (North) YRCA. The latitude and longitude 
coordinates of the Point Delgada (North) YRCA boundaries are specified 
at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is 
prohibited within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, on dates when the 
closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or 
land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Point 
Delgada (North) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The 
closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed 
through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may 
transit through the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, at any time, with or 
without groundfish on board.
    (9) Point Delgada (South) YRCA. The latitude and longitude 
coordinates of the Point Delgada (South) YRCA boundaries are specified 
at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is 
prohibited within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, on dates when the 
closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or 
land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Point 
Delgada (South) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The 
closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed 
through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may 
transit through the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, at any time, with or 
without groundfish on board.
    (10) Cowcod Conservation Areas. It is unlawful to take and retain, 
possess, or land groundfish within the CCAs, except for species 
authorized in this paragraph caught according to gear requirements in 
this paragraph, when those waters are open to fishing. Commercial 
fishing vessels may transit through the Western CCA with their gear 
stowed and groundfish on board only in the transit corridor, defined at 
Sec. 660.70. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within 
the CCAs, except as follows:
    (i) Fishing for ``other flatfish'' is permitted within the CCAs with 
hook and line gear only; and provided a valid declaration report as 
required at Sec. 660.13(d), subpart C, has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (ii) Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is permitted shoreward of the 
boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour within the 
CCAs when trip limits authorize such fishing and provided a valid 
declaration report as required at Sec. 660.13(d) has been filed with 
NMFS OLE. Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 
m) depth contour are listed in Sec. 660.71.
    (11) Nontrawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA). The nontrawl RCA is 
defined at Sec. 660.11 and with latitude and longitude coordinates, at 
Sec. Sec. 660.71 through 660.74, where fishing for groundfish with 
nontrawl gear is prohibited. Boundaries for the nontrawl RCA throughout 
the year are provided in the header to Table 2 (North) and Table 2 
(South) of this subpart and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to 
Sec. 660.60(c).
    (i) It is unlawful to operate a vessel with limited entry nontrawl 
gear in the nontrawl RCA, except for the purpose of continuous transit, 
or when the use of limited entry nontrawl gear is authorized in this 
section. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish 
taken with limited entry nontrawl gear within the nontrawl RCA, unless 
otherwise authorized in this section.
    (ii) Limited entry nontrawl vessels may transit through the nontrawl 
RCA, with or without groundfish on board, provided all groundfish 
nontrawl gear is stowed either: Below deck; or if the gear cannot 
readily be moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached from all 
lines, so that it is rendered unusable for fishing.
    (iii) The nontrawl RCA restrictions in this section apply to vessels 
registered to limited entry fixed gear permits fishing for species other 
than

[[Page 306]]

groundfish with nontrawl gear on trips where groundfish species are 
retained. Unless otherwise authorized in this section, a vessel may not 
retain any groundfish taken on a fishing trip for species other than 
groundfish that occurs within the nontrawl RCA. If a vessel fishes in a 
non-groundfish fishery in the nontrawl RCA, it may not participate in 
any fishing for groundfish on that trip that is prohibited within the 
nontrawl RCA. [For example, if a vessel fishes in the salmon troll 
fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot on the same trip fish in the 
sablefish fishery outside of the RCA.]
    (iv) It is lawful to fish within the nontrawl RCA with limited entry 
fixed gear using hook and line gear only when trip limits authorize such 
fishing, and provided a valid declaration report as required at Sec. 
660.13(d), subpart C, has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (v) It is lawful to fish within the non-trawl RCA seaward of Oregon 
and California (between 46[deg]16[min] N lat. and the U.S./Mexico 
border) with open access non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear 
configurations as specified at Sec. 660.330(b)(3)(i) through (ii), 
subject to applicable crossover provisions at Sec. 660.60(h)(7), and 
provided that a valid declaration report as required at Sec. 660.13(d) 
has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (12) Farallon Islands. Under California law, commercial fishing for 
all groundfish is prohibited between the shoreline and the 10 fm (18 m) 
depth contour around the Farallon Islands. An exception to this 
prohibition is that commercial fishing for ``other flatfish'' is allowed 
around the Farallon Islands using hook and line gear only. (See Table 2 
(South) of this subpart.) For a definition of the Farallon Islands, see 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C.
    (13) Cordell Banks. Commercial fishing for groundfish is prohibited 
in waters of depths less than 100 fm (183 m) around Cordell Banks, as 
defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.70, 
subpart C. An exception to this prohibition is that commercial fishing 
for ``other flatfish'' is allowed around Cordell Banks using hook and 
line gear only.
    (e) Black rockfish fishery management. The trip limit for black 
rockfish (Sebastes melanops) for commercial fishing vessels using hook-
and-line gear between the U.S.-Canada border and Cape Alava 
(48[deg]09.50[min] N. lat.), and between Destruction Island 
(47[deg]40[min] N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17[min] N. 
lat.), is 100 lbs (45 kg) or 30 percent, by weight of all fish on board, 
whichever is greater, per vessel per fishing trip. These per trip limits 
apply to limited entry and open access fisheries, in conjunction with 
the cumulative trip limits and other management measures in Sec. 
660.230, subpart E, and Sec. 660.330, subpart F. The crossover 
provisions in Sec. 660.60(h)(7), subpart C, do not apply to the black 
rockfish per-trip limits.
    (f) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic 
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
    (g) Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Areas (EFHCA). EFHCAs, 
defined at Sec. 660.11 and with latitude and longitude coordinates at 
Sec. Sec. 660.75 through 660.79, apply to vessels using bottom contact 
gear, defined at Sec. 660.11, and includes limited entry fixed gear 
(e.g., longline and pot/trap,) among other gear types. EFHCAs closed to 
bottom contact gear are listed at Sec. 660.12(a).

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 27549, May 11, 2011; 76 
FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 78 FR 634, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12593, Mar. 10, 
2015; 80 FR 71981, Nov. 18, 2015; 82 FR 9662, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 60569, 
Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 64006, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 49962, Sept. 24, 2019; 
84 FR 63991, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 79921, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 14381, 
Mar. 16, 2021; 87 FR 77027, Dec. 16, 2022]



Sec. 660.231  Limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary fishery.

    This section applies to the sablefish primary fishery for the 
limited entry fixed gear fishery north of 36[deg] N. lat. Limited entry 
and open access fixed gear sablefish fishing outside of the sablefish 
primary season north of 36[deg] N. lat. is governed by management 
measures imposed under Sec. Sec. 660.230, 660.232, 660.330 and 660.332.
    (a) Sablefish endorsement. In addition to requirements pertaining to 
fishing in the limited entry fixed gear fishery (described in subparts C 
and E), a vessel may not fish in the sablefish primary season for the 
limited entry fixed gear fishery, unless at least one limited entry 
permit with both a gear endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear

[[Page 307]]

and a sablefish endorsement is registered for use with that vessel. 
Permits with sablefish endorsements are assigned to one of three tiers, 
as described at Sec. 660.25(b)(3)(iv), subpart C.
    (b) Sablefish primary season for the limited entry fixed gear 
fishery--(1) Season dates. North of 36[deg] N lat., the sablefish 
primary season for the limited entry, fixed gear, sablefish-endorsed 
vessels begins at 12 noon local time on April 1 and closes at 12 noon 
local time on December 31, or closes for an individual vessel owner when 
the tier limit for the sablefish endorsed permit(s) registered to the 
vessel has been reached, whichever is earlier, unless otherwise 
announced by the Regional Administrator through the routine management 
measures process described at Sec. 660.60(c).
    (2) Gear type. During the primary season, when fishing against 
primary season cumulative limits, each vessel authorized to fish in that 
season under paragraph (a) of this section may fish for sablefish with 
any of the gear types, except trawl gear, endorsed on at least one of 
the sablefish endorsed permits registered for use with that vessel.
    (3) Cumulative limits. (i) A vessel participating in the primary 
season will be constrained by the sablefish cumulative limit associated 
with each of the permits registered for use with that vessel. During the 
primary season, each vessel authorized to fish in that season under 
paragraph (a) of this section may take, retain, possess, and land 
sablefish, up to the cumulative limits for each of the permits 
registered for use with that vessel (i.e., stacked permits). If multiple 
limited entry permits with sablefish endorsements are registered for use 
with a single vessel, that vessel may land up to the total of all 
cumulative limits announced in this paragraph for the tiers for those 
permits, except as limited by paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section. Up 
to 3 permits may be registered for use with a single vessel during the 
primary season; thus, a single vessel may not take and retain, possess 
or land more than 3 primary season sablefish cumulative limits in any 
one year. A vessel registered for use with multiple limited entry 
permits is subject to per vessel limits for species other than 
sablefish, and to per vessel limits when participating in the daily trip 
limit fishery for sablefish under Sec. 660.232. In 2023, the following 
annual limits are in effect: Tier 1 at 72,904 lb (33,069 kg), Tier 2 at 
33,138 lb (15,031 kg), and Tier 3 at 18,936 lb (8,589 kg). In 2024 and 
beyond, the following annual limits are in effect: Tier 1 at 66,805 lb 
(30,302 kg), Tier 2 at 30,366 lb (13,774 kg), and Tier 3 at 17,352 lb 
(7,871 kg).
    (ii) If a sablefish endorsed permit is registered to more than one 
vessel during the primary season in a single year, the second vessel may 
only take the portion of the cumulative limit for that permit that has 
not been harvested by the first vessel to which the permit was 
registered. The combined primary season sablefish landings for all 
vessels registered to that permit may not exceed the cumulative limit 
for the tier associated with that permit.
    (iii) A cumulative trip limit is the maximum amount of sablefish 
that may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed per vessel in a 
specified period of time, with no limit on the number of landings or 
trips.
    (iv) Incidental Pacific halibut retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA 
(46[deg]53.30[min] N lat.). From April 1 through the closure date set by 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission for Pacific halibut in all 
commercial fisheries, vessels authorized to participate in the sablefish 
primary 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[min] N lat.) may possess and land up to 150 
lb (68 kg) dressed weight of Pacific halibut for every 1,000 lb (454 kg) 
dressed weight of sablefish landed, and up to two additional Pacific 
halibut in excess of the 150-lbs-per-1,000-pound limit per landing. NMFS 
publishes the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulations 
setting forth annual management measures, including the closure date for 
Pacific halibut in all commercial fisheries, in the Federal Register by 
March 15 each year, 50 CFR 300.62. ``Dressed'' Pacific halibut in this 
area means halibut landed eviscerated

[[Page 308]]

with their heads on. Pacific halibut taken and retained in the sablefish 
primary fishery north of Pt. Chehalis may only be landed north of Pt. 
Chehalis and may not be possessed or landed south of Pt. Chehalis.
    (4) Owner-on-board requirement. Any person who owns or has ownership 
interest in a limited entry permit with a sablefish endorsement, as 
described at Sec. 660.25(b)(3), subpart C, must be on board the vessel 
registered for use with that permit at any time that the vessel has 
sablefish on board the vessel that count toward that permit's cumulative 
sablefish landing limit. This person must carry government issued photo 
identification while aboard the vessel. This person must review and sign 
a printed copy of the electronic fish ticket(s) or dock ticket, as 
described at Sec. 660.213(d), unless this person qualified for the 
owner-on-board exemption. A permit owner is qualified for the owner-on-
board exemption and not obligated to be on board the vessel registered 
for use with the sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit during the 
sablefish primary season if:
    (i) The person, partnership or corporation had ownership interest in 
a limited entry permit with a sablefish endorsement prior to November 1, 
2000. A person who has ownership interest in a partnership or 
corporation that owned a sablefish-endorsed permit as of November 1, 
2000, but who did not individually own a sablefish-endorsed limited 
entry permit as of November 1, 2000, is not exempt from the owner-on-
board requirement when he/she leaves the partnership or corporation and 
purchases another permit individually. A person, partnership, or 
corporation that is exempt from the owner-on-board requirement may sell 
all of their permits, buy another sablefish-endorsed permit within up to 
a year from the date the last change in permit ownership was approved, 
and retain their exemption from the owner-on-board requirements. 
Additionally, a person, partnership, or corporation that qualified for 
the owner-on-board exemption, but later divested their interest in a 
permit or permits, may retain rights to an owner-on-board exemption as 
long as that person, partnership, or corporation purchases another 
permit by March 2, 2007. A person, partnership or corporation could only 
purchase a permit if it has not added or changed individuals since 
November 1, 2000, excluding individuals that have left the partnership 
or corporation, or that have died.
    (ii) The person who owns or who has ownership interest in a 
sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit is prevented from being on board 
a fishing vessel because the person died, is ill, or is injured. The 
person requesting the exemption must send a letter to NMFS requesting an 
exemption from the owner-on-board requirements, with appropriate 
evidence as described at paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(A) or (B) of this section. 
All emergency exemptions for death, injury, or illness will be evaluated 
by NMFS and a decision will be made in writing to the permit owner 
within 60 calendar days of receipt of the original exemption request.
    (A) Evidence of death of the permit owner shall be provided to NMFS 
in the form of a copy of a death certificate. In the interim before the 
estate is settled, if the deceased permit owner was subject to the 
owner-on-board requirements, the estate of the deceased permit owner may 
send a letter to NMFS with a copy of the death certificate, requesting 
an exemption from the owner-on-board requirements. An exemption due to 
death of the permit owner will be effective only until such time that 
the estate of the deceased permit owner has registered the deceased 
permit owner's permit to a beneficiary or up to three years after the 
date of death as proven by a death certificate, whichever is earlier. An 
exemption from the owner-on-board requirements will be conveyed in a 
letter from NMFS to the estate of the permit owner and is required to be 
on the vessel during fishing operations.
    (B) Evidence of illness or injury that prevents the permit owner 
from participating in the fishery shall be provided to NMFS in the form 
of a letter from a certified medical practitioner. This letter must 
detail the relevant medical conditions of the permit owner and how those 
conditions prevent the permit owner from being onboard a

[[Page 309]]

fishing vessel during the primary season. An exemption due to injury or 
illness will be effective only for the fishing year of the request for 
exemption, and will not be granted for more than three consecutive or 
total years. NMFS will consider any exemption granted for less than 12 
months in a year to count as one year against the 3-year cap. In order 
to extend an emergency medical exemption for a succeeding year, the 
permit owner must submit a new request and provide documentation from a 
certified medical practitioner detailing why the permit owner is still 
unable to be onboard a fishing vessel. An emergency exemption will be 
conveyed in a letter from NMFS to the permit owner and is required to be 
on the vessel during fishing operations.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
660.231, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 660.232  Limited entry daily trip limit (DTL) fishery for sablefish.

    (a) Limited entry DTL fisheries both north and south of 36[deg] N. 
lat. (1) Before the start of the sablefish primary season, all sablefish 
landings made by a vessel declared into the limited entry fixed gear 
fishery and authorized by Sec. 660.231(a) to fish in the sablefish 
primary season will be subject to the restrictions and limits of the 
limited entry DTL fishery for sablefish specified in this section and 
which is governed by routine management measures imposed under Sec. 
660.60(c), subpart C.
    (2) Following the start of the primary season, all sablefish 
landings made by a vessel declared into the limited entry fixed gear 
fishery and authorized by Sec. 660.231(a) to fish in the primary season 
will count against the primary season cumulative limit(s) associated 
with the sablefish-endorsed permit(s) registered for use with that 
vessel. A vessel that is eligible to fish in the sablefish primary 
season may fish in the DTL fishery for sablefish once that vessels' 
primary season sablefish limit(s) have been landed, or after the close 
of the primary season, whichever occurs earlier (as described at Sec. 
660.231(b)(1). If the vessel continues to fish in the limited entry 
fixed gear fishery for any part of the remaining fishing year, any 
subsequent sablefish landings by that vessel will be subject to the 
restrictions and limits of the limited entry DTL fishery for sablefish.
    (3) Vessels registered for use with a limited entry fixed gear 
permit that does not have a sablefish endorsement may fish in the 
limited entry DTL fishery, consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.230, 
for as long as that fishery is open during the fishing year, subject to 
routine management measures imposed under Sec. 660.60(c), Subpart C. 
DTL limits for the limited entry fishery north and south of 36[deg] N. 
lat. are provided in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) of this subpart.
    (b) A vessel that is jointly registered, and has participated or 
will participate in both the limited entry fixed gear fishery and the 
Shorebased IFQ Program during the fishing year, is subject to crossover 
provisions described at Sec. 660.60(h)(7), subpart C.

[81 FR 84432, Nov. 23, 2016]

[[Page 310]]



    Sec. 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[min] N. lat.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07AU23.708


[88 FR 52049, Aug. 7, 2023]

[[Page 311]]



    Sec. Table 2 (South) to Part 660, Subpart E--Non-Trawl Rockfish 
Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Limited Entry Fixed Gear South of 
                         40[deg]10[min] N. lat.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07AU23.709


[88 FR 52049, Aug. 7, 2023]



          Subpart F_West Coast Groundfish_Open Access Fisheries

    Source: 75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.310  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart covers the Pacific Coast Groundfish open access 
fishery. The open access fishery, as defined at

[[Page 312]]

Sec. 660.11, Subpart C, is the fishery composed of commercial vessels 
using open access gear fished pursuant to the harvest guidelines, 
quotas, and other management measures specified for the harvest of open 
access allocations or governing the fishing activities of open access 
vessels.



Sec. 660.311  Open access fishery--definitions.

    General definitions for the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries are 
defined at Sec. 660.11, subpart C. The definitions in this subpart are 
specific to the open access fishery covered in this subpart and are in 
addition to those specified at Sec. 660.11, subpart C.
    Closely tended for the purposes of this subpart means that a vessel 
is within visual sighting distance or within 0.25 nm (463 m) of the gear 
as determined by electronic navigational equipment.



Sec. 660.312  Open access fishery--prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. Sec. 
660.12 and 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) General. (1) Take and retain, possess, or land groundfish in 
excess of the landing limit for the open access fishery without having a 
valid limited entry permit for the vessel affixed with a gear 
endorsement for the gear used to catch the fish.
    (2) Black rockfish fisheries. Have onboard a commercial hook-and-
line fishing vessel (other than a vessel operated by persons under Sec. 
660.60 (c)(1)(ii), subpart C), more than the amount of the trip limit 
set for black rockfish by Sec. 660.330(e) while that vessel is fishing 
between the U.S.-Canada border and Cape Alava (48[deg]09[min]30[sec] N. 
lat.), or between Destruction Island (47[deg]40[min]00[sec] N. lat.) and 
Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38[min]10[sec] N. lat.).
    (3) Transport fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, 
away from the point of landing before being sorted and weighed by 
federal groundfish species or species group, and recorded for submission 
on an electronic fish ticket under Sec. 660.313(f). (If fish will be 
transported to a different location for processing, all sorting and 
weighing to federal groundfish species groups must occur before 
transporting the fish away from the point of landing).
    (4) Mix fish from more than one landing, where one or more of the 
landings includes any amount of sablefish, prior to the fish being 
sorted and weighed for reporting on an electronic fish ticket under 
Sec. 660.313(f).
    (5) Process, sell, or discard any fish if that fish includes any 
amount of sablefish, that has not been accounted for on an electronic 
fish ticket under Sec. 660.313(f).
    (b) Recordkeeping and reporting. (1) Fail to comply with all 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements at Sec. 660.13, subpart C, 
including failure to submit information, or submission of inaccurate or 
false information on any report required at Sec. 660.13(d), subpart C, 
and Sec. 660.313.
    (2) Falsify or fail to make and/or file, retain or make available 
any and all reports of groundfish landings that include sablefish, 
containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the regulation 
at Sec. 660.13, subpart C, or Sec. 660.313.
    (c) Gear. (1) Possess, deploy, haul, or carry onboard a fishing 
vessel subject to this subpart a set net, trap or pot, longline, or 
commercial vertical hook-and-line that is not in compliance with the 
gear restrictions in Sec. 660.330(b), subpart F, unless such gear is 
the gear of another vessel that has been retrieved at sea and made 
inoperable or stowed in a manner not capable of being fished. The 
disposal at sea of such gear is prohibited by Annex V of the 
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 
1973 (Annex V of MARPOL 73/78).
    (2) Fish with dredge gear (defined in Sec. 660.11) anywhere within 
EFH within the EEZ, as defined by latitude/longitude coordinates at 
Sec. 660.75.
    (3) Fish with beam trawl gear (defined in Sec. 660.11) anywhere 
within EFH within the EEZ, as defined by latitude/longitude coordinates 
at Sec. 660.75.
    (4) Fish with bottom trawl gear with a footrope diameter greater 
than 19 inches (48 cm) (including rollers, bobbins, or other material 
encircling or tied along the length of the footrope) anywhere in EFH 
within the EEZ, as defined by latitude/longitude coordinates at Sec. 
660.75.

[[Page 313]]

    (d) Fishing in conservation areas with open access gears. (1) 
Operate a vessel with non-groundfish trawl gear onboard in any 
applicable GCA (as defined at Sec. 660.330(d)) except for purposes of 
continuous transiting, with all trawl gear stowed in accordance with 
Sec. 660.330(b), or except as authorized in the groundfish management 
measures published at Sec. 660.330.
    (2) Operate a vessel in an applicable GCA (as defined at Sec. 
660.330(d) that has nontrawl gear onboard and is not registered to a 
limited entry permit on a trip in which the vessel is used to take and 
retain or possess groundfish in the EEZ, possess or land groundfish 
taken in the EEZ, except for purposes of continuous transiting, with all 
groundfish nontrawl gear stowed in accordance with Sec. 660.330(b), or 
except as authorized in the groundfish management measures published at 
Sec. 660.330.
    (3) Fish with bottom contact gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) within 
specific EFHCAs or the DECA, as specified in Sec. 660.12(a).
    (4) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) anywhere 
within EFH seaward of a line approximating the 700-fm (1280-m) depth 
contour, as defined in Sec. 660.76. For the purposes of regulation, EFH 
seaward of 700-fm (1280-m) within the EEZ is described at Sec. 660.75.
    (5) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11) with a 
footrope diameter greater than 8 inches (20 cm) (including rollers, 
bobbins or other material encircling or tied along the length of the 
footrope) anywhere within the EEZ shoreward of a line approximating the 
100-fm (183-m) depth contour (defined at Sec. 660.73).
    (6) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11), within 
the EEZ in the following EFHCAs (defined at Sec. Sec. 660.77 and 
660.78): Olympic 2, Biogenic 1, Biogenic 2, Quinault Canyon, Grays 
Canyon, Willapa Canyonhead, Willapa Deep, Biogenic 3, Astoria Deep, 
Astoria Canyon, Nehalem Bank/Shale Pile, Garibaldi Reef North, Garibaldi 
Reef South, Siletz Deepwater, Daisy Bank/Nelson Island, Newport 
Rockpile/Stonewall Bank, Hydrate Ridge, Heceta Bank, Deepwater off Coos 
Bay, Arago Reef, Bandon High Spot, Rogue Canyon, and Rogue River Reef.
    (7) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec. 660.11), other 
than demersal seine, unless otherwise specified in this section or Sec. 
660.330, within the EEZ in the following EFHCAs (defined at Sec. 
660.79): Brush Patch, Trinidad Canyon, Mad River Rough Patch, Samoa 
Deepwater, Eel River Canyon, Blunts Reef, Mendocino Ridge, Delgada 
Canyon, Tolo Bank, Navarro Canyon, Point Arena North, Point Arena South 
Biogenic Area, The Football, Gobbler's Knob, Point Reyes Reef, Cordell 
Bank/Biogenic Area, Rittenburg Bank, Farallon Islands/Fanny Shoal/
Cochrane Bank, Farallon Escarpment, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero Reef, 
Pigeon Point Reef, Ascension Canyonhead, South of Davenport, Monterey 
Bay/Canyon, West of Sobranes Point, Point Sur Deep, Big Sur Coast/Port 
San Luis, La Cruz Canyon, West of Piedras Blancas State Marine 
Conservation Area, East San Lucia Bank, Point Conception, Hidden Reef/
Kidney Bank (within Cowcod Conservation Area West), Catalina Island, 
Potato Bank (within Cowcod Conservation Area West), Cherry Bank (within 
Cowcod Conservation Area West), Cowcod EFHCA Conservation Area East, and 
Southern California Bight.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 84433, Nov. 23, 2016; 84 
FR 63992, Nov. 19, 2019]



Sec. 660.313  Open access fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) General. General reporting requirements specified at Sec. 
660.13(a) through (c), subpart C, apply to the open access fishery.
    (b) Declaration reports for vessels using nontrawl gear. Declaration 
reporting requirements for open access vessels using nontrawl gear (all 
types of open access gear other than non-groundfish trawl gear) are 
specified at Sec. 660.13(d), subpart C.
    (c) Declaration reports for vessels using non-groundfish trawl gear. 
Declaration reporting requirements for open access vessels using non-
groundfish trawl gear are specified at Sec. 660.13(d), subpart C.
    (d) VMS requirements for open access fishery vessels. VMS 
requirements for open access fishery vessels are specified at Sec. 
660.14, subpart C.
    (e) Retention of records. Any person landing groundfish must retain 
on

[[Page 314]]

board the vessel from which groundfish is landed, and provide to an 
authorized officer upon request, copies of any and all reports of 
groundfish landings containing all data, and in the exact manner, 
required by the applicable state law throughout the cumulative limit 
period during which a landing occurred and for 15 days thereafter. All 
relevant records used in the preparation of electronic fish ticket 
reports or corrections to these reports, including dock tickets, must be 
maintained for a period of not less than three years after the date of 
landing and must be immediately available upon request for inspection by 
NMFS or authorized officers or others as specifically authorized by 
NMFS.
    (f) Electronic fish ticket. The first receiver, as defined at Sec. 
660.11, subpart C, of fish, if that fish includes any amount of 
sablefish, from an open access vessel, is responsible for compliance 
with all reporting requirements described in this paragraph. Per 
requirements at Sec. 660.312(a), all fish, if that fish includes any 
amount of sablefish, must be reported via electronic fish ticket. When 
used in this paragraph, submit means to transmit final electronic fish 
ticket information via web-based form or, if a waiver is granted, by 
paper form. When used in this paragraph, record means the action of 
documenting electronic fish ticket information in any written format.
    (1) Required information. All first receivers must provide the 
following types of information: Date of landing, vessel that made the 
landing, vessel identification number, name of the vessel operator, gear 
type used, receiver, actual weights of species landed listed by species 
or species group including species with no value, condition landed, 
number of salmon by species, number of Pacific halibut, ex-vessel value 
of the landing by species, fish caught inside/outside 3 miles or both, 
and any other information deemed necessary by the Regional Administrator 
(or designee) as specified on the appropriate electronic fish ticket 
form.
    (2) Submissions. The first receiver must:
    (i) Include, as part of each electronic fish ticket submission, the 
actual scale weight for each groundfish species as specified by 
requirements at Sec. 660.15(c) and the vessel identification number. 
Use and maintain, for the purposes of submitting electronic fish 
tickets, equipment as specified at Sec. 660.15(d).
    (ii) Submit a completed electronic fish ticket no later than 24 
hours after the date of landing, unless a waiver of this requirement has 
been granted under provisions specified at paragraph (f)(4) of this 
section.
    (iii) If electronic fish tickets will be submitted prior to 
processing or transport, follow these process and submittal 
requirements:
    (A) After completing the landing, the electronic fish ticket 
information must be recorded immediately.
    (B) Prior to submittal of the electronic fish ticket, the 
information recorded for the electronic fish ticket must be reviewed by 
the vessel operator who delivered the fish and the port sampler, if one 
is present.
    (C) After review, the receiver and the vessel operator must sign a 
printed hard copy of the electronic fish ticket or, if the landing 
occurs outside of business hours, the original dock ticket.
    (D) Prior to submittal, three copies of the signed electronic fish 
ticket must be produced by the receiver and a copy provided to each of 
the following:
    (1) The vessel operator,
    (2) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (3) The first receiver.
    (E) After review and signature, the electronic fish ticket must be 
submitted within 24 hours after the date of landing, as specified in 
paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (iv) If electronic fish tickets will be submitted after transport, 
follow these process and submittal requirements:
    (A) The vessel name and the electronic fish ticket number must be 
recorded on each dock ticket related to that landing.
    (C) Upon completion of the dock ticket, but prior to transfer of the 
offload to another location, the dock ticket information that will be 
used to complete the electronic fish ticket must be reviewed by the 
vessel operator who delivered the fish.
    (D) After review, the first receiver and the vessel operator must 
sign the

[[Page 315]]

original copy of each dock ticket related to that landing.
    (E) Prior to submittal of the electronic fish ticket, three copies 
of the signed dock ticket must be produced by the first receiver and a 
copy provided to each of the following:
    (1) The vessel operator,
    (2) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (3) The first receiver.
    (F) Based on the information contained in the signed dock ticket, 
the electronic fish ticket must be completed and submitted within 24 
hours of the date of landing, as specified in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of 
this section.
    (G) Three copies of the electronic fish ticket must be produced by 
the first receiver and a copy provided to each of the following:
    (1) The vessel operator,
    (2) The state of origin if required by state regulations, and
    (3) The first receiver.
    (3) Revising a submission. In the event that a data error is found, 
electronic fish ticket submissions must be revised by resubmitting the 
revised form electronically. Electronic fish tickets are to be used for 
the submission of final data. Preliminary data, including estimates of 
fish weights or species composition, shall not be submitted on 
electronic fish tickets.
    (4) Waivers for submission. On a case-by-case basis, a temporary 
written waiver of the requirement to submit electronic fish tickets may 
be granted by the Assistant Regional Administrator or designee if he/she 
determines that circumstances beyond the control of a receiver would 
result in inadequate data submissions using the electronic fish ticket 
system. The duration of the waiver will be determined on a case-by-case 
basis.
    (5) Reporting requirements when a temporary waiver has been granted. 
Receivers that have been granted a temporary waiver from the requirement 
to submit electronic fish tickets must submit on paper the same data as 
is required on electronic fish tickets within 24 hours of the date of 
landing during the period that the waiver is in effect. Paper fish 
tickets must be sent by facsimile to NMFS, West Coast Region, 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, 206-526-6736 or by delivering it in 
person to 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. The requirements 
for submissions of paper tickets in this paragraph are separate from, 
and in addition to existing state requirements for landing receipts or 
fish receiving tickets.

[81 FR 84432, Nov. 23, 2016]



Sec. 660.316  Open access fishery--observer requirements.

    (a) Observer coverage requirements--(1) Harvesting vessels. When 
NMFS notifies the owner, operator, permit holder, or the manager of a 
harvesting vessel of any requirement to carry an observer, the 
harvesting vessel may not be used to fish for groundfish without 
carrying an observer.
    (2) Processing vessels. Unless specified otherwise by the Observer 
Program, any vessel 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer that is engaged in at-
sea processing must carry two certified observers procured from a 
permitted observer provider, and any vessel shorter than 125 ft (38.1 m) 
LOA that is engaged in at-sea processing must carry one certified 
observer procured from a permitted observer provider, each day that the 
vessel is used to take, retain, receive, land, process, or transport 
groundfish. Owners of vessels required to carry observers under this 
paragraph must arrange for observer services from a permitted observer 
provider except when the Observer Program has determined and given 
notification that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual 
authorized by NMFS in addition to or in lieu of an observer provided by 
a permitted observer provider.
    (b) Notice of departure--basic rule. At least 24 hours (but not more 
than 36 hours) before departing on a fishing trip, a harvesting vessel 
that has been notified by NMFS that it is required to carry an observer, 
or that is operating in an active sampling unit, must notify NMFS (or 
its designated agent) of the vessel's intended time of departure. Notice 
will be given in a form to be specified by NMFS.
    (1) Optional notice--weather delays. A harvesting vessel that 
anticipates a delayed departure due to weather or sea conditions may 
advise NMFS of the anticipated delay when providing the basic notice 
described in paragraph (b)

[[Page 316]]

of this section. If departure is delayed beyond 36 hours from the time 
the original notice is given, the vessel must provide an additional 
notice of departure not less than four hours prior to departure, in 
order to enable NMFS to place an observer.
    (2) Optional notice--back-to-back fishing trips. A harvesting vessel 
that intends to make back-to-back fishing trips (i.e., trips with less 
than 24 hours between offloading from one trip and beginning another), 
may provide the basic notice described in paragraph (b) of this section 
for both trips, prior to making the first trip. A vessel that has given 
such notice is not required to give additional notice of the second 
trip.
    (c) Cease fishing report. Within 24 hours of ceasing the taking and 
retaining of groundfish, vessel owners, operators, or managers must 
notify NMFS or its designated agent that fishing has ceased. This 
requirement applies to any harvesting or processing vessel that is 
required to carry an observer, or that is operating in a segment of the 
fleet that NMFS has identified as an active sampling unit.
    (d) Waiver. The West Coast Regional Administrator (or designate) may 
provide written notification to the vessel owner stating that a 
determination has been made to temporarily waive coverage requirements 
because of circumstances that are deemed to be beyond the vessel's 
control.
    (e) Vessel responsibilities--(1) Accommodations and food. An 
operator of a vessel required to carry one or more observer(s) must 
provide accommodations and food that are Equivalent to those provided to 
the crew.
    (2) Safe conditions. Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for the 
protection of observer(s) including adherence to all USCG and other 
applicable rules, regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe operation 
of the vessel, and provisions at Sec. Sec. 600.725 and 600.746 of this 
chapter. Have on board a valid Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal 
that certifies compliance with regulations found in 33 CFR chapter I and 
46 CFR chapter I, a certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 
28.710 or a valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311.
    (3) Observer communications. Facilitate observer communications by:
    (i) Observer use of equipment. Allowing observer(s) to use the 
vessel's communication equipment and personnel, on request, for the 
entry, transmission, and receipt of work-related messages, at no cost to 
the observer(s), observer provider or NMFS.
    (ii) Functional equipment. Ensuring that the vessel's communications 
equipment, used by observers to enter and transmit data, is fully 
functional and operational.
    (4) Vessel position. Allow observer(s) access to, and the use of, 
the vessel's navigation equipment and personnel, on request, to 
determine the vessel's position.
    (5) Access. Allow observer(s) free and unobstructed access to the 
vessel's bridge, trawl or working decks, holding bins, processing areas, 
freezer spaces, weight scales, cargo holds, and any other space that may 
be used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any 
time.
    (6) Prior notification. Notify observer(s) at least 15 minutes 
before fish are brought on board, or fish and fish products are 
transferred from the vessel, to allow sampling the catch or observing 
the transfer, unless the observer specifically requests not to be 
notified.
    (7) Records. Allow observer(s) to inspect and copy any state or 
Federal logbook maintained voluntarily or as required by regulation.
    (8) Assistance. Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable 
observer(s) to carry out their duties, including, but not limited to:
    (i) Measuring decks, codends, and holding bins.
    (ii) Providing the observer(s) with a safe work area.
    (iii) Collecting bycatch when requested by the observer(s).
    (iv) Collecting and carrying baskets of fish when requested by the 
observer(s).
    (v) Allowing the observer(s) to collect biological data and samples.
    (vi) Providing adequate space for storage of biological samples.
    (f) Observer sampling station. This paragraph contains the 
requirements for observer sampling stations. The

[[Page 317]]

vessel owner must provide an observer sampling station that complies 
with this section so that the observer can carry out required duties.
    (1) Accessibility. The observer sampling station must be available 
to the observer at all times.
    (2) Location. The observer sampling station must be located within 
four meters of the location from which the observer samples unsorted 
catch. Unobstructed passage must be provided between the observer 
sampling station and the location where the observer collects sample 
catch.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 
FR 68773, Nov. 15, 2013; 80 FR 22301, Apr. 21, 2015]



Sec. 660.319  Open access fishery gear identification and marking.

    (a) Gear identification. (1) Open access fixed gear (longline, trap 
or pot, set net and stationary hook-and-line gear, including commercial 
vertical hook-and-line gear) must be marked at the surface and at each 
terminal end, with a pole, flag, light, radar reflector, and a buoy.
    (2) Open access commercial vertical hook-and-line gear that is 
closely tended as defined at Sec. 660.311 of this subpart, may be 
marked only with a single buoy of sufficient size to float the gear.
    (3) A buoy used to mark fixed gear under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) 
of this section must be marked with a number clearly identifying the 
owner or operator of the vessel. The number may be either:
    (i) If required by applicable state law, the vessel's number, the 
commercial fishing license number, or buoy brand number; or
    (ii) The vessel documentation number issued by the USCG, or, for an 
undocumented vessel, the vessel registration number issued by the state.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 660.320  Open access fishery--crossover provisions.

    The crossover provisions listed at Sec. 660.60(h)(7), apply to 
vessels fishing in the open access fishery.

[76 FR 74747, Dec. 1, 2011]



Sec. 660.330  Open access fishery--management measures.

    (a) General. Groundfish species taken in open access fisheries will 
be managed with cumulative trip limits (see trip limits in Tables 3 
(North) and 3 (South) of this subpart), size limits (see Sec. 
660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see seasons in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of 
this subpart), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) of this section), 
and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section and Sec. Sec. 
660.70 through 660.79). Unless otherwise specified, a vessel operating 
in the open access fishery is subject to, and must not exceed any trip 
limit, frequency limit, and/or size limit for the open access fishery. 
Cowcod retention is prohibited in all fisheries and groundfish vessels 
operating south of Point Conception must adhere to CCA restrictions (see 
paragraph (d)(11) of this section and Sec. 660.70). Retention of 
yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all open access fisheries. For 
information on the open access daily/weekly trip limit fishery for 
sablefish, see Sec. 660.332 of this subpart and the trip limits in 
Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart. Open access vessels are 
subject to daily or weekly sablefish limits in addition to cumulative 
limits for each cumulative limit period. Only one sablefish landing per 
week may be made in excess of the daily trip limit and, if the vessel 
chooses to make a landing in excess of that daily trip limit, then that 
is the only sablefish landing permitted for that week. The trip limit 
for black rockfish caught with hook-and-line gear also applies, see 
paragraph (e) of this section. Open access vessels that fish with non-
groundfish trawl gear or in the salmon troll fishery north of 
40[deg]10[min] N lat. are subject the cumulative limits and closed areas 
(except the pink shrimp fishery which is not subject to RCA 
restrictions) listed in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart. 
Federal commercial groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede 
any more restrictive state commercial groundfish regulations relating to 
federally managed groundfish.
    (b) Gear restrictions. Open access gear includes longline, trap, 
pot, hook-and-line (fixed or mobile), setnet (anchored

[[Page 318]]

gillnet or trammel net, which are permissible south of 38[deg] N. lat. 
only), spear and non-groundfish trawl gear (trawls used to target non-
groundfish species: pink shrimp or ridgeback prawns, and, south of Pt. 
Arena, CA (38[deg]57.50' N. lat.), California halibut or sea cucumbers). 
Restrictions for gears used in the open access fisheries are as follows:
    (1) Non-groundfish trawl gear. Non-groundfish trawl gear is 
generally trawl gear used to target pink shrimp, ridgeback prawn, 
California halibut and sea cucumber and is exempt from the limited entry 
trawl gear restrictions at Sec. 660.130(b). The following gear 
restrictions apply to non-groundfish trawl gear:
    (i) Bottom trawl gear with a footrope diameter greater than 19 
inches (48 cm) (including rollers, bobbins, or other material encircling 
or tied along the length of the footrope) is prohibited anywhere in EFH 
within the EEZ, as defined by latitude/longitude coordinates at Sec. 
660.75. unless such gear is the gear of another vessel that has been 
retrieved at sea and made inoperable or stowed in a manner not capable 
of being fished. The disposal at sea of such gear is prohibited by Annex 
V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From 
Ships, 1973 (Annex V of MARPOL 73/78).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) Fixed gear. (i) Fixed gear (longline, trap or pot, set net and 
stationary hook-and-line gear, including commercial vertical hook-and-
line gear) must be attended at least once every 7 days. Vessels fishing 
with bottom longline and snap gears as defined at Sec. 660.11 are 
subject to the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance Program described 
in Sec. 660.21.
    (ii) Set nets. Fishing for groundfish with set nets is prohibited in 
the fishery management area north of 38[deg]00.00' N. lat.
    (iii) Traps or pots. Traps must have biodegradable escape panels 
constructed with 21 or smaller untreated cotton twine in such a manner 
that an opening at least 8 inches (20.3 cm) in diameter results when the 
twine deteriorates.
    (iv) Spears. Spears may be propelled by hand or by mechanical means.
    (3) Non-trawl RCA gear. Inside the non-trawl RCA, only legal non-
bottom contact hook-and-line gear configurations may be used for target 
fishing for groundfish by vessels that participate in the directed open 
access sector as defined at Sec. 660.11. On a fishing trip where any 
fishing will occur inside the non-trawl RCA, only one type of legal non-
bottom contact gear may be carried on board, and no other fishing gear 
of any type may be carried on board or stowed during that trip. The 
vessel may fish inside and outside the non-trawl RCA on the same fishing 
trip, provided a valid declaration report as required at Sec. 660.13(d) 
has been filed with NMFS OLE. Legal non-bottom contact hook-and-line 
gear means stationary vertical jig gear not anchored to the bottom, and 
groundfish troll gear, subject to the specifications in paragraphs 
(b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section.
    (i) Stationary vertical jig gear. The following requirements apply 
to stationary vertical jig gear:
    (A) Must be a minimum of 50 feet between the bottom weight and the 
lowest fishing hook;
    (B) No more than 4 vertical mainlines may be used in the water at 
one time with no more than 25 hooks on each mainline;
    (C) No more than 100 hooks may be in the water at one time, with no 
more than 25 extra hooks on board the vessel; and
    (D) Natural bait or weighted hooks may not be used nor be on board 
the vessel. Artificial lures and flies are permitted.
    (ii) Groundfish troll gear. The following requirements apply to 
groundfish troll gear:
    (A) Must be a minimum of 50 feet between the bottom weight and the 
troll wire's connection to the horizontal mainline;
    (B) No more than 1 mainline may be used in the water at one time;
    (C) No more than 500 hooks may be in the water at one time, with no 
more than 25 extra hooks on board the vessel;
    (D) Hooks must be spaced apart by a visible maker (e.g., floats, 
line wraps, colored line splices), with no more than 25 hooks between 
each marker and no

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more than 20 markers on the mainline; and
    (E) Natural bait or weighted hooks may not be used nor be on board 
the vessel. Artificial lures and flies are permitted.
    (c) Sorting requirements. (1) In addition to the requirements at 
Sec. 660.12(a)(8) the States of Washington, Oregon, and California may 
also require that vessels record their landings as sorted on their state 
landing receipts.
    (2) For open access vessels, the following species must be sorted:
    (i) Coastwide--arrowtooth flounder, big skate, black rockfish, blue/
deacon rockfish, canary rockfish, darkblotched rockfish, Dover sole, 
English sole, lingcod, longnose skate, longspine thornyhead, minor 
nearshore rockfish, minor shelf rockfish, minor slope rockfish, other 
fish, other flatfish, Pacific cod, Pacific sanddabs, Pacific whiting, 
petrale sole, shortbelly rockfish, shortraker rockfish, rougheye/
blackspotted rockfish, sablefish, shortspine thornyhead, spiny dogfish, 
starry flounder, widow rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish;
    (ii) North of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.--cabezon (California), copper 
rockfish (California), Oregon cabezon/kelp greenling complex, POP, 
quillback rockfish (California), Washington cabezon/kelp greenling 
complex, yellowtail rockfish; and
    (iii) South of 40[deg]10[min] N lat.--blackgill rockfish, bocaccio, 
bronzespotted rockfish, cabezon, chilipepper rockfish, copper rockfish, 
cowcod, minor shallow nearshore rockfish, minor deeper nearshore 
rockfish, quillback rockfish, splitnose rockfish, and vermilion 
rockfish.
    (d) Groundfish conservation areas (GCAs). GCAs, a type of closed 
area, are defined at Sec. 660.11 and with latitude and longitude 
coordinates at Sec. Sec. 660.70 through 660.74. A vessel that is 
authorized by this paragraph to fish within a GCA (e.g., fishing for 
``other flatfish'' using hook and line gear only), may not 
simultaneously have other gear on board the vessel that is unlawful to 
use for fishing within the GCA. The following GCAs apply to vessels 
participating in the open access groundfish fishery.
    (1) North coast recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. 
The latitude and longitude coordinates of the North Coast Recreational 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) boundaries are specified at 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C. The North Coast Recreational YRCA is designated 
as an area to be avoided (a voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear 
fishers.
    (2) North coast commercial yelloweye rockfish conservation area. The 
latitude and longitude coordinates of the North Coast Commercial 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) boundaries are specified at 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited 
within the North Coast Commercial YRCA. It is unlawful to take and 
retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within 
the North Coast Commercial YRCA. Open access vessels may transit through 
the North Coast Commercial YRCA with or without groundfish on board.
    (3) South coast recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. 
The latitude and longitude coordinates of the South Coast Recreational 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) boundaries are specified at 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C. The South Coast Recreational YRCA is designated 
as an area to be avoided (a voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear 
fishers.
    (4) Westport offshore recreational YRCA. The latitude and longitude 
coordinates that define the Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA 
boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. The Westport 
Offshore Recreational YRCA is designated as an area to be avoided (a 
voluntary closure) by commercial fixed gear fishers.
    (5) Point St. George YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of 
the Point St. George YRCA boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, 
subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Point 
St. George YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful 
to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access 
gear within the Point St. George YRCA, on dates when the closure is in 
effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be 
imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access vessels may transit 
through the

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Point St. George YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.
    (6) South Reef YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the 
South Reef YRCA boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. 
Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the South Reef YRCA, 
on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and 
retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within 
the South Reef YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure 
is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through 
inseason adjustment. Open access gear vessels may transit through the 
South Reef YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.
    (7) Reading Rock YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the 
Reading Rock YRCA boundaries are specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. 
Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Reading Rock 
YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and 
retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within 
the Reading Rock YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The 
closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed 
through inseason adjustment. Open access gear vessels may transit 
through the Reading Rock YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish 
on board.
    (8) Point Delgada (North) YRCA. The latitude and longitude 
coordinates of the Point Delgada (North) YRCA boundaries are specified 
at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited 
within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in 
effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish 
taken with open access gear within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, on 
dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at 
this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open 
access gear vessels may transit through the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, 
at any time, with or without groundfish on board.
    (9) Point Delgada (South) YRCA. The latitude and longitude 
coordinates of the Point Delgada (South) YRCA boundaries are specified 
at Sec. 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited 
within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in 
effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish 
taken with open access gear within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, on 
dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at 
this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open 
access gear vessels may transit through the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, 
at any time, with or without groundfish on board.
    (10) Salmon Troll Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). The 
latitude and longitude coordinates of the Salmon Troll YRCA boundaries 
are specified in the groundfish regulations at Sec. 660.70, subpart C, 
and in the salmon regulations at Sec. 660.405. Fishing with salmon 
troll gear is prohibited within the Salmon Troll YRCA. It is unlawful 
for commercial salmon troll vessels to take and retain, possess, or land 
fish taken with salmon troll gear within the Salmon Troll YRCA. Open 
access vessels may transit through the Salmon Troll YRCA with or without 
fish on board.
    (11) Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs). It is unlawful to take and 
retain, possess, or land groundfish within the CCAs, except for species 
authorized in this paragraph caught according to gear requirements in 
this paragraph, when those waters are open to fishing. Commercial 
fishing vessels may transit through the Western CCA with their gear 
stowed and groundfish on board only in the transit corridor, defined at 
Sec. 660.70. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited in the CCAs, 
except as follows:
    (i) Fishing for ``other flatfish'' is allowed within the CCAs with 
hook and line gear only; and provided a valid declaration report as 
required at Sec. 660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (ii) Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is permitted shoreward of the 
boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour within the 
CCAs when trip limits authorize such fishing and provided a valid 
declaration report as required at Sec. 660.13(d) has been filed with 
NMFS OLE. Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 40 fm

[[Page 321]]

(73 m) depth contour are listed in Sec. 660.71.
    (12) Nontrawl rockfish conservation areas for the open access 
fisheries. The nontrawl RCAs are closed areas, defined by specific 
latitude and longitude coordinates (specified at Sec. Sec. 660.70 
through 660.74, subpart C) designed to approximate specific depth 
contours, where fishing for groundfish with nontrawl gear is prohibited. 
Boundaries for the nontrawl RCA throughout the year are provided in the 
open access trip limit tables, Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of 
this subpart and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to Sec. 
660.60(c).
    (i) It is unlawful to operate a vessel in the nontrawl RCA that has 
nontrawl gear onboard and is not registered to a limited entry permit on 
a trip in which the vessel is used to take and retain or possess 
groundfish in the EEZ, or land groundfish taken in the EEZ, except for 
the purpose of continuous transiting, or when the use of nontrawl gear 
is authorized in part 660.
    (ii) On any trip on which a groundfish species is taken with 
nontrawl open access gear and retained, the open access nontrawl vessel 
may transit through the nontrawl RCA only if all groundfish nontrawl 
gear is stowed either: Below deck; or if the gear cannot readily be 
moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached from all lines, so that 
it is rendered unusable for fishing.
    (iii) The nontrawl RCA restrictions in this section apply to vessels 
taking and retaining or possessing groundfish in the EEZ, or landing 
groundfish taken in the EEZ. Unless otherwise authorized by part 660, a 
vessel may not retain any groundfish taken on a fishing trip for species 
other than groundfish that occurs within the nontrawl RCA. If a vessel 
fishes in a non-groundfish fishery in the nontrawl RCA, it may not 
participate in any fishing for groundfish on that trip that is 
prohibited within the nontrawl RCA. [For example, if a vessel fishes in 
the salmon troll fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot on the same 
trip fish in the sablefish fishery outside of the RCA.]
    (iv) Fishing for ``other flatfish'' off California (between 42[deg] 
N lat. south to the U.S./Mexico border) is allowed within the nontrawl 
RCA with hook and line gear only; and provided a valid declaration 
report as required at Sec. 660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (v) Target fishing for groundfish off Oregon and California (between 
46[deg]16[min] N lat. and the U.S./Mexico border) is allowed within the 
non-trawl RCA for vessels participating in the directed open access 
sector as defined at Sec. 660.11, subject to the gear restrictions at 
Sec. 660.330(b)(3)(i-ii), and provided a valid declaration report as 
required at Sec. 660.13(d) has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (13) Non-groundfish trawl rockfish conservation areas for the open 
access non-groundfish trawl fisheries. The non-groundfish trawl RCAs are 
closed areas, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates 
(specified at Sec. Sec. 660.70 through 660.74, subpart C) designed to 
approximate specific depth contours, where fishing for groundfish with 
nontrawl gear is prohibited. Boundaries for the nontrawl RCA throughout 
the year are provided in the open access trip limit tables, Table 3 
(North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart and may be modified by NMFS 
in season pursuant to Sec. 660.60(c).
    (i) It is unlawful to operate a vessel in the non-groundfish trawl 
RCA with non-groundfish trawl gear onboard, except for the purpose of 
continuous transiting, or when the use of trawl gear is authorized in 
part 660. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish 
taken with non-groundfish trawl gear within the nontrawl RCA, unless 
otherwise authorized in part 660.
    (ii) Non-groundfish trawl vessels may transit through the non-
groundfish trawl RCA, with or without groundfish on board, provided all 
non-groundfish trawl gear is stowed either: Below deck; or if the gear 
cannot readily be moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached from 
all towing lines, so that it is rendered unusable for fishing; or 
remaining on deck uncovered if the trawl doors are hung from their 
stanchions and the net is disconnected from the doors.
    (iii) The non-groundfish trawl RCA restrictions in this section 
apply to

[[Page 322]]

vessels taking and retaining or possessing groundfish in the EEZ, or 
landing groundfish taken in the EEZ. Unless otherwise authorized by Part 
660, it is unlawful for a vessel to retain any groundfish taken on a 
fishing trip for species other than groundfish that occurs within the 
non-groundfish trawl RCA. If a vessel fishes in a non-groundfish fishery 
in the non-groundfish trawl RCA, it may not participate in any fishing 
on that trip that is prohibited within the non-groundfish trawl RCA. 
Nothing in these Federal regulations supersedes any state regulations 
that may prohibit trawling shoreward of the fishery management area (3-
200 nm).
    (iv) It is lawful to fish with non-groundfish trawl gear within the 
non-groundfish trawl RCA only under the following conditions:
    (A) Pink shrimp trawling is permitted in the non-groundfish trawl 
RCA when a valid declaration report as required at Sec. 660.12(d), 
subpart C, has been filed with NMFS OLE. Groundfish caught with pink 
shrimp trawl gear may be retained anywhere in the EEZ and are subject to 
the limits in Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart.
    (B) When the shoreward line of the trawl RCA is shallower than 100 
fm (183 m), vessels using ridgeback prawn trawl gear south of 
34[deg]27.00[min] N. lat. may operate out to the 100 fm (183 m) boundary 
line specified at Sec. 660.73, when a valid declaration report as 
required at Sec. 660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE. Groundfish 
caught with ridgeback prawn trawl gear are subject to the limits in 
Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart.
    (14) Farallon Islands. Under California law, commercial fishing for 
all groundfish is prohibited between the shoreline and the 10 fm (18 m) 
depth contour around the Farallon Islands. An exception to this 
prohibition is that commercial fishing for ``other flatfish'' is allowed 
around the Farallon Islands using hook and line gear only. (See Table 2 
(South) of this subpart.) For a definition of the Farallon Islands, see 
Sec. 660.70, subpart C.
    (15) Cordell Banks. Commercial fishing for groundfish is prohibited 
in waters of depths less than 100-fm (183-m) around Cordell Banks, as 
defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.70, 
subpart C. An exception to this prohibition is that commercial fishing 
for ``other flatfish'' is allowed around Cordell Banks using hook and 
line gear only.
    (e) Black rockfish fishery management. The trip limit for black 
rockfish (Sebastes melanops) for commercial fishing vessels using hook-
and-line gear between the U.S.-Canada border and Cape Alava 
(48[deg]09.50[min] N. lat.), and between Destruction Island 
(47[deg]40[min] N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17[min] N. 
lat.), is 100-lbs (45 kg) or 30 percent, by weight of all fish on board, 
whichever is greater, per vessel per fishing trip. These per trip limits 
apply to limited entry and open access fisheries, in conjunction with 
the cumulative trip limits and other management measures in Sec. Sec. 
660.230 and 660.330. The crossover provisions in Sec. 660.60(h)(7), do 
not apply to the black rockfish per-trip limits.
    (f) Salmon bycatch. This fishery may be closed through automatic 
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).
    (g) Essential fish habitat conservation areas (EFHCA). EFHCAs, 
defined at Sec. 660.11 and with latitude and longitude coordinates at 
Sec. Sec. 660.75 through 660.79, apply to vessels using bottom trawl 
gear or bottom contact gear, defined at Sec. 660.11, and includes non-
groundfish trawl gear and limited entry fixed gear (e.g., longline and 
pot/trap,) among other gear types. EFHCAs closed to bottom contact gear 
are listed at Sec. 660.12(a). EFHCAs closed to bottom trawl gear are 
listed at Sec. 660.312(d).

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 27554, May 11, 2011; 76 
FR 53839, Aug. 30, 2011; 78 FR 638, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12597, Mar. 10, 
2015; 80 FR 71981, Nov. 18, 2015; 82 FR 9665, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 60570, 
Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 64010, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 49962, Sept. 24, 2019; 
84 FR 63992, Nov. 19, 2019; 86 FR 14383, Mar. 16, 2021; 87 FR 77029, 
Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 12868, Mar. 1, 2023]



Sec. 660.332  Open access daily trip limit (DTL) fishery for sablefish.

    (a) Open access DTL fisheries both north and south of 36[deg] N. 
lat. Open access vessels may fish in the open access, daily trip limit 
fishery for as long as that fishery is open during the year, subject to 
the routine management measures imposed under Sec. 660.60.

[[Page 323]]

    (b) Trip limits. (1) Daily and/or weekly trip limits for the open 
access fishery north and south of 36[deg] N. lat. are provided in Tables 
3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart.
    (2) Trip and/or frequency limits may be imposed in the limited entry 
fishery on vessels that are not participating in the primary season 
under Sec. 660.60.
    (3) Trip and/or size limits to protect juvenile sablefish in the 
limited entry or open access fisheries also may be imposed at any time 
under Sec. 660.60.
    (4) Trip limits may be imposed in the open access fishery at any 
time under Sec. 660.60.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 638, Jan. 3, 2013]



Sec. 660.333  Open access non-groundfish trawl fishery--management measures.

    (a) General. Groundfish taken with non-groundfish trawl gear by 
vessels engaged in fishing for pink shrimp, ridgeback prawns, California 
halibut, or sea cucumbers. Trip limits for groundfish retained in the 
ridgeback prawn, California halibut, or sea cucumber fisheries are in 
the open access trip limit table, Table 3 (South) of this subpart. Trip 
limits for groundfish retained in the pink shrimp fishery are in Tables 
3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart. The table also generally 
describes the RCAs for vessels participating in these fisheries.
    (b) Participation in the ridgeback prawn fishery. A trawl vessel 
will be considered participating in the open access, non-groundfish 
trawl ridgeback prawn fishery if:
    (1) It is declared ``non-groundfish trawl gear for ridgeback prawn'' 
under Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A)(10), regardless of whether it is 
registered to a Federal limited entry trawl-endorsed permit; and
    (2) The landing includes ridgeback prawns taken in accordance with 
California Fish and Game Code, section 8595, which states: ``Prawns or 
shrimp may be taken for commercial purposes with a trawl net, subject to 
Article 10 (commencing with Section 8830) of Chapter 3.''
    (c) Participation in the California halibut fishery. A trawl vessel 
will be considered participating in the open access, non-groundfish 
trawl California halibut fishery if:
    (1) It is declared ``non-groundfish trawl gear for California 
halibut'' under Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A)(11), regardless of whether it 
is registered to a Federal limited entry trawl-endorsed permit;
    (2) All fishing on the trip takes place south of Pt. Arena, CA 
(38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat.); and
    (3) The landing includes California halibut of a size required by 
California Fish and Game Code section 8392, which states: ``No 
California halibut may be taken, possessed or sold which measures less 
than 22 in (56 cm) in total length. Total length means the shortest 
distance between the tip of the jaw or snout, whichever extends farthest 
while the mouth is closed, and the tip of the longest lobe of the tail, 
measured while the halibut is lying flat in natural repose, without 
resort to any force other than the swinging or fanning of the tail.''
    (d) Participation in the sea cucumber fishery. A trawl vessel will 
be considered to be participating in the open access, non-groundfish 
trawl sea cucumber fishery if:
    (1) It is declared ``non-groundfish trawl gear for sea cucumber'' 
under Sec. 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A)(12), regardless of whether it is 
registered to a Federal limited entry trawl-endorsed permit;
    (2) All fishing on the trip takes place south of Pt. Arena, CA 
(38[deg]57.50[min] N. lat.); and
    (3) The landing includes sea cucumbers taken in accordance with 
California Fish and Game Code, section 8405, which requires a permit 
issued by the State of California.
    (e) Groundfish taken with non-groundfish trawl gear by vessels 
engaged in fishing for pink shrimp. Notwithstanding Sec. 660.60(h)(7), 
a vessel that takes and retains pink shrimp and also takes and retains 
groundfish in either the limited entry or another open access fishery 
during the same applicable cumulative limit period that it takes and 
retains pink shrimp (which may be 1 month or 2 months, depending on the 
fishery and the time of year), may retain the larger of the two limits, 
but only if the limit(s) for each gear or fishery are not exceeded when 
operating in that fishery or with that gear. The limits are

[[Page 324]]

not additive; the vessel may not retain a separate trip limit for each 
fishery.

[75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 74747, Dec. 1, 2011; 83 
FR 62280, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 64292, Dec. 14, 2018; 83 FR 64010, Dec. 
12, 2018]

[[Page 325]]



    Sec. 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[min] N. lat.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07AU23.710


[88 FR 52050, Aug. 7, 2023]

[[Page 326]]



    Sec. Table 3 (South) to Part 660, Subpart F--Non-Trawl Rockfish 
   Conservation Areas and Trip Limits for Open Access Gears South of 
                         40[deg]10[min] N. lat.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07AU23.711


[[Page 327]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07AU23.712


[88 FR 52051, Aug. 7, 2023]



         Subpart G_West Coast Groundfish_Recreational Fisheries

    Source: 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.350  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart covers the Pacific Coast Groundfish recreational 
fishery.



Sec. 660.351  Recreational fishery--definitions.

    These definitions are specific to the recreational fisheries covered 
in this subpart. General groundfish definitions are defined at Sec. 
660.11, subpart C.
    Bag limit means the number of fish available to an angler.
    Boat limit means the number of fish available to for a vessel or 
boat.
    Hook limit means a limit on the number of hooks on any given fishing 
line.
    Long-leader gear (also known as Holloway gear) means fishing gear 
with the following: One fishing line, deployed with a sinker and no more 
than three hooks, with a minimum of 30 feet (9.14 meters) between the 
sinker and the lowest hook, and a non-compressible float attached to the 
line above the hooks. The gear may be equipped with artificial lures and 
flies less than or equal to 5 inches in length. Natural

[[Page 328]]

bait, and lures or flies greater than 5 inches in length, may not be 
used.

[75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 83 FR 13431, Mar. 29, 2018]



Sec. 660.352  Recreational fishery--prohibitions.

    These prohibitions are specific to the recreational fisheries. 
General groundfish prohibitions are found at Sec. 660.12, subpart C. In 
addition to the general groundfish prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.12, subpart C, of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Sell, offer to sell, or purchase any groundfish taken in the 
course of recreational groundfish fishing.
    (b) Use fishing gear other than hook-and-line or spear for 
recreational fishing.



Sec. 660.353  Recreational fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.

    Recordkeeping and reporting requirements at Sec. 660.13 (a) through 
(c), subpart C, apply to the recreational fishery.



Sec. 660.360  Recreational fishery--management measures.

    (a) General. Federal recreational groundfish regulations are not 
intended to supersede any more restrictive state recreational groundfish 
regulations relating to federally-managed groundfish. The bag limits 
include fish taken in both state and Federal waters.
    (b) Gear restrictions. The only types of fishing gear authorized for 
recreational fishing are hook-and-line and spear. Spears may be 
propelled by hand or by mechanical means. More fishery-specific gear 
restrictions may be required by state as noted in paragraph (c) of this 
section (e.g., California's recreational ``other flatfish'' fishery).
    (c) State-specific recreational fishery management measures. Federal 
recreational groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any 
more restrictive State recreational groundfish regulations relating to 
federally-managed groundfish. Off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and 
California, boat limits apply, whereby each fisher aboard a vessel may 
continue to use angling gear until the combined daily limits of 
groundfish for all licensed and juvenile anglers aboard has been 
attained (additional state restrictions on boat limits may apply).
    (1) Washington. For each person engaged in recreational fishing off 
the coast of Washington, the groundfish bag limit is 9 groundfish per 
day, including rockfish, cabezon and lingcod. Within the groundfish bag 
limit, there are sub-limits for rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon outlined 
in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this section. In addition to the groundfish 
bag limit of 9, there will be a flatfish limit of 5 fish, not to be 
counted towards the groundfish bag limit but in addition to it. The 
recreational groundfish fishery will open the second Saturday in March 
through the third Saturday in October for all species. In the Pacific 
halibut fisheries, retention of groundfish is governed in part by annual 
management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published 
in the Federal Register. The following seasons, closed areas, sub-limits 
and size limits apply:
    (i) Recreational groundfish conservation areas off Washington--(A) 
North coast recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. 
Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is prohibited within the 
North Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). It 
is unlawful for recreational fishing vessels to take and retain, 
possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the 
North Coast Recreational YRCA. A vessel fishing in the North Coast 
Recreational YRCA may not be in possession of any groundfish. 
Recreational vessels may transit through the North Coast Recreational 
YRCA with or without groundfish on board. The North Coast Recreational 
YRCA is defined by latitude and longitude coordinates specified at Sec. 
660.70, subpart C.
    (B) South coast recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. 
Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is allowed within the 
South Coast Recreational YRCA. The South Coast Recreational YRCA is 
defined by latitude and longitude coordinates specified at Sec. 660.70, 
subpart C.
    (C) Westport offshore recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation 
area. Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is allowed within 
the Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA. The

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Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA is defined by latitude and longitude 
coordinates specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart C.
    (D) Recreational rockfish conservation area. Fishing for groundfish 
with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA unless 
otherwise stated. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land 
groundfish taken with recreational gear within the recreational RCA 
unless otherwise stated. A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may 
not be in possession of any groundfish unless otherwise stated. [For 
example, if a vessel participates in the recreational salmon fishery 
within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of groundfish while 
in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip fish for and 
retain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip to port.] 
Coordinates approximating boundary lines at the 10-fm (18-m) through 
100-fm (183-m) depth contours can be found at Sec. 660.71 through Sec. 
660.73. The Washington recreational fishing season structure is as 
follows:

   Table 1 To Paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D)--Washington Recreational Fishing 
                            Season Structure
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16DE22.042

    (ii) Rockfish. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington (Washington 
Marine Areas 1-4) that are open to recreational groundfish fishing, 
there is a 7 rockfish per day bag limit. Taking and retaining yelloweye 
rockfish is prohibited in all Marine Areas. Taking and retaining copper 
rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish is prohibited in 
all Marine Areas during May, June and July.
    (iii) Cabezon. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington (Washington 
Marine Areas 1-4) that are open to recreational groundfish fishing, 
there is a 1 cabezon per day bag limit.
    (iv) Lingcod. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington (Washington 
Marine Areas 1-4) that are open to recreational groundfish fishing and 
when the recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a bag limit 
of 2 lingcod per day. The recreational fishing seasons for lingcod is 
open from the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in 
October.

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    (2) Oregon--(i) Recreational groundfish conservation areas off 
Oregon--(A) Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area. 
Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is prohibited within the 
Stonewall Bank YRCA. It is unlawful for recreational fishing vessels to 
take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational 
gear within the Stonewall Bank YRCA. A vessel fishing in the Stonewall 
Bank YRCA may not be in possession of any groundfish. Recreational 
vessels may transit through the Stonewall Bank YRCA with or without 
groundfish on board. The Stonewall Bank YRCA, and two possible 
expansions that are available through inseason adjustment, are defined 
by latitude and longitude coordinates specified at Sec. 660.70, subpart 
C.
    (B) Recreational rockfish conservation area (RCA). Fishing for 
groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational 
RCA, a type of closed area or groundfish conservation area, except with 
long-leader gear (as defined at Sec. 660.351). It is unlawful to take 
and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear 
within the recreational RCA, except with long-leader gear (as defined at 
Sec. 660.351). A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may not be in 
possession of any groundfish unless otherwise stated. [For example, if a 
vessel fishes in the recreational salmon fishery within the recreational 
RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of groundfish while within the 
recreational RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip fish for and 
retain groundfish shoreward of the recreational RCA on the return trip 
to port.] Off Oregon, from January 1 through December 31, recreational 
fishing for groundfish is allowed in all depths. Coordinates 
approximating boundary lines at the 10-fm (18-m) through 100-fm (183-m) 
depth contours can be found at Sec. 660.71 through Sec. 660.73.
    (C) Essential fish habitat conservation areas. The Essential Fish 
Habitat Conservation Areas (EFHCAs) are closed areas, defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. Sec. 660.76 through 
660.79, where specified types of fishing are prohibited. Prohibitions 
applying to specific EFHCAs are found at Sec. 660.12.
    (ii) Seasons. Recreational fishing for groundfish is open from 
January 1 through December 31, subject to the closed areas described in 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (iii) Bag limits, size limits. For each person engaged in 
recreational fishing off the coast of Oregon, the following bag limits 
apply:
    (A) Marine fish. The bag limit is 10 marine fish per day, which 
includes rockfish, kelp greenling, cabezon and other groundfish species; 
except the daily bag limit in the long-leader gear fishery is 15 fish 
per day. The bag limit of marine fish excludes Pacific halibut, 
salmonids, tuna, perch species, sturgeon, sanddabs, flatfish, lingcod, 
striped bass, hybrid bass, offshore pelagic species and baitfish 
(herring, smelt, anchovies and sardines). The minimum size for cabezon 
retained in the Oregon recreational fishery is 16 in (41 cm) total 
length.
    (B) Lingcod. There is a 3 fish limit per day for lingcod from 
January 1 through December 31. The minimum size for lingcod retained in 
the Oregon recreational fishery is 22 in (56 cm) total length. For 
vessels using long-leader gear (as defined in Sec. 660.351) and fishing 
inside the recreational RCA, possession of lingcod is prohibited.
    (C) Flatfish. There is a 25 fish limit per day for all flatfish, 
excluding Pacific halibut, but including all soles, flounders and 
Pacific sanddabs, from January 1 through December 31.
    (D) In the Pacific halibut fisheries. Retention of groundfish is 
governed in part by annual management measures for Pacific halibut 
fisheries, which are published in the Federal Register. Between the 
Columbia River and Humbug Mountain, during days open to the ``all-
depth'' sport halibut fisheries, when Pacific halibut are onboard the 
vessel, no groundfish, except sablefish, Pacific cod, and other species 
of flatfish (sole, flounder, sanddab), may be taken and retained, 
possessed or landed, except with long-leader gear (as defined at Sec. 
660.351). ``All-depth'' season days are established in the annual 
management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published 
in the Federal Register and are announced on the NMFS Pacific halibut 
hotline, 1-800-662-9825.

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    (E) Taking and retaining yelloweye rockfish is prohibited at all 
times and in all areas.
    (3) California. Seaward of California, for groundfish species not 
specifically mentioned in this paragraph, fishers are subject to the 
overall 20-fish bag limit for all species of finfish, of which no more 
than 10 fish of any one species may be taken or possessed by any one 
person. Petrale sole, Pacific sanddab, and starry flounder are not 
subject to a bag limit. Recreational spearfishing for all federally-
managed groundfish, is exempt from closed areas and seasons, consistent 
with Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. This exemption 
applies only to recreational vessels and divers provided no other 
fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, is on board the vessel. 
California state law may provide regulations similar to Federal 
regulations for kelp greenlings. Retention of cowcod, yelloweye 
rockfish, and bronzespotted rockfish, is prohibited in the recreational 
fishery seaward of California all year in all areas. Retention of 
species or species groups for which the season is closed is prohibited 
in the recreational fishery seaward of California all year in all areas, 
unless otherwise authorized in this section. For each person engaged in 
recreational fishing in the EEZ seaward of California, the following 
closed areas, seasons, bag limits, and size limits apply:
    (i) Recreational groundfish conservation areas off California. A 
Groundfish Conservation Area (GCA), a type of closed area, is a 
geographic area defined by coordinates expressed in degrees latitude and 
longitude. The following GCAs apply to participants in California's 
recreational fishery.
    (A) Recreational rockfish conservation areas. The recreational RCAs 
are areas that are closed to recreational fishing for certain 
groundfish. Fishing for the California rockfish, cabezon, greenling 
complex (RCG Complex), as defined in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this 
section, and lingcod with recreational gear is prohibited within the 
recreational RCA. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land 
the RCG Complex and lingcod taken with recreational gear within the 
recreational RCA, unless otherwise authorized in this section. A vessel 
fishing in the recreational RCA may not be in possession of any species 
prohibited by the restrictions that apply within the recreational RCA. 
For example, if a vessel fishes in the recreational salmon fishery 
within the recreational RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of the 
RCG Complex and lingcod while in the recreational RCA. The vessel may, 
however, on the same trip fish for and retain rockfish shoreward of the 
recreational RCA on the return trip to port. If the season is closed for 
a species or species group, fishing for that species or species group is 
prohibited both within the recreational RCA and outside of the 
recreational RCA, unless otherwise authorized in this section. In times 
and areas where a recreational RCA is closed shoreward of a recreational 
RCA line (i.e., when an ``off-shore only'' fishery is active in that 
management area) possession or retention of nearshore rockfish (defined 
as black rockfish, blue rockfish, black and yellow rockfish, brown 
rockfish, China rockfish, copper rockfish, calico rockfish, gopher 
rockfish, kelp rockfish, grass rockfish, olive rockfish, quillback 
rockfish, and treefish), cabezon, and greenlings is prohibited in all 
depths throughout the area; and possession and retention of all 
rockfish, cabezon, greenlings, and lingcod is prohibited shoreward of 
the recreational RCA boundary line, except that vessels may transit 
through waters shoreward of the recreational RCA line with no fishing 
gear in the water. Coordinates approximating boundary lines at the 30 fm 
(55 m) through 100 fm (183 m) depth contours can be found at Sec. 
660.71 through Sec. 660.73. The recreational fishing season structure 
and RCA depth boundaries seaward of California by management area and 
month are as follows:
    (1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and 
40[deg]10[min] N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing 
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1 through May 14, 
is open at all depths from May 15 through October 15, and is closed 
October 16 through December 31.
    (2) Between 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and 38[deg]57.50[min] N lat. 
(Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex 
and lingcod is closed from January

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1 through May 14; prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from May 15 through July 15 
(seaward of 50 fm is open), and is open at all depths from July 16 
through December 31.
    (3) Between 38[deg]57.50[min] N lat. and 37[deg]11[min] N lat. (San 
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and 
lingcod is closed from January 1 through May 14; is prohibited in the 
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth 
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore 
seamounts from May 15 through July 15 (seaward of 50 fm is open), and is 
open at all depths from July 16 through December 31. Closures around 
Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this section) also apply in 
this area.
    (4) Between 37[deg]11[min] N lat. and 34[deg]27[min] N lat. (Central 
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod 
is closed from January 1 through April 30, is open at all depths from 
May 1 through September 30; and is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a 
boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the 
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from October 1 
through December 31 (seaward of 50 fm is open).
    (5) South of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. (Southern Management Area), 
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from 
January 1 through March 31, open at all depths from April 1 through 
September 15; and is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour from September 16 through 
December 31 along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore 
seamounts (seaward of 50 fm is open), except in the CCAs where fishing 
is prohibited seaward of the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour when the fishing 
season is open (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section).
    (B) Cowcod conservation areas. The latitude and longitude 
coordinates of the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) boundaries are 
specified at Sec. 660.70. Recreational fishing for all groundfish is 
prohibited within the CCAs, except as specified in this paragraph. 
Fishing for California scorpionfish, petrale sole, starry flounder, and 
``Other Flatfish'' is permitted within the CCAs as specified in 
paragraphs (c)(3)(iv) and (c)(3)(v) of this section. Recreational 
fishing for the following species is permitted shoreward of the boundary 
line approximating the 40 fm (37 m) depth contour when the season, as 
specified in paragraphs (c)(3)(ii)(A)(5) and (c)(3)(iii)(A)(5) of this 
section, for those species is open south of 34[deg]27[min] N lat.: Minor 
nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp greenling, lingcod, and shelf 
rockfish. Retention of all groundfish except California scorpionfish, 
petrale sole, starry flounder, and ``Other Flatfish'', is prohibited 
within the CCA. Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 40 
fm (73 m) depth contour are listed in Sec. 660.71. It is unlawful to 
take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken within the CCAs, 
except for species authorized in this section.
    (C) Cordell Bank. Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited 
in waters less than 100 fm (183 m) around Cordell Bank as defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.70, subpart C, 
except that recreational fishing for petrale sole, starry flounder, and 
``Other Flatfish'' is permitted around Cordell Bank as specified in 
paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (D) Point St. George Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). 
Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited within the Point St. 
George YRCA, as defined by latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 
660.70, subpart C, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure 
is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through 
inseason adjustment.
    (E) South reef YRCA. Recreational fishing for groundfish is 
prohibited within the South Reef YRCA, as defined by latitude and 
longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.70, subpart C, on dates when the 
closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This 
closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment.
    (F) Reading Rock YRCA. Recreational fishing for groundfish is 
prohibited

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within the Reading Rock YRCA, as defined by latitude and longitude 
coordinates at Sec. 660.70, subpart C, on dates when the closure is in 
effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be 
imposed through inseason adjustment.
    (G) Point Delgada (North) YRCA. Recreational fishing for groundfish 
is prohibited within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, as defined by 
latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.70, subpart C, on dates 
when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this 
time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment.
    (H) Point Delgada (South) YRCA. Recreational fishing for groundfish 
is prohibited within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, as defined by 
latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. 660.70, subpart C, on dates 
when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this 
time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment.
    (I) Essential fish habitat conservation areas. The Essential Fish 
Habitat Conservation Areas (EFHCAs) are closed areas, defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. Sec. 660.76 through 
660.79, subpart C where specified types of fishing are prohibited. 
Prohibitions applying to specific EFHCAs are found at Sec. 660.12, 
subpart C.
    (ii) RCG complex. The California rockfish, cabezon, greenling 
complex (RCG Complex) includes all rockfish, kelp greenling, rock 
greenling, and cabezon. This category does not include California 
scorpionfish, also known as ``sculpin''.
    (A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open, 
it is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in 
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
    (1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and 
40[deg]10[min] N lat. (North Management Area), recreational fishing for 
the RCG complex is open from May 15 through October 15 (i.e., 
recreational fishing for the RCG complex is closed from January 1 
through May 14, and October 16 through December 31).
    (2) Between 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and 38[deg]57.50[min] N lat. 
(Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is 
open from May 15 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the 
RCG complex is closed from January 1 through May 14).
    (3) Between 38[deg]57.50[min] N lat. and 37[deg]11[min] N lat. (San 
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is 
open from May 15 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the 
RCG complex is closed from January 1 through May 14).
    (4) Between 37[deg]11[min] N lat. and 34[deg]27[min] N lat. (Central 
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open from 
May 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the RCG 
complex is closed from January 1 through April 30).
    (5) South of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. (Southern Management Area), 
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from April 1 through 
December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the RCG complex is closed 
from January 1 through March 31).
    (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the 
recreational season for the RCG Complex is open, there is a limit of 2 
hooks and 1 line when fishing for the RCG complex. The bag limit is 10 
RCG Complex fish per day coastwide, with a sub-bag limit of 4 fish for 
vermilion rockfish, 1 fish for quillback rockfish, and 1 fish for copper 
rockfish. These sub-bag limits count towards the bag limit for the RCG 
Complex and are not in addition to that limit. Retention of yelloweye 
rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, and cowcod is prohibited. Multi-day 
limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must 
not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the value of days in the 
fishing trip.
    (C) Size limits. The following size limits apply: cabezon may be no 
smaller than 15 in (38 cm) total length; and kelp and other greenling 
may be no smaller than 12 in (30 cm) total length.
    (D) Dressing/filleting. Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling 
taken in the recreational fishery may not be filleted at sea. Rockfish 
skin may not be removed when filleting or otherwise dressing rockfish 
taken in the recreational fishery.
    (iii) Lingcod--(A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for lingcod is 
open, it

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is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in 
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
    (1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and 
40[deg]10[min] N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing 
for lingcod is open from May 15 through October 15 (i.e., recreational 
fishing for lingcod is closed from January 1 through May 14, and October 
16 through December 31).
    (2) Between 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and 38[deg]57.50[min] N lat. 
(Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open 
from May 15 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod 
is closed from January 1 through May 14).
    (3) Between 38[deg]57.50[min] N lat. and 37[deg]11[min] N lat. (San 
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open 
from May 15 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod 
is closed from January 1 through May 14).
    (4) Between 37[deg]11[min] N lat. and 34[deg]27[min] N lat. (Central 
Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open from May 1 
through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod is closed 
from January 1 through April 30).
    (5) South of 34[deg]27[min] N lat. (Southern Management Area), 
recreational fishing for lingcod is open from April 1 through December 
31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod is closed from January 1 
through March 31)
    (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the 
recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a limit of 2 hooks and 
1 line when fishing for lingcod. Multi-day limits are authorized by a 
valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit 
multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip.
    (1) The bag limit between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) 
and 40[deg]10[min] N lat. (Northern Management Area) is 2 lingcod per 
day.
    (2) The bag limit between 40[deg]10[min] N lat. and the U.S. border 
with Mexico (Mendocino Management Area, San Francisco Management Area, 
Central Management Area, and Southern Management Area) is 2 lingcod per 
day.
    (C) Size limits. Lingcod may be no smaller than 22 in (56 cm) total 
length.
    (D) Dressing/filleting. Lingcod filets may be no smaller than 14 in 
(36 cm) in length. Each fillet shall bear an intact 1 in (2.6 cm) square 
patch of skin.
    (iv) ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and starry flounder. ``Other 
Flatfish'' are defined at Sec. 660.11, and include butter sole, curlfin 
sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand 
sole.
    (A) Seasons. Recreational fishing for ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale 
sole, and starry flounder is open from January 1 through December 31. 
When recreational fishing for ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and 
starry flounder is open, it is permitted both outside and within the 
recreational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section and 
the CCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section.
    (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas where the 
recreational season for ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and starry 
flounder is open, ``Other Flatfish'' are subject to the overall 20-fish 
bag limit for all species of finfish, of which there may be no more than 
10 fish of any one species; there is no daily bag limit for petrale 
sole, starry flounder and Pacific sanddab.
    (C) Size limits. There are no size limits for ``Other Flatfish,'' 
petrale sole, and starry flounder.
    (D) Dressing/Filleting. ``Other Flatfish,'' petrale sole, and starry 
flounder may be filleted at sea. Fillets may be of any size, but must 
bear intact a one-inch (2.6 cm) square patch of skin.
    (v) California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish predominately 
occur south of 40[deg]10[min] N. lat.
    (A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for California scorpionfish 
is open, it is permitted both outside of and within the recreational 
RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. Recreational 
fishing for California scorpionfish is open from January 1 through 
December 31.
    (B) Bag limits, hook limits. South of 40[deg]10.00[min] N lat., in 
times and areas where the recreational season for California 
scorpionfish is open there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line, the bag 
limit is 5 California scorpionfish per day. California scorpionfish do 
not count against the 10 RCG Complex fish

[[Page 335]]

per day limit. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued 
by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the 
number of days in the fishing trip.
    (C) Size limits. California scorpionfish may be no smaller than 10 
in (25 cm) total length.
    (D) Dressing/Filleting. California scorpionfish filets may be no 
smaller than 5 in (12.8 cm) and must bear an intact 1 in (2.6 cm) square 
patch of skin.
    (d) Salmon bycatch. Recreational fisheries that are not accounted 
for within pre-season salmon modeling may be closed through automatic 
action at Sec. 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi).

[75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 11392, Mar. 2, 2011; 76 
FR 27559, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 76 FR 79133, Dec. 
21, 2011; 77 FR 12504, Mar. 1, 2012; 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 77 FR 
63761, Oct. 17, 2012; 78 FR 642, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 26279, May 6, 2013; 
80 FR 12601, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 61766, Oct. 14, 2015; 82 FR 9668, Feb. 
7, 2017; 82 FR 21951, May 11, 2017; 82 FR 48666, Oct. 19, 2017; 82 FR 
60570, Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 13431, Mar. 29, 2018; 83 FR 16008, Apr. 13, 
2018; 83 FR 48728, Sept. 27, 2018; 83 FR 64014, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 
25720, June 4, 2019; 85 FR 79926, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 14386, Mar. 16, 
2021; 86 FR 72873, Dec. 23, 2021; 87 FR 77033, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 
4919, Jan. 26, 2023; 88 FR 12868, Mar. 1, 2023]



                  Subpart H_West Coast Salmon Fisheries



Sec. 660.401  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart implements the Fishery Management Plan for Commercial 
and Recreational Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, 
and California developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. 
These regulations govern the management of West Coast salmon fisheries 
in the EEZ.



Sec. 660.402  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in Sec. 
600.10 of this chapter, the terms used in this subpart have the 
following meanings:
    Barbless hook means a hook with a single shank and point, with no 
secondary point or barb curving or projecting in any other direction. 
Where barbless hooks are specified, hooks manufactured with barbs can be 
made barbless by forcing the point of the barb flat against the main 
part of the point.
    Commercial fishing means fishing with troll fishing gear as defined 
annually under Sec. 660.408, or fishing for the purpose of sale or 
barter of the catch.
    Council means the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    Dressed, head-off length of salmon means the shortest distance 
between the midpoint of the clavicle arch and the fork of the tail, 
measured along the lateral line while the fish is lying on its side, 
without resort to any force or mutilation of the fish other than removal 
of the head, gills, and entrails.
    Dressed, head-off salmon means salmon that have been beheaded, 
gilled, and gutted without further separation of vertebrae, and are 
either being prepared for on-board freezing, or are frozen and will 
remain frozen until landed.
    Fishery management area means the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, 
Oregon, and California, bounded on the north by the Provisional 
International Boundary between the United States and Canada, and bounded 
on the south by the International Boundary between the United States and 
Mexico. The northeastern, northern, and northwestern boundaries of the 
fishery management area are as follows:
    (1) Northeastern boundary--that part of a line connecting the light 
on Tatoosh Island, WA, with the light on Bonilla Point on Vancouver 
Island, British Columbia, southerly of the International Boundary 
between the United States and Canada (at 48[deg]29[min]37[sec] N. lat., 
124[deg]43[min]33[sec] W. long.), and northerly of the point where that 
line intersects with the boundary of the U.S. territorial sea.
    (2) Northern and northwestern boundary is a line \1\ connecting the 
following coordinates:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The line joining these coordinates is the provisional 
international boundary of the U.S. EEZ as shown on NOAA/NOS Charts 
18480 and 18002.

N. lat.                              W. long.
 
48[deg]29[min]37.19[sec]             124[deg]43[min]33.19[sec]
48[deg]30[min]11[sec]                124[deg]47[min]13[sec]
48[deg]30[min]22[sec]                124[deg]50[min]21[sec]
48[deg]30[min]14[sec]                124[deg]52[min]52[sec]
48[deg]29[min]57[sec]                124[deg]59[min]14[sec]
48[deg]29[min]44[sec]                125[deg]00[min]06[sec]

[[Page 336]]

 
48[deg]28[min]09[sec]                125[deg]05[min]47[sec]
48[deg]27[min]10[sec]                125[deg]08[min]25[sec]
48[deg]26[min]47[sec]                125[deg]09[min]12[sec]
48[deg]20[min]16[sec]                125[deg]22[min]48[sec]
48[deg]18[min]22[sec]                125[deg]29[min]58[sec]
48[deg]11[min]05[sec]                125[deg]53[min]48[sec]
47[deg]49[min]15[sec]                126[deg]40[min]57[sec]
47[deg]36[min]47[sec]                127[deg]11[min]58[sec]
47[deg]22[min]00[sec]                127[deg]41[min]23[sec]
46[deg]42[min]05[sec]                128[deg]51[min]56[sec]
46[deg]31[min]47[sec]                129[deg]07[min]39[sec]
 

    (3) The southern boundary of the fishery management area is the 
U.S.-Mexico International Boundary, which is a line connecting the 
following coordinates:

N. lat.                              W. long.
 
32[deg]35[min]22[sec]                117[deg]27[min]49[sec]
32[deg]37[min]37[sec]                117[deg]49[min]31[sec]
31[deg]07[min]58[sec]                118[deg]36[min]18[sec]
30[deg]32[min]31[sec]                121[deg]51[min]58[sec]
 

    (4) The inner boundaries of the fishery management area are subject 
to change if the Secretary assumes responsibility for the regulation of 
the salmon fishery within state waters under section 306(b) of the 
Magnuson Act.
    Freezer trolling vessel means a fishing vessel, equipped with troll 
fishing gear, that has a present capability for:
    (1) On board freezing of the catch.
    (2) Storage of the fish in a frozen condition until they are landed.
    Land or landing means to begin transfer of fish from a fishing 
vessel. Once transfer begins, all fish onboard the vessel are counted as 
part of the landing.
    Pacific Coast Salmon Plan (PCSP or Salmon FMP) means the Fishery 
Management Plan, as amended, for commercial and recreational ocean 
salmon fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (3 to 200 nautical 
miles offshore) off Washington, Oregon, and California. The Salmon FMP 
was first developed by the Council and approved by the Secretary in 
1978. The Salmon FMP was amended on October 31, 1984, to establish a 
framework process to develop and implement fishery management actions; 
the Salmon FMP has been subsequently amended at irregular intervals. 
Other names commonly used include: Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery 
Management Plan, West Coast Salmon Plan, West Coast Salmon Fishery 
Management Plan.
    Plugs means artificial fishing lures made of wood or hard plastic 
with one or more hooks attached. Lures commonly known as ``spoons,'' 
``wobblers,'' ``dodgers,'' and flexible plastic lures are not considered 
plugs, and may not be used where ``plugs only'' are specified.
    Recreational fishing means fishing with recreational fishing gear as 
defined annually under Sec. 660.408 and not for the purpose of sale or 
barter.
    Recreational fishing gear will be defined annually under Sec. 
660.408.
    Regional Administrator means the Administrator, West Coast Region, 
NMFS.
    Salmon means any anadromous species of the family Salmonidae and 
genus Oncorhynchus, commonly known as Pacific salmon, including, but not 
limited to:

Chinook (king) salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Coho (silver) salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch
Pink (humpback) salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
Chum (dog) salmon, Oncorhynchus keta
Sockeye (red) salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka
Steelhead (rainbow trout), Oncorhynchus mykiss

    Total length of salmon means the shortest distance between the tip 
of the snout or jaw (whichever extends furthest while the mouth is 
closed) and the tip of the longest lobe of the tail, without resort to 
any force or mutilation of the salmon other than fanning or swinging the 
tail.
    Treaty Indian fishing means fishing for salmon and steelhead in the 
fishery management area by a person authorized by the Makah Tribe to 
exercise fishing rights under the Treaty with the Makah, or by the 
Quileute, Hoh, or Quinault Tribes to exercise fishing rights under the 
Treaty of Olympia.
    Troll fishing gear will be defined annually under Sec. 660.408.
    Whole bait means a hook or hooks baited with whole natural bait with 
no device to attract fish other than a flasher.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 29241, May 30, 2001; 76 
FR 81858, Dec. 29, 2011; 78 FR 10559, Feb. 14, 2013; 87 FR 25430, Apr. 
29, 2022]

[[Page 337]]



Sec. 660.403  Relation to other laws.

    (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in Sec. 
600.705 of this chapter, Sec. 660.2, and paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section.
    (b) Any person fishing subject to this subpart who also engages in 
fishing for groundfish should consult Federal regulations in subpart C 
through G for applicable requirements of that subpart, including the 
requirement that vessels engaged in commercial fishing for groundfish 
(except commercial passenger vessels) have vessel identification in 
accordance with Sec. 660.20.
    (c) Any person fishing subject to this subpart is bound by the 
international boundaries of the fishery management area described in 
Sec. 660.402, notwithstanding any dispute or negotiation between the 
United States and any neighboring country regarding their respective 
jurisdictions, until such time as new boundaries are published by the 
United States.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 81858, Dec. 29, 2011]



Sec. 660.404  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) This subpart recognizes that catch and effort data necessary for 
implementation of any applicable fishery management plan are collected 
by the States and Indian tribes of Washington, Oregon, California, and 
Idaho under existing data collection requirements. Except as provided in 
paragraph (b) of this section, no additional catch reports will be 
required of fishermen or processors so long as the data collection and 
reporting systems operated by State agencies and Indian tribes continue 
to provide NMFS with statistical information adequate for management.
    (b) Persons engaged in commercial fishing may be required to submit 
catch reports that are specified annually under Sec. 660.408.

[61 FR 34600, July 2, 1996]



Sec. 660.405  Prohibitions.

    (a) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the 
following, except as otherwise authorized under this part:
    (1) Take and retain or land salmon caught with a net in the fishery 
management area, except that a hand-held net may be used to bring hooked 
salmon on board a vessel.
    (2) Fish for, or take and retain, any species of salmon:
    (i) During closed seasons or in closed areas;
    (ii) While possessing on board any species not allowed to be taken 
in the area at the time;
    (iii) Once any catch limit is attained;
    (iv) By means of gear or methods other than recreational fishing 
gear or troll fishing gear, or gear authorized under Sec. 660.408(k) 
for treaty Indian fishing;
    (v) In violation of any action issued under this subpart; or
    (vi) In violation of any applicable area, season, species, zone, 
gear, daily bag limit, or length restriction.
    (3) Fish for salmon in an area when salmon of less than the legal 
minimum length for that area are on board the fishing vessel, except 
that this provision does not prohibit transit of an area when salmon of 
less than the legal minimum length for that area are on board, so long 
as no fishing is being conducted.
    (4) Remove the head of any salmon caught in the fishery management 
area, or possess a salmon with the head removed, if that salmon has been 
marked by removal of the adipose fin to indicate that a coded wire tag 
has been implanted in the head of the fish.
    (5) Take and retain or possess on board a fishing vessel any species 
of salmon that is less than the applicable minimum total length, 
including the applicable minimum length for dressed, head-off salmon.
    (6) Possess on board a fishing vessel a salmon, for which a minimum 
total length is extended or cannot be determined, except that dressed, 
head-off salmon may be possessed on board a freezer trolling vessel, 
unless the adipose fin of such salmon has been removed.
    (7) Fail to return to the water immediately and with the least 
possible injury any salmon the retention of which is prohibited by this 
subpart.

[[Page 338]]

    (8) Engage in recreational fishing while aboard a vessel engaged in 
commercial fishing. This restriction is not intended to prohibit the use 
of fishing gear otherwise permitted under the definitions of troll and 
recreational fishing gear, so long as that gear is legal in the fishery 
for which it is being used.
    (9) Take and retain, possess, or land any steelhead taken in the 
course of commercial fishing in the fishery management area, unless such 
take and retention qualifies as treaty Indian fishing.
    (10) Sell, barter, offer to sell, offer to barter, or purchase any 
salmon taken in the course of recreational salmon fishing.
    (11) Refuse to submit fishing gear or catch subject to such person's 
control to inspection by an authorized officer, or to interfere with or 
prevent, by any means, such an inspection.
    (12) Take and retain Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) 
except in accordance with regulations of the International Pacific 
Halibut Commission at part 300 of this title. Pacific halibut that 
cannot be retained lawfully must be returned to the water immediately 
and with the least possible injury.
    (13) Violate any other provision of this subpart.
    (b) The fishery management area is closed to salmon fishing except 
as opened by this subpart or superseding regulations or notices. All 
open fishing periods begin at 0001 hours and end at 2400 hours local 
time on the dates specified, except that a fishing period may be ended 
prior to 2400 hours local time through an inseason action taken under 
Sec. 660.409 in order to meet fishery management objectives.
    (c) Under the Pacific Coast groundfish regulations at Sec. 660.330, 
fishing with salmon troll gear is prohibited within the Salmon Troll 
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). It is unlawful for 
commercial salmon troll vessels to take and retain, possess, or land 
fish taken with salmon troll gear within the Salmon Troll YRCA. Vessels 
may transit through the Salmon Troll YRCA with or without fish on 
board.The Salmon Troll YRCA is an area off the northern Washington 
coast. The Salmon Troll YRCA is intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. 
The Salmon Troll YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting specific 
latitude and longitude coordinates under the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
regulations at Sec. 660.70.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 78719, Dec. 29, 2006; 76 
FR 81858, Dec. 29, 2011; 80 FR 77275, Dec. 14, 2015]



Sec. 660.406  Exempted fishing.

    (a) NMFS may allow such exempted fishing in the fishery management 
area as may be recommended by the Council, the Federal Government, state 
government, or treaty Indian tribes having usual and accustomed fishing 
grounds in the fishery management area.
    (b) NMFS will not allow any exempted fishery recommended by the 
Council unless NMFS determines that the purpose, design, and 
administration of the exempted fishery are consistent with the goals and 
objectives of the Council's fishery management plan, the national 
standards (section 301(a) of the Magnuson Act), and other applicable 
law.
    (c) Each vessel participating in any exempted fishery recommended by 
the Council and allowed by NMFS is subject to all provisions of this 
subpart, except those portions which relate to the purpose and nature of 
the exempted fishery. These exceptions will be specified in a permit 
issued by the Regional Administrator to each vessel participating in the 
exempted fishery and that permit must be carried aboard each 
participating vessel.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 78 FR 10559, Feb. 14, 2013]



Sec. 660.407  Treaty Indian fishing.

    Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, treaty Indian fishing 
in any part of the fishery management area is subject to the provisions 
of this subpart, the Magnuson Act, and any other regulations issued 
under the Magnuson Act.



Sec. 660.408  Annual actions.

    (a) General. NMFS will annually establish specifications and 
management measures or, as necessary, adjust specifications and 
management measures for the commercial, recreational, and

[[Page 339]]

treaty Indian fisheries by publishing the action in the Federal Register 
under Sec. 660.411. Management of the Pacific Coast salmon fishery will 
be conducted consistent with the standards and procedures in the Salmon 
FMP. The Salmon FMP is available from the Regional Administrator or the 
Council. Specifications and management measures are described in 
paragraphs (b) through (o) of this section.
    (b) Annual catch limits. Annual Specifications will include annual 
catch limits (ACLs) determined consistent with the standards and 
procedures in the Salmon FMP.
    (c) Allowable ocean harvest levels. Allowable ocean harvest levels 
must ensure that conservation objectives and ACLs are met, as described 
in Sec. 660.410, except that where the de minimis fishing control rules 
described in Sec. 660.410(c) apply, conservation objectives may not be 
met, provided ACLs are met. The allowable ocean harvest for commercial, 
recreational, and treaty Indian fishing may be expressed in terms of 
season regulations expected to achieve a certain optimum harvest level 
or in terms of a particular number of fish. Procedures for determining 
allowable ocean harvest vary by species and fishery complexity, and are 
documented in the fishery management plan and Council documents.
    (d) Allocation of ocean harvest levels--(1) Coho and chinook from 
the U.S.-Canada border to Cape Falcon--(i) Overall allocation schedule. 
Initial allocation of coho and chinook salmon north of Cape Falcon, OR, 
will be based on the following schedule:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Percentage \1\
   Allowable non-treaty ocean harvest    -------------------------------
           (thousands of fish)              Commercial     Recreational
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coho:
  0-300.................................              25              75
  300........................              60              40
Chinook:
  0-100.................................              50              50
  100-150....................              60              40
  150........................              70             30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The percentage allocation is tiered and must be calculated in
  additive steps when the harvest level exceeds the initial tier. For
  example, for a total allowable ocean harvest of 150,000 chinook, the
  recreational allocation would be equal to 50 percent of 100,000
  chinook plus 40 percent of 50,000 chinook or 50,000 + 20,000 = 70,000
  chinook.

    (ii) Deviations from allocation schedule. The initial allocation may 
be modified annually in accordance with paragraphs (d)(1)(iii) through 
(viii) of this section. These deviations from the allocation schedule 
provide flexibility to account for the dynamic nature of the fisheries 
and better achieve the allocation objectives and fishery allocation 
priorities in paragraphs (d)(1)(ix) and (x) of this section. Total 
allowable ocean harvest will be maximized to the extent possible 
consistent with treaty obligations, state fishery needs, conservation 
objectives, and ACLs. Every effort will be made to establish seasons and 
gear requirements that provide troll and recreational fleets a 
reasonable opportunity to catch the available harvest. These may include 
single-species directed fisheries with landing restrictions for other 
species.
    (iii) Preseason trades. Preseason species trades (chinook and coho) 
may be made if they are based upon the recommendation of the commercial 
and recreational Salmon Advisory Subpanel representatives for the area 
north of Cape Falcon; simultaneously benefit both the commercial and 
recreational fisheries or benefit one fishery without harming the other; 
and are supported by a socio-economic analysis that compares the impacts 
of the recommendation to those of the standard allocation schedule to 
determine the allocation that best meets the allocation objectives. This 
analysis will be made available to the public during the preseason 
process for establishing annual management measures. Preseason trades 
will use an exchange ratio of four coho to one chinook as a desirable 
guideline.
    (iv) Commercial allocation. The commercial allowable ocean harvest 
of chinook and coho derived during the preseason allocation process may 
be varied by major subareas (i.e., north of Leadbetter Point and south 
of Leadbetter Point) if there is need to do so to decrease impacts on 
weak stocks. Deviations in each major subarea will generally not exceed 
50 percent of the allowable ocean harvest of each species that would 
have been established without a geographic deviation in the distribution 
of the allowable ocean harvest. Deviation of more than 50 percent will 
be based on a conservation need to

[[Page 340]]

protect the weak stocks and will provide larger overall harvest for the 
entire fishery north of Cape Falcon than would have been possible 
without the deviation.
    (v) Recreational allocation. The recreational allowable ocean 
harvest of chinook and coho derived during the preseason allocation 
process will be distributed among the four major recreational subareas 
as described in the coho and chinook distribution sections below. The 
Council may deviate from subarea quotas to meet recreational season 
objectives, based on agreement of representatives of the affected ports 
and/or in accordance with section 6.5.3.2 of the Pacific Coast Salmon 
Plan, regarding certain selective fisheries. Additionally, based upon 
the recommendation of the recreational Salmon Advisory Subpanel 
representatives for the area north of Cape Falcon, the Council will 
include criteria in its preseason salmon management recommendations to 
guide any inseason transfer of coho among the recreational subareas to 
meet recreational season duration objectives.
    (A) Coho distribution. The preseason recreational allowable ocean 
harvest of coho north of Cape Falcon will be distributed to provide 50 
percent to the area north of Leadbetter Point and 50 percent to the area 
south of Leadbetter Point. In years with no fishery in Washington State 
management area 4B, the distribution of coho north of Leadbetter Point 
will be divided to provide 74 percent to the subarea between Leadbetter 
Point and the Queets River (Westport), 5.2 percent to the subarea 
between Queets River and Cape Flattery (La Push), and 20.8 percent to 
the area north of the Queets River (Neah Bay). In years when there is an 
Area 4B (Neah Bay) fishery under state management, 25 percent of the 
numerical value of that fishery shall be added to the recreational 
allowable ocean harvest north of Leadbetter Point prior to applying the 
sharing percentages for Westport and La Push. The increase to Westport 
and La Push will be subtracted from the Neah Bay ocean share to maintain 
the same total harvest allocation north of Leadbetter Point. Each of the 
four recreational port area allocations will be rounded, to the nearest 
hundred fish, with the largest quotas rounded downward, if necessary, to 
sum to the preseason recreational allowable ocean harvest of coho north 
of Cape Falcon.
    (B) Chinook distribution. Subarea distributions of Chinook will be 
managed as guidelines based on calculations of the Salmon Technical Team 
with the primary objective of achieving all-species fisheries without 
imposing Chinook restrictions (i.e., area closures or bag limit 
reductions). Chinook in excess of all-species fisheries needs may be 
utilized by directed Chinook fisheries north of Cape Falcon or by 
negotiating a preseason species trade of Chinook and coho between 
commercial and recreational allocations in accordance with paragraph 
(d)(1)(iii) of this section.
    (vi) Inseason trades and transfers. Inseason transfers, including 
species trades of Chinook and coho, may be permitted in either direction 
between commercial and recreational fishery quotas to allow for 
uncatchable fish in one fishery to be reallocated to the other. Fish 
will be deemed uncatchable by a respective commercial or recreational 
fishery only after considering all possible annual management actions to 
allow for their harvest that are consistent with the harvest management 
objectives specific in the fishery management plan including 
consideration of single species fisheries. Implementation of inseason 
transfers will require consultation with the pertinent commercial and 
recreational Salmon Advisory Subpanel representatives from the area 
involved and the Salmon Technical Team, and a clear establishment of 
available fish and impacts from the transfer. Inseason trades or 
transfers may vary from the guideline ratio of four coho to one Chinook 
to meet the allocation objectives in paragraph (d)(1)(ix) of this 
section.
    (vii) Other inseason provisions. Any increase or decrease in the 
recreational or commercial allowable ocean harvest resulting from an 
inseason restructuring of a fishery or other inseason management action 
does not require reallocation of the overall non-treaty allowable ocean 
harvest north of Cape Falcon between the recreational and

[[Page 341]]

commercial fisheries. Inseason redistribution of subarea quotas within 
the recreational fishery or the distribution of allowable coho catch 
transfers from the commercial fishery among subareas may deviate from 
the preseason distribution. Inseason management actions may be taken by 
the Regional Administrator to assure meeting the primary objective of 
achieving all-species fisheries without imposing Chinook restrictions in 
each of the recreational subareas north of Cape Falcon. Such actions 
might include, but are not limited to: Closure from 0 to 3, 0 to 6, 3 to 
200, or 5 to 200 nm from shore; closure from a point extending due west 
from Tatoosh Island for 5 nm, then south to a point due west of Umatilla 
Reef Buoy, then due east to shore; closure from North Head at the 
Columbia River mouth north to Leadbetter Point; change in species that 
may be landed; or other actions as prescribed in the annual management 
measures.
    (viii) Selective fisheries. Deviations from the initial gear and 
port area allocations may be allowed to implement selective fisheries 
for marked salmon stocks as long as the deviations are within the 
constraints and process specified in section 6.5.3.2 of the Pacific 
Coast Salmon Plan.
    (ix) Allocation objectives. The goal of allocating ocean harvest 
north of Cape Falcon is to achieve, to the greatest degree possible, the 
following objectives for the commercial and recreational fisheries. When 
deviation from the allocation schedule is being considered, these 
objectives will serve as criteria to help determine whether a user group 
will benefit from the deviation.
    (A) Provide recreational opportunity by maximizing the duration of 
the fishing season while minimizing daily and area closures and 
restrictions on gear and daily limits.
    (B) Maximize the value of the commercial harvest while providing 
fisheries of reasonable duration.
    (x) Fishery allocation priorities. The following fishery allocation 
priorities will provide guidance in the preseason process of 
establishing final harvest allocations and structuring seasons that best 
achieve the allocation objectives. To the extent fish are provided to 
each fishery by the allocation schedule, these priorities do not favor 
one user group over the other and should be met simultaneously for each 
fishery. Seasons may be structured that deviate from these priorities 
consistent with the allocation objectives.
    (A) At total allowable harvest levels up to 300,000 coho and 100,000 
chinook: For the recreational fishery, provide coho for a late June 
through early September all-species season; provide chinook to allow 
access to coho and, if possible, a minimal chinook-only fishery prior to 
the all-species season; and adjust days per week and/or institute area 
restrictions to stabilize season duration. For the commercial fishery, 
provide chinook for a May and early June chinook season and provide coho 
for hooking mortality and/or access to a pink fishery, and ensure that 
part of the chinook season will occur after June 1.
    (B) At total allowable harvest levels above 300,000 coho and above 
100,000 chinook: For the recreational fishery, relax any restrictions in 
the all-species fishery and/or extend the all-species season beyond 
Labor Day as coho quota allows; provide chinook for a Memorial Day 
through late June chinook-only fishery; and adjust days per week to 
ensure continuity with the all-species season. For the commercial 
fishery, provide coho for an all-species season in late summer and/or 
access to a pink fishery; and leave adequate chinook from the May 
through June season to allow access to coho.
    (2) Coho south of Cape Falcon--(i) Allocation schedule. Preseason 
allocation shares of coho salmon south of Cape Falcon, OR, will be 
determined by an allocation schedule, which is based on the following 
formula. The formula will be used to interpolate between allowable 
harvest levels as shown in the table below.
    (A) Up to 350,000 allowable ocean harvest: The first 150,000 fish 
will be allocated to the recreational fishery. Additional fish will be 
allocated 66.7 percent to troll and 33.3 percent to recreational. The 
incidental coho mortality for a commercial all-salmon-except-coho 
fishery will be deducted from

[[Page 342]]

the troll allocation. If the troll allocation is insufficient for this 
purpose, the remaining number of coho needed for this estimated 
incidental coho mortality will be deducted from the recreational share.
    (B) From 350,000 to 800,000 allowable ocean harvest: The 
recreational allocation is equal to 14 percent of the allowable harvest 
above 350,000 fish, plus 217,000 fish. The remainder of the allowable 
ocean harvest will be allocated to the troll fishery.
    (C) Above 800,000 allowable ocean harvest: The recreational 
allocation is equal to 10 percent of the allowable harvest above 800,000 
fish, plus 280,000 fish. The remainder of the allowable ocean harvest 
will be allocated to the troll fishery.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Commercial              Recreational
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
          Allowable ocean harvest (thousands of fish)              Number                   Number
                                                                (thousands)  Percentage  (thousands)  Percentage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,700.........................................................       2,230        82.6          470        17.4
2,600.........................................................       2,140        82.3          460        17.7
2,500.........................................................       2,050        82.0          450        18.0
2,400.........................................................       1,960        81.7          440        18.3
2,300.........................................................       1,870        81.3          430        18.7
2,200.........................................................       1,780        80.9          420        19.1
2,100.........................................................       1,690        80.5          410        19.5
2,000.........................................................       1,600        80.0          400        20.0
1,900.........................................................       1,510        79.5          390        20.5
1,800.........................................................       1,420        78.9          380        21.1
1,700.........................................................       1,330        78.2          370        21.8
1,600.........................................................       1,240        77.5          360        22.5
1,500.........................................................       1,150        76.7          350        23.3
1,400.........................................................       1,060        75.7          340        24.3
1,300.........................................................         970        74.6          330        25.4
1,200.........................................................         880        73.3          320        26.7
1,100.........................................................         790        71.8          310        28.2
1,000.........................................................         700        70.0          300        30.0
900...........................................................         610        67.8          290        32.2
800...........................................................         520        65.0          280        35.0
700...........................................................         434        62.0          266        38.0
600...........................................................         348        58.0          252        42.0
500...........................................................         262        52.4          238        47.6
400...........................................................         176        44.0          224        56.0
350...........................................................         133        38.0          217        62.0
300...........................................................         100        33.3          200        66.7
200...........................................................      \1\ 33    \1\ 16.5      \1\ 167    \1\ 83.5
100...........................................................       (\1\)       (\1\)        (\1\)       (\1\)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ An incidental coho allowance associated with any commercial all-salmon-except-coho fishery will be deducted
  from the recreational share of coho during periods of low coho abundance when the commercial allocation of
  coho under the schedule would be insufficient to allow for incidental hooking mortality of coho in the
  commercial all-salmon-except-coho fishery.

    (ii) Geographic distribution. Allowable harvest south of Cape Falcon 
may be divided and portions assigned to subareas based on considerations 
including, but not limited to, controlling ocean harvest impacts on 
depressed, viable natural stocks within acceptable maximum allowable 
levels; stock abundance; allocation considerations; stock specific 
impacts; relative abundance of the salmon species in the fishery; 
escapement goals; and maximizing harvest potential.
    (iii) Recreational allocation at 167,000 fish or less. When the 
recreational allocation is at 167,000 fish or less, the total 
recreational allowable ocean harvest of coho will be divided between two 
major subareas with independent impact quotas. The initial allocation 
will be 70 percent from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain and 30 percent 
south of Humbug Mountain. Coho transfers between the two impact quotas 
may be permitted on a one-for-one basis, if chinook constraints preclude 
access to coho. Horse Mountain to Point Arena will be managed for an 
impact guideline of 3 percent of the south of Cape Falcon recreational 
allocation. The recreational coho fishery between Humbug Mountain and 
Point Arena may be closed when it is projected that the harvest impact 
between Humbug Mountain and Point Arena, combined with the projected 
harvest impact that will be taken south of Point Arena to the end of the 
season, equals the impact quota for south of Humbug Mountain. The 
recreational fishery for coho salmon south of Point Arena will not close 
upon attainment of the south of Humbug Mountain impact quota.
    (iv) Oregon coastal natural coho. The allocation provisions in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section provide guidance only when coho 
abundance permits a directed coho harvest, not when the allowable 
harvest impacts are insufficient to allow coho retention south of Cape 
Falcon. At such low levels, allowable harvest impacts will be allocated 
during the Council's preseason process.
    (v) Inseason reallocation. No later than August 15 each year, the 
Salmon Technical Team will estimate the number of coho salmon needed to 
complete the recreational seasons. Any coho salmon allocated to the 
recreational fishery that are not needed to complete the recreational 
seasons will be reallocated to the commercial fishery. Once reallocation 
has taken place, the remaining recreational quota will change to a 
harvest guideline. If the harvest

[[Page 343]]

guideline for the recreational fishery is projected to be reached on or 
before Labor Day, the Regional Administrator may allow the recreational 
fishery to continue through the Labor Day weekend only if there is no 
significant danger of impacting the allocation of another fishery or of 
failing to meet an escapement goal.
    (e) Management boundaries and zones. Management boundaries and zones 
will be established or adjusted to achieve a conservation purpose or 
management objective. A conservation purpose or management objective 
protects a fish stock, simplifies management of a fishery, or promotes 
wise use of fishery resources by, for example, separating fish stocks, 
facilitating enforcement, separating conflicting fishing activities, or 
facilitating harvest opportunities. Management boundaries and zones will 
be described by geographical references, coordinates (latitude and 
longitude), depth contours, distance from shore, or similar criteria.
    (f) Minimum harvest lengths. The minimum harvest lengths for 
commercial, recreational, and treaty Indian fishing may be changed upon 
demonstration that a useful purpose will be served. For example, an 
increase in minimum size for commercially caught salmon may be necessary 
for conservation or may provide a greater poundage and monetary yield 
from the fishery while not substantially increasing hooking mortality. 
The removal of a minimum size for the recreational fishery may prevent 
wastage of fish and outweigh the detrimental impacts of harvesting 
immature fish.
    (g) Recreational daily bag limits. Recreational daily bag limits for 
each fishing area will specify number and species of salmon that may be 
retained. The recreational daily bag limits for each fishing area will 
be set to maximize the length of the fishing season consistent with the 
allowable level of harvest in the area.
    (h) Fishing gear restrictions. Gear restrictions for commercial, 
recreational, and treaty Indian fishing may be established or modified 
upon demonstration that a useful purpose will be served. For example, 
gear restrictions may be imposed or modified to facilitate enforcement, 
reduce hooking mortality, or reduce gear expenses for fishermen.
    (i) Seasons--(1) In general. Seasons for commercial and recreational 
fishing will be established or modified taking into account allowable 
ocean harvest levels and quotas, allocations between the commercial and 
recreational fisheries, and the estimated amount of effort required to 
catch the available fish based on past seasons.
    (2) Commercial seasons. Commercial seasons will be established or 
modified taking into account wastage of fish that cannot legally be 
retained, size and poundage of fish caught, effort shifts between 
fishing areas, and protection of depressed stocks present in the fishing 
areas. All-species seasons will be established to allow the maximum 
allowable harvest of pink salmon, when and where available, without 
exceeding allowable Chinook or coho harvest levels and within 
conservation and allocation constraints of the pink stocks.
    (3) Recreational seasons. If feasible, recreational seasons will be 
established or modified to encompass Memorial Day and Labor Day 
weekends, and to avoid the need for inseason closures.
    (j) Quotas (by species, including fish caught 0-3 nm seaward of 
Washington, Oregon, and California). Quotas for commercial, 
recreational, and treaty Indian fishing may be established or modified 
to ensure that allowable ocean harvests are not exceeded. Quotas may be 
fixed or adjustable and used in conjunction with seasons. Any quota 
established does not represent a guaranteed ocean harvest, but a maximum 
ceiling on catch.
    (k) Selective fisheries--(1) In general. In addition to the all-
species seasons and the all-species-except-coho seasons established for 
the commercial and recreational fisheries, species selective fisheries 
and mark selective fisheries may be established.
    (2) Species selective fisheries. Selective coho-only, Chinook-only, 
pink-only, all salmon except Chinook, and all salmon except coho 
fisheries may be established if harvestable fish of the target species 
are available; harvest of incidental species will not exceed allowable 
levels; proven, documented selective gear exists; significant wastage of

[[Page 344]]

incidental species will not occur; and the selective fishery will occur 
in an acceptable time and area where wastage can be minimized and target 
stocks are primarily available.
    (3) Mark selective fisheries. Fisheries that select for salmon 
marked with a healed adipose fin clip may be established in the annual 
management measures as long as they are consistent with guidelines in 
section 6.5.3.1 of the Pacific Coast Salmon Plan.
    (l) Treaty Indian fishing. (1) NMFS will establish or modify treaty 
Indian fishing seasons and/or fixed or adjustable quotas, size limits, 
gear restrictions, and/or area restrictions taking into account 
recommendations of the Council, proposals from affected tribes, and 
relevant Federal court proceedings.
    (2) The combined treaty Indian fishing seasons will not be longer 
than necessary to harvest the allowable treaty Indian catch, which is 
the total treaty harvest that would occur if the tribes chose to take 
their total entitlement of the weakest stock in the fishery management 
area, assuming this level of harvest did not create conservation or 
allocation problems for other stocks.
    (3) Any fixed or adjustable quotas established will be consistent 
with established treaty rights and will not exceed the harvest that 
would occur if the entire treaty entitlement to the weakest run were 
taken by treaty Indian fisheries in the fishery management area.
    (4) If adjustable quotas are established for treaty Indian fishing, 
they may be subject to inseason adjustment because of unanticipated 
Chinook or coho hooking mortality occurring during the season, catches 
in treaty Indian fisheries inconsistent with those unanticipated under 
Federal regulations, or a need to redistribute quotas to ensure 
attainment of an overall quota.
    (m) Yurok and Hoopa Valley tribal fishing rights. For purposes of 
section 303 of the Magnuson Act, the federally reserved fishing rights 
of the Yurok and Hoopa Valley Indian Tribes as set out in a legal 
opinion \2\ dated October 4, 1993, by the Office of the Solicitor, 
Department of the Interior, are applicable law. Under section 303 of the 
Magnuson Act, allowable ocean harvest must be consistent with all 
applicable laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Copies of the Solicitor's Opinion are available from the West 
Coast Region, NMFS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (n) Inseason notice procedures. Telephone hotlines and USCG 
broadcasts will provide actual notice of inseason actions for 
commercial, recreational, and treaty Indian fishing.
    (o) Reporting requirements. Reporting requirements for commercial 
fishing may be imposed to ensure timely and accurate assessment of 
catches in regulatory areas subject to quota management. Such reports 
are subject to the limitations described herein. Persons engaged in 
commercial fishing in a regulatory area subject to quota management and 
landing their catch in another regulatory area open to fishing may be 
required to transmit a brief report prior to leaving the first 
regulatory area. The regulatory areas subject to these reporting 
requirements, the contents of the reports, and the entities receiving 
the reports will be specified annually.

[61 FR 34601, July 2, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 26328, May 14, 1999; 66 
FR 29241, May 30, 2001; 76 FR 81859, Dec. 29, 2011; 78 FR 10559, Feb. 
14, 2013; 87 FR 25430, Apr. 29, 2022]



Sec. 660.409  Inseason actions.

    (a) Fixed inseason management provisions. NMFS is authorized to take 
the following inseason management actions annually, as appropriate.
    (1) Automatic season closures based on quotas. When a quota for the 
commercial or the recreational fishery, or both, for any salmon species 
in any portion of the fishery management area is projected by the 
Regional Administrator to be reached on or by a certain date, NMFS will, 
by an inseason action issued under Sec. 660.411, close the commercial 
or recreational fishery, or both, for all salmon species in the portion 
of the fishery management area to which the quota applies as of the date 
the quota is projected to be reached.
    (2) Rescission of automatic closure. If a fishery is closed under a 
quota before the end of a scheduled season based on overestimate of 
actual catch, NMFS will reopen that fishery in as timely a manner as 
possible for all or part of the remaining original season provided

[[Page 345]]

NMFS finds that a reopening of the fishery is consistent with the 
management objectives for the affected species and the additional open 
period is no less than 24 hours. The season will be reopened by an 
inseason action issued under Sec. 660.411.
    (3) Adjustment for error in preseason estimates. NMFS may, by an 
inseason action issued under Sec. 660.411, make appropriate changes in 
relevant seasons or quotas if a significant computational error or 
errors made in calculating preseason estimates of salmon abundance are 
identified, provided that such correction can be made in a timely manner 
to affect the involved fishery without disrupting the capacity to meet 
the objectives of the fishery management plan.
    (b) Flexible inseason management provisions. (1) The Regional 
Administrator will consult with the Chairman of the Council and the 
appropriate State Directors prior to taking any of the following 
flexible inseason management provisions, which include, but are not 
limited to, the following:
    (i) Modification of quotas and/or fishing seasons.
    (ii) Modification of the species that may be caught and landed 
during specific seasons and the establishment or modification of limited 
retention regulations.
    (iii) Modification of recreational bag limits and recreational 
fishing days per calendar week.
    (iv) Establishment or modification of gear restrictions.
    (v) Modification of boundaries, including landing boundaries, and 
establishment of closed areas.
    (2) Fishery managers must determine that any inseason adjustment in 
management measures is consistent with fishery regimes established by 
the U.S.-Canada Pacific Salmon Commission, conservation objectives and 
ACLs, conservation of the salmon resource, any adjudicated Indian 
fishing rights, and the ocean allocation scheme in the fishery 
management plan. All inseason adjustments will be based on consideration 
of the following factors:
    (i) Predicted sizes of salmon runs.
    (ii) Harvest quotas and hooking mortality limits for the area and 
total allowable impact limitations, if applicable.
    (iii) Amount of commercial, recreational, and treaty Indian catch 
for each species in the area to date.
    (iv) Amount of commercial, recreational, and treaty Indian fishing 
effort in the area to date.
    (v) Estimated average daily catch per fisherman.
    (vi) Predicted fishing effort for the area to the end of the 
scheduled season.
    (vii) Other factors, as appropriate.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 81860, Dec. 29, 2011]



Sec. 660.410  Conservation objectives, ACLs, and de minimis control rules.

    (a) Conservation objectives. Annual management measures will be 
consistent with conservation objectives described in Table 3-1 of the 
Salmon FMP or as modified through the processes described below, except 
where the ACL escapement level for a stock is higher than the 
conservation objective, in which case annual management measures will be 
designed to ensure that the ACL for that stock is met, or where the de 
minimis control rules described in paragraph (c) of this section apply.
    (1) Modification of conservation objectives. NMFS is authorized, 
through an action issued under Sec. 660.411, to modify a conservation 
objective if--
    (i) A comprehensive technical review of the best scientific 
information available provides conclusive evidence that, in the view of 
the Council, the Scientific and Statistical Committee, and the Salmon 
Technical Team, justifies modification of a conservation objective or
    (ii) Action by a Federal court indicates that modification of a 
conservation objective is appropriate.
    (2) ESA-listed species. The annual specifications and management 
measures will be consistent with NMFS consultation standards or NMFS 
recovery plans for species listed under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA). Where these standards differ from those described in FMP Table 3-
1, NMFS will describe the ESA-related standards for the upcoming annual 
specifications and management measures in a letter to the Council prior 
to the first Council

[[Page 346]]

meeting at which the development of those annual management measures 
occurs.
    (b) Annual Catch Limits. Annual management measures will be designed 
to ensure escapement levels at or higher than ACLs determined through 
the procedures set forth in the FMP.
    (c) De minimis control rules. Klamath River fall Chinook and 
Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon have the same form of de minimis 
control rule described in the FMP, which allows for limited fishing 
impacts when abundance falls below SMSY. The control rule 
describes maximum allowable exploitation rates at any given level of 
abundance. The annual management measures may provide for lower 
exploitation rates as needed to address uncertainties or other year-
specific circumstances. The de minimis exploitation rate in a given year 
must also be determined in consideration of the following factors:
    (1) The potential for critically low natural spawner abundance, 
including considerations for substocks that may fall below crucial 
genetic thresholds;
    (2) Spawner abundance levels in recent years;
    (3) The status of co-mingled stocks;
    (4) Indicators of marine and freshwater environmental conditions;
    (5) Minimal needs for tribal fisheries;
    (6) Whether the stock is currently in an approaching overfished 
condition;
    (7) Whether the stock is currently overfished;
    (8) Other considerations as appropriate.
    (9) Exploitation rates, including de minimis exploitation rates, 
must not jeopardize the long-term capacity of the stock to produce 
maximum sustained yield on a continuing basis. NMFS expects that the 
control rule and associated criteria will result in decreasing harvest 
opportunity as abundance declines and little or no opportunity for 
harvest at abundance levels less than half of MSST.

[76 FR 81860, Dec. 29, 2011]



Sec. 660.411  Notification and publication procedures.

    (a) Notification and effective dates. (1) Annual and certain other 
actions taken under Sec. Sec. 660.408 and 660.410 will be implemented 
by an action published in the Federal Register, and will be effective 
upon filing, unless a later time is specified in the action.
    (2) Inseason actions taken under Sec. 660.409 will be by actual 
notice available from telephone hotlines and USCG broadcasts, as 
specified annually. Inseason actions will also be published in the 
Federal Register as soon as practicable. Inseason actions will be 
effective from the time specified in the actual notice of the action 
(telephone hotlines and USCG broadcasts), or at the time the inseason 
action published in the Federal Register is effective, whichever comes 
first.
    (3) Any action issued under this section will remain in effect until 
the expiration date stated in the action or until rescinded, modified, 
or superseded. However, no inseason action has any effect beyond the end 
of the calendar year in which it is issued.
    (b) Public comment. If time allows, NMFS will invite public comment 
prior to the effective date of any action published in the Federal 
Register.
    (c) Availability of data. The Regional Administrator will compile in 
aggregate form all data and other information relevant to the action 
being taken and will make them available for public review upon request. 
Contact information will be published annually in the Federal Register, 
posted on the NMFS website, and announced on the telephone hotline.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 78 FR 10559, Feb. 14, 2013; 87 
FR 25430, Apr. 29, 2022]



Sec. 660.412  EFH identifications and descriptions for Pacific salmon.

    Essential fish habitat (EFH) is identified for anadromous Pacific 
salmon stocks managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) 
under the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP). These 
managed salmon include most of the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus 
tshawytscha) stocks and all of the coho salmon (O. kisutch) stocks from 
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California; as well as pink salmon (O. 
gorbuscha) stocks originating from watersheds within Puget Sound east 
of, and including, the Elwha River. The geographic extent of

[[Page 347]]

freshwater EFH is specifically identified in the FMP as all water bodies 
currently or historically occupied by PFMC-managed salmon in Washington, 
Oregon, Idaho, and California; including aquatic areas above all 
artificial barriers that are not specifically excluded. Freshwater EFH, 
identified in Table 1 of this subpart H, is described using fourth field 
hydrologic unit codes developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (defined 
in U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service: Federal guidelines, requirements, and 
procedures for the national Watershed Boundary Dataset: U.S. Geological 
Survey Techniques and Methods 11-A3, 2009). Table 1 also identifies the 
dams that represent the upstream extent of EFH in each hydrologic unit.
    (a) Chinook salmon EFH includes all water bodies currently or 
historically occupied by PFMC-managed Chinook salmon in Washington, 
Oregon, Idaho, and California as identified in Table 1 of this subpart. 
Chinook salmon EFH also includes the estuarine and marine areas 
extending from the extreme high tide line in nearshore and tidal 
submerged environments within state territorial waters out to the full 
extent of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles) 
offshore of Washington, Oregon, and California north of Point 
Conception; and the marine areas of Alaska that are designated as 
Chinook salmon EFH by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(NPFMC), for stocks that are also managed by the PFMC.
    (b) Coho salmon EFH includes all water bodies currently or 
historically occupied by PFMC-managed coho salmon in Washington, Oregon, 
Idaho, and California as identified in Table 1 of this subpart. Coho 
salmon EFH also includes the estuarine and marine areas extending from 
the extreme high tide line in nearshore and tidal submerged environments 
within state territorial waters out to the full extent of the EEZ (200 
nautical miles) offshore of Washington, Oregon, and California north of 
Point Conception; and the marine areas of Alaska that are designated as 
coho salmon EFH by the NPFMC, for stocks that are also managed by the 
PFMC.
    (c) Puget Sound pink salmon EFH includes all water bodies currently 
or historically occupied by PFMC-managed Puget Sound pink salmon in 
Washington State as identified in Table 1 of this subpart. Puget Sound 
pink salmon EFH also includes the estuarine and marine areas extending 
from the extreme high tide line in nearshore and tidal submerged 
environments within state territorial waters north and east of Cape 
Flattery, Washington, including Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca 
and Strait of Georgia; the waters of the U.S. EEZ north of 48[deg] N 
latitude to the U.S.-Canada border; and marine areas of Alaska that are 
designated as pink salmon EFH by the NPFMC, for stocks that are also 
managed by the PFMC.

[79 FR 75450, Dec. 18, 2014]



Sec. 660.413  Overfished species rebuilding plans.

    For each overfished salmon stock with an approved rebuilding plan, 
annual management measures will be established using the standards in 
this section, specifically the target date for rebuilding the stock to 
its maximum sustainable yield (MSY) level (generally expressed as 
SMSY) and the harvest control rule to be used to rebuild the 
stock.
    (a) Klamath River Fall-run Chinook Salmon (KRFC). KRFC was declared 
overfished in 2018. The target year for rebuilding the KRFC stock is 
2020. The harvest control rule during the rebuilding period for the KRFC 
stock is the de minimis control rule specified in the FMP and at Sec. 
660.410(c), which allows for limited fishing impacts when abundance 
falls below SMSY. The control rule describes maximum 
allowable exploitation rates at any given level of abundance. The 
control rule is presented in Figure 1 of subpart H of this part.
    (1) The KRFC control rule uses reference points FABC 
MSST, SMSY, and two levels of de minimis exploitation rates, 
F = 0.10 and F = 0.25. The maximum allowable exploitation rate, F, in a 
given year, depends on the pre-fishery ocean abundance in spawner 
equivalent units, N. At high abundance, the control rule caps the 
exploitation rate at FABC; at moderate abundance, the control 
rule specifies an F that results

[[Page 348]]

in SMSY spawners; and at low abundance (i.e. when expected 
escapement is below SMSY), the control rule allows for de 
minimis exploitation rates with the abundance breakpoints defined as: A 
= MSST/2; B = (MSST + SMSY)/2; C = SMSY/(1--0.25); 
D = SMSY/(1--FABC), as shown in Figure 1 of 
subpart H of this part. For N between 0 and A, F increases linearly from 
0 at N = 0, to 0.10 at N = A. For N between A and MSST, F is equal to 
0.10. For N between MSST and B, F increases linearly from 0.10 at N = 
MSST, to 0.25 at N = B. For N between B and C, F is equal to 0.25. For N 
between C and D, F is the value that results in SMSY 
spawners. For N greater than D, F is equal to FABC.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) [Reserved]
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29AP22.001
    
    (c) Juan de Fuca coho. The Juan de Fuca coho salmon stock was 
declared overfished in 2018. The target year for rebuilding Juan de Fuca 
coho is 2023. The harvest control rule during the rebuilding period for 
Juan de Fuca coho is the abundance-based stepped harvest rate as shown 
in table 1 to this paragraph (c).

                        Table 1 to Paragraph (c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Juan de Fuca coho stepped harvest rates
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total allowable
      Abundance category            Age-3 ocean       exploitation rate
                                     abundance            (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Normal.......................  Greater than 27,445.                   60
Low..........................  Between 11,679 and                     40
                                27,445.
Critical.....................  11,679 or less......                   20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Queets coho. The Queets coho salmon stock was declared 
overfished in 2018. The target year for rebuilding

[[Page 349]]

Queets coho is 2019. The harvest control rule during the rebuilding 
period for Queets coho is the abundance-based stepped harvest rate as 
shown in table 2 to this paragraph (d).

                        Table 2 to Paragraph (d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Queets coho stepped harvest rates
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total allowable
      Abundance category          Age-3 abundance     exploitation rate
                                                          (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Normal.......................  Greater than 9,667..                   65
Low..........................  Between 7,250 and                      40
                                9,667.
Critical.....................  Less than 7,250.....                   20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Snohomish coho. (1) The Snohomish coho salmon stock was declared 
overfished in 2018. The target year for rebuilding Snohomish coho is 
2020. The harvest control rule during the rebuilding period for 
Snohomish coho is the abundance-based stepped harvest rate as shown in 
table 3 to this paragraph (e).

                       Table 3 to Paragraph (e)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Snohomish coho stepped harvest rates
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total allowable
      Abundance category          Age-3 abundance     exploitation rate
                                                          (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Normal.......................  Greater than 137,000                   60
Low..........................  Between 51,667 and                     40
                                137,000.
Critical.....................  Less than 51,667....                   20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) In years when Snohomish coho abundance is forecast to exceed 
137,000, the total allowable exploitation rate will be limited to target 
achieving a spawning escapement of 55,000 Snohomish coho.

[85 FR 75921, Nov. 27, 2020, as amended at 86 FR 9302, Feb. 12, 2021; 87 
FR 25430, Apr. 29, 2022]



Sec. Table 1 to Subpart H of Part 660--Pacific Salmon EFH Identified by 
                     USGS Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4th Field  hydrologic unit    Hydrologic unit                    Chinook    Coho   Puget Sound     Impassable
            code                    name            State(s)      salmon    salmon  pink salmon       dam(s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17020005....................  Chief Joseph....  WA.............         X        X  ...........  Chief Joseph
                                                                                                  Dam.
17020006....................  Okanogan........  WA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17020007....................  Similkameen.....  WA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17020008....................  Methow..........  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17020009....................  Lake Chelan.....  WA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17020010....................  Upper Columbia-   WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Entiat.
17020011....................  Wenatchee.......  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17020012....................  Moses Coulee....  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17020015....................  Lower Crab......  WA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17020016....................  Upper Columbia-   WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Priest Rapids.
17030001....................  Upper Yakima....  WA.............         X        X  ...........  Keechelus Dam
                                                                                                  Kachess Dam
                                                                                                  (Kachess
                                                                                                  River).
17030002....................  Naches..........  WA.............         X        X  ...........  Rimrock Dam
                                                                                                  (Tieton
                                                                                                  River).
17030003....................  Lower Yakima....  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17060101....................  Hells Canyon....  OR/ID..........         X  .......  ...........  Hells Canyon
                                                                                                  Dam.
17060102....................  Imnaha River....  OR/ID..........         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060103....................  Lower Snake-      OR/WA/ID.......         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Asotin.
17060104....................  Upper Grande      OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Ronde River.
17060105....................  Wallowa River...  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.

[[Page 350]]

 
17060106....................  Lower Grande      OR/WA..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Ronde.
17060107....................  Lower Snake-      WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Tucannon.
17060108....................  Palouse River...  WA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060110....................  Lower Snake       WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               River.
17060201....................  Upper Salmon....  ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060202....................  Pahsimeroi......  ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060203....................  Middle Salmon-    ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Panther.
17060204....................  Lemhi...........  ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060205....................  Upper Middle      ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Fork Salmon.
17060206....................  Lower Middle      ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Fork Salmon.
17060207....................  Middle Salmon-    ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Chamberlain.
17060208....................  South Fork        ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Salmon.
17060209....................  Lower Salmon....  ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060210....................  Little Salmon...  ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060301....................  Upper Selway....  ID.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17060302....................  Lower Selway....  ID.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17060303....................  Lochsa..........  ID.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
17060304....................  Middle Fork       ID.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Clearwater.
17060305....................  South Fork        ID.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Clearwater.
17060306....................  Clearwater......  WA/ID..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17060308....................  Lower North Fork  ID.............         X  .......  ...........  Dworshak Dam.
                               Clearwater.
17070101....................  Middle Columbia-  OR/WA..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Lake Wallula.
17070103....................  Umatilla........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  McKay Dam
                                                                                                  (McKay Creek).
17070105....................  Middle Columbia-  OR/WA..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Hood.
17070106....................  Klickitat.......  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17070306....................  Lower Deschutes.  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17080001....................  Lower Columbia-   OR/WA..........         X        X  ...........  Bull Run Dam
                               Sandy.                                                             2.
17080002....................  Lewis...........  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17080003....................  Lower Columbia-   OR/WA..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Clatskanie.
17080004....................  Upper Cowlitz...  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17080005....................  Cowlitz.........  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17080006....................  Lower Columbia..  OR/WA..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17090001....................  Middle Fork       OR.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Willamette.
17090002....................  Coast Fork        OR.............         X  .......  ...........  Dorena Dam.
                               Willamette.
17090003....................  Upper Willamette  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17090004....................  McKenzie........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  Cougar Dam.\1\
17090005....................  North Santiam...  OR.............         X        X  ...........  Big Cliff
                                                                                                  Dam.\2\
17090006....................  South Santiam...  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17090007....................  Middle            OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Willamette.
17090008....................  Yamhill.........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17090009....................  Molalla-Pudding.  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17090010....................  Tualatin........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17090011....................  Clackamas.......  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17090012....................  Lower Willamette  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100101....................  Hoh-Quillayute..  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100102....................  Queets-Quinault.  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100103....................  Upper Chehalis..  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100104....................  Lower Chehalis..  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100105....................  Grays Harbor....  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100106....................  Willapa.........  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100201....................  Necanicum.......  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100202....................  Nehalem.........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100203....................  Wilson-Trask-     OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Nestucca.
17100204....................  Siletz-Yaquina..  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100205....................  Alsea...........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100206....................  Siuslaw.........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100207....................  Siltcoos........  OR.............  ........        X  ...........  n/a.
17100301....................  North Umpqua....  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100302....................  South Umpqua....  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100303....................  Umpqua..........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100304....................  Coos............  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100305....................  Coquille........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100306....................  Sixes...........  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100307....................  Upper Rogue.....  OR.............         X        X  ...........  Lost Creek Dam.
17100308....................  Middle Rogue....  OR.............         X        X  ...........  Emigrant Dam.
17100309....................  Applegate.......  CA/OR..........         X        X  ...........  Applegate Dam.
17100310....................  Lower Rogue.....  OR.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100311....................  Illinois........  CA/OR..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17100312....................  Chetco..........  CA/OR..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17110001....................  Fraser..........  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17110002....................  Strait Of         WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
                               Georgia.
17110003....................  San Juan Islands  WA.............  ........        X  ...........  n/a.

[[Page 351]]

 
17110004....................  Nooksack........  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110005....................  Upper Skagit....  WA.............         X        X            X  Gorge Lake Dam.
17110006....................  Sauk............  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110007....................  Lower Skagit....  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110008....................  Stillaguamish...  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110009....................  Skykomish.......  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110010....................  Snoqualmie......  WA.............         X        X            X  Tolt Dam (S.
                                                                                                  Fork Tolt
                                                                                                  River).
17110011....................  Snohomish.......  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110012....................  Lake Washington.  WA.............         X        X  ...........  Cedar Falls
                                                                                                  (Masonry) Dam
                                                                                                  (Cedar River).
17110013....................  Duwamish........  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110014....................  Puyallup........  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110015....................  Nisqually.......  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110016....................  Deschutes.......  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
17110017....................  Skokomish.......  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110018....................  Hood Canal......  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110019....................  Puget Sound.....  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110020....................  Dungeness-Elwha.  WA.............         X        X            X  n/a.
17110021....................  Crescent-Hoko...  WA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010101....................  Smith River.....  CA/OR..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010102....................  Mad-Redwood.....  CA.............         X        X  ...........  Robert W.
                                                                                                  Matthews Dam.
18010103....................  Upper Eel.......  CA.............         X        X  ...........  Scott Dam.
18010104....................  Middle Fork Eel.  CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010105....................  Lower Eel.......  CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010106....................  South Fork Eel..  CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010107....................  Mattole.........  CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010108....................  Big-Navarro-      CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Garcia.
18010109....................  Gualala-Salmon..  CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010110....................  Russian.........  CA.............         X        X  ...........  Coyote Valley
                                                                                                  Dam (E. Fork
                                                                                                  Russian R.)
                                                                                                  Warm Springs
                                                                                                  Dam (Dry Cr.).
18010206....................  Upper Klamath...  CA/OR..........         X        X  ...........  Keno Dam.
18010207....................  Shasta..........  CA.............         X        X  ...........  Dwinnell Dam.
18010208....................  Scott...........  CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010209....................  Lower Klamath...  CA/OR..........         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010210....................  Salmon..........  CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
18010211....................  Trinity.........  CA.............         X        X  ...........  Lewiston Dam.
18010212....................  South Fork        CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Trinity.
18020104....................  Sacramento-Stone  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Corral.
18020111....................  Lower American..  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Nimbus Dam.
18020115....................  Upper Stony.....  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Black Butte
                                                                                                  Dam.
18020116....................  Upper Cache.....  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Capay Dam.\3\
18020125....................  Upper Yuba......  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18020126....................  Upper Bear......  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Camp Far West
                                                                                                  Dam.
18020151....................  Cow Creek.......  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18020152....................  Cottonwood Creek  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18020153....................  Battle Creek....  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18020154....................  Clear Creek-      CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Keswick Dam
                               Sacramento                                                         (Sacramento
                               River.                                                             R.),
                                                                                                  Whiskeytown
                                                                                                  Dam (Clear
                                                                                                  Creek).
18020155....................  Paynes Creek-     CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Sacramento
                               River.
18020156....................  Thomes Creek-     CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Sacramento
                               River.
18020157....................  Big Chico Creek-  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Sacramento
                               River.
18020158....................  Butte Creek.....  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18020159....................  Honcut            CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Feather River
                               Headwaters-                                                        Fish Barrier
                               Lower Feather.                                                     Dam.
18020161....................  Upper Coon-Upper  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Auburn \4\
18020162....................  Upper Putah.....  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Monticello Dam.
18020163....................  Lower Sacramento  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18040001....................  Middle San        CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Buchanan Dam
                               Joaquin-Lower                                                      (Chowchilla
                               Chowchilla \5\                                                     River), Bear
                                                                                                  Dam (Bear
                                                                                                  Creek), Owens
                                                                                                  Dam (Owens
                                                                                                  Creek)
                                                                                                  Mariposa Dam.
18040002....................  Lower San         CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Joaquin River
                               \5\
18040003....................  San Joaquin       CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
                               Delta.
18040007....................  Fresno River....  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Hidden Dam.
18040008....................  Upper Merced....  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Crocker-Huffman
                                                                                                  Diversion Dam.
18040009....................  Upper Tuolumne..  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  La Grange Dam
                                                                                                  (Tuolumne R.).
18040010....................  Upper Stanislaus  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Goodwin Dam.

[[Page 352]]

 
18040011....................  Upper Calaveras.  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  New Hogan Dam.
18040012....................  Upper Mokelumne.  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  Camanche Dam.
18040013....................  Upper Cosumnes..  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18050001....................  Suisun Bay......  CA.............         X  .......  ...........  n/a.
18050002....................  San Pablo Bay...  CA.............         X        X  ...........  San Pablo Dam
                                                                                                  (San Pablo
                                                                                                  Cr.).
18050003....................  Coyote..........  CA.............         X        X  ...........  LeRoy Anderson
                                                                                                  Dam.
18050004....................  San Francisco     CA.............         X        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Bay.
18050005....................  Tomales-Drake     CA.............         X        X  ...........  Nicasio Dam
                               Bays.                                                              (Nicasio Cr.)
                                                                                                  Peters Dam
                                                                                                  (Lagunitas
                                                                                                  Cr.).
18050006....................  San Francisco     CA.............  ........        X  ...........  n/a.
                               Coastal South.
18060015....................  Monterey Bay \6\  CA.............  ........        X  ...........  Newell Dam
                                                                                                  (Newell Cr.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Cougar Dam is a barrier to coho salmon only. Chinook salmon are trapped and hauled above the dam.
\2\ Big Cliff Dam is a barrier to coho salmon only. Chinook salmon are trapped and hauled above the dam.
\3\ Capay Dam was selected as the upstream extent of EFH because it was identified as a complete barrier by NMFS
  biologists and is located in the vicinity of the historical upstream extent of Chinook salmon distribution.
\4\ Natural ``lower falls'' are downstream of any artificial barriers that would meet the criteria for
  designating them as the upstream extent of EFH; therefore, the upstream extent of EFH within this HU is at the
  ``lower falls''.
\5\ EFH for Chinook salmon in the Middle San Joaquin-Lower Chowchilla HU (18040001) and Lower San Joaquin River
  HU (18040002) includes the San Joaquin River, its eastern tributaries, and the lower reaches of the western
  tributaries. Although there is no evidence of current or historical Chinook salmon distribution in the western
  tributaries (Yoshiyama et al. 2001), the lower reaches of these tributaries could provide juvenile rearing
  habitat or refugia from high flows during floods as salmon migrate along the mainstem in this area.
\6\ EFH for coho salmon in the Monterey Bay HU does not include the sections south of the Pajaro HU (18060002).


[79 FR 75450, Dec. 18, 2014]



                  Subpart I_Coastal Pelagics Fisheries

    Source: 64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.501  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart implements the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal 
Pelagic Species (FMP). These regulations govern commercial fishing for 
CPS in the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.



Sec. 660.502  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and in 
Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, the terms used in this subpart have the 
following meanings:
    Advisory Subpanel (AP) means the Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory 
Subpanel that comprises members of the fishing industry and public 
appointed by the Council to review proposed actions for managing the 
coastal pelagic fisheries.
    Biomass means the estimated amount, by weight, of a coastal pelagic 
species population. The term biomass means total biomass (age 1 and 
above) unless stated otherwise.
    Coastal pelagic species (CPS) means northern anchovy (Engraulis 
mordax), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), Pacific sardine 
(Sardinops sagax), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus), and market 
squid (Loligo opelescens).
    Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT) means the 
individuals appointed by the Council to review, analyze, and develop 
management measures for the CPS fishery.
    Comparable capacity means gross tonnage plus 10 percent of the 
vessel's calculated gross tonnage.
    Council means the Pacific Fishery Management Council, including its 
CPSMT, AP, Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), and any other 
committee established by the Council.
    Finfish means northern anchovy, Pacific mackerel, Pacific sardine, 
and jack mackerel.
    Fishery Management Area means the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, 
Oregon, and California between 3 and 200 nautical miles offshore, 
bounded in the north by the Provisional International Boundary between 
the United States and Canada, and bounded in the south by the 
International Boundary between the United States and Mexico.
    Fishing trip means a period of time between landings when fishing is 
conducted.
    Gross tonnage (GT) means gross tonnage as determined by the formula 
in

[[Page 353]]

46 CFR 69.209(a) for a vessel not designed for sailing (.67 x length x 
breadth x depth/100). A vessel's length, breadth, and depth are those 
specified on the vessel's certificate of documentation issued by the 
U.S. Coast Guard or State.
    Harvest guideline means a specified numerical harvest objective that 
is not a quota. Attainment of a harvest guideline does not require 
complete closure of a fishery. It is operationally similar to an Annual 
Catch Target (ACT) (as defined at Sec. 600.310(f)(2) of this chapter).
    Harvesting vessel means a vessel involved in the attempt or actual 
catching, taking or harvesting of fish, or any activity that can 
reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking or harvesting 
of fish.
    Initial harvest guideline means a specified numerical harvest 
objective set at the beginning of the fishing season.
    Krill means all species of euphausiids that occur in the EEZ off the 
West Coast.
    Land or Landing means to begin transfer of fish from a fishing 
vessel. Once transfer begins, all fish onboard the vessel are counted as 
part of the landing.
    Limited entry fishery means the commercial fishery consisting of 
vessels fishing for CPS in the CPS Management Zone under limited entry 
permits issued under Sec. 660.512.
    Live bait fishery means fishing for CPS for use as live bait in 
other fisheries.
    Nonreduction fishery means fishing for CPS for use as dead bait or 
for processing for direct human consumption.
    Owner, means a person who is identified as the current owner in the 
Certificate of Documentation (CG-1270) issued by the U.S. Coast Guard 
for a documented vessel, or in a registration certificate issued by a 
state or the U.S. Coast Guard for an undocumented vessel.
    Person, means any individual, corporation, partnership, association 
or other entity (whether or not organized or existing under the laws of 
any state), and any Federal, state, or local government, or any entity 
of any such government that is eligible to own a documented vessel under 
the terms of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a).
    Processing or to process means preparing or packaging coastal 
pelagic species to render the fish suitable for human consumption, pet 
food, industrial uses or long-term storage, including, but not limited 
to, cooking, canning, smoking, salting, drying, filleting, freezing, or 
rendering into meal or oil, but does not mean heading and gutting unless 
there is additional preparation.
    Prohibited harvest species means all krill species in the EEZ off 
the West Coast.
    Prohibited Species means all species of trout and salmon 
(Salmonidae) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis).
    Quota means a specified numerical harvest objective for a single 
species of CPS, the attainment (or expected attainment) of which causes 
the complete closure of the fishery for that species.
    Reduction fishery means fishing for CPS for the purposes of 
conversion into fish flour, fish meal, fish scrap, fertilizer, fish oil, 
other fishery products, or byproducts for purposes other than direct 
human consumption.
    Regional Administrator means the Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, NMFS,501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213, or a designee.
    Reserve means a portion of the harvest guideline or quota set aside 
at the beginning of the year for specific purposes, such as for 
individual harvesting groups to ensure equitable distribution of the 
resource or to allow for uncertainties in preseason estimates of DAP and 
JVP.
    Sustainable Fisheries Division (SFD) means the Assistant Regional 
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Southwest Region, NMFS, or a 
designee.
    Totally lost means that the vessel being replaced no longer exists 
in specie, or is absolutely and irretrievably sunk or otherwise beyond 
the possible control of the owner, or the costs of repair (including 
recovery) would exceed the repaired value of the vessel.
    Trip limit means the total allowable amount of a CPS species by 
weight or by percentage of weight of fish on

[[Page 354]]

board the vessel that may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed 
from a single fishing trip by a vessel that harvests CPS.

[64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 3822, Jan. 27, 2003; 71 
FR 37001, June 29, 2006; 74 FR 33373, July 13, 2009; 76 FR 70363, Nov. 
14, 2011; 83 FR 6473, Feb. 14, 2018; 88 FR 42653, July 3, 2023]



Sec. 660.503  Management subareas.

    The fishery management area is divided into subareas for the 
regulation of fishing for CPS, with the following designations and 
boundaries:
    (a) CPS Limited Entry Zone means the EEZ between:
    (1) Northern boundary--at 39[deg]00[min]00[sec] N. lat. off 
California; and
    (2) Southern boundary--the United States-Mexico International 
Boundary, which is a line connecting the following coordinates:
    32[deg]35[min]22[sec] N. lat., 117[deg]27[min]49[sec] W. long.
    32[deg]37[min]37[sec] N. lat., 117[deg]49[min]31[sec] W. long.
    31[deg]07[min]58[sec] N. lat., 118[deg]36[min]18[sec] W. long.
    30[deg]32[min]31[sec] N. lat., 121[deg]51[min]58[sec] W. long.
    (b) Subarea A means the EEZ between:
    (1) Northern boundary--the United States-Canada Provisional 
International Boundary, which is a line connecting the following 
coordinates:
    48[deg]29[min]37.19[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]43[min]33.19[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]30[min]11[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]47[min]13[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]30[min]22[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]50[min]21[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]30[min]14[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]54[min]52[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]29[min]57[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]59[min]14[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]29[min]44[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]00[min]06[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]28[min]09[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]05[min]47[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]27[min]10[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]08[min]25[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]26[min]47[sec] N. lat 125[deg]09[min]12[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]20[min]16[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]22[min]48[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]18[min]22[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]29[min]58[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]11[min]05[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]53[min]48[sec] W. long.
    47[deg]49[min]15[sec] N. lat. 126[deg]40[min]57[sec] W. long.
    47[deg]36[min]47[sec] N. lat. 127[deg]11[min]58[sec] W. long.
    47[deg]22[min]00[sec] N. lat. 127[deg]41[min]23[sec] W. long.
    46[deg]42[min]05[sec] N. lat. 128[deg]51[min]56[sec] W. long.
    46[deg]31[min]47[sec] N. lat. 129[deg]07[min]39[sec] W. long.; and
    (2) Southern boundary--at 39[deg]00[min]00[sec] N. lat. (Pt. Arena).
    (c) Subarea B means the EEZ between:
    (1) Northern boundary--at 39[deg]00[min]00[sec] N. lat. (Pt. Arena); 
and
    (2) Southern boundary--the United States-Mexico International 
Boundary described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

[64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 52527, Sept. 4, 2003]



Sec. 660.504  Vessel identification.

    (a) Official number. Each fishing vessel subject to this subpart 
must display its official number on the port and starboard sides of the 
deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck so as to be 
visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft.
    (b) Numerals. The official number must be affixed to each vessel 
subject to this subpart in block Arabic numerals at least 14 inches 
(35.56 cm) in height. Markings must be legible and of a color that 
contrasts with the background.



Sec. 660.505  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the 
following:
    (a) In the CPS Limited Entry Zone, take and retain, possess or land 
more than 5 mt of CPS finfish, other than live bait, on a harvesting 
vessel without a limited entry permit.
    (b) In the CPS Limited Entry Zone, take and retain, possess or land 
more than 125 mt of CPS finfish on a harvesting vessel.
    (c) Sell CPS without an applicable commercial state fishery license.
    (d) Fish in the reduction fishery for CPS in any closed area 
specified in Sec. 660.507.
    (e) Fish in the reduction fishery for northern anchovy using gear 
not authorized under Sec. 660.506.
    (f) When fishing for CPS, fail to return a prohibited species to the 
sea immediately with a minimum of injury.
    (g) Falsify or fail to affix and maintain vessel markings as 
required by Sec. 660.504.
    (h) Fish for CPS in violation of any terms or conditions attached to 
an exempted fishing permit issued under Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.
    (i) When a directed fishery has been closed, take and retain, 
possess, or land more than the incidental trip limit announced in the 
Federal Register, or a directed trip limit as described in Sec. 
660.511(d).

[[Page 355]]

    (j) Refuse to submit fishing gear or fish subject to such person's 
control to inspection by an authorized officer, or to interfere with or 
prevent, by any means, such an inspection.
    (k) Falsify or fail to make and/or file any and all reports of 
fishing, landing, or any other activity involving CPS, containing all 
data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable State law, as 
specified in Sec. 660.3.
    (l) Fail to carry aboard a vessel that vessel's limited entry permit 
issued under Sec. 660.512 or exempted fishing permit issued under Sec. 
660.516.
    (m) Make a false statement on an application for issuing, renewing, 
transferring, or replacing a limited entry permit for the CPS fishery.
    (n) When fishing for CPS, deploy a net if a southern sea otter is 
observed within the area that would be encircled by the purse seine net.
    (o) Fish for, target, harvest or land a prohibited harvest species 
in any fishery within the EEZ off the West Coast.

[64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 72 FR 29892, May 30, 2007; 74 
FR 33373, July 13, 2009; 83 FR 6473, Feb. 14, 2018; 83 FR 28784, June 
21, 2018]



Sec. 660.506  Gear restrictions.

    The only fishing gear authorized for use in the reduction fishery 
for northern anchovy off California are round haul nets that have a 
minimum wet-stretch mesh size of \10/16\ of an inch (1.59 cm) excluding 
the bag portion of a purse seine. The bag portion must be constructed as 
a single unit and must not exceed a rectangular area, adjacent to 20 
percent of the total corkline of the purse seine. Minimum mesh size 
requirements are met if a stainless steel wedge can be passed with only 
thumb pressure through 16 of 20 sets of 2 meshes each of wet mesh. The 
wedges used to measure trawl mesh size are made of 20 gauge stainless 
steel and will be no wider than \10/16\ of an inch (1.59 cm) less one 
thickness of the metal at the widest part.



Sec. 660.507  Closed areas to reduction fishing.

    The following areas are closed to reduction fishing:
    (a) Farallon Islands closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). The 
portion of Subarea A bounded by--
    (1) A straight line joining Pigeon Point Light (37[deg]10.9[min] N. 
lat., 122[deg]23.6[min] W. long.) and the U.S. navigation light on 
Southeast Farallon Island (37[deg]42.0[min] N. lat., 123[deg]00.1[min] 
W. long.); and
    (2) A straight line joining the U.S. navigation light on Southeast 
Farallon Island (37[deg]42.0[min] N. lat., 123[deg]00.1[min] W. long.) 
and the U.S. navigation light on Point Reyes (37[deg]59.7[min] N. lat., 
123[deg]01.3[min] W. long.).
    (b) Subarea B closures. Those portions of Subarea B described as--
    (1) Oxnard closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). The area that 
extends offshore 4 miles from the mainland shore between lines running 
250[deg] true from the steam plant stack at Manadalay Beach 
(34[deg]12.4[min] N. lat., 119[deg]15.0[min] W. long.) and 220[deg] true 
from the steam plant stack at Ormond Beach (34[deg]07.8[min] N. lat., 
119[deg]10.0[min] W. long.).
    (2) Santa Monica Bay closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). Santa 
Monica Bay shoreward of that line from Malibu Point (34[deg]01.8[min] N. 
lat., 188[deg]40.8[min] W. long.) to Rocky Point (Palos Verdes Point) 
(33[deg]46.5[min] N. lat., 118[deg]25.7[min] W. long.).
    (3) Los Angeles Harbor closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). The 
area outside Los Angeles Harbor described by a line extending 6 miles 
180[deg] true from Point Fermin (33[deg]42.3[min] N. lat., 
118[deg]17.6[min] W. long.) and then to a point located 3 miles offshore 
on a line 225[deg] true from Huntington Beach Pier (33[deg]39.2[min] N. 
lat., 118[deg]00.3[min] W. long.).
    (4) Oceanside to San Diego closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). 
The area 6 miles from the mainland shore south of a line running 
225[deg] true from the tip of the outer breakwater (33[deg]12.4[min] N. 
lat., 117[deg]24.1[min] W. long.) of Oceanside Harbor to the United 
States-Mexico International Boundary.



Sec. 660.508  Annual specifications.

    (a) The Regional Administrator will determine any harvest guideline, 
quota, Annual Catch Limit (ACL) (defined at Sec. 600.310(f)(2)) or 
Annual Catch Target (ACT) (defined at Sec. 600.310(f)(2) of this 
chapter) in accordance with the framework process in the FMP.
    (b) Any harvest guideline, quota, ACL, or ACT, including any 
apportionment between the directed fishery and

[[Page 356]]

set-aside for incidental harvest, will be published in the Federal 
Register.
    (c) The announcement of each harvest guideline, quota, ACL or ACT 
will contain the following information if available or applicable:
    (1) The estimated biomass or MSY proxy on which the harvest 
guideline, quota, ACL or ACT was determined;
    (2) The portion, if appropriate, of the harvest guideline, quota, 
ACL or ACT set aside to allow for incidental harvests after closure of 
the directed fishery;
    (3) The estimated level of the incidental trip limit that will be 
allowed after the directed fishery is closed; and
    (4) The allocation, if appropriate, between Subarea A and Subarea B.
    (d) As necessary, harvest guidelines, quotas, OFLs (defined at Sec. 
600.310(f)(2)), ABCs (defined at Sec. 600.310(f)(2) of this chapter), 
ACLs or ACTs, will receive public review according to the following 
procedure:
    (1) Meetings will be held by the Council's CPSMT and AP, where the 
estimated biomass and/or other biological or management benchmarks will 
be reviewed and public comments received. Each of these meetings will be 
announced in the Federal Register before the date of the meeting, if 
possible.
    (2) All materials relating to the estimated biomass and/or other 
biological or management benchmarks will be forwarded to the Council and 
its Scientific and Statistical Committee and will be available to the 
public from the Regional Administrator when available.
    (3) At a regular meeting of the Council, the Council will review the 
estimated biomass and/or other biological or management benchmarks and 
offer time for public comment. If the Council requests a revision, 
justification must be provided.
    (4) The Regional Administrator will review the Council's 
recommendations, justification, and public comments and base his or her 
final decision on the requirements of the FMP and other applicable law.
    (e) Pacific mackerel. Every 2 years the Regional Administrator will 
determine, and publish in the Federal Register, harvest specifications 
for 2 consecutive fishing seasons for Pacific mackerel.

[76 FR 70363, Nov. 14, 2011, as amended at 82 FR 35688, Aug. 1, 2017]



Sec. 660.509  Accountability measures (season closures).

    (a) General rule for this subpart. When the directed fishery 
allocation, incidental allocation, annual catch limit is reached for any 
CPS species, the fishery for that CPS species will be closed until the 
beginning of the next fishing period or season. The Regional 
Administrator shall announce in the Federal Register the date of such 
closure, as well as any incidental harvest level(s) recommended by the 
Council and approved by NMFS.
    (b) Pacific Sardine. When the allocation and reallocation levels for 
Pacific sardine in Sec. 660.511(f) through (h) are reached, the Pacific 
sardine fishery shall be closed until either it re-opens per the 
allocation scheme in Sec. 660.511(g) and (h) or the beginning of the 
next fishing season as stated in Sec. 660.510(a). The Regional 
Administrator shall announce in the Federal Register the date of the 
closure of the directed fishery for Pacific sardine.

[76 FR 70364, Nov. 14, 2011, as amended at 84 FR 25202, May 31, 2019]



Sec. 660.510  Fishing seasons.

    All seasons will begin at 0001 hours and terminate at 2400 hours 
local time. Fishing seasons for the following CPS species are:
    (a) Pacific sardine. July 1 to June 30, or until closed under Sec. 
660.509.
    (b) Pacific mackerel. July 1 to June 30, or until closed under Sec. 
660.509.

[64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 79 FR 11344, Feb. 28, 2014]



Sec. 660.511  Catch restrictions.

    (a) All CPS harvested shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ (0-
200 nautical miles off shore) will be counted toward the catch 
limitations specified in this section.
    (b) The trip limit for harvesting vessels fishing in the CPS Limited 
Entry Zone for CPS other than live bait without a limited entry permit 
is 5 mt tons of all CPS finfish combined.

[[Page 357]]

    (c) The trip limit for vessels with a limited entry permit on a 
fishing trip in which the vessel fishes or lands fish in the Limited 
Entry Zone is 125 mt of all CPS finfish combined.
    (d) After the directed fishery for a CPS is closed under Sec. 
660.509, no person may take and retain, possess or land more of that 
species than the incidental trip limit set by the Regional 
Administrator, except the following directed fisheries may continue 
until the effective date of a Federal Register document published by the 
Regional Administrator that the annual catch limit has been reached or 
is projected to be reached:
    (1) Fishing exclusively for live bait;
    (2) Minor directed fishing for finfish that does not exceed 1 mt per 
day per vessel or person, and which is limited to 1 fishing trip per day 
by any vessel.
    (e) While fishing for CPS, all species of trout and salmon 
(Salmonidae) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) are 
prohibited species and must be released immediately with a minimum of 
injury.
    (f) On July 1, 40 percent of the initial harvest guideline for 
Pacific sardine is allocated coastwide within the fishery management 
area.
    (g) On September 15, 25 percent of the initial harvest guideline for 
Pacific sardine plus the remaining unharvested portion of the July 1 
allocation in paragraph (f) of this section is allocated coastwide 
within the fishery management area.
    (h) On January 1, 35 percent of the initial harvest guideline for 
Pacific sardine plus the remaining unharvested portion of the September 
15 allocation is allocated coastwide within the fishery management area.
    (i) The following harvest specifications apply for Pacific mackerel:
    (1) For the Pacific mackerel fishing season July 1, 2021, through 
June 30, 2022, the harvest guideline is 8,323 mt and the ACT is 7,323 
mt; and
    (2) For the Pacific mackerel fishing season July 1, 2022, through 
June 30, 2023, the harvest guideline is 5,822 mt and the ACT of 4,822 
mt.
    (j) When an ACT in paragraph (i) of this section has been reached or 
exceeded, then for the remainder of the Pacific mackerel fishing season, 
Pacific mackerel may not be targeted and landings of Pacific mackerel 
may not exceed: 45 percent of landings when Pacific mackerel are landed 
in CPS fisheries (in other words, no more than 45 percent by weight of 
the CPS landed per trip may be Pacific mackerel), or up to 3 mt of 
Pacific mackerel when landed in non-CPS fisheries. The NMFS West Coast 
Regional Administer shall announce in the Federal Register the date that 
an ACT is reached or exceeded, and the date and time that the 
restrictions described in this paragraph (j) go into effect.
    (k) The following annual catch limit applies to fishing for Northern 
Anchovy (Central Subpopulation): 25,000 mt.

[64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 52527, Sept. 4, 2003; 
71 FR 37001, June 29, 2006; 79 FR 11344, Feb. 28, 2014; 83 FR 6473, Feb. 
14, 2018; 83 FR 28784, June 21, 2018; 84 FR 25202, May 31, 2019; 84 FR 
65927, Dec. 2, 2019; 86 FR 64827, Nov. 19, 2021; 88 FR 42653, July 3, 
2023]



Sec. 660.512  Limited entry fishery.

    (a) General. (1) This section applies to fishing for or landing CPS 
finfish in the limited entry fishery in the Limited Entry Zone.
    (2) Effective January 1, 2000, the owner of a vessel with more than 
5 mt of CPS finfish on board in the CPS Limited Entry Zone, other than 
live bait, must have a limited entry permit registered for use with that 
vessel.
    (3) Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel under the 
terms of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a) qualifies to be issued or may hold, by 
ownership or otherwise, a limited entry permit.
    (b) Initial qualification. (1) A limited entry permit for a vessel 
will be issued only if that vessel landed 100 mt of CPS finfish from 
January 1, 1993, through November 5, 1997.
    (2) A limited entry permit will be issued only to the current owner 
of the vessel, unless:
    (i) The previous owner of a vessel qualifying for a permit, by the 
express terms of a written contract, reserved the right to the limited 
entry permit, in which case the limited entry permit will be issued to 
the previous owner based on the catch history of the qualifying vessel, 
or

[[Page 358]]

    (ii) A vessel that would have qualified for a limited entry permit 
was totally lost prior to issuance of a limited entry permit. In this 
case, the owner of the vessel at the time it was lost retains the right 
to a permit for a replacement vessel, unless the owner conveyed the 
right to another person by the express terms of a written contract. The 
lost vessel must be replaced within 2 years of the date that the 
qualifying vessel was lost, and the replaced vessel must be of equal or 
less net tonnage.
    (c) Documentation and burden of proof. A vessel owner (or person 
holding limited entry rights under the express terms of a written 
contract as specified in paragraph (a)(2)) of this section applying for 
issuance, renewal, transfer, or registration of a limited entry permit 
must prove that the qualification requirements are met by submitting the 
following documentation:
    (1) A certified copy of the vessel's documentation as a fishing 
vessel of the United States (U.S. Coast Guard or state) is the best 
evidence of vessel ownership;
    (2) A certified copy of a state fish landing receipt is the best 
evidence of a landing of a vessel;
    (3) A copy of a written contract reserving or conveying limited 
entry rights is the best evidence of reserved or acquired rights; and
    (4) Other relevant, credible evidence that the applicant may wish to 
submit or that the SFD may request or require.
    (d) Fees. The Regional Administrator may charge fees to cover 
administrative expenses related to issuing limited entry permits, as 
well as renewing, transferring, and replacing permits. The amount of the 
fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance 
Handbook for determining the administrative costs of each special 
product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and is specified 
with each application form. The appropriate fee must accompany each 
application.
    (e) Initial decisions. (1) The SFD will make initial decisions 
regarding issuing, renewing, transferring, and registering limited entry 
permits.
    (2) Adverse decisions shall be in writing and shall state the 
reasons for the adverse decision.
    (3) The SFD may decline to act on an application for issuing, 
renewing, transferring, or registering a limited entry permit and will 
notify the applicant, if the permit sanction provisions of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1858(a) and implementing regulations at 15 CFR 
part 904, subpart D, apply.
    (f) Initial issuance. (1) The SFD will issue limited entry permits.
    (2) In order to receive a final decision on a limited entry permit 
application before January 1, 2000, an applicant must submit the 
application to the SFD on or before February 14, 2000.
    (3) A separate, complete, and accurate application form, accompanied 
by any required supporting documentation and the appropriate fee, must 
be submitted for each vessel for which a limited entry permit is sought.
    (4) Upon receipt of an incomplete or improperly executed 
application, the SFD will notify the applicant of the deficiency. If the 
applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 days following the 
date of notification, the application will be considered void.
    (5) The SFD may request further documentation before acting on an 
application.
    (6) The SFD will not accept applications for a limited entry permit 
after July 1, 2000.
    (g) Appeals. (1) Any applicant for an initial permit may appeal the 
initial issuance decision to the Regional Administrator. To be 
considered by the Regional Administrator, such appeal must be in writing 
and state the reasons for the appeal, and must be submitted within 30 
days of the action by the Regional Administrator. The appellant may 
request an informal hearing on the appeal.
    (2) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the permit applicant, or permit 
holder as appropriate, and will request such additional information and 
in such form as will allow action upon the appeal.
    (3) Upon receipt of sufficient information, the Regional 
Administrator will decide the appeal in accordance

[[Page 359]]

with the permit eligibility criteria set forth in this section and in 
the FMP, as appropriate, based upon information relative to the 
application on file at NMFS and the Council and any additional 
information submitted to or obtained by the Regional Administrator, the 
summary record kept of any hearing and the hearing officer's recommended 
decision, if any, and such other considerations as the Regional 
Administrator deems appropriate. The Regional Administrator will notify 
all interested persons of the decision, and the reasons therefor, in 
writing, normally within 30 days of the receipt of sufficient 
information, unless additional time is needed for a hearing.
    (4) If a hearing is requested or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that purpose 
after first giving notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the 
hearing to the applicant. The appellant and, at the discretion of the 
hearing officer, other interested persons may appear personally or be 
represented by counsel at the hearing and submit information and present 
arguments as determined appropriate by the hearing officer. Within 30 
days of the last day of the hearing, the hearing officer shall recommend 
in writing a decision to the Regional Administrator.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
In any event, the Regional Administrator will notify interested persons 
of the decision, and the reason(s) therefore, in writing, within 30 days 
of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. The Regional 
Administrator's action shall constitute final action for the agency for 
the purposes of the APA.
    (6) Any time limit prescribed in this section may be extended for a 
period not to exceed 30 days by the Regional Administrator for good 
cause, either upon his or her own motion or upon written request from 
the appellant stating the reason(s) therefore.
    (h) Issuance of new permits. (1) When the aggregate gross tonnage of 
all vessels participating in the limited entry fishery declines below 
5,650.9 metric tons (mt), the Council will review the status of the 
fishery, taking into consideration:
    (i) The changes in gross tonnage that have and are likely to occur 
in the transfer of limited entry permits;
    (ii) The actual harvesting capacity as experienced in the current 
fishery in comparison to the capacity goal;
    (iii) Comments of the CPSMT;
    (iv) Any other relevant factors related to maintaining the capacity 
goal.
    (2) Following its review, the Council will recommend to NMFS whether 
additional permit(s) should be issued and if the new permit(s) should be 
temporary or permanent. The issuance of new permit(s) shall be based on 
the following:
    (i) The qualifying criteria in paragraph (b) of this section, but 
vessels that were issued a permit before December 31, 2000, are not 
eligible.
    (ii) If no vessel meets the qualifying criteria in paragraph (b), 
then the permit(s) will be issued to the vessel(s) with total landings 
nearest 100 mt during the qualifying period of paragraph (b).
    (iii) No vessel will be issued a permit under this paragraph (h) 
that is currently registered for use with a permit.
    (3) The Regional Administrator will review the Council's 
recommendation and determine whether issuing additional permit(s) is 
consistent with the FMP and with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. If 
issuing additional permit(s) is appropriate, the Regional Administrator 
will:
    (i) Issue the appropriate number of permits consistent with the 
Council's recommendation; and
    (ii) Publish a document in the Federal Register notifying the public 
that new permits or a new permit has been issued, the conditions 
attached to any permit, and the reasons for the action.

[64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 3822, Jan. 27, 2003]



Sec. 660.513  Permit conditions.

    (a) A limited entry permit expires on failure to renew the limited 
entry permit as specified in Sec. 660.515.

[[Page 360]]

    (b) A limited entry permit may not be used with a vessel unless it 
is registered for use with that vessel. Limited entry permits will be 
registered for use with a particular vessel at the time the permit is 
issued, renewed, or transferred.
    (c) Limited entry permits issued or applied for under this subpart 
are subject to sanctions pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 
1858(g), and 15 CFR part 904, subpart D.



Sec. 660.514  Transferability.

    (a) General. (1) The SFD will process applications for transferring 
limited entry permits to a different owner and/or to a different vessel 
according to this section.
    (2) After January 27, 2003, the SFD will issue a limited entry 
permit to the owner of each vessel permitted to participate in the 
limited entry fishery for CPS. This permit will replace the existing 
permit and will include the gross tonnage of the vessel, which will 
constitute an endorsement for that vessel for the purpose of regulating 
the transfer of limited entry permits.
    (b) Criteria. (1) When the aggregate gross tonnage of all vessels 
participating the limited entry fishery is at or below 5,650.9 mt, a 
permit may be transferred to a different owner or to a different vessel 
in the following circumstances only:
    (i) A permit may be transferred to a vessel without a permit if the 
vessel without a permit has a comparable capacity to the capacity on the 
permit or is less than comparable capacity on the permit.
    (ii) When a permit is transferred to a vessel without a permit that 
has less gross tonnage than that of the permitted vessel, the excess 
gross tonnage may not be separated from the permit and applied to a 
second vessel.
    (iii) A permit may be transferred to a vessel without a permit that 
is of greater than comparable capacity only if two or more permits are 
transferred to the vessel without a permit to equal the gross tonnage of 
the vessel. The number of permits required will be determined by adding 
together the comparable capacity of all permits being transferred. Any 
gross tonnage in excess of that needed for a vessel remains with the 
permit.
    (2) When a vessel with multiple permits leaves the fishery, the 
permits may be sold separately and applied to other vessels according to 
the criteria in this section.
    (c) Stipulations. (1) The gross tonnage endorsement of a permit is 
integral to the permit for the duration of the permit, regardless of the 
gross tonnage of any vessel to which the permit is transferred.
    (2) Permits may be used only on the vessel for which they are 
registered by the SFD. All permits that authorize a vessel to operate in 
the limited entry fishery must be on board the vessel during any fishing 
trip on which CPS is harvested or is on board.
    (3) A permit may be transferred only once during a calendar year.
    (d) Vessel alterations. (1) A permitted vessel's length, breadth, or 
depth may be altered to increase the gross tonnage of the vessel only if 
the aggregate gross tonnage of all vessels participating in the limited 
entry fishery equals, or is below 5,650.9 mt, and only under the 
following conditions:
    (i) The gross tonnage of the altered vessel, calculated according to 
the formula in 46 CFR 69.209(a), does not exceed 110 percent of the 
vessel's original gross tonnage endorsement, and
    (ii) A new certificate of documentation is obtained from the U.S. 
Coast Guard or State. Modifications exceeding 110 percent of the 
vessel's gross tonnage endorsement will require registration of the 
vessel under an additional permit or permits or under a permit with a 
sufficient gross tonnage endorsement.
    (2) A copy of the certificate of documentation indicating changes in 
length, depth, or breadth must be provided to the SFD.
    (3) The revised gross tonnage will not be valid as an endorsement 
until a revised permit is issued by the SFD.
    (e) Applications. (1) All requests for the transfer of a limited 
entry permit will be made to the SFD in writing and shall contain the 
following information:
    (i) Name, address, and phone number of the owner of the permitted 
vessel.

[[Page 361]]

    (ii) Name of the permitted vessel and documentation number of the 
vessel.
    (iii) Name, address, and phone number of the owner of the vessel to 
which the permit is to be transferred.
    (iv) Name and documentation number of the vessel to which the permit 
is to be transferred.
    (v) Signature(s) of the owner(s) of the vessels participating in the 
transfer.
    (vi) Any other information that the SFD may request.
    (2) No permit transfer is effective until the transfer has been 
authorized by the SFD.
    (f) Capacity reduction. (1) When the aggregate gross tonnage of the 
limited entry fleet reaches 5,933.5 mt, a permit may be transferred to a 
vessel without a permit only if the vessel without a permit is of the 
same or less gross tonnage.
    (2) When the aggregate gross tonnage of the limited entry fleet 
reaches 5,933.5 mt, alterations in the length, depth, or breadth of a 
permitted vessel may not result in an increase in the gross tonnage of 
the vessel.

[68 FR 3823, Jan. 27, 2003]



Sec. 660.515  Renewal of limited entry permits.

    (a) Each limited entry permit must be renewed by January 1 of even 
numbered years.
    (b) The SFD will send notices to renew limited entry permits to the 
most recent address of the permit holder.
    (c) The permit owner must provide SFD with notice of any address 
change within 15 days of the change.
    (d) The permit holder must submit applications for renewal of a 
permit on forms available from the SFD.
    (e) The permit owner is responsible for renewing a limited entry 
permit.
    (f) An expired permit cannot be used to fish for CPS in the limited 
entry fishery.



Sec. 660.516  Exempted fishing.

    (a) General. In the interest of developing an efficient and 
productive fishery for CPS, the Regional Administrator may issue 
exempted fishing permits (EFP) for the harvest of CPS that otherwise 
would be prohibited.
    (b) No exempted fishing for CPS may be conducted unless authorized 
by an EFP issued for the participating vessel in accordance with the 
criteria and procedures specified in Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.



Sec. 660.517  Framework for revising regulations.

    (a) General. NMFS will establish and adjust specifications and 
management measures in accordance with procedures and standards in 
Amendment 8 to the FMP.
    (b) Annual actions. Annual specifications are developed and 
implemented according to Sec. 660.508.
    (c) Routine management measures. Consistent with section. 2.1 of 
Amendment 8 to the FMP, management measures designated as routine may be 
adjusted during the year after recommendation from the Council, approval 
by NMFS, and publication in the Federal Register.
    (d) Changes to the regulations. Regulations under this subpart may 
be promulgated, removed, or revised. Any such action will be made 
according to the framework measures in section 2 of Amendment 8 to the 
FMP and will be published in the Federal Register.



Sec. 660.518  Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Rights.

    (a) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights to harvest 
CPS in their usual and accustomed fishing areas in the EEZ.
    (b) For the purposes of this section, Pacific Coast treaty Indian 
tribes means the Hoh, Makah, and Quileute Indian Tribes and the Quinault 
Indian Nation, and their ``usual and accustomed fishing areas'' are 
described at Sec. 660.4, subpart A.
    (c) Boundaries of a tribe's fishing area may be revised as ordered 
by a Federal court.
    (d) Procedures. The rights referred to in paragraph (a) of this 
section will be implemented in accordance with the procedures and 
requirements of the framework contained in Amendment 9 to the FMP and in 
this Subpart.
    (1) The Secretary, after consideration of the tribal request, the 
recommendation of the Council, and the comments

[[Page 362]]

of the public, will implement Indian fishing rights.
    (2) The rights will be implemented either through an allocation of 
fish that will be managed by the tribes or through regulations that will 
apply specifically to the tribal fisheries.
    (3) An allocation or a regulation specific to the tribes shall be 
initiated by a written request from a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe 
to the NMFS Southwest Regional Administrator at least 120 days prior to 
the start of the fishing season as specified at Sec. 660.510 and will 
be subject to public review according to the procedures in Sec. 
660.508(d).
    (4) The Regional Administrator will announce the annual tribal 
allocation at the same time as the annual specifications.
    (e) The Secretary recognizes the sovereign status and co-manager 
role of Indian tribes over shared Federal and tribal fishery resources. 
Accordingly, the Secretary will develop tribal allocations and 
regulations in consultation with the affected tribe(s) and, insofar as 
possible, with tribal consensus.

[66 FR 44987, Aug. 27, 2001, as amended at 81 FR 36808, June 8, 2016]



Sec. 660.519  Scientific observers.

    All fishing vessels operating in the coastal pelagic species 
fishery, including catcher/processors, at-sea processors, and vessels 
that harvest in Washington, Oregon, or California and land catch in 
another area, may be required to accommodate NMFS- certified observers 
aboard to collect scientific data. An observer program will be 
considered only for circumstances where other data collection methods 
are deemed insufficient for management of the fishery. Any observer 
program will be implemented in accordance with Sec. 660.517.

[66 FR 44987, Aug. 27, 2001]



Sec. 660.520  Reporting requirements.

    (a) Otter interaction. (1) If a southern sea otter is entangled in a 
net, regardless of whether the animal is injured or killed, the vessel 
operator must report this interaction within 24 hours to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (2) While fishing for CPS, vessel operators must record all 
observations of otter interactions (defined as otters within encircled 
nets or coming into contact with nets or vessels, including but not 
limited to entanglement) with their purse seine net(s) or vessel(s). 
With the exception of an entanglement, which must be initially reported 
as described in paragraph (a)(1)of this section, all other observations 
must be reported within 20 days to the Regional Administrator.
    (3) When contacting NMFS after an interaction, vessel operators must 
provide the location (latitude and longitude) of the interaction and a 
description of the interaction itself. If available, location 
information should also include water depth, distance from shore, and 
relation to port or other landmarks. Descriptive information of the 
interaction should include: whether or not the otters were seen inside 
or outside the net; if inside the net, had the net been completely 
encircled; whether any otters came in contact with either the net or the 
vessel; the number of otters present; duration of interaction; the 
otter's behavior during interaction; measures taken to avoid 
interaction.
    (b) [Reserved]

[72 FR 29892, May 30, 2007]

[[Page 363]]



    Sec. Figure 1 to Subpart I of Part 660--Existing California Area 
Closures (hatched areas extend to 3 miles offshore; cross-hatched areas 
 extend beyond 3 miles offshore) and Optional Catalina Channel Foreign 
                Vessel Closure (outlined by dashed lines)
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE99.000



      Subpart J_West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program

    Source: 84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.600  Applicability.

    (a) General. This subpart contains requirements for vessels using EM 
in lieu of observers, as authorized under Sec. 660.140(h)(1)(i) 
(Shorebased IFQ Program) and Sec. 660.150(j)(1)(i) (MS Co-op Program), 
and requirements for EM service providers. Vessel owners, operators, and 
managers are jointly and severally liable for a vessel's compliance with 
EM requirements under this subpart. This subpart also contains 
requirements for a first receiver receiving catch from a trip monitored 
by EM (see Sec. 660.604(u)). The table below provides references to the 
sections that contain vessel owner, operator, first receiver, and 
service provider responsibilities.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                West coast groundfish fishery                   Section
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Limited entry trawl fishery:
  (i) Vessel owners.........................................     660.604
  (ii) Vessel operators.....................................     660.604
  (iii) First receivers.....................................     660.604
  (iv) Service providers....................................     660.603
(2) [Reserved]..............................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) EM program purpose. The purpose of the EM program is to provide 
NMFS with the best scientific information

[[Page 364]]

available to determine individual accountability for catch (including 
discards) of IFQ species and compliance with requirements of the 
Shorebased IFQ Program (Sec. 660.140) and MS Co-op Program (Sec. 
660.150). NMFS will develop EM Program Guidelines, which will document 
best practices and other information that NMFS will use to evaluate 
proposed service and vessel monitoring plans submitted by EM service 
providers and vessel owners under this subpart, and to evaluate the 
performance of EM service providers and vessels, in meeting the 
requirements of this subpart to achieve the purpose of the EM program. 
NMFS will develop the EM Program Guidelines in consultation with the 
Council and publish notice of their availability in the Federal 
Register. NMFS will maintain the EM Program Guidelines on its website 
and make them available to vessel owners and operators and EM service 
providers to assist in developing service plans and vessel monitoring 
plans that comply with the requirements of this subpart and meet the 
purpose of the EM program.



Sec. 660.601  Definitions.

    These definitions are specific to this subpart. General groundfish 
definitions are found at Sec. 660.11, subpart C, and trawl fishery 
definitions are found at Sec. 660.111, subpart D.
    Active sampling unit means the portion of the groundfish fleet in 
which an observer coverage plan is being applied.
    Discard control point means the location on the vessel designated by 
a vessel operator where allowable discarding may occur.
    Discard event means a single occurrence of discarding of fish or 
other species.
    Electronic Monitoring or EM consists of the use of an electronic 
monitoring system (EMS) to passively monitor fishing operations through 
observing or tracking.
    Electronic Monitoring Authorization means the official document 
provided by NMFS that allows a vessel with a limited entry trawl permit 
to use electronic monitoring under the provisions of this subpart.
    Electronic Monitoring System or EMS means a data collection tool 
that uses a software operating system connected to an assortment of 
electronic components, including video recorders, to create a collection 
of data on vessel activities.
    Electronic Monitoring System Certification Form means the official 
document provided by NMFS, signed by a representative of a NMFS-
permitted electronic monitoring service provider that attest that an EM 
system and associated equipment meets the performance standards defined 
at Sec. 660.604(j) of this subpart, as required by Sec. 
660.604(e)(3)(i).
    EM data means the information output of the Electronic Monitoring 
System (e.g., imagery, sensor data, and other associated data files).
    EM data processing means the review, interpretation, and analysis of 
EM data and associated meta data.
    EM dataset means a collection of EM data from a single EM trip or 
group of EM trips.
    EM Program means the Electronic Monitoring Program of the West Coast 
Region, National Marine Fisheries Service.
    EM Service Plan means the document required under Sec. 660.603 that 
describes in detail how the EM service provider will provide EM 
services.
    EM service provider means any person, including their employees or 
agents, that is granted a permit by NMFS to provide EM services for 
vessels as required under Sec. 660.603 and Sec. 660.604.
    EM technician means an employee of the EM service provider that 
provides support for EM systems and technical assistance.
    EM trip means any fishing trip for which electronic monitoring is 
the declared monitoring type.
    Initial Administrative Determination (IAD) means a formal, written 
determination made by NMFS on an application or permit request that is 
subject to an appeal within NMFS.
    Non-trawl shorebased IFQ vessel means a vessel on a declared limited 
entry groundfish non-trawl, shorebased IFQ trip.
    Pacific whiting fishery refers to the Pacific whiting primary season 
fisheries described at Sec. 660.131. The Pacific whiting fishery is 
composed of vessels

[[Page 365]]

participating in the C/P Co-op Program, the MS Co-op Program, or the 
Pacific whiting IFQ fishery.
    Pacific whiting IFQ fishery is composed of vessels on Pacific 
whiting IFQ trips.
    Pacific whiting IFQ trip means a trip in which a vessel uses 
midwater groundfish trawl gear during the dates of the Pacific whiting 
primary season to target Pacific whiting, and Pacific whiting 
constitutes 50 percent or more of the catch by weight at landing as 
reported on the state landing receipt. Vessels on Pacific whiting IFQ 
trips must have a valid declaration for limited entry midwater trawl, 
Pacific whiting shorebased IFQ.
    Prohibited species means those species and species groups defined at 
Sec. 660.11; Dungeness crab caught south of Point Reyes, California; 
fish in excess of state or Federal limits; fish below a state or Federal 
minimum size; and species for which the vessel or vessel representative 
does not have a state or Federal permit.
    Shorebased IFQ Program or Shorebased IFQ sector, refers to the 
fishery described at Sec. 660.140, subpart D, and includes all vessels 
on IFQ trips.
    Vessel Monitoring Plan (VMP) means the document that describes how 
fishing operations on the vessel will be conducted and how the EM system 
and associated equipment will be configured to meet the performance 
standards and purpose of the EM Program.

[84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019, as amended at 87 FR 59713, Oct. 3, 2022]



Sec. 660.602  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Electronic monitoring program. (1) Make a false or inaccurate/
incorrect statement on an application for issuance, renewal, or changes 
to an EM Authorization or NMFS-accepted VMP.
    (2) Fish for or land fish from a trip without electronic monitoring 
or observer coverage when a vessel is required to carry electronic 
monitoring or an observer under Sec. Sec. 660.140(h) or 660.150(j).
    (3) Fish for or land fish from a trip taken under electronic 
monitoring without a valid EM Authorization and NMFS-accepted vessel 
monitoring plan onboard, and a valid gear and monitoring declaration 
with NMFS OLE as required by Sec. 660.604(c)(1) and Sec. 660.604(m).
    (4) Fail to comply with the terms of a NMFS-accepted VMP.
    (5) Fail to notify the NMFS West Coast Groundfish Observer Program 
at least 48-hours prior to departing port of the vessel operator's 
intent to take a trip under EM, as required by Sec. 660.604(n).
    (6) Fail to conduct a pre-departure test of the EM system prior to 
departing port as required by Sec. 660.604(l)(2).
    (7) Fish on an EM trip without a fully functional EM system, unless 
authorized by a NMFS-accepted VMP as required by Sec. 660.604(l)(3).
    (8) Fail to make the EM system, associated equipment, logbooks, EM 
data, and other records available for inspection immediately upon 
request by NMFS, its agent, or authorized officers, as required by 
Sec. Sec. 660.604(o) and 660.604(t).
    (9) Discard species other than those allowed to be discarded as 
specified at Sec. 660.604(p).
    (10) Fail to handle fish and other marine organisms in a manner that 
enables the EM system to record it as required by Sec. 660.604(r).
    (11) Fail to submit complete and accurate logbook(s) and EM data for 
each EM trip as specified at Sec. 660.604(s),
    (12) Tamper with, disconnect, damage, destroy, alter, or in any way 
distort, render useless, inoperative, ineffective, or inaccurate any 
component of the EM system or associated equipment.
    (13) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, harass, sexually 
harass, bribe, or interfere with an EM service provider, EM field 
services staff, or EM data processing staff.
    (14) Interfere with or bias the sampling procedure employed by EM 
data processing staff including either mechanically or manually sorting 
or discarding catch outside of camera view or inconsistent with the 
NMFS-accepted VMP.
    (15) Fail to meet the vessel owner or operator responsibilities 
specified in Sec. 660.604.

[[Page 366]]

    (16) Fail to meet the first receiver responsibilities specified at 
Sec. 660.604(u).
    (17) Fail to meet the EM service provider responsibilities specified 
in Sec. 660.603.
    (18) Fish without an observer when a vessel is required to carry an 
observer under subpart J of this part if:
    (i) The vessel is inadequate for observer deployment as specified at 
Sec. 600.746 of this chapter;
    (ii) The vessel does not maintain safe conditions for an observer as 
specified at Sec. 660.604(n);
    (iii) NMFS, the observer provider, or the observer determines the 
vessel is inadequate or unsafe pursuant to vessel responsibilities to 
maintain safe conditions as specified at Sec. 660.604(n);
    (19) Fail to meet the vessel responsibilities and observer coverage 
requirements specified at Sec. 660.604(n).
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 660.603  Electronic monitoring provider permits and responsibilities.

    (a) General. This section contains requirements for EM service 
providers providing EM services, pursuant to contracts with vessel 
owners whose vessels operate in the Shorebased IFQ Program (Sec. 
660.140) or the MS Co-op Program (Sec. 660.150) and use EM under this 
subpart. A person must obtain a permit and endorsement as provided under 
Sec. 660.603(b) in order to be an EM service provider. An EM service 
provider must:
    (1) Operate under a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan (see paragraph 
(b)(1)(vii) of this section).
    (2) Provide and manage EM systems, field services, and technical 
assistance as required under Sec. 660.603(k);
    (3) Provide technical and litigation information to NMFS or its 
agent (see Sec. 660.603(l)).
    (4) Provide technical support to contracted fishing vessels 24-hours 
per day, seven days per week, and year-round as provided under Sec. 
660.603(k)(4);
    (5) Provide EM data processing, reporting, and record retention 
services to contracted vessels using EM (see Sec. 660.603(m)).
    (6) Comply with data integrity and security requirements, including 
requirements pertaining to hard drives and data files containing EM 
data, (see Sec. 660.603(n)).
    (b) Provider permits. To be an EM service provider, a person must 
obtain an EM service provider permit and endorsement by submitting an 
application to the NMFS West Coast Region Fisheries Permit Office. NMFS 
will issue a public notice at least 90 calendar days prior to when it 
will begin accepting applications for EM service provider permits for 
the first year of the Program. A person may meet some requirements of 
this section through a partnership or subcontract with another entity, 
in which case the application for an EM service provider permit must 
include information about the partnership. Once NMFS begins accepting 
applications, if a new EM service provider, or an existing EM service 
provider seeking to deploy a new EMS or software version, submits an 
application by June 1, NMFS will issue a new permit by January 1 of the 
following calendar year. Applications submitted after June 1 will be 
processed as soon as practicable. NMFS will only process complete 
applications. Additional endorsements to provide observer or catch 
monitor services may be obtained under Sec. 660.18.
    (1) Contents of provider application. To be considered for an EM 
service provider permit and endorsement, the service provider must 
submit a complete application that includes the following information. 
The same information must be included for any partners or subcontractors 
if the applicant intends to satisfy any of the EM service provider 
requirements through a partnership or contractual relationship with 
another entity.
    (i) Certify that the applicant meets the following eligibility 
criteria:
    (A) The EM service provider and its employees do not have a conflict 
of interest as defined at Sec. 660.603(h), and,
    (B) The EM service provider is willing and able to comply with all 
applicable requirements of this section and to operate under a NMFS-
accepted EM Service Plan.
    (ii) Applicant's contact information.
    (iii) Legal name of applicant organization. If the applicant 
organization is a United States business entity, include the state 
registration number.

[[Page 367]]

    (iv) Description of the management, organizational structure, and 
ownership structure of the applicant's business, including 
identification by name and general function of all controlling 
management interests in the company, including but not limited to 
owners, board members, officers, authorized agents, and employees. List 
all office locations and their business mailing address, business phone, 
fax number, and email addresses. If the applicant is a corporation, the 
articles of incorporation must be provided. If the applicant is a 
partnership, the partnership agreement must be provided.
    (v) A narrative statement describing prior relevant experience in 
providing EM services, technical support, or fishery data analysis 
services, including recruiting, hiring, training, deploying, and 
managing of individuals in marine work environments and of individuals 
working with fishery data, in the groundfish fishery or other fisheries 
of similar scale.
    (vi) A statement signed under penalty of perjury by an authorized 
agent of the applicant about each owner, or owners, board members, and 
officers if a corporation, authorized agents, and employees, regarding:
    (A) Conflict of interest as described in Sec. 660.603(h),
    (B) Criminal convictions,
    (C) Federal contracts they have had and the performance rating they 
received on each contract, and
    (D) Any previous history of decertification or permit sanction 
action while working as an observer, catch monitor, observer provider, 
catch monitor provider, or electronic monitoring provider.
    (vii) EM Service Plan. An EM Service Plan that describes in detail 
how the applicant will provide EM services for vessels. To ensure that 
the EM Program achieves its purpose, NMFS will develop EM Program 
Guidelines (see Sec. 660.600(b)) and use them to evaluate proposed EM 
Service Plans. NMFS may consider alternative, but equivalent, methods 
proposed by EM service providers and vessel owners in their plans to 
meet the requirements of this subpart, if they achieve the purpose of 
the EM program. An EM Service Plan must include descriptions of the 
following (using pictures and diagrams where appropriate):
    (A) Contact information for a primary point of contact for program 
operations inseason;
    (B) A plan for provision of services including communications, 
service locations, response timelines, and procedures for services, 
repairs, technical support, and other program services;
    (C) Procedures for hiring and training of competent program staff to 
carry out EM field services and data services, including procedures to 
maintain the skills of EM data processing staff in:
    (1) Use of data processing software;
    (2) Species identification;
    (3) Fate determination and metadata reporting requirements;
    (4) Data processing procedures;
    (5) Data tracking; and,
    (6) Reporting and data upload procedures.
    (D) Procedures for tracking hard drives and/or data files throughout 
their use cycle, including procedures to ensure the integrity and 
security of hard drives or data files in transit, and for removing EM 
data from hard drives or other medium before returning them to the 
field;
    (E) Procedures for data processing, including tracking of EM 
datasets throughout their processing cycle and documenting any access 
and modifications;
    (F) Procedures for correction and resubmission of EM summary data 
reports and other reports that NMFS has determined are not of sufficient 
quality to meet the purpose of the EM program, as described at Sec. 
660.603(m)(5), and to ensure that future reports are sufficient for use 
by NMFS.
    (G) Policies on data access, handling, and release to prevent 
unauthorized disclosure of EM data and other records specified in this 
section by the EM provider as required under Sec. 660.603(n);
    (H) Procedures for retention of records as required under Sec. 
660.603(m)(6);
    (I) Identifying characteristics of the EMS to be deployed and the 
video review software to be used in the fishery, including but not 
limited to: Manufacturer, brand name, model name, model

[[Page 368]]

number, software version and date, firmware version number and date, 
hardware version number and date, monitor/terminal number and date, 
pressure sensor model number and date, drum rotation sensor model number 
and date, and GPS model number and date.
    (J) EM system and software specifications, including a narrative 
statement describing how the EM system and associated equipment meets 
the performance standards at Sec. 660.604(j).
    (K) EM video review software specifications, including a narrative 
statement describing how the software meets the EM Program Guidelines 
and will provide NMFS with data to achieve the purpose of the EM Program 
as defined at Sec. 660.600(b).
    (viii) Provide NMFS the following, if requested:
    (A) Two EM system units loaded with software for a minimum of 90 
calendar days for testing and evaluation.
    (B) Thorough documentation for the EM system, including: User 
manuals, any necessary interfacing software, performance specifications, 
technical support information, and tamperproof or tamper evident 
features.
    (C) The results of at-sea trials of the EM system.
    (D) Two copies of video review and analysis software for a minimum 
of 90 calendar days for testing and evaluation.
    (E) Thorough documentation for the video review and analysis 
software, including: User manuals, performance specifications, and 
technical support information.
    (F) Descriptions of database models and analysis procedures for EM 
data and associated meta data to produce required reports.
    (2) Application evaluation. NMFS may request additional information 
or revisions from the applicant until NMFS is satisfied that the 
application is complete. Complete applications will be forwarded to the 
EM Program for review and evaluation by the EM provider permit review 
board. If the applicant is an entity, the review board also will 
evaluate the application criteria for each owner, board member, officer, 
authorized agent, and employee. NMFS will evaluate the application based 
on the EM Program Guidelines (see Sec. 660.600(b)) and the following 
criteria:
    (i) The applicant's relevant experience and qualifications;
    (ii) Review of any conflict of interest as described in Sec. 
660.603(h);
    (iii) Review of any criminal convictions;
    (iv) Review of the proposed EM Service Plan, including evaluation of 
EM equipment and software;
    (v) Satisfactory performance ratings on any federal contracts held 
by the applicant;
    (vi) Review of any history of decertification or permit sanction as 
an observer, catch monitor, observer provider, catch monitor provider, 
or EM service provider; and,
    (vii) Review of any performance history as an EM service provider.
    (3) Agency determination on an application. Based on a complete 
application, if NMFS determines that the applicant has met the 
requirements of this section, NMFS will issue an initial administrative 
determination (IAD). If the application is approved, the IAD will serve 
as the EM service provider's permit and endorsement. If the application 
is denied, the IAD will provide an explanation of the denial in writing. 
The applicant may appeal NMFS' determination following the process at 
Sec. 660.19.
    (4) Effective dates. The provider permit is valid from the effective 
date identified on the permit until the permit expiration date of 
December 31 of the following year. Provider permit holders must renew 
biennially by following the renewal process specified in paragraph (f) 
of this section.
    (5) Expiration of the provider permit--(i) Expiration due to 
inactivity. After a period of 24 continuous months during which no EM 
services are provided by the provider in the Pacific coast groundfish 
fishery, NMFS will issue an IAD describing the intent to expire the 
provider permit or to remove the appropriate endorsement(s) and the 
timeline to do so. A provider that receives an IAD may appeal under 
Sec. 660.19. The provider permit and endorsements will remain valid 
until a final agency decision is made or until the permit expiration 
date, whichever is earlier.

[[Page 369]]

    (ii) Expiration due to failure to renew. Failure to renew biennially 
will result in expiration of the provider permit and endorsements on the 
permit expiration date.
    (iii) Invalidation due to lapse in eligibility. NMFS may invalidate 
an EM service provider permit if NMFS determines that the EM service 
provider no longer meets the eligibility criteria defined at paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section. NMFS will first notify the EM service 
provider of the deficiencies in writing and the EM service provider must 
correct the deficiencies following the instructions provided. If the 
deficiencies are not resolved upon review of the first trip following 
the notification, NMFS will notify the EM service provider in writing 
that the provider permit is invalid and that the EM service provider is 
no longer eligible to provide EM services for vessels for the remainder 
of that calendar year. The EM service provider may reapply for an EM 
service provider permit and endorsement for the following calendar year.
    (iv) Obtaining a new permit or endorsement following an expiration 
or invalidated permit. A person holding an expired or invalidated permit 
or endorsement may reapply for a new provider permit or endorsement at 
any time consistent with paragraph (b) of this section.
    (c) Changes to a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan. An EM service 
provider may make changes to a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan by 
submitting a revised plan or plan addendum to NMFS in writing. NMFS will 
review and accept the change if it meets all the requirements of this 
section. A plan addendum must contain:
    (1) The date and the name and signature of an authorized agent of 
the EM service provider;
    (2) Address, telephone number, fax number and email address of the 
person submitting the addendum;
    (3) A complete description of the proposed EM Service Plan change.
    (d) Change of provider permit ownership and transfer restrictions. 
If an EM service provider changes ownership during the term of an EM 
service provider permit, the new owner must apply for a new provider 
permit.
    (e) Provider permit sanctions. Procedures governing sanctions of 
permits are found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (f) Renewing a provider permit. To maintain a valid provider permit, 
provider permit holders must reapply biennially prior to the permit 
expiration date. NMFS will mail a provider permit application form to 
existing permit holders on or about July 15 of the year that the permit 
is due to expire. Providers who want to have their permits effective for 
January 1 of the following calendar year must submit their complete 
application form to NMFS by September 1. If a provider fails to renew 
the provider permit, the provider permit and endorsements will expire on 
the permit expiration date.
    (g) Fees. NMFS may charge a fee to cover administrative expenses 
related to issuance of permits including initial issuance, renewal, 
replacement, and appeals.
    (h) Limitations on conflict of interest for providers and employees. 
(1) EM service providers and their employees must not have a direct 
financial interest, other than the provision of observer, catch monitor, 
EM, other biological sampling services, VMS, AIS transponders, telemetry 
(such as product temperature monitoring for seafood safety), buoy and 
gear monitoring, sonar systems, mandatory safety services (i.e. GMDSS), 
or other technical or equipment services, in any Federal or state 
managed fisheries, including but not limited to:
    (i) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processor 
facility involved in the catching, taking, harvesting or processing of 
fish;
    (ii) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processing 
facility; or
    (iii) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed 
products from any vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating 
stationary processing facilities.
    (2) EM service providers and their employees must not solicit or 
accept, directly or indirectly, any gratuity,

[[Page 370]]

gift, favor, entertainment, loan, employment, or anything of monetary 
value from any person who conducts fishing or fish processing activities 
that are regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may be 
substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the 
provider's contractual duties.
    (3) The EM service provider may not employ any person to handle hard 
drives or EM data from a vessel by which the person was previously 
employed in the last two years.
    (4) Provisions of contracts or agreements for remuneration of EM 
services under this section do not constitute a conflict of interest.
    (i) Insurance. The EM service provider must maintain sufficient 
commercial liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property 
damage caused by their employees while on a contracted vessel and State 
Worker's Compensation insurance. The EM service provider shall provide 
copies of these insurance policies to the vessel owner, operator, or 
vessel manager, when requested.
    (j) Warranties. None of the provisions of this section are intended 
to preclude any state or federal statutes or regulations governing 
warranties.
    (k) Field and technical support services. The EM service provider 
must provide and manage EM systems, installation, maintenance and 
technical support, as described below and according to a NMFS-accepted 
EM Service Plan, which is required under Sec. 660.603(b)(1)(vii), and 
as described in the EM Program Manual or other written and oral 
instructions provided by the EM Program, such that the EM program 
achieves its purpose as defined at Sec. 660.600(b).
    (1) At the time of installation, the EM service provider must:
    (i) Install an EM system that meets the performance standards under 
Sec. 660.604(j);
    (ii) Ensure that the EM system is set up, wires run, system powered, 
and tested with the vessel in operation;
    (iii) Brief the vessel operator on system operation, maintenance, 
and procedures to follow for technical support or field service;
    (iv) Provide necessary information for the vessel operator to 
complete the VMP, such as images and diagrams of camera views and vessel 
layout, specific information about system settings, and designated 
discard control points; and,
    (v) Complete an EM System Certification Form for the vessel owner.
    (2) The EM service provider must communicate with vessel operators 
and NMFS to coordinate service needs, resolve specific program issues, 
and provide feedback on program operations.
    (3) The EM service provider must provide maintenance and support 
services, including maintaining an EM equipment inventory, such that all 
deployed EM systems perform according to the performance standards at 
Sec. 660.604(j) and that field service events are scheduled and carried 
out with minimal delays or disruptions to fishing activities.
    (4) The EM service provider must provide technical assistance to 
vessels, upon request, in EM system operation, the diagnosis of the 
cause of malfunctions, and assistance in resolving any malfunctions. 
Technical support must be available 24-hours per day, seven days per 
week, and year-round.
    (5) The EM service provider must submit to NMFS reports of requests 
for technical assistance from vessels, including when the call or visit 
was made, the nature of the issue, and how it was resolved. Reports must 
be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of the EM service provider being 
notified of the request for technical assistance.
    (l) Technical assistance and litigation information. As a 
requirement of its permit, the EM service provider must provide the 
following to NMFS or authorized officers, upon request.
    (1) Assistance in EM system operation, diagnosing and resolving 
technical issues, and recovering corrupted or lost data.
    (2) Responses to inquiries related to data summaries, analyses, 
reports, and operational issues with vessel representatives.
    (3) Technical and expert information, if the EM system/data are 
being admitted as evidence in a court of law. All technical aspects of a 
NMFS-approved EM system may be analyzed in court

[[Page 371]]

for, inter alia, testing procedures, error rates, peer review, technical 
processes and general industry acceptance. To substantiate the EM system 
data and address issues raised in litigation, an EM service provider 
must provide information, including but not limited to:
    (i) If the technologies have previously been subject to such 
scrutiny in a court of law, a brief summary of the litigation and any 
court findings on the reliability of the technology.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) All software necessary for accessing, viewing, and interpreting 
the data generated by the EM system, including maintenance releases to 
correct errors in the software or enhance the functionality of the 
software.
    (5) Notification NMFS within 24 hours after the EM service provider 
becomes aware of the following:
    (i) Any information, allegations, or reports regarding possible 
harassment of EM provider staff;
    (ii) Any information, allegations, or reports regarding possible EM 
system tampering;
    (iii) Any information, allegations, or reports regarding any action 
prohibited under Sec. Sec. 660.12(f) or 660.602(a)(13); or,
    (iv) Any information, allegations or reports regarding EM service 
provider staff conflicts of interest.
    (6) Notification to NMFS of any change of management or contact 
information or a change to insurance coverage.
    (7) A copy of any contract between the service provider and entities 
requiring EM services;
    (8) Proof of sufficient insurance as defined in paragraph (i);
    (9) Copies of any information developed and used by the EM service 
provider and distributed to vessels, including, but not limited to, 
informational pamphlets, payment notifications, and description of EM 
service provider duties; and,
    (10) EM data and associated meta data, and other records specified 
in this section.
    (m) Data services. For vessels with which it has a contract (see 
Sec. 660.604(k)), the EM service provider must provide and manage EM 
data and logbook processing, reporting, and record retention services, 
as described below and according to a NMFS-approved EM Service Plan, 
which is required under paragraph (b)(1)(vii) of this section, and as 
described in the EM Program Manual or other written and oral 
instructions provided by the EM program, and such that the EM program 
achieves its purpose as defined at Sec. 660.600(b).
    (1) The EM service provider must process vessels' EM data and 
logbooks according to a prescribed coverage level or sampling scheme, as 
specified by NMFS in consultation with the Council, and determine an 
estimate of discards for each trip using standardized estimation methods 
specified by NMFS. NMFS will maintain manuals for EM and logbook data 
processing protocols on its website.
    (2) The EM service provider must ensure that its data processing 
staff are fully trained in:
    (i) Use of data processing software;
    (ii) Species identification;
    (iii) Fate determination and metadata reporting requirements;
    (iv) Data processing procedures;
    (v) Data tracking; and,
    (vi) Reporting and data upload procedures.
    (3) The EM service provider must track hard drives and EM datasets 
throughout their cycles, including documenting any access and 
modifications. If end-to-end encryption is not used to protect EM data, 
EM data must be removed from hard drives or other mediums before 
returning them to the field.
    (4) The EM service provider must communicate with vessel operators 
and NMFS to coordinate data service needs, resolve specific program 
issues, and provide feedback on program operations. No later than three 
weeks from the date of receipt of EM data for processing from the vessel 
operator, the EM service provider must provide feedback to vessel 
representatives, field services staff, and NMFS regarding:
    (i) Adjustments to system settings;
    (ii) Changes to camera positions;
    (iii) Advice to vessel personnel on duty of care responsibilities;
    (iv) Advice to vessel personnel on catch handling practices; and,

[[Page 372]]

    (v) Any other information that would improve the quality and 
effectiveness of data collection on the vessel.
    (5) Submission of data and reports. On behalf of vessels with which 
it has a contract (see Sec. 660.604(k)), the EM service provider must 
submit to NMFS logbook data, EM summary reports, including discard 
estimates, fishing activity information, and meta data (e.g., image 
quality, reviewer name), and incident reports of compliance issues 
according to a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan, which is required under 
paragraph (b)(1)(vii) of this section, and as described in the EM 
Program Manual or other written and oral instructions provided by the EM 
program, such that the EM program achieves its purpose as defined at 
Sec. 660.600(b). Logbook data must be submitted to NMFS within two 
business days of receipt from the vessel operator. EM summary reports 
must be submitted within three weeks of the date the EM data was 
received by the EM service provider from the vessel operator. If NMFS 
determines that the information does not meet these standards, NMFS may 
require the EM service provider to correct and resubmit the datasets and 
reports.
    (6) Retention of records. Following an EM trip, the EM service 
provider must maintain all of a vessel's EM data and other records 
specified in this section, or used in the preparation of records or 
reports specified in this section or corrections to these reports. The 
EM service provider must maintain EM data for a period of not less than 
12 months after NMFS has completed its determination of the total base 
year IFQ catch for all vessels for end-of-year account reconciliation 
(i.e., base year is the year in which the EM trip was taken). NMFS will 
issue a public notice when end-of-the-year account reconciliation has 
been completed, on or about March 1 of each year. The EM service 
provider must maintain summary EM data and other records for a period of 
not less than three years after the date of landing for that trip. EM 
data and other records must be stored such that the integrity and 
security of the records is maintained for the duration of the retention 
period. The EM service provider must produce EM data and other records 
immediately upon request by NMFS or an authorized officer.
    (n) Data integrity and security. The EM service provider must ensure 
the integrity and security of vessels' EM data and other records 
specified in this section. The EM service provider and its employees:
    (1) Must not handle or transport hard drives or other medium 
containing EM data except to carry out EM services required by this 
section in accordance with a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan.
    (2) Must not write to or modify any EM hard drive or other medium 
that contains EM data before it has been copied and catalogued.
    (3) Must not release a vessel's EM data and other records specified 
in this section (including documents containing such data and 
observations or summaries thereof) except to NMFS and authorized 
officers as provided in paragraph (m)(6) of this section, or as 
authorized by an authorized representative of the vessel.

[84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 74614, Nov. 23, 2020; 
86 FR 55527, Oct. 6, 2021; 87 FR 59713, Oct. 3, 2022]



Sec. 660.604  Vessel and first receiver responsibilities.

    (a) General. This section lays out the requirements for catcher 
vessels to obtain an exemption to use EM in place of 100-percent 
observer coverage required by the Shorebased IFQ Program (Sec. 
660.140(h)(1)(i)) and MS Co-op Program (Sec. 660.150(j)(1)(i)(B)). 
Requirements are also described for first receivers receiving landings 
from EM trips.
    (b) Vessel owner responsibilities. To use EM under this section, 
vessel owners must:
    (1) Obtain an EM Authorization from the NMFS West Coast Region 
Fisheries Permit Office (see Sec. 660.604(e));
    (2) Install an EM system using a NMFS-permitted EM service provider 
that meets performance standards under Sec. 660.604(j);
    (3) Have a signed EM system certification form (see Sec. 
660.604(e)(3)(i));
    (4) Have a NMFS-accepted vessel monitoring plan (see Sec. 
660.604(e)(3)(iii));
    (5) Ensure that the vessel operator attends a mandatory EM 
orientation

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session provided by the NMFS West Coast Region EM Program (NMFS may 
waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis, such as when the vessel 
operator has prior EM experience);
    (6) Maintain logbooks and other records for three years and provide 
them to NMFS or authorized officers for inspection (see Sec. 
660.604(t)).
    (7) Obtain EM data processing, reporting, and recordkeeping services 
from a NMFS-permitted EM service provider (see Sec. 660.604(k)).
    (c) Vessel operator responsibilities. To use EM under this section, 
vessel operators must:
    (1) Maintain a valid EM Authorization and NMFS-accepted vessel 
monitoring plan onboard the vessel at all times that the vessel is 
fishing on an EM trip or when fish harvested during an EM trip are 
onboard the vessel;
    (2) Ensure that the EM system is installed, operated, and maintained 
consistent with performance standards (see Sec. 660.604(l));
    (3) Comply with a NMFS-accepted vessel monitoring plan (see Sec. 
660.604(e)(3)(iii);
    (4) Make declaration reports to OLE prior to leaving port (see Sec. 
660.604(m));
    (5) Provide advance notice to the NMFS WCGOP at least 48 hours prior 
to departing port (see Sec. 660.604(n));
    (6) Comply with observer requirements, if NMFS notifies the vessel 
owner, operator, or manager that the vessel is required to carry an 
observer (see Sec. 660.604(n));
    (7) Ensure retention and handling of all catch as provided under 
Sec. Sec. 660.604(p) and 660.604(r); and
    (8) Comply with recordkeeping, reporting, and inspection 
requirements (see Sec. Sec. 660.604(o), (s) and (t)).
    (d) First receiver responsibilities. First receivers receiving catch 
from trips taken under EM must follow special disposition and sorting 
requirements for prohibited and protected species (see Sec. 
660.604(u)).
    (e) Electronic Monitoring (EM) Authorization. To obtain an EM 
Authorization, a vessel owner must submit an initial application to the 
NMFS West Coast Region Fisheries Permit Office, and then a final 
application that includes an EM system certification and a vessel 
monitoring plan (VMP). NMFS will only review complete applications. NMFS 
will issue a public notice at least 90 calendar days prior to when it 
will begin accepting applications for EM Authorizations for the first 
year of the Program. Once NMFS begins accepting applications, vessel 
owners that want to have their EM Authorizations effective for January 1 
of the following calendar year must submit their complete application to 
NMFS by October 1. Vessel owners that want to have their EM 
Authorizations effective for the primary whiting season start date must 
submit their complete application to NMFS by February 1 of the same 
year.
    (1) Initial application. To be considered for an EM Authorization, 
the vessel owner must:
    (i) Submit a completed application form provided by NMFS, signed and 
dated by an authorized representative of the vessel;
    (ii) Meet the following eligibility criteria:
    (A) The applicant owns the vessel proposed to be used;
    (B) The vessel has a valid Pacific Coast Groundfish limited entry, 
trawl-endorsed permit registered to it;
    (C) The vessel is participating in the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, 
mothership sector, or the Shorebased IFQ sector;
    (D) The vessel is able to accommodate the EM system, including 
providing sufficient uninterrupted electrical power, suitable camera 
mounts, adequate lighting, and fittings for hydraulic lines to enable 
connection of a pressure transducer;
    (E) The vessel owner and operator are willing and able to comply 
with all applicable requirements of this section and to operate under a 
NMFS-accepted VMP; and
    (F) The vessel owner and operator are willing and able to comply 
with the terms and conditions of a self-enforcing agreement that was 
submitted as part of a group authorization application, if applicable.
    (iii) If applying for a group EM Authorization, submit a complete 
proposed self-enforcing agreement that describes how the group's 
operations will be conducted to meet the requirements of this section. 
NMFS will develop EM

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Program Guidelines containing best practices and templates and make them 
available on NMFS's website to assist vessel owners in developing a 
self-enforcing agreement. The self-enforcing agreement must include 
descriptions of the following:
    (A) A list of all participating vessels, owners, operators, and 
other parties;
    (B) The name and contact information of a designated representative 
who will be responsible for ensuring that each vessel is complying with 
the terms and conditions of the agreement and the requirements of this 
section, and who will promptly inform the appropriate parties and NMFS 
if any vessel fails to comply;
    (C) Eligibility criteria for participating vessels, owners, and 
operators;
    (D) The roles and responsibilities of participating vessels, owners, 
operators, the designated representative, and any other parties to the 
agreement;
    (E) Procedures for communication between participating vessels, 
owners, operators, the designated representative, and any other parties 
to the agreement, NMFS or its designated agent, and EM service 
providers, for the execution of the agreement and the requirements of 
this section;
    (F) Performance standards or requirements for equipment, if 
applicable;
    (G) Reporting requirements, if applicable;
    (H) Time and area restrictions, if applicable;
    (I) Provisions for the use and protection of confidential data 
necessary for execution of the agreement;
    (J) Provisions to encourage or enforce the compliance of members 
with the agreement and the requirements of this section;
    (K) Procedures for addressing the non-compliance of members with the 
agreement and the requirements of this section, including procedures for 
restricting or terminating vessel's participation in the agreement;
    (L) Procedures for notifying NMFS when a participating vessel or its 
owner(s) or operator(s) are not complying with the terms of the 
agreement or the requirements of this section;
    (M) Procedures for participating vessels, owners, operators, the 
designated representative, or other parties to the agreement, to exit 
the agreement;
    (N) Any other provisions that the applicants deem necessary for the 
execution of the agreement; and
    (O) Procedures for the designated representative to submit an annual 
report to the Council prior to applying to renew a group EM 
authorization containing information about the group's performance from 
the previous year, including a description of any actions taken by the 
self-enforcing group in response to the non-compliance of members with 
the agreement.
    (2) Review of initial application. Based on a complete initial 
application, if NMFS determines that the applicant meets the eligibility 
criteria in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, NMFS will notify the 
applicant in writing that the initial application has been accepted for 
further consideration. An applicant who receives such notice may install 
an EM system on his or her vessel and proceed with submission of a final 
application as provided under paragraph (e)(3) of this section. If an 
initial application has not been accepted, NMFS will provide the 
applicant an explanation of the denial in writing. The applicant may 
appeal NMFS' determination following the process at Sec. 660.25(g).
    (3) Final application. A final application must be complete and must 
include:
    (i) EM system certification. A certification form, provided by NMFS, 
signed by a representative of a NMFS-permitted EM service provider that 
attests that an EM system and associated equipment that meets the 
performance standards at paragraph (k) of this section was installed on 
the vessel, that the system was tested while the vessel was underway, 
and that the vessel operator was briefed on the EM system operation and 
maintenance. NMFS will maintain a list of permitted EM service providers 
on its website.
    (ii) Tentative fishing plan. A description of the vessel owner's 
fishing plans for the year, including which fishery the vessel owner 
plans to participate

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in, from what ports, and when the vessel owner intends to use EM and 
observers. This information is for purposes of planning observer 
deployments and is not binding.
    (iii) Vessel monitoring plan. A complete vessel monitoring plan for 
the vessel that accurately describes how fishing operations on the 
vessel will be conducted and how the EM system and associated equipment 
will be configured to meet the performance standards at paragraph (k) of 
this section. NMFS will develop EM Program Guidelines containing best 
practices and templates and make them available on NMFS' website to 
assist vessel owners in developing VMPs (see Sec. 660.600(b)). NMFS may 
consider alternative, but equivalent, methods proposed by EM service 
providers and vessel owners in their plans to meet the requirements of 
this subpart, if they achieve the purpose of the EM program. An EM 
service provider may prepare and submit a VMP on behalf of the 
applicant. The VMP must include descriptions of the following (using 
pictures and diagrams where appropriate):
    (A) General vessel information including the vessel name, hull 
number, gear type(s), home port, captain name, and target fishery or 
sector;
    (B) The coordinates of the home port box, if a geo-referenced port 
box will be used to trigger data collection;
    (C) A diagram of the vessel layout with measurements of the deck and 
denoting the location of any designated discard control points;
    (D) The number and location of cameras and with images of 
corresponding views;
    (E) The location of lighting, control center, GPS, sensors, monitor, 
and other EM equipment;
    (F) Frame rates, image resolution, frequency of data logging, sensor 
trigger threshold values, and other EM system specifications;
    (G) The location and procedures for any catch handling, including 
designated discard control points within camera view, procedures for 
sorting and measuring discards, the number of crew sorting catch, and 
what steps will be taken to ensure that all catch remains in camera 
view;
    (H) The measurements of all bins, baskets, compartments, and other 
tools that will be used to calculate estimates of weight;
    (I) The detailed steps that will be taken to minimize the potential 
for EM system malfunctions and the steps that will be taken, when 
malfunctions occur, to ensure the adequate monitoring of catch;
    (J) The name, address, phone number, and email address of a primary 
point of contact for vessel operations;
    (K) The name, address, and phone number of the vessel's EM service 
provider, and contact information for a primary point of contact at the 
EM service provider;
    (L) The name, address, phone number, and signature of the applicant, 
and the date of the application; and,
    (M) Any other information required by NMFS.
    (iv) Any updates to information submitted in the initial 
application, including updates to proposed, self-enforcing agreements, 
if applicable (see paragraph (e)(5) of this section).
    (4) Review of final application. NMFS may request additional 
information or revisions from the applicant until NMFS is satisfied that 
the application is complete. Based on a complete application, if NMFS 
determines that the applicant has met the requirements of this section, 
NMFS will issue an IAD and an EM Authorization. If the application is 
denied, the IAD will provide an explanation of the denial in writing. 
The applicant may appeal NMFS' determination following the process at 
Sec. 660.25(g). NMFS will evaluate an application based on the EM 
Program Guidelines (see Sec. 660.600(b)) and the following criteria, at 
a minimum:
    (i) Review of the vessel owner's and operator's eligibility based on 
the eligibility criteria at paragraph (e)(1);
    (ii) Review of the proposed VMP; and,
    (iii) Review of the proposed self-enforcing agreement, if 
applicable.
    (f) Changes to a NMFS-accepted VMP or NMFS-approved self-enforcing 
agreement. A vessel owner may make changes to a NMFS-accepted VMP by 
submitting a revised plan or plan addendum to NMFS in writing. A group 
may make changes to an approved self-enforcing agreement by submitting a

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revised agreement or agreement addendum to NMFS in writing. NMFS will 
review and accept the change if it meets all the requirements of this 
section. A VMP or self-enforcing agreement addendum must contain:
    (1) The date and the name and signature of the vessel owner, or 
designated representative for a self-enforcing agreement;
    (2) Address, telephone number, fax number and email address of the 
person submitting the revised plan or addendum; and
    (3) A complete description of the proposed change.
    (g) Change in ownership of a vessel. If a vessel changed ownership, 
the new owner must apply for a new EM Authorization.
    (h) Effective dates. (1) The EM Authorization is valid from the 
effective date identified on the Authorization until the expiration date 
of December 31. EM Authorization holders must renew annually by 
following the renewal process specified in paragraph (e) of this 
section. Failure to renew annually will result in expiration of the EM 
Authorization and endorsements on the Authorization expiration date.
    (2) NMFS may invalidate an EM Authorization if NMFS determines that 
the vessel, vessel owner, and/or operator no longer meets the 
eligibility criteria specified at paragraph (e)(1) of this section. NMFS 
would first notify the vessel owner of the deficiencies in writing and 
the vessel owner must correct the deficiencies following the 
instructions provided. If the deficiencies are not resolved upon review 
of the first trip following the notification, NMFS will notify the 
vessel owner in writing that the EM Authorization is invalid and that 
the vessel is no longer exempt from observer coverage at Sec. Sec. 
660.140(h)(1)(i) and 660.150(j)(1)(i)(B) for that authorization period. 
The holder may reapply for an EM Authorization for the following 
authorization period.
    (3) A vessel owner holding an expired or invalidated authorization 
may reapply for a new EM Authorization at any time consistent with 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    (i) Renewing an EM Authorization. To maintain a valid EM 
Authorization, vessel owners must renew annually prior to the permit 
expiration date. NMFS will mail EM Authorization renewal forms to 
existing EM Authorization holders each year on or about: September 1 for 
non-trawl shorebased IFQ vessels and January 1 for Pacific whiting IFQ 
and MS/CV vessels. Vessel owners who want to have their EM 
Authorizations effective for January 1 of the following calendar year 
must submit their complete renewal form to NMFS by October 15. Vessel 
owners who want to have their EM Authorizations effective for the 
primary whiting season start date of the following calendar year must 
submit their complete renewal form to NMFS by February 1.
    (j) EM System Performance Standards. The specifications (e.g., image 
resolution, frame rate, user interface) and configuration of an EM 
system and associated equipment (e.g., number and placement of cameras, 
lighting) used to meet the requirements of this section must be 
sufficient to:
    (1) Allow easy and complete viewing, identification, and 
quantification, of catch items discarded at sea, including during low 
light conditions;
    (2) Continuously record vessel location (latitude/longitude 
coordinates), velocity, course, and sensor data (i.e, hydraulic and 
winch activity);
    (3) Allow the identification of the time, date, and location of a 
haul/set or discard event;
    (4) Record and store image data from all hauls/sets and the duration 
that fish are onboard the vessel until offloading begins;
    (5) Continuously record and store raw sensor data (i.e., GPS and 
gear sensors) for the entire fishing trip;
    (6) Prevent radio frequency interference (RFI) with vessel 
monitoring systems (VMS) and other equipment;
    (7) Allow the vessel operator to test and monitor the functionality 
of the EM system prior to and during the fishing trip to ensure it is 
fully functional;
    (8) Prevent tampering or, if tampering does occur, show evidence of 
tampering; and,
    (9) Provide image and sensor data in a format that enables their 
integration for analysis.

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    (k) EM data services. A vessel owner with a valid EM Authorization 
must obtain EM data processing, reporting, and record retention services 
from a NMFS-permitted EM service provider, as described at Sec. 
660.603(m). If the vessel owner changes EM service providers, the vessel 
owner must ensure the continuity of EM data retention for the entire 
duration of the required retention period as specified Sec. 
660.603(m)(6). NMFS will maintain a list of permitted EM service 
providers on its website.
    (l) EM system operation and maintenance. The EM system must be 
recording imagery and sensor data at all times that fish harvested 
during an EM trip are onboard the vessel until offloading begins. For 
the purposes of this section, a fully functional EM system is defined as 
an EM system and associated equipment that meets the performance 
standards listed in paragraph (j) of this section.
    (1) Duties of care. The operator of a vessel with a valid EM 
Authorization must maintain the EM system in good working order, 
including:
    (i) Ensuring the EM system is powered continuously during the 
fishing trip;
    (ii) Ensuring the system is functioning for the entire fishing trip 
and that camera views are unobstructed and clear in quality, such that 
the performance standards listed in paragraph (j) of this section are 
met; and,
    (iii) Ensuring EM system components are not tampered with, disabled, 
destroyed, operated or maintained improperly.
    (2) Pre-departure test. Prior to departing port, the operator of a 
vessel with a valid EM Authorization must turn the EM system on and 
conduct a system function test following the instructions from the EM 
service provider. The vessel operator must verify that the EM system has 
adequate memory to record the entire trip and that the vessel is 
carrying one or more spare hard drives with sufficient capacity to 
record the entire trip.
    (3) EM system malfunctions. The operator of a vessel with a valid EM 
Authorization is prohibited from fishing on an EM trip without a fully 
functional EM system, unless an alternate arrangement has been specified 
in the NMFS-accepted VMP. In the event of an EM system malfunction, the 
vessel operator may voluntarily obtain observer coverage and revise the 
vessel's declaration following the process at Sec. 660.13(d)(4), in 
which case the vessel operator is no longer exempt from the observer 
requirements at Sec. Sec. 660.140(h) and 660.150(j).
    (m) Declaration reports. The operator of a vessel with a valid EM 
Authorization must make a declaration report to NMFS OLE prior to 
leaving port following the process described at Sec. 660.13(d)(4). A 
declaration report will be valid until another declaration report 
revising the existing gear or monitoring declaration is received by NMFS 
OLE.
    (n) Observer requirements. The operator of a vessel with a valid EM 
Authorization must provide advanced notice to NMFS, at least 48 hours 
prior to departing port, of the vessel operator's intent to take a trip 
under EM, including: vessel name, permit number; contact name and 
telephone number for coordination of observer deployment; date, time, 
and port of departure; and the vessel's trip plan, including area to be 
fished, gear type to be used, and whether the vessel will use maximized 
or optimized retention rules for the trip as defined at paragraphs 
(p)(3) and (4) of this section. NMFS may waive this requirement for 
vessels declared into the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery or mothership 
sector with prior notice. If NMFS notifies the vessel owner, operator, 
or manager of any requirement to carry an observer, the vessel may not 
be used to fish for groundfish without carrying an observer. The vessel 
operator must comply with the following requirements on a trip that the 
vessel owner, operator, or manager has been notified is required to 
carry an observer.
    (o) Inspection. The operator of a vessel with a valid EM 
Authorization must make the EM system and associated equipment available 
for inspection immediately upon request by NMFS or any authorized 
officer.
    (p) Retention requirements--(1) Pacific whiting IFQ and MS/CV 
vessels. The operator of a vessel on a declared limited entry midwater 
trawl, Pacific whiting shorebased IFQ trip or limited entry

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midwater trawl, Pacific whiting mothership sector (catcher vessel or 
mothership) trip, EM trip must retain all fish until landing, with 
exceptions listed in paragraphs (p)(1)(i) through (v) of this section.
    (i) Minor operational discards are permitted. Minor operational 
discards include mutilated fish; fish vented from an overfull codend, 
fish spilled from the codend during preparation for transfer to the 
mothership; and fish removed from the deck and fishing gear during 
cleaning. Minor operational discards do not include discards that result 
when more catch is taken than is necessary to fill the hold or catch 
from a tow that is not delivered.
    (ii) Large individual marine organisms (i.e., all marine mammals, 
sea turtles, and non-ESA-listed seabirds, and fish species longer than 6 
ft (1.8 m) in length) may be discarded. For any ESA-listed seabirds that 
are brought on board, vessel operators must follow any relevant 
instructions for handling and disposition under Sec. 660.21(c)(1)(v).
    (iii) Crabs, starfish, coral, sponges, and other invertebrates may 
be discarded.
    (iv) Trash, mud, rocks, and other inorganic debris may be discarded.
    (v) A discard that is the result of an event that is beyond the 
control of the vessel operator or crew, such as a safety issue or 
mechanical failure, is permitted.
    (2) Non-trawl shorebased IFQ. A vessel operator on a declared 
limited entry groundfish non-trawl, shorebased IFQ trip must retain all 
salmon and must discard Dungeness crab caught seaward of Washington or 
Oregon, Pacific halibut, green sturgeon, eulachon, sea turtles, and 
marine mammals. All other catch may be discarded following instructions 
in the VMP, except as required by the Seabird Avoidance Program at Sec. 
660.21(c)(1)(v).
    (3) Maximized retention bottom trawl and non-whiting midwater trawl 
trips. A vessel operator on a declared maximized retention trip using 
bottom trawl gear, or midwater trawl gear in which Pacific whiting 
constitutes less than 50 percent of the catch by weight at landing, the 
vessel must not sort catch at sea and must retain all catch until 
landing, with exceptions listed below in paragraphs (p)(3)(i) through 
(v) of this section. All discards must be discarded following 
instructions in the VMP per paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section. All 
discards, regardless of the source, must be reported in a discard 
logbook, as defined at Sec. 660.604(s)(1), including the species (where 
possible), estimated weight, and reason for discard. The vessel operator 
is responsible for ensuring that all catch is handled in a manner that 
enables the EM system to record it.
    (i) Minor operational discards are permitted. Minor operational 
discards include mutilated fish; fish vented from an overfull codend; 
and fish removed from the deck and fishing gear during cleaning. Minor 
operational discards do not include discards that result when more catch 
is taken than is necessary to fill the hold or catch from a tow that is 
not delivered.
    (ii) Large individual marine organisms (i.e., all marine mammals, 
sea turtles, and non-ESA-listed seabirds, and fish species longer than 6 
ft (1.8 m) in length) may be discarded. For any ESA-listed seabirds that 
are brought on board, vessel operators must follow any relevant 
instructions for handling and disposition under Sec. 660.21(c)(1)(v).
    (iii) Crabs, starfish, coral, sponges, and other invertebrates may 
be discarded.
    (iv) Trash, mud, rocks, and other inorganic debris may be discarded.
    (v) A discard that is the result of an event that is beyond the 
control of the vessel operator or crew, such as a safety issue or 
mechanical failure, is permitted.
    (4) Optimized retention bottom trawl and non-whiting midwater trawl 
trips. On a declared optimized retention trip using bottom trawl gear, 
or midwater trawl gear in which Pacific whiting constitutes less than 50 
percent of the catch by weight at landing, the vessel owner and operator 
are responsible for the following:
    (i) The vessel must retain IFQ species (as defined at Sec. 
660.140(c)), except for Arrowtooth flounder, English sole, Dover sole, 
deep sea sole, Pacific sanddab, Pacific whiting, lingcod and starry 
flounder; must retain salmon and eulachon; and must retain the following 
non-IFQ species: greenland

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turbot; slender sole; hybrid sole; c-o sole; bigmouth sole; fantail 
sole; hornyhead turbot; spotted turbot; California halibut; northern 
rockfish; black rockfish; blue rockfish; shortbelly rockfish; olive 
rockfish; Puget Sound rockfish; semaphore rockfish; walleye pollock; 
slender codling; Pacific tom cod; with exceptions listed in paragraphs 
(p)(4)(i)(A) and (B) of this section.
    (A) Mutilated and depredated fish may be discarded.
    (B) A discard that is the result of an event that is beyond the 
control of the vessel operator or crew, such as a safety issue or 
mechanical failure, is permitted.
    (ii) The vessel must discard Pacific halibut, green sturgeon, 
California halibut (except as allowed by state regulations), and 
nearshore groundfish species below state commercial minimum size limits, 
following instructions in the NMFS-accepted VMP.
    (iii) Incidentally caught marine mammals, non-ESA-listed seabirds, 
sea turtles, other ESA-listed fish, and Dungeness crab caught seaward of 
Washington or Oregon or south of Point Reyes, California, as described 
at Sec. 660.11 Prohibited species, must be discarded following 
instructions in the NMFS-accepted VMP per paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this 
section. For any ESA-listed seabirds that are brought on board, vessel 
operators must follow any relevant instructions for handling and 
disposition under Sec. 660.21(c)(1)(v).
    (iv) Crabs, starfish, coral, sponges, and other invertebrates may be 
discarded.
    (v) Trash, mud, rocks, and other inorganic debris may be discarded.
    (vi) All discards must be discarded following instructions in the 
VMP per paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section. All discards, regardless 
of the source, must be reported in a discard logbook, as defined at 
Sec. 660.604(s)(1), including the species (where possible), estimated 
weight, and reason for discard. The vessel operator is responsible for 
ensuring that all catch is handled in a manner that enables the EM 
system to record it.
    (q) Changes to retention requirements. NMFS may specify alternate 
retention requirements in a NMFS-accepted VMP through the process 
described in paragraph (f) of this section, after consultation with the 
Council and issuance of a public notice notifying the public of the 
changes. Alternate retention requirements must be sufficient to provide 
NMFS with the best available information to determine individual 
accountability for catch, including discards, of IFQ species and 
compliance with requirements of the Shorebased IFQ Program (Sec. 
660.140) and MS Coop Program (Sec. 660.150).
    (r) Catch handling. The vessel operator of a vessel on an EM trip 
must ensure that all catch is handled in a manner that enables the EM 
system to record it and that is consistent with the specific catch 
handling instructions in the NMFS-accepted VMP.
    (s) Reporting requirements--(1) Discard logbook. The operator of a 
vessel with a valid EM Authorization must complete, submit, and maintain 
onboard the vessel an accurate federal discard logbook for each EM trip 
on forms supplied by or approved by NMFS. If authorized in writing by 
NMFS, a vessel owner or operator may submit reports electronically, for 
example by using a VMS or other media. A state logbook that contains all 
the required information may be submitted in place of a federal discard 
logbook. If operating an MS/CV vessel, the vessel operator must provide 
logbook information to the mothership observer by transmitting the 
logbook information via radio or email to the mothership at the 
completion of each haul.
    (2) Submission of logbooks. Vessel operators must submit copies of 
the discard logbooks as described at Sec. 660.604(s)(1) and if 
applicable, the trawl logbook as described at Sec. 660.13 (a)(1), to 
the vessel owner's contracted EM service provider and to NMFS or its 
agent within 24 hours of the end of each EM trip.
    (3) Submission of EM data. Vessel operators must submit EM data to 
the vessel owner's contracted EM service provider using a method that 
documents time, date, and location of transmission and receipt. 
Deadlines for submission are as follows:
    (i) Shorebased IFQ vessels. EM data from an EM trip must be 
submitted within 72 hours after the beginning of the offload (and no 
more than 10 days

[[Page 380]]

after the end of the first trip on the hard drive).
    (ii) Mothership catcher vessels. EM data from an EM trip must be 
submitted within 72 hours of the catcher vessel's return to port.
    (t) Retention of records. The operator of a vessel with a valid EM 
Authorization must maintain federal discard logbooks onboard the vessel 
until the end of the fishing year during which the EM trips were 
conducted, and make the report forms available to observers, NMFS staff, 
or authorized officers, immediately upon request. The vessel owner must 
maintain the federal discard logbooks and other records specified in 
this section, or used in the preparation of records or reports specified 
in this section or corrections to these reports, for a period of not 
less than three years after the date of landing from an EM trip. The 
vessel owner must make such records available for inspection by NMFS 
staff or authorized officers, immediately upon request.
    (u) First receiver requirements--(1) Prohibited species handling and 
disposition. To ensure compliance with fishery regulations at 50 CFR 
part 300, subparts E and F, and part 600, subpart H; with the Pacific 
Salmon Fishery Management Plan; and with the Pacific Halibut Catch Share 
Plan; the handling and disposition of all prohibited species in EM trip 
landings are the responsibility of the first receiver and must be 
consistent with the following requirements:
    (i) Any prohibited species landed at first receivers must not be 
transferred, processed, or mixed with another landing until the catch 
monitor has: Recorded the number and weight of salmon by species; 
inspected all prohibited species for tags or marks; and, collected 
biological data, specimens, and genetic samples.
    (ii) No part of any prohibited species may be retained for personal 
use by a vessel owner or crew member, or by a first receiver or 
processing crew member. No part of any prohibited species may be allowed 
to reach commercial markets.
    (iii) Prohibited species suitable for human consumption at landing 
must be handled and stored to preserve the quality. Priority in 
disposition must be given to the donation to surplus food collection and 
distribution system operated and established to assist in bringing 
donated food to nonprofit charitable organizations and individuals for 
the purpose of reducing hunger and meeting nutritional needs.
    (iv) The first receiver must report all prohibited species landings 
on the electronic fish ticket and is responsible for maintaining records 
verifying the disposition of prohibited species. Records on catch 
disposition may include, but are not limited to: Receipts from 
charitable organizations that include the organization's name and amount 
of catch donated; cargo manifests setting forth the origin, weight, and 
destination of all prohibited species; or disposal receipts identifying 
the recipient organization and amount disposed. Any such records must be 
maintained for a period not less than three years after the date of 
disposal and such records must be provided to NMFS or authorized 
officers immediately upon request.
    (2) Protected Species handling and disposition. All protected 
species must be abandoned to NMFS or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
or disposed of consistent with paragraphs (u)(2)(i) and (ii) of this 
section. No part of any protected species may be retained for personal 
use by a vessel owner or crew member, or by a first receiver or 
processing crew member. No part of any protected species may be allowed 
to reach commercial markets.
    (i) Eulachon and green sturgeon. Must be sorted and reported by 
species on electronic fish tickets and state landing receipts and may 
not be reported in unspecified categories. Whole body specimens of green 
sturgeon must be retained, frozen, stored separately by delivery, and 
labeled with the vessel name, electronic fish ticket number, and date of 
landing. Arrangements for transferring the specimens must be made by 
contacting NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center at 831-420-3903 
within 72 hours after the completion of the offload.
    (ii) Seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles. Albatross must 
reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (541-867-4558 extension 
237 or 503-231-6179 as soon as possible and directions for surrendering 
must be followed. Marine

[[Page 381]]

mammals and sea turtles must be reported to NMFS as soon as possible 
(206-526-6550) and directions for surrendering or disposal must be 
followed. Whole body specimens must be labeled with the vessel name, 
electronic fish ticket number, and date of landing. Whole body specimens 
must be kept frozen or on ice until arrangements for surrendering or 
disposing are completed. Unless directed otherwise, after reporting is 
completed, seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles may be disposed by 
incinerating, rendering, composting, or returning the carcasses to sea.

[84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019; 84 FR 36035, July 26, 2019, as amended at 
84 FR 67680, Dec. 11, 2019; 85 FR 74614, Nov. 23, 2020; 86 FR 55527, 
Oct. 6, 2021; 87 FR 59714, Oct. 3, 2022; 87 FR 77007, Dec. 16, 2022]



                  Subpart K_Highly Migratory Fisheries

    Source: 69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 660.701  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart implements the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West 
Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (FMP). These regulations 
govern commercial and recreational fishing for HMS in the U.S. EEZ off 
the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California and in adjacent high 
seas waters.



Sec. 660.702  Definitions.

    Basket-style longline gear means a type of longline gear that is 
divided into units called baskets, each consisting of a segment of main 
line to which 10 or more branch lines with hooks are spliced. The 
mainline and all branch lines are made of multiple braided strands of 
cotton, nylon, or other synthetic fibers impregnated with tar or other 
heavy coatings that cause the lines to sink rapidly in seawater.
    Change in ownership means the addition of a new shareholder or 
partner to the membership of the corporation, partnership, or other 
entity. A change in ownership is not considered to have occurred if a 
member dies or becomes legally incapacitated and a trustee is appointed 
to act on their behalf, nor if the ownership of shares among existing 
members changes, nor if a member leaves the corporation or partnership 
or other entity and is not replaced. A change in ownership is not 
considered to have occurred if only the name of the entity changes.
    Closure, when referring to closure of a fishery, means that taking 
and retaining, possessing, or landing the particular species or species 
group is prohibited.
    Commercial fishing means:
    (1) Fishing by a person who possesses a commercial fishing license 
or is required by law to possess such license issued by one of the 
states or the Federal Government as a prerequisite to taking, retaining, 
possessing, landing and/or selling of fish; or
    (2) Fishing that results in or can be reasonably expected to result 
in sale, barter, trade, or other disposition of fish for other than 
personal consumption.
    Commercial fishing gear includes the following types of gear and 
equipment used in the highly migratory species fisheries:
    (1) Deep-set buoy gear. Line fishing gear which consists of vertical 
mainlines suspended from a buoy array, with gangions with hooks attached 
to either a vertical line or a horizontal line connected to the terminal 
ends of two vertical lines. All configurations must be set at or below a 
minimum depth and actively tended;
    (2) Drift gillnet. A panel of netting, 14 inch (35.5 cm) stretched 
mesh or greater, suspended vertically in the water by floats along the 
top and weights along the bottom. A drift gillnet is not stationary or 
anchored to the bottom;
    (3) Harpoon. Gear consisting of a pointed dart or iron attached to 
the end of a pole or stick that is propelled only by hand and not by 
mechanical means;
    (4) Pelagic longline. A main line that is suspended horizontally in 
the water column and not stationary or anchored, and from which dropper 
lines with hooks (gangions) are attached. Legal longline gear also 
includes basket-style longline gear;
    (5) Purse seine. An encircling net that may be closed by a purse 
line threaded through the bottom of the net. Purse

[[Page 382]]

seine gear includes ring net, drum purse seine, and lampara nets; and
    (6) Surface hook-and-line. Fishing gear, other than longline gear, 
with one or more hooks attached to one or more lines (includes troll, 
rod and reel, handline, albacore jig, live bait, and bait boat). Surface 
hook and line is always attached to the vessel.
    Council means the Pacific Fishery Management Council, including its 
Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT), Scientific and 
Statistical Committee (SSC), Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel 
(HMSAS), and any other committee established by the Council.
    Family member for the purposes of change in ownership of limited 
entry deep-set buoy gear permits means spouse, domestic partner, 
cohabitant, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, mother-in-
law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, great-
grandparent, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepsibling, 
brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or first 
cousin.
    Fishing trip is a period of time between landings when fishing is 
conducted.
    Fishing year is the year beginning at 0801 GMT (0001 local time) on 
April 1 and ending at 0800 GMT on March 31 (2400 local time) of the 
following year.
    Force majeure means an event of extraordinary circumstances 
including the death of a vessel owner or operator, or when a designated 
vessel at sea (except while transiting between ports on a trip during 
which no fishing operations occur) is disabled by mechanical or 
structure failure, fire, or explosion, or the designated vessel is 
totally lost.
    Harvest guideline means a specified numerical harvest objective that 
is not a quota. Attainment of a harvest guideline does not require 
closure of a fishery.
    Highly Migratory Species (HMS) means species managed by the FMP, 
specifically:

Billfish/Swordfish:
 striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax)
 swordfish (Xiphias gladius)
Sharks:
 common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus)
 shortfin mako or bonito shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
 blue shark (Prionace glauca)
Tunas:
 north Pacific albacore (Thunnus alalunga)
 yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
 bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)
 skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)
 Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
Other:
 dorado or dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus)

    Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel (HMSAS) means the 
individuals comprised of members of the fishing industry and public 
appointed by the Council to review proposed actions for managing highly 
migratory species fisheries.
    Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP) means the 
Fishery Management Plan for the U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly 
Migratory Species developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council 
and approved by the Secretary of Commerce and amendments to the FMP.
    Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) means the 
individuals appointed by the Council to review, analyze, and develop 
management measures for highly migratory species fisheries.
    Incidental catch or incidental species means HMS caught while 
fishing for the primary purpose of catching other species with gear not 
authorized by the FMP.
    Initial administrative determination (IAD) means a formal, written 
determination made by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on an 
application or permit request that is subject to an appeal within NMFS.
    Injury, when referring to marine mammals and sea turtles, means the 
animal has been released with obvious physical injury or with attached 
fishing gear.
    Land or landing means offloading fish from a fishing vessel or 
arriving in port to begin offloading fish or causing fish to be 
offloaded from a fishing vessel.
    Mesh size means the opening between opposing knots in a net. Minimum 
mesh size means the smallest distance allowed between the inside of one 
knot

[[Page 383]]

to the inside of the opposing knot when the mesh is stretched, 
regardless of twine size.
    Offloading means removing HMS from a vessel.
    Ownership interest means participation in ownership of a 
corporation, partnership, or other entity that owns a limited entry 
deep-set buoy gear permit.
    Permit holder means a permit owner.
    Permit owner means a person who owns an HMS permit for a specific 
vessel fishing with specific authorized fishing gear.
    Person, as it applies to fishing conducted under this subpart, means 
any individual, corporation, partnership, association or other entity 
(whether or not organized or existing under the laws of any state), and 
any Federal, state, or local government, or any entity of any such 
government that is eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms 
of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a).
    Processing or to process means the preparation or packaging of HMS 
to render it suitable for human consumption, industrial uses or long-
term storage, including, but not limited to, cooking, canning, smoking, 
salting, drying, filleting, freezing, or rendering into meal or oil, but 
does not mean heading and gutting or freezing at sea unless additional 
preparation is done.
    Prohibited species means any highly migratory species for which 
quotas or catch limits under the FMP have been achieved and the fishery 
closed; salmon; great white shark; basking shark; megamouth shark; and 
Pacific halibut.
    Quota means a specified numerical harvest objective, the attainment 
(or expected attainment) of which causes closure of the fishery for that 
species or species group.
    Recreational charter vessel means a vessel that carries fee-paying 
passengers for the purpose of recreational fishing.
    Recreational fishing means fishing with authorized recreational 
fishing gear for personal use only and not for sale or barter.
    Regional Administrator means the Regional Administrator for the West 
Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, or a designee.
    Special Agent-In-Charge (SAC) means the Special Agent-In-Charge, 
NMFS, Office of Enforcement, West Coast Division, or a designee of the 
Special Agent-In-Charge.
    Sustainable Fisheries Division (SFD) means the Assistant Regional 
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, West Coast Region, NMFS, or his 
or her designee.
    Totally lost means the vessel being replaced no longer exists in 
specie, or is absolutely and irretrievably sunk, or the costs of repair 
(including recovery) will exceed the value of the vessel after repairs.
    Tranship means offloading or otherwise transferring HMS or products 
thereof to a receiving vessel.
    Vessel monitoring system unit (VMS unit) means an automated, remote 
system and mobile transceiver unit that is approved by NMFS and provides 
information about a vessel's identity, location, and activity for the 
purposes of routine monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement of 
area and time restrictions and other fishery management measures.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 76 FR 56328, Sept. 13, 2011; 
80 FR 10394, Feb. 26, 2015; 80 FR 46520, Aug. 5, 2015; 83 FR 11150, Mar. 
14, 2018; 85 FR 7250, Feb. 7, 2020; 88 FR 29548, May 8, 2023]



Sec. 660.703  Management area.

    The fishery management area for the regulation of fishing for HMS 
has the following designations and boundaries:
    (a) Southern boundary--the United States-Mexico International 
Boundary, which is a line connecting the following coordinates:
    32[deg]35[min]22[sec] N. lat. 117[deg]27[min]49[sec] W. long.
    32[deg]37[min]37[sec] N. lat. 117[deg]49[min]31[sec] W. long.
    31[deg]07[min]58[sec] N. lat. 118[deg]36[min]18[sec] W. long.
    30[deg]32[min]31[sec] N. lat. 121[deg]51[min]58[sec] W. long.
    (b) Northern boundary--the United States-Canada Provisional 
International Boundary, which is a line connecting the following 
coordinates:
    48[deg]29[min]37.19[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]43[min]33.19[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]30[min]11[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]47[min]13[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]30[min]22[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]50[min]21[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]30[min]14[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]54[min]52[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]29[min]57[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]59[min]14[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]29[min]44[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]00[min]06[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]28[min]09[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]05[min]47[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]27[min]10[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]08[min]25[sec] W. long.

[[Page 384]]

    48[deg]26[min]47[sec] N. lat 125[deg]09[min]12[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]20[min]16[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]22[min]48[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]18[min]22[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]29[min]58[sec] W. long.
    48[deg]11[min]05[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]53[min]48[sec] W. long.
    47[deg]49[min]15[sec] N. lat. 126[deg]40[min]57[sec] W. long.
    47[deg]36[min]47[sec] N. lat. 127[deg]11[min]58[sec] W. long.
    47[deg]22[min]00[sec] N. lat. 127[deg]41[min]23[sec] W. long.
    46[deg]42[min]05[sec] N. lat. 128[deg]51[min]56[sec] W. long.
    46[deg]31[min]47[sec] N. lat. 129[deg]07[min]39[sec] W. long.
    (c) Adjacent waters on the high seas in which persons subject to 
this subpart may fish.



Sec. 660.704  Vessel identification.

    (a) Applicability. This section only applies to commercial fishing 
vessels that fish for HMS off, or land HMS in the States of California, 
Oregon, and Washington. This section does not apply to recreational 
charter vessels that fish for HMS off or land HMS in the States of 
California, Oregon, and Washington. Each fishing vessel must be marked 
for identification purposes, as follows:
    (1) A vessel used to fish on the high seas within the Convention 
Area as defined in Sec. 300.211 of this title must be marked in 
accordance with the requirements at Sec. Sec. 300.14 and 300.217 of 
this title.
    (2) A vessel not used to fish on the high seas within the Convention 
Area as defined in Sec. 300.211 of this title must be marked in 
accordance with either:
    (i) Sections 300.14 and 300.217 of this title, or
    (ii) The vessel's official number must be affixed to the port and 
starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather 
deck so as to be visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. The 
official number must be affixed to each vessel subject to this section 
in block Arabic numerals at least 10 inches (25.40 cm) in height for 
vessels more than 25 ft (7.62 m) but equal to or less than 65 ft (19.81 
m) in length; and 18 inches (45.72 cm) in height for vessels longer than 
65 ft (19.81 m) in length. Markings must be legible and of a color that 
contrasts with the background.
    (b) [Reserved]

[76 FR 73520, Nov. 29, 2011]



Sec. 660.705  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the 
following:
    (a) Fish for HMS in the U.S. EEZ off the Pacific coast without a 
permit issued under Sec. 660.707 for the use of authorized fishing 
gear.
    (b) Fish with gear in any closed area specified in this subpart that 
prohibits the use of such gear.
    (c) Land HMS at Pacific coast ports without a permit issued under 
Sec. 600.707 for the use of authorized fishing gear.
    (d) Sell HMS without an applicable commercial state fishery license.
    (e) When fishing for HMS, fail to return a prohibited species to the 
sea immediately with a minimum of injury, except under the following 
circumstances:
    (1) Any prohibited species may be retained for examination by an 
authorized observer or to return tagged fish as specified by the tagging 
agency.
    (2) Salmon may be retained if harvested in accordance with subpart H 
of this part, and other applicable law.
    (3) Great white sharks, basking sharks, and megamouth sharks may be 
retained if incidentally caught and subsequently sold or donated to a 
recognized scientific or educational organization for research or 
display purposes.
    (4) Pacific halibut may be retained if harvested in accordance with 
part 300, subpart E of this Title, and other applicable law.
    (f) Falsify or fail to affix and maintain vessel markings as 
required by Sec. 660.704.
    (g) Fish for HMS in violation of any terms or conditions attached to 
an exempted fishing permit issued under Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.
    (h) When a directed fishery has been closed for a specific species, 
take and retain, possess, or land that species after the closure date.
    (i) Refuse to submit fishing gear or fish subject to such person's 
control to inspection by an authorized officer, or to interfere with or 
prevent, by any means, such an inspection.
    (j) Falsify or fail to make and/or file any and all reports of 
fishing, landing, or any other activity involving HMS, containing all 
data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable state law, as 
specified in Sec. 660.708(b).

[[Page 385]]

    (k) Fail to carry aboard a vessel that vessel's permit issued under 
Sec. 660.707 or exempted fishing permit issued under Sec. 660.718, 
except if the permit was issued while the vessel was at sea.
    (l) Fail to install, activate, repair, replace, carry, operate or 
maintain a VMS unit as required under Sec. 660.712 and Sec. 660.713.
    (m) Interfere with, tamper with, alter, damage, disable, or impede 
the operation of a VMS unit or to attempt any of the same; or to move or 
remove a VMS unit without the prior permission of the SAC.
    (n) Make a false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer, regarding the use, operation, or maintenance of a VMS unit.
    (o) Fish for, catch, or harvest HMS with longline or drift gillnet 
gear without an operating VMS unit on board the vessel after 
installation of the VMS unit.
    (p) Possess on board a vessel without an operating VMS unit HMS 
harvested with longline or drift gillnet gear after installation of the 
VMS unit.
    (q) Direct fishing effort toward the harvest of swordfish (Xiphias 
gladius) using longline gear deployed west of 150[deg] W. long. and 
north of the equator (0[deg] lat.) on a vessel registered for use of 
longline gear in violation of Sec. 660.712(a)(1).
    (r) Possess a light stick on board a longline vessel when fishing 
west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of the equator (0[deg] lat.) in 
violation of Sec. 660.712(a)(6)
    (s) If no observer is on the vessel and J-type fishing hooks are 
used, possess more than 10 swordfish; if no observer on the vessel and 
only circle-type fishing hooks are used, possess more than 25 swordfish 
on board a longline vessel from a fishing trip where any part of the 
trip included fishing west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of the equator 
(0[deg] lat.) in violation of Sec. 660.712(a)(9).
    (t) Interfere with, impede, delay, or prevent the installation, 
maintenance, repair, inspection, or removal of a VMS unit.
    (u) Interfere with, impede, delay, or prevent access to a VMS unit 
by a NMFS observer.
    (v) Connect or leave connected additional equipment to a VMS unit 
without the prior approval of the SAC.
    (w) Fish for HMS with a vessel registered for use of longline gear 
within closed areas or by use of unapproved gear configurations in 
violation of Sec. 660.712(a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), (a)(8), or (a)(9).
    (x) Fail to use a line setting machine or line shooter, with 
weighted branch lines, to set the main longline when operating a vessel 
that is registered for use of longline gear and equipped with 
monofilament main longline, when making deep sets north of 23[deg] N. 
lat. in violation of Sec. 660.712(c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii).
    (y) Fail to employ basket-style longline gear such that the mainline 
is deployed slack when operating a vessel registered for use of longline 
gear north of 23[deg] N. lat. in violation of Sec. 660.712 (c)(1)(iii).
    (z) Fail to maintain and use blue dye to prepare thawed bait when 
operating a vessel registered for use of longline gear that is fishing 
north of 23[deg] N. lat., in violation of Sec. 660.712(c)(2) and 
(c)(3).
    (aa) Fail to retain, handle, and discharge fish, fish parts, and 
spent bait strategically when operating a vessel registered for use of 
longline gear that is fishing north of 23[deg] N. lat. in violation of 
Sec. 660.712 (c)(4) through (c)(7).
    (bb) Fail to handle short-tailed albatrosses that are caught by 
pelagic longline gear in a manner that maximizes the probability of 
their long-term survival, in violation of Sec. 660.712(c)(8).
    (cc) Fail to handle seabirds other than short-tailed albatross that 
are caught by pelagic longline gear in a manner that maximizes the 
probability of their long-term survival in violation of Sec. 
660.712(c)(17).
    (dd) Own a longline vessel registered for use of longline gear that 
is engaged in longline fishing for HMS without a valid protected species 
workshop certificate issued by NMFS or a legible copy thereof in 
violation of Sec. 660.712(e)(3).
    (ee) Fish for HMS on a vessel registered for use of longline gear 
without having on board a valid protected species workshop certificate 
issued by NMFS or a legible copy thereof in violation of Sec. 
660.712(e).

[[Page 386]]

    (ff) Fail to carry line clippers, dip nets, and wire or bolt cutters 
on a vessel registered for use as a longline vessel in violation of 
Sec. 660.712(b).
    (gg) Fail to comply with sea turtle handling, resuscitation, and 
release requirements specified in Sec. 660.712(b)(4) through (7) when 
operating a vessel.
    (hh) Fail to comply with seabird take mitigation or handling 
techniques required under Sec. 660.712(c)
    (ii) Fish for HMS with a vessel registered for use as a longline 
vessel without being certified by NMFS for completion of an annual 
protected species workshop as required under Sec. 660.712(e).
    (jj) Fail to notify the Regional Administrator at least 24 hours 
prior to departure on a fishing trip using longline gear as required 
under Sec. 660.712(f).
    (kk) Except when fishing under a western Pacific longline limited 
entry permit issued under Sec. 660.21, direct fishing effort toward the 
harvest of swordfish or fail to have and use gear in waters west of 
150[deg] W. long. in violation of Sec. 660.720.
    (ll) Except when fishing under a western Pacific longline limited 
entry permit issued under Sec. 660.21, possess a light stick on board a 
longline vessel on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean west of 150[deg] 
W. long. north of the equator in violation of Sec. 660.720 (a)(ii).
    (mm) Except when fishing under a western Pacific longline limited 
entry permit issued under Sec. 660.21, possess more than 10 swordfish 
on board a longline vessel from a fishing trip where any part of the 
trip included fishing on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean west of 
150[deg] W. long. north of the equator in violation of Sec. 
660.720(a)(3).
    (nn) Except when fishing under a western Pacific longline limited 
entry permit issued under Sec. 660.21, fail to employ basket-style 
longline gear such that the mainline is deployed slack when fishing on 
the high seas of the Pacific Ocean west of 150[deg] W. long. north of 
the equator, in violation of Sec. 660.720 (a)(iv).
    (oo) Except when fishing under a western Pacific longline limited 
entry permit issued under Sec. 660.21, when a conventional monofilament 
longline is deployed by a vessel subject to this section, deploy fewer 
than 15 branch lines between any two floats, in violation of Sec. 
660.720 (a)(v). Vessel operators using basket-style longline gear may 
not set less than 10 branch lines between any 2 floats when fishing in 
waters west of 150[deg] W. long. north of the equator.
    (pp) Except when fishing under a western Pacific longline limited 
entry permit issued under Sec. 660.21, fail to deploy longline gear 
such that the deepest point of the main longline between any two floats, 
i.e., the deepest point in each sag of the main line, is at a depth 
greater than 100 m (328.1 ft or 54.6 fm) below the sea surface, in 
violation of Sec. 660.720 (a)(vi).
    (qq) Take and retain, possess on board, or land, fish in excess of 
any bag limit specified in Sec. 660.721.
    (rr) Fail to notify NMFS or the NMFS-designated observer provider at 
least 48 hours prior to departure on a fishing trip using drift gillnet 
gear as required under Sec. 660.713.
    (ss) Fail to submit a declaration report to the NMFS Office of Law 
Enforcement prior to departure on a fishing trip using drift gillnet 
gear as required under Sec. 660.713.
    (tt) Fish with a large-mesh drift gillnet (mesh size = 14 
inches) in the U.S. West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone during the time 
the fishery is closed pursuant to Sec. 660.713(h)(2)(ii).
    (uu) Retain on board, transship, or land any fish caught with a 
large-mesh drift gillnet (mesh size = 14 inches) later than 4 
days after the effective date of a drift gillnet fishery closure and 
before the drift gillnet fishery re-opens pursuant to Sec. 
660.713(h)(2)(ii).
    (vv) Deploy or have onboard a vessel, deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) in 
contravention of gear configuration specifications described at Sec. 
660.715(a) and (b).
    (ww) Own or operate a vessel used to fish with DSBG in contravention 
of operational requirements specified at Sec. 660.715(c)(1) and (2).
    (xx) When required under Sec. 660.715(c)(3), fail to notify NMFS or 
the NMFS-designated observer provider at least 48 hours prior to 
departure on a fishing trip during which DSBG is deployed.
    (yy) Own or operate a vessel that is engaged in DSBG fishing without

[[Page 387]]

record of the operator's participation in a protected species workshop 
as required under Sec. 660.715(c)(4).
    (zz) Own or operate a vessel used to fish with DSBG in Federal 
waters north of a line extending seaward of the Oregon/Washington border 
at 46[deg]16[min] N latitude.
    (aaa) Own or operate a vessel used to fish with DSBG in the Southern 
California Bight (as defined at Sec. 660.715(d)(2)) while not in 
possession of a valid DSBG limited entry permit.
    (bbb) Own or operate a vessel used to fish a linked configuration of 
DSBG shoreward of a line approximating the 400 meter depth contour 
(according to coordinates specified at Sec. 660.715(d)(3)) in waters 
between a line extending seaward at 34[deg]16[min]8.331[sec] N latitude 
and a line extending seaward from the Oregon/Washington border at 
46[deg]16[min] N latitude.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 72 FR 58259, Oct. 15, 2007; 77 
FR 15975, Mar. 19, 2012; 80 FR 10395, Feb. 26, 2015; 80 FR 46520, Aug. 
5, 2015; 85 FR 7250, Feb. 7, 2020; 88 FR 29548, May 8, 2023]



Sec. 660.706  Pacific Coast Treaty Indian rights.

    (a) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights to harvest 
HMS in their usual and accustomed (U&A) fishing areas in the EEZ.
    (b) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes means the Hoh, Makah, and 
Quileute Indian Tribes and the Quinault Indian Nation.
    (c) The Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes' U&A fishing areas within 
the EEZ are set forth in Sec. 660.4 of this chapter.
    (d) Procedures. The rights referred to in paragraph (a) of this 
section will be implemented by the Secretary of Commerce, after 
consideration of the tribal request, the recommendation of the Council, 
and the comments of the public. The rights will be implemented either 
through an allocation of fish that will be managed by the tribes, or 
through regulations that will apply specifically to the tribal 
fisheries. An allocation or a regulation specific to the tribes shall be 
initiated by a written request from a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe 
to the NMFS West Coast Regional Administrator, at least 120 days prior 
to the time the allocation is desired to be effective, and will be 
subject to public review through the Council process. The Secretary of 
Commerce recognizes the sovereign status and co-manager role of Indian 
tribes over shared Federal and tribal fishery resources. Accordingly, 
the Secretary of Commerce will develop tribal allocations and 
regulations in consultation with the affected tribe(s) and, insofar as 
possible, with tribal consensus.
    (e) Identification. A valid treaty Indian identification card issued 
pursuant to 25 CFR part 249, subpart A, is prima facie evidence that the 
holder is a member of the Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe named on the 
card.
    (f) Fishing (on a tribal allocation or under a Federal regulation 
applicable to tribal fisheries) by a member of a Pacific Coast treaty 
Indian tribe within that tribe's U&A fishing area is not subject to 
provisions of the HMS regulations applicable to non-treaty fisheries.
    (g) Any member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe must comply 
with any applicable Federal and tribal laws and regulations, when 
participating in a tribal HMS fishery implemented under paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (h) Fishing by a member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe 
outside that tribe's U&A fishing area, or for a species of HMS not 
covered by a treaty allocation or applicable Federal regulation, is 
subject to the HMS regulations applicable to non-treaty fisheries.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 81 FR 36808, June 8, 2016]



Sec. 660.707  Permits.

    (a) General. This section applies to vessels that fish for HMS off 
or land HMS in the States of California, Oregon, and Washington.
    (1) A commercial fishing vessel of the United States must be 
registered for use under a general HMS permit that authorizes the use of 
specific gear, and a recreational charter vessel must be registered for 
use under a HMS permit if that vessel is used:
    (i) To fish for HMS in the U.S. EEZ off the States of California, 
Oregon, and Washington; or
    (ii) To land or transship HMS shoreward of the outer boundary of the 
U.S.

[[Page 388]]

EEZ off the States of California, Oregon, and Washington.
    (2) The permit must be on board the vessel and available for 
inspection by an authorized officer, except that if the permit was 
issued while the vessel was at sea, this requirement applies only to any 
subsequent trip.
    (3) A permit is valid only for the vessel for which it is 
registered. A permit not registered for use with a particular vessel may 
not be used.
    (4) Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel under the 
terms of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a) may be issued or may hold (by ownership or 
otherwise) a general HMS permit.
    (b) Application. (1) Following publication of the final rule 
implementing the FMP, NMFS will issue general HMS permits to the owners 
of those vessels on a list of vessels obtained from owners previously 
applying for a permit under the authority of the High Seas Fishing 
Compliance Act, the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act, and the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of 
the Western Pacific Region, or whose vessels are listed on the vessel 
register of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission.
    (2) All permits issued by NMFS in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section will authorize the use of specific fishing gear by the 
identified commercial fishing vessels.
    (3) An owner of a vessel subject to these requirements who has not 
received a permit under this section from NMFS and who wants to engage 
in the fisheries must apply to the SFD for the required permit in 
accordance with the following:
    (i) A West Coast Region Federal Fisheries application form may be 
obtained from the West Coast Region Fisheries Permits Office or 
downloaded from the West Coast Region website to apply for a permit 
under this section. A completed application is one that contains all the 
necessary information, and required fees, documentation, and signatures.
    (ii) A minimum of 15 days should be allowed for processing a permit 
application. If an incomplete or improperly completed application is 
filed, the applicant will be sent a notice of deficiency. If the 
applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 days following the 
date of notification, the application will be considered abandoned.
    (iii) A permit will be issued by the SFD. If an application is 
denied, the SFD will indicate the reasons for denial.
    (iv)(A) Any applicant for an initial permit may appeal the initial 
issuance decision to the Regional Administrator. To be considered by the 
Regional Administrator, such appeal must be in writing and state the 
reasons for the appeal, and must be submitted within 30 days of the 
action by the Regional Administrator. The appellant may request an 
informal hearing on the appeal.
    (B) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the permit applicant, or permit 
holder as appropriate, and will request such additional information and 
in such form as will allow action upon the appeal.
    (C) Upon receipt of sufficient information, the Regional 
Administrator will decide the appeal in accordance with the permit 
provisions set forth in this section at the time of the application, 
based upon information relative to the application on file at NMFS and 
the Council and any additional information submitted to or obtained by 
the Regional Administrator, the summary record kept of any hearing and 
the hearing officer's recommended decision, if any, and such other 
considerations as the Regional Administrator deems appropriate. The 
Regional Administrator will notify all interested persons of the 
decision, and the reasons for the decision, in writing, normally within 
30 days of the receipt of sufficient information, unless additional time 
is needed for a hearing.
    (D) If a hearing is requested, or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that purpose 
after first giving notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the 
hearing to the applicant. The appellant, and, at the discretion of the 
hearing officer, other interested persons, may appear personally or be 
represented by counsel at the

[[Page 389]]

hearing and submit information and present arguments as determined 
appropriate by the hearing officer. Within 30 days of the last day of 
the hearing, the hearing officer shall recommend in writing a decision 
to the Regional Administrator.
    (E) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
In any event, the Regional Administrator will notify interested persons 
of the decision, and the reason(s) therefore, in writing, within 30 days 
of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. The Regional 
Administrator's decision will constitute the final administrative action 
by NMFS on the matter.
    (F) Any time limit prescribed in this section may be extended for a 
period not to exceed 30 days by the Regional Administrator for good 
cause, either upon his or her own motion or upon written request from 
the appellant stating the reason(s) therefore.
    (4) General HMS permits issued under this subpart will remain valid 
until the first date of renewal, and permits may be subsequently renewed 
for 2-year terms. The first date of renewal will be the last day of the 
vessel owner's birth month in the second calendar year after the permit 
is issued (e.g., if the birth month is March and the permit is issued on 
October 3, 2007, the permit will remain valid through March 31, 2009).
    (5) Replacement permits may be issued without charge to replace lost 
or mutilated permits. Replacement permits may be obtained by submitting 
to the SFD c/o the Regional Administrator a complete, signed vessel 
permit application. An application for a replacement permit is not 
considered a new application.
    (6) Any permit that has been altered, erased, or mutilated is 
invalid.
    (c) Display. Any permit issued under this subpart, or a facsimile of 
the permit, must be on board the vessel at all times while the vessel is 
fishing for, taking, retaining, possessing, or landing HMS shoreward of 
the outer boundary of the fishery management area unless the vessel was 
at sea at the time the permit was issued. Any permit issued under this 
section must be displayed for inspection upon request of an authorized 
officer.
    (d) Sanctions. Procedures governing sanctions and denials are found 
at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (e) Fees. An application for a permit, or renewal of an existing 
permit under this section will include a fee for each vessel. The fee 
amount required will be calculated in accordance with the NOAA Finance 
Handbook and specified on the application form.
    (f) Federal limited entry drift gillnet permit--(1) General. This 
section applies to individuals fishing with large-mesh (14 inch or 
greater stretched mesh) drift gillnet (DGN) gear. Individuals who 
target, retain, transship, or land fish captured with a large-mesh DGN 
must possess a valid Federal limited entry DGN permit. Federal limited 
entry DGN permits are issued to an individual, and a vessel must be 
specified on the permit.
    (2) Initial qualification. Upon publication of NMFS' final rule to 
establish the Federal limited entry DGN permit, all State of California 
limited entry DGN permit holders are eligible to obtain a Federal 
limited entry DGN permit. If a 2017-2018 California state DGN permit 
renewal application is not received by the California Department of Fish 
and Wildlife or postmarked by March 31, 2018, the permit holder is not 
eligible to receive a 2018-2019 Federal limited entry DGN permit.
    (3) Documentation and burden of proof. An individual applying for 
issuance, renewal, transfer, or assignment of a Federal limited entry 
DGN permit must prove that they meet the qualification requirements by 
submitting the following documentation, as applicable: A certified copy 
of the assigned vessel's documentation as a fishing vessel of the United 
States (U.S. Coast Guard or state) is the best evidence of vessel 
identification; a copy of a current State of California limited entry 
DGN permit is the best evidence of initial qualification for a Federal 
limited entry DGN permit; a copy of a written contract reserving or 
conveying limited entry rights is the best evidence of reserved or 
acquired rights; and other

[[Page 390]]

relevant, credible evidence that the applicant may wish to submit or 
that the SFD may request or require.
    (4) Fees. Any processing fee will be determined by the service costs 
needed to process a permit request. If a fee is required, it would cover 
administrative expenses related to issuing limited entry permits, as 
well as renewing, transferring, assigning, and replacing permits. The 
amount of any fee will be calculated in accordance with the procedures 
of the NOAA Finance Handbook for determining the administrative costs of 
each special product or service. A fee may not exceed such costs and is 
specified with each application form. The appropriate fee must accompany 
each application.
    (5) Initial decisions. (i) The SFD will make initial decisions 
regarding issuing, renewing, transferring, and assigning limited entry 
permits.
    (ii) Adverse decisions shall be in writing and shall state the 
reasons for the adverse decision.
    (iii) The SFD may decline to act on an application for issuing, 
renewing, transferring, or assigning a limited entry permit and will 
notify the applicant, if the permit sanction provisions of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1858(a) and implementing regulations at 15 CFR 
part 904, subpart D, apply.
    (6) Issuance. Federal limited entry DGN permits will be issued by 
the SFD. If an application is denied, the SFD will indicate the reasons 
for denial. A DGN permit will be issued to an individual and assigned to 
a specific vessel. A permit holder may assign the permit to another 
vessel once per permit year (April 1 to March 31).
    (7) Appeals. Any applicant for an initial permit may appeal the 
initial issuance decision to the Regional Administrator. Appeals will be 
made and processed following procedures as described at paragraph 
(b)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (8) Transfers. Federal limited entry DGN permits may be transferred 
to another individual only if the current permit holder has held the 
Federal DGN permit for a minimum of three consecutive years (counted 
April 1 to March 31 of the following year). At the time of the 
establishment of the Federal limited entry DGN permit system, the length 
of time an individual has held a State of California limited entry DGN 
permit carries over (e.g., if an individual has held a California DGN 
permit for two years, they are eligible to transfer the Federal DGN 
permit after holding the Federal DGN permit for one year). Exceptions to 
this limitation on permit transfer may be made under the following 
circumstances:
    (i) The permit holder suffers from a serious illness or permanent 
disability that prevents the permit holder from earning a livelihood 
from commercial fishing.
    (ii) If a deceased permit holder's estate or heirs submit a transfer 
request within six months of the permit holder's death.
    (iii) Upon dissolution of marriage if the permit is held as 
community property.
    (9) Renewals. (i) The SFD will send notices to renew limited entry 
permits to the most recent address of the permit holder on file.
    (ii) The permit owner is responsible for renewing a limited entry 
permit.
    (iii) The deadline for receipt or postmark of a Federal DGN permit 
renewal application is April 30 of the permit year (i.e., April 30, 2019 
for 2019-2020 fishing season). Federal DGN permits must be renewed 
yearly.
    (iv) A DGN permit that is allowed to expire will not be renewed 
unless the permit owner requests reissuance by July 31 (three months 
after the renewal application deadline) and NMFS determines that failure 
to renew was proximately caused by illness, injury, or death of the 
permit owner. If the permit expires, it will be forfeited and NMFS will 
not reissue the permit to anyone.
    (10) Owner on-board requirement. (i) Except as provided in 
paragraphs (f)(10)(ii) through (v) of this section, the DGN permit 
holder must be on-board the vessel and in possession of a valid Federal 
limited entry DGN permit when engaged in DGN fishing activity.
    (ii) A permit holder may designate another individual to fish under 
their permit for up to 15 days per fishing

[[Page 391]]

year (April 1 to March 31 of the following year); the substitute must 
comply with all other Federal permitting requirements. A permit holder 
shall notify NMFS of a substitution at least 24 hours prior to the 
commencement of the trip.
    (iii) If the person who owns a Federal DGN permit is prevented from 
being on-board a fishing vessel because the person died, is ill, or is 
injured, NMFS may allow an exemption to the owner on-board requirement 
for more than 15 days. The person requesting the exemption must send a 
letter to NMFS requesting an exemption from the owner on-board 
requirements, with appropriate evidence as described at paragraph 
(f)(10)(iv) or (v) of this section. All exemptions for death, injury, or 
illness will be evaluated by NMFS and a decision will be made in writing 
to the permit owner (or, in the case of the death of the permit owner, 
to the estate or heirs of the permit owner) within 60 calendar days of 
receipt of the original exemption request.
    (iv) Evidence of death of the permit owner shall be provided to NMFS 
in the form of a copy of a death certificate. In the interim before the 
estate is settled, if the deceased permit owner was subject to the owner 
on-board requirements, the estate of the deceased permit owner may send 
a letter to NMFS with a copy of the death certificate, requesting an 
exemption from the owner-on-board requirements. An exemption due to 
death of the permit owner will be effective only until such time that 
the estate of the deceased permit owner has registered the deceased 
permit owner's permit to a beneficiary, transferred the permit to 
another owner, or three years after the date of death as proven by a 
death certificate, whichever is earliest. An exemption from the owner-
on-board requirement will be conveyed in a letter from NMFS to the 
estate of the permit owner and is required to be on the vessel during 
DGN fishing operations.
    (v) Evidence of illness or injury that prevents the permit owner 
from participating in the fishery shall be provided to NMFS in the form 
of a letter from a certified medical practitioner. This letter must 
detail the relevant medical conditions of the permit owner and how those 
conditions prevent the permit owner from being on-board a fishing vessel 
during DGN fishing. An exemption due to injury or illness will be 
effective only for the fishing year of the request for exemption. In 
order to extend a medical exemption for a succeeding year, the permit 
owner must submit a new request and provide documentation from a 
certified medical practitioner detailing why the permit owner is still 
unable to be on-board a fishing vessel. An exemption from the owner-on-
board requirement will be conveyed in a letter from NMFS to the permit 
owner and is required to be on the vessel during DGN fishing operations.
    (g) Limited entry deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) permit--(1) General. 
This paragraph (g) applies to persons (as defined at Sec. 660.702) 
owning a limited entry permit to fish with DSBG (as defined at Sec. 
660.702) inside the Southern California Bight (as defined at Sec. 
660.715(d)(2)) and to vessels registered to such permits. For a vessel 
to be used to fish with DSBG in the Southern California Bight, that 
vessel must be registered for use with a limited entry DSBG permit.
    (2) Basic requirements. Limited entry DSBG permits are issued to a 
person, and a vessel must be specified on the permit.
    (i) Persons. Any ``person'' as defined at Sec. 660.702 may own a 
limited entry DSBG permit, subject to the ownership requirements and 
limitations at paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Vessels. A vessel registered to a limited entry DSBG permit 
must also be registered to a valid general HMS permit with a DSBG 
endorsement issued pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. 
The designated vessel need not be owned by the limited entry DSBG permit 
owner. The same vessel may be registered to multiple limited entry DSBG 
permits, but only one permit may be fished at a time.
    (3) Ownership requirements and limitations--(i) Limitation on permit 
ownership. No person may own more than one limited entry DSBG permit, in 
whole or in part, including through ownership interest in a partnership, 
corporation, or other entity.

[[Page 392]]

    (ii) DSBG identification of ownership interest form. Any person that 
owns a limited entry DSBG permit and that is applying for or renewing a 
limited entry DSBG permit shall document those persons that have an 
ownership interest in the limited entry DSBG permit. This ownership 
interest must be documented with NMFS via the DSBG Identification of 
Ownership Interest Form.
    (iii) Transferability. Limited entry DSBG permits are not 
transferable, except for a one-time transfer to a family member, as 
defined at Sec. 660.702, upon the death or legal incapacitation of the 
individual or a member of the corporation, partnership, or other entity 
that owns the permit, following the procedures at paragraph (g)(7) of 
this section. The limited entry DSBG permit owner cannot change or add 
additional individuals or entities as owners of the permit, or otherwise 
change ownership of the permit as defined at Sec. 660.702. A transfer 
may not occur if such a transfer will result in a person holding more 
than one limited entry DSBG permit as described in paragraph (g)(3)(i) 
of this section.
    (iv) Divestiture, surrender, and revocation. If NMFS discovers that 
a person owns or has an ownership interest in more than one limited 
entry DSBG permit (including any person who has ownership interest in 
the entities listed as owners on the permit), NMFS will notify the 
permit owner that they have 90 days to divest of the excess ownership 
interest. During this 90-day period, the person may surrender permit(s) 
in excess of the permit ownership limit to NMFS by submitting a request 
in writing. After the 90-day divestiture period, NMFS will revoke all 
limited entry DSBG permits held by that person in excess of the permit 
ownership limit. Surrendered and revoked permits, with vessel status as 
``unidentified,'' will be issued to the next eligible applicant 
following the procedures at paragraphs (g)(11) and (12) of this section.
    (4) Renewal. Limited entry DSBG permits are valid for 1 year (May 1-
April 30). Permits expire April 30 of each year and must be renewed 
between February 1 and March 31 of each year to remain in force the 
following permit year.
    (i) Renewal notices. NMFS will send notices to renew limited entry 
DSBG permits to the permit owner's most recent email address on record 
with NMFS. The permit owner is responsible for notifying the Fisheries 
Permits Office of any email address change.
    (ii) Renewal packages. A complete limited entry DSBG permit renewal 
package must be received by NMFS by March 31 of each year. If a complete 
renewal package is not received by March 31, NMFS will not renew the 
limited entry DSBG permit, except under the circumstances described in 
paragraph (g)(4)(iii) of this section. A complete renewal package 
consists of a completed renewal application form, a completed DSBG 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form as required under paragraph 
(g)(3)(ii) of this section, and payment of required fees. NMFS may 
require additional documentation as it deems necessary to make a 
determination on the application. The renewal package will be considered 
incomplete until the required information is submitted. NMFS will 
decline to act on an incomplete application.
    (iii) Forfeited permits. A limited entry DSBG permit for which 
renewal is not requested will be considered expired unless the permit 
owner requests reissuance of the permit by June 30 (3 months after the 
renewal application deadline) and NMFS determines that failure to renew 
was proximately caused by illness, injury, or death of the permit owner. 
If a permit is allowed to expire, it will be forfeited and NMFS may 
reissue the permit to another qualified applicant following the 
procedures at paragraphs (g)(11) and (12) of this section.
    (iv) Renewal determinations. Based on a complete application for 
renewal of a limited entry DSBG permit, if NMFS determines that the 
applicant has met the requirements of this section and is in compliance 
with any other applicable regulations, NMFS will approve the renewal and 
issue the permit. If the application is not approved, NMFS will issue an 
initial administrative decision (IAD) that will explain the denial in 
writing. The applicant may appeal NMFS' determination following the

[[Page 393]]

process at paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (5) Permit replacement. Replacement permits may be issued without 
charge to replace lost or mutilated permits. Replacement permits may be 
obtained by submitting a complete permit replacement application to 
NMFS. An application for a replacement permit is not considered a new 
application. Any permit that has been altered, erased, or mutilated is 
invalid.
    (6) Change in vessel registration. Limited entry DSBG permits will 
normally be registered for use with a particular vessel at the time the 
permit is issued, renewed, or replaced. A permit may not be used with 
any vessel other than the vessel registered for use with that permit. If 
the permit will be used with a vessel other than the one registered for 
use with the permit, the permit owner must request a change in vessel 
registration in accordance with paragraphs (g)(6)(ii) through (iv) of 
this section.
    (i) Limits on changes in vessel registration. The registered vessel 
may be changed no more than once per calendar year, except in cases of a 
force majeure event as defined at Sec. 660.702. A permit owner may also 
designate the vessel registration for a permit as ``unidentified,'' 
meaning that no vessel has been identified as registered for use with 
that permit. Changing a permit's designated vessel to ``unidentified'' 
is not considered a change in vessel registration for purposes of this 
section, but the permit is not authorized for use until a subsequent 
change of registration out of ``unidentified'' status occurs. Any 
subsequent change in registration out of ``unidentified'' status to a 
vessel will be considered a change in vessel registration and subject to 
a once-per-calendar-year limit.
    (ii) Request for change in vessel registration. To request a change 
in vessel registration, a permit owner must fill out a vessel transfer 
application online through the NOAA Fisheries Permits website with 
appropriate fields completed and must submit the application to the West 
Coast Region Fisheries Permits Office. A complete change in vessel 
registration package consists of a transfer application form with 
appropriate fields completed, a current copy of the United States Coast 
Guard Documentation Form or state registration form, and payment of 
required fees. NMFS may require additional documentation as it deems 
necessary to make a determination on the application. The change in 
vessel registration package will be considered incomplete until the 
required information is submitted. NMFS will decline to act on an 
incomplete application. A permit owner may designate the vessel 
registration for a permit as ``unidentified,'' meaning that no vessel 
has been identified as registered for use with that permit. No vessel is 
authorized to use a permit with the vessel registration designated as 
``unidentified.''
    (iii) Agency determination on an application. Based on a complete 
application for a change in vessel registration, if NMFS determines that 
the applicant has met the requirements of this section, NMFS will 
approve the change in vessel registration and issue the permit. Changes 
in vessel registration will take effect on the date that the change is 
approved by NMFS. If the application for a change in vessel registration 
is not approved, NMFS will issue an initial administrative determination 
that will explain the denial in writing. The applicant may appeal NMFS' 
determination following the process at paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this 
section.
    (7) Permit ownership transfer--(i) Request for change in permit 
ownership. A permit owner may request change in ownership of a permit, 
in compliance with the limits at paragraph (g)(3) of this section, by 
submitting a complete transfer application package with appropriate 
fields completed to NMFS. A complete transfer application package 
consists of all of the following:
    (A) A transfer application form with appropriate fields completed;
    (B) For a request to change a permit's ownership where the current 
permit owner is a corporation, partnership or other business entity, a 
corporate resolution that authorizes the conveyance of the permit to a 
new owner and authorizes the individual applicant to request the 
conveyance on behalf of the corporation, partnership, or other business 
entity;
    (C) For a request to change a permit's ownership that is 
necessitated by

[[Page 394]]

the death of the permit owner(s), a death certificate of the permit 
owner(s) and appropriate legal documentation that either: Specifically 
registers the permit to a designated individual(s); or provides legal 
authority to the transferor to convey the permit ownership; and
    (D) Payment of required fees.
    (ii) Incomplete application. NMFS may require additional 
documentation as it deems necessary to make a determination on the 
application for change in ownership. The renewal package will be 
considered incomplete until the required information is submitted. NMFS 
will decline to act on an incomplete application.
    (iii) Agency determination on an application. Based on a complete 
application for change in ownership, if NMFS determines that the 
applicant has met the requirements of this section, NMFS will approve 
the change in ownership and issue the permit. Changes in permit 
ownership will take effect on the date that the change is approved by 
NMFS. If the application is not approved, NMFS will issue an initial 
administrative decision (IAD) that will explain the denial in writing. 
The applicant may appeal NMFS' determination following the process at 
paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (8) Fees. The Regional Administrator may charge fees to cover 
administrative expenses related to processing initial issuance, renewal, 
change in ownership, change in vessel registration, divestiture, and 
appeals of permits. The amount of the fee is determined in accordance 
with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook for determining 
administrative costs. A fee may not exceed administrative costs and is 
specified with each application form. The appropriate fee must accompany 
each application.
    (9) Sanctions. NMFS may decline to act on an application for initial 
issuance, renewal, replacement, change in ownership, divestiture, or 
change in vessel registration, and will notify the applicant if the 
permit sanction provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 
1858(a) and implementing regulations at 15 CFR part 904, subpart D, 
apply.
    (10) Appeals. In cases where the applicant disagrees with NMFS' 
decision on a permit application for initial issuance, renewal, 
replacement, change in ownership, divestiture, or change in vessel 
registration, the applicant may file an appeal following the procedures 
described at paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (11) Initial issuance for Tiers 1 through 8. This section describes 
the process for initial issuance of limited entry DSBG permits to 
applicants that qualify under Tiers 1 through 8 as defined at paragraphs 
(g)(11)(iii)(C)(1) through (8) of this section.
    (i) Exempted fishing permit (EFP) holder. For purposes of paragraph 
(g)(11) of this section only, exempted fishing permit (EFP) holder means 
any individual with NMFS approval to captain a commercial vessel and use 
DSBG under the authority of a DSBG EFP or any individual who is 
identified by NMFS as having managed a DSBG EFP, including vessel owners 
whose vessel fished under the authority of a DSBG EFP.
    (ii) Initial applications. Persons may apply for a limited entry 
DSBG permit by completing and submitting an initial issuance application 
package to NMFS, beginning on June 7, 2023. The completed application 
package must be submitted on the National Permit System website, or by 
another method approved by NMFS, no later than 11:59 p.m. on August 7, 
2023. If an applicant fails to submit a completed application by the 
deadline date, they forgo the opportunity to receive a limited entry 
DSBG permit under Tiers 1 through 8 and their permit will be issued to 
the next eligible applicant following the procedures at paragraphs 
(g)(11) and (12) of this section. A complete initial issuance 
application package consists of the following: a completed initial 
issuance application form; a completed DSBG Identification of Ownership 
Interest Form, as required under paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this section; a 
current copy of the United States Coast Guard Documentation Form or 
state registration form for the vessel that will be registered to the 
permit; and payment of required fees. NMFS may require additional 
documentation as it deems necessary to make a determination on the 
application. The initial

[[Page 395]]

issuance application package will be considered incomplete until the 
required information is submitted. NMFS will decline to act on an 
incomplete application.
    (iii) Eligibility criteria for Tiers 1 through 8. To qualify for a 
permit under Tiers 1 through 8, as defined at paragraphs 
(g)(11)(iii)(C)(1) through (8) of this section, an applicant must meet 
all of the following criteria:
    (A) The applicant is eligible to own a limited entry DSBG permit in 
accordance with paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section;
    (B) The applicant is in compliance with the ownership requirements 
and limitations of paragraph (g)(3) of this section. Applicants found to 
have qualified for more than one permit will be notified by NMFS in 
writing and will have 30 days to divest of the excess permit ownership 
interest and resubmit their application package; and
    (C) The applicant meets the criteria of one of the qualification 
tiers in paragraphs (g)(11)(iii)(C)(1) through (8) of this section based 
on data as of August 7, 2023. Permits will be issued by ranking 
applicants according to the tiered criteria in paragraphs 
(g)(11)(iii)(C)(1) through (8) of this section, beginning with Tier 1 
and ending with Tier 8. NMFS will qualify applicants that meet the 
criteria of multiple tiers based on their highest tier, with Tier 1 
being the highest, Tier 2 the second highest, and so on.
    (1) Tier 1 consists of EFP holders with at least 10 documented 
calendar days of DSBG fishing effort by December 31, 2018, based on NMFS 
West Coast Region Observer Program records indicating either that the 
EFP holder was the vessel captain for that fishing day or that fishing 
effort for that day was conducted on a vessel owned by or under the EFP 
managed by that individual.
    (2) Tier 2 consists of California Limited Entry Drift Gill Net (DGN) 
Shark and Swordfish permit holders who made at least one large-mesh DGN 
swordfish landing between the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 fishing seasons 
and surrendered their state or Federal limited entry DGN permit as part 
of a DGN permit trade-in or buy-back program, based on California 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) marine landing receipt and 
buyback records and NMFS and CDFW permit information.
    (3) Tier 3 consists of EFP holders approved by the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council prior to April 1, 2021, who conducted at least 10 
calendar days of DSBG fishing effort or with 10 days of DSBG effort on 
their vessel or by vessels they manage under the EFP by June 7, 2023, 
based on a NMFS West Coast Regional Observer Program record or a 
properly submitted NMFS DSBG EFP logbook indicating either that the EFP 
holder was vessel captain for that fishing day or that the fishing 
effort for that day was conducted on a vessel owned by or under the EFP 
managed by that individual.
    (4) Tier 4 consists of California Swordfish permit holders who 
possessed a permit during the 2018-2019 fishing season and made at least 
one swordfish landing using harpoon gear between the 2013-2014 or 2017-
2018 fishing seasons, based on California Department of Fish and 
Wildlife (CDFW) permit and marine landing receipt records.
    (5) Tier 5 consists of California Limited Entry Drift Gill Net (DGN) 
Shark and Swordfish permit holders who have made at least one large-mesh 
DGN swordfish landing between the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 fishing 
seasons and who did not surrender their state or Federal limited entry 
DGN permit as part of a trade-in or buy-back program, based on 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) marine landing 
receipts and buyback records and NMFS and CDFW permit information.
    (6) Tier 6 consists of California Limited Entry Drift Gill Net (DGN) 
Shark and Swordfish permit holders who have not made a swordfish landing 
with large-mesh DGN gear since March 31, 2013, and who surrendered their 
state or Federal limited entry DGN permit as part of a permit trade-in 
or buy-back program, based on California Department of Fish and Wildlife 
(CDFW) marine landing receipts and buyback records and NMFS and CDFW 
permit information.
    (7) Tier 7 consists of state or Federal limited entry drift gillnet 
(DGN) permit holders who have not made a swordfish landing with DGN gear 
since

[[Page 396]]

March 31, 2013, and did not surrender their limited entry DGN permit as 
part of a state or Federal limited entry DGN permit trade-in or buy-back 
program, based on California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) 
marine landing receipts and buyback records and NMFS and CDFW permit 
information.
    (8) Tier 8 consists of any individual with documented commercial 
swordfish fishing experience between January 1, 1986, and June 7, 2023, 
on a first come, first served basis, based on California Department of 
Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) permit records showing possession of a valid 
commercial fishing license on that date and one of the following:
    (i) A valid CDFW marine landing receipt identifying the individual 
as the fisherman of record;
    (ii) A valid state or Federal logbook where swordfish were taken and 
identifying the individual as captain or crew on that day; and
    (iii) A signed affidavit from a vessel owner or captain identifying 
the individual as vessel captain or crew on the day that swordfish were 
taken.
    (iv) Agency determination on an application. Based on a complete 
application for an initial permit under Tiers 1 through 8, as defined at 
paragraphs (g)(11)(iii)(C)(1) through (8) of this section, if NMFS 
determines that the applicant has met the requirements of this section, 
NMFS will issue an initial administrative determination (IAD). If the 
application is approved, the applicant will receive a permit according 
to the permit issuance procedures in paragraph (g)(11)(v) of this 
section. If the application is denied, the IAD will provide an 
explanation of the denial in writing. The applicant may appeal NMFS' 
determination following the process at paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this 
section.
    (v) Permit issuance. NMFS will issue permits to approved applicants 
in priority order according to the qualification tiers in paragraphs 
(g)(11)(iii)(C)(1) through (8) of this section, with qualified 
applicants in Tier 1 receiving permits first, then qualified applicants 
in Tier 2, and so on. Qualified applicants will be further ranked within 
a tier based on their total swordfish landings for the time period and 
gear type specified for that tier for Tiers 1 through 5, according to 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) marine landing 
receipts as of August 7, 2023, or by the date and time their application 
is received for Tiers 6 through 8. NMFS will issue up to 50 permits in 
2023, and up to 25 permits each year after, up to a total of 300 valid 
permits. Permits issued to the next eligible applicant as a result of 
surrender, revocation, or expiration will not count toward the annual 
permit issuance limits. Permits will be mailed on or about April 1 for 
the upcoming May 1 permit year to the address of record. Permit holders 
are responsible for keeping their contact information current with NMFS 
to receive their permit. If a permit is returned to NMFS as 
undeliverable, NMFS will make further attempts to contact the permit 
holder using the contact information on file. If NMFS is not able to 
contact the permit holder within 30 days, the permit will be revoked and 
issued to the next eligible applicant following the procedures at 
paragraphs (g)(11) and (12) of this section.
    (12) Initial issuance for Tier 9. When the list of permit qualifiers 
from the initial issuance for Tiers 1 through 8, as defined at 
paragraphs (g)(11)(iii)(C)(1) through (8) of this section, is exhausted, 
NMFS will begin accepting applications for additional limited entry DSBG 
permits on a first come, first served basis. In January of the year NMFS 
anticipates accepting Tier 9 applications, NMFS will publish a notice in 
the Federal Register to notify the public of the application 
opportunity. NMFS will accept applications for initial issuance of 
limited entry DSBG permits under Tier 9 on an annual basis until a total 
of 300 limited entry DSBG permits are issued.
    (i) Initial applications. Persons may apply for a limited entry DSBG 
permit under Tier 9 by completing and submitting an initial issuance 
application package to NMFS via the National Permit System website 
during the annual application period February 1-March 31. The completed 
application package must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific 
Daylight Time on March 31st of the relevant year. A complete

[[Page 397]]

initial issuance application package consists of the following: a 
completed initial issuance application form; a completed DSBG 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form, as required under paragraph 
(g)(3)(ii) of this section; a current copy of the United States Coast 
Guard Documentation Form or state registration form for the vessel that 
will be registered to the permit; and payment of required fees. NMFS may 
require additional documentation as it deems necessary to make a 
determination on the application. The initial issuance application 
package will be considered incomplete until the required information is 
submitted. NMFS will decline to act on an incomplete application.
    (ii) Eligibility criteria for Tier 9. To qualify for a permit under 
Tier 9, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
    (A) The applicant is eligible to own a limited entry DSBG permit in 
accordance with paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section; and
    (B) The applicant is in compliance with the ownership requirements 
and limitations of paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
    (iii) Agency determination on an application. Based on a complete 
application, if NMFS determines that the applicant for an initial permit 
under Tier 9 has met the requirements of this section, NMFS will issue 
an initial administrative determination (IAD). If the application is 
approved, the IAD will say so and the applicant will receive a permit 
according to the permit issuance procedures in paragraph (g)(11)(iv) of 
this section. If the application is denied, the IAD will provide an 
explanation of the denial in writing. The applicant may appeal NMFS' 
determination following the process at paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this 
section.
    (iv) Permit issuance. NMFS will issue permits to approved applicants 
under Tier 9 on a first come, first served basis, according to the date 
and time that their application was submitted through the National 
Permit System. NMFS will issue up to 25 permits each year, up to a total 
of 300 valid permits. If NMFS approves more than 25 applications in a 
single year, the approved applicants above 25 will receive priority for 
permit issuance the following year according to the date and time that 
their complete applications were received. Permits issued to the next 
eligible applicant as a result of surrender, revocation, or expiration 
will not count toward the annual permit issuance limits.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 72 FR 10937, Mar. 12, 2007; 74 
FR 37178, July 28, 2009; 83 FR 11150, Mar. 14, 2018; 88 FR 29549, May 8, 
2023]



Sec. 660.708  Reporting and recordkeeping.

    (a) Logbooks. The operator of any commercial fishing vessel and any 
recreational charter vessel fishing for HMS in the management area must 
maintain on board the vessel an accurate and complete record of catch, 
effort, and other data on report forms provided by the Regional 
Administrator or a state agency. All information specified on the forms 
must be recorded on the forms within 24 hours after the completion of 
each fishing day. The original logbook form for each day of the fishing 
trip must be submitted to either the Regional Administrator or the 
appropriate state management agency within 30 days of each landing or 
transhipment of HMS. Each form must be signed and dated by the fishing 
vessel operator.
    (1) Logbooks that meet the logbook reporting requirement may be 
found at http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/logbooks.htm and include:
    (i) The logbook required under 50 CFR 300.21 implementing the Tuna 
Conventions Act of 1950;
    (ii) The logbook required under Sec. 660.14 implementing the 
Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific 
Region;
    (iii) Any logbook required by the fishery management agency of the 
States of California, Oregon, or Washington.
    (2) Any holder of a permit who does not submit logbooks under any of 
the above authorities must submit a written request to the SFD for the 
appropriate logbook. The applicant must provide his or her name and 
address, the name of the vessel, and the type of fishing gear used.

[[Page 398]]

    (3) The Regional Administrator may, after consultation with the 
Council, act to modify the information to be provided on the fishing 
record forms.
    (b) Any person who is required to do so by the applicable state law 
must make and/or file, retain, or make available any and all reports of 
HMS containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the 
applicable state law.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 80 FR 62501, Oct. 16, 2015]



Sec. 660.709  Annual specifications.

    (a) Procedure. (1) Each year, the HMSMT will deliver a stock 
assessment and fishery evaluation report to the Council for all HMS with 
any necessary recommendations for harvest guidelines, quotas or other 
management measures to protect HMS, including updated maximum 
sustainable yield (MSY) and optimum yield (OY) estimates based on the 
best available science. The Council's Scientific and Statistical 
Committee may review the estimates and make a recommendation on their 
suitability for management. As described in the fishery management plan, 
the Council will periodically review these recommendations and decide 
whether to adopt updated numerical estimates of MSY and OY, which are 
then submitted as recommendations for NMFS to review as part of the 
management measures review process.
    (2) Based on recommendations of the Council, the Regional 
Administrator will approve or disapprove any harvest guideline, quota, 
or other management measure including updated MSY and OY estimates after 
reviewing such recommendations to determine compliance with the FMP, the 
Magnuson Act, and other applicable law. The Regional Administrator will 
implement through rulemaking any approved harvest guideline, quota, or 
other management measure adopted under this section.
    (b) Fishing seasons for all species will begin on April 1 of each 
year at 0001 hours local time and terminate on March 31 of each year at 
2400 hours local time.
    (c) Harvest guidelines, quotas, and other management measures 
announced for a particular year will be in effect the following year 
unless changed through the public review process described in paragraph 
(a) of this section.
    (d) Irrespective of the normal review process, the Council may 
propose management action to protect HMS at any time. The Council may 
adopt a management cycle different from the one described in the fishery 
management plan provided that such change is made by a majority vote of 
the Council and a 6-month notice of the change is given.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 76 FR 56328, Sept. 13, 2011; 
83 FR 19982, May 7, 2018]



Sec. 660.710  Closure of directed fishery.

    (a) When a quota has been taken, the Regional Administrator will 
announce in the Federal Register the date of closure of the fishery for 
the species of concern.
    (b) When a harvest guideline has been taken, the Regional 
Administrator will initiate review of the species of concern according 
to section 8.4.8 of the FMP and publish in the Federal Register any 
necessary and appropriate regulations following Council recommendations.



Sec. 660.711  General catch restrictions.

    (a) Incidental landings. HMS caught by gear not authorized by this 
subpart may be landed in incidental amounts as follows:
    (1) Drift gillnet vessels with stretched mesh less than 14 inches 
may land up to 10 HMS per trip, except that no swordfish may be landed.
    (2) Bottom longline vessels may land up to 20 percent by weight of 
management unit sharks in landings of all species, or 3 individual 
sharks of the species in the management unit, whichever is greater.
    (3) Trawl and pot gear vessels may land up to 1 percent by weight of 
management unit sharks in a landing of all species or 2 individual 
sharks of the species in the management unit, whichever is greater.
    (b) Marlin prohibition. The sale of striped marlin by a vessel with 
a permit under this subpart is prohibited.
    (c) Sea turtle handling and resuscitation. All sea turtles taken 
incidentally

[[Page 399]]

in fishing operations by any HMS vessel other than vessels subject to 
Sec. 660.712 must be handled in accordance with 50 CFR 223.206(d)(1).

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 80 FR 46520, Aug. 5, 2015]



Sec. 660.712  Longline fishery.

    (a) Gear and fishing restrictions. (1) Owners and operators of 
vessels registered for use of longline gear may not use longline gear to 
fish for or target HMS within the U.S. EEZ.
    (2) Owners and operators of vessels registered for use of longline 
gear may not make shallow sets with longline gear to fish for or target 
swordfish (Xiphias gladius) west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of the 
equator (0[deg] N. lat.).
    (3) A person aboard a vessel registered for use of longline gear 
fishing for HMS west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of the equator 
(0[deg] N. lat.) may not possess or deploy any float line that is 
shorter than or equal to 20 m (65.6 ft or 10.9 fm). As used in this 
paragraph, float line means a line used to suspend the main longline 
beneath a float.
    (4) From April 1 through May 31, owners and operators of vessels 
registered for use of longline gear may not use longline gear in waters 
bounded on the south by 0[deg] lat., on the north by 15[deg] N. lat., on 
the east by 145[deg] W. long., and on the west by 180[deg] long.
    (5) From April 1 through May 31, owners and operators of vessels 
registered for use of longline gear may not receive from another vessel 
HMS that were harvested by longline gear in waters bounded on the south 
by 0[deg] lat., on the north by 15[deg] N. lat., on the east by 145[deg] 
W. long., and on the west by 180[deg] long.
    (6) From April 1 through May 31, owners and operators of vessels 
registered for use of longline gear may not land or transship HMS that 
were harvested by longline gear in waters bounded on the south by 0[deg] 
lat., on the north by 15[deg] N. lat., on the east by 145[deg] W. long., 
and on the west by 180[deg] long.
    (7) No light stick may be possessed on board a vessel registered for 
use of longline gear during fishing trips that include any fishing west 
of 150[deg] W. long. and north of the equator (0[deg] N. lat.). A light 
stick as used in this paragraph is any type of light emitting device, 
including any flourescent glow bead, chemical, or electrically powered 
light that is affixed underwater to the longline gear.
    (8) When a conventional monofilament longline is deployed in waters 
west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of the equator (0[deg] N. lat.) by a 
vessel registered for use of longline gear, no fewer than 15 branch 
lines may be set between any two floats. Vessel operators using basket-
style longline gear must set a minimum of 10 branch lines between any 2 
floats when fishing in waters north of the equator.
    (9) Longline gear deployed west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of 
the equator (0[deg] N. lat.) by a vessel registered for use of longline 
gear must be deployed such that the deepest point of the main longline 
between any two floats, i.e., the deepest point in each sag of the main 
line, is at a depth greater than 100 m (328.1 ft or 54.6 fm) below the 
sea surface.
    (10) If no observer is on board the vessel, owners and operators of 
longline vessels registered for use of longline gear may land or possess 
no more than 10 swordfish from a fishing trip when using any J-type 
fishing hooks, and no more than 25 swordfish from a fishing trip when 
using only circle hook-type fishing hooks. If a NMFS-approved observer 
is on board the vessel for the duration of the fishing trip, there is no 
limit on the amount of swordfish retained.
    (11) Owners and operators of longline vessels registered for use of 
longline gear are subject to the provisions at 50 CFR part 223 
prohibiting shallow sets to target swordfish in waters beyond the U.S. 
EEZ and east of 150[deg] W. long.
    (b) Sea turtle take mitigation measures. (1) Owners and operators of 
vessels registered for use of longline gear must carry aboard their 
vessels line clippers meeting the minimum design standards specified in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, dip nets meeting minimum standards 
specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, and wire or bolt cutters 
capable of cutting through the vessel's hooks. These items must be used 
to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtles with the least harm 
possible to the sea turtles and as close to the hook

[[Page 400]]

as possible in accordance with the requirements specified in paragraphs 
(b)(4) through (b)(7) of this section.
    (2) Line clippers are intended to cut fishing line as close as 
possible to hooked or entangled sea turtles. NMFS has established 
minimum design standards for line clippers. The Arceneaux line clipper 
(ALC) is a model line clipper that meets these minimum design standards 
and may be fabricated from readily available and low-cost materials (see 
figure 1 to Sec. 660.32). The minimum design standards are as follows:
    (i) The cutting blade must be curved, recessed, contained in a 
holder, or otherwise afforded some protection to minimize direct contact 
of the cutting surface with sea turtles or users of the cutting blade.
    (ii) The blade must be capable of cutting 2.0-2.1 mm monofilament 
line and nylon or polypropylene multistrand material commonly known as 
braided mainline or tarred mainline.
    (iii) The line clipper must have an extended reach handle or pole of 
at least 6 ft (1.82 m).
    (iv) The cutting blade must be securely fastened to the extended 
reach handle or pole to ensure effective deployment and use.
    (3) Dip nets are intended to facilitate safe handling of sea turtles 
and access to sea turtles for purposes of cutting lines in a manner that 
minimizes injury and trauma to sea turtles. The minimum design standards 
for dip nets that meet the requirements of this section are:
    (i) The dip net must have an extended reach handle of at least 6 ft 
(1.82 m) of wood or other rigid material able to support a minimum of 
100 lbs (34.1 kg) without breaking or significant bending or distortion.
    (ii) The dip net must have a net hoop of at least 31 inches (78.74 
cm) inside diameter and a bag depth of at least 38 inches (96.52 cm). 
The bag mesh openings may be no more than 3 inches x 3 inches (7.62 cm x 
7.62 cm).
    (4) All incidentally taken sea turtles brought aboard for dehooking 
and/or disentanglement must be handled in a manner to minimize injury 
and promote post-hooking survival.
    (i) When practicable, comatose sea turtles must be brought on board 
immediately, with a minimum of injury, and handled in accordance with 
the procedures specified in paragraphs (b)(5) and (b)(6) of this 
section.
    (ii) If a sea turtle is too large or hooked in such a manner as to 
preclude safe boarding without causing further damage/injury to the 
turtle, line clippers described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section must 
be used to clip the line and remove as much line as possible prior to 
releasing the turtle.
    (iii) If a sea turtle is observed to be hooked or entangled by 
longline gear during hauling operations, the vessel operator must 
immediately cease hauling operations until the turtle has been removed 
from the longline gear or brought on board the vessel.
    (iv) Hooks must be removed from sea turtles as quickly and carefully 
as possible. If a hook cannot be removed from a turtle, the line must be 
cut as close to the hook as possible.
    (5) If the sea turtle brought aboard appears dead or comatose, the 
sea turtle must be placed on its belly (on the bottom shell or plastron) 
so that the turtle is right side up and its hindquarters elevated at 
least 6 inches (15.24 cm) for a period of no less than 4 hours and no 
more than 24 hours. The amount of the elevation depends on the size of 
the turtle; greater elevations are needed for larger turtles. A reflex 
test, performed by gently touching the eye and pinching the tail of a 
sea turtle, must be administered by a vessel operator, at least every 3 
hours, to determine if the sea turtle is responsive. Sea turtles being 
resuscitated must be shaded and kept damp or moist but under no 
circumstance may be placed into a container holding water. A water-
soaked towel placed over the eyes, carapace, and flippers is the most 
effective method to keep a turtle moist. Those that revive and become 
active must be returned to the sea in the manner described in paragraph 
(b)(6) of this section. Sea turtles that fail to revive within the 24-
hour period must also be returned to the sea in the manner described in 
paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section.
    (6) Live turtles must be returned to the sea after handling in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (b)(4) and (b)(5) of this 
section:

[[Page 401]]

    (i) By putting the vessel engine in neutral gear so that the 
propeller is disengaged and the vessel is stopped, and releasing the 
turtle away from deployed gear; and
    (ii) Observing that the turtle is safely away from the vessel before 
engaging the propeller and continuing operations.
    (7) In addition to the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this section, a vessel operator shall perform sea turtle handling and 
resuscitation techniques consistent with 50 CFR 223.206(d)(1), as 
appropriate.
    (c) Longline Seabird mitigation measures. (1) Seabird mitigation 
techniques. Owners and operators of vessels registered for use of 
longline gear must ensure that the following actions are taken when 
fishing north of 23[deg] N. lat.:
    (i) Employ a line setting machine or line shooter to set the main 
longline when making deep sets west of 150[deg] W. long. using 
monofilament main longline;
    (ii) Attach a weight of at least 45 g to each branch line within 1 m 
of the hook when making deep sets using monofilament main longline;
    (iii) When using basket-style longline gear, ensure that the main 
longline is deployed slack to maximize its sink rate;
    (2) Use completely thawed bait that has been dyed blue to an 
intensity level specified by a color quality control card issued by 
NMFS;
    (3) Maintain a minimum of two cans (each sold as 0.45 kg or 1 lb 
size) containing blue dye on board the vessel;
    (4) Discharge fish, fish parts (offal), or spent bait while setting 
or hauling longline gear, on the opposite side of the vessel from where 
the longline gear is being set or hauled;
    (5) Retain sufficient quantities of fish, fish parts, or spent bait, 
between the setting of longline gear for the purpose of strategically 
discharging it in accordance with paragraph (a)(6) of this section;
    (6) Remove all hooks from fish, fish parts, or spent bait prior to 
its discharge in accordance with paragraph (c)(4) of this section; and
    (7) Remove the bill and liver of any swordfish that is caught, sever 
its head from the trunk and cut it in half vertically, and periodically 
discharge the butchered heads and livers in accordance with paragraph 
(a)(6) of this section.
    (8) If a short-tailed albatross is hooked or entangled by a vessel 
registered for use of longline gear, owners and operators must ensure 
that the following actions are taken:
    (i) Stop the vessel to reduce the tension on the line and bring the 
bird on board the vessel using a dip net;
    (ii) Cover the bird with a towel to protect its feathers from oils 
or damage while being handled;
    (iii) Remove any entangled lines from the bird;
    (iv) Determine if the bird is alive or dead.
    (A) If dead, freeze the bird immediately with an identification tag 
attached directly to the specimen listing the species, location and date 
of mortality, and band number if the bird has a leg band. Attach a 
duplicate identification tag to the bag or container holding the bird. 
Any leg bands present must remain on the bird. Contact NMFS, the Coast 
Guard, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the numbers listed on 
the Short-tailed Albatross Handling Placard distributed at the NMFS 
protected species workshop, inform them that you have a dead short-
tailed albatross on board, and submit the bird to NMFS within 72 hours 
following completion of the fishing trip.
    (B) If alive, handle the bird in accordance with paragraphs (c)(9) 
through (c)(14) of this section.
    (9) Place the bird in a safe enclosed place;
    (10) Immediately contact NMFS, the Coast Guard, or the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service at the numbers listed on the Short-tailed Albatross 
Handling Placard distributed at the NMFS protected species workshop and 
request veterinary guidance;
    (11) Follow the veterinary guidance regarding the handling and 
release of the bird.
    (12) Complete the short-tailed albatross recovery data form issued 
by NMFS.
    (13) If the bird is externally hooked and no veterinary guidance is 
received within 24-48 hours, handle the bird in

[[Page 402]]

accordance with paragraphs (c)(17)(iv) and (v) of this section, and 
release the bird only if it meets the following criteria:
    (i) Able to hold its head erect and respond to noise and motion 
stimuli;
    (ii) Able to breathe without noise;
    (iii) Capable of flapping and retracting both wings to normal folded 
position on its back;
    (iv) Able to stand on both feet with toes pointed forward; and
    (v) Feathers are dry.
    (14) If released under paragraph (c)(13) of this section or under 
the guidance of a veterinarian, all released birds must be placed on the 
sea surface.
    (15) If the hook has been ingested or is inaccessible, keep the bird 
in a safe, enclosed place and submit it to NMFS immediately upon the 
vessel's return to port. Do not give the bird food or water.
    (16) Complete the short-tailed albatross recovery data form issued 
by NMFS.
    (17) If a seabird other than a short-tailed albatross is hooked or 
entangled by a vessel registered for use of longline gear, owners and 
operators must ensure that the following actions are taken:
    (i) Stop the vessel to reduce the tension on the line and bring the 
seabird on board the vessel using a dip net;
    (ii) Cover the seabird with a towel to protect its feathers from 
oils or damage while being handled;
    (iii) Remove any entangled lines from the seabird;
    (iv) Remove any external hooks by cutting the line as close as 
possible to the hook, pushing the hook barb out point first, cutting off 
the hook barb using bolt cutters, and then removing the hook shank;
    (v) Cut the fishing line as close as possible to ingested or 
inaccessible hooks;
    (vi) Leave the bird in a safe enclosed space to recover until its 
feathers are dry; and
    (vii) After recovered, release seabirds by placing them on the sea 
surface.
    (d) Vessel monitoring system. (1) Only a VMS unit owned by NMFS and 
installed by NMFS complies with the requirement of this subpart.
    (2) After the holder of a permit to use longline gear has been 
notified by the SAC of a specific date for installation of a VMS unit on 
the permit holder's vessel, the vessel must carry the VMS unit after the 
date scheduled for installation.
    (3) A longline permit holder will not be assessed any fee or other 
charges to obtain and use a VMS unit, including the communication 
charges related directly to requirements under this section. 
Communication charges related to any additional equipment attached to 
the VMS unit by the owner or operator shall be the responsibility of the 
owner or operator and not NMFS.
    (4) The holder of a longline permit and the master of the vessel 
operating under the permit must:
    (i) Provide opportunity for the SAC to install and make operational 
a VMS unit after notification.
    (ii) Carry the VMS unit on board whenever the vessel is at sea.
    (iii) Not remove or relocate the VMS unit without prior approval 
from the SAC.
    (5) The SAC has authority over the installation and operation of the 
VMS unit. The SAC may authorize the connection or order the 
disconnection of additional equipment, including a computer, to any VMS 
unit when deemed appropriate by the SAC.
    (e) Protected species workshop. (1) Each year both the owner and the 
operator of a vessel registered for use of longline gear must attend and 
be certified for completion of a workshop conducted by NMFS on 
mitigation, handling, and release techniques for turtles and seabirds 
and other protected species.
    (2) A protected species workshop certificate will be issued by NMFS 
annually to any person who has completed the workshop.
    (3) An owner of a vessel registered for use of longline gear must 
have on file a valid protected species workshop certificate or copy 
issued by NMFS in order to maintain or renew their vessel registration.
    (4) An operator of a vessel registered for use of longline gear must 
have on board the vessel a valid protected species workshop certificate 
issued by NMFS or a legible copy thereof.

[[Page 403]]

    (f) An operator of a vessel registered for use of longline gear must 
notify the Regional Administrator at least 24 hours prior to embarking 
on a fishing trip regardless of the intended area of fishing.
    (g) An operator of a vessel registered for use of longline gear in 
waters east of 150[deg] W. long. and beyond the EEZ is subject to the 
requirements at 50 CFR part 223.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 77 FR 15975, Mar. 19, 2012]



Sec. 660.713  Drift gillnet fishery.

    (a) Take Reduction Plan gear restrictions. Gear restrictions 
resulting from the Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan 
established under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972 can be found at 50 CFR 229.31.
    (b) Other gear restrictions. (1) The maximum length of a drift 
gillnet on board a vessel shall not exceed 6,000 ft (1828 m).
    (2) Up to 1,500 ft (457 m) of drift gillnet in separate panels of 
600 ft (182.88 m) may be on board the vessel in a storage area.
    (c) Protected Resource Area closures. (1) Pacific leatherback 
conservation area. No person may fish with, set, or haul back drift 
gillnet gear in U.S. waters of the Pacific Ocean from August 15 through 
November 15 in the area bounded by straight lines connecting the 
following coordinates in the order listed:
    (i) Pt. Sur at 36[deg]18.5[min] N. lat., to
    (ii) 34[deg]27[min] N. lat. 123[deg]35[min] W. long., to
    (iii) 34[deg]27[min] N. lat. 129[deg] W. long., to
    (iv) 45[deg] N. lat. 129[deg] W. long., thence to
    (v) the point where 45[deg] N. lat. intersects the Oregon coast.
    (2) Pacific loggerhead conservation area. No person may fish with, 
set, or haul back drift gillnet gear in U.S. waters of the Pacific Ocean 
east of the 120[deg] W. meridian from June 1 through August 31 during a 
forecasted, or occurring, El Nino event off the coast of southern 
California.
    (i) Notification of an El Nino event. The Assistant Administrator 
will publish in the Federal Register a notification that an El Nino 
event is occurring, or is forecast to occur, off the coast of southern 
California and the requirement of a closure under this paragraph (c)(2). 
Furthermore, the Assistant Administrator will announce the requirement 
of such a closure by other methods as are necessary and appropriate to 
provide actual notice to the participants in the California/Oregon drift 
gillnet fishery.
    (ii) Determination of El Nino conditions. The Assistant 
Administrator will rely on information developed by NOAA offices which 
monitor El Nino events, such as NOAA's Climate Prediction Center and the 
West Coast Office of NOAA's Coast Watch program, in order to determine 
whether an El Nino is forecasted or occurring for the coast of southern 
California. The Assistant Administrator will use the monthly sea surface 
temperature anomaly charts to determine whether there are warmer than 
normal sea surface temperatures present off of southern California 
during the months prior to the closure month for years in which an El 
Nino event has been declared by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. 
Specifically, the Assistant Administrator, will use sea surface 
temperature data from the third and second months prior to the month of 
the closure for determining whether El Nino conditions are present off 
of southern California.
    (iii) Reopening. If, during a closure as described within this 
paragraph (c)(2), sea surface temperatures return to normal or below 
normal, the Assistant Administrator may publish a Federal Register 
notice announcing that El Nino conditions are no longer present off the 
coast of southern California and may terminate the closure prior to 
August 31.
    (d) Mainland area closures. The following areas off the Pacific 
coast are closed to driftnet gear:
    (1) Within the U.S. EEZ from the United States-Mexico International 
Boundary to the California-Oregon border from February 1 through April 
30.
    (2) In the portion of the U.S. EEZ within 75 nautical miles from the 
mainland shore from the United States-Mexico International Boundary to 
the California-Oregon border from May 1 through August 14.

[[Page 404]]

    (3) In the portion of the U.S. EEZ within 25 nautical miles of the 
coastline from December 15 through January 31 of the following year from 
the United States-Mexico International Boundary to the California-Oregon 
border.
    (4) In the portion of the U.S. EEZ from August 15 through September 
30 within the area bounded by line extending from Dana Point to Church 
Rock on Santa Catalina Island, to Point La Jolla, CA.
    (5) In the portion of the U.S. EEZ within 12 nautical miles from the 
mainland shore north of a line extending west of Point Arguello, CA, to 
the California-Oregon border.
    (6) In the portion of the U.S. EEZ within the area bounded by a line 
from the lighthouse at Point Reyes to Noonday Rock, to Southeast 
Farallon Island to Pillar Point, CA.
    (7) In the portion of the U.S. EEZ off the Oregon coast east of a 
line approximating 1000 fathoms as defined by the following coordinates:
    42[deg]00[min]00[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]10[min]30[sec] W. long.
    42[deg]25[min]39[sec] N. lat. 124[deg]59[min]09[sec] W. long.
    42[deg]30[min]42[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]00[min]46[sec] W. long.
    42[deg]30[min]23[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]04[min]14[sec] W. long.
    43[deg]02[min]56[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]06[min]57[sec] W. long.
    43[deg]01[min]29[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]10[min]55[sec] W. long.
    43[deg]50[min]11[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]19[min]14[sec] W. long.
    44[deg]03[min]23[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]12[min]22[sec] W. long.
    45[deg]00[min]06[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]16[min]42[sec] W. long.
    45[deg]25[min]27[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]16[min]29[sec] W. long.
    45[deg]45[min]37[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]15[min]19[sec] W. long.
    46[deg]04[min]45[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]24[min]41[sec] W. long.
    46[deg]16[min]00[sec] N. lat. 125[deg]20[min]32[sec] W. long.
    (8) In the portion of the U.S. EEZ north of 46[deg]16[min] N. 
latitude (Washington coast).
    (e) Channel Islands area closures. The following areas off the 
Channel Islands are closed to driftnet gear:
    (1) San Miguel Island closures. (i) Within the portion of the U.S. 
EEZ north of San Miguel Island between a line extending 6 nautical miles 
west of Point Bennett, CA, and a line extending 6 nautical miles east of 
Cardwell Point, CA.
    (ii) Within the portion of the U.S. EEZ south of San Miguel Island 
between a line extending 10 nautical miles west of Point Bennett, CA, 
and a line extending 10 nautical miles east of Cardwell Point, CA.
    (2) Santa Rosa Island closure. Within the portion of the U.S. EEZ 
north of San Miguel Island between a line extending 6 nautical miles 
west from Sandy Point, CA, and a line extending 6 nautical miles east of 
Skunk Point, CA, from May 1 through July 31.
    (3) San Nicolas Island closure. In the portion of the U.S. EEZ 
within a radius of 10 nautical miles of 33[deg]16[min]41[sec] N. lat., 
119[deg]34[min]39[sec] W. long. (west end) from May 1 through July 31.
    (4) San Clemente Island closure. In the portion of the U.S. EEZ 
within 6 nautical miles of the coastline on the easterly side of San 
Clemente Island within a line extending 6 nautical miles west from 
33[deg]02[min]16[sec] N. lat., 118[deg]35[min]27[sec] W. long. and a 
line extending 6 nautical miles east from the light at Pyramid Head, CA.
    (f) Pre-trip notification requirements. (1) Drift gillnet vessel 
owners or operators are required to notify NMFS or the NMFS-designated 
observer provider at least 48 hours prior to departing on each fishing 
trip. The vessel owners or operators must communicate to the observer 
provider: the owner's or operator's name, contact information, vessel 
name, port of departure, estimated date and time of departure, and a 
telephone number at which the owner or operator may be contacted during 
the business day (Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Pacific Time) to indicate whether an observer will be required on the 
subject fishing trip. Contact information for the current observer 
provider can be obtained by calling the NMFS West Coast Region 
Sustainable Fisheries Division at 562-980-4025.
    (2) Drift gillnet vessel owners or operators must provide the NMFS 
Office of Law Enforcement for the West Coast Region (OLE) with a 
declaration report before the vessel leaves port to fish for thresher 
shark/swordfish with large-mesh drift gillnet gear in state and federal 
waters between 0 and 200 nautical miles offshore of California, Oregon, 
or Washington. Declaration reports will include: The vessel name and/or 
identification number, and gear type.
    (i) Upon receipt of a declaration report, OLE will provide a 
confirmation code or receipt to confirm that a valid declaration report 
was received for the

[[Page 405]]

vessel. Retention of the confirmation code or receipt to verify that a 
valid declaration report was filed and the declaration requirement was 
met is the responsibility of the vessel owner or operator.
    (ii) The vessel operator must send a new declaration report before 
leaving port on a trip during which the fishing gear that will be used 
is different from the gear type most recently declared for the vessel. A 
declaration report will be valid until another declaration report 
revising the existing gear declaration is received by OLE.
    (iii) OLE's declaration hotline is 1-888-585-5518. The business 
hours for the OLE are Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, 8 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time; voice messages left on the hotline will 
be retrieved at the start of the next business day.
    (g) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements. Drift gillnet 
vessel owners are required to install an OLE type-approved VMS mobile 
transceiver unit (VMS unit) and to arrange for a OLE type-approved 
communications service provider to receive and relay transmissions to 
the OLE prior to fishing for thresher shark/swordfish with large-mesh 
drift gillnet gear.
    (1) What is a VMS? A VMS consists of an OLE type-approved VMS unit 
that automatically determines the vessel's position and transmits it to 
an OLE type-approved communications service provider. The communications 
service provider receives the transmission and relays it to the OLE.
    (2) What vessels are required to have a VMS? Any vessel registered 
for use with both a limited-entry California state large-mesh thresher 
shark/swordfish drift gillnet permit and a federal highly migratory 
species permit that fishes in state or federal waters off the coasts of 
California, Oregon, or Washington (0-200 nm offshore).
    (3) How are VMS units and communications dervice providers approved 
by OLE?
    (i) VMS unit manufacturers or communication service providers will 
submit products or services to the OLE for evaluation based on the 
published specifications.
    (ii) The OLE will publish a list of OLE type-approved VMS units and 
communication service providers for the DGN fishery in the Federal 
Register or notify the public through other appropriate media; and the 
OLE may publish amendments to the list as necessary.
    (4) What are the vessel owner's responsibilities? If you are a 
vessel owner that must participate in the VMS program, you or the vessel 
operator on your behalf must:
    (i) Obtain an OLE type-approved VMS unit and have it installed on 
board your vessel in accordance with the instructions provided by the 
OLE. You may obtain a copy of the VMS installation and operation 
instructions from the Special-Agent-In-Charge (SAC).
    (ii) Activate the VMS unit, submit an activation report and an 
initial declaration report, and receive confirmation from the OLE that 
the VMS transmissions are being received at least 72 hours prior to 
leaving port on a fishing trip for which VMS is required. Instructions 
for submitting an activation report may be obtained from the SAC. An 
activation report must again be submitted to the OLE following 
reinstallation of a VMS unit or change in service provider before the 
vessel may be used to fish in a fishery requiring the VMS.
    (A) Activation reports. If you are a vessel owner who must use VMS 
and you are activating a VMS unit for the first time, or reactivating a 
VMS unit following a reinstallation or change in service provider, you 
or the vessel operator on your behalf must fax to the OLE an activation 
report that includes: vessel name, vessel owner's name, address and 
telephone number, vessel operator's name, address and telephone number, 
USCG vessel documentation number/state registration number; and, if 
applicable, the relevant state and federal permit numbers for which 
vessel or owner is registered, VMS unit manufacturer, VMS communications 
service provider, VMS unit identification, and a statement signed and 
dated by the vessel owner confirming compliance with the installation 
procedures provided by the SAC and identifying whether the VMS unit

[[Page 406]]

is primary or backup. Immediately following submission of an activation 
report, submit an initial declaration report as described in paragraph 
(f)(2) of this section using the OLE's declaration hotline included in 
paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (B) Transferring ownership of the VMS unit. Ownership of the VMS 
unit may be transferred from one vessel owner to another vessel owner if 
all of the following documents are provided to the OLE: a new activation 
report, which identifies that the VMS unit was previously registered to 
another vessel, a notarized bill of sale showing proof of ownership of 
the VMS unit, and documentation from the communications service provider 
showing proof that the service agreement for the previous vessel was 
terminated and that a service agreement was established for the new 
vessel.
    (iii) Continuously operate and maintain the VMS unit in good working 
order 24 hours a day throughout the fishing year. The VMS unit must 
accurately transmit a signal indicating the vessel's position at least 
once every hour, 24 hours a day throughout the year, unless a valid 
exemption report, as described in paragraph (g)(4)(iv)(F) of this 
section, has been confirmed by the OLE. A reduced signal transmission 
rate, at least once every 4 hours, may be authorized by the OLE when a 
vessel remains in port for an extended period of time.
    (iv) Submit an exemption report to be confirmed by the OLE as valid, 
as described at paragraph (g)(4)(iv)(F) of this section, and comply with 
all conditions and requirements of the VMS exemption identified in this 
section and specified in the exemption report for a vessel to be 
exempted from the requirement of continuously operating and maintaining 
the VMS unit 24 hours a day throughout the fishing year.
    (A) Haul out exemption. When it is anticipated that a vessel will be 
continuously out of the water for more than 7 consecutive days and the 
OLE has confirmed a valid exemption report has been received for the 
vessel, electrical power to the VMS unit may be removed and 
transmissions may be discontinued. Under this exemption, VMS 
transmissions can be discontinued from the time the vessel is removed 
from the water until the time that the vessel is placed back in the 
water.
    (B) Outside areas exemption. When the vessel will be continuously 
operating seaward of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ; beyond 200 
nm) off the coasts of California, Oregon, or Washington for more than 7 
consecutive days and the OLE has confirmed a valid exemption report has 
been received for the vessel, the VMS unit transmissions may be reduced 
or discontinued from the time the vessel leaves the EEZ off the coasts 
of California, Oregon, or Washington until the time that the vessel re-
enters the EEZ off the coasts of California, Oregon, or Washington. If 
the vessel is equipped with a VMS unit that OLE has approved for this 
exemption and after the OLE has received an exemption report for the 
vessel, the vessel owner or operator can request that the OLE reduce or 
discontinue the VMS transmissions.
    (C) Long-term departure exemption. A vessel participating in the DGN 
fishery that is required to have VMS under paragraph (g) of this section 
may be exempted from VMS provisions after the end of the fishing season 
in which it fished, provided that a completed exemption report including 
a statement signed by the vessel owner indicating that the vessel will 
not be used to take and retain or possess or land swordfish taken in 
state or federal waters off the coasts of California, Oregon, or 
Washington during the upcoming fishing year is submitted to the OLE.
    (D) Emergency exemption. Vessels required to have VMS under 
paragraph (g) of this section may be exempted from VMS provisions in 
emergency situations that are beyond the vessel owner's control, 
including but not limited to: fire, flooding, or extensive physical 
damage to critical areas of the vessel. A vessel owner may request an 
emergency exemption from the VMS requirements specified in paragraph (g) 
of this section for his/her vessel by contacting the OLE and submitting 
the following information in writing: the reasons for seeking an 
exemption including any supporting documents (e.g., repair invoices, 
photographs showing damage to the vessel, insurance claim forms, etc.), 
the time

[[Page 407]]

period for which the exemption is requested, and the location of the 
vessel while the exemption is in effect. The OLE will issue a written 
determination granting or denying the emergency exemption request. A 
vessel will not be covered by the emergency exemption until the OLE 
issues a determination granting the exemption. If an exemption is 
granted, the duration of the exemption will be specified in the OLE 
determination.
    (E) Submission of exemption reports. Long-term departure exemption 
reports must be signed by the vessel owner and submitted by fax or by 
emailing an electronic copy of the actual report to the OLE. If an 
emergency exemption request will be submitted, initial contact with the 
OLE must be made by telephone, fax or email within 24 hours from when 
the emergency incident occurred. All emergency exemption requests must 
be submitted in writing within 72 hours from when the incident occurred. 
Submission methods for exemption reports, except long-term departures 
and emergency exemption requests, may include email, facsimile, or 
telephone. The OLE will provide, through appropriate media, instructions 
to the public on submitting exemption reports. Instructions and other 
information needed to make exemption reports may be mailed to the vessel 
owner's address of record. Owners of vessels required to use the VMS who 
do not receive instructions by mail are responsible for contacting OLE 
during business hours at least 3 days before the exemption is needed to 
obtain information necessary for exemption reports. The OLE must be 
contacted during business hours (Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays, between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time). Any other 
categories of exemptions that have not been specified in paragraph (g) 
of this section may be submitted to the OLE through the VMS unit or 
another method deemed appropriate by the OLE. Before a request for a new 
category of exemption can be approved by OLE, it must be announced in 
the Federal Register.
    (F) Valid exemption reports. For an exemption report to be valid, 
the OLE must receive and confirm it at least 2 hours and not more than 
24 hours before the exempted activities defined at paragraphs 
(g)(4)(iv)(A) through (D) of this section. An exemption report is valid 
until NMFS receives a report canceling the exemption. An exemption 
cancellation must be received at least 2 hours before the vessel re-
enters the EEZ following an outside areas exemption; at least 2 hours 
before the vessel is placed back in the water following a haul-out 
exemption; or at least 2 hours before a vessel resumes fishing with a 
large-mesh drift gillnet after a long-term departure exemption. If a 
vessel is required to submit an activation report under paragraph 
(g)(4)(ii) of this section before returning to fish, that report may 
substitute for the exemption cancellation. After an emergency situation 
occurs that disrupts the VMS transmission, initial contact must be made 
with the OLE within 24 hours and a written emergency exemption request 
submitted within 72 hours from when the incident occurred. If the 
emergency situation, upon which an emergency exemption is based, is 
resolved before the exemption expires, an exemption cancellation must be 
received by OLE at least 2 hours before the vessel resumes fishing.
    (v) When aware that transmission of automatic position reports has 
been interrupted, or when notified by OLE that automatic position 
reports are not being received, contact OLE and follow the instructions 
provided to you. Such instructions may include, but are not limited to, 
manually communicating the vessel's position to a location designated by 
the OLE or returning to port until the VMS unit is operable.
    (vi) After a fishing trip during which interruption of automatic 
position reports has occurred, the vessel's owner or operator must 
replace or repair the VMS unit prior to the vessel's next fishing trip. 
Repair or reinstallation of a VMS unit or installation of a replacement 
unit, including any changes in communications service providers shall be 
in accordance with the instructions provided by the OLE.
    (vii) Make the VMS units available for inspection by OLE personnel, 
USCG personnel, state enforcement personnel or any authorized officer.

[[Page 408]]

    (viii) Ensure that the VMS unit is not tampered with, disabled, 
destroyed, operated, or maintained improperly.
    (ix) Pay all charges levied by the communication service provider as 
necessary to ensure continuous operation of the VMS units.
    (5) What is the contact information for the OLE SAC? For issues 
related to day-to-day operation of VMS units, including declaration 
reports, activation reports and exemption reports, the SAC's designee is 
the OLE VMS Program Manager's office located at 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 
Seattle, WA 98115-6349; phone: (888) 585-5518; fax: (206) 526-6528); and 
email: [email protected].
    (h) Limits on protected species mortalities and injuries. (1) 
Maximum 2-year hard caps are established on the number of sea turtle and 
marine mammal mortalities and injuries that occur as a result of 
observed interactions with large-mesh drift gillnets (mesh size 
= 14 inches) deployed by vessels registered for use under HMS 
permits. Mortalities and injuries during the current fishing season (May 
1 through January 31) and the previous fishing season are counted 
towards the hard caps. The mortality and injury hard caps are as 
follows:

                        Table 1 to paragraph (h)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Rolling 2-
                          Species                             year hard
                                                                 cap
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fin Whale..................................................            2
Humpback Whale.............................................            2
Sperm Whale................................................            2
Leatherback Sea Turtle.....................................            2
Loggerhead Sea Turtle......................................            2
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle....................................            2
Green Sea Turtle...........................................            2
Short-fin Pilot Whale (CA/OR/WA stock).....................            4
Bottlenose Dolphin (CA/OR/WA stock)........................            4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Upon determination by the Regional Administrator that, based on 
data from NMFS observers or a NMFS Electronic Monitoring program, the 
fishery has reached any of the protected species hard caps during a 
given 2-year period:
    (i) As soon as practicable, the Regional Administrator will file for 
publication at the Office of the Federal Register a notification that 
the fishery has reached a protected species hard cap. The notification 
will include an advisement that the large-mesh drift gillnet (mesh size 
= 14 inches) fishery shall be closed, and that drift gillnet 
fishing in the U.S. West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone by vessels 
registered for use under HMS permits will be prohibited beginning at a 
specified date and ending at a specified date. Drift gillnet fishing 
will then be allowed beginning May 1 of the year when observed mortality 
and injury of each species during the previous two May 1 through January 
31 fishing seasons is below its hard cap value. Coincidental with the 
filing of the notification, the Regional Administrator will also provide 
actual notice that the large-mesh drift gillnet (mesh size = 
14 inches) fishery shall be closed, and that drift gillnet fishing in 
the U.S. West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone by vessels registered for 
use under HMS permits will be prohibited beginning at a specified date, 
to all holders of HMS permits with a drift gillnet endorsement via VMS 
communication, postal mail, and a posting on the NMFS regional website.
    (ii) Beginning on the fishery closure date published in the Federal 
Register and indicated by the Regional Administrator in the notification 
provided to vessel operators and permit holders under paragraph 
(h)(2)(i) of this section, and until the specified ending date, the 
large-mesh drift gillnet (mesh size = 14 inches) fishery 
shall be closed. During the closure period commercial fishing vessels 
registered for use under HMS permits may not be used to target, retain 
on board, transship, or land fish captured with a large-mesh drift 
gillnet (mesh size = 14 inches), with the exception that any 
fish already on board a fishing vessel on the effective date of the 
document may be retained on board, transshipped, and/or landed, to the 
extent authorized by applicable laws and regulations, provided such fish 
are landed within 4 days after the effective date published in the 
fishing closure document.

[69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 72 FR 31757, June 8, 2007; 78 
FR 54551, Sept. 4, 2013; 80 FR 10395, Feb. 26, 2015; 85 FR 7250, Feb. 7, 
2020]

[[Page 409]]



Sec. 660.714  Purse seine fishery. [Reserved]



Sec. 660.715  Deep-set buoy gear fishery.

    (a) Gear configurations. Deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) configurations 
must conform to the following specifications:
    (1) Standard buoy gear (SBG). An individual piece of SBG must 
consist of a vertical monofilament mainline suspended from a buoy-array 
with a terminal weight. No more than three gangions with hooks may be 
attached to the mainline. No gangions with hooks may be attached at a 
depth shallower than 90 meters.
    (2) Linked buoy gear (LBG). An individual piece (section) of LBG 
must consist of a monofilament mainline that extends vertically from a 
buoy-array (either directly or from a minimum 50-foot (15.24-meter) 
extender) to a weight; then horizontally to a second weight; then 
vertically to a minimum 50-foot (15.24-meter) extender attached to a 
second buoy-array. No more than three gangions with hooks may be 
connected to each horizontal section of the mainline. No gangions with 
hooks may be attached at a depth shallower than 90 meters. Individual 
pieces may be linked together by the mainline. The links between each 
piece of LBG must be serviceable.
    (b) Additional gear configuration specifications. Use of SBG and LBG 
must conform with the following requirements:
    (1) Surface buoy flotation and strike detection array requirements. 
The surface buoy flotation and strike detection array must include a 
minimum of three buoys (a minimum 45-pound (20.41 kilogram) buoyancy 
non-compressible hard ball, a minimum 6-pound (2.72 kilogram) buoyancy 
buoy, and a strike detection buoy), with no more than 6 feet (1.83 
meters) of line between adjacent buoys, all connected in-line by a 
minimum of \3/8\ inch (9.53 millimeter) diameter line.
    (i) Buoys must be free of tether attachments (e.g., non-streamlined 
gear with loops and/or dangling components).
    (ii) SBG and terminal LBG buoy-arrays must include a locator flag, a 
radar reflector, and the buoy must be marked with a number clearly 
identifying the owner or operator of the vessel. The number may be 
either:
    (A) If required by applicable state law, the vessel's number, the 
commercial fishing license number, or buoy brand number; or
    (B) The vessel documentation number issued by the United States 
Coast Guard (USCG), or, for an undocumented vessel, the vessel 
registration number issued by the state.
    (2) Weight requirements. Weights must be a minimum of 3.6 kilograms.
    (3) Circle hook requirements. Circle hooks must be used that are a 
minimum size 16/0 with not more than 10 degrees offset.
    (4) Gear pieces and hook limitations. No more than 10 pieces of SBG 
or LBG, in total, may be deployed at one time, with no more than three 
hooks per piece.
    (c) Operational requirements. SBG and LBG must be fished in 
accordance with the following operational requirements.
    (1) Active tending. All pieces of gear must remain within 5 nautical 
miles (9.26 kilometers) of the vessel at all times, and the vessel may 
be no more than 3 nautical miles (5.56 kilometers) from the nearest 
piece of gear.
    (2) Fishing multiple gear types. Gear types other than DSBG may be 
used on the same trip when DSBG is used, as long as the requirement to 
actively tend DSBG (as described at paragraph (c)(1) of this section) is 
met. If multiple gear types, including gear other than DSBG, are used on 
the same trip as DSBG, catch must be tagged or marked to identify the 
gear used, including differentiating whether caught with SBG or LBG.
    (3) Timing of gear deployment and retrieval. Gear may not be 
deployed until local sunrise and must be onboard the vessel no later 
than 3 hours after local sunset.
    (4) Pre-trip notification. When requested by NMFS, DSBG vessel 
owners or operators are required to notify NMFS or the NMFS-designated 
observer provider at least 48 hours prior to departing on each fishing 
trip during which DSBG will be fished. The vessel owner or operator must 
communicate to the observer provider: the owner's or operator's name, 
contact information,

[[Page 410]]

vessel name, port of departure, estimated date and time of departure, 
and a telephone number at which the owner or operator may be contacted 
during the business day (Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Pacific Time) to indicate whether an observer will be required on 
the subject fishing trip. Contact information for the current observer 
provider can be obtained by calling the NMFS West Coast Region 
Sustainable Fisheries Division at (562) 980-4238.
    (5) Protected species workshops. When requested by NMFS, the 
operator of a vessel either registered to a limited entry DSBG permit or 
planning to fish under a DSBG endorsement must attend a workshop 
conducted by NMFS on mitigation, handling, and release techniques for 
protected species.
    (d) Geographic area restrictions. DSBG fishing is permitted 
throughout the management area defined in Sec. 660.703 with the 
following area restrictions:
    (1) Federal waters offshore of California and Oregon only. Fishing 
with DSBG may not occur in Federal waters north of a line extending 
seaward from the Oregon/Washington border at north of 46[deg]16[min] N 
latitude.
    (2) Limited entry-only area. Except for vessels registered to a 
valid DSBG limited entry permit, fishing with DSBG may not occur in 
Federal waters within the Southern California Bight, which for this 
purpose is defined with a northern boundary of 34[deg]26[min]54.96[sec] 
N latitude (i.e., Point Conception), a southern boundary of the U.S.-
Mexico maritime border, and a western boundary of 120[deg]28[min]18[sec] 
W longitude.
    (3) Linked buoy gear area restriction. Fishing with DSBG in a LBG 
configuration in waters north of the Northern Channel Islands to a line 
extending seaward from the Oregon/Washington border at 46[deg]16[min] N 
latitude may not occur shoreward of a line approximating the 400 meter 
depth contour, which is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated in the following table.

                       Table 1 to Paragraph (d)(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Point ID                  Latitude            Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  46.274388          -124.410349
2.............................  46.075505          -124.813587
3.............................  45.968227          -124.739233
4.............................  45.785378          -124.721611
5.............................  45.731988          -124.755707
6.............................  45.676058          -124.662448
7.............................  45.635778          -124.733532
8.............................  45.627501          -124.621223
9.............................  45.421342          -124.428881
10............................  45.368012          -124.524815
11............................  45.219954          -124.426593
12............................  45.169315          -124.502340
13............................  45.192831          -124.640233
14............................  45.073777          -124.601143
15............................  45.122584          -124.728187
16............................  45.063305          -124.719824
17............................  45.012240          -124.512643
18............................  44.827950          -124.645508
19............................  44.789368          -124.722827
20............................  44.703649          -124.815421
21............................  44.529842          -124.804136
22............................  44.507522          -124.883072
23............................  44.415352          -124.858176
24............................  44.208665          -124.994868
25............................  43.942293          -124.974502
26............................  43.795680          -124.685260
27............................  43.579894          -124.645446
28............................  43.232513          -124.799284
29............................  43.226291          -124.883682
30............................  42.905163          -124.913752
31............................  42.753934          -124.866742
32............................  42.748993          -124.751655
33............................  42.520896          -124.747080
34............................  42.463017          -124.822607
35............................  41.824611          -124.517470
36............................  41.428980          -124.513482
37............................  41.156773          -124.396132
38............................  40.801184          -124.492790
39............................  40.681958          -124.550870
40............................  40.602740          -124.480125
41............................  40.622580          -124.645995
42............................  40.546989          -124.700835
43............................  40.400783          -124.585363
44............................  40.370014          -124.431174
45............................  40.344876          -124.507828
46............................  40.269847          -124.446270
47............................  40.279429          -124.657027
48............................  40.117493          -124.304705
49............................  40.041456          -124.285170
50............................  40.042494          -124.155198
51............................  39.965786          -124.231615
52............................  39.808303          -124.097017
53............................  39.540607          -123.943484
54............................  39.528835          -123.992885
55............................  38.911050          -123.982148
56............................  38.491136          -123.647679
57............................  38.256021          -123.526302
58............................  38.228410          -123.438852
59............................  38.073446          -123.533062
60............................  37.844809          -123.404954
61............................  37.740079          -123.192427
62............................  37.623812          -123.050253
63............................  37.394689          -122.920853
64............................  37.323790          -122.940568
65............................  37.189284          -122.863927
66............................  36.968232          -122.527184
67............................  37.005852          -122.408848
68............................  36.945123          -122.425076
69............................  36.781748          -122.055455
70............................  36.806676          -121.905280
71............................  36.680249          -122.025454
72............................  36.531101          -121.993385
73............................  36.371824          -122.014963
74............................  36.315554          -122.101240
75............................  36.166525          -121.760807

[[Page 411]]

 
76............................  36.033982          -121.623149
77............................  35.584240          -121.366349
78............................  35.165706          -121.033163
79............................  34.865218          -120.993335
80............................  34.929599          -121.074138
81............................  34.693224          -120.962686
82............................  34.541665          -120.838291
83............................  34.315659          -120.541578
84............................  34.268981          -120.379230
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[88 FR 29552, May 8, 2023]



Sec. 660.716  [Reserved]



Sec. 660.717  Framework for revising regulations.

    (a) General. NMFS will establish and adjust specifications and 
management measures in accordance with procedures and standards in the 
FMP.
    (b) Annual actions. Annual specifications are developed and 
implemented according to Sec. 660.709.
    (c) Routine management measures. Consistent with section 3.4 of the 
FMP, management measures designated as routine may be adjusted during 
the year after recommendation from the Council, approval by NMFS, and 
publication in the Federal Register.
    (d) Changes to the regulations. Regulations under this subpart may 
be promulgated, removed, or revised. Any such action will be made 
according to the framework measures in section 8.3.4 of the FMP and will 
be published in the Federal Register.



Sec. 660.718  Exempted fishing.

    (a) In the interest of developing an efficient and productive 
fishery for HMS, the Regional Administrator may issue exempted fishing 
permits (EFP) for the harvest of HMS that otherwise would be prohibited.
    (b) No exempted fishing for HMS may be conducted unless authorized 
by an EFP issued for the participating vessel in accordance with the 
criteria and procedures specified in 50 CFR 600.745.



Sec. 660.719  Scientific observers.

    (a) All fishing vessels with permits issued under this subpart and 
operating in HMS fisheries, including catcher/processors, at-sea 
processors, and vessels that embark from a port in Washington, Oregon, 
or California and land catch in another area, may be required to 
accommodate an NMFS certified observer on board to collect scientific 
data.
    (b) All vessels with observers on board must comply with the safety 
regulations at 50 CFR 600.746.
    (c) NMFS shall advise the permit holder or the designated agent of 
any observer requirement in response to any pre-trip notification in 
this subpart.
    (d) When NMFS notifies the permit holder or designated agent of the 
obligation to carry an observer in response to a notification under this 
subpart or as a condition of an EFP issued under 50 CFR 660.718, the 
vessel may not engage in the fishery without taking the observer.
    (e) A permit holder must accommodate a NMFS observer assigned under 
this section. The Regional Administrator's office, and not the observer, 
will address any concerns raised over accommodations.
    (f) The permit holder, vessel operator, and crew must cooperate with 
the observer in the performance of the observer's duties, including:
    (1) Allowing for the embarking and debarking of the observer.
    (2) Allowing the observer access to all areas of the vessel 
necessary to conduct observer duties.
    (3) Allowing the observer access to communications equipment and 
navigation equipment as necessary to perform observer duties.
    (4) Allowing the observer access to VMS units to verify operation, 
obtain data, and use the communication capabilities of the units for 
official purposes.
    (5) Providing accurate vessel locations by latitude and longitude or 
loran coordinates, upon request by the observer.
    (6) Providing sea turtle, marine mammal, or sea bird specimens as 
requested.
    (7) Notifying the observer in a timely fashion when commercial 
fishing operations are to begin and end.
    (g) The permit holder, operator, and crew must comply with other 
terms and conditions to ensure the effective deployment and use of 
observers that

[[Page 412]]

the Regional Administrator imposes by written notice.
    (h) The permit holder must ensure that assigned observers are 
provided living quarters comparable to crew members and are provided the 
same meals, snacks, and amenities as are normally provided to other 
vessel personnel.



Sec. 660.720  Interim protection for sea turtles.

    (a) Until the effective date of Sec. Sec. 660.707 and 660.712 (d) 
and (e), it is unlawful for any person who is not operating under a 
Hawaii longline limited access permit under Sec. 660.21(b) to do any of 
the following:
    (1) Direct fishing effort toward the harvest of swordfish (Xiphias 
gladius) using longline gear deployed on the high seas of the Pacific 
Ocean west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of the equator (0[deg] lat.).
    (2) Possess a light stick on board a longline vessel on the high 
seas of the Pacific Ocean west of 150[deg] W. long. north of the 
equator. A light stick as used in this paragraph is any type of light 
emitting device, including any fluorescent glow bead, chemical, or 
electrically powered light that is affixed underwater to the longline 
gear.
    (3) An operator of a longline vessel subject to this section may 
land or possess no more than 10 swordfish from a fishing trip where any 
part of the trip included fishing west of 150[deg] W. long. and north of 
the equator (0[deg] N. lat.).
    (4) Fail to employ basket-style longline gear such that the mainline 
is deployed slack when fishing on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean 
west of 150[deg] W. long. north of the equator.
    (5) When a conventional monofilament longline is deployed by a 
vessel subject to this section, no fewer than 15 branch lines may be set 
between any two floats. Vessel operators using basket-style longline 
gear must set a minimum of 10 branch lines between any 2 floats when 
fishing in waters west of 150[deg] W. long. north of the equator.
    (6) Longline gear deployed by a vessel subject to this section must 
be deployed such that the deepest point of the main longline between any 
two floats, i.e., the deepest point in each sag of the main line, is at 
a depth greater than 100 m (328.1 ft or 54.6 fm) below the sea surface.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 660.721  Recreational fishing bag limits and filleting requirements.

    This section applies to recreational fishing for albacore tuna in 
the U.S. EEZ off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington and for 
bluefin tuna in the U.S. EEZ off the coast of California. In addition to 
individual fishermen, the operator of a U.S. sportsfishing vessel that 
fishes for albacore or bluefin tuna is responsible for ensuring that the 
bag and possession limits of this section are not exceeded. The bag 
limits of this section apply on the basis of each 24-hour period at sea, 
regardless of the number of trips per day. The provisions of this 
section do not authorize any person to take and retain more than one 
daily bag limit of fish during 1 calendar day. Federal recreational HMS 
regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive state 
recreational HMS regulations relating to federally-managed HMS.
    (a) Albacore Tuna Daily Bag Limit. Except pursuant to a multi-day 
possession permit referenced in paragraph (c) of this section, a 
recreational fisherman may take and retain, or possess onboard no more 
than:
    (1) Ten albacore tuna if any part of the fishing trip occurs in the 
U.S. EEZ south of a line running due west true from 34[deg]27[min] N. 
latitude (at Point Conception, Santa Barbara County) to the U.S.-Mexico 
border.
    (2) Twenty-five albacore tuna if any part of the fishing trip occurs 
in the U.S. EEZ north of a line running due west true from 
34[deg]27[min] N. latitude (at Point Conception, Santa Barbara County) 
to the California-Oregon border.
    (b) Bluefin Tuna Daily Bag Limit. A recreational fisherman may take 
and retain, or possess on board no more than two bluefin tuna during any 
part of a fishing trip that occurs in the U.S. EEZ off California south 
of a line running due west true from the California--Oregon border 
[42[deg]00[min] N. latitude].

[[Page 413]]

    (c) Possession Limits. If the State of California requires a multi-
day possession permit for albacore or bluefin tuna harvested by a 
recreational fishing vessel and landed in California, aggregating daily 
trip limits for multi-day trips would be deemed consistent with Federal 
law.
    (d) Boat Limits Off the coast of California, boat limits apply, 
whereby each fisherman aboard a vessel may continue to use recreational 
angling gear until the combined daily limits of HMS for all licensed and 
juvenile anglers aboard has been attained (additional state restrictions 
on boat limits may apply). Unless otherwise prohibited, when two or more 
persons are angling for HMS species aboard a vessel in the EEZ, fishing 
may continue until boat limits are reached.
    (e) Restrictions on Filleting of Tuna South of Point Conception. 
South of a line running due west true from Point Conception, Santa 
Barbara County (34[deg]27[min] N. latitude) to the U.S.-Mexico border, 
any tuna that has been filleted must be individually bagged as follows:
    (1) The bag must be marked with the species' common name; and
    (2) The fish must be cut into the following six pieces with all skin 
attached: the four loins, the collar removed as one piece with both 
pectoral fins attached and intact, and the belly cut to include the vent 
and with both pelvic fins attached and intact.

[72 FR 58259, Oct. 15, 2007, as amended at 80 FR 44891, July 28, 2015]



PART 665_FISHERIES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
665.1 Purpose and scope.
665.2 Relation to other laws.
665.3 Licensing and registration.
665.4 Annual catch limits.
665.5-665.11 [Reserved]
665.12 Definitions.
665.13 Permits and fees.
665.14 Reporting and recordkeeping.
665.15 Prohibitions.
665.16 Vessel identification.
665.17 Experimental fishing.
665.18 Framework adjustments to management measures.
665.19 Vessel monitoring system.
665.20 Western Pacific Community Development Program.

                   Subpart B_American Samoa Fisheries

665.98 Management area.
665.99 Area restrictions.
665.100 American Samoa bottomfish fisheries [Reserved]
665.101 Definitions.
665.103 Prohibitions.
665.104 Gear restrictions.
665.105 At-sea observer coverage.
665.106 American Samoa annual catch limits (ACL).
665.107-665.119 [Reserved]
665.120 American Samoa coral reef ecosystem fisheries [Reserved]
665.121 Definitions.
665.122 [Reserved]
665.123 Relation to other laws.
665.124 Permits and fees.
665.125 Prohibitions.
665.126 Notifications.
665.127 Allowable gear and gear restrictions.
665.128 Gear identification.
665.129-665.139 [Reserved]
665.140 American Samoa crustacean fisheries [Reserved]
665.141 Definitions.
665.142 Permits.
665.143 Prohibitions.
665.144 Notifications.
665.145 At-sea observer coverage.
665.146-665.159 [Reserved]
665.160 American Samoa precious coral fisheries [Reserved]
665.161 Definitions.
665.162 Permits.
665.163 Prohibitions.
665.164 Gear restrictions.
665.165 Size restrictions.
665.166 Closures.
665.167 Quotas.
665.168 Seasons.
665.169 Gold coral harvest moratorium.

                       Subpart C_Hawaii Fisheries

665.198 Management areas.
665.199 Area restrictions [Reserved]
665.200 Hawaii bottomfish and seamount groundfish fisheries [Reserved]
665.201 Definitions.
665.202 Management subareas.
665.203 Permits.
665.204 Prohibitions.
665.205 Notification.
665.206 Gear restrictions.
665.207 At-sea observer coverage.
665.208 Protected species conservation.
665.209 Fishing moratorium at Hancock Seamount.
665.210 [Reserved]
665.211 Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Annual Catch Targets (ACT).
665.212 Non-commercial bag limits.

[[Page 414]]

665.213-665.219 [Reserved]
665.220 Hawaii coral reef ecosystem fisheries [Reserved]
665.221 Definitions.
665.222 Management area.
665.223 Relation to other laws.
665.224 Permits and fees.
665.225 Prohibitions.
665.226 Notifications.
665.227 Allowable gear and gear restrictions.
665.228 Gear identification.
665.229-665.239 [Reserved]
665.240 Hawaii crustacean fisheries [Reserved]
665.241 Definitions.
665.242 Permits.
665.243 Prohibitions.
665.244 Notifications.
665.245 Gear restrictions.
665.246 Gear identification.
665.247 At-sea observer coverage.
665.248 Monk seal protective measures.
665.249 Lobster size and condition restrictions in Permit Area 2.
665.250 Closed seasons.
665.251 Closed areas.
665.252 Harvest limitation program.
665.253 Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Annual Catch Targets (ACT).
665.254-665.259 [Reserved]
665.260 Hawaii precious coral fisheries [Reserved]
665.261 Definitions.
665.262 Permits.
665.263 Prohibitions.
665.264 Gear restrictions.
665.265 Size restrictions.
665.266 Area restrictions.
665.267 Seasons.
665.268 Closures.
665.269 Annual Catch Limits (ACL).
665.270 Gold coral harvest moratorium.

                 Subpart D_Mariana Archipelago Fisheries

665.398 Management areas.
665.399 Area restrictions.
665.400 Mariana bottomfish fisheries [Reserved]
665.401 Definitions.
665.402 Management subareas.
665.403 Bottomfish fishery area management.
665.404 Permits.
665.405 Prohibitions.
665.406 Gear restrictions.
665.407 At-sea observer coverage.
665.408 CNMI Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Annual Catch Targets (ACT).
665.409 Guam Annual Catch Limits (ACL).
665.410-665.419 [Reserved]
665.420 Mariana coral reef ecosystem fisheries [Reserved]
665.421 Definitions.
665.422 Management area.
665.423 Relation to other laws.
665.424 Permits and fees.
665.425 Prohibitions.
665.426 Notifications.
665.427 Allowable gear and gear restrictions.
665.428 Gear identification.
665.429-665.439 [Reserved]
665.440 Mariana crustacean fisheries [Reserved]
665.441 Definitions.
665.442 Permits.
665.443 Prohibitions.
665.444 Notifications.
665.445 At-sea observer coverage.
665.446-665.459 [Reserved]
665.460 Mariana precious coral fisheries [Reserved]
665.461 Definitions.
665.462 Permits.
665.463 Prohibitions.
665.464 Gear restrictions.
665.465 Size restrictions.
665.466 Closures.
665.467 Quotas.
665.468 Seasons.
665.469 Gold coral harvest moratorium.

             Subpart E_Pacific Remote Island Area Fisheries

665.598 Management area.
665.599 Area Restrictions.
665.600 PRIA bottomfish fisheries [Reserved]
665.601 Definitions.
665.602 [Reserved]
665.603 Permits.
665.604 Prohibitions.
665.605 Gear restrictions.
665.606 At-sea observer coverage.
665.607-665.619 [Reserved]
665.620 PRIA coral reef ecosystem fisheries [Reserved]
665.621 Definitions.
665.622 [Reserved]
665.623 Relation to other laws.
665.624 Permits and fees.
665.625 Prohibitions.
665.626 Notifications.
665.627 Allowable gear and gear restrictions.
665.628 Gear identification.
665.640 PRIA crustacean fisheries.
665.629-665.639 [Reserved]
665.641 Definitions.
665.642 Permits.
665.643 Prohibitions.
665.644 Notifications
665.645 At-sea observer coverage.
665.646-665.659 [Reserved]
665.660 PRIA precious coral fisheries [Reserved]
665.661 Definitions.
665.662 Permits.
665.663 Prohibitions.
665.664 Gear restrictions.
665.665 Size restrictions.
665.666 Closures.
665.667 Quotas.
665.668 Seasons.

[[Page 415]]

665.669 Gold coral harvest moratorium.

               Subpart F_Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries

665.798 Management area.
665.799 Area restrictions.
665.800 Definitions.
665.801 Permits.
665.802 Prohibitions.
665.803 Notifications.
665.804 Gear identification.
665.805 [Reserved]
665.806 Prohibited area management.
665.807 Exemptions for Hawaii longline fishing prohibited areas; 
          procedures.
665.808 Conditions for at-sea observer coverage.
665.809 Port privileges and transiting for unpermitted U.S. longline 
          vessels.
665.810 Prohibition of drift gillnetting.
665.811 Handling and release of oceanic whitetip sharks.
665.812 Sea turtle take mitigation measures.
665.813 Western Pacific longline fishing restrictions.
665.814 Protected species workshop.
665.815 Pelagic longline seabird mitigation measures.
665.816 American Samoa longline limited entry program.
665.817 [Reserved]
665.818 Exemptions for American Samoa large vessel prohibited areas.
665.819 Territorial catch and fishing effort limits.

           Subpart G_Marianas Trench Marine National Monument

665.900 Scope and purpose.
665.901 Boundaries.
665.902 Definitions.
665.903 Prohibitions.
665.904 Regulated activities.
665.905 Fishing permit procedures and criteria.
665.906 International law.

        Subpart H_Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

665.930 Scope and purpose.
665.931 Boundaries.
665.932 Definitions.
665.933 Prohibitions.
665.934 Regulated activities.
665.935 Fishing permit procedures and criteria.
665.936 International law.

              Subpart I_Rose Atoll Marine National Monument

665.960 Scope and purpose.
665.961 Boundaries.
665.962 Definitions.
665.963 Prohibitions.
665.964 Regulated activities.
665.965 Fishing permit procedures and criteria.
665.966 International law.

Figure 1 to Part 665--Carapace Length of Lobsters
Figure 2 to Part 665--Length of Fishing Vessels
Figure 3 to Part 665--Sample Fabricated Arceneaux Line Clipper

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

    Source: 75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 665.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The regulations in this part govern fishing for Pacific Island 
management unit species (MUS) and ecosystem component species (ECS) by 
vessels of the United States that operate or are based inside the outer 
boundary of the U.S. EEZ around American Samoa, Hawaii, Guam, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef, Jarvis Island, 
Baker Island, Howland Island, Johnston Atoll, and Wake Island.
    (b) General regulations governing fishing by all vessels of the 
United States and by fishing vessels other than vessels of the United 
States are contained in 50 CFR parts 300 and 600.
    (c) Regulations governing the harvest, possession, landing, 
purchase, and sale of shark fins are found in 50 CFR part 600 subpart N.
    (d) This subpart contains regulations that are common to all western 
Pacific fisheries managed under Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEPs) prepared 
by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act.
    (e) Regulations specific to individual areas and fisheries are 
included in subparts B through F of this part.
    (f) Nothing in subparts B through F of this part is intended to 
supersede any valid state or Federal regulations that are more 
restrictive than those published here.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 62501, Oct. 16, 2015; 84 
FR 2768, Feb. 8, 2019]

[[Page 416]]



Sec. 665.2  Relation to other laws.

    NMFS recognizes that any state law pertaining to vessels registered 
under the laws of that state while operating in the fisheries regulated 
under this part, that is consistent with this part and the FEPs 
implemented by this part, shall continue in effect with respect to 
fishing activities regulated under this part.



Sec. 665.3  Licensing and registration.

    Any person who is required to do so by applicable state law or 
regulation must comply with licensing and registration requirements in 
the exact manner required by applicable state law or regulation.



Sec. 665.4  Annual catch limits.

    (a) General. For each fishing year, the Regional Administrator shall 
specify an annual catch limit, including any overage adjustments, for 
each stock or stock complex of management unit species defined in 
subparts B through F of this part, as recommended by the Council, and 
considering the best available scientific, commercial, and other 
information about the fishery for that stock or stock complex. The 
annual catch limit shall serve as the basis for invoking accountability 
measures in paragraph (f) of this section.
    (b) Overage adjustments. If landings of a stock or stock complex 
exceed the specified annual catch limit in a fishing year, the Council 
will take action in accordance with 50 CFR 600.310(g), which may include 
recommending that the Regional Administrator reduce the annual catch 
limit for the subsequent year by the amount of the overage or other 
measures, as appropriate.
    (c) Exceptions. The Regional Administrator is not required to 
specify an annual catch limit for an ECS, or for an MUS that is 
statutorily excepted from the requirement pursuant to 50 CFR 
600.310(h)(1).
    (d) Annual catch target. For each fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator may also specify an annual catch target that is below the 
annual catch limit of a stock or stock complex, as recommended by the 
Council. When used, the annual catch target shall serve as the basis for 
invoking accountability measures in paragraph (f) of this section.
    (e) Procedures and timing. (1) No later than 60 days before the 
start of a fishing year, the Council shall recommend to the Regional 
Administrator an annual catch limit, including any overage adjustment, 
for each stock or stock complex. The recommended limit should be based 
on a recommendation of the SSC of the acceptable biological catch for 
each stock or stock complex. The Council may not recommend an annual 
catch limit that exceeds the acceptable biological catch recommended by 
the SSC. The Council may also recommend an annual catch target below the 
annual catch limit.
    (2) No later than 30 days before the start of a fishing year, the 
Regional Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of 
the proposed annual catch limit specification and any associated annual 
catch target, and request public comment.
    (3) No later than the start of a fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register and use other 
methods to notify permit holders of the final annual catch limit 
specification and any associated annual catch target.
    (f) Accountability measures. When any annual catch limit or annual 
catch target is projected to be reached, based on available information, 
the Regional Administrator shall publish notification to that effect in 
the Federal Register and shall use other means to notify permit holders.
    (1) The notice will include an advisement that fishing for that 
stock or stock complex will be restricted beginning on a specified date, 
which shall not be earlier than 7 days after the date of filing the 
notice for public inspection at the Office of the Federal Register. The 
restriction may include, but is not limited to, closure of the fishery, 
closure of specific areas, changes to bag limits, or restrictions in 
effort. The restriction will remain in effect until the end of the 
fishing year, except that the Regional Administrator may, based on a 
recommendation from the Council, remove or modify the restriction before 
the end of the fishing year.

[[Page 417]]

    (2) It is unlawful for any person to conduct fishing in violation of 
the restrictions specified in the notification issued pursuant to 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section.

[76 FR 37286, June 27, 2011, as amended at 84 FR 2768, Feb. 8, 2019; 85 
FR 26624, May 5, 2020]



Sec. Sec. 665.5-665.11  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.12  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Sec. 
600.10 of this chapter, and subparts B through F of this part, general 
definitions for western Pacific fisheries have the following meanings:
    American Samoa FEP means the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for American 
Samoa, available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council or 
PIRO.
    Bottomfish FMP means the Fishery Management Plan for Bottomfish and 
Seamount Groundfish of the Western Pacific Region established in 1986 
and replaced by FEPs.
    Carapace length means a measurement in a straight line from the 
ridge between the two largest spines above the eyes, back to the rear 
edge of the carapace of a spiny lobster (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Circle hook means a fishing hook with the point turned 
perpendicularly back towards the shank.
    Commercial fishing means fishing in which the fish harvested, either 
in whole or in part, are intended to enter commerce or enter commerce 
through sale, barter, or trade. All lobster fishing in Crustacean Permit 
Area 1 is considered commercial fishing.
    Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) means the 
Northern Mariana Islands.
    Coral Reef Ecosystems FMP means the Fishery Management Plan for 
Coral Reef Ecosystems of the Western Pacific Region established in 2004 
and replaced by FEPs.
    Council means the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    Crustacean receiving vessel means a vessel of the United States to 
which lobsters taken in a crustacean management area are transferred 
from another vessel.
    Crustaceans FMP means the Fishery Management Plan for Crustacean 
Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region established in 1982 and replaced 
by FEPs.
    Customary exchange means the non-market exchange of marine resources 
between fishermen and community residents, including family and friends 
of community residents, for goods, and/or services for cultural, social, 
or religious reasons. Customary exchange may include cost recovery 
through monetary reimbursements and other means for actual trip 
expenses, including but not limited to ice, bait, fuel, or food, that 
may be necessary to participate in fisheries in the western Pacific. 
Actual trip expenses do not include expenses that a fisherman would 
incur without making a fishing trip, including expenses relating to dock 
space, vessel mortgage payments, routine vessel maintenance, vessel 
registration fees, safety equipment required by U.S. Coast Guard, and 
other incidental costs and expenses normally associated with ownership 
of a vessel.
    Dead coral means any precious coral that no longer has any live 
coral polyps or tissue.
    Ecosystem component species (ECS) means a stock that a Council or 
the Secretary has determined does not require conservation and 
management, but is identified in an FEP to achieve ecosystem management 
objectives.
    EFP means an experimental fishing permit.
    First level buyer means:
    (1) The first person who purchases, with the intention to resell, 
management unit species (MUS) or ECS, or portions thereof, that were 
harvested by a vessel that holds a permit or is otherwise regulated 
under crustacean fisheries in subparts B through E of this part; or
    (2) A person who provides recordkeeping, purchase, or sales 
assistance in the first transaction involving MUS or ECS (such as the 
services provided by a wholesale auction facility).
    Fishing gear, as used in regulations for the American Samoa, CNMI, 
Hawaii, and PRIA bottomfish fisheries in subparts B through E of this 
part, includes:
    (1) Bottom trawl, which means a trawl in which the otter boards or 
the

[[Page 418]]

footrope of the net are in contact with the sea bed;
    (2) Gillnet, (see Sec. 600.10);
    (3) Hook-and-line, which means one or more hooks attached to one or 
more lines;
    (4) Set net, which means a stationary, buoyed, and anchored gill 
net; and
    (5) Trawl, (see Sec. 600.10).
    Fishing trip means a period of time during which fishing is 
conducted, beginning when the vessel leaves port and ending when the 
vessel lands fish.
    Fishing year means the year beginning at 0001 local time on January 
1 and ending at 2400 local time on December 31, with the exception of 
fishing for Deep 7 bottomfish and any precious coral MUS.
    Freeboard means the straight line vertical distance between a 
vessel's working deck and the sea surface. If the vessel does not have 
gunwale door or stern door that exposes the working deck, freeboard 
means the straight line vertical distance between the top of a vessel's 
railing and the sea surface.
    Harvest guideline means a specified numerical harvest objective.
    Hawaiian Archipelago means the Main and Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands, including Midway Atoll.
    Hawaii FEP means the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian 
Archipelago, available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council or PIRO.
    Hookah breather means a tethered underwater breathing device that 
pumps air from the surface through one or more hoses to divers at depth.
    Incidental catch or incidental species means species caught while 
fishing for the primary purpose of catching a different species.
    Land or landing means offloading fish from a fishing vessel, 
arriving in port to begin offloading fish, or causing fish to be 
offloaded from a fishing vessel.
    Large vessel means, as used in this part, any vessel equal to or 
greater than 50 ft (15.2 m) in length overall.
    Length overall (LOA) or length of a vessel as used in this part, 
means the horizontal distance, rounded to the nearest foot (with any 0.5 
foot or 0.15 meter fraction rounded upward), between the foremost part 
of the stem and the aftermost part of the stern, excluding bowsprits, 
rudders, outboard motor brackets, and similar fittings or attachments 
(see Figure 2 to this part). ``Stem'' is the foremost part of the 
vessel, consisting of a section of timber or fiberglass, or cast forged 
or rolled metal, to which the sides of the vessel are united at the fore 
end, with the lower end united to the keel, and with the bowsprit, if 
one is present, resting on the upper end. ``Stern'' is the aftermost 
part of the vessel.
    Live coral means any precious coral that has live coral polyps or 
tissue.
    Live rock means any natural, hard substrate, including dead coral or 
rock, to which is attached, or which supports, any living marine life 
form associated with coral reefs.
    Low-use marine protected area (MPA) means an area of the U.S. EEZ 
where fishing operations have specific restrictions in order to protect 
the coral reef ecosystem, as specified under area restrictions in 
subparts B through F of this part.
    Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) means the islands of the Hawaii 
Archipelago lying to the east of 161[deg] W. long.
    Mariana Archipelago means Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
    Mariana FEP means the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Mariana 
Archipelago, available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council or PIRO.
    Medium vessel, as used in this part, means any vessel equal to or 
more than 40 ft (12.2 m) and less than 50 ft (15.2 m) LOA.
    Non-commercial fishing means fishing that does not meet the 
definition of commercial fishing in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, and includes, but is not limited to, 
sustenance, subsistence, traditional indigenous, and recreational 
fishing.
    Non-precious coral means any species of coral other than those 
listed under the definitions for precious coral in Sec. Sec. 665.161, 
665.261, 665.461, and 665.661.
    Non-selective gear means any gear used for harvesting coral that 
cannot discriminate or differentiate between types, size, quality, or 
characteristics of living or dead coral.

[[Page 419]]

    Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) means the islands of the 
Hawaiian Archipelago lying to the west of 161[deg] W. long.
    No-take MPA means an area of the U.S. EEZ that is closed to fishing 
for or harvesting of any MUS or ECS, as defined in subparts B through F 
of this part.
    Offload means to remove MUS or ECS from a vessel.
    Offset circle hook means a circle hook in which the barbed end of 
the hook is displaced relative to the parallel plane of the eyed end, or 
shank, of the hook when laid on its side.
    Owner, as used in the regulations for the crustacean fisheries in 
subparts B through E of this part and Sec. 665.203(i) and (j), means a 
person who is identified as the current owner of the vessel as described 
in the Certificate of Documentation (Form CG-1270) issued by the United 
States Coast Guard (USCG) for a documented vessel, or in a registration 
certificate issued by a state, a territory, or the USCG for an 
undocumented vessel. As used in the regulations for the precious coral 
fisheries in subparts B through E of this part and Sec. 665.203(c) 
through (h), the definition of ``owner'' in Sec. 600.10 of this chapter 
continues to apply.
    Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) means the headquarters of the 
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, located at 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, 
Honolulu, HI 96818; telephone number: 808-725-5000.
    Pacific remote island areas (PRIA, or U.S. island possessions in the 
Pacific Ocean) means Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef, Jarvis Island, Baker 
Island, Howland Island, Johnston Atoll, Wake Island, and Midway Atoll.
    Pelagics FEP means the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries 
of the Western Pacific, available from the Western Pacific Fishery 
Management Council or PIRO.
    Pelagics FMP means the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries 
of the Western Pacific Region that was established in 1987 and replaced 
by the western Pacific pelagic FEP.
    Precious Corals FMP means the Fishery Management Plan for Precious 
Corals of the Western Pacific Region established in 1983 and replaced by 
fishery ecosystem plans (FEPs).
    PRIA FEP means the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Pacific Remote 
Island Areas of Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef, Jarvis Island, Baker 
Island, Howland Island, Johnston Atoll, and Wake Island, available from 
the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council or PIRO.
    Protected species means an animal protected under the MMPA, as 
amended, listed under the ESA, as amended, or subject to the Migratory 
Bird Treaty Act, as amended.
    Receiving vessel means a vessel that receives fish or fish products 
from a fishing vessel, and with regard to a vessel holding a permit 
under Sec. 665.801(e), that also lands western Pacific pelagic MUS 
taken by other vessels using longline gear.
    Recreational fishing means fishing conducted for sport or pleasure, 
including charter fishing.
    Regional Administrator means Regional Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Region, NMFS (see Table 1 of Sec. 600.502 of this chapter for address).
    Selective gear means any gear used for harvesting coral that can 
discriminate or differentiate between type, size, quality, or 
characteristics of living or dead coral.
    Small vessel means, as used in this part, any vessel less than 50 ft 
(15.2 m) in length overall.
    Special Agent-In-Charge (SAC) means the Special Agent-In-Charge, 
NMFS, Pacific Islands Enforcement Division, located at 1845 Wasp Blvd., 
Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818; telephone number: 808-725-6100, or a 
designee.
    Special permit means a permit issued to allow fishing for coral reef 
ECS in low-use MPAs or with any gear not specifically allowed under 
Sec. 665.127, Sec. 665.227, or Sec. 665.427.
    SSC means the Scientific and Statistical Committee of the Western 
Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    State of Hawaii commercial marine license means the license required 
by the State of Hawaii for anyone to take marine life for commercial 
purposes (also known as the commercial fishing license).
    Transship means to offload or otherwise transfer MUS or ECS or 
products thereof to a receiving vessel.

[[Page 420]]

    Trap means a box-like device used for catching and holding lobsters 
or fish.
    U.S. harvested coral means coral caught, taken, or harvested by 
vessels of the United States within any fishery for which an FMP or FEP 
has been implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Vessel monitoring system unit (VMS unit) means the hardware and 
software owned by NMFS, installed on vessels by NMFS, and required to 
track and transmit the positions of certain vessels.
    Western Pacific fishery management area means those waters shoreward 
of the outer boundary of the EEZ around American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, 
CNMI, Midway, Johnston and Palmyra Atolls, Kingman Reef, and Wake, 
Jarvis, Baker, and Howland Islands.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 37286, June 27, 2011; 78 
FR 33003, June 3, 2013; 79 FR 64111, Oct. 28, 2014; 84 FR 2768, Feb. 8, 
2019; 84 FR 29396, June 24, 2019; 86 FR 55745, Oct. 7, 2021]



Sec. 665.13  Permits and fees.

    (a) Applicability. The requirements for permits for specific western 
Pacific fisheries are set forth in subparts B through I of this part.
    (b) Validity. Each permit is valid for fishing only in the specific 
fishery management areas identified on the permit.
    (c) Application. (1) An application for a permit to operate in a 
Federal western Pacific fishery that requires a permit and is regulated 
under subparts B through I of this part may be obtained from NMFS PIRO. 
The completed application must be submitted to PIRO for consideration. 
In no case shall PIRO accept an application that is not on a Federal 
western Pacific fisheries permit application form.
    (2) A minimum of 15 days after the day PIRO receives a complete 
application should be allowed for processing the application for 
fisheries under subparts B through I of this part. If an incomplete or 
improperly completed application is filed, NMFS will notify the 
applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days following the date of the letter of 
notification of deficiency, the application will be administratively 
closed.
    (d) Change in application information. Any change in the permit 
application information or vessel documentation, submitted under 
paragraph (c) of this section, must be reported to PIRO in writing 
within 15 days of the change to avoid a delay in processing the permit 
application. A minimum of 10 days from the day the information is 
received by PIRO should be given for PIRO to record any change in 
information from the permit application submitted under paragraph (c) of 
this section. Failure to report such changes may result in a delay in 
processing an application, permit holders failing to receive important 
notifications, or sanctions pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 
U.S.C. 1858(g) or 15 CFR part 904, subpart D.
    (e) Issuance. After receiving a complete application submitted under 
paragraph (c) of this section, the Regional Administrator will issue a 
permit to an applicant who is eligible under this part, as appropriate.
    (f) Fees. (1) PIRO will not charge a fee for a permit issued under 
Sec. Sec. 665.142, 665.162, 665.242, 665.262, 665.442, 665.462, 
665.642, or 665.662 of this part, for a Ho'omalu limited access permit 
issued under Sec. 665.203, or for a Guam bottomfish permit issued under 
Sec. 665.404.
    (2) PIRO will charge a non-refundable processing fee for each 
application (including transfer and renewal) for each permit listed in 
paragraphs (f)(2)(i) through (f)(2)(xiii) of this section. The amount of 
the fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA 
Finance Handbook for determining the administrative costs incurred in 
processing the permit. The fee may not exceed such costs. The 
appropriate fee is specified with each application form and must 
accompany each application. Failure to pay the fee will preclude the 
issuance, transfer, or renewal of any of the following permits:
    (i) Hawaii longline limited access permit.
    (ii) Mau Zone limited access permit.
    (iii) Coral reef ecosystem special permit.

[[Page 421]]

    (iv) American Samoa longline limited access permit.
    (v) MHI non-commercial bottomfish permit.
    (vi) Western Pacific squid jig permit.
    (vii) Crustacean permit.
    (viii) CNMI commercial bottomfish permit.
    (ix) Marianas Trench Monument non-commercial permit.
    (x) Marianas Trench Monument recreational charter permit.
    (xi) Pacific Remote Islands Monument recreational charter permit.
    (xii) Rose Atoll Monument non-commercial permit.
    (xiii) Rose Atoll Monument recreational charter permit.
    (g) Expiration. A permit issued under subparts B through I of this 
part is valid for the period specified on the permit unless revoked, 
suspended, transferred, or modified under 15 CFR part 904.
    (h) Replacement. Replacement permits may be issued, without charge, 
to replace lost or mutilated permits. An application for a replacement 
permit is not considered a new application.
    (i) Transfer. An application for a permit transfer under Sec. Sec. 
665.203(d), 665.242(e), or 665.801(k), or for registration of a permit 
for use with a replacement vessel under Sec. 665.203(i), must be 
submitted to PIRO as described in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (j) Alteration. Any permit that has been altered, erased, or 
mutilated is invalid.
    (k) Display. Any permit issued under this subpart, or a facsimile of 
such permit, must be on board the vessel at all times while the vessel 
is fishing for, taking, retaining, possessing, or landing MUS or ECS 
shoreward of the outer boundary of the fishery management area. Any 
permit issued under this section must be displayed for inspection upon 
request of an authorized officer.
    (l) Sanctions. Procedures governing sanctions and denials are found 
at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (m) Permit appeals. Procedures for appeals of permitting and 
administrative actions are specified in the relevant subparts of this 
part.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013; 78 
FR 39583, July 2, 2013; 84 FR 2769, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.14  Reporting and recordkeeping.

    (a) State reporting. Except for precious coral and crustacean 
fisheries, any person who is required to do so by applicable state law 
or regulation must make and/or file all reports of MUS or ECS landings 
containing all data and in the exact manner required by applicable state 
law or regulation.
    (b) Fishing record forms--(1) Applicability--(i) Paper records. The 
operator of a fishing vessel subject to the requirements of Sec. 
665.124, Sec. 665.142, Sec. 665.162, Sec. 665.203(a)(2), Sec. 
665.224, Sec. 665.242, Sec. 665.262, Sec. 665.404, Sec. 665.424, 
Sec. 665.442, Sec. 665.462, Sec. 665.603, Sec. 665.624, Sec. 
665.642, Sec. 665.662, Sec. 665.801, Sec. 665.905, Sec. 665.935, or 
Sec. 665.965 must maintain on board the vessel an accurate and complete 
record of catch, effort, and other data on paper report forms provided 
by the Regional Administrator, or electronically as specified and 
approved by the Regional Administrator, except as required in paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section or as allowed in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this 
section.
    (ii) Electronic records. (A) The operator of a fishing vessel 
subject to the requirements of Sec. 665.801(b) or a large vessel 
subject to the requirements of Sec. 665.801(c) must maintain on board 
the vessel an accurate and complete record of catch, effort, and other 
data electronically using a NMFS-certified electronic logbook, and must 
record and transmit electronically all information specified by the 
Regional Administrator within 24 hours after the completion of each 
fishing day.
    (B) After the Regional Administrator has notified a permit holder 
subject to this section of the requirement to submit records 
electronically, and after the vessel has acquired the necessary NMFS-
certified equipment, the vessel and any vessel operator must use the 
electronic logbook. A vessel operator must obtain an individually 
assigned user account from NMFS for use with the electronic logbook.
    (C) Permit holders and vessel operators shall not be assessed any 
fee or other charges to obtain and use an electronic logbook that is 
owned and provided by NMFS. If a permit holder or vessel operator 
subject to this section does not use a NMFS-owned electronic logbook, 
the permit holder and operator must provide and maintain an

[[Page 422]]

alternative NMFS-certified electronic logbook.
    (D) If a vessel operator is unable to maintain or transmit 
electronic records because NMFS has not provided an electronic logbook, 
or if NMFS or a vessel operator identifies that the electronic logbook 
has experienced equipment (hardware or software) or transmission 
failure, the operator must maintain on board the vessel an accurate and 
complete record of catch, effort, and other data electronically or on 
paper report forms provided by the Regional Administrator.
    (iii) Recording. The vessel operator must record on paper or 
electronically all information specified by the Regional Administrator 
within 24 hours after the completion of each fishing day. The 
information recorded must be signed and dated, or otherwise 
authenticated, in the manner determined by the Regional Administrator, 
and be submitted or transmitted via an approved method as specified by 
the Regional Administrator, and as required by this section.
    (iv) State reporting. In lieu of the requirements in paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section, the operator of a fishing vessel registered 
for use under a Western Pacific squid jig permit pursuant to the 
requirements of Sec. 665.801(g) may participate in a state reporting 
system. If participating in a state reporting system, all required 
information must be recorded and submitted in the exact manner required 
by applicable state law or regulation.
    (2) Timeliness of submission. (i) If fishing was authorized under a 
permit pursuant to Sec. 665.142, Sec. 665.242, Sec. 665.442, Sec. 
665.404, Sec. 665.162, Sec. 665.262, Sec. 665.462, Sec. 665.662, or 
Sec. 665.801, and if the logbook information was not submitted to NMFS 
electronically within 24 hours of the end of each fishing day while the 
vessel was at sea, the vessel operator must submit the original logbook 
information for each day of the fishing trip to the Regional 
Administrator within 72 hours of the end of each fishing trip, except as 
allowed in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) If fishing was authorized under a permit pursuant to Sec. 
665.203(a)(2), the vessel operator or vessel owner must submit the 
original logbook form for each day of the fishing trip to the Regional 
Administrator within 72 hours of the end of each fishing trip.
    (iii) If fishing was authorized under a PRIA bottomfish permit 
pursuant to Sec. 665.603(a), PRIA pelagic troll and handline permit 
pursuant to Sec. 665.801(f), crustacean fishing permit for the PRIA 
(Permit Area 4) pursuant to Sec. 665.642(a), or a precious coral 
fishing permit for Permit Area X-P-PI pursuant to Sec. 665.662, the 
original logbook form for each day of fishing within EEZ waters around 
the PRIA must be submitted to the Regional Administrator within 30 days 
of the end of each fishing trip.
    (iv) If fishing was authorized under a permit pursuant to Sec. 
665.124, Sec. 665.224, Sec. 665.424, Sec. 665.624, Sec. 665.905, 
Sec. 665.935, or Sec. 665.965, the original logbook information for 
each day of fishing must be submitted to the Regional Administrator 
within 30 days of the end of each fishing trip.
    (c) Transshipment logbooks. Any person subject to the requirements 
of Sec. 665.124(a)(2), Sec. 665.224(a)(2), Sec. 665.424(a)(2), Sec. 
665.624(a)(2), or Sec. 665.801(e) must maintain on board the vessel an 
accurate and complete NMFS transshipment logbook containing report forms 
provided by the Regional Administrator. All information specified on the 
forms must be recorded on the forms within 24 hours after the day of 
transshipment. Each form must be signed and dated by the receiving 
vessel operator. The original logbook for each day of transshipment 
activity must be submitted to the Regional Administrator within 72 hours 
of each landing of western Pacific pelagic MUS. The original logbook for 
each day of transshipment activity must be submitted to the Regional 
Administrator within 7 days of each landing of coral reef ECS.
    (d) Sales report. The operator of any fishing vessel subject to the 
requirements of Sec. 665.142, Sec. 665.242, Sec. 665.442, or Sec. 
665.642, or the owner of a medium or large fishing vessel subject to the 
requirements of Sec. 665.404(a)(2) must submit to the Regional 
Administrator, within 72 hours of offloading of crustacean MUS or ECS, 
an accurate and complete sales report on a form provided by the Regional 
Administrator.

[[Page 423]]

The form must be signed and dated by the fishing vessel operator.
    (e) Packing or weigh-out slips. The operator of any fishing vessel 
subject to the requirements of Sec. Sec. 665.142, 665.242, 665.442, or 
665.642 must attach packing or weighout slips provided to the operator 
by the first-level buyer(s), unless the packing or weighout slips have 
not been provided in time by the buyer(s).
    (f) Modification of reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The 
Regional Administrator may, after consultation with the Council, 
initiate rulemaking to modify the information to be provided on the 
fishing record forms, transshipment logbook, and sales report forms and 
timeliness by which the information is to be provided, including the 
submission of packing or weighout slips.
    (g) Availability of records for inspection. (1) Western Pacific 
pelagic MUS. Upon request, any fish dealer must immediately provide an 
authorized officer access to inspect and copy all records of purchases, 
sales, or other transactions involving western Pacific pelagic MUS taken 
or handled by longline vessels that have permits issued under this 
subpart or that are otherwise subject to subpart F of this part, 
including, but not limited to, information concerning:
    (i) The name of the vessel involved in each transaction and the 
owner and operator of the vessel.
    (ii) The weight, number, and size of each species of fish involved 
in each transaction.
    (iii) Prices paid by the buyer and proceeds to the seller in each 
transaction.
    (2) Crustaceans. Upon request, any first-level buyer must 
immediately allow an authorized officer and any employee of NMFS 
designated by the Regional Administrator, to access, inspect, and copy 
all records relating to the harvest, sale, or transfer of crustacean MUS 
or ECS taken by vessels that have permits issued under this subpart or 
Sec. Sec. 665.140 through 665.145, Sec. Sec. 665.240 through 665.252, 
Sec. Sec. 665.440 through 665.445, or Sec. Sec. 665.640 through 
665.645. This requirement may be met by furnishing the information on a 
worksheet provided by the Regional Administrator. The information must 
include, but is not limited to:
    (i) The name of the vessel involved in each transaction and the 
owner or operator of the vessel.
    (ii) The amount, number, and size of each MUS or ECS involved in 
each transaction.
    (iii) Prices paid by the buyer and proceeds to the seller in each 
transaction.
    (3) Bottomfish and seamount groundfish. Any person who is required 
by state laws and regulations to maintain records of landings and sales 
for vessels regulated by this subpart and by Sec. Sec. 665.100 through 
665.105, 665.200 through 665.212, 665.400 through 665.407, and 665.600 
through 665.606 must make those records immediately available for 
Federal inspection and copying upon request by an authorized officer.
    (4) Coral reefs. Any person who has a special permit and who is 
required by state laws and regulations to maintain and submit records of 
catch and effort, landings and sales for coral reef ECS by this subpart 
and Sec. Sec. 665.120 through 665.128, Sec. Sec. 665.220 through 
665.228, Sec. Sec. 665.420 through 665.428, or Sec. Sec. 665.620 
through 665.628 must make those records immediately available for 
Federal inspection and copying upon request by an authorized officer as 
defined in Sec. 600.10 of this chapter.
    (h) State reporting. Any person who has a permit under Sec. Sec. 
665.124, 665.203, 665.224, 665.404, 665.424, 665.603, or 665.624 and who 
is regulated by state laws and regulations to maintain and submit 
records of catch and effort, landings and sales for vessels regulated by 
subparts B through F of this part must maintain and submit those records 
in the exact manner required by state laws and regulations.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013; 78 
FR 39583, July 2, 2013; 84 FR 2769, Feb. 8, 2019; 86 FR 42745, Aug. 5, 
2021; 86 FR 60182, Nov. 1, 2021; 86 FR 55745, Oct. 7, 2021]



Sec. 665.15  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it 
is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Engage in fishing without a valid permit or facsimile of a valid 
permit on board the vessel and available for inspection by an authorized 
officer, when a permit is required under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 665.17, 
unless the vessel was at sea

[[Page 424]]

when the permit was issued under Sec. 665.13, in which case the permit 
must be on board the vessel before its next trip.
    (b) File false information on any application for a fishing permit 
under Sec. 665.13 or an EFP under Sec. 665.17.
    (c) Fail to file reports in the exact manner required by any state 
law or regulation, as required in Sec. 665.14.
    (d) Falsify or fail to make, keep, maintain, or submit any logbook 
or logbook form or other record or report required under Sec. Sec. 
665.14 and 665.17.
    (e) Refuse to make available to an authorized officer or a designee 
of the Regional Administrator for inspection or copying, any records 
that must be made available in accordance with Sec. 665.14.
    (f) Fail to affix or maintain vessel or gear markings, as required 
by Sec. Sec. 665.16, 665.128, 665.228, 665.246, 665.428, 665.628, or 
665.804.
    (g) Violate a term or condition of an EFP issued under Sec. 665.17.
    (h) Fail to report any take of or interaction with protected species 
as required by Sec. 665.17(k).
    (i) Fish without an observer on board the vessel after the owner or 
agent of the owner has been directed by NMFS to make accommodations 
available for an observer under Sec. Sec. 665.17, 665.105, 665.145, 
665.207, 665.247, 665.407, 665.445, 665.606, 665.645, or 665.808.
    (j) Refuse to make accommodations available for an observer when so 
directed by the Regional Administrator under Sec. Sec. 665.105, 
665.145, 665.207, 665.247, 665.407, 665.445, 665.606, 665.645, or 
665.808, or under any provision in an EFP issued under Sec. 665.17.
    (k) Fail to notify officials as required in Sec. Sec. 665.126, 
665.144, 665.205, 665.226, 665.244, 665.426, 665.444, 665.626, 665.644, 
665.803, or 665.808.
    (l) Fish for, take or retain within a no-take MPA, defined in Sec. 
665.99, Sec. 665.199, Sec. 665.399, or Sec. 665.599, any bottomfish 
MUS or ECS, crustacean MUS or ECS, western Pacific pelagic MUS, precious 
coral MUS or ECS, seamount groundfish MUS, or coral reef ecosystem ECS.
    (m) Fail to comply with a term or condition governing the vessel 
monitoring system in violation of Sec. 665.19.
    (n) Fish for, catch, or harvest MUS or ECS without an operational 
VMS unit on board the vessel after installation of the VMS unit by NMFS, 
in violation of Sec. 665.19(e)(2).
    (o) Possess MUS or ECS, that were harvested after NMFS has installed 
the VMS unit on the vessel, on board that vessel without an operational 
VMS unit, in violation of Sec. 665.19(e)(2).
    (p) Interfere with, tamper with, alter, damage, disable, or impede 
the operation of a VMS unit or attempt any of the same; or move or 
remove a VMS unit without the prior permission of the SAC in violation 
of Sec. 665.19(e)(3).
    (q) Make a false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer, regarding the use, operation, or maintenance of a VMS unit, in 
violation of Sec. 665.19(e).
    (r) Interfere with, impede, delay, or prevent the installation, 
maintenance, repair, inspection, or removal of a VMS unit, in violation 
of Sec. 665.19(e).
    (s) Interfere with, impede, delay, or prevent access to a VMS unit 
by a NMFS observer, in violation of Sec. 665.808(f)(4).
    (t) Connect or leave connected additional equipment to a VMS unit 
without the prior approval of the SAC, in violation of Sec. 665.19(f).
    (u) Fail to comply with the restrictions specified in the 
notification issued pursuant to Sec. 665.4(f)(1), in violation of Sec. 
665.15(f)(2).

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 37287, June 27, 2011; 84 
FR 2769, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.16  Vessel identification.

    (a) Applicability. Each fishing vessel subject to this part, except 
those identified in paragraph (e) of this section, must be marked for 
identification purposes, as follows:
    (1) A vessel that is registered for use with a valid permit issued 
under Sec. 665.801 and used to fish on the high seas within the 
Convention Area as defined in Sec. 300.211 of this title must be marked 
in accordance with the requirements at Sec. Sec. 300.14 and 300.217 of 
this title.
    (2) A vessel that is registered for use with a valid permit issued 
under Sec. 665.801 of this part and not used to fish on the high seas 
within the Convention

[[Page 425]]

Area must be marked in accordance with either:
    (i) Sections 300.14 and 300.217 of this title, or
    (ii) Paragraph (b) of this section.
    (3) A vessel that is registered for use with a valid permit issued 
under subparts B through E and subparts G through I of this part must be 
marked in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) Identification. Each vessel subject to this section must be 
marked as follows:
    (1) The vessel's official number must be affixed to the port and 
starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather 
deck, so as to be visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. Marking 
must be legible and of a color that contrasts with the background.
    (2) For fishing and receiving vessels of 65 ft (19.8 m) LOA or 
longer, the official number must be displayed in block Arabic numerals 
at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height, except that vessels in precious 
coral fisheries that are 65 ft (19.8 m) LOA or longer must be marked in 
block Arabic numerals at least 14 inches (35.6 cm) in height.
    (3) For all other vessels, the official number must be displayed in 
block Arabic numerals at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height.
    (c) The vessel operator must ensure that the official number is 
clearly legible and in good repair.
    (d) The vessel operator must ensure that no part of the vessel, its 
rigging, or its fishing gear obstructs the view of the official number 
from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (e) The following fishing vessels are exempt from the vessel 
identification requirements in this section:
    (1) A vessel registered for use under a MHI non-commercial 
bottomfish permit that is in compliance with State of Hawaii bottomfish 
vessel registration and marking requirements.
    (2) A vessel less than 40 ft (12.2 m) LOA registered for use under a 
CNMI commercial bottomfish permit that is in compliance with CNMI 
bottomfish vessel registration and marking requirements.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 3417, Jan. 21, 2010; 78 
FR 33003, June 3, 2013; 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.17  Experimental fishing.

    (a) General. The Regional Administrator may authorize, for limited 
purposes, the direct or incidental harvest of MUS or ECS that would 
otherwise be prohibited by this part. No experimental fishing may be 
conducted unless authorized by an EFP issued by the Regional 
Administrator in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified 
in this section. EFPs will be issued without charge.
    (b) Observers. No experimental fishing for crustacean MUS or ECS may 
be conducted unless a NMFS observer is aboard the vessel.
    (c) Application. An applicant for an EFP must submit to the Regional 
Administrator at least 60 days before the desired date of the EFP a 
written application including, but not limited to, the following 
information:
    (1) The date of the application.
    (2) The applicant's name, mailing address, and telephone number.
    (3) A statement of the purposes and goals of the experiment for 
which an EFP is needed, including a general description of the 
arrangements for disposition of all species harvested under the EFP.
    (4) A statement of whether the proposed experimental fishing has 
broader significance than the applicant's individual goals.
    (5) For each vessel to be covered by the EFP:
    (i) Vessel name.
    (ii) Name, address, and telephone number of owner and operator.
    (iii) USCG documentation, state license, or registration number.
    (iv) Home port.
    (v) Length of vessel.
    (vi) Net tonnage.
    (vii) Gross tonnage.
    (6) A description of the species (directed and incidental) to be 
harvested under the EFP and the amount of such harvest necessary to 
conduct the experiment.
    (7) For each vessel covered by the EFP, the approximate times and 
places

[[Page 426]]

fishing will take place, and the type, size, and amount of gear to be 
used.
    (8) The signature of the applicant.
    (d) Incomplete applications. The Regional Administrator may request 
from an applicant additional information necessary to make the 
determinations required under this section. An applicant will be 
notified of an incomplete application within 10 working days of receipt 
of the application. An incomplete application will not be considered 
until corrected in writing.
    (e) Issuance. (1) If an application contains all of the required 
information, NMFS will publish a notice of receipt of the application in 
the Federal Register with a brief description of the proposal and will 
give interested persons an opportunity to comment. The Regional 
Administrator will also forward copies of the application to the 
Council, the USCG, and the fishery management agency of the affected 
state, accompanied by the following information:
    (i) The current utilization of domestic annual harvesting and 
processing capacity (including existing experimental harvesting, if any) 
of the directed and incidental species for which an EFP is being 
requested.
    (ii) A citation of the regulation or regulations that, without the 
EFP, would prohibit the proposed activity.
    (iii) Biological information relevant to the proposal.
    (2) At a Council meeting following receipt of a complete 
application, the Regional Administrator will consult with the Council 
and the Director of the affected state fishery management agency 
concerning the permit application. The applicant will be notified in 
advance of the meeting at which the application will be considered, and 
invited to appear in support of the application, if the applicant 
desires.
    (3) Within 5 working days after the consultation in paragraph (e)(2) 
of this section, or as soon as practicable thereafter, NMFS will notify 
the applicant in writing of the decision to grant or deny the EFP and, 
if denied, the reasons for the denial. Grounds for denial of an EFP 
include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (i) The applicant has failed to disclose material information 
required, or has made false statements as to any material fact, in 
connection with his or her application.
    (ii) According to the best scientific information available, the 
harvest to be conducted under the permit would detrimentally affect any 
species of fish in a significant way.
    (iii) Issuance of the EFP would inequitably allocate fishing 
privileges among domestic fishermen or would have economic allocation as 
its sole purpose.
    (iv) Activities to be conducted under the EFP would be inconsistent 
with the intent of this section or the management objectives of the FEP.
    (v) The applicant has failed to demonstrate a valid justification 
for the permit.
    (vi) The activity proposed under the EFP would create a significant 
enforcement problem.
    (4) The decision to grant or deny an EFP is final and unappealable. 
If the permit is granted, NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal 
Register describing the experimental fishing to be conducted under the 
EFP. The Regional Administrator may attach terms and conditions to the 
EFP consistent with the purpose of the experiment including, but not 
limited to:
    (i) The maximum amount of each species that can be harvested and 
landed during the term of the EFP, including trip limits, where 
appropriate.
    (ii) The number, sizes, names, and identification numbers of the 
vessels authorized to conduct fishing activities under the EFP.
    (iii) The times and places where experimental fishing may be 
conducted.
    (iv) The type, size, and amount of gear which may be used by each 
vessel operated under the EFP.
    (v) The condition that observers be carried aboard vessels operating 
under an EFP.
    (vi) Data reporting requirements.
    (vii) Such other conditions as may be necessary to assure compliance 
with the purposes of the EFP consistent with the objectives of the FEP.
    (f) Duration. Unless otherwise specified in the EFP or a superseding 
notice or regulation, an EFP is effective for no longer than one (1) 
year from the

[[Page 427]]

date of issuance, unless revoked, suspended, or modified. EFPs may be 
renewed following the application procedures in this section.
    (g) Alteration. Any EFP that has been altered, erased, or mutilated 
is invalid.
    (h) Transfer. EFPs issued under subparts B through F of this part 
are not transferable or assignable. An EFP is valid only for the 
vessel(s) for which it is issued.
    (i) Inspection. Any EFP issued under subparts B through F of this 
part must be carried aboard the vessel(s) for which it was issued. The 
EFP must be presented for inspection upon request of any authorized 
officer.
    (j) Sanctions. Failure of the holder of an EFP to comply with the 
terms and conditions of an EFP, the provisions of subparts A through F 
of this part, any other applicable provision of this part, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, or any other regulation promulgated thereunder, is grounds 
for revocation, suspension, or modification of the EFP with respect to 
all persons and vessels conducting activities under the EFP. Any action 
taken to revoke, suspend, or modify an EFP will be governed by 15 CFR 
part 904 subpart D. Other sanctions available under the statute will be 
applicable.
    (k) Protected species. Persons fishing under an EFP must report any 
incidental take or fisheries interaction with protected species on a 
form provided for that purpose. Reports must be submitted to the 
Regional Administrator within 3 days of arriving in port.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2769, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.18  Framework adjustments to management measures.

    Framework measures described below for each specific fishery are 
valid for all management areas, except where specifically noted in this 
section.
    (a) Pelagic measures--(1) Introduction. Adjustments in management 
measures may be made through rulemaking if new information demonstrates 
that there are biological, social, or economic concerns in the fishery. 
The following framework process authorizes the implementation of 
measures that may affect the operation of the fisheries, gear, harvest 
guidelines, or changes in catch and/or effort.
    (2) Annual report. By June 30 of each year, the Council-appointed 
pelagics monitoring team will prepare an annual report on the fisheries 
in the management area. The report shall contain, among other things, 
recommendations for Council action and an assessment of the urgency and 
effects of such action(s).
    (3) Procedure for established measures. (i) Established measures are 
regulations for which the impacts have been evaluated in Council or NMFS 
documents in the context of current conditions.
    (ii) The Council may recommend to the Regional Administrator that 
established measures be modified, removed, or reinstituted. Such 
recommendation shall include supporting rationale and analysis, and 
shall be made after advance public notice, public discussion, and 
consideration of public comment. NMFS may implement the Council's 
recommendation by rulemaking if approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (4) Procedure for new measures. (i) New measures are regulations for 
which the impacts have not been evaluated in Council or NMFS documents 
in the context of current conditions.
    (ii) The Council will publicize, including by Federal Register 
notice, and solicit public comment on, any proposed new management 
measure. After a Council meeting at which the measure is discussed, the 
Council will consider recommendations and prepare a Federal Register 
notice summarizing the Council's deliberations, rationale, and analysis 
for the preferred action, and the time and place for any subsequent 
Council meeting(s) to consider the new measure. At subsequent public 
meeting(s), the Council will consider public comments and other 
information received to make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator about any new measure. NMFS may implement the Council's 
recommendation by rulemaking if approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (b) Crustacean measures--(1) Introduction. New management measures 
may be added through rulemaking if new information demonstrates that 
there are

[[Page 428]]

biological, social, or economic concerns in Permit Areas 1, 2, or 3. The 
following framework process authorizes the implementation of measures 
that may affect the operation of the fisheries, gear, harvest 
guidelines, or changes in catch and/or effort.
    (2) Annual report. By June 30 of each year, the Council-appointed 
team will prepare an annual report on the fisheries in the management 
area. The report shall contain, among other things, recommendations for 
Council action and an assessment of the urgency and effects of such 
action(s).
    (3) Procedure for established measures. (i) Established measures are 
regulations for which the impacts have been evaluated in Council or NMFS 
documents in the context of current conditions.
    (ii) The Council may recommend to the Regional Administrator that 
established measures be modified, removed, or reinstituted. Such 
recommendation shall include supporting rationale and analysis, and 
shall be made after advance public notice, public discussion, and 
consideration of public comment. NMFS may implement the Council's 
recommendation by rulemaking if approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (4) Procedure for new measures. (i) New measures are regulations for 
which the impacts have not been evaluated in Council or NMFS documents 
in the context of current conditions.
    (ii) The Council will publicize, including by a Federal Register 
document, and solicit public comment on, any proposed new management 
measure. After a Council meeting at which the measure is discussed, the 
Council will consider recommendations and prepare a Federal Register 
document summarizing the Council's deliberations, rationale, and 
analysis for the preferred action, and the time and place for any 
subsequent Council meeting(s) to consider the new measure. At subsequent 
public meeting(s), the Council will consider public comments and other 
information received to make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator about any new measure. NMFS may implement the Council's 
recommendation by rulemaking if approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (c) Bottomfish measures--(1) Annual reports. By June 30 of each 
year, a Council-appointed bottomfish monitoring team will prepare an 
annual report on the fishery by area covering the following topics:
    (i) Fishery performance data.
    (ii) Summary of recent research and survey results.
    (iii) Habitat conditions and recent alterations.
    (iv) Enforcement activities and problems.
    (v) Administrative actions (e.g., data collection and reporting, 
permits).
    (vi) State and territorial management actions.
    (vii) Assessment of need for Council action (including biological, 
economic, social, enforcement, administrative, and state/Federal needs, 
problems, and trends). Indications of potential problems warranting 
further investigation may be signaled by the following indicator 
criteria:
    (A) Mean size of the catch of any species in any area is a pre-
reproductive size.
    (B) Ratio of fishing mortality to natural mortality for any species.
    (C) Harvest capacity of the existing fleet and/or annual landings 
exceed best estimate of MSY in any area.
    (D) Significant decline (50 percent or more) in bottomfish catch per 
unit of effort from baseline levels.
    (E) Substantial decline in ex-vessel revenue relative to baseline 
levels.
    (F) Significant shift in the relative proportions of gear in any one 
area.
    (G) Significant change in the frozen/fresh components of the 
bottomfish catch.
    (H) Entry/exit of fishermen in any area.
    (I) Per-trip costs for bottomfish fishing exceed per-trip revenues 
for a significant percentage of trips.
    (J) Significant decline or increase in total bottomfish landings in 
any area.
    (K) Change in species composition of the bottomfish catch in any 
area.
    (L) Research results.
    (M) Habitat degradation or environmental problems.
    (N) Reported interactions between bottomfish fishing operations and 
protected species in the NWHI.

[[Page 429]]

    (viii) Recommendations for Council action.
    (ix) Estimated impacts of recommended action.
    (2) Recommendation of management action. (i) The team may present 
management recommendations to the Council at any time. Recommendations 
may cover actions suggested for Federal regulations, state/territorial 
action, enforcement or administrative elements, and research and data 
collection. Recommendations will include an assessment of urgency and 
the effects of not taking action.
    (ii) The Council will evaluate the team's reports and 
recommendations, and the indicators of concern. The Council will assess 
the need for one or more of the following types of management action: 
Catch limits, size limits, closures, effort limitations, access 
limitations, or other measures.
    (iii) The Council may recommend management action by either the 
state/territorial governments or by Federal regulation.
    (3) Federal management action. (i) If the Council believes that 
management action should be considered, it will make specific 
recommendations to the Regional Administrator after requesting and 
considering the views of its Scientific and Statistical Committee and 
Bottomfish Advisory Panel and obtaining public comments at a public 
hearing.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will consider the Council's 
recommendation and accompanying data, and, if he or she concurs with the 
Council's recommendation, will propose regulations to carry out the 
action. If the Regional Administrator rejects the Council's proposed 
action, a written explanation for the denial will be provided to the 
Council within 2 weeks of the decision.
    (iii) The Council may appeal a denial by writing to the Assistant 
Administrator, who must respond in writing within 30 days.
    (iv) The Regional Administrator and the Assistant Administrator will 
make their decisions in accord with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, other 
applicable law, and the bottomfish measures of the FEPs.
    (v) To minimize conflicts between the Federal and state management 
systems, the Council will use the procedures in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section to respond to state/territorial management actions. Council 
consideration of action would normally begin with a representative of 
the state or territorial government bringing a potential or actual 
management conflict or need to the Council's attention.
    (4) Access limitation procedures. (i) Access limitation may be 
adopted under this paragraph (c)(4) only for the NWHI, American Samoa, 
and Guam.
    (ii) If access limitation is proposed for adoption or subsequent 
modification through the process described in this paragraph (c)(4), the 
following requirements must be met:
    (A) The bottomfish monitoring team must consider and report to the 
Council on present participation in the fishery; historical fishing 
practices in, and dependence on, the fishery; economics of the fishery; 
capability of fishing vessels used in the fishery to engage in other 
fisheries; cultural and social framework relevant to the fishery; and 
any other relevant considerations.
    (B) Public hearings must be held specifically addressing the limited 
access proposals.
    (C) A specific advisory subpanel of persons experienced in the 
fishing industry will be created to advise the Council and the Regional 
Administrator on administrative decisions.
    (D) The Council's recommendation to the Regional Administrator must 
be approved by a two-thirds majority of the voting members.
    (5) Five-year review. The Council will conduct a comprehensive 
review on the effectiveness of the Mau Zone limited access program 5 
years following implementation of the program. The Council will consider 
the extent to which the FEP objectives have been met and verify that the 
target number of vessels established for the fishery is appropriate for 
current fishing activity levels, catch rates, and biological condition 
of the stocks. The Council may establish a new target number based on 
the 5-year review.
    (d) Precious coral measures--(1) Introduction. Established 
management measures may be revised and new management measures may be 
established and/or revised through rulemaking if

[[Page 430]]

new information demonstrates that there are biological, social, or 
economic concerns in a precious coral permit area. The following 
framework process authorizes the implementation of measures that may 
affect the operation of the fisheries, gear, quotas, season, or levels 
of catch and/or in effort.
    (2) Annual report. By June 30 of each year, the Council-appointed 
precious coral team will prepare an annual report on the fisheries in 
the management area. The report will contain, among other things, 
recommendations for Council action and an assessment of the urgency and 
effects of such action(s).
    (3) Procedure for established measures. (i) Established measures are 
regulations for which the impacts have been evaluated in Council or NMFS 
documents in the context of current conditions.
    (ii) The Council may recommend to the Regional Administrator that 
established measures be modified, removed, or reinstituted. Such 
recommendation will include supporting rationale and analysis and will 
be made after advance public notice, public discussion, and 
consideration of public comment. NMFS may implement the Council's 
recommendation by rulemaking if approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (4) Procedure for new measures. (i) New measures are regulations for 
which the impacts have not been evaluated in Council or NMFS documents 
in the context of current conditions.
    (ii) The Council will publicize, including by a Federal Register 
document, and solicit public comment on, any proposed new management 
measure. After a Council meeting at which the measure is discussed, the 
Council will consider recommendations and prepare a Federal Register 
document summarizing the Council's deliberations, rationale, and 
analysis for the preferred action and the time and place for any 
subsequent Council meeting(s) to consider the new measure. At a 
subsequent public meeting, the Council will consider public comments and 
other information received before making a recommendation to the 
Regional Administrator about any new measure. If approved by the 
Regional Administrator, NMFS may implement the Council's recommendation 
by rulemaking.
    (e) Coral reef ecosystem measures--(1) Procedure for established 
measures. (i) Established measures are regulations for which the impacts 
have been evaluated in Council or NMFS documents in the context of 
current conditions.
    (ii) The Council may recommend to the Regional Administrator that 
established measures be modified, removed, or reinstituted. Such 
recommendation shall include supporting rationale and analysis, and 
shall be made after advance public notice, public discussion and 
consideration of public comment. NMFS may implement the Council's 
recommendation by rulemaking if approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (2) Procedure for new measures. (i) New measures are regulations for 
which the impacts have not been evaluated in Council or NMFS documents 
in the context of current conditions. New measures include, but are not 
limited to, catch limits, resource size limits, closures, effort 
limitations, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will publicize, including by Federal 
Register notice, and solicit public comment on, any proposed new 
management measure. After a Council meeting at which the measure is 
discussed, the Council will consider recommendations and prepare a 
document summarizing the Council's deliberations, rationale, and 
analysis for the preferred action, and the time and place for any 
subsequent Council meeting(s) to consider the new measure. At subsequent 
public meeting(s), the Council will consider public comments and other 
information received to make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator about any new measure. NMFS may implement the Council's 
recommendation by rulemaking if approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (A) The Regional Administrator will consider the Council's 
recommendation and supporting rationale and analysis, and, if the 
Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's recommendation, will 
propose regulations to carry out the action. If the Regional 
Administrator rejects the Council's proposed action, the Regional 
Administrator will provide a written explanation for

[[Page 431]]

the denial within 2 weeks of the decision.
    (B) The Council may appeal a denial by writing to the Assistant 
Administrator, who must respond in writing within 30 days.
    (C) The Regional Administrator and the Assistant Administrator will 
make their decisions in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, other 
applicable laws, and the FEPs.
    (D) To minimize conflicts between the Federal and state/territorial/
commonwealth management systems, the Council will use the procedures in 
this paragraph (e)(2)(ii) to respond to state/territorial/commonwealth 
management actions. The Council's consideration of action would normally 
begin with a representative of the state, territorial or commonwealth 
government bringing a potential or actual management conflict or need to 
the Council's attention.
    (3) Annual report. By July 31 of each year, a Council-appointed 
coral reef ecosystem monitoring team will prepare an annual report on 
coral reef fisheries of the western Pacific region. The report will 
contain, among other things:
    (i) Fishery performance data, summaries of new information and 
assessments of need for Council action.
    (ii) Recommendation for Council action. The Council will evaluate 
the annual report and advisory body recommendations and may recommend 
management action by either the state/territorial/commonwealth 
governments or by Federal regulation.
    (iii) If the Council believes that management action should be 
considered, it will make specific recommendations to the Regional 
Administrator after considering the views of its advisory bodies.



Sec. 665.19  Vessel monitoring system.

    (a) Applicability. The holder of any of the following permits is 
subject to the vessel monitoring system requirements in this part:
    (1) Hawaii longline limited access permit issued pursuant to Sec. 
665.801(b);
    (2) American Samoa large vessel longline limited entry permit issued 
pursuant to Sec. 665.801(c);
    (3) Vessels permitted to fish in Crustacean Permit Area 1 VMS 
Subarea; or
    (4) CNMI commercial bottomfish permit, if the vessel is a medium or 
large bottomfish vessel, issued pursuant to Sec. 665.404(a)(2).
    (b) VMS unit. Only a VMS unit owned by NMFS and installed by NMFS 
complies with the requirement of this subpart.
    (c) Notification. After a permit holder subject to Sec. 665.19(a) 
has been notified by the SAC of a specific date for installation of a 
VMS unit on the permit holder's vessel, the vessel must carry and 
operate the VMS unit after the date scheduled for installation.
    (d) Fees and charges. During the experimental VMS program, the 
holder of a permit subject to Sec. 665.19(a) shall not be assessed any 
fee or other charges to obtain and use a VMS unit, including the 
communication charges related directed to requirements under this 
section. Communication charges related to any additional equipment 
attached to the VMS unit by the owner or operator shall be the 
responsibility of the owner or operator and not NMFS.
    (e) Permit holder duties. The holder of a permit subject to Sec. 
665.19(a) and master of the vessel must:
    (1) Provide opportunity for the SAC to install and make operational 
a VMS unit after notification.
    (2) Carry and continuously operate the VMS unit on board whenever 
the vessel is at sea.
    (3) Not remove, relocate, or make non-operational the VMS unit 
without prior approval from the SAC.
    (f) Authorization by the SAC. The SAC has authority over the 
installation and operation of the VMS unit. The SAC may authorize the 
connection or order the disconnection of additional equipment, including 
a computer, to any VMS unit when deemed appropriate by the SAC.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 86 FR 55745, Oct. 7, 2021]



Sec. 665.20  Western Pacific Community Development Program.

    (a) General. In accordance with the criteria and procedures 
specified in this section, the Regional Administrator may authorize the 
direct or incidental harvest of management unit species that would 
otherwise be prohibited by this part.

[[Page 432]]

    (b) Eligibility. To be eligible to participate in the western 
Pacific community development program, a community must meet the 
following criteria:
    (1) Be located in American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, or the Northern 
Mariana Islands (collectively, the western Pacific);
    (2) Consist of community residents descended from aboriginal people 
indigenous to the western Pacific who conducted commercial or 
subsistence fishing using traditional fishing practices in the waters of 
the western Pacific;
    (3) Consist of individuals who reside in their ancestral homeland;
    (4) Have knowledge of customary practices relevant to fisheries of 
the western Pacific;
    (5) Have a traditional dependence on fisheries of the western 
Pacific;
    (6) Are currently experiencing economic or other constraints that 
have prevented full participation in the western Pacific fisheries and, 
in recent years, have not had harvesting, processing or marketing 
capability sufficient to support substantial participation in fisheries 
in the area; and
    (7) Develop and submit a community development plan to the Council 
and the NMFS that meets the requirements in paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (c) Community development plan. An eligible community seeking access 
to a fishery under the authority of the Council and NMFS must submit to 
the Council a community development plan that includes, but is not 
limited to, the following information:
    (1) A statement of the purposes and goals of the plan.
    (2) A description and justification for the specific fishing 
activity being proposed, including:
    (i) Location of the proposed fishing activity.
    (ii) Management unit species to be harvested, and any potential 
bycatch.
    (iii) Gear type(s) to be used.
    (iv) Frequency and duration of the proposed fishing activity.
    (3) A statement describing the degree of involvement by the 
indigenous community members, including the name, address, telephone and 
other contact information of each individual conducting the proposed 
fishing activity.
    (4) A description of how the community and or its members meet each 
of the eligibility criteria in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (5) If a vessel is to be used by the community to conduct fishing 
activities, for each vessel:
    (i) Vessel name and official number (USCG documentation, state, 
territory, or other registration number).
    (ii) Vessel length overall, displacement, and fish holding capacity.
    (iii) Any valid federal fishing permit number(s).
    (iv) Name, address, and telephone number of the vessel owner(s) and 
operator(s).
    (d) Council review. The Council will review each community 
development plan to ensure that it meets the intent of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and contains all required information. The Council may 
consider advice of its advisory panels in conducting this review. If the 
Council finds the community development plan is complete, it will 
transmit the plan to the Regional Administrator for review.
    (e) Agency review and approval. (1) Upon receipt of a community 
development plan from the Council, the Regional Administrator will 
review the plan for consistency with paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of 
this section, and other applicable laws. The Regional Administrator may 
request from the applicant additional information necessary to make the 
determinations pursuant to this section and other applicable laws before 
proceeding with the review pursuant to paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
    (2) If the Regional Administrator determines that a plan contains 
the required information and is consistent with paragraphs (b), (c), and 
(d) of this section, and other applicable laws, NMFS will publish a 
notice in the Federal Register to solicit public comment on the proposed 
plan and any associated environmental review documents. The notice will 
include the following:
    (i) A description of the fishing activity to be conducted.
    (ii) The current utilization of domestic annual harvesting and 
processing

[[Page 433]]

capacity (including existing experimental harvesting, if any) of the 
target, incidental, and bycatch species.
    (iii) A summary of any regulations that would otherwise prohibit the 
proposed fishing activity.
    (iv) Biological and environmental information relevant to the plan, 
including appropriate statements of environmental impacts on target and 
non-target stocks, marine mammals, and threatened or endangered species.
    (3) Within 90 days from the end of the comment period on the plan, 
the Regional Administrator will notify the applicant in writing of the 
decision to approve or disapprove the plan.
    (4) If disapproved, the Regional Administrator will provide the 
reasons for the plan's disapproval and provide the community with the 
opportunity to modify the plan and resubmit it for review. Reasons for 
disapproval may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (i) The applicant failed to disclose material information or made 
false statements related to the plan.
    (ii) The harvest would contribute to overfishing or would hinder the 
recovery of an overfished stock, according to the best scientific 
information available.
    (iii) The activity would be inconsistent with an applicable law.
    (iv) The activity would create a significant enforcement, 
monitoring, or administrative problem, as determined by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (5) If approved, the Regional Administrator will publish a notice of 
the authorization in the Federal Register, and may attach limiting terms 
and conditions to the authorization including, but not limited to, the 
following:
    (i) The maximum amount of each management unit species and potential 
bycatch species that may be harvested and landed during the term of the 
authorization.
    (ii) The number, sizes, names, identification numbers, and federal 
permit numbers of the vessels authorized to conduct fishing activities.
    (iii) Type, size, and amount of gear used by each vessel, including 
trip limits.
    (iv) The times and places where fishing may or may not be conducted.
    (v) Notification, observer, vessel monitoring, and reporting 
requirements.
    (f) Duration. Unless otherwise specified, and unless revoked, 
suspended, or modified, a plan may be effective for no longer than five 
years.
    (g) Transfer. Plans authorized under this section are not 
transferable or assignable.
    (h) Sanctions. The Regional Administrator may revoke, suspend or 
modify a community development plan in the case of failure to comply 
with the terms and conditions of the plan, any other applicable 
provision of this part, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or other applicable 
laws.
    (i) Program review. NMFS and the Council will periodically review 
and assess each plan. If fishery, environmental, or other conditions 
have changed such that the plan's goals or requirements are not being 
met, or the fishery has become in an overfished state or overfishing is 
occurring, the Regional Administrator may revoke, suspend, or modify the 
plan.

[75 FR 54046, Sept. 3, 2010]



                   Subpart B_American Samoa Fisheries



Sec. 665.98  Management area.

    The American Samoa fishery management area is the EEZ seaward of the 
Territory of American Samoa with the inner boundary coterminous with the 
seaward boundaries of the Territory of American Samoa and the outer 
boundary designated as a line drawn in such a manner that each point on 
it is 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the territorial 
sea is measured, or is coterminous with adjacent international maritime 
boundaries.



Sec. 665.99  Area restrictions.

    Fishing is prohibited in all no-take MPAs. The following U.S. EEZ 
waters around American Samoa are no-take MPAs: Landward of the 50 fm 
(91.5 m) curve around Rose Atoll, as depicted on National Ocean Survey 
Chart Number 83484.

[[Page 434]]



Sec. 665.100  American Samoa bottomfish fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.101  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.100 through 665.119:
    American Samoa bottomfish ecosystem component species (American 
Samoa bottomfish ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the 
American Samoa FEP and not defined as American Samoa bottomfish MUS.
    American Samoa bottomfish management unit species (American Samoa 
bottomfish MUS) means the following species:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Local name                 Common name       Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
palu-gutusiliva.................  red snapper,        Aphareus rutilans.
                                   silvermouth.
asoama..........................  gray snapper,       Aprion virescens.
                                   jobfish.
tafauli.........................  black trevally,     Caranx lugubris.
                                   jack.
papa, velo......................  lunartail grouper.  Variola louti.
palu malau......................  red snapper.......  Etelis
                                                       carbunculus.
palu-loa........................  red snapper.......  Etelis coruscans.
filoa-paomumu...................  redgill emperor...  Lethrinus
                                                       rubrioperculatus.
savane..........................  blueline snapper..  Lutjanus kasmira.
palu-[egrave]na [egrave]na......  pink snapper......  Pristipomoides
                                                       filamentosus.
palu-sina.......................  yelloweye snapper.  Pristipomoides
                                                       flavipinnis.
palu-ula, palu-sega.............  Snapper...........  Pristipomoides
                                                       zonatus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[84 FR 2769, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.103  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to do 
any of the following:
    (a) Fish for American Samoa bottomfish MUS or ECS using gear 
prohibited under Sec. 665.104.
    (b) Fish for or possess any American Samoa Bottomfish MUS as defined 
in Sec. 665.101 after a closure of the fishery in violation of Sec. 
665.106.
    (c) Sell or offer for sale any American Samoa Bottomfish MUS as 
defined in Sec. 665.101 after a closure of the fishery in violation of 
Sec. 665.106.

[87 FR 25593, May 2, 2022]



Sec. 665.104  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets. Fishing for American 
Samoa bottomfish MUS or ECS with bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets 
is prohibited.
    (b) Possession of gear. The possession of a bottom trawl or bottom 
set gillnet within the American Samoa fishery management area is 
prohibited.
    (c) Poisons and explosives. The possession or use of any poisons, 
explosives, or intoxicating substances for the purpose of harvesting 
bottomfish is prohibited.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.105  At-sea observer coverage.

    All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.100 through 665.105 
must carry an observer when directed to do so by the Regional 
Administrator.



Sec. 665.106  American Samoa annual catch limits (ACL).

    (a) In accordance with Sec. 665.4, the ACL for American Samoa 
bottomfish MUS is 5,000 lb.
    (b) When NMFS projects the ACL will be reached, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish a document to that effect in the Federal 
Register and shall use other means to notify permit holders. The 
document will include an advisement that the fishery will be closed, 
beginning at a specified date that is not earlier than seven days after 
the date of filing the closure notification for public inspection at the 
Office of the Federal Register, through the end of the fishing year in 
which the catch limit is reached.
    (c) If the ACL is exceeded in any fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish a document to that effect in the Federal 
Register and shall use other means to notify permit holders. The 
document will include an advisement that the fishery will be closed, 
beginning at a specified date that is not earlier than seven days after 
the date of filing the closure notification for public inspection at the 
Office of the Federal Register. The fishery will remain closed until 
such time that a coordinated approach to management is developed that 
ensures catch in both Federal and territorial waters can be maintained 
at levels that allow the stock to rebuild or the rebuilding plan is 
modified based on the best scientific information available.
    (d) On and after the date the fishery is closed as specified in 
paragraph (b)

[[Page 435]]

or (c) of this section, fishing for and possession of American Samoa 
bottomfish MUS is prohibited in the American Samoa fishery management 
area, except as otherwise authorized by law.
    (e) On and after the date the fishery is closed as specified in 
paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, the sale, offering for sale, and 
purchase of any American Samoa bottomfish MUS caught in the American 
Samoa fishery management area is prohibited.

[87 FR 25593, May 2, 2022]



Sec. Sec. 665.107-665.119  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.120  American Samoa coral reef ecosystem fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.121  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.120 through 665.139, American Samoa coral 
reef ecosystem component species (American Samoa coral reef ECS) means 
those species identified as ECS in the American Samoa FEP and not 
defined as MUS or another ECS in this subpart.

[84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.122  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.123  Relation to other laws.

    To ensure consistency between the management regimes of different 
Federal agencies with shared management responsibilities of fishery 
resources within the American Samoa fishery management area, fishing for 
American Samoa coral reef ECS is not allowed within the boundary of a 
National Wildlife Refuge unless specifically authorized by the USFWS, 
regardless of whether that refuge was established by action of the 
President or the Secretary of the Interior.

[84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.124  Permits and fees.

    (a) Applicability. Unless otherwise specified in this subpart, Sec. 
665.13 applies to coral reef ecosystem permits.
    (1) Special permit. Any person of the United States fishing for, 
taking or retaining American Samoa coral reef ECS must have a special 
permit if they fish, or if a vessel which they operate is used to fish, 
for any:
    (i) American Samoa coral reef ECS in low-use MPAs as defined in 
Sec. 665.99;
    (ii) American Samoa coral reef ECS in the coral reef ecosystem 
management area; or
    (iii) American Samoa coral reef ECS in the coral reef ecosystem 
management area with any gear not specifically allowed in this subpart.
    (2) Transshipment permit. A receiving vessel must be registered for 
use with a transshipment permit if that vessel is used in the American 
Samoa coral reef ecosystem management area to land or transship American 
Samoa coral reef ECS harvested within low-use MPAs.
    (3) Exceptions. The following persons are not required to have a 
permit under this section:
    (i) Any person issued a permit to fish under any FEP who 
incidentally catches American Samoa coral reef ECS while fishing for 
bottomfish MUS or ECS, crustacean ECS, western Pacific pelagic MUS, 
precious coral ECS, or seamount groundfish MUS;
    (ii) Any person fishing for American Samoa coral reef ECS outside of 
an MPA, who does not retain any American Samoa coral reef ECS; and
    (iii) Any person collecting marine organisms for scientific research 
as described in Sec. 665.17, or Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.
    (b) Validity. Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the 
fishery management area specified on the permit.
    (c) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits are contained in 
Sec. 665.13.
    (d) Special permit. The Regional Administrator shall issue a special 
permit in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in this 
section.
    (1) Application. An applicant for a special or transshipment permit 
issued under this section must complete and submit to the Regional 
Administrator, a Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit Application 
Form issued by NMFS. Information in the application form must include, 
but is not limited to, a statement describing the objectives of the 
fishing activity for which a special permit is needed, including a

[[Page 436]]

general description of the expected disposition of the resources 
harvested under the permit (i.e., stored live, fresh, frozen, preserved; 
sold for food, ornamental, research, or other use; and a description of 
the planned fishing operation, including location of fishing and gear 
operation, amount and species (directed and incidental) expected to be 
harvested and estimated habitat and protected species impacts).
    (2) Incomplete applications. The Regional Administrator may request 
from an applicant additional information necessary to make the 
determinations required under this section. An applicant will be 
notified of an incomplete application within 10 working days of receipt 
of the application. An incomplete application will not be considered 
until corrected and completed in writing.
    (3) Issuance. (i) If an application contains all of the required 
information, the Regional Administrator will forward copies of the 
application within 30 days to the Council, the USCG, the fishery 
management agency of the affected state, and other interested parties 
who have identified themselves to the Council, and the USFWS.
    (ii) Within 60 days following receipt of a complete application, the 
Regional Administrator will consult with the Council through its 
Executive Director, USFWS, and the Director of the affected state 
fishery management agency concerning the permit application and will 
receive their recommendations for approval or disapproval of the 
application based on:
    (A) Information provided by the applicant;
    (B) The current domestic annual harvesting and processing capacity 
of the directed and incidental species for which a special permit is 
being requested;
    (C) The current status of resources to be harvested in relation to 
the overfishing definition in the FEP;
    (D) Estimated ecosystem, habitat, and protected species impacts of 
the proposed activity; and
    (E) Other biological and ecological information relevant to the 
proposal. The applicant will be provided with an opportunity to appear 
in support of the application.
    (iii) Following a review of the Council's recommendation and 
supporting rationale, the Regional Administrator may:
    (A) Concur with the Council's recommendation and, after finding that 
it is consistent with the goals and objectives of the FEP, the national 
standards, the Endangered Species Act, and other applicable laws, 
approve or deny a special permit; or
    (B) Reject the Council's recommendation, in which case, written 
reasons will be provided by the Regional Administrator to the Council 
for the rejection.
    (iv) If the Regional Administrator does not receive a recommendation 
from the Council within 60 days of Council receipt of the permit 
application, the Regional Administrator can make a determination of 
approval or denial independently.
    (v) Within 30 working days after the consultation in paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section, or as soon as practicable thereafter, NMFS 
will notify the applicant in writing of the decision to grant or deny 
the special permit and, if denied, the reasons for the denial. Grounds 
for denial of a special permit include the following:
    (A) The applicant has failed to disclose material information 
required, or has made false statements as to any material fact, in 
connection with his or her application.
    (B) According to the best scientific information available, the 
directed or incidental catch in the season or location specified under 
the permit would detrimentally affect any coral reef resource or coral 
reef ecosystem in a significant way, including, but not limited to 
issues related to, spawning grounds or seasons, protected species 
interactions, EFH, and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC).
    (C) Issuance of the special permit would inequitably allocate 
fishing privileges among domestic fishermen or would have economic 
allocation as its sole purpose.
    (D) The method or amount of harvest in the season and/or location 
stated on the permit is considered inappropriate based on previous human 
or natural impacts in the given area.

[[Page 437]]

    (E) NMFS has determined that the maximum number of permits for a 
given area in a given season has been reached and allocating additional 
permits in the same area would be detrimental to the resource.
    (F) The activity proposed under the special permit would create a 
significant enforcement problem.
    (vi) The Regional Administrator may attach conditions to the special 
permit, if it is granted, consistent with the management objectives of 
the FEP, including, but not limited to: (A) The maximum amount of each 
resource that can be harvested and landed during the term of the special 
permit, including trip limits, where appropriate.
    (B) The times and places where fishing may be conducted.
    (C) The type, size, and amount of gear which may be used by each 
vessel operated under the special permit.
    (D) Data reporting requirements.
    (E) Such other conditions as may be necessary to ensure compliance 
with the purposes of the special permit consistent with the objectives 
of the FEP.
    (4) Appeals of permit actions. (i) Except as provided in subpart D 
of 15 CFR part 904, any applicant for a permit or a permit holder may 
appeal the granting, denial, conditioning, or suspension of their permit 
or a permit affecting their interests to the Regional Administrator. In 
order to be considered by the Regional Administrator, such appeal must 
be in writing, must state the action(s) appealed, and the reasons 
therefore, and must be submitted within 30 days of the original 
action(s) by the Regional Administrator. The appellant may request an 
informal hearing on the appeal.
    (ii) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the permit applicant, or permit 
holder, as appropriate, and will request such additional information and 
in such form as will allow action upon the appeal. Upon receipt of 
sufficient information, the Regional Administrator will rule on the 
appeal in accordance with the permit eligibility criteria set forth in 
this section and the FEP, as appropriate, based upon information 
relative to the application on file at NMFS and the Council and any 
additional information, the summary record kept of any hearing and the 
hearing officer's recommended decision, if any, and such other 
considerations as deemed appropriate. The Regional Administrator will 
notify all interested persons of the decision, and the reasons 
therefore, in writing, normally within 30 days of the receipt of 
sufficient information, unless additional time is needed for a hearing.
    (iii) If a hearing is requested, or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that purpose 
after first giving notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the 
hearing in the Federal Register. Such a hearing shall normally be held 
no later than 30 days following publication of the notice in the Federal 
Register, unless the hearing officer extends the time for reasons deemed 
equitable. The appellant, the applicant (if different), and, at the 
discretion of the hearing officer, other interested parties, may appear 
personally and/or be represented by counsel at the hearing and may 
submit information and present arguments as determined appropriate by 
the hearing officer. Within 30 days of the last day of the hearing, the 
hearing officer shall recommend in writing a decision to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (iv) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
In any event, the Regional Administrator will notify interested persons 
of the decision, and the reason(s) therefore, in writing, within 30 days 
of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. The Regional 
Administrator's action constitutes final action for the agency for the 
purposes of the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may, for good cause, extend any time 
limit prescribed in this section for a period not to exceed 30 days 
either upon his or her own motion or upon written request from the 
Council, appellant or applicant stating the reason(s) therefore.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]

[[Page 438]]



Sec. 665.125  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15 of this part, it is unlawful for any 
person to do any of the following:
    (a) Fish for, take, retain, possess or land any American Samoa coral 
reef ecosystem ECS in any low-use MPA as defined in Sec. 665.99 unless:
    (1) A valid permit has been issued for the hand harvester or the 
fishing vessel operator that specifies the applicable area of harvest;
    (2) A permit is not required, as outlined in Sec. 665.124; or
    (3) The American Samoa coral reef ECS possessed on board the vessel 
originated outside the management area, and this can be demonstrated 
through receipts of purchase, invoices, fishing logbooks or other 
documentation.
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any American Samoa coral reef ECS:
    (1) That is determined overfished with subsequent rulemaking by the 
Regional Administrator;
    (2) By means of gear or methods prohibited under Sec. 665.127;
    (3) In a low-use MPA without a valid special permit; or
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. Sec. 665.13, 
665.123, or 665.124.
    (c) Fish for, take, or retain any wild live rock or live hard coral 
except under a valid special permit for scientific research, aquaculture 
seed stock collection or traditional and ceremonial purposes by 
indigenous people.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.126  Notifications.

    Any special permit holder subject to the requirements of this 
subpart must contact the appropriate NMFS enforcement agent in American 
Samoa, Guam, or Hawaii at least 24 hours before landing any American 
Samoa coral reef ECS harvested under a special permit and report the 
port and the approximate date and time at which the catch will be 
landed.

[84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.127  Allowable gear and gear restrictions.

    (a) American Samoa coral reef ECS may be taken only with the 
following allowable gear and methods:
    (1) Hand harvest;
    (2) Spear;
    (3) Slurp gun;
    (4) Hand net/dip net;
    (5) Hoop net for Kona crab;
    (6) Throw net;
    (7) Barrier net;
    (8) Surround/purse net that is attended at all times;
    (9) Hook-and-line (includes handline (powered or not), rod-and-reel, 
and trolling);
    (10) Crab and fish traps with vessel ID number affixed; and (11) 
Remote-operating vehicles/submersibles.
    (b) American Samoa coral reef ECS may not be taken by means of 
poisons, explosives, or intoxicating substances. Possession or use of 
these materials by any permit holder under this subpart who is 
established to be fishing for coral reef ECS in the management area is 
prohibited.
    (c) Existing FEP fisheries shall follow the allowable gear and 
methods outlined in their respective plans.
    (d) Any person who intends to fish with new gear not included in 
this section must describe the new gear and its method of deployment in 
the special permit application. A decision on the permissibility of this 
gear type will be made by the Regional Administrator after consultation 
with the Council and the director of the affected state fishery 
management agency.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.128  Gear identification.

    (a) Gear marking. The vessel number must be affixed to all fish and 
crab traps on board the vessel or deployed in the water by any vessel or 
person holding a permit under Sec. 665.13 or Sec. 665.124 or that is 
otherwise established to be fishing for American Samoa coral reef 
ecosystem ECS in the management area.
    (b) Enforcement action. (1) Traps not marked in compliance with 
paragraph (a) of this section and found deployed in the coral reef 
ecosystem management area will be considered unclaimed

[[Page 439]]

or abandoned property, and may be disposed of in any manner considered 
appropriate by NMFS or an authorized officer.
    (2) Unattended surround nets or bait seine nets found deployed in 
the coral reef ecosystem management area will be considered unclaimed or 
abandoned property, and may be disposed of in any manner considered 
appropriate by NMFS or an authorized officer.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. Sec. 665.129-665.139  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.140  American Samoa Crustacean Fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.141  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.140 through 665.159:
    American Samoa crustacean ecosystem component species (American 
Samoa crustacean ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the 
American Samoa FEP.
    Crustacean Permit Area 3 (Permit Area 3) includes the EEZ around 
American Samoa.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2770, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.142  Permits.

    (a) Applicability. (1) The owner of any vessel used to fish for 
lobster in Permit Area 3 must have a permit issued for that vessel.
    (2) The owner of any vessel used to fish for deepwater shrimp in 
Crustacean Permit Area 3 must have a permit issued for that vessel.
    (b) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits issued under 
this section, as applicable, are contained in Sec. 665.13.
    (c) Application. An application for a permit required under this 
section will be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13. If the 
application for a limited access permit is submitted on behalf of a 
partnership or corporation, the application must be accompanied by a 
supplementary information sheet obtained from PIRO and contain the names 
and mailing addresses of all partners or shareholders and their 
respective percentage of ownership in the partnership or corporation.



Sec. 665.143  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15, in Crustacean Permit Area 3, it is 
unlawful for any person to fish for, take, or retain deepwater shrimp 
without a permit issued under Sec. 665.142.



Sec. 665.144  Notifications.

    (a) The operator of any vessel fishing subject to the requirements 
of this subpart must:
    (1) Report, not less than 24 hours, but not more than 36 hours, 
before landing, the port, the approximate date and the approximate time 
at which spiny and slipper lobsters will be landed.
    (2) Report, not less than 6 hours and not more than 12 hours before 
offloading, the location and time that offloading of spiny and slipper 
lobsters will begin.
    (b) The Regional Administrator will notify permit holders of any 
change in the reporting method and schedule required in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section at least 30 days prior to the opening 
of the fishing season.



Sec. 665.145  At-sea observer coverage.

    All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.140 through 665.145 
and subpart A of this part must carry an observer when requested to do 
so by the Regional Administrator.



Sec. Sec. 665.146-665.159  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.160  American Samoa precious coral fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.161  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.160 through 665.169:
    American Samoa precious coral ecosystem component species (American 
Samoa precious coral ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the 
American Samoa FEP.
    American Samoa precious coral permit area means the area 
encompassing the precious coral beds within the U.S. EEZ around American 
Samoa. Each bed is designated by a permit area code and assigned to one 
of the following four categories:

[[Page 440]]

    (1) Established beds. [Reserved]
    (2) Conditional beds. [Reserved]
    (3) Refugia. [Reserved]
    (4) Exploratory Area. Permit Area X-P-AS includes all coral beds, 
other than established beds, conditional beds, or refugia, in the EEZ 
seaward of American Samoa.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2771, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.162  Permits.

    (a) Any vessel of the United States fishing for, taking, or 
retaining American Samoa precious coral ECS in any American Samoa 
precious coral permit area must have a permit issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (b) Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the permit area 
specified on the permit. Precious Coral Permit Areas are defined in 
Sec. 665.161.
    (c) No more than one permit will be valid for any one vessel at any 
one time.
    (d) No more than one permit will be valid for any one person at any 
one time.
    (e) The holder of a valid permit to fish one permit area may obtain 
a permit to fish another permit area only upon surrendering to the 
Regional Administrator any current permit for the precious coral fishery 
issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (f) General requirements governing application information, 
issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, alteration, display, 
sanctions, and appeals for permits for the precious coral fishery are 
contained in Sec. 665.13.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2771, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.163  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and in Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Use any vessel to fish for, take, retain, possess or land 
precious coral in any precious coral permit area, unless a permit has 
been issued for that vessel and area as specified in Sec. 665.13 and 
that permit is on board the vessel.
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any species of American Samoa precious 
coral ECS in any precious coral permit area:
    (1) By means of gear or methods prohibited by Sec. 665.164.
    (2) In refugia specified in Sec. 665.161.
    (3) In a bed for which the quota specified in Sec. 665.167 has been 
attained.
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. 665.13 or Sec. 
665.17.
    (5) In a bed that has been closed pursuant to Sec. Sec. 665.166 or 
665.169.
    (c) Take and retain, possess, or land any live Hemicorallium 
laauense, Pleurocorallium secundum, Corallium sp., or live black coral 
from any precious coral permit area that is less than the minimum height 
specified in Sec. 665.165 unless:
    (1) A valid EFP was issued under Sec. 665.17 for the vessel and the 
vessel was operating under the terms of the permit; or
    (2) The coral originated outside coral beds listed in this 
paragraph, and this can be demonstrated through receipts of purchase, 
invoices, or other documentation.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2771, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.164  Gear restrictions.

    Only selective gear may be used to harvest coral from any precious 
coral permit area.



Sec. 665.165  Size restrictions.

    The height of a live coral specimen shall be determined by a 
straight line measurement taken from its base to its most distal 
extremity. The stem diameter of a living coral specimen shall be 
determined by measuring the greatest diameter of the stem at a point no 
less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the top surface of the living holdfast.
    (a) Live Hemicorallium laauense, Pleurocorallium secundum, or 
Corallium sp. harvested from any precious coral permit area must have 
attained a minimum height of 10 inches (25.4 cm).
    (b) Live black coral harvested from any precious coral permit area 
must have attained either a minimum stem diameter of 1 inch (2.54 cm), 
or a minimum height of 48 inches (122 cm).

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2771, Feb. 8, 2019]

[[Page 441]]



Sec. 665.166  Closures.

    (a) If the Regional Administrator determines that the harvest quota 
for any coral bed will be reached prior to the end of the fishing year, 
NMFS shall publish a notice to that effect in the Federal Register and 
shall use other means to notify permit holders. Any such notice must 
indicate the reason for the closure, the bed being closed, and the 
effective date of the closure.
    (b) A closure is also effective for a permit holder upon the permit 
holder's actual harvest of the applicable quota.



Sec. 665.167  Quotas.

    (a) General. The quotas limiting the amount of precious coral that 
may be taken in any precious coral permit area during the fishing year 
are listed in Sec. 665.167(d). Only live coral is counted toward the 
quota. The accounting period for all quotas begins July 1, 1983.
    (b) Conditional bed closure. A conditional bed will be closed to all 
nonselective coral harvesting after the quota for one species of coral 
has been taken.
    (c) Reserves and reserve release. The quotas for exploratory area X-
P-AS will be held in reserve for harvest by vessels of the United States 
in the following manner:
    (1) At the start of the fishing year, the reserve for the American 
Samoa exploratory area will equal the quota minus the estimated domestic 
annual harvest for that year.
    (2) As soon as practicable after December 31 each year, the Regional 
Administrator will determine the amount harvested by vessels of the 
United States between July 1 and December 31 of the year that just ended 
on December 31.
    (3) NMFS will release to TALFF an amount of precious coral for each 
exploratory area equal to the quota minus two times the amount harvested 
by vessels of the United States in that July 1-December 31 period.
    (4) NMFS will publish in the Federal Register a notification of the 
Regional Administrator's determination and a summary of the information 
on which it is based as soon as practicable after the determination is 
made.
    (d) Exploratory areas. The American Samoa exploratory permit area X-
P-AS has an annual quota of 1,000 kg for all American Samoa precious 
coral ECS combined with the exception of black corals.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2771, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.168  Seasons.

    The fishing year for precious coral begins on July 1 and ends on 
June 30 the following year.



Sec. 665.169  Gold coral harvest moratorium.

    Fishing for, taking, or retaining any gold coral in any precious 
coral permit area is prohibited through June 30, 2023.

[83 FR 27717, June 14, 2018]



                       Subpart C_Hawaii Fisheries



Sec. 665.198  Management area.

    The Hawaii fishery management area is the EEZ seaward of the State 
of Hawaii, including the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) and Northwestern 
Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), with the inner boundary a line coterminous with 
the seaward boundaries of the State of Hawaii and the outer boundary a 
line drawn in such a manner that each point on it is 200 nautical miles 
from the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured.



Sec. 665.199  Area restrictions [Reserved]



Sec. 665.200  Hawaii bottomfish and seamount groundfish fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.201  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.200 through 665.219:
    Deep 7 bottomfish means the following species:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Local name                     Common name                         Scientific name
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) lehi.............................  silver jaw jobfish.....  Aphareus rutilans.
(2) ehu..............................  squirrelfish snapper...  Etelis carbunculus.
(3) onaga............................  longtail snapper.......  Etelis coruscans.
(4) hapuupuu.........................  sea bass...............  Hyporthodus quernus.

[[Page 442]]

 
(5) opakapaka........................  pink snapper...........  Pristipomoides filamentosus.
(6) kalekale.........................  pink snapper...........  Pristipomoides sieboldii.
(7) gindai...........................  snapper................  Pristipomoides zonatus.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Deep 7 bottomfish fishing year means the year beginning at 0001 
local time on September 1 and ending at 2400 HST on August 31 of the 
next calendar year.
    Hawaii bottomfish ecosystem component species (Hawaii bottomfish 
ECS) means those species that are not listed as Hawaii bottomfish MUS 
and that are identified as ECS in Table 4 of the Hawaii FEP.
    Hawaii bottomfish management unit species (Hawaii bottomfish MUS) 
means the following species:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Local name                     Common name                         Scientific name
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) lehi.............................  silver jaw jobfish.....  Aphareus rutilans.
(2) uku..............................  gray jobfish...........  Aprion virescens.
(3) ehu..............................  squirrelfish snapper...  Etelis carbunculus.
(4) onaga............................  longtail snapper.......  Etelis coruscans.
(5) hapuupuu.........................  sea bass...............  Hyporthodus quernus.
(6) opakapaka........................  pink snapper...........  Pristipomoides filamentosus.
(7) kalekale.........................  pink snapper...........  Pristipomoides sieboldii.
(8) gindai...........................  snapper................  Pristipomoides zonatus.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Main Hawaiian Islands non-commercial bottomfish permit means the 
permit required by Sec. 665.203(a)(2) to own or fish from a vessel that 
is used in any non-commercial vessel-based fishing, landing, or 
transshipment of any Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS in the MHI Management 
Subarea.
    Protected species study zone means the waters within 50 nm, as 
designated by the Regional Administrator pursuant to Sec. 665.208, 
around the following islands of the NWHI and as measured from the 
following coordinates:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Name                       N. lat.          W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nihoa Island........................  23[deg]05[min]    161[deg]55[min]
Necker Island.......................  23[deg]35[min]    164[deg]40[min]
French Frigate Shoals...............  23[deg]45[min]    166[deg]15[min]
Gardner Pinnacles...................  25[deg]00[min]    168[deg]00[min]
Maro Reef...........................  25[deg]25[min]    170[deg]35[min]
Laysan Island.......................  25[deg]45[min]    171[deg]45[min]
Lisianski Island....................  26[deg]00[min]    173[deg]55[min]
Pearl and Hermes Reef...............  27[deg]50[min]    175[deg]50[min]
Midway Island.......................  28[deg]14[min]    177[deg]22[min]
Kure Island.........................  28[deg]25[min]    178[deg]20[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Seamount Groundfish means the following species:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Common name                        Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armorhead...........................  Pentaceros wheeleri.
Alfonsin............................  Beryx splendens.
Raftfish............................  Hyperoglyphe japonica.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2771, Feb. 8, 2019; 84 
FR 29396, June 24, 2019]



Sec. 665.202  Management subareas.

    (a) The Hawaii fishery management area is divided into subareas with 
the following designations and boundaries:
    (1) Main Hawaiian Islands means the U.S. EEZ around the Hawaiian 
Archipelago lying to the east of 161[deg]20[min] W. long.
    (2) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands means the EEZ around the Hawaiian 
Archipelago lying to the west of 161[deg]20[min] W. long. For the 
purposes of regulations issued under this subpart, Midway Island is 
treated as part of the NWHI Subarea.
    (i) Ho'omalu Zone means that portion of the EEZ around the NWHI west 
of 165[deg] W. long.
    (ii) Mau Zone means that portion of the EEZ around the NWHI between 
161[deg]20[min] W. long. and 165[deg] W. long.
    (3) Hancock Seamounts Ecosystem Management Area means that portion 
of the EEZ in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands west of 180[deg] W. 
long. and north of 28[deg] N. lat.
    (b) The inner boundary of each management subarea is a line 
coterminous with the seaward boundaries of the State of Hawaii.

[[Page 443]]

    (c) The outer boundary of each management subarea is a line drawn in 
such a manner that each point on it is 200 nautical miles from the 
baseline from which the territorial sea is measured.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 69015, Nov. 10, 2010]



Sec. 665.203  Permits.

    (a) Applicability--(1) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The owner of 
any vessel used to fish for, land, or transship Hawaii bottomfish MUS or 
ECS shoreward of the outer boundary of the NWHI subarea must have a 
permit issued under this section, and the permit must be registered for 
use with that vessel. PIRO will not register a single vessel for use 
with a Ho'omalu Zone permit and a Mau Zone permit at the same time. Mau 
Zone permits issued before June 14, 1999, became invalid June 14, 1999, 
except that a permit issued to a person who submitted a timely 
application under paragraph (b)(3) of this section is valid until the 
permit holder either receives a Mau Zone limited entry permit or until 
final agency action is taken on the permit holder's application. The 
Ho'omalu Zone and the Mau Zone limited entry systems described in this 
section are subject to abolition, modification, or additional effort 
limitation programs.
    (2) MHI non-commercial. The owner of a vessel that is used for and 
any person who participates in non-commercial, vessel-based fishing, 
landing, or transshipment of Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS in the MHI 
management subarea is required to obtain an MHI non-commercial 
bottomfish permit or a State of Hawaii Commercial Marine License. If one 
or more persons on a vessel-based bottomfish fishing trip holds an MHI 
non-commercial permit, then the entire trip is considered non-
commercial, and not commercial. However, if any commercial fishing 
occurs during or as a result of a vessel-based fishing trip, then the 
fishing trip is considered commercial, and not non-commercial. Charter 
boat customers are not subject to the requirements of the section.
    (b) Submission. (1) An application for a permit required under this 
section must be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13.
    (2) Ho'omalu Zone limited access permit. In addition to an 
application under Sec. 665.13(c), each applicant for a Ho'omalu Zone 
permit must also submit a supplementary information sheet provided by 
PIRO, which must be signed by the vessel owner or a designee and include 
the following information:
    (i) The qualification criterion that the applicant believes he or 
she meets for issuance of a limited access permit;
    (ii) A copy of landings receipts or other documentation, with a 
certification from a state or Federal agency that this information is 
accurate, to demonstrate participation in the NWHI bottomfish fishery; 
and
    (iii) If the application is filed by a partnership or corporation, 
the names of each of the individual partners or shareholders and their 
respective percentages of ownership of the partnership or corporation.
    (3) Mau Zone limited access permit. PIRO will not accept 
applications for a new Mau Zone permit after June 14, 1999. In addition 
to an application under Sec. 665.13(c), each applicant for a Mau Zone 
permit must also submit a supplementary information sheet provided by 
PIRO, which must be signed by the vessel owner or a designee and include 
the following information:
    (i) The qualification criterion that the applicant believes he or 
she meets for issuance of a limited access permit;
    (ii) Copy of State of Hawaii catch report(s) to demonstrate that the 
permitted vessel had made qualifying landings of bottomfish from the Mau 
Zone; and
    (iii) If the application is filed by a partnership or corporation, 
the names of each of the individual partners or shareholders and their 
respective percentage of ownership of the partnership or corporation.
    (c) Sale or transfer of Ho'omalu limited access permits to new 
vessel owners.
    (1) A Ho'omalu zone permit may not be sold or otherwise transferred 
to a new owner.
    (2) A Ho'omalu zone permit or permits may be held by a partnership 
or corporation. If 50 percent or more of the ownership of the vessel 
passes to persons other than those listed in the

[[Page 444]]

original application, the permit will lapse and must be surrendered to 
the Regional Administrator.
    (d) Transfer of Ho'omalu Zone limited access permits to replacement 
vessels.
    (1) Upon application by the owner of a permitted vessel, the 
Regional Administrator will transfer that owner's permit to a 
replacement vessel owned by that owner, provided that the replacement 
vessel does not exceed 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA. The replacement vessel must 
be put into service no later than 12 months after the owner applies for 
the transfer, or the transfer shall be void.
    (2) An owner of a permitted vessel may apply to the Regional 
Administrator for transfer of that owner's permit to a replacement 
vessel greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA. The Regional Administrator may 
transfer the permit upon determining, after consultation with the 
Council and considering the objectives of the limited access program, 
that the replacement vessel has catching power that is comparable to the 
rest of the vessels holding permits for the fishery, or has catching 
power that does not exceed that of the original vessel, and that the 
transfer is not inconsistent with the objectives of the program. The 
Regional Administrator shall consider vessel length, range, hold 
capacity, gear limitations, and other appropriate factors in making 
determinations of catching power equivalency and comparability of the 
catching power of vessels in the fishery.
    (e) Ho'omalu Zone limited access permit renewal.
    (1) A qualifying landing for Ho'omalu Zone permit renewal is a 
landing of at least 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS 
from the Ho'omalu Zone or a landing of at least 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of 
fish from the Ho'omalu Zone, of which at least 50 percent by weight was 
Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS. A permit is eligible for renewal for the 
next calendar year if the vessel covered by the permit made three or 
more qualifying landings during the current calendar year.
    (2) The owner of a permitted vessel that did not make three or more 
qualifying landings of bottomfish in a year may apply to the Regional 
Administrator for a waiver of the landing requirement. If the Regional 
Administrator finds that failure to make three landings was due to 
circumstances beyond the owner's control, the Regional Administrator may 
renew the permit. A waiver may not be granted if the failure to make 
three landings was due to general economic conditions or market 
conditions, such that the vessel operations would not be profitable.
    (f) Issuance of new Ho'omalu Zone limited access permits. The 
Regional Administrator may issue new Ho'omalu Zone limited access 
permits under Sec. 665.13 if the Regional Administrator determines, in 
consultation with the Council, that bottomfish stocks in the Ho'omalu 
Zone are able to support additional fishing effort.
    (g) Eligibility for new Ho'omalu Zone limited access permits. When 
the Regional Administrator has determined that new permits may be 
issued, they shall be issued to applicants based upon eligibility, 
determined as follows:
    (1) Point system. (i) Two points will be assigned for each year in 
which the applicant was owner or captain of a vessel that made three or 
more of any of the following types of landings in the NWHI:
    (A) Any amount of Hawaii bottomfish MUS, regardless of weight, if 
made on or before August 7, 1985;
    (B) At least 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Hawaii bottomfish MUS, if made 
after August 7, 1985; or
    (C) At least 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of any fish lawfully harvested from 
the NWHI, of which at least 50 percent by weight was bottomfish, if made 
after August 7, 1985.
    (ii) One point will be assigned for each year in which the applicant 
was owner or captain of a vessel that landed at least 6,000 lb (2,722 
kg) of bottomfish from the MHI.
    (iii) For any one year, points will be assigned under either 
paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this section, but not under both 
paragraphs.
    (iv) Before the Regional Administrator issues a Ho'omalu zone permit 
to fish for bottomfish under this section, the primary operator and 
relief operator named on the application

[[Page 445]]

form must have completed a protected species workshop conducted by NMFS.
    (2) Restrictions. An applicant must own at least a 25 percent share 
in the vessel that the permit would cover, and only one permit will be 
assigned to any vessel.
    (3) Order of issuance. New permits shall be awarded to applicants in 
descending order, starting with the applicant with the largest number of 
points. If two or more persons have an equal number of points, and there 
are insufficient new permits for all such applicants, the new permits 
shall be awarded by the Regional Administrator through a lottery.
    (4) Notification. The Regional Administrator shall place a notice in 
the Federal Register and shall use other means to notify prospective 
applicants of the opportunity to file applications for new permits under 
this program.
    (h) Eligibility for new Mau Zone limited access permits.
    (1) PIRO will issue an initial Mau Zone permit to a vessel owner who 
qualifies for at least three points under the following point system:
    (i) An owner who held a Mau Zone permit on or before December 17, 
1991, and whose permitted vessel made at least one qualifying landing of 
Hawaii bottomfish MUS on or before December 17, 1991, shall be assigned 
1.5 points.
    (ii) An owner whose permitted vessel made at least one qualifying 
landing of Hawaii bottomfish MUS during 1991 shall be assigned 0.5 
point.
    (iii) An owner whose permitted vessel made at least one qualifying 
landing of Hawaii bottomfish MUS during 1992 shall be assigned 1.0 
point.
    (iv) An owner whose permitted vessel made at least one qualifying 
landing of Hawaii bottomfish MUS during 1993 shall be assigned 1.5 
points.
    (v) An owner whose permitted vessel made at least one qualifying 
landing of Hawaii bottomfish MUS during 1994 shall be assigned 2.0 
points.
    (vi) An owner whose permitted vessel made at least one qualifying 
landing of Hawaii bottomfish MUS during 1995 shall be assigned 2.5 
points.
    (vii) An owner whose permitted vessel made at least one qualifying 
landing of Hawaii bottomfish MUS during 1996 shall be assigned 3.0 
points.
    (viii) Before PIRO issues a Mau Zone permit to fish for bottomfish 
under this section, the primary operator and relief operator named on 
the application form must have completed a protected species workshop 
conducted by NMFS.
    (2) For purposes of this paragraph (h), a ``qualifying landing'' 
means any amount of Hawaii bottomfish MUS lawfully harvested from the 
Mau Zone and offloaded for sale. No points shall be assigned to an owner 
for any qualifying landings reported to the State of Hawaii more than 1 
year after the landing.
    (3) More than one Mau Zone permit may be issued to an owner of two 
or more vessels, provided each of the owner's vessels for which a permit 
will be registered for use has made the required qualifying landings for 
the owner to be assigned at least three eligibility points.
    (4) A Mau Zone permit holder who does not own a vessel at the time 
initial permits are issued must register the permit for use with a 
vessel owned by the permit holder within 12 months from the date the 
permit was issued. In the interim, the permit holder may register the 
permit for use with a leased or chartered vessel. If within 12 months of 
initial permit issuance, the permit holder fails to apply to PIRO to 
register the permit for use with a vessel owned by the permit holder, 
then the permit shall expire.
    (5) For each of paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(viii) of this 
section, PIRO shall assign points based on the landings of one permitted 
vessel to only one owner if the vessel did not have multiple owners 
during the time frame covered by the subordinate paragraphs. If a vessel 
had multiple owners during a time frame covered by any of paragraphs 
(h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(viii) of this section (including joint owners, 
partners, or shareholders of a corporate owner), PIRO will assign the 
points for that subordinate paragraph to a single owner if only one 
owner submits an application with respect to the landings of that vessel 
during that time frame. If multiple owners submit separate applications 
with respect to the same landings of the same vessel during the same 
time frame, then PIRO shall:

[[Page 446]]

    (i) Adhere to any written agreement between the applicants with 
respect to who among them shall be assigned the aggregate point(s) 
generated by landings during such time frame(s), or
    (ii) If there is no agreement:
    (A) Shall issue the applicants a joint permit provided the vessel's 
landings during such time frames generated at least three points, or
    (B) In the event the vessel's landings during such time frame(s) 
generated less than three points, shall not assign any points generated 
by the vessel's landings during such time frame(s).
    (i) Ownership requirements and registration of Mau Zone limited 
access permits for use with other vessels.
    (1) A Mau Zone permit may be held by an individual, partnership, or 
corporation. No more than 49 percent of the underlying ownership 
interest in a Mau Zone permit may be sold, leased, chartered, or 
otherwise transferred to another person or entity. If more than 49 
percent of the underlying ownership of the permit passes to persons or 
entities other than those listed in the original permit application 
supplemental information sheet, then the permit expires and must be 
surrendered to PIRO.
    (2) A Mau Zone permit holder may apply under Sec. 665.13 to PIRO to 
register the permit for use with another vessel if that vessel is owned 
by the permit holder, and is no longer than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA.
    (3) If a Mau Zone permit holder sells the vessel for which the 
permit is registered for use, the permit holder must, within 12 months 
of the date of sale, apply to PIRO to register the permit for use with a 
vessel owned by the permit holder. If the permit holder has not applied 
to register a replacement vessel within 12 months, then the permit 
expires.
    (4) If a permitted vessel owned by the permit holder is sold or 
becomes unseaworthy, the Mau Zone permit with which the vessel was 
registered may be registered for use with a leased or chartered vessel 
for a period not to exceed 12 months from the date of registration of 
the leased or chartered vessel. If by the end of that 12-month period 
the permit holder fails to apply to PIRO to register the permit for use 
with a vessel owned by the permit holder, then the permit expires.
    (j) Mau Zone limited access permit renewal.
    (1) A Mau Zone permit will be eligible for renewal if the vessel for 
which the permit is registered for use made at least five separate 
fishing trips with landings of at least 500 lb (227 kg) of Hawaii 
bottomfish MUS or ECS per trip during the calendar year. Only one 
landing of bottomfish MUS or ECS per fishing trip to the Mau Zone will 
be counted toward the landing requirement.
    (2) If the vessel for which the permit is registered for use fails 
to meet the landing requirement of paragraph (j)(1) of this section, the 
owner may apply to the Regional Administrator for a waiver of the 
landing requirement. Grounds for a waiver are limited to captain 
incapacitation, vessel breakdowns, and the loss of the vessel at sea if 
the event prevented the vessel from meeting the landing requirement. 
Unprofitability is not sufficient for waiver of the landing requirement.
    (3) Failure of the permit holder to register a vessel for use under 
the permit does not exempt a permit holder from the requirements 
specified in this paragraph.
    (k) Appeals of permit actions.
    (1) Except as provided in subpart A of 15 CFR part 904, any 
applicant for a permit or a permit holder may appeal the granting, 
denial, or revocation of his or her permit to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (2) In order to be considered by the Regional Administrator, such 
appeal must be in writing, must state the action appealed, and the 
reasons therefore, and must be submitted within 30 days of the appealed 
action. The appellant may request an informal hearing on the appeal.
    (3) The Regional Administrator, in consultation with the Council, 
will decide the appeal in accordance with the FEP and implementing 
regulations and based upon information relative to the application on 
file at NMFS and the Council, the summary record kept of any hearing, 
the hearing officer's recommended decision, if any, and any other 
relevant information.

[[Page 447]]

    (4) If a hearing is requested, or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that 
purpose. The applicant or permit holder may appear personally and/or be 
represented by counsel at the hearing and submit information and present 
arguments as determined appropriate by the hearing officer. Within 30 
days of the last day of the hearing, the hearing officer shall recommend 
in writing a decision to the Regional Administrator.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
The Regional Administrator's decision on the application is the final 
administrative decision of the Department of Commerce, and is effective 
on the date the Administrator signs the decision.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.204  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to do 
any of the following:
    (a) Fish for Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS, or seamount groundfish 
MUS using gear prohibited under Sec. 665.206.
    (b) Fish for, or retain on board a vessel, Hawaii bottomfish MUS or 
ECS in the Ho'omalu Zone or the Mau Zone without the appropriate permit 
registered for use with that vessel issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (c) Serve as primary operator or relief operator on a vessel with a 
Mau or Ho'omalu Zone permit without completing a protected species 
workshop conducted by NMFS, as required by Sec. 665.203.
    (d) Fail to notify the USCG at least 24 hours prior to making any 
landing of bottomfish taken in the Ho'omalu Zone, as required by Sec. 
665.205.
    (e) Fish within any protected species study zone in the NWHI without 
notifying the Regional Administrator of the intent to fish in these 
zones, as required under Sec. 664.205.
    (f) Falsify or fail to make or file reports of all fishing 
activities shoreward of the outer boundary of the MHI management 
subarea, in violation of Sec. 665.14(a) or (b).
    (g) Own a vessel or fish from a vessel that is used to fish non-
commercially for any Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS in the MHI management 
subarea without either a MHI non-commercial bottomfish permit or a State 
of Hawaii Commercial Marine License, in violation of Sec. 665.2 or 
Sec. 665.203(a)(2).
    (h) Fish for or possess any bottomfish MUS as defined in Sec. 
665.201, in the MHI management subarea after a closure of its respective 
fishery, in violation of Sec. 665.211.
    (i) Sell or offer for sale any bottomfish MUS as defined in Sec. 
665.201, after a closure of its respective fishery, in violation of 
Sec. 665.211.
    (j) Harvest, possess, or land more than a total of five fish (all 
species combined) identified as Deep 7 bottomfish in Sec. 665.201 from 
a vessel in the MHI management subarea, while holding a MHI non-
commercial bottomfish permit, or while participating as a charter boat 
customer, in violation of Sec. 665.212.
    (k) Fish for or possess any Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS, or 
seamount groundfish MUS in the Hancock Seamounts Ecosystem Management 
Area, in violation of Sec. 665.209.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 69015, Nov. 10, 2010; 84 
FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019; 84 FR 29397, June 24, 2019; 85 FR 26624, May 5, 
2020]



Sec. 665.205  Notification.

    (a) The owner or operator of a fishing vessel subject to Sec. 
665.203(a)(1) must inform PIRO at least 72 hours (not including weekends 
and holidays) before leaving port, of his or her intent to fish within 
the protected species study zones defined in Sec. 665.201. The notice 
must include the name of the vessel, name of the operator, intended 
departure and return date, and a telephone number at which the owner or 
operator may be contacted during the business day (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to 
indicate whether an observer will be required on the subject fishing 
trip.
    (b) The operator of a fishing vessel that has taken Hawaii 
bottomfish MUS or ECS in the Ho'omalu Zone must contact the USCG, by 
radio or otherwise, at the 14th District, Honolulu, HI;

[[Page 448]]

Pacific Area, San Francisco, CA; or 17th District, Juneau, AK, at least 
24 hours before landing, and report the port and the approximate date 
and time at which the bottomfish will be landed.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.206  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets. Fishing for Hawaii 
bottomfish MUS or ECS, or seamount groundfish MUS with bottom trawls and 
bottom set gillnets is prohibited.
    (b) Possession of gear. Possession of a bottom trawl and bottom set 
gillnet by any vessel having a permit under Sec. 665.203 or otherwise 
established to be fishing for Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS, or seamount 
groundfish MUS in the management subareas is prohibited.
    (c) Poisons and explosives. The possession or use of any poisons, 
explosives, or intoxicating substances for the purpose of harvesting 
Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS, or seamount groundfish MUS is prohibited.

[84 FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.207  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.200 though 665.212 
must carry an observer when directed to do so by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (b) PIRO will advise the vessel owner or operator of any observer 
requirement within 72 hours (not including weekends or holidays) of 
receipt of the notice provided pursuant to Sec. 665.205(a). If an 
observer is required, the owner or operator will be informed of the 
terms and conditions of observer coverage, and the time and place of 
embarkation of the observer.
    (c) All observers must be provided with sleeping, toilet, and eating 
accommodations at least equal to that provided to a full crew member. A 
mattress or futon on the floor, or a cot, is not acceptable in place of 
a regular bunk. Meal and other galley privileges must be the same for 
the observer as for other crew members.
    (d) Female observers on a vessel with an all-male crew must be 
accommodated either in a single-person cabin or, if reasonable privacy 
can be ensured by installing a curtain or other temporary divider, in a 
two-person cabin shared with a licensed officer of the vessel. If the 
cabin assigned to a female observer does not have its own toilet and 
shower facilities that can be provided for the exclusive use of the 
observer, then a schedule for time-sharing of common facilities must be 
established and approved by the Regional Administrator prior to the 
vessel's departure from port.



Sec. 665.208  Protected species conservation.

    The Regional Administrator may change the size of the protected 
species study zones defined in Sec. 665.201 of this subpart:
    (a) If the Regional Administrator determines that a change in the 
size of the study zones would not result in fishing for bottomfish in 
the NWHI that would adversely affect any species listed as threatened or 
endangered under the ESA.
    (b) After consulting with the Council.
    (c) Through notification in the Federal Register published at least 
30 days prior to the effective date or through actual notice to the 
permit holders.



Sec. 665.209  Fishing moratorium at Hancock Seamounts.

    Fishing for, and possession of, Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS, or 
seamount groundfish MUS in the Hancock Seamounts Ecosystem Management 
Area is prohibited until the Regional Administrator determines that the 
armorhead stock is rebuilt.

[84 FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.210  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.211  Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Annual Catch Targets (ACT).

    (a) In accordance with Sec. 665.4, the ACLs and ACTs for MHI 
bottomfish fisheries for each fishing year are as follows:

[[Page 449]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 2021-22 ACL      2022-23 ACL      2023-24 ACL
                           Fishery                                   (lb)             (lb)             (lb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep 7 bottomfish............................................         492,000          492,000          492,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Fishery                     2022 ACL (lb)    2023 ACL (lb)    2024 ACL (lb)    2025 ACL (lb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uku.........................................         295,419          295,419          295,419          295,419
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Fishery                     2022 ACT (lb)    2023 ACT (lb)    2024 ACT (lb)    2025 ACT (lb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uku.........................................         291,010          291,010          291,010          291,010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) When a bottomfish ACL or ACT is projected to be reached based on 
analyses of available information, the Regional Administrator shall 
publish a document to that effect in the Federal Register and shall use 
other means to notify permit holders. The document will include an 
advisement that the fishery will be closed beginning at a specified 
date, which is not earlier than seven days after the date of filing the 
closure notice for public inspection at the Office of the Federal 
Register, until the end of the fishing year in which the ACL or ACT is 
reached.
    (c) On and after the date specified in paragraph (b) of this 
section, no person may fish for or possess any bottomfish MUS from a 
closed fishery in the MHI management subarea, except as otherwise 
allowed in this section.
    (d) On and after the date specified in paragraph (b) of this 
section, no person may sell or offer for sale any bottomfish MUS from a 
closed fishery, except as otherwise authorized by law.
    (e) If landings of MHI Deep 7 bottomfish exceed the specified ACL in 
a fishing year, the Regional Administrator will reduce the ACL for the 
subsequent year by the amount of the overage in a separate rulemaking.
    (f) If the average total landings of uku in the most recent three 
years exceed the specified ACL in a fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator will reduce the uku ACL and ACT for the subsequent year by 
the amount of the overage in a separate rulemaking.
    (g) Fishing for, and the resultant possession or sale of, any 
bottomfish MUS by vessels legally registered to Mau Zone, Ho'omalu Zone, 
or PRIA bottomfish fishing permits and conducted in compliance with all 
other laws and regulations, is exempted from this section.

[85 FR 26624, May 5, 2020, as amended at 87 FR 3047, Jan. 20, 2022; 87 
FR 17196, Mar. 28, 2022; 87 FR 78876, Dec. 23, 2022]



Sec. 665.212  Non-commercial bag limits.

    No more than a total of five fish (all species combined) identified 
as Deep 7 bottomfish may be harvested, possessed, or landed by any 
individual participating in a non-commercial vessel-based fishing trip 
in the MHI management subarea. Charter boat customers are also subject 
to the non-commercial bag limit.

[84 FR 29397, June 24, 2019]



Sec. Sec. 665.213-665.219  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.220  Hawaii coral reef ecosystem fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.221  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.220 through 665.239, Hawaii coral reef 
ecosystem component species (Hawaii coral reef ECS) means those species 
identified as ECS in the Hawaii FEP and are not defined as MUS or 
another ECS in this subpart.

[84 FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.222  Management area.

    The Hawaii coral reef ecosystem management area is as follows:
    (a) The U.S. EEZ around the Hawaiian Archipelago lying to the east 
of 160[deg]50[min] W. long.
    (b) The inner boundary of the management area is the seaward 
boundary of the State of Hawaii.
    (c) The outer boundary of the management area is the outer boundary 
of the U.S. EEZ.

[[Page 450]]



Sec. 665.223  Relation to other laws.

    To ensure consistency between the management regimes of different 
Federal agencies with shared management responsibilities of fishery 
resources within the Hawaii coral reef ecosystem management area, 
fishing for Hawaii coral reef ECS is not allowed within the boundary of 
a National Wildlife Refuge unless specifically authorized by the USFWS, 
regardless of whether that refuge was established by action of the 
President or the Secretary of the Interior.

[84 FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.224  Permits and fees.

    (a) Applicability. Unless otherwise specified in this subpart, Sec. 
665.13 applies to Hawaii coral reef ecosystem permits.
    (1) Special permit. Any person of the United States fishing for, 
taking or retaining Hawaii coral reef ECS must have a special permit if 
they, or a vessel which they operate, is used to fish for any:
    (i) Hawaii coral reef ECS in low-use MPAs as defined in Sec. 
665.199;
    (ii) Hawaii coral reef ECS in the coral reef ecosystem management 
area; or
    (iii) Hawaii coral reef ECS in the coral reef ecosystem management 
area with any gear not specifically allowed in this subpart.
    (2) Transshipment permit. A receiving vessel must be registered for 
use with a transshipment permit if that vessel is used in the Hawaii 
coral reef ecosystem management area to land or transship Hawaii coral 
reef ECS harvested within low-use MPAs.
    (3) Exceptions. The following persons are not required to have a 
permit under this section:
    (i) Any person issued a permit to fish under any FEP who 
incidentally catches Hawaii coral reef ECS while fishing for bottomfish 
MUS or ECS, crustacean MUS, western Pacific pelagic MUS, precious 
corals, or seamount groundfish;
    (ii) Any person fishing for Hawaii coral reef ECS outside of an MPA, 
who does not retain any Hawaii coral reef ECS; and
    (iii) Any person collecting marine organisms for scientific research 
as described in Sec. 665.17, or Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.
    (b) Validity. Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the 
fishery management area specified on the permit.
    (c) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits are contained in 
Sec. 665.13.
    (d) Special permit. The Regional Administrator shall issue a special 
permit in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in this 
section.
    (1) Application. An applicant for a special or transshipment permit 
issued under this section must complete and submit to the Regional 
Administrator a Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit Application 
Form issued by NMFS. Information in the application form must include, 
but is not limited to a statement describing the objectives of the 
fishing activity for which a special permit is needed, including a 
general description of the expected disposition of the resources 
harvested under the permit (i.e., stored live, fresh, frozen, preserved, 
sold for food, ornamental, research, or other use, and a description of 
the planned fishing operation, including location of fishing and gear 
operation, amount and species (directed and incidental) expected to be 
harvested and estimated habitat and protected species impacts).
    (2) Incomplete applications. The Regional Administrator may request 
from an applicant additional information necessary to make the 
determinations required under this section. An applicant will be 
notified of an incomplete application within 10 working days of receipt 
of the application. An incomplete application will not be considered 
until corrected in writing.
    (3) Issuance. (i) If an application contains all of the required 
information, the Regional Administrator will forward copies of the 
application within 30 days to the Council, the USCG, the fishery 
management agency of the affected state, and other interested parties 
who have identified themselves to the Council, and the USFWS.

[[Page 451]]

    (ii) Within 60 days following receipt of a complete application, the 
Regional Administrator will consult with the Council through its 
Executive Director, USFWS, and the Director of the affected state 
fishery management agency concerning the permit application and will 
receive their recommendations for approval or disapproval of the 
application based on:
    (A) Information provided by the applicant;
    (B) The current domestic annual harvesting and processing capacity 
of the directed and incidental species for which a special permit is 
being requested;
    (C) The current status of resources to be harvested in relation to 
the overfishing definition in the FEP;
    (D) Estimated ecosystem, habitat, and protected species impacts of 
the proposed activity; and
    (E) Other biological and ecological information relevant to the 
proposal. The applicant will be provided with an opportunity to appear 
in support of the application.
    (iii) Following a review of the Council's recommendation and 
supporting rationale, the Regional Administrator may:
    (A) Concur with the Council's recommendation and, after finding that 
it is consistent with the goals and objectives of the FEP, the national 
standards, the Endangered Species Act, and other applicable laws, 
approve or deny a special permit; or
    (B) Reject the Council's recommendation, in which case, written 
reasons will be provided by the Regional Administrator to the Council 
for the rejection.
    (iv) If the Regional Administrator does not receive a recommendation 
from the Council within 60 days of Council receipt of the permit 
application, the Regional Administrator can make a determination of 
approval or denial independently.
    (v) Within 30 working days after the consultation in paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section, or as soon as practicable thereafter, NMFS 
will notify the applicant in writing of the decision to grant or deny 
the special permit and, if denied, the reasons for the denial. Grounds 
for denial of a special permit include the following:
    (A) The applicant has failed to disclose material information 
required, or has made false statements as to any material fact, in 
connection with his or her application.
    (B) According to the best scientific information available, the 
directed or incidental catch in the season or location specified under 
the permit would detrimentally affect any coral reef resource or coral 
reef ecosystem in a significant way, including, but not limited to, 
issues related to spawning grounds or seasons, protected species 
interactions, EFH, and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC).
    (C) Issuance of the special permit would inequitably allocate 
fishing privileges among domestic fishermen or would have economic 
allocation as its sole purpose.
    (D) The method or amount of harvest in the season and/or location 
stated on the permit is considered inappropriate based on previous human 
or natural impacts in the given area.
    (E) NMFS has determined that the maximum number of permits for a 
given area in a given season has been reached and allocating additional 
permits in the same area would be detrimental to the resource.
    (F) The activity proposed under the special permit would create a 
significant enforcement problem.
    (vi) The Regional Administrator may attach conditions to the special 
permit, if it is granted, consistent with the management objectives of 
the FEP, including, but not limited to:
    (A) The maximum amount of each resource that can be harvested and 
landed during the term of the special permit, including trip limits, 
where appropriate.
    (B) The times and places where fishing may be conducted.
    (C) The type, size, and amount of gear which may be used by each 
vessel operated under the special permit.
    (D) Data reporting requirements.
    (E) Such other conditions as may be necessary to ensure compliance 
with the purposes of the special permit consistent with the objectives 
of the FEP.
    (4) Appeals of permit actions. (i) Except as provided in subpart D 
of 15 CFR part

[[Page 452]]

904, any applicant for a permit or a permit holder may appeal the 
granting, denial, conditioning, or suspension of their permit or a 
permit affecting their interests to the Regional Administrator. In order 
to be considered by the Regional Administrator, such appeal must be in 
writing, must state the action(s) appealed, and the reasons therefore, 
and must be submitted within 30 days of the original action(s) by the 
Regional Administrator. The appellant may request an informal hearing on 
the appeal.
    (ii) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the permit applicant, or permit 
holder as appropriate, and will request such additional information in 
such form as will allow action upon the appeal. Upon receipt of 
sufficient information, the Regional Administrator will rule on the 
appeal in accordance with the permit eligibility criteria set forth in 
this section and the FEP, as appropriate, based on information relative 
to the application on file at NMFS and the Council and any additional 
information, the summary record kept of any hearing and the hearing 
officer's recommended decision, if any, and such other considerations as 
deemed appropriate. The Regional Administrator will notify all 
interested persons of the decision, and the reasons therefore, in 
writing, normally within 30 days of the receipt of sufficient 
information, unless additional time is needed for a hearing.
    (iii) If a hearing is requested, or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that purpose 
after first giving notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the 
hearing in the Federal Register. Such a hearing shall normally be held 
no later than 30 days following publication of the notice in the Federal 
Register, unless the hearing officer extends the time for reasons deemed 
equitable. The appellant, the applicant (if different), and, at the 
discretion of the hearing officer, other interested parties, may appear 
personally and/or be represented by counsel at the hearing and submit 
information and present arguments as determined appropriate by the 
hearing officer. Within 30 days of the last day of the hearing, the 
hearing officer shall recommend in writing a decision to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (iv) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
In any event, the Regional Administrator will notify interested persons 
of the decision, and the reason(s) therefore, in writing, within 30 days 
of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. The Regional 
Administrator's action constitutes final action for the agency for the 
purposes of the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (5) Any time limit prescribed in this section may be extended for 
good cause, for a period not to exceed 30 days, by the Regional 
Administrator, either upon his or her own motion or upon written request 
from the Council, appellant or applicant stating the reason(s) 
therefore.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2772, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.225  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15 of this part, it is unlawful for any 
person to do any of the following:
    (a) Fish for, take, retain, possess or land any Hawaii coral reef 
ECS in any low-use MPA as defined in Sec. 665.99 unless:
    (1) A valid permit has been issued for the hand harvester or the 
fishing vessel operator that specifies the applicable area of harvest;
    (2) A permit is not required, as outlined in Sec. 665.224; or
    (3) The Hawaii coral reef ECS possessed on board the vessel 
originated outside the management area and this can be demonstrated 
through receipts of purchase, invoices, fishing logbooks or other 
documentation.
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any Hawaii coral reef ECS:
    (1) That is determined overfished with subsequent rulemaking by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (2) By means of gear or methods prohibited under Sec. 665.227.

[[Page 453]]

    (3) In a low-use MPA without a valid special permit.
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 
665.224.
    (c) Fish for, take, or retain any wild live rock or live hard coral 
except under a valid special permit for scientific research, aquaculture 
seed stock collection or traditional and ceremonial purposes by 
indigenous people.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.226  Notifications.

    Any special permit holder subject to the requirements of this 
subpart must contact the appropriate NMFS enforcement agent in American 
Samoa, Guam, or Hawaii at least 24 hours before landing any Hawaii coral 
reef ECS harvested under a special permit, and report the port and the 
approximate date and time at which the catch will be landed.

[84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.227  Allowable gear and gear restrictions.

    (a) Hawaii coral reef ECS may be taken only with the following 
allowable gear and methods:
    (1) Hand harvest;
    (2) Spear;
    (3) Slurp gun;
    (4) Hand net/dip net;
    (5) Hoop net for Kona crab;
    (6) Throw net;
    (7) Barrier net;
    (8) Surround/purse net that is attended at all times;
    (9) Hook-and-line (includes handline (powered or not), rod-and-reel, 
and trolling);
    (10) Crab and fish traps with vessel ID number affixed; and
    (11) Remote-operating vehicles/submersibles.
    (b) Hawaii coral reef ECS may not be taken by means of poisons, 
explosives, or intoxicating substances. Possession or use of these 
materials by any permit holder under this subpart who is established to 
be fishing for coral reef ECS in the management area is prohibited.
    (c) Existing FEP fisheries shall follow the allowable gear and 
methods outlined in their respective plans.
    (d) Any person who intends to fish with new gear not included in 
this section must describe the new gear and its method of deployment in 
the special permit application. A decision on the permissibility of this 
gear type will be made by the Regional Administrator after consultation 
with the Council and the director of the affected state fishery 
management agency.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.228  Gear identification.

    (a) The vessel number must be affixed to all fish and crab traps on 
board the vessel or deployed in the water by any vessel or person 
holding a permit under Sec. 665.13 or Sec. 665.124 or that is 
otherwise established to be fishing for Hawaii coral reef ECS in the 
management area.
    (b) Enforcement action. (1) Traps not marked in compliance with 
paragraph (a) of this section and found deployed in the Hawaii coral 
reef ecosystem management area will be considered unclaimed or abandoned 
property, and may be disposed of in any manner considered appropriate by 
NMFS or an authorized officer.
    (2) Unattended surround nets or bait seine nets found deployed in 
the Hawaii coral reef ecosystem management area will be considered 
unclaimed or abandoned property, and may be disposed of in any manner 
considered appropriate by NMFS or an authorized officer.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. Sec. 665.229-665.239  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.240  Hawaii crustacean fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.241  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.240 through 665.259:
    Hawaii crustacean management area is divided into the following 
areas:
    (1) Crustacean Permit Area 1 (Permit Area 1) means the EEZ around 
the NWHI.
    (2) Crustacean Permit Area 2 (Permit Area 2) means the EEZ around 
the MHI.
    (3) Crustacean Permit Area 1 VMS Subarea means an area within the 
EEZ

[[Page 454]]

around the NWHI 50 nm from the center geographical positions of the 
islands and reefs in the NWHI as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Name                       N. lat.          W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nihoa Island........................  23[deg]05[min]    161[deg]55[min]
Necker Island.......................  23[deg]35[min]    164[deg]40[min]
French Frigate Shoals...............  23[deg]45[min]    166[deg]15[min]
Gardner Pinnacles...................  25[deg]00[min]    168[deg]00[min]
Maro Reef...........................  25[deg]25[min]    170[deg]35[min]
Laysan Island.......................  25[deg]45[min]    171[deg]45[min]
Lisianski Island....................  26[deg]00[min]    173[deg]55[min]
Pearl and Hermes Reef...............  27[deg]50[min]    175[deg]50[min]
Midway Island.......................  28[deg]14[min]    177[deg]22[min]
Kure Island.........................  28[deg]25[min]    178[deg]20[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The remainder of the VMS subarea is delimited by parallel lines tangent
 to and connecting the 50-nm areas around the following: from Nihoa
 Island to Necker Island; from French Frigate Shoals to Gardner
 Pinnacles; from Gardner Pinnacles to Maro Reef; from Laysan Island to
 Lisianski Island; and from Lisianski Island to Pearl and Hermes Reef..
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Hawaii crustacean ecosystem component species (Hawaii crustacean 
ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the Hawaii FEP.
    Hawaii crustacean management unit species (Hawaii crustacean MUS) 
means the following crustaceans:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Local name                 Common name       Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
papa`i kua loa..................  Kona crab.........  Ranina ranina.
                                  deepwater shrimp,   Heterocarpus sp.
                                   nylon shrimp.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested parties means the State of Hawaii Department of Land and 
Natural Resources, the Council, holders of permits issued under Sec. 
665.242, and any person who has notified the Regional Administrator of 
his or her interest in the procedures and decisions described in Sec. 
665.248, and who has specifically requested to be considered an 
``interested party.''
    Lobster grounds refers, singularly or collectively, to the following 
four areas in Crustacean Permit Area 1 that shall be used to manage the 
lobster fishery:
    (1) Necker Island Lobster Grounds--waters bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following coordinates in the order presented: 
24[deg]00[min] N. lat., 165[deg]00[min] W. long.; 24[deg]00[min] N. 
lat., 164[deg]00[min] W. long.; 23[deg]00[min] N. lat., 164[deg]00[min] 
W. long.; and 23[deg]00[min] N. lat., 165[deg]00[min] W. long.
    (2) Gardner Pinnacles Lobster Grounds--waters bounded by straight 
lines connecting the following coordinates in the order presented: 
25[deg]20[min] N. lat., 168[deg]20[min] W. long.; 25[deg]20[min] N. 
lat., 167[deg]40[min] W. long.; 24[deg]20[min] N. lat., 167[deg]40[min] 
W. long.; and 24[deg]20[min] N. lat., 168[deg]20[min] W. long.
    (3) Maro Reef Lobster Grounds--waters bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following coordinates in the order presented: 
25[deg]40[min] N. lat., 171[deg]00[min] W. long.; 25[deg]40[min] N. 
lat., 170[deg]20[min] W. long.; 25[deg]00[min] N. lat., 170[deg]20[min] 
W. long.; and 25[deg]00[min] N. lat., 171[deg]00[min] W. long.
    (4) General NWHI Lobster Grounds--all waters within Crustacean 
Permit Area 1 except for the Necker Island, Gardner Pinnacles, and Maro 
Reef Lobster Grounds.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.242  Permits.

    (a) Applicability. (1) The owner of any vessel used to fish for 
lobster in Permit Area 1 must have a limited access permit issued for 
such vessel.
    (2) The owner of any vessel used to fish for lobster in Permit Area 
2 must have a permit issued for such a vessel.
    (3) The owner of any vessel used to fish for deepwater shrimp in 
Crustacean Permit Areas 1 or 2 must have a permit issued for that 
vessel.
    (4) Harvest of Hawaii crustacean MUS or ECS within the Northwestern 
Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument is subject to the requirements 
of 50 CFR part 404.
    (b) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits issued under 
this section, as applicable, are contained in Sec. 665.13.
    (c) Application. An application for a permit required under this 
section will be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13. If the 
application for a limited access permit is submitted on behalf of a 
partnership or corporation, the application must be accompanied by a 
supplementary information sheet obtained from PIRO and contain the names 
and mailing addresses of all partners or shareholders and their 
respective percentage of ownership in the partnership or corporation.
    (d) Lobster Limited Access Permit Requirements. (1) A lobster 
limited access permit is valid for fishing only in Crustacean Permit 
Area 1.

[[Page 455]]

    (2) Only one permit will be assigned to any vessel.
    (3) No vessel owner will have permits for a single vessel to harvest 
lobsters in Permit Areas 1 and 2 at the same time.
    (4) A maximum of 15 limited access permits can be valid at any time.
    (e) Transfer or sale of limited access permits. (1) Permits may be 
transferred or sold, but no one individual, partnership, or corporation 
will be allowed to hold a whole or partial interest in more than one 
permit, except that an owner who qualifies initially for more than one 
permit may maintain those permits, but may not obtain additional 
permits. Layering of partnerships or corporations shall not insulate a 
permit holder from this requirement.
    (2) If 50 percent or more of the ownership of a limited access 
permit is passed to persons other than those listed on the permit 
application, PIRO must be notified of the change in writing and provided 
copies of the appropriate documents confirming the changes within 30 
days.
    (3) Upon the transfer or sale of a limited access permit, a new 
application must be submitted by the new permit owner according to the 
requirements of Sec. 665.13. The transferred permit is not valid until 
this process is completed.
    (f) Replacement of a vessel covered by a limited access permit. A 
limited access permit issued under this section may, without limitation 
as to frequency, be transferred by the permit holder to a replacement 
vessel owned by that person.
    (g) Issuance of limited access permits to future applicants. (1) The 
Regional Administrator may issue limited access permits under this 
section when fewer than 15 vessel owners hold active permits.
    (2) When the Regional Administrator has determined that limited 
access permits may be issued to new persons, a notice shall be placed in 
the Federal Register, and other means will be used to notify prospective 
applicants of the opportunity to obtain permits under the limited access 
management program.
    (3) A period of 90 days will be provided after publication of the 
Federal Register notice for submission of new applications for a limited 
access permit.
    (4) Limited access permits issued under this paragraph (g) will be 
issued first to applicants qualifying under paragraph (g)(4)(i) of this 
section. If the number of limited access permits available is greater 
than the number of applicants that qualify under paragraph (g)(4)(i) of 
this section, then limited access permits will be issued to applicants 
under paragraph (g)(4)(ii) of this section.
    (i) First priority to receive limited access permits under this 
paragraph (g) goes to owners of vessels that were used to land lobster 
from Permit Area 1 during the period 1983 through 1990, and who were 
excluded from the fishery by implementation of the limited access 
system. If there are insufficient permits for all such applicants, the 
new permits shall be issued by the Regional Administrator through a 
lottery.
    (ii) Second priority to receive limited access permits under 
paragraph (g) goes to owners with the most points, based upon a point 
system. If two or more owners have the same number of points and there 
are insufficient permits for all such owners, the Regional Administrator 
shall issue the permits through a lottery. Under the point system, 
limited access permits will be issued, in descending order, beginning 
with owners who have the most points and proceeding to owners who have 
the least points, based on the following:
    (A) Three points shall be assigned for each calendar year after 
August 8, 1985, that the applicant was the operator of a vessel that was 
used to land lobster from Permit Area 1.
    (B) Two points shall be assigned for each calendar year or partial 
year after August 8, 1985, that the applicant was the owner, operator, 
or crew member of a vessel engaged in either commercial fishing in 
Permit Area 2 for lobster, or fishing in Permit Area 1 for fish other 
than lobster with an intention to sell all or part of the catch.
    (C) One point shall be assigned for each calendar year or partial 
year after August 8, 1985, that the applicant was the owner, operator, 
or crew member of a vessel engaged in any other commercial fishing in 
the EEZ surrounding Hawaii.

[[Page 456]]

    (5) A holder of a new limited access permit must own at least a 50 
percent share in the vessel that the permit would cover.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.243  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in 50 CFR 
Sec. Sec. 600.725 and 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to do any 
of the following:
    (a) In Permit Area 1, it is unlawful for any person to--
    (1) Fish for, take, or retain lobsters--
    (i) Without a limited access permit issued under Sec. 665.242.
    (ii) By methods other than lobster traps or by hand for lobsters, as 
specified in Sec. 665.245.
    (iii) From closed areas for lobsters, as specified in Sec. 665.251.
    (iv) During a closed season, as specified in Sec. 665.250.
    (v) After the closure date, as specified in Sec. 665.252, and until 
the fishery opens again in the following calendar year.
    (vi) In a lobster grounds after closure of that grounds as specified 
in Sec. 665.252(b).
    (2) Fail to report before landing or offloading as specified in 
Sec. 665.244.
    (3) Fail to comply with any protective measures implemented under 
Sec. 665.248.
    (4) Leave a trap unattended in the Hawaii crustacean management area 
except as provided in Sec. 665.245.
    (5) Maintain on board the vessel or in the water more than 1,200 
traps per fishing vessel, of which no more than 1,100 can be assembled 
traps, as specified in Sec. 665.245.
    (6) Land lobsters taken in Permit Area 1 after the closure date, as 
specified in Sec. 665.252, until the fishery opens again the following 
year.
    (7) Refuse to make available to an authorized officer and employee 
of NMFS designated by the Regional Administrator for inspection and 
copying any records that must be made available in accordance with Sec. 
665.14(g)(2).
    (8) Possess on a fishing vessel that has a limited access permit 
issued under Sec. 665.242 any lobster trap in Crustacean Permit Area 1 
when fishing for lobster is prohibited as specified in Sec. Sec. 
665.248, 665.250(a), or 665.252, or except as allowed under Sec. 
665.245(a)(7).
    (9) Possess on a fishing vessel that has a limited access permit 
issued under this subpart any lobster trap in Crustacean Permit Area 1 
VMS Subarea when fishing for lobsters is prohibited as specified in 
Sec. Sec. 665.248, 665.250(a), or 665.252, except as allowed under 
Sec. 665.245(a)(8).
    (10) Interfere with, tamper with, alter, damage, disable, or impede 
the operation of a VMS unit or to attempt any of the same while engaged 
in the Permit Area 1 fishery; or to move or remove a VMS unit while 
engaged in the Permit Area 1 fishery without first notifying the 
Regional Administrator.
    (11) Make a false statement, oral or written, to the Regional 
Administrator or an authorized officer, regarding the certification, 
use, operation, or maintenance of a VMS unit used in the fishery.
    (12) Fail to allow an authorized officer to inspect and certify a 
VMS unit used in the fishery.
    (13) Possess, on a fishing vessel that has a limited access permit 
issued under this subpart, any lobster trap in a lobster grounds that is 
closed under Sec. 665.252(b), unless the vessel has an operational VMS 
unit, certified by NMFS, on board.
    (b) In Permit Area 2, it is unlawful for any person to--
    (1) Fish for, take, or retain lobsters--
    (i) By methods other than lobster traps or by hand, as specified in 
Sec. 665.245; or
    (ii) During a closed season, as specified in Sec. 665.250(b).
    (2) Retain or possess on a fishing vessel any lobster taken in 
Permit Area 2 that is less than the minimum size specified in Sec. 
665.249.
    (3) Possess on a fishing vessel any lobster or lobster part taken in 
Permit Area 2 in a condition where the lobster is not whole and 
undamaged as specified in Sec. 665.249.
    (4) Retain or possess on a fishing vessel, or remove the eggs from, 
any egg-bearing lobster, as specified in Sec. 665.249.
    (5) Possess on a fishing vessel that has a permit for Permit Area 2 
issued under this subpart any lobster trap in Permit Area 2 when fishing 
for lobster in the MHI is prohibited during the

[[Page 457]]

months of May, June, July, and August.
    (c) In Crustacean Permit Areas 1 and 2, it is unlawful for any 
person to fish for, take, or retain deepwater shrimp without a permit 
issued under Sec. 665.242.
    (d) In Crustacean Permit Area 2, it is unlawful for any person to 
fish for, possess, sell, or offer for sale any Kona crab from a closed 
fishery in the Federal waters of the MHI in violation of Sec. 
665.253(b).

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 79929, Dec. 11, 2020]



Sec. 665.244  Notifications.

    (a) The operator of any vessel subject to the requirements of this 
subpart must:
    (1) Report, not less than 24 hours, but not more than 36 hours, 
before landing, the port, the approximate date and the approximate time 
at which spiny and slipper lobsters will be landed.
    (2) Report, not less than 6 hours and not more than 12 hours before 
offloading, the location and time that offloading of spiny and slipper 
lobsters will begin.
    (b) The Regional Administrator will notify permit holders of any 
change in the reporting method and schedule required in paragraph (a) of 
this section at least 30 days prior to the opening of the fishing 
season.



Sec. 665.245  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Permit Area 1. (1) Lobsters may be taken only with lobster traps 
or by hand. Lobsters may not be taken by means of poisons, drugs, other 
chemicals, spears, nets, hook, or explosives.
    (2) The smallest opening of an entry way of any lobster trap may not 
allow any sphere or cylinder greater than 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in 
diameter to pass from outside the trap to inside the trap.
    (3) Each lobster trap must have a minimum of two escape vent panels 
that meet the following requirements:
    (i) Panels must have at least four unobstructed circular holes no 
smaller than 67 mm in diameter, with centers at least 82 mm apart.
    (ii) The lowest part of any opening in an escape vent panel must not 
be more than 85 mm above the floor of the trap.
    (iii) Panels must be placed opposite one another in each trap.
    (4) A vessel fishing for or in possession of lobster in any permit 
area may not have on board the vessel any trap that does not meet the 
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section.
    (5) A maximum of 1,200 traps per vessel may be maintained on board 
or in the water, provided that no more than 1,100 assembled traps are 
maintained on board or in the water. If more than 1,100 traps are 
maintained, the unassembled traps may be carried as spares only, in 
order to replace assembled traps that may be lost or become unusable.
    (6) Traps shall not be left unattended in any permit area, except in 
the event of an emergency, in which case the vessel operator must notify 
the SAC of the emergency that necessitated leaving the traps on the 
grounds, and the location and number of the traps, within 24 hours after 
the vessel reaches port.
    (7) A vessel whose owner has a limited access permit issued under 
this subpart and has an operating VMS unit certified by NMFS may enter 
Crustacean Permit Area 1 with lobster traps on board on or after June 
25, but must remain outside the Crustacean Permit Area 1 VMS Subarea 
until the NWHI lobster season opens on July 1.
    (8) A vessel whose owner has a limited access permit issued under 
this subpart and has on board an operational VMS unit certified by NMFS 
may transit Crustacean Permit Area 1, including Crustacean Permit Area 1 
VMS Subarea, with lobster traps on board for the purpose of moving to 
another lobster grounds or returning to port following the closure date, 
as specified in Sec. 665.252, providing the vessel does not stop or 
fish and is making steady progress to another lobster grounds or back to 
port as determined by NMFS.
    (9) The operator of a permitted vessel must notify the Regional 
Administrator or an authorized officer no later than June 15 of each 
year if the vessel will use a VMS unit in the fishery and allow for 
inspection and certification of the unit.
    (b) Permit Area 2. Lobsters may be taken only with lobster traps or 
by

[[Page 458]]

hand. Lobsters may not be taken by means of poisons, drugs, other 
chemicals, spears, nets, hooks, or explosives.



Sec. 665.246  Gear identification.

    In Permit Area 1, the vessel's official number must be marked 
legibly on all traps and floats maintained on board the vessel or in the 
water by that vessel.



Sec. 665.247  At-sea observer coverage.

    All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.240 though 665.252 and 
subpart A of this part must carry an observer when requested to do so by 
the Regional Administrator.



Sec. 665.248  Monk seal protective measures.

    (a) General. This section establishes a procedure that will be 
followed if the Regional Administrator receives a report of a monk seal 
death that appears to be related to the lobster fishery in Permit Area 
1.
    (b) Notification. Upon receipt of a report of a monk seal death that 
appears to be related to the lobster fishery, the Regional Administrator 
will notify all interested parties of the facts known about the 
incident. The Regional Administrator will also notify them that an 
investigation is in progress, and that, if the investigation reveals a 
threat of harm to the monk seal population, protective measures may be 
implemented.
    (c) Investigation. (1) The Regional Administrator will investigate 
the incident reported and will attempt to:
    (i) Verify that the incident occurred.
    (ii) Determine the extent of the harm to the monk seal population.
    (iii) Determine the probability of a similar incident recurring.
    (iv) Determine details of the incident such as:
    (A) The number of animals involved.
    (B) The cause of the mortality.
    (C) The age and sex of the dead animal(s).
    (D) The relationship of the incident to the reproductive cycle, for 
example, breeding season (March-September), non-breeding season 
(October-February).
    (E) The population estimates or counts of animals at the island 
where the incident occurred.
    (F) Any other relevant information.
    (v) Discover and evaluate any extenuating circumstances.
    (vi) Evaluate any other relevant factors.
    (2) The Regional Administrator will make the results of the 
investigation available to the interested parties and request their 
advice and comments.
    (d) Determination of relationship. The Regional Administrator will 
review and evaluate the results of the investigation and any comments 
received from interested parties. If there is substantial evidence that 
the death of the monk seal was related to the lobster fishery, the 
Regional Administrator will:
    (1) Advise the interested parties of his or her conclusion and the 
facts upon which it is based.
    (2) Request from the interested parties their advice on the 
necessity of protective measures and suggestions for appropriate 
protective measures.
    (e) Determination of response. The Regional Administrator will 
consider all relevant information discovered during the investigation or 
submitted by interested parties in deciding on the appropriate response. 
Protective measures may include, but are not limited to, changes in trap 
design, changes in gear, closures of specific areas, or closures for 
specific periods of time.
    (f) Action by the Regional Administrator. If the Regional 
Administrator decides that protective measures are necessary and 
appropriate, the Regional Administrator will prepare a document that 
describes the incident, the protective measures proposed, and the 
reasons for the protective measures; provide it to the interested 
parties; and request their comments.
    (g) Implementation of protective measures. (1) If, after completing 
the steps described in paragraph (f) of this section, the Regional 
Administrator concludes that protective measures are necessary and 
appropriate, the Regional Administrator will recommend the protective 
measures to the Assistant Administrator and provide notice of this 
recommendation to the Chairman of the Council and the Director of

[[Page 459]]

the Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural 
Resources, State of Hawaii.
    (2) If the Assistant Administrator concurs with the Regional 
Administrator's recommendation, NMFS will publish an action in the 
Federal Register that includes a description of the incident that 
triggered the procedure described in this section, the protective 
measures, and the reasons for the protective measures.
    (h) Notification of ``no action.'' If, at any point in the process 
described in this section, the Regional Administrator or Assistant 
Administrator decides that no further action is required, the interested 
parties will be notified of this decision.
    (i) Effective dates. (1) The protective measures will take effect 10 
days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
    (2) The protective measures will remain in effect for the shortest 
of the following time periods:
    (i) Until the Hawaii FEP and this section are amended to respond to 
the problem;
    (ii) Until other action that will respond to the problem is taken 
under the ESA;
    (iii) Until the Assistant Administrator, following the procedures 
set forth in paragraph (j) of this section, decides that the protective 
measures are no longer required and repeals the measures; or
    (iv) For the period of time set forth in the Federal Register 
notification, not to exceed 3 months. The measures may be renewed for 3 
months after again following procedures in paragraphs (b) through (g) of 
this section.
    (j) Repeal. (1) If the Assistant Administrator decides that 
protective measures may no longer be necessary for the protection of 
monk seals, the Assistant Administrator will notify the interested 
parties of this preliminary decision and the facts upon which it is 
based. The Assistant Administrator will request advice on the proposed 
repeal of the protective measures.
    (2) The Assistant Administrator will consider all relevant 
information obtained by the Regional Administrator or submitted by 
interested parties in deciding whether to repeal the protective 
measures.
    (3) If the Assistant Administrator decides to repeal the protective 
measures--
    (i) Interested parties will be notified of the decision; and
    (ii) Notification of repeal and the reasons for the repeal will be 
published in the Federal Register.
    (k) Monk seal emergency protective measures--(1) Determination of 
emergency. If, at any time during the process described in paragraphs 
(a) through (j) of this section, the Regional Administrator determines 
that an emergency exists involving monk seal mortality related to the 
lobster fishery and that measures are needed immediately to protect the 
monk seal population, the Regional Administrator will--
    (i) Notify the interested parties of this determination and request 
their immediate advice and comments.
    (ii) Forward a recommendation for emergency action and any advice 
and comments received from interested parties to the Assistant 
Administrator.
    (2) Implementation of emergency measures. If the Assistant 
Administrator agrees with the recommendation for emergency action--
    (i) The Regional Administrator will determine the appropriate 
emergency protective measures.
    (ii) NMFS will publish the emergency protective measures in the 
Federal Register.
    (iii) The Regional Administrator will notify the interested parties 
of the emergency protective measures. Holders of permits to fish in 
Permit Area I will be notified by certified mail. Permit holders that 
the Regional Administrator knows are on the fishing grounds also will be 
notified by radio.
    (3) Effective dates. (i) Emergency protective measures are effective 
against a permit holder at 12:01 a.m., local time, of the day following 
the day the permit holder receives actual notice of the measures.
    (ii) Emergency protective measures are effective for 10 days from 
the day following the day the first permit holder is notified of the 
protective measures.
    (iii) Emergency protective measures may be extended for an 
additional 10

[[Page 460]]

days, if necessary, to allow the completion of the procedures set out in 
Sec. 665.252.



Sec. 665.249  Lobster size and condition restrictions in Permit Area 2.

    (a) Only spiny lobsters with a carapace length of 8.26 cm or greater 
may be retained (see Figure 1 to this part).
    (b) Any lobster with a punctured or mutilated body, or a separated 
carapace and tail, may not be retained.
    (c) A female lobster of any size may not be retained if it is 
carrying eggs externally. Eggs may not be removed from female lobsters.



Sec. 665.250  Closed seasons.

    (a) Lobster fishing is prohibited in Permit Area 1 during the months 
of January through June, inclusive.
    (b) Lobster fishing is prohibited in Permit Area 2 during the months 
of May, June, July, and August.



Sec. 665.251  Closed areas.

    All lobster fishing is prohibited:
    (a) Within 20 nm of Laysan Island.
    (b) Within the EEZ landward of the 10-fathom curve as depicted on 
National Ocean Survey Charts, Numbers 19022, 19019, and 19016.



Sec. 665.252  Harvest limitation program.

    (a) General. Harvest guidelines for the Necker Island Lobster 
Grounds, Gardner Pinnacles Lobster Grounds, Maro Reef Lobster Grounds, 
and General NWHI Lobster Grounds for Permit Area 1 will be set annually 
for the calendar year and shall:
    (1) Apply to the total catch of spiny and slipper lobsters.
    (2) Be expressed in terms of numbers of lobsters.
    (b) Harvest guideline. (1) The Regional Administrator shall use 
information from daily lobster catch reports and lobster sales reports 
from previous years, and may use information from research sampling and 
other sources to establish the annual harvest guideline in accordance 
with the FEP after consultation with the Council.
    (2) NMFS shall publish a document indicating the annual harvest 
guideline in the Federal Register by February 28 of each year and shall 
use other means to notify permit holders of the harvest guideline for 
the year.
    (3) The Regional Administrator shall determine, on the basis of the 
information reported to NMFS by the operator of each vessel fishing, 
when the harvest guideline for each lobster ground will be reached.
    (4) Notice of the date when the harvest guideline for a lobster 
ground is expected to be reached and specification of the closure date 
of the lobster grounds will be provided to each permit holder and/or 
operator of each permitted vessel at least 24 hours in advance of the 
closure. After a closure, the harvest of lobster in that lobster ground 
is prohibited, and the possession of lobster traps on board the vessel 
in that lobster ground is prohibited unless allowed under Sec. 
665.245(a)(8).
    (5) With respect to the notification in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section, NMFS shall provide each permit holder and operator of each 
permitted vessel with the following information, as appropriate:
    (i) Determination of when the overall harvest guideline for 
Crustacean Permit Area 1 will be reached;
    (ii) Closure date after which harvest of lobster or possession of 
lobster traps on board the vessel in a lobster grounds is prohibited;
    (iii) Closure date after which the possession of lobster traps on 
board the vessel in Crustacean Permit Area 1 is prohibited by any 
permitted vessel that is not operating a VMS unit certified by NMFS; and
    (iv) Specification of when further landings of lobster will be 
prohibited by permitted vessels not carrying an operational VMS unit, 
certified by NMFS, on board.
    (c) Monitoring and adjustment. The operator of each vessel fishing 
during the open season shall report lobster catch (by species) and 
effort (number of trap hauls) data while at sea to NMFS in Honolulu. The 
Regional Administrator shall notify permit holders of the reporting 
method, schedule, and logistics at least 30 days prior to the opening of 
the fishing season.

[[Page 461]]



Sec. 665.253  Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Annual Catch Targets (ACT).

    (a) Deepwater Shrimp. (1) In accordance with Sec. 665.4, the ACLs 
for each fishing year are as follows:

                                           Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Fishing year                        2022             2023             2024             2025
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACL (lb)....................................         250,773          250,773          250,773          250,773
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) If the average catch of the three most recent years of deepwater 
shrimp exceeds the specified ACL in a fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator will reduce the ACL for the subsequent year by the amount 
of the overage.
    (b) MHI Kona crab. (1) In accordance with Sec. 665.4, the ACLs and 
ACTs for each fishing year are as follows:

                                           Table 2 to paragraph (b)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Fishing year                         2020            2021            2022            2023
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACL (lb)........................................          30,802          30,802          30,802          30,802
ACT (lb)........................................          25,491          25,491          25,491          25,491
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) When the ACT is projected to be reached based on analyses of 
available information, the Regional Administrator shall publish a 
document to that effect in the Federal Register and shall use other 
means to notify affected fishermen. The document will include an 
advisement that the fishery will be closed beginning on a specified 
date, which is not earlier than 7 days after the date of filing the 
closure notice for public inspection at the Office of the Federal 
Register, until the end of the fishing year in which the ACL is reached.
    (3) On and after the date specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, no person may fish for, possess, sell, or offer for sale any 
Kona crab from a closed fishery in the Federal waters of the MHI, except 
as otherwise allowed in this section.
    (4) If landings exceed the specified ACL in a fishing year, the 
Regional Administrator will reduce the ACL and the ACT for the 
subsequent year by the amount of the overage.

[85 FR 79929, Dec. 11, 2020, as amended at 88 FR 14082, Mar. 7, 2023]



Sec. Sec. 665.254-665.259  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.260  Hawaii precious coral fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.261  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.260 through 665.270:
    Hawaii precious coral ecosystem component species (Hawaii precious 
coral ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the Hawaii FEP.
    Hawaii precious coral management unit species (Hawaii precious coral 
MUS) means the following species:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Common name                        Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pink coral................................  Pleurocorallium secundum.
Red coral.................................  Hemicorallium laauense.
Gold coral................................  Kulamanamana haumeaae.
Bamboo coral..............................  Acanella sp.
Black coral...............................  Antipathes griggi,
                                             Antipathes grandis,
                                             Myriopathes ulex.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Hawaii precious coral permit area means the area encompassing the 
precious coral beds within the EEZ around Hawaii. Each bed is designated 
by a permit area code and assigned to one of the following four 
categories:
    (1) Established beds. (i) Makapu'u (Oahu), Permit Area E-B-1, 
includes the area within a radius of 2.0 nm of a point at 
21[deg]18.0[min] N. lat., 157[deg]32.5[min] W. long.

[[Page 462]]

    (ii) Au'au Channel (Maui), Permit Area E-B-2, includes the area west 
and south of a point at 21[deg]10[min] N. lat., 156[deg]40[min] W. 
long., and east of a point at 21[deg] N. lat., 157[deg] W. long., and 
west and north of a point at 20[deg]45[min] N. lat., 156[deg]40[min] W. 
long.
    (2) Conditional beds. (i) Keahole Point (Hawaii), Permit Area C-B-1, 
includes the area within a radius of 0.5 nm of a point at 
19[deg]46.0[min] N. lat., 156[deg]06.0[min] W. long.
    (ii) Kaena Point (Oahu), Permit Area C-B-2, includes the area within 
a radius of 0.5 nm of a point at 21[deg]35.4[min] N. lat., 
158[deg]22.9[min] W. long.
    (iii) Brooks Bank, Permit Area C-B-3, includes the area within a 
radius of 2.0 nm of a point at 24[deg]06.0[min] N. lat., 
166[deg]48.0[min] W. long.
    (iv) 180 Fathom Bank, Permit Area C-B-4, N.W. of Kure Atoll, 
includes the area within a radius of 2.0 nm of a point at 
28[deg]50.2[min] N. lat., 178[deg]53.4[min] W. long.
    (3) Refugia. Westpac Bed, Permit Area R-1, includes the area within 
a radius of 2.0 nm of a point at 23[deg]18[min] N. lat., 162[deg]35[min] 
W. long.
    (4) Exploratory areas. Permit Area X-P-H includes all coral beds, 
other than established beds, conditional beds, or refugia, in the EEZ 
seaward of the State of Hawaii.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.262  Permits.

    (a) Any vessel of the United States fishing for, taking, or 
retaining Hawaii precious coral MUS or ECS in any Hawaiian Archipelago 
precious coral permit area must have a permit issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (b) Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the permit area 
specified on the permit. Precious Coral Permit Areas are defined in 
Sec. 665.261.
    (c) No more than one permit will be valid for any one vessel at any 
one time.
    (d) No more than one permit will be valid for any one person at any 
one time.
    (e) The holder of a valid permit to fish one permit area may obtain 
a permit to fish another permit area only upon surrendering to the 
Regional Administrator any current permit for the precious coral fishery 
issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (f) General requirements governing application information, 
issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, alteration, display, 
sanctions, and appeals for permits for the precious coral fishery are 
contained in Sec. 665.13.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.263  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in 50 CFR 600.725 
and in 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Use any vessel to fish for, take, retain, possess or land 
precious coral in any Hawaii precious coral permit area, unless a permit 
has been issued for that vessel and area as specified in Sec. 665.13 
and that permit is on board the vessel.
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any species of Hawaii precious coral 
MUS or Hawaii precious coral ECS in any precious coral permit area:
    (1) By means of gear or methods prohibited by Sec. 665.264.
    (2) In refugia specified in Sec. 665.261.
    (3) In a bed for which the ACL specified in Sec. 665.269 has been 
attained.
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 
665.17.
    (5) In a bed that has been closed pursuant to Sec. Sec. 665.268 or 
665.270.
    (c) Take and retain, possess, or land any live Hemicorallium 
laauense, Pleurocorallium secundum, Corallium sp., or live black coral 
from any precious coral permit area that is less than the minimum height 
specified in Sec. 665.265 unless:
    (1) A valid EFP was issued under Sec. 665.17 for the vessel and the 
vessel was operating under the terms of the permit; or
    (2) The coral originated outside coral beds listed in this 
paragraph, and this can be demonstrated through receipts of purchase, 
invoices, or other documentation.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2773, Feb. 8, 2019; 85 
FR 26624, May 5, 2020]



Sec. 665.264  Gear restrictions.

    Only selective gear may be used to harvest coral from any precious 
coral permit area.

[[Page 463]]



Sec. 665.265  Size restrictions.

    The height of a live coral specimen shall be determined by a 
straight line measurement taken from its base to its most distal 
extremity. The stem diameter of a living coral specimen shall be 
determined by measuring the greatest diameter of the stem at a point no 
less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the top surface of the living holdfast.
    (a) Live Hemicorallium laauense, Pleurocorallium secundum, or 
Corallium sp. harvested from any precious coral permit area must have 
attained a minimum height of 10 inches (25.4 cm).
    (b) Live black coral harvested from any precious coral permit area 
must have attained either a minimum stem diameter of 1 inch (2.54 cm), 
or a minimum height of 48 inches (122 cm).

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.266  Area restrictions.

    Fishing for coral on the WestPac Bed is not allowed. The specific 
area closed to fishing is all waters within a 2-nm radius of the 
midpoint of 23[deg]18.0[min] N. lat., 162[deg]35.0[min] W. long.



Sec. 665.267  Seasons.

    The fishing year for precious coral begins on July 1 and ends on 
June 30 the following year.

[85 FR 26624, May 5, 2020]



Sec. 665.268  Closures.

    (a) If the Regional Administrator determines that the ACL for any 
coral bed will be reached prior to the end of the fishing year, NMFS 
shall publish a document to that effect in the Federal Register and 
shall use other means to notify permit holders. Any such notice must 
indicate the fishery shall be closed, the reason for the closure, the 
specific bed being closed, and the effective date of the closure.
    (b) A closure is also effective for a permit holder upon the permit 
holder's actual harvest of the applicable quota.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 26624, May 5, 2020]



Sec. 665.269  Annual Catch Limits (ACL).

    (a) General. The ACLs limiting the amount of precious coral that may 
be taken in any precious coral permit area during the fishing year are 
listed in paragraph (c) of this section. Only live coral is counted 
toward the ACL. The accounting period for each fishing year for all 
precious coral ACLs begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the following 
year.
    (b) Reserves and reserve release. The ACL for exploratory area X-P-H 
will be held in reserve for harvest by vessels of the United States in 
the following manner:
    (1) At the start of the fishing year, the reserve for the Hawaii 
exploratory areas will equal the ACL minus the estimated domestic annual 
harvest for that year.
    (2) As soon as practicable after December 31 each year, the Regional 
Administrator will determine the amount harvested by vessels of the 
United States between July 1 and December 31 of the year that just ended 
on December 31.
    (3) NMFS will release to TALFF an amount of Hawaii precious coral 
for each exploratory area equal to the ACL minus two times the amount 
harvested by vessels of the United States in that July 1-December 31 
period.
    (4) NMFS will publish in the Federal Register a notification of the 
Regional Administrator's determination and a summary of the information 
on which it is based as soon as practicable after the determination is 
made.
    (c) Precious coral. In accordance with Sec. 665.4, the ACLs for MHI 
precious coral permit areas for each fishing year are as follows:

                                            Table 1 to Paragraph (c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    2022-23 ACL     2023-24 ACL     2024-25 ACL
           Type of coral bed               Area and coral group        (lb)            (lb)            (lb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Established bed........................  Auau Channel--Black               5,512           5,512           5,512
                                          coral.
                                         Makapuu Bed--Pink and             2,205           2,205           2,205
                                          red coral.
                                         Makapuu Bed--Bamboo                 551             551             551
                                          coral.
Conditional Beds.......................  180 Fathom Bank--Pink               489             489             489
                                          and red coral.
                                         180 Fathom Bank--Bamboo             123             123             123
                                          coral.

[[Page 464]]

 
                                         Brooks Bank--Pink and               979             979             979
                                          red coral.
                                         Brooks Bank--Bamboo                 245             245             245
                                          coral.
                                         Kaena Point Bed--Pink               148             148             148
                                          and red coral.
                                         Kaena Point Bed--Bamboo              37              37              37
                                          coral.
                                         Keahole Bed--Pink and               148             148             148
                                          red coral.
                                         Keahole Bed--Bamboo                  37              37              37
                                          coral.
Exploratory Area.......................  Hawaii--precious coral.           2,205           2,205           2,205
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1 to Sec. 665.269: No fishing for coral is authorized in 
refugia.
    Note 2 to Sec. 665.269: A moratorium on gold coral harvesting is in 
effect through June 30, 2023.

[85 FR 26624, May 5, 2020, as amended at 88 FR 14082, Mar. 7, 2023]



Sec. 665.270  Gold coral harvest moratorium.

    Fishing for, taking, or retaining any gold coral MUS or ECS in any 
precious coral permit area is prohibited through June 30, 2023.

[84 FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019]



                 Subpart D_Mariana Archipelago Fisheries



Sec. 665.398  Management area.

    The Mariana fishery management area is the EEZ seaward of Guam and 
CNMI with the inner boundary a line coterminous with the seaward 
boundaries of Guam and CNMI and the outer boundary a line drawn in such 
a manner that each point on it is 200 nautical miles from the baseline 
from which the territorial sea is measured, or is coterminous with 
adjacent international maritime boundaries.



Sec. 665.399  Area restrictions.

    Anchoring by all fishing vessels over 50 ft (15.25 m) LOA is 
prohibited in the U.S. EEZ seaward of Guam west of 144[deg]30[min] E. 
long. except in the event of an emergency caused by ocean conditions or 
by a vessel malfunction that can be documented.



Sec. 665.400  Mariana bottomfish fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.401  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.400 through 665.419:
    CNMI commercial bottomfish permit means the permit required by Sec. 
665.404(a)(2) to engage in commercial fishing for Mariana bottomfish MUS 
in the CNMI management subarea.
    Guam bottomfish permit means the permit required by Sec. 
665.404(a)(1) to use a large vessel to fish for, land, or transship 
Mariana bottomfish MUS shoreward of the outer boundary of the Guam 
subarea of the Mariana fishery management area.
    Mariana bottomfish ecosystem component species (Mariana bottomfish 
ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the Marianas Archipelago 
FEP and not defined as Mariana bottomfish MUS.
    Mariana bottomfish management unit species (Mariana bottomfish MUS) 
means the following fish:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Local name                     Common name                         Scientific name
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) lehi/maroobw.....................  red snapper,             Aphareus rutilans.
                                        silvermouth.
(2) tarakitu/etam....................  giant trevally, jack...  Caranx ignobilis.
(3) tarakiton attelong, orong........  black trevally, jack...  Caranx lugubris.
(4) bueli, bwele.....................  lunartail grouper......  Variola louti.
(5) buninas agaga', falaghal moroobw.  red snapper............  Etelis carbunculus.
(6) abuninas, taighulupegh...........  red snapper............  Etelis coruscans.
(7) mafuti, atigh....................  redgill emperor........  Lethrinus rubrioperculatus.
(8) funai, saas......................  blueline snapper.......  Lutjanus kasmira.
(9) buninas, falaghal-maroobw........  yellowtail snapper.....  Pristipomoides auricilla.
(10) buninas, pakapaka, falaghal-      pink snapper...........  Pristipomoides filamentosus.
 maroobw,.
(11) buninas, falaghal-maroobw.......  yelloweye snapper......  Pristipomoides flavipinnis.

[[Page 465]]

 
(12) buninas, falaghal-maroobw.......  pink snapper...........  Pristipomoides sieboldii.
(13) buninas rayao amariyu, falaghal-  flower snapper.........  Pristipomoides zonatus.
 maroobw.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019; 84 
FR 29397, June 24, 2019]



Sec. 665.402  Management subareas.

    The Mariana fishery management area is divided into bottomfish 
management subareas with the following designations and boundaries:
    (a) Guam Management Subarea means the EEZ seaward of the Territory 
of Guam, with the inner boundary defined as a line coterminous with the 
seaward boundary of the Territory of Guam.
    (b) CNMI Management Subarea means the EEZ seaward of the CNMI, with 
the inner boundary defined as a line coterminous with the seaward 
boundary of the CNMI.
    (c) The outer boundary of each fishery management area is a line 
drawn in such a manner that each point on it is 200 nautical miles from 
the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, or is 
coterminous with adjacent international maritime boundaries. The 
boundary between the fishery management areas of Guam and the CNMI 
extends to those points that are equidistant between Guam and the island 
of Rota in the CNMI. CNMI and Guam management subareas are divided by a 
line intersecting these two points: 148[deg] E. long., 12[deg] N. lat., 
and 142[deg] E. long., 16[deg] N. lat.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 61626, Sept. 7, 2016]



Sec. 665.403  Bottomfish fishery area management.

    (a) Guam large vessel bottomfish prohibited area (Area GU-1). A 
large vessel of the United States, as defined in Sec. 665.12, may not 
be used to fish for Mariana bottomfish MUS or ECS in the Guam large 
vessel bottomfish prohibited area, defined as the U.S. EEZ waters 
surrounding Guam that are enclosed by straight lines connecting the 
following coordinates in the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     N. lat.            E. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-A..........................  14[deg]16[min]      144[deg]17[min]
GU-1-B..........................  13[deg]50[min]      143[deg]52[min]
GU-1-C..........................  13[deg]17[min]      143[deg]46[min]
GU-1-D..........................  12[deg]50[min]      143[deg]54[min]
GU-1-E..........................  12[deg]30[min]      144[deg]14[min]
GU-1-F..........................  12[deg]25[min]      144[deg]51[min]
GU-1-G..........................  12[deg]57[min]      145[deg]33[min]
GU-1-H..........................  13[deg]12[min]      145[deg]43[min]
GU-1-I..........................  13[deg]29[min]44[s  145[deg]48[min]27[
                                   ec]                 sec]
GU-1-A..........................  14[deg]16[min]      144[deg]17[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) [Reserved]

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 61626, Sept. 7, 2016; 84 
FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.404  Permits.

    (a) Applicability--(1) Guam large vessel. The owner of any large 
vessel used to fish for, land, or transship Mariana bottomfish MUS or 
ECS shoreward of the outer boundary of the Guam subarea must have a 
permit issued under this section, and the permit must be registered for 
use with that vessel.
    (2) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) commercial. 
The owner of any vessel used to commercially fish for, transship, 
receive, or land Mariana bottomfish MUS or ECS shoreward of the outer 
boundary of the CNMI management subarea must have a permit issued under 
this section, and the permit must be registered for use with that 
vessel.
    (b) Submission. An application for a permit required under this 
section must be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.405  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to do 
any of the following:
    (a) Fish for Mariana bottomfish MUS or ECS using gear prohibited 
under Sec. 665.406.
    (b) Use a large vessel that does not have a valid Guam bottomfish 
permit registered for use with that vessel to

[[Page 466]]

fish for, land, or transship Mariana bottomfish MUS or ECS shoreward of 
the outer boundary of the Guam management subarea of the bottomfish 
fishery management area in violation of Sec. 665.404(a).
    (c) Use a large vessel to fish for Mariana bottomfish MUS or ECS 
within the Guam large vessel bottomfish prohibited area, as defined in 
Sec. 665.403(a).
    (d) Land or transship, shoreward of the outer boundary of the Guam 
management subarea of the bottomfish fishery management area, Mariana 
bottomfish MUS or ECS that were harvested in violation of Sec. 
665.405(c).
    (e) Use a vessel to fish commercially for Mariana bottomfish MUS or 
ECS in the CNMI management subarea without a valid CNMI commercial 
bottomfish permit registered for use with that vessel, in violation of 
Sec. 665.404(a)(2).
    (f) Falsify or fail to make, keep, maintain, or submit a Federal 
logbook as required under Sec. 665.14(b) when using a vessel to engage 
in commercial fishing for Mariana bottomfish MUS or ECS in the CNMI 
management subarea in violation of Sec. 665.14(b).
    (g) Fish for or possess any Mariana Bottomfish MUS as defined in 
Sec. 665.401 in the Guam Management Subarea after a closure of the 
fishery in violation of Sec. 665.409(d).
    (h) Sell or offer for sale any Mariana Bottomfish MUS as defined in 
Sec. 665.401 in the Guam Management Subarea after a closure of the 
fishery in violation of Sec. 665.409(e).

[84 FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019, as amended at 87 FR 9272, Feb. 18, 2022]



Sec. 665.406  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets. Fishing for bottomfish 
with bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets is prohibited.
    (b) Possession of gear. Possession of a bottom trawl and bottom set 
gillnet by any vessel having a permit under Sec. 665.404 or otherwise 
established to be fishing for bottomfish in the management subareas is 
prohibited.
    (c) Poisons and explosives. The possession or use of any poisons, 
explosives, or intoxicating substances for the purpose of harvesting 
bottomfish is prohibited.



Sec. 665.407  At-sea observer coverage.

    All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.400 through 665.407 
must carry an observer when directed to do so by the Regional 
Administrator.



Sec. 665.408  CNMI Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Annual Catch Targets (ACT).

    (a) In accordance with Sec. 665.4, the ACL and ACT for Mariana 
bottomfish MUS in the CNMI Management Subarea for each fishing year is 
as follows:

                                            Table 1 to Paragraph (a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       2021            2022            2023
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACL (lb)........................................................          84,000          84,000          84,000
ACT (lb)........................................................          78,000          78,000          78,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) If the average catch of the three most recent years exceeds the 
specified ACL in a fishing year, the Regional Administrator will reduce 
the ACL and the ACT for the subsequent year by the amount of the overage 
in a separate rulemaking.

[87 FR 9272, Feb. 18, 2022]



Sec. 665.409  Guam Annual Catch Limits (ACL).

    (a) In accordance with Sec. 665.4, the ACL for Mariana bottomfish 
MUS in the Guam Management Subarea is 31,000 lb.
    (b) When NMFS projects the ACL will be reached, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish a document to that effect in the Federal 
Register and shall use other means to notify permit holders. The 
document will include an advisement that the fishery will be closed, 
beginning at a specified date that is not earlier than seven days after 
the date of filing the closure notice for public inspection at the 
Office of the Federal Register, through the end of

[[Page 467]]

the fishing year in which the catch limit is reached.
    (c) If the ACL is exceeded in any fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish a document to that effect in the Federal 
Register and shall use other means to notify permit holders. The 
document will include an advisement that the fishery will be closed, 
beginning at a specified date that is not earlier than seven days after 
the date of filing the closure notice for public inspection at the 
Office of the Federal Register. The fishery will remain closed until 
such time that a coordinated approach to management is developed and 
regulations are implemented that ensures catch in both Federal and 
territorial waters can be maintained at levels that allow the stock to 
rebuild or the rebuilding plan is modified based on the best scientific 
information available.
    (d) On and after the date the fishery is closed as specified in 
paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, fishing for and possession of 
Mariana bottomfish MUS is prohibited in the Guam Management Subarea, 
except as otherwise authorized by law.
    (e) On and after the date the fishery is closed as specified in 
paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, sale, offering for sale, and 
purchase of any Mariana bottomfish MUS caught in the Guam Management 
Subarea is prohibited.

[87 FR 9272, Feb. 18, 2022]



Sec. Sec. 665.410-665.419  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.420  Mariana coral reef ecosystem fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.421  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.420 through 665.439, Mariana coral reef 
ecosystem component species (Mariana coral reef ECS) are those species 
identified in the Marianas Archipelago FEP and are not defined as MUS or 
another ECS in this subpart.

[84 FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.422  Management area.

    The Mariana coral reef management area consists of the U.S. EEZ 
around Guam and the offshore area of the CNMI or that portion of the 
U.S. EEZ around CNMI between three nautical miles offshore and the outer 
boundary of the U.S. EEZ. The inner boundary of the management area is 
the seaward boundaries of the Territory of Guam, and a line three 
nautical miles seaward from the shoreline of CNMI. The outer boundary of 
the management area is the outer boundary of the U.S. EEZ or adjacent 
international maritime boundaries. The CNMI and Guam management area is 
divided by a line intersecting these two points: 148[deg] E. long., 
12[deg] N. lat., and 142[deg] E. long., 16[deg] N. lat.



Sec. 665.423  Relation to other laws.

    To ensure consistency between the management regimes of different 
Federal agencies with shared management responsibilities of fishery 
resources within the Mariana coral reef ecosystem management area, 
fishing for Mariana coral reef ECS is not allowed within the boundary of 
a National Wildlife Refuge unless specifically authorized by the USFWS, 
regardless of whether that refuge was established by action of the 
President or the Secretary of the Interior.

[84 FR 2774, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.424  Permits and fees.

    (a) Applicability. Unless otherwise specified in this subpart, Sec. 
665.13 applies to coral reef ecosystem permits.
    (1) Special permit. Any person of the United States fishing for, 
taking or retaining Mariana coral reef ECS must have a special permit if 
they, or a vessel which they operate, is used to fish for any:
    (i) Mariana coral reef ecosystem MUS ECS in low-use MPAs as defined 
in Sec. 665.399;
    (ii) Mariana coral reef ECS in the coral reef ecosystem management 
area; or
    (iii) Mariana coral reef ECS in the Mariana coral reef ecosystem 
management area with any gear not specifically allowed in this subpart.
    (2) Transshipment permit. A receiving vessel must be registered for 
use with a transshipment permit if that vessel is used in the Mariana 
coral reef ecosystem management area to land or transship any Mariana 
coral reef ECS harvested within low-use MPAs.

[[Page 468]]

    (3) Exceptions. The following persons are not required to have a 
permit under this section:
    (i) Any person issued a permit to fish under any FEP who 
incidentally catches Mariana coral reef ECS while fishing for bottomfish 
MUS or ECS, crustacean ECS, western Pacific pelagic MUS, precious coral 
ECS, or seamount groundfish MUS.
    (ii) Any person fishing for Mariana coral reef ECS outside of an 
MPA, who does not retain any Mariana coral reef ECS.
    (iii) Any person collecting marine organisms for scientific research 
as described in Sec. 665.17, or Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.
    (b) Validity. Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the 
fishery management area specified on the permit.
    (c) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits are contained in 
Sec. 665.13.
    (d) Special permit. The Regional Administrator shall issue a special 
permit in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in this 
section.
    (1) Application. An applicant for a special or transshipment permit 
issued under this section must complete, and submit to the Regional 
Administrator, a Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit Application 
Form issued by NMFS. Information in the application form must include, 
but is not limited to, a statement describing the objectives of the 
fishing activity for which a special permit is needed, including a 
general description of the expected disposition of the resources 
harvested under the permit (i.e., stored live, fresh, frozen, preserved; 
sold for food, ornamental, research, or other use; and a description of 
the planned fishing operation, including location of fishing and gear 
operation, amount and species (directed and incidental) expected to be 
harvested and estimated habitat and protected species impacts).
    (2) Incomplete applications. The Regional Administrator may request 
from an applicant additional information necessary to make the 
determinations required under this section. An applicant will be 
notified of an incomplete application within 10 working days of receipt 
of the application. An incomplete application will not be considered 
until corrected and completed in writing.
    (3) Issuance. (i) If an application contains all of the required 
information, the Regional Administrator will forward copies of the 
application within 30 days to the Council, the USCG, the fishery 
management agency of the affected state, and other interested parties 
who have identified themselves to the Council, and the USFWS.
    (ii) Within 60 days following receipt of a complete application, the 
Regional Administrator will consult with the Council through its 
Executive Director, USFWS, and the Director of the affected state 
fishery management agency concerning the permit application, and will 
receive their recommendations for approval or disapproval of the 
application based on:
    (A) Information provided by the applicant;
    (B) The current domestic annual harvesting and processing capacity 
of the directed and incidental species for which a special permit is 
being requested;
    (C) The current status of resources to be harvested in relation to 
the overfishing definition in the FEP;
    (D) Estimated ecosystem, habitat, and protected species impacts of 
the proposed activity; and
    (E) Other biological and ecological information relevant to the 
proposal. The applicant will be provided with an opportunity to appear 
in support of the application.
    (iii) Following a review of the Council's recommendation and 
supporting rationale, the Regional Administrator may:
    (A) Concur with the Council's recommendation and, after finding that 
it is consistent with the goals and objectives of the FEP, the national 
standards, the Endangered Species Act, and other applicable laws, 
approve or deny a special permit; or
    (B) Reject the Council's recommendation, in which case, written 
reasons will be provided by the Regional Administrator to the Council 
for the rejection.

[[Page 469]]

    (iv) If the Regional Administrator does not receive a recommendation 
from the Council within 60 days of Council receipt of the permit 
application, the Regional Administrator can make a determination of 
approval or denial independently.
    (v) Within 30 working days after the consultation in paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section, or as soon as practicable thereafter, NMFS 
will notify the applicant in writing of the decision to grant or deny 
the special permit and, if denied, the reasons for the denial. Grounds 
for denial of a special permit include the following:
    (A) The applicant has failed to disclose material information 
required, or has made false statements as to any material fact, in 
connection with his or her application.
    (B) According to the best scientific information available, the 
directed or incidental catch in the season or location specified under 
the permit would detrimentally affect any coral reef resource or coral 
reef ecosystem in a significant way, including, but not limited to, 
issues related to spawning grounds or seasons, protected species 
interactions, EFH, and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC).
    (C) Issuance of the special permit would inequitably allocate 
fishing privileges among domestic fishermen or would have economic 
allocation as its sole purpose.
    (D) The method or amount of harvest in the season and/or location 
stated on the permit is considered inappropriate based on previous human 
or natural impacts in the given area.
    (E) NMFS has determined that the maximum number of permits for a 
given area in a given season has been reached and allocating additional 
permits in the same area would be detrimental to the resource.
    (F) The activity proposed under the special permit would create a 
significant enforcement problem.
    (vi) The Regional Administrator may attach conditions to the special 
permit, if it is granted, consistent with the management objectives of 
the FEP, including, but not limited to:
    (A) The maximum amount of each resource that can be harvested and 
landed during the term of the special permit, including trip limits, 
where appropriate.
    (B) The times and places where fishing may be conducted.
    (C) The type, size, and amount of gear which may be used by each 
vessel operated under the special permit.
    (D) Data reporting requirements.
    (E) Such other conditions as may be necessary to ensure compliance 
with the purposes of the special permit consistent with the objectives 
of the FEP.
    (4) Appeals of permit actions.
    (i) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, any 
applicant for a permit or a permit holder may appeal the granting, 
denial, conditioning, or suspension of their permit or a permit 
affecting their interests to the Regional Administrator. In order to be 
considered by the Regional Administrator, such appeal must be in 
writing, must state the action(s) appealed, and the reasons therefore, 
and must be submitted within 30 days of the original action(s) by the 
Regional Administrator. The appellant may request an informal hearing on 
the appeal.
    (ii) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the permit applicant, or permit 
holder as appropriate, and will request such additional information and 
in such form as will allow action upon the appeal. Upon receipt of 
sufficient information, the Regional Administrator will rule on the 
appeal in accordance with the permit eligibility criteria set forth in 
this section and the FEP, as appropriate, based upon information 
relative to the application on file at NMFS and the Council and any 
additional information, the summary record kept of any hearing and the 
hearing officer's recommended decision, if any, and such other 
considerations as deemed appropriate. The Regional Administrator will 
notify all interested persons of the decision, and the reasons 
therefore, in writing, normally within 30 days of the receipt of 
sufficient information, unless additional time is needed for a hearing.
    (iii) If a hearing is requested, or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal

[[Page 470]]

hearing before a hearing officer designated for that purpose after first 
giving notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the hearing in 
the Federal Register. Such a hearing shall normally be held no later 
than 30 days following publication of the notice in the Federal 
Register, unless the hearing officer extends the time for reasons deemed 
equitable. The appellant, the applicant (if different), and, at the 
discretion of the hearing officer, other interested parties, may appear 
personally and/or be represented by counsel at the hearing and submit 
information and present arguments as determined appropriate by the 
hearing officer. Within 30 days of the last day of the hearing, the 
hearing officer shall recommend in writing a decision to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (iv) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
In any event, the Regional Administrator will notify interested persons 
of the decision, and the reason(s) therefore, in writing, within 30 days 
of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. The Regional 
Administrator's action constitutes final action for the agency for the 
purposes of the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may extend, for good cause, any time 
limit prescribed in this section for a period not to exceed 30 days, 
either upon his or her own motion or upon written request from the 
Council, appellant or applicant stating the reason(s) therefore.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.425  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15 of this part, it is unlawful for any 
person to do any of the following:
    (a) Fish for, take, retain, possess or land any Mariana coral reef 
ECS in any low-use MPA as defined in Sec. 665.12 unless:
    (1) A valid permit has been issued for the hand harvester or the 
fishing vessel operator that specifies the applicable area of harvest;
    (2) A permit is not required, as outlined in Sec. 665.424 of this 
part; or
    (3) The Mariana coral reef ECS possessed on board the vessel 
originated outside the management area, and this can be demonstrated 
through receipts of purchase, invoices, fishing logbooks or other 
documentation.
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any Mariana coral reef ECS species:
    (1) That is determined overfished with subsequent rulemaking by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (2) By means of gear or methods prohibited under Sec. 665.427.
    (3) In a low-use MPA without a valid special permit.
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 
665.424.
    (c) Fish for, take, or retain any wild live rock or live hard coral 
except under a valid special permit for scientific research, aquaculture 
seed stock collection or traditional and ceremonial purposes by 
indigenous people.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.426  Notifications.

    Any special permit holder subject to the requirements of this 
subpart must contact the appropriate NMFS enforcement agent in American 
Samoa, Guam, or Hawaii at least 24 hours before landing any Mariana 
coral reef ECS harvested under a special permit, and report the port and 
the approximate date and time at which the catch will be landed.

[84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.427  Allowable gear and gear restrictions.

    (a) Mariana coral reef ECS may be taken only with the following 
allowable gear and methods:
    (1) Hand harvest;
    (2) Spear;
    (3) Slurp gun;
    (4) Hand net/dip net;
    (5) Hoop net for Kona crab;
    (6) Throw net;
    (7) Barrier net;
    (8) Surround/purse net that is attended at all times;
    (9) Hook-and-line (includes handline (powered or not), rod-and-reel, 
and trolling);

[[Page 471]]

    (10) Crab and fish traps with vessel ID number affixed; and
    (11) Remote-operating vehicles/submersibles.
    (b) Mariana coral reef ECS may not be taken by means of poisons, 
explosives, or intoxicating substances. Possession or use of these 
materials by any permit holder under this subpart who is established to 
be fishing for coral reef ECS in the management area is prohibited.
    (c) Existing FEP fisheries shall follow the allowable gear and 
methods outlined in their respective plans.
    (d) Any person who intends to fish with new gear not included in 
this section must describe the new gear and its method of deployment in 
the special permit application. A decision on the permissibility of this 
gear type will be made by the Regional Administrator after consultation 
with the Council and the director of the affected state fishery 
management agency.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.428  Gear identification.

    (a) The vessel number must be affixed to all fish and crab traps on 
board the vessel or deployed in the water by any vessel or person 
holding a permit under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 665.424 or that is otherwise 
established to be fishing for Mariana coral reef ecosystem MUS in the 
management area.
    (b) Enforcement action. (1) Traps not marked in compliance with 
paragraph (a) of this section and found deployed in the coral reef 
ecosystem management area will be considered unclaimed or abandoned 
property, and may be disposed of in any manner considered appropriate by 
NMFS or an authorized officer.
    (2) Unattended surround nets or bait seine nets found deployed in 
the coral reef ecosystem management area will be considered unclaimed or 
abandoned property, and may be disposed of in any manner considered 
appropriate by NMFS or an authorized officer.



Sec. Sec. 665.429-665.439  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.440  Mariana crustacean fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.441  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.440 through 665.459:
    Crustacean Permit Area 5 (Permit Area 5) means the EEZ around Guam 
and the EEZ seaward of points 3 nautical miles from the shoreline of the 
CNMI.
    Mariana crustacean ecosystem component species (Mariana crustacean 
ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the Marianas Archipelago 
FEP.
    Mariana crustacean management unit species means the following 
crustaceans:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    English common
           Local name                    name           Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mahonggang......................  spiny lobster.....  Panulirus
                                                       marginatus,
                                                      Panulirus
                                                       penicillatus.
pa'pangpang.....................  slipper lobster...  Scyllaridae.
                                  Kona crab.........  Ranina ranina.
                                  deepwater shrimp..  Heterocarpus spp.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.442  Permits.

    (a) Applicability. (1) The owner of any vessel used to fish for 
lobster in Crustacean Permit Area 5 must have a permit issued for such a 
vessel.
    (2) The owner of any vessel used to fish for Heterocarpus sp. in 
Crustacean Permit Area 5 must have a permit issued for that vessel.
    (b) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits issued under 
this section, as applicable, are contained in Sec. 665.13.
    (c) Application. An application for a permit required under this 
section shall be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13. If the 
application for a limited access permit is submitted on behalf of a 
partnership or corporation, the application must be accompanied by a 
supplementary information sheet obtained from PIRO and contain the names 
and mailing addresses of all

[[Page 472]]

partners or shareholders and their respective percentage of ownership in 
the partnership or corporation.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 61626, Sept. 7, 2016; 84 
FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.443  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person in 
Crustacean Permit Area 5 to fish for, take, or retain Heterocarpus sp. 
without a permit issued under Sec. 665.442.

[84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.444  Notifications.

    (a) The operator of any vessel subject to the requirements of this 
subpart must:
    (1) Report, not less than 24 hours, but not more than 36 hours, 
before landing, the port, the approximate date and the approximate time 
at which spiny and slipper lobsters will be landed.
    (2) Report, not less than 6 hours and not more than 12 hours before 
offloading, the location and time that offloading of spiny and slipper 
lobsters will begin.
    (b) The Regional Administrator will notify permit holders of any 
change in the reporting method and schedule required in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (2) of this section at least 30 days prior to the opening of 
the fishing season.



Sec. 665.445  At-sea observer coverage.

    All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.440 through 665.445 
and subpart A of this part must carry an observer when requested to do 
so by the Regional Administrator.



Sec. Sec. 665.446-665.459  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.460  Mariana precious coral fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.461  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.460 through 665.470:
    Mariana precious coral ecosystem component species (Mariana precious 
coral ECS) means those species identified as ECS in the Marianas 
Archipelago FEP.
    Mariana precious coral management unit species means any coral of 
the genus Corallium in addition to the following species of corals:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            English common name                    Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pink coral (also known as red coral)......  Corallium secundum,
                                             Corallium regale, Corallium
                                             laauense.
Gold coral................................  Gerardia spp., Callogorgia
                                             gilberti, Narella spp.,
                                             Calyptrophora spp.
Bamboo coral..............................  Lepidisis olapa, Acanella
                                             spp.
Black coral...............................  Antipathes dichotoma,
                                             Antipathes grandis,
                                             Antipathes ulex.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Mariana precious coral permit area means the area encompassing the 
precious coral beds within the EEZ around the Mariana Archipelago. Each 
bed is designated by a permit area code and assigned to one of the 
following four categories:
    (1) Established beds. [Reserved]
    (2) Conditional beds. [Reserved]
    (3) Refugia. [Reserved]
    (4) Exploratory Area.
    (i) Permit Area X-P-G includes all coral beds, other than 
established beds, conditional beds, or refugia, in the EEZ seaward of 
Guam.
    (ii) Permit Area X-P-CNMI includes all coral beds, other than 
established beds, conditional beds, or refugia, in the EEZ seaward of 
points 3 nautical miles from the shoreline of the CNMI.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.462  Permits.

    (a) Any vessel of the United States fishing for, taking, or 
retaining Mariana precious coral ECS in any Mariana Archipelago precious 
coral permit area must have a permit issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (b) Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the permit area 
specified on the permit. Precious Coral Permit Areas are defined in 
Sec. 665.461.
    (c) No more than one permit will be valid for any one vessel at any 
one time.
    (d) No more than one permit will be valid for any one person at any 
one time.
    (e) The holder of a valid permit to fish one permit area may obtain 
a permit to fish another permit area only upon surrendering to the 
Regional Administrator any current permit for the precious coral fishery 
issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (f) General requirements governing application information, 
issuance, fees,

[[Page 473]]

expiration, replacement, transfer, alteration, display, sanctions, and 
appeals for permits for the precious coral fishery are contained in 
Sec. 665.13.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.463  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and in Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Use any vessel to fish for, take, retain, possess or land 
Mariana precious coral ECS in any Mariana precious coral permit area, 
unless a permit has been issued for that vessel and area as specified in 
Sec. 665.13 and that permit is on board the vessel.
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any species of Mariana precious coral 
ECS in any Mariana precious coral permit area:
    (1) By means of gear or methods prohibited by Sec. 665.464.
    (2) In refugia specified in Sec. 665.461.
    (3) In a bed for which the quota specified in Sec. 665.467 has been 
attained.
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 
665.17.
    (5) In a bed that has been closed pursuant to Sec. Sec. 665.466 or 
665.469.
    (c) Take and retain, possess, or land any live Hemicorallium 
laauense, Pleurocorallium secundum, Corallium sp., or live black coral 
from any precious coral permit area that is less than the minimum height 
specified in Sec. 665.465 unless:
    (1) A valid EFP was issued under Sec. 665.17 for the vessel and the 
vessel was operating under the terms of the permit; or
    (2) The coral originated outside coral beds listed in this 
paragraph, and this can be demonstrated through receipts of purchase, 
invoices, or other documentation.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.464  Gear restrictions.

    Only selective gear may be used to harvest coral from any precious 
coral permit area.



Sec. 665.465  Size restrictions.

    The height of a live coral specimen shall be determined by a 
straight line measurement taken from its base to its most distal 
extremity. The stem diameter of a living coral specimen shall be 
determined by measuring the greatest diameter of the stem at a point no 
less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the top surface of the living holdfast.
    (a) Live Hemicorallium laauense, Pleurocorallium secundum, or 
Corallium sp. harvested from any precious coral permit area must have 
attained a minimum height of 10 inches (25.4 cm).
    (b) Live black coral harvested from any precious coral permit area 
must have attained either a minimum stem diameter of 1 inch (2.54 cm), 
or a minimum height of 48 inches (122 cm).

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 2775, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 665.466  Closures.

    (a) If the Regional Administrator determines that the harvest quota 
for any coral bed will be reached prior to the end of the fishing year, 
NMFS shall publish a notice to that effect in the Federal Register and 
shall use other means to notify permit holders. Any such notice must 
indicate the reason for the closure, the bed being closed, and the 
effective date of the closure.
    (b) A closure is also effective for a permit holder upon the permit 
holder's actual harvest of the applicable quota.



Sec. 665.467  Quotas.

    (a) General. The quotas limiting the amount of precious coral that 
may be taken in any precious coral permit area during the fishing year 
are listed in Sec. 665.467(d). Only live coral is counted toward the 
quota. The accounting period for all quotas begins July 1, 1983.
    (b) Conditional bed closure. A conditional bed will be closed to all 
nonselective coral harvesting after the quota for one species of coral 
has been taken.
    (c) Reserves and reserve release. The quotas for exploratory areas 
X-P-G and X-P-CNMI will be held in reserve for harvest by vessels of the 
United States in the following manner:

[[Page 474]]

    (1) At the start of the fishing year, the reserve for the Guam and 
CNMI exploratory areas will equal the quota minus the estimated domestic 
annual harvest for that year.
    (2) As soon as practicable after December 31 each year, the Regional 
Administrator will determine the amount harvested by vessels of the 
United States between July 1 and December 31 of the year that just ended 
on December 31.
    (3) NMFS will release to TALFF an amount of precious coral for each 
exploratory area equal to the quota minus two times the amount harvested 
by vessels of the United States in that July 1-December 31 period.
    (4) NMFS will publish in the Federal Register a notification of the 
Regional Administrator's determination and a summary of the information 
on which it is based as soon as practicable after the determination is 
made.
    (d) The Guam and CNMI exploratory permit areas, X-P-GU and X-P-CNMI, 
each have annual quotas of 1,000 kg for all precious coral MUS combined 
with the exception of black corals.



Sec. 665.468  Seasons.

    The fishing year for precious coral begins on July 1 and ends on 
June 30 the following year.



Sec. 665.469  Gold coral harvest moratorium.

    Fishing for, taking, or retaining any gold coral in any precious 
coral permit area is prohibited through June 30, 2023.

[83 FR 27717, June 14, 2018]



             Subpart E_Pacific Remote Island Area Fisheries



Sec. 665.598  Management area.

    The PRIA fishery management area is the EEZ seaward of Palmyra 
Atoll, Kingman Reef, Jarvis Island, Baker Island, Howland Island, 
Johnston Atoll, and Wake Island, Pacific Remote Island Areas with the 
inner boundary a line coterminous with the seaward boundaries of the 
above atolls, reefs and islands PRIA and the outer boundary a line drawn 
in such a manner that each point on it is 200 nautical miles from the 
baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, or is coterminous 
with adjacent international maritime boundaries.



Sec. 665.599  Area restrictions.

    Except as provided in Sec. 665.934, fishing is prohibited in all 
no-take MPAs. The following U.S. EEZ waters are no-take MPAs: Landward 
of the 50 fathom curve at Jarvis, Howland, and Baker Islands, and 
Kingman Reef; as depicted on National Ocean Survey Chart Numbers 83116 
and 83153.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013]



Sec. 665.600  PRIA bottomfish fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.601  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.600 through 665.619:
    PRIA bottomfish fishing permit means the permit required by Sec. 
665.603 to use a vessel to fish for PRIA bottomfish MUS in the EEZ 
around the PRIA, or to land bottomfish MUS shoreward of the outer 
boundary of the EEZ around the PRIA, with the exception of EEZ waters 
around Midway Atoll.
    PRIA bottomfish management unit species (PRIA bottomfish MUS) means 
the following fish:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Common name                        Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Silver jaw jobfish...................  Aphareus rutilans.
(2) Giant trevally.......................  Caranx ignobilis.
(3) Black jack...........................  Caranx lugubris.
(4) Blacktip grouper.....................  Epinephelus fasciatus.
(5) Sea bass.............................  Hyporthodus quernus.
(6) Red snapper..........................  Etelis carbunculus.
(7) Longtail snapper.....................  Etelis coruscans.
(8) Redgill emperor......................  Lethrinus rubrioperculatus.
(9) Yellowtail snapper...................  Pristipomoides auricilla.
(10) Pink snapper........................  Pristipomoides filamentosus.
(11) Pink snapper........................  Pristipomoides seiboldii.
(12) Lunartail, lyretail grouper.........  Variola louti.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 29397, June 24, 2019]



Sec. 665.602  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.603  Permits.

    (a) Applicability. PRIA. The owner of any vessel used to fish for, 
land, or transship PRIA bottomfish MUS shoreward of the outer boundary 
of the PRIA subarea must have a permit issued under this section, and 
the permit must be registered for use with that vessel.

[[Page 475]]

    (b) Submission. An application for a permit required under this 
section must be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13.



Sec. 665.604  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.16, it is unlawful for any person to do 
any of the following:
    (a) Fish for PRIA bottomfish MUS using gear prohibited under Sec. 
665.605.
    (b) Fish for, or retain on board a vessel, PRIA bottomfish MUS in 
the PRIA without the appropriate permit registered for use with that 
vessel issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (c) Falsify or fail to make or file all reports of PRIA bottomfish 
MUS landings taken in the PRIA, containing all data in the exact manner, 
as specified in Sec. 665.14(b).



Sec. 665.605  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets. Fishing for PRIA 
bottomfish MUS with bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets is prohibited.
    (b) Possession of gear. Possession of a bottom trawl and bottom set 
gillnet by any vessel having a permit under Sec. 665.603 or otherwise 
established to be fishing for PRIA bottomfish MUS in the PRIA fishery 
management area is prohibited.
    (c) Poisons and explosives. The possession or use of any poisons, 
explosives, or intoxicating substances for the purpose of harvesting 
PRIA bottomfish is prohibited.



Sec. 665.606  At-sea observer coverage.

    All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.600 through 665.606 
must carry an observer when directed to do so by the Regional 
Administrator.



Sec. Sec. 665.607-665.619  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.620  PRIA coral reef ecosystem fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.621  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.620 through 665.639:
    PRIA coral reef ecosystem management unit species (PRIA coral reef 
ecosystem MUS) means all of the Currently Harvested Coral Reef Taxa and 
Potentially Harvested Coral Reef Taxa listed in this section and which 
spend the majority of their non-pelagic (post-settlement) life stages 
within waters less than or equal to 50 fathoms in total depth.
    PRIA Currently Harvested Coral Reef Taxa:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Family name           English common name     Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Acanthuridae                 orange-spot.........  Acanthurus
 (Surgeonfishes)                                     olivaceus.
                              surgeonfish.........
                              yellowfin             Acanthurus
                               surgeonfish.          xanthopterus.
                              convict tang........  Acanthurus
                                                     triostegus.
                              eye-striped           Acanthurus
                               surgeonfish.          dussumieri.
                              blue-lined surgeon..  Acanthurus nigroris.
                              Whitebar surgeonfish  Acanthurus
                                                     leucopareius.
                              blue-banded           Acanthurus lineatus.
                               surgeonfish.
                              blackstreak           Acanthurus
                               surgeonfish.          nigricauda.
                              whitecheek            Acanthurus
                               surgeonfish.          nigricans.
                              white-spotted         Acanthurus guttatus.
                               surgeonfish.
                              Ringtail surgeonfish  Acanthurus blochii.
                              brown surgeonfish...  Acanthurus
                                                     nigrofuscus.
                              yellow-eyed           Ctenochaetus
                               surgeonfish.          strigosus.
                              striped bristletooth  Ctenochaetus
                                                     striatus.
                              twospot bristletooth  Ctenochaetus
                                                     binotatus.
                              Yellow tang.........  Zebrasoma
                                                     flavescens.
                              bluespine             Naso unicornus.
                               unicornfish.
                              orangespine           Naso lituratus.
                               unicornfish.
                              black tongue          Naso hexacanthus.
                               unicornfish.
                              bignose unicornfish.  Naso vlamingii.
                              whitemargin           Naso annulatus.
                               unicornfish.
                              spotted unicornfish.  Naso brevirostris.
Labridae (Wrasses)..........  Napoleon wrasse.....  Cheilinus undulatus.
                              Triple-tail wrasse..  Cheilinus
                                                     trilobatus.
                              Floral wrasse.......  Cheilinus
                                                     chlorourus.
                              ring-tailed wrasse..  Oxycheilinus
                                                     unifasciatus.
                              bandcheek wrasse....  Oxycheilinus
                                                     diagrammus.
                              Barred thicklip.....  Hemigymnus
                                                     fasciatus.
                              three-spot wrasse...  Halichoeres
                                                     trimaculatus.
                              red ribbon wrasse...  Thalassoma
                                                     quinquevittatum.

[[Page 476]]

 
                              Sunset wrasse.......  Thalassoma
                                                     lutescens.
Mullidae (Goatfishes).......  Yellow goatfish.....  Mulloidichthys. spp.
                              Orange goatfish.....  Mulloidichthys
                                                     pfleugeri.
                              yellowstripe          Mulloidichthys
                               goatfish.             flavolineatus.
                              Banded goatfish.....  Parupeneus. spp.
Mullidae (Goatfishes).......  dash-dot goatfish...  Parupeneus
                                                     barberinus.
                              yellowsaddle          Parupeneus
                               goatfish.             cyclostomas.
                              multi-barred          Parupeneus
                               goatfish.             multifaciatus.
                              bantail goatfish....  Upeneus arge.
Mugilidae (Mullets).........  fringelip mullet....  Crenimugil
                                                     crenilabis.
                              engel's mullet......  Moolgarda engeli.
                              false mullet........  Neomyxus leuciscus.
Muraenidae (Moray eels).....  yellowmargin moray    Gymnothorax
                               eel.                  flavimarginatus.
                              giant moray eel.....  Gymnothorax
                                                     javanicus.
                              undulated moray eel.  Gymnothorax
                                                     undulatus.
Octopodidae.................  Octopus.............  Octopus cyanea.
                              Octopus.............  Octopus ornatus.
Pricanthidae (Bigeye).......  Glasseye............  Heteropriacanthus
                                                     cruentatus.
Scaridae (Parrotfishes).....  Humphead parrotfish.  Bolbometopon
                                                     muricatum.
                              parrotfish..........  Scarus. spp.
                              pacific longnose      Hipposcarus
                               parrotfish.           longiceps.
                              stareye parrotfish..  Calotomus carolinus.
Scombridae..................  Dogtooth tuna.......  Gymnosarda unicolor.
Sphyraenidae (Barracuda)....  great barracuda.....  Sphyraena barracuda.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PRIA Potentially Harvested Coral Reef Taxa:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          English common name                    Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
wrasses (Those species not listed as     Labridae.
 CHCRT).
sharks (Those species not listed as      Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae.
 CHCRT).
rays and skates........................  Myliobatidae, Mobulidae.
groupers (Those species not listed as    Serrandiae.
 CHCRT or as BMUS).
jacks and scads (Those species not       Carangidae.
 listed as CHCRT or as BMUS).
solderfishes and squirrelfishes (Those   Holocentridae.
 species not listed as CHCRT).
goatfishes (Those species not listed as  Mullidae.
 CHCRT).
Batfishes..............................  Ephippidae.
Sweetlips..............................  Haemulidae.
Remoras................................  Echeneidae.
Tilefishes.............................  Malacanthidae.
Dottybacks.............................  Pseudochromidae.
Prettyfins.............................  Plesiopidae.
surgeonfishes (Those species not listed  Acanthuridae.
 as CHCRT).
emperors (Those species not listed as    Lethrinidae.
 CHCRT or as BMUS).
Herrings...............................  Clupeidae.
Gobies.................................  Gobiidae.
snappers (Those species not listed as    Lutjanidae.
 CHCRT or as BMUS).
trigger fishes (Those species not        Balistidae.
 listed as CHCRT).
rabbitfishes (Those species not listed   Siganidae.
 as CHCRT).
eels (Those species not listed as        Muraenidae, Chlopsidae,
 CHCRT).                                  Congridae, Ophichthidae.
Cardinalfishes.........................  Apogonidae.
moorish idols..........................  Zanclidae.
butterfly fishes.......................  Chaetodontidae.
Angelfishes............................  Pomacanthidae.
Damselfishes...........................  Pomacentridae.
Scorpionfishes.........................  Scorpaenidae.
Blennies...............................  Blenniidae.
barracudas (Those species not listed as  Sphyraenidae.
 CHCRT).
Sandperches............................  Pinguipedidae.
rudderfishes (Those species not listed   Kyphosidae.
 as CHCRT).
Fusiliers..............................  Caesionidae.
hawkfishes (Those species not listed as  Cirrhitidae.
 CHCRT).
Frogfishes.............................  Antennariidae.
pipefishes, seahorses..................  Syngnathidae.
flounders, soles.......................  Bothidae.
Trunkfishes............................  Ostraciidae.
puffer fishes, porcupine fishes........  Tetradontidae.
Trumpetfish............................  Aulostomus chinensis.
Cornetfish.............................  Fistularia commersoni.
blue corals............................  Heliopora.
organpipe corals.......................  Tubipora.
ahermatypic corals.....................  Azooxanthellates.

[[Page 477]]

 
mushroom corals........................  Fungiidae.
small and large coral polyps...........  ...............................
fire corals............................  Millepora.
soft corals, gorgonians................  ...............................
Anemones...............................  Actinaria.
soft zoanthid corals...................  Zoanthinaria.
                                         Hydrozoans, Bryzoans.
sea squirts............................  Tunicates.
sea cucumbers and sea urchins..........  Echinoderms.
Those species not listed as CHCRT......  Mollusca.
sea snails.............................  Gastropoda.
                                         Trochus.
sea slugs..............................  Opistobranchs.
black lipped pearl oyster..............  Pinctada margaritifera.
giant clam.............................  Tridacnidae.
other clams............................  Other Bivalves.
                                         Cephalopods.
lobsters, shrimps/mantis shrimps, true   Crustaceans.
 crabs and hermit crabs.
(Those species not listed as CMUS).....
Sponges................................  Porifera.
lace corals............................  Stylasteridae.
hydroid corals.........................  Solanderidae.
segmented worms........................  Annelids.
Seaweed................................  Algae.
Live rock.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All other PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS that are marine plants,
 invertebrates, and fishes that are not listed in the PRIA CHCRT table
 or are not PRIA bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, or western
 Pacific pelagic MUS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec. 665.622  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.623  Relation to other laws.

    To ensure consistency between the management regimes of different 
Federal agencies with shared management responsibilities of fishery 
resources within the PRIA fishery management area, fishing for PRIA 
coral reef ecosystem MUS is not allowed within the boundary of a 
National Wildlife Refuge unless specifically authorized by the USFWS, 
regardless of whether that refuge was established by action of the 
President or the Secretary of the Interior.



Sec. 665.624  Permits and fees.

    (a) Applicability. Unless otherwise specified in this subpart, Sec. 
665.13 applies to coral reef ecosystem permits.
    (1) Special permit. Any person of the United States fishing for, 
taking or retaining PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS must have a special 
permit if they, or a vessel which they operate, is used to fish for any:
    (i) [Reserved]
    (ii) PRIA Potentially Harvested Coral Reef Taxa in the PRIA coral 
reef ecosystem management area; or
    (iii) PRIA Coral reef ecosystem MUS in the PRIA coral reef ecosystem 
management area with any gear not specifically allowed in this subpart.
    (2) Transshipment permit. A receiving vessel must be registered for 
use with a transshipment permit if that vessel is used in the PRIA coral 
reef ecosystem management area to land or transship PRIA PHCRT, or any 
PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS harvested within low-use MPAs.
    (3) Exceptions. The following persons are not required to have a 
permit under this section:
    (i) Any person issued a permit to fish under any FEP who 
incidentally catches PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS while fishing for 
bottomfish MUS, crustacean MUS, western Pacific pelagic MUS, precious 
coral, or seamount groundfish.
    (ii) Any person fishing for PRIA CHCRT outside of an MPA, who does 
not retain any incidentally caught PRIA PHCRT.
    (iii) Any person collecting marine organisms for scientific research 
as described in Sec. 665.17, or Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.
    (b) Validity. Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the 
fishery management area specified on the permit.

[[Page 478]]

    (c) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits are contained in 
Sec. 665.13.
    (d) Special permit. The Regional Administrator shall issue a special 
permit in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in this 
section.
    (1) Application. An applicant for a special or transshipment permit 
issued under this section must complete and submit to the Regional 
Administrator a Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit Application 
Form issued by NMFS. Information in the application form must include, 
but is not limited to, a statement describing the objectives of the 
fishing activity for which a special permit is needed, including a 
general description of the expected disposition of the resources 
harvested under the permit (i.e., stored live, fresh, frozen, preserved; 
sold for food, ornamental, research, or other use; and a description of 
the planned fishing operation, including location of fishing and gear 
operation, amount and species (directed and incidental) expected to be 
harvested and estimated habitat and protected species impacts).
    (2) Incomplete applications. The Regional Administrator may request 
from an applicant additional information necessary to make the 
determinations required under this section. An applicant will be 
notified of an incomplete application within 10 working days of receipt 
of the application. An incomplete application will not be considered 
until corrected and completed in writing.
    (3) Issuance. (i) If an application contains all of the required 
information, the Regional Administrator will forward copies of the 
application within 30 days to the Council, the USCG, the fishery 
management agency of the affected state, and other interested parties 
who have identified themselves to the Council, and the USFWS.
    (ii) Within 60 days following receipt of a complete application, the 
Regional Administrator will consult with the Council through its 
Executive Director, USFWS, and the Director of the affected state 
fishery management agency concerning the permit application and will 
receive their recommendations for approval or disapproval of the 
application based on:
    (A) Information provided by the applicant;
    (B) The current domestic annual harvesting and processing capacity 
of the directed and incidental species for which a special permit is 
being requested;
    (C) The current status of resources to be harvested in relation to 
the overfishing definition in the FEP;
    (D) Estimated ecosystem, habitat, and protected species impacts of 
the proposed activity; and
    (E) Other biological and ecological information relevant to the 
proposal. The applicant will be provided with an opportunity to appear 
in support of the application.
    (iii) Following a review of the Council's recommendation and 
supporting rationale, the Regional Administrator may:
    (A) Concur with the Council's recommendation and, after finding that 
it is consistent with the goals and objectives of the FEP, the national 
standards, the Endangered Species Act, and other applicable laws, 
approve or deny a special permit; or
    (B) Reject the Council's recommendation, in which case, written 
reasons will be provided by the Regional Administrator to the Council 
for the rejection.
    (iv) If the Regional Administrator does not receive a recommendation 
from the Council within 60 days of Council receipt of the permit 
application, the Regional Administrator can make a determination of 
approval or denial independently.
    (v) Within 30 working days after the consultation in paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section, or as soon as practicable thereafter, NMFS 
will notify the applicant in writing of the decision to grant or deny 
the special permit and, if denied, the reasons for the denial. Grounds 
for denial of a special permit include the following:
    (A) The applicant has failed to disclose material information 
required, or has made false statements as to any material fact, in 
connection with his or her application.

[[Page 479]]

    (B) According to the best scientific information available, the 
directed or incidental catch in the season or location specified under 
the permit would detrimentally affect any coral reef resource or coral 
reef ecosystem in a significant way, including, but not limited to 
issues related to, spawning grounds or seasons, protected species 
interactions, EFH, and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC).
    (C) Issuance of the special permit would inequitably allocate 
fishing privileges among domestic fishermen or would have economic 
allocation as its sole purpose.
    (D) The method or amount of harvest in the season and/or location 
stated on the permit is considered inappropriate based on previous human 
or natural impacts in the given area.
    (E) NMFS has determined that the maximum number of permits for a 
given area in a given season has been reached and allocating additional 
permits in the same area would be detrimental to the resource.
    (F) The activity proposed under the special permit would create a 
significant enforcement problem.
    (vi) The Regional Administrator may attach conditions to the special 
permit, if it is granted, consistent with the management objectives of 
the FEP, including but not limited to:
    (A) The maximum amount of each resource that can be harvested and 
landed during the term of the special permit, including trip limits, 
where appropriate.
    (B) The times and places where fishing may be conducted.
    (C) The type, size, and amount of gear which may be used by each 
vessel operated under the special permit.
    (D) Data reporting requirements.
    (E) Such other conditions as may be necessary to ensure compliance 
with the purposes of the special permit consistent with the objectives 
of the FEP.
    (4) Appeals of permit actions.
    (i) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, any 
applicant for a permit or a permit holder may appeal the granting, 
denial, conditioning, or suspension of their permit or a permit 
affecting their interests to the Regional Administrator. In order to be 
considered by the Regional Administrator, such appeal must be in 
writing, must state the action(s) appealed, and the reasons therefore, 
and must be submitted within 30 days of the original action(s) by the 
Regional Administrator. The appellant may request an informal hearing on 
the appeal.
    (ii) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the permit applicant, or permit 
holder as appropriate, and will request such additional information and 
in such form as will allow action upon the appeal. Upon receipt of 
sufficient information, the Regional Administrator will rule on the 
appeal in accordance with the permit eligibility criteria set forth in 
this section and the FEP, as appropriate, based upon information 
relative to the application on file at NMFS and the Council and any 
additional information, the summary record kept of any hearing and the 
hearing officer's recommended decision, if any, and such other 
considerations as deemed appropriate. The Regional Administrator will 
notify all interested persons of the decision, and the reasons therefor, 
in writing, normally within 30 days of the receipt of sufficient 
information, unless additional time is needed for a hearing.
    (iii) If a hearing is requested, or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that purpose 
after first giving notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the 
hearing in the Federal Register. Such a hearing shall normally be held 
no later than 30 days following publication of the notice in the Federal 
Register, unless the hearing officer extends the time for reasons deemed 
equitable. The appellant, the applicant (if different), and, at the 
discretion of the hearing officer, other interested parties, may appear 
personally and/or be represented by counsel at the hearing and submit 
information and present arguments as determined appropriate by the 
hearing officer. Within 30 days of the last day of the hearing, the 
hearing officer shall recommend in writing a decision to the Regional 
Administrator.

[[Page 480]]

    (iv) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
In any event, the Regional Administrator shall notify interested persons 
of the decision, and the reason(s) therefore, in writing, within 30 days 
of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. The Regional 
Administrator's action constitutes final action for the agency for the 
purposes of the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may, for good cause, extend any time 
limit prescribed in this section for a period not to exceed 30 days, 
either upon his or her own motion or upon written request from the 
Council, appellant or applicant stating the reason(s) therefore.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013]



Sec. 665.625  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to do 
any of the following:
    (a) [Reserved]
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS 
species:
    (1) That is determined overfished with subsequent rulemaking by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (2) By means of gear or methods prohibited under Sec. 665.627.
    (3) [Reserved]
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 
665.624.
    (c) Fish for, take, or retain any wild live rock or live hard coral 
except under a valid special permit for scientific research, aquaculture 
seed stock collection or traditional and ceremonial purposes by 
indigenous people.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013]



Sec. 665.626  Notifications.

    Any special permit holder subject to the requirements of this 
subpart must contact the appropriate NMFS enforcement agent in American 
Samoa, Guam, or Hawaii at least 24 hours before landing any PRIA coral 
reef ecosystem MUS unit species harvested under a special permit, and 
report the port and the approximate date and time at which the catch 
will be landed.



Sec. 665.627  Allowable gear and gear restrictions.

    (a) Coral reef ecosystem MUS may be taken only with the following 
allowable gear and methods:
    (1) Hand harvest;
    (2) Spear;
    (3) Slurp gun;
    (4) Hand net/dip net;
    (5) Hoop net for Kona crab;
    (6) Throw net;
    (7) Barrier net;
    (8) Surround/purse net that is attended at all times;
    (9) Hook-and-line (includes handline (powered or not), rod-and-reel, 
and trolling);
    (10) Crab and fish traps with vessel ID number affixed; and
    (11) Remote-operating vehicles/submersibles.
    (b) PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS may not be taken by means of 
poisons, explosives, or intoxicating substances. Possession or use of 
these materials by any permit holder under this subpart who is 
established to be fishing for coral reef ecosystem MUS in the management 
area is prohibited.
    (c) PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS may not be taken by means of 
spearfishing with SCUBA at night (from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) in the U.S. EEZ 
waters around Howland Island, Baker Island, Jarvis Island, Wake Island, 
Kingman Reef, Johnston Atoll and Palmyra Atoll.
    (d) Existing FEP fisheries shall follow the allowable gear and 
methods outlined in their respective plans.
    (e) Any person who intends to fish with new gear not included in 
this section must describe the new gear and its method of deployment in 
the special permit application. A decision on the permissibility of this 
gear type will be made by the Regional Administrator after consultation 
with the Council and the director of the affected state fishery 
management agency.



Sec. 665.628  Gear identification.

    (a) The vessel number must be affixed to all fish and crab traps on 
board the vessel or deployed in the water by any vessel or person 
holding a permit under

[[Page 481]]

Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 665.624 or that is otherwise established to be 
fishing for PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS in the PRIA fishery management 
area.
    (b) Enforcement action. (1) Traps not marked in compliance with 
paragraph (a) of this section and found deployed in the PRIA fishery 
management area will be considered unclaimed or abandoned property, and 
may be disposed of in any manner considered appropriate by NMFS or an 
authorized officer.
    (2) Unattended surround nets or bait seine nets found deployed in 
the coral reef ecosystem management area will be considered unclaimed or 
abandoned property, and may be disposed of in any manner considered 
appropriate by NMFS or an authorized officer.



Sec. Sec. 665.629-665.639  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.640  PRIA crustacean fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.641  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.640 through 665.659:
    Crustacean Permit Area 4 (Permit Area 4) means the EEZ around 
Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef, Jarvis Island, Baker Island, Howland 
Island, Johnston Atoll, and Wake Island.
    PRIA crustacean fishing permit means the permit required by Sec. 
665.642 to use a vessel to fish for PRIA crustacean MUS in the PRIA 
fishery management area, or to land crustacean MUS shoreward of the 
outer boundary of the PRIA fishery management area.
    PRIA crustacean management unit species means the following 
crustaceans:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          English common name                    Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spiny lobster.........................  Panulirus marginatus, Panulirus
                                         penicillatus.
Slipper lobster.......................  Scyllaridae.
Kona crab.............................  Ranina ranina.
Deepwater shrimp......................  Heterocarpus. spp.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec. 665.642  Permits.

    (a) Applicability. (1) The owner of any vessel used to fish for 
lobster in Permit Area 4 must have a permit issued for that vessel.
    (2) The owner of any vessel used to fish for deepwater shrimp in 
Crustacean Permit Area 4 must have a permit issued for that vessel.
    (b) General requirements. General requirements governing application 
information, issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, 
alteration, display, sanctions, and appeals for permits issued under 
this section, as applicable, are contained in Sec. 665.13.
    (c) Application. An application for a permit required under this 
section will be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13. If the 
application for a limited access permit is submitted on behalf of a 
partnership or corporation, the application must be accompanied by a 
supplementary information sheet obtained from PIRO and contain the names 
and mailing addresses of all partners or shareholders and their 
respective percentage of ownership in the partnership or corporation.



Sec. 665.643  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person in 
Crustacean Permit Area 4 to fish for, take, or retain deepwater shrimp 
without a permit issued under Sec. 665.642.



Sec. 665.644  Notifications.

    (a) The operator of any vessel subject to the requirements of this 
subpart must:
    (1) Report, not less than 24 hours, but not more than 36 hours, 
before landing, the port, the approximate date and the approximate time 
at which spiny and slipper lobsters will be landed.
    (2) Report, not less than 6 hours and not more than 12 hours before 
offloading, the location and time that offloading of spiny and slipper 
lobsters will begin.
    (b) The Regional Administrator will notify permit holders of any 
change in the reporting method and schedule required in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (2) of this section at least 30 days prior to the opening of 
the fishing season.



Sec. 665.645  At-sea observer coverage.

    All fishing vessels subject to Sec. Sec. 665.640 through 665.645 
and subpart A of this part must carry an observer when requested to do 
so by the Regional Administrator.

[[Page 482]]



Sec. Sec. 665.646-665.659  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.660  PRIA precious coral fisheries. [Reserved]



Sec. 665.661  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.660 through 665.669:
    PRIA precious coral management unit species (PRIA precious coral 
MUS) means any coral of the genus Corallium in addition to the following 
species of corals:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          English common name                    Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pink coral (also known as red coral)..  Corallium secundum, Corallium
                                         regale, Corallium laauense.
Gold coral............................  Gerardia spp., Callogorgia
                                         gilberti, Narella spp.,
                                         Calyptrophora spp.
Bamboo coral..........................  Lepidisis olapa, Acanella spp.
Black coral...........................  Antipathes dichotoma, Antipathes
                                         grandis, Antipathes ulex.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PRIA precious coral permit area means the area encompassing the 
precious coral beds within the EEZ around the PRIA. Each bed is 
designated by a permit area code and assigned to one of the following 
four categories:
    (1) Established beds. [Reserved]
    (2) Conditional beds. [Reserved]
    (3) Refugia. [Reserved]
    (4) Exploratory Area. Permit Area X-P-PI includes all coral beds, 
other than established beds, conditional beds, or refugia, in the EEZ 
seaward Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef, Jarvis Island, Baker Island, 
Howland Island, Johnston Atoll and Wake Island.



Sec. 665.662  Permits.

    (a) Any vessel of the United States fishing for, taking, or 
retaining PRIA precious coral MUS in any PRIA precious coral permit area 
must have a permit issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (b) Each permit will be valid for fishing only in the permit area 
specified on the permit. Precious Coral Permit Areas are defined in 
Sec. 665.661.
    (c) No more than one permit will be valid for any one vessel at any 
one time.
    (d) No more than one permit will be valid for any one person at any 
one time.
    (e) The holder of a valid permit to fish one permit area may obtain 
a permit to fish another permit area only upon surrendering to the 
Regional Administrator any current permit for the precious coral fishery 
issued under Sec. 665.13.
    (f) General requirements governing application information, 
issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, alteration, display, 
sanctions, and appeals for permits for the precious coral fishery are 
contained in Sec. 665.13.



Sec. 665.663  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter and in Sec. 665.15, it is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Use any vessel to fish for, take, retain, possess or land PRIA 
precious coral MUS in any precious coral permit area, unless a permit 
has been issued for that vessel and area as specified in Sec. 665.13 
and that permit is on board the vessel.
    (b) Fish for, take, or retain any species of PRIA precious coral MUS 
in any precious coral permit area:
    (1) By means of gear or methods prohibited by Sec. 665.664.
    (2) In refugia specified in Sec. 665.661.
    (3) In a bed for which the quota specified in Sec. 665.667 has been 
attained.
    (4) In violation of any permit issued under Sec. Sec. 665.13 or 
665.17.
    (5) In a bed that has been closed pursuant to Sec. Sec. 665.666 or 
665.669.
    (c) Take and retain, possess, or land any live pink coral or live 
black coral from any precious coral permit area that is less than the 
minimum height specified in Sec. 665.665 unless:
    (1) A valid EFP was issued under Sec. 665.17 for the vessel and the 
vessel was operating under the terms of the permit; or
    (2) The coral originated outside coral beds listed in this 
paragraph, and this can be demonstrated through receipts of purchase, 
invoices, or other documentation.



Sec. 665.664  Gear restrictions.

    Only selective gear may be used to harvest coral from any precious 
coral permit area.



Sec. 665.665  Size restrictions.

    The height of a live coral specimen shall be determined by a 
straight line measurement taken from its base to its

[[Page 483]]

most distal extremity. The stem diameter of a living coral specimen 
shall be determined by measuring the greatest diameter of the stem at a 
point no less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the top surface of the living 
holdfast.
    (a) Live pink coral harvested from any precious coral permit area 
must have attained a minimum height of 10 inches (25.4 cm).
    (b) Black coral. Live black coral harvested from any precious coral 
permit area must have attained either a minimum stem diameter of 1 inch 
(2.54 cm), or a minimum height of 48 inches (122 cm).



Sec. 665.666  Closures.

    (a) If the Regional Administrator determines that the harvest quota 
for any coral bed will be reached prior to the end of the fishing year, 
NMFS shall publish a notice to that effect in the Federal Register and 
shall use other means to notify permit holders. Any such notice must 
indicate the reason for the closure, the bed being closed, and the 
effective date of the closure.
    (b) A closure is also effective for a permit holder upon the permit 
holder's actual harvest of the applicable quota.



Sec. 665.667  Quotas.

    (a) General. The quotas limiting the amount of precious coral that 
may be taken in any precious coral permit area during the fishing year 
are listed in Sec. 665.667(d). Only live coral is counted toward the 
quota. The accounting period for all quotas begins July 1, 1983.
    (b) Conditional bed closure. A conditional bed will be closed to all 
nonselective coral harvesting after the quota for one species of coral 
has been taken.
    (c) Reserves and reserve release. The quotas for exploratory area, 
X-P-PI, will be held in reserve for harvest by vessels of the United 
States in the following manner: (1) At the start of the fishing year, 
the reserve for the PRIA exploratory area will equal the quota minus the 
estimated domestic annual harvest for that year. (2) As soon as 
practicable after December 31 each year, the Regional Administrator will 
determine the amount harvested by vessels of the United States between 
July 1 and December 31 of the year that just ended on December 31. (3) 
NMFS will release to TALFF an amount of precious coral for each 
exploratory area equal to the quota minus two times the amount harvested 
by vessels of the United States in that July 1-December 31 period. (4) 
NMFS will publish in the Federal Register a notification of the Regional 
Administrator's determination and a summary of the information on which 
it is based as soon as practicable after the determination is made.
    (d) PRIA exploratory permit area, X-P-PI, has an annual quota of 
1,000 kg for all precious coral MUS combined with the exception of black 
corals.



Sec. 665.668  Seasons.

    The fishing year for precious coral begins on July 1 and ends on 
June 30 the following year.



Sec. 665.669  Gold coral harvest moratorium.

    Fishing for, taking, or retaining any gold coral in any precious 
coral permit area is prohibited through June 30, 2023.

[83 FR 27717, June 14, 2018]



               Subpart F_Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries



Sec. 665.798  Management area.

    The western Pacific Pelagic fishery management area includes all 
areas of fishing operations in the EEZ or on the high seas for any 
vessels of the United States or persons that:
    (a) Fish for, possess, or transship western Pacific pelagic fishery 
MUS within the EEZ waters around American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, or 
PRIA; or
    (b) Land western Pacific pelagic fishery MUS in American Samoa, 
CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, or PRIA.



Sec. 665.799  Area restrictions.

    (a) Fishing is prohibited in all no-take MPAs designated in this 
section.
    (b) No-take MPAs. The following U.S. EEZ waters are no-take MPAs:
    (1) Landward of the 50-fathom (fm) (91.5-m) curve at Jarvis, 
Howland, and Baker Islands, and Kingman Reef; as

[[Page 484]]

depicted on National Ocean Survey Chart Numbers 83116 and 83153;
    (2) Landward of the 50-fm (91.5-m) curve around Rose Atoll, as 
depicted on National Ocean Survey Chart Number 83484.



Sec. 665.800  Definitions.

    As used in Sec. Sec. 665.798 through 665.818:
    American Samoa longline limited access permit means the permit 
required by Sec. 665.801 to use a vessel shoreward of the outer 
boundary of the EEZ around American Samoa to fish for western Pacific 
pelagic MUS using longline gear or to land or transship western Pacific 
pelagic MUS that were caught in the EEZ around American Samoa using 
longline gear.
    American Samoa pelagics mailing list means the list maintained by 
PIRO of names and mailing addresses of parties interested in receiving 
notices of availability for American Samoa longline limited access 
permits.
    Basket-style longline gear means a type of longline gear that is 
divided into units called ``baskets'' each consisting of a segment of 
main line to which 10 or more branch lines with hooks are spliced. The 
mainline and all branch lines are made of multiple braided strands of 
cotton, nylon, or other synthetic fibers impregnated with tar or other 
heavy coatings that cause the lines to sink rapidly in seawater.
    Branch line (or dropper line) means a line with a hook that is 
attached to the mainline.
    Deep-set or Deep-setting means the deployment of longline gear in a 
manner consistent with all the following criteria: All float lines are 
at least 20 meters in length; a minimum of 15 branch lines are attached 
between any two floats (except basket-style longline gear which may have 
as few as 10 branch lines between any two floats); no metal wire line 
within 1 meter of the hook; and no light sticks are used. As used in 
this definition, ``float line'' means a line used to suspend the main 
longline beneath a float, and ``light stick'' means any type of light 
emitting device, including any fluorescent ``glow bead,'' chemical, or 
electrically-powered light that is affixed underwater to the longline 
gear.
    Effective date means the date upon which the Regional Administrator 
provides written notice to the authorized official or designated 
representative of the U.S. participating territory that a specified 
fishing agreement meets the requirements of this section.
    Fish dealer means any person who:
    (1) Obtains, with the intention to resell, western Pacific pelagic 
MUS, or portions thereof, that were harvested or received by a vessel 
that holds a permit or is otherwise regulated under bottomfish fisheries 
in this subpart; or
    (2) Provides recordkeeping, purchase, or sales assistance in 
obtaining or selling such MUS (such as the services provided by a 
wholesale auction facility).
    Float line means a line attached to a mainline used to buoy, or 
suspend, the mainline in the water column.
    Hawaii longline limited access permit means the permit required by 
Sec. 665.801 to use a vessel to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS 
with longline gear in the EEZ around Hawaii or to land or transship 
longline-caught western Pacific pelagic MUS shoreward of the outer 
boundary of the EEZ around Hawaii.
    Longline fishing prohibited area means the portions of the EEZ in 
which longline fishing is prohibited as specified in Sec. 665.806.
    Longline fishing vessel means a vessel that has longline gear on 
board the vessel.
    Longline gear means a type of fishing gear consisting of a main line 
that exceeds 1 nm in length, is suspended horizontally in the water 
column either anchored, floating, or attached to a vessel, and from 
which branch or dropper lines with hooks are attached; except that, 
within the protected species zone as defined in Sec. 665.806, longline 
gear means a type of fishing gear consisting of a main line of any 
length that is suspended horizontally in the water column either 
anchored, floating, or attached to a vessel, and from which branch or 
dropper lines with hooks are attached.
    Pelagic handline fishing means fishing for western Pacific pelagic 
MUS from a stationary or drifting vessel using hook and line gear other 
than longline gear.

[[Page 485]]

    Pelagic troll fishing (trolling) means fishing for western Pacific 
pelagic MUS from a moving vessel using hook and line gear.
    PRIA pelagic troll and handline fishing permit means the permit 
required by Sec. 665.801 to use a vessel shoreward of the outer 
boundary of the EEZ around the PRIA to fish for western Pacific pelagic 
MUS using pelagic handline or troll fishing methods.
    Receiving vessel permit means a permit required by Sec. 665.801(c) 
for a receiving vessel to transship or land western Pacific pelagic MUS 
taken by other vessels using longline gear.
    Shallow-set or shallow-setting means the deployment of, or 
deploying, respectively, longline gear in a manner that does not meet 
the definition of deep-set or deep-setting as defined in this section.
    Squid jig fishing means fishing for squid that are western Pacific 
pelagic MUS using a hook or hooks attached to a line that is raised and 
lowered in the water column by manual or mechanical means.
    U.S. participating territory means a U.S. participating territory to 
the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory 
Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (including any 
annexes, amendments, or protocols that are in force, or have come into 
force, for the United States), and includes American Samoa, Guam, and 
the Northern Mariana Islands.
    WCPFC means the Commission for the Conservation and Management of 
Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, 
including its employees and contractors.
    Western Pacific general longline permit means the permit authorized 
under Sec. 665.801 to use a vessel shoreward of the outer boundary of 
the EEZ around Guam, CNMI, Johnston or Palmyra Atolls, Kingman Reef, or 
Wake, Jarvis, Baker or Howland Islands to fish for western Pacific 
pelagic MUS using longline gear or to land or to transship western 
Pacific pelagic MUS that were caught using longline gear.
    Western Pacific pelagic management unit species means the following 
species:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            English common name                    Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tunas:
    Albacore..............................  Thunnus alalunga.
    bigeye tuna...........................  Thunnus obesus.
    Pacific bluefin tuna..................  Thunnus orientalis
    yellowfin tuna........................  Thunnus albacares.
    skipjack tuna.........................  Katsuwonus pelamis.
    Kawakawa..............................  Euthynnus affinis.
    other tuna relatives..................  Auxis spp., Scomber spp.,
                                             Allothunnus spp.
Billfishes:
  Black marlin............................  Istiompax indica
  Striped marlin..........................  Kajikia audax
  Pacific blue marlin.....................  Makaira nigricans
    shortbill spearfish...................  Tetrapturus angustirostris.
    Swordfish.............................  Xiphias gladius.
    Sailfish..............................  Istiophorus platypterus.
Sharks:
    pelagic thresher shark................  Alopias pelagicus.
    bigeye thresher shark.................  Alopias superciliosus.
    common thresher shark.................  Alopias vulpinus.
    silky shark...........................  Carcharhinus falciformis.
    oceanic whitetip shark................  Carcharhinus longimanus.
    blue shark............................  Prionace glauca.
    shortfin mako shark...................  Isurus oxyrinchus.
    longfin mako shark....................  Isurus paucus.
    salmon shark..........................  Lamna ditropis.
Other pelagic fishes:
    mahimahi (dolphinfish)................  Coryphaena spp.
    Wahoo.................................  Acanthocybium solandri.
    Moonfish..............................  Lampris spp.
    Oilfish...............................  Gempylidae.
    Pomfret...............................  Bramidae.
Squid:
    diamondback squid.....................  Thysanoteuthis rhombus.
    neon flying squid.....................  Ommastrephes bartramii.
    purpleback flying squid...............  Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 52889, Aug. 24, 2011; 77 
FR 43722, July 26, 2012; 79 FR 64111, Oct. 28, 2014; 87 FR 25155, Apr. 
28, 2022]



Sec. 665.801  Permits.

    (a) A vessel of the United States must be registered for use with a 
valid permit under the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act if that vessel 
is used to fish on the high seas, as required under Sec. 300.15 of this 
title.
    (b) A vessel of the United States must be registered for use under a 
valid Hawaii longline limited access permit if that vessel is used:
    (1) To fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using longline gear in 
the EEZ around the Hawaiian Archipelago; or
    (2) To land or transship, shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ 
around the Hawaiian Archipelago, western Pacific pelagic MUS that were 
harvested using longline gear.
    (c) A vessel of the United States must be registered for use under a 
valid

[[Page 486]]

American Samoa longline limited access permit, in accordance with Sec. 
665.816, if that vessel is used to:
    (1) Fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using longline gear in the 
EEZ around American Samoa;
    (2) Land shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ around American 
Samoa western Pacific pelagic MUS that were harvested using longline 
gear in the EEZ around American Samoa; or
    (3) Transship shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ around 
American Samoa western Pacific pelagic MUS that were harvested using 
longline gear in the EEZ around American Samoa or on the high seas.
    (d) A vessel of the United States must be registered for use under a 
valid Western Pacific general longline permit, American Samoa longline 
limited access permit, or Hawaii longline limited access permit if that 
vessel is used to:
    (1) Fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using longline gear in the 
EEZ around Guam, CNMI, or PRIA (with the exception of Midway Atoll); or
    (2) Land or transship shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ 
around Guam, CNMI, or PRIA (with the exception of Midway Atoll), western 
Pacific pelagic MUS that were harvested using longline gear.
    (e) A receiving vessel of the United States must be registered for 
use with a valid receiving vessel permit if that vessel is used to land 
or transship, shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ around American 
Samoa, Hawaii, Guam, CNMI, or PRIA, western Pacific pelagic MUS that 
were harvested using longline gear.
    (f) A vessel of the United States must be registered for use with a 
valid PRIA pelagic troll and handline fishing permit if that vessel is 
used to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using pelagic handline or 
trolling fishing methods in the EEZ around the PRIA (with the exception 
of Midway Atoll).
    (g) A vessel of the United States must be registered for use under a 
Western Pacific squid jig fishing permit, if that vessel is more than 50 
ft (15.4 m) LOA and is used to squid jig fish in EEZ waters around 
American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, or PRIA.
    (h) Any required permit must be valid and on board the vessel and 
available for inspection by an authorized agent, except that, if the 
permit was issued (or registered to the vessel) during the fishing trip 
in question, this requirement applies only after the start of any 
subsequent fishing trip.
    (i) A permit is valid only for the vessel for which it is 
registered. A permit not registered for use with a particular vessel may 
not be used.
    (j) An application for a permit required under this section will be 
submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13.
    (k) General requirements governing application information, 
issuance, fees, expiration, replacement, transfer, alteration, display, 
and sanctions for permits issued under this section, as applicable, are 
contained in Sec. 665.13.
    (l) A Hawaii longline limited access permit may be transferred as 
follows:
    (1) The owner of a Hawaii longline limited access permit may apply 
to transfer the permit:
    (i) To a different person for registration for use with the same or 
another vessel; or
    (ii) For registration for use with another U.S. vessel under the 
same ownership.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (m) A Hawaii longline limited access permit will not be registered 
for use with a vessel that has a LOA greater than 101 ft (30.8 m).
    (n) Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel under the 
terms of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a) may be issued or may hold (by ownership or 
otherwise) a Hawaii longline limited access permit.
    (o) Permit appeals. Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 
904, any applicant for a permit or any permit owner may appeal to the 
Regional Administrator the granting, denial, conditioning, suspension, 
or transfer of a permit or requested permit under this section. To be 
considered by the Regional Administrator, the appeal must be in writing, 
must state the action(s) appealed, and the reasons therefore, and must 
be submitted within 30 days of the action(s) by the Regional 
Administrator. The appellant may request an informal hearing on the 
appeal.

[[Page 487]]

    (1) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the 
Regional Administrator may request additional information. Upon receipt 
of sufficient information, the Regional Administrator will decide the 
appeal in accordance with the criteria set out in this part for 
qualifying for, or renewing, limited access permits. In making such 
decision, the Administrator will review relevant portions of the Western 
Pacific Pelagic FEP, to the extent such review would clarify the 
criteria in this part. Such decision will be based upon information 
relative to the application on file at NMFS and the Council and any 
additional information available; the summary record kept of any hearing 
and the hearing officer's recommended decision, if any, as provided in 
paragraph (o)(3) of this section; and such other considerations as 
deemed appropriate. The Regional Administrator will notify the appellant 
of the decision and the reasons therefore, in writing, normally within 
30 days of the receipt of sufficient information, unless additional time 
is needed for a hearing.
    (2) If a hearing is requested, or if the Regional Administrator 
determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant 
an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that 
purpose. Such a hearing normally shall be held no later than 30 days 
following receipt of the appeal, unless the hearing officer extends the 
time. The appellant and, at the discretion of the hearing officer, other 
interested persons, may appear personally and/or be represented by 
counsel at the hearing and submit information and present arguments as 
determined appropriate by the hearing officer. Within 30 days of the 
last day of the hearing, the hearing officer shall recommend, in 
writing, a decision to the Regional Administrator.
    (3) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's 
recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. 
In any event, the Regional Administrator will notify the appellant, and 
interested persons, if any, of the decision, and the reason(s) 
therefore, in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the hearing 
officer's recommended decision. The Regional Administrator's action 
shall constitute final Agency action for purposes of the Administrative 
Procedure Act.
    (4) In the case of a timely appeal from an American Samoa longline 
limited access permit initial permit decision, the Regional 
Administrator will issue the appellant a temporary American Samoa 
longline limited access permit. A temporary permit will expire 20 days 
after the Regional Administrator's final decision on the appeal. In no 
event will a temporary permit be effective for longer than 60 days.
    (5) With the exception of temporary permits issued under paragraph 
(o)(4) of this section, the Regional Administrator, for good cause, may 
extend any time limit prescribed in this section for a period not to 
exceed 30 days, either upon his/her own motion or upon written request 
from the appellant stating the reason(s) therefore.



Sec. 665.802  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 of this 
chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (a) Falsify or fail to make and/or file all reports of western 
Pacific pelagic MUS landings, containing all data and in the exact 
manner, as required by applicable state law or regulation, as specified 
in Sec. 665.14(a), provided that the person is required to do so by 
applicable state law or regulation.
    (b) Use a vessel without a valid permit issued under the High Seas 
Fishing Compliance Act to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using 
longline gear, on the high seas, in violation of Sec. Sec. 665.801(a), 
and 300.15 of this title.
    (c) Use a vessel in the EEZ around the Hawaiian Archipelago without 
a valid Hawaii longline limited access permit registered for use with 
that vessel, to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using longline 
gear, in violation of Sec. 665.801(b)(1).
    (d) Use a vessel shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ around 
the Hawaiian Archipelago without a valid Hawaii longline limited access 
permit registered for use with that vessel, to land or transship western 
Pacific pelagic MUS that were harvested with

[[Page 488]]

longline gear, in violation of Sec. 665.801(b)(2).
    (e) Use a vessel in the EEZ around American Samoa without a valid 
American Samoa longline limited access permit registered for use with 
that vessel, to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using longline 
gear, in violation of Sec. 665.801(c)(1).
    (f) Use a vessel shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ around 
American Samoa without a valid American Samoa longline limited access 
permit registered for use with that vessel, to land western Pacific 
pelagic MUS that were caught with longline gear within the EEZ around 
American Samoa, in violation of Sec. 665.801(c)(2).
    (g) Use a vessel within the EEZ around American Samoa without a 
valid American Samoa longline limited access permit registered for use 
with that vessel, to transship western Pacific pelagic MUS that were 
caught with longline gear, in violation of Sec. 665.801(c)(3).
    (h) Use a vessel in the EEZ around Guam, CNMI, or PRIA (with the 
exception of Midway Atoll) without either a valid Western Pacific 
general longline permit, American Samoa longline limited access permit 
or a Hawaii longline limited access permit registered for use with that 
vessel, to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using longline gear, in 
violation of Sec. 665.801(d)(1).
    (i) Use a vessel shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ around 
Guam, CNMI, or PRIA (with the exception of Midway Atoll) without either 
a valid Western Pacific general longline permit, American Samoa longline 
limited access permit or a Hawaii longline limited access permit 
registered for use with that vessel, to land or transship western 
Pacific pelagic MUS that were harvested using longline gear, in 
violation of Sec. 665.801(d)(2).
    (j) Use a vessel shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ around 
American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, or PRIA, to land or transship 
western Pacific pelagic MUS caught by other vessels using longline gear, 
without a valid receiving vessel permit registered for use with that 
vessel, in violation of Sec. 665.801(e).
    (k) Use a vessel in the EEZ around the PRIA employing handline or 
trolling methods to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS without a valid 
PRIA pelagic troll and handline fishing permit registered for use for 
that vessel, in violation of Sec. 665.801(f).
    (l) Fish in the fishery after failing to comply with the 
notification requirements in Sec. 665.803.
    (m) Fail to comply with notification requirements set forth in Sec. 
665.803 or in any EFP issued under Sec. 665.17.
    (n) Fail to comply with a term or condition governing longline gear 
configuration in Sec. 665.813(k) if using a vessel longer than 40 ft 
(12.2 m) registered for use with any valid longline permit issued 
pursuant to Sec. 665.801 to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using 
longline gear south of the Equator (0[deg] lat.).
    (o) Use a fishing vessel to retain on board, transship, or land 
pelagic MUS captured by longline gear in the WCPFC Convention Area, as 
defined in Sec. 300.211 of this title, in violation of any restriction 
announced in accordance with Sec. 665.819(d)(2).
    (p)-(u) [Reserved]
    (v) Use longline gear to fish within a longline fishing prohibited 
area in violation of Sec. 665.806, except as allowed pursuant to an 
exemption issued under Sec. Sec. 665.17 or 665.807.
    (w) Fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS with longline gear within 
the protected species zone, in violation of Sec. 665.806(b).
    (x) Fail to comply with a term or condition governing the observer 
program established in Sec. 665.808, if using a vessel registered for 
use with a Hawaii longline limited access permit, or a vessel greater 
than 40 ft (12.2 m) LOA registered for use with an American Samoa 
longline limited access permit to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS 
using longline gear.
    (y) Fail to comply with other terms and conditions that the Regional 
Administrator imposes by written notice to either the permit holder or 
the designated agent of the permit holder to facilitate the details of 
observer placement.
    (z) Fail to fish in accordance with the seabird take mitigation 
techniques set forth at Sec. Sec. 665.815(a)(1) or 665.815(a)(2) when 
operating a vessel registered for

[[Page 489]]

use under a Hawaii longline limited access permit.
    (aa)-(bb) [Reserved]
    (cc) Own or operate a vessel registered for use under any longline 
permit issued under Sec. 665.801 while engaged in longline fishing for 
western Pacific pelagic MUS and fail to be certified for completion of a 
NMFS protected species workshop, in violation of Sec. 665.814(a).
    (dd) Own or operate a vessel registered for use under any longline 
permit issued under Sec. 665.801 while engaged in longline fishing for 
western Pacific pelagic MUS without having on board a valid protected 
species workshop certificate issued by NMFS or a legible copy thereof, 
in violation of Sec. 665.814(d).
    (ee) Possess light sticks on board a vessel registered for use under 
a Hawaii longline limited access permit at any time during a trip for 
which notification to NMFS under Sec. 665.803(a) indicated that deep-
setting would be done, in violation of Sec. 665.813(d).
    (ff) Fail to carry, or fail to use, a line clipper, dip net, or 
dehooker on a vessel registered for use under any longline permit issued 
under Sec. 665.801, in violation of Sec. 665.812.
    (gg) Use or have on board longline gear with metal wire line within 
1 meter of the hook when operating a vessel registered for use under a 
longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801(b) at any time during a trip 
for which notification to NMFS under Sec. 665.803(a) indicated that 
deep-setting would be done, in violation of Sec. 665.813(d).
    (hh) Fail to handle and release an oceanic whitetip shark in 
accordance with the requirements set forth at Sec. 665.811(a) when 
operating a vessel registered for use under any longline permit issued 
under Sec. 665.801, in violation of Sec. 665.811.
    (ii) When operating a vessel registered for use under any longline 
limited access permit issued under Sec. 665.801, fail to comply with 
the sea turtle handling, resuscitation, and release requirements, in 
violation of Sec. 665.812(b).
    (jj) Engage in shallow-setting from a vessel registered for use 
under any longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801 north of the 
Equator (0[deg] lat.) with hooks other than circle hooks sized 18/0 or 
larger with an offset not to exceed 10 degrees, in violation of Sec. 
665.813(f).
    (kk) Engage in shallow-setting from a vessel registered for use 
under any longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801 north of the 
Equator (0[deg] lat.) with bait other than mackerel-type bait, in 
violation of Sec. 665.813(g).
    (ll) [Reserved]
    (mm) Fail to use a line setting machine or line shooter, with 
weighted branch lines, to set the main longline when operating a vessel 
that is registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited access permit 
and equipped with monofilament main longline, when making deep sets 
north of 23[deg] N. lat., in violation of Sec. 665.815(a)(1) or (a)(2).
    (nn) Fail to employ basket-style longline gear such that the 
mainline is deployed slack when operating a vessel registered for use 
under a Hawaii longline limited access north of 23[deg] N. lat., in 
violation of Sec. 665.815(a)(2)(v).
    (oo) Fail to maintain and use blue dye to prepare thawed bait when 
operating a vessel registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited 
access permit that is fishing north of 23[deg] N. lat., in violation of 
Sec. 665.815(a)(2)(vi) through (viii).
    (pp) Fail to retain, handle, and discharge fish, fish parts, and 
spent bait, strategically when operating a vessel registered for use 
under a Hawaii longline limited access permit that is fishing north of 
23[deg] N. lat., in violation of Sec. 665.815(a)(2)(i) through (iv).
    (qq) Fail to be begin the deployment of longline gear at least 1 
hour after local sunset or fail to complete the setting process before 
local sunrise from a vessel registered for use under a Hawaii longline 
limited access permit while shallow-setting north of 23[deg] N. lat., in 
violation of Sec. 665.815(a)(4).
    (rr) Fail to handle short-tailed albatrosses that are caught by 
pelagic longline gear in a manner that maximizes the probability of 
their long-term survival, in violation of Sec. 665.815(b).
    (ss) Engage in shallow-setting from a vessel registered for use 
under a Hawaii longline limited access permit after the shallow-set 
longline fishery has been closed, or upon notice that that

[[Page 490]]

the vessel is restricted from fishing, in violation of Sec. 665.813(b) 
and (i).
    (tt) Fail to immediately retrieve longline fishing gear upon notice 
that the shallow-set longline fishery has been closed, or upon notice 
that that the vessel is restricted from fishing, in violation of Sec. 
665.813(b).
    (uu)-(vv) [Reserved]
    (ww) Fail to handle seabirds other than short-tailed albatrosses 
that are caught by pelagic longline gear in a manner that maximizes the 
probability of their long-term survival, in violation of Sec. 
665.815(c).
    (xx) Use a large vessel to fish for western Pacific Pelagic MUS 
within an American Samoa large vessel prohibited area in violation of 
Sec. 665.806, except as allowed pursuant to an exemption issued under 
Sec. Sec. 665.17 or 665.818.
    (yy) Fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS using gear prohibited 
under Sec. 665.810 or not permitted by an EFP issued under Sec. 
665.17.
    (zz) Use a vessel that is greater than 50 ft (15.4 m) LOA to squid 
jig fish in EEZ waters around American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, or 
PRIA, without a Western Pacific squid jig fishing permit registered for 
use with that vessel, in violation of Sec. 665.801(g).

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 37288, June 27, 2011; 76 
FR 52889, Aug. 24, 2011; 77 FR 60649, Oct. 4, 2012; 79 FR 64111, Oct. 
28, 2014; 85 FR 57997, Sept. 17, 2020; 86 FR 55745, Oct. 7, 2021; 87 FR 
25156, Apr. 28, 2022]



Sec. 665.803  Notifications.

    (a) The permit holder, or designated agent, for any vessel 
registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited access permit, or for 
any vessel greater than 40 ft (12.2 m) LOA that is registered for use 
under an American Samoa longline limited access permit, shall provide a 
notice to the Regional Administrator at least 72 hours (not including 
weekends and Federal holidays) before the vessel leaves port on a 
fishing trip, any part of which occurs in the EEZ around the Hawaiian 
Archipelago or American Samoa. The vessel operator will be presumed to 
be an agent designated by the permit holder unless the Regional 
Administrator is otherwise notified by the permit holder. The permit 
holder or designated agent for a vessel registered for use under Hawaii 
longline limited access permits must also provide notification of the 
trip type (either deep-setting or shallow-setting).
    (b) The permit holder, or designated agent, for any vessel 
registered for use under a Western Pacific squid jig fishing permit that 
is greater than 50 ft (15.4 m) LOA, shall provide a notice to the 
Regional Administrator at least 72 hours (not including weekends and 
Federal holidays) before the vessel leaves port on a fishing trip, any 
part of which occurs in western Pacific EEZ waters. The vessel operator 
will be presumed to be an agent designated by the permit holder unless 
the Regional Administrator is otherwise notified by the permit holder.
    (c) For purposes of this section, the notice must be provided to the 
office or telephone number designated by the Regional Administrator. The 
notice must provide the official number of the vessel, the name of the 
vessel, the intended departure date, time, and location, the name of the 
operator of the vessel, and the name and telephone number of the permit 
holder or designated agent to be available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
(local time) on weekdays for NMFS to contact to arrange observer 
placement.
    (d) The operator of any vessel subject to the requirements of this 
subpart who does not have on board a VMS unit while transiting the 
protected species zone as defined in Sec. 665.806, must notify the NMFS 
Special-Agent-In-Charge immediately upon entering and immediately upon 
departing the protected species zone. The notification must include the 
name of the vessel, name of the operator, date and time (GMT) of access 
or exit from the protected species zone, and location by latitude and 
longitude to the nearest minute.
    (e) The permit holder for any American Samoa longline limited access 
permit, or an agent designated by the permit holder, must notify the 
Regional Administrator in writing within 30 days of any change to the 
permit holder's contact information or any change to the vessel 
documentation associated with a permit registered to an American Samoa 
longline limited access permit. Complete changes in the ownership of the 
vessel registered to an

[[Page 491]]

American Samoa longline limited access permit must also be reported to 
PIRO in writing within 30 days of the change. Failure to report such 
changes may result in a delay in processing an application, permit 
holders failing to receive important notifications, or sanctions 
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1858(g) or 15 CFR part 
904, subpart D.



Sec. 665.804  Gear identification.

    (a) Identification. The operator of each permitted vessel in the 
fishery management area must ensure that the official number of the 
vessel be affixed to every longline buoy and float, including each buoy 
and float that is attached to a radar reflector, radio antenna, or flag 
marker, whether attached to a deployed longline or possessed on board 
the vessel. Markings must be legible and permanent, and must be of a 
color that contrasts with the background material.
    (b) Enforcement action. Longline gear not marked in compliance with 
paragraph (a) of this section and found deployed in the EEZ will be 
considered unclaimed or abandoned property, and may be disposed of in 
any manner considered appropriate by NMFS or an authorized officer.



Sec. 665.805  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.806  Prohibited area management.

    (a) Longline fishing prohibited areas. Longline fishing is 
prohibited in the longline fishing prohibited areas as defined in 
paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section.
    (1) NWHI protected species zone. The NWHI protected species zone is 
the portion of the EEZ within 50 nm of the center geographical positions 
of certain islands and reefs in the NWHI, as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Name                          N. lat.    W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nihoa Island......................................  23[deg]05  161[deg]5
                                                        [min]     5[min]
Necker Island.....................................  23[deg]35  164[deg]4
                                                        [min]     0[min]
French Frigate Shoals.............................  23[deg]45  166[deg]1
                                                        [min]     5[min]
Gardner Pinnacles.................................  25[deg]00  168[deg]0
                                                        [min]     0[min]
Maro Reef.........................................  25[deg]25  170[deg]3
                                                        [min]     5[min]
Laysan Island.....................................  25[deg]45  171[deg]4
                                                        [min]     5[min]
Lisianski Island..................................  26[deg]00  173[deg]5
                                                        [min]     5[min]
Pearl and Hermes Reef.............................  27[deg]50  175[deg]5
                                                        [min]     0[min]
Midway Island.....................................  28[deg]14  177[deg]2
                                                        [min]     2[min]
Kure Island.......................................  28[deg]25  178[deg]2
                                                        [min]     0[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where the areas are not contiguous, parallel lines drawn tangent to and
 connecting those semicircles of the 50-nm areas that lie between Nihoa
 Island and Necker Island, French Frigate Shoals and Gardner Pinnacles,
 Gardner Pinnacles and Maro Reef, and Lisianski Island and Pearl and
 Hermes Reef, delimit the remainder of the NWHI longline protected
 species zone.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). The MHI longline fishing prohibited 
area is the portion of the EEZ around Hawaii bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following coordinated in the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Point                         N. lat.    W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...............................................  18[deg]05[  155[deg]40
                                                        min]       [min]
B...............................................  18[deg]20[  156[deg]25
                                                        min]       [min]
C...............................................  20[deg]00[  157[deg]30
                                                        min]       [min]
D...............................................  20[deg]40[  161[deg]40
                                                        min]       [min]
E...............................................  21[deg]40[  161[deg]55
                                                        min]       [min]
F...............................................  23[deg]00[  161[deg]30
                                                        min]       [min]
G...............................................  23[deg]05[  159[deg]30
                                                        min]       [min]
H...............................................  22[deg]55[  157[deg]30
                                                        min]       [min]
I...............................................  21[deg]30[  155[deg]30
                                                        min]       [min]
J...............................................  19[deg]50[  153[deg]50
                                                        min]       [min]
K...............................................  19[deg]00[  154[deg]05
                                                        min]       [min]
A...............................................  18[deg]05[  155[deg]40
                                                        min]       [min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Guam. The Guam longline fishing prohibited area is the portion 
of the EEZ around Guam bounded by straight lines connecting the 
following coordinates in the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                       N. lat.        E. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................  14[deg]25[min]  144[deg]00[min
                                                                       ]
B.......................................  14[deg]00[min]  143[deg]38[min
                                                                       ]
C.......................................  13[deg]41[min]  143[deg]33[min
                                                                   ]33``
D.......................................  13[deg]00[min]  143[deg]25[min
                                                                   ]30``
E.......................................  12[deg]20[min]  143[deg]37[min
                                                                       ]
F.......................................  11[deg]40[min]  144[deg]09[min
                                                                       ]
G.......................................  12[deg]00[min]  145[deg]00[min
                                                                       ]
H.......................................  13[deg]00[min]  145[deg]42[min
                                                                       ]
I.......................................  13[deg]27[min]  145[deg]51[min
                                                                       ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) CNMI. The CNMI longline fishing prohibited area is the portion 
of the EEZ around the CNMI bounded by straight lines connecting the 
following coordinates in the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                       N. lat.        E. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................  14[deg]00[min]  144[deg]34[min
                                                                       ]
B.......................................  15[deg]49[min]  145[deg]29[min
                                                                       ]
C.......................................  16[deg]21[min]  145[deg]06[min
                                                                       ]
D.......................................  17[deg]03[min]  145[deg]22[min
                                                                       ]
E.......................................  19[deg]07[min]  145[deg]09[min
                                                                       ]
F.......................................  20[deg]39[min]  144[deg]19[min
                                                                       ]
G.......................................  21[deg]04[min]  145[deg]06[min
                                                                       ]
H.......................................  19[deg]19[min]  146[deg]04[min
                                                                       ]
I.......................................  16[deg]00[min]  146[deg]32[min
                                                                       ]
J.......................................  13[deg]32[min]  145[deg]32[min
                                                                       ]
A.......................................  14[deg]00[min]  144[deg]34[min
                                                                       ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 492]]

    (b) American Samoa large vessel prohibited areas. A large vessel of 
the United States may not be used to fish for western Pacific pelagic 
MUS in the American Samoa large vessel prohibited areas as defined in 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, except as allowed pursuant 
to an exemption issued under Sec. 665.818.
    (1) Tutuila Island, Manua Islands, and Rose Atoll (AS-1). The large 
vessel prohibited area around Tutuila Island, the Manua Islands, and 
Rose Atoll consists of the waters of the EEZ around American Samoa 
enclosed by straight lines connecting the following coordinates:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                     S. lat.             W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-1-A.........................  13[deg]41[min]54[se  167[deg]17[min]
                                  c]
AS-1-B.........................  15[deg]23[min]10[se  167[deg]17[min]
                                  c]
AS-1-C.........................  15[deg]23[min]10[se  169[deg]00[min]42[
                                  c]                   sec]
AS-1-D.........................  15[deg]13[min]       169[deg]00[min]42[
                                                       sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 and from point AS-1-A westward along latitude 13[deg]41[min]54[sec] S.
until intersecting the U.S. EEZ boundary with Samoa, and from point AS-1-
 D westward along latitude 15[deg]13[min] S. until intersecting the U.S.
                        EEZ boundary with Samoa.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Swains Island (AS-2). The Swains Island large vessel prohibited 
area is the portion of the EEZ around American Samoa enclosed by 
straight lines connecting the following coordinates:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                       S. lat.        W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-2-A..................................  11[deg]48[min]  171[deg]50[min
                                                                       ]
AS-2-B..................................  11[deg]48[min]  170[deg]20[min
                                                                       ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 and from Point AS-2-A northward along the longitude 171[deg]50[min] W.
until intersecting the U.S. EEZ boundary with Tokelau, and from Point AS-
 2-B northward along the longitude 170[deg]20[min] W. until intersecting
                   the U.S. EEZ boundary with Tokelau.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[76 FR 37289, June 27, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 34261, June 11, 2012; 
77 FR 71286, Nov. 29, 2012]



Sec. 665.807  Exemptions for Hawaii longline fishing prohibited areas; procedures.

    (a) An exemption permitting a person to use longline gear to fish in 
a portion(s) of the Hawaii longline fishing prohibited area will be 
issued to a person who can document that he or she:
    (1) Currently owns a Hawaii longline limited access permit issued 
under this part and registered for use with his or her vessel;
    (2) Before 1970, was the owner or operator of a vessel when that 
vessel landed western Pacific pelagic MUS taken on longline gear in an 
area that is now within the Hawaii longline fishing prohibited area;
    (3) Was the owner or operator of a vessel that landed western 
Pacific pelagic MUS taken on longline gear in an area that is now within 
the Hawaii longline fishing prohibited area, in at least 5 calendar 
years after 1969, which need not be consecutive; and
    (4) In any one of the 5 calendar years, was the owner or operator of 
a vessel that harvested at least 80 percent of its total landings, by 
weight, of longline-caught western Pacific pelagic MUS in an area that 
is now in the Hawaii longline fishing prohibited area.
    (b) Each exemption shall specify the portion(s) of the Hawaii 
longline fishing prohibited area, bounded by longitudinal and 
latitudinal lines drawn to include each statistical area, as appearing 
on Hawaii State Commercial Fisheries Charts, in which the exemption 
holder made the harvest documented for the exemption application under 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (c) Each exemption is valid only within the portion(s) of the Hawaii 
longline fishing prohibited area specified on the exemption.
    (d) A person seeking an exemption under this section must submit an 
application and supporting documentation to PIRO at least 15 days before 
the desired effective date of the exemption.
    (e) If the Regional Administrator determines that a gear conflict 
has occurred and is likely to occur again in the Hawaii longline fishing 
prohibited area between a vessel used by a person holding an exemption 
under this section and a non-longline vessel, the Regional Administrator 
may prohibit all longline fishing in the Hawaii longline fishing 
prohibited area around the island where the conflict occurred, or in 
portions thereof, upon notice to each holder of an exemption who would 
be affected by such a prohibition.
    (f) The Council will consider information provided by persons with 
Hawaii longline limited access permits issued under this part who 
believe they have experienced extreme financial hardship resulting from 
the Hawaii longline area closure, and will consider recommendations of 
the Pelagic Advisory Review Board to assess whether exemptions

[[Page 493]]

under this section should continue to be allowed, and, if appropriate, 
revise the qualifying criteria in paragraph (a) of this section to 
permit additional exemptions.
    (1) If additional exemptions are needed, the Council will advise the 
Regional Administrator in writing of its recommendation, including 
criteria by which financial hardships will be mitigated, while retaining 
the effectiveness of the longline fishing prohibited area.
    (2) Following a review of the Council's recommendation and 
supporting rationale, the Regional Administrator may:
    (i) Reject the Council's recommendation, in which case written 
reasons will be provided by the Regional Administrator to the Council 
for the rejection; or
    (ii) Concur with the Council's recommendation and, after finding 
that it is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Pelagics FEP, 
the national standards, and other applicable law, initiate rulemaking to 
implement the Council's recommendations.



Sec. 665.808  Conditions for at-sea observer coverage.

    (a) NMFS shall advise the permit holder or the designated agent of 
any observer requirement at least 24 hours (not including weekends and 
Federal holidays) before any trip for which NMFS received timely notice 
in compliance with these regulations.
    (b) The ``Notice Prior to Fishing Trip'' requirements in this 
subpart commit the permit holder to the representations in the notice. 
The notice can be modified by the permit holder or designated agent 
because of changed circumstance, if the Regional Administrator is 
promptly provided a modification to the notice that complies with the 
notice requirements. The notice will also be considered modified if the 
Regional Administrator and the permit holder or designated agent agrees 
to placement changes.
    (c) When NMFS notifies the permit holder or designated agent of the 
obligation to carry an observer in response to a notification under this 
subpart, or as a condition of an EFP issued under Sec. 665.17, the 
vessel may not engage in the fishery without taking the observer.
    (d) A NMFS observer shall arrive at the observer's assigned vessel 
30 minutes before the time designated for departure in the notice or the 
notice as modified, and will wait 1 hour for departure.
    (e) A permit holder must accommodate a NMFS observer assigned under 
these regulations. The Regional Administrator's office, and not the 
observer, will address any concerns raised over accommodations.
    (f) The permit holder, vessel operator, and crew must cooperate with 
the observer in the performance of the observer's duties, including:
    (1) Allowing for the embarking and debarking of the observer.
    (2) Allowing the observer access to all areas of the vessel 
necessary to conduct observer duties.
    (3) Allowing the observer access to communications equipment and 
navigation equipment as necessary to perform observer duties.
    (4) Allowing the observer access to VMS units to verify operation, 
obtain data, and use the communication capabilities of the units for 
official purposes.
    (5) Providing accurate vessel locations by latitude and longitude or 
loran coordinates, upon request by the observer.
    (6) Providing sea turtle, marine mammal, or seabird specimens as 
requested.
    (7) Notifying the observer in a timely fashion when commercial 
fishing operations are to begin and end.
    (g) The permit holder, operator, and crew must comply with other 
terms and conditions to ensure the effective deployment and use of 
observers that the Regional Administrator imposes by written notice.
    (h) The permit holder must ensure that assigned observers are 
provided living quarters comparable to crew members and are provided the 
same meals, snacks, and amenities as are normally provided to other 
vessel personnel. A mattress or futon on the floor or a cot is not 
acceptable if a regular bunk is provided to any crew member, unless 
other arrangements

[[Page 494]]

are approved in advance by the Regional Administrator.
    (i) Reimbursement requirements are as follows:
    (1) Upon observer verification of vessel accommodations and the 
number of assigned days on board, NMFS will reimburse vessel owners a 
reasonable amount for observer subsistence as determined by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (2) If requested and properly documented, NMFS will reimburse the 
vessel owner for the following:
    (i) Communications charges incurred by the observer.
    (ii) Lost fishing time arising from a seriously injured or seriously 
ill observer, provided that notification of the nature of the emergency 
is transmitted to the Observer Program, NMFS (see address for PIRO 
Regional Administrator) at the earliest practical time. NMFS will 
reimburse the owner only for those days during which the vessel is 
unable to fish as a direct result of helping the NMFS employee who is 
seriously injured or seriously ill. Lost fishing time is based on time 
traveling to and from the fishing grounds and any documented out-of-
pocket expenses for medical services. Payment will be based on the 
current target fish market prices and that vessel's average target fish 
catch retained per day at sea for the previous 2 years, but shall not 
exceed $5,000 per day or $20,000 per claim. Detailed billing with 
receipts and supporting records are required for allowable communication 
and lost fishing time claims. The claim must be completed in ink, 
showing the claimant's printed name, address, vessel name, observer 
name, trip dates, days observer was on board, an explanation of the 
charges, and claimant's dated signature with a statement verifying the 
claim to be true and correct. Requested reimbursement claims must be 
submitted to the Fisheries Observer Branch, Pacific Islands Region, 
NMFS. NMFS will not process reimbursement invoices and documentation 
submitted more than 120 days after the occurrence.
    (j) If a vessel normally has cabins for crew members, female 
observers on a vessel with an all-male crew must be accommodated either 
in a single person cabin or, if NMFS concludes that adequate privacy can 
be ensured by installing a curtain or other temporary divider, in a two-
person shared cabin. If the vessel normally does not have cabins for 
crew members, alternative accommodations must be approved by NMFS. If a 
cabin assigned to a female observer does not have its own toilet and 
shower facilities that can be provided for the exclusive use of the 
observer, or if no cabin is assigned, then arrangements for sharing 
common facilities must be established and approved in advance by NMFS.



Sec. 665.809  Port privileges and transiting for unpermitted 
U.S. longline vessels.

    A U.S. longline fishing vessel that does not have a permit under 
subpart A of this part may enter waters of the fishery management area 
with western Pacific pelagic MUS on board, but may not land or transship 
any western Pacific pelagic MUS on board the vessel. The vessel's 
longline gear must be stowed or secured so it is rendered unusable 
during the time the vessel is in those waters.



Sec. 665.810  Prohibition of drift gillnetting.

    Fishing with drift gillnets in the fishery management area is 
prohibited, except where authorized by an EFP issued under Sec. 665.17.



Sec. 665.811  Handling and release of oceanic whitetip sharks.

    (a) The owner and operator of a vessel registered for use under any 
longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801 must release any oceanic 
whitetip shark as soon as possible after the shark is caught and brought 
alongside the vessel, in accordance with 50 CFR 300.226, and must take 
the following actions:
    (1) Leave the animal in the water;
    (2) Use a dehooker, as defined in Sec. 665.812(a)(7), or line 
clippers, as defined in Sec. 665.812(a)(5), to remove trailing gear 
from the animal.
    (3) When using line clippers, the branch line must be cut as close 
to the hook as possible.
    (b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply if doing so would 
compromise

[[Page 495]]

the safety of any persons or a WCPFC observer collects, or requests 
assistance collecting, samples of oceanic whitetip shark in the 
Convention Area, as defined in Sec. 300.211 of this title and in 
accordance with 50 CFR 300.226.

[87 FR 25156, Apr. 28, 2022]



Sec. 665.812  Sea turtle take mitigation measures.

    (a) Possession and use of required mitigation gear. The gear 
required in paragraph (a) of this section must be used according to the 
sea turtle handling requirements set forth in paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (1) Hawaii longline limited access permits. Any owner or operator of 
a vessel registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited access 
permit must carry aboard the vessel line clippers meeting the minimum 
design standards specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, dip nets 
meeting the minimum design standards specified in paragraph (a)(6) of 
this section, and dehookers meeting the minimum design and performance 
standards specified in paragraph (a)(7) of this section.
    (2) Other longline vessels with freeboards of more than 3 ft 
(0.91m). Any owner or operator of a longline vessel with a permit issued 
under Sec. 665.801 other than a Hawaii limited access longline permit 
and that has a freeboard of more than 3 ft (0.91 m) must carry aboard 
the vessel line clippers meeting the minimum design standards specified 
in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, dip nets meeting the minimum design 
standards specified in paragraph (a)(6) of this section, and dehookers 
meeting this minimum design and performance standards specified in 
paragraph (a)(7) of this section.
    (3) Other longline vessels with freeboards of 3 ft (0.91 m) or less. 
Any owner or operator of a longline vessel with a permit issued under 
Sec. 665.801 other than a Hawaii limited access longline permit and 
that has a freeboard of 3 ft (0.91 m) or less must carry aboard their 
vessels line clippers capable of cutting the vessels fishing line or 
leader within approximately 1 ft (0.3 m) of the eye of an embedded hook, 
as well as wire or bolt cutters capable of cutting through the vessel's 
hooks.
    (4) Handline, troll, pole-and-line, and other vessels using hooks 
other than longline vessels. Any owner or operator of a vessel fishing 
under the Pelagics FEP with hooks other than longline gear are not 
required to carry specific mitigation gear, but must comply with the 
handling requirements set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (5) Line clippers. Line clippers are intended to cut fishing line as 
close as possible to hooked or entangled sea turtles. NMFS has 
established minimum design standards for line clippers. The Arceneaux 
line clipper (ALC) is a model line clipper that meets these minimum 
design standards and may be fabricated from readily available and low-
cost materials (see Figure 3 to this part). The minimum design standards 
are as follows:
    (i) A protected cutting blade. The cutting blade must be curved, 
recessed, contained in a holder, or otherwise afforded some protection 
to minimize direct contact of the cutting surface with sea turtles or 
users of the cutting blade.
    (ii) Cutting blade edge. The blade must be capable of cutting 2.0-
2.1 mm monofilament line and nylon or polypropylene multistrand material 
commonly known as braided mainline or tarred mainline.
    (iii) An extended reach holder for the cutting blade. The line 
clipper must have an extended reach handle or pole of at least 6 ft 
(1.82 m).
    (iv) Secure fastener. The cutting blade must be securely fastened to 
the extended reach handle or pole to ensure effective deployment and 
use.
    (6) Dip nets. Dip nets are intended to facilitate safe handling of 
sea turtles and access to sea turtles for purposes of cutting lines in a 
manner that minimizes injury and trauma to sea turtles. The minimum 
design standards for dip nets that meet the requirements of this section 
nets are:
    (i) An extended reach handle. The dip net must have an extended 
reach handle of at least 6 ft (1.82 m) of wood or other rigid material 
able to support a minimum of 100 lb (34.1 kg) without breaking or 
significant bending or distortion.
    (ii) Size of dip net. The dip net must have a net hoop of at least 
31 inches

[[Page 496]]

(78.74 cm) inside diameter and a bag depth of at least 38 inches (96.52 
cm). The bag mesh openings may be no more than 3 inches by 3 inches 
(7.62 cm by 7.62 cm).
    (7) Dehookers. (i) Long-handled dehooker for ingested hooks. This 
item is intended to be used to remove ingested hooks from sea turtles 
that cannot be boated, and to engage a loose hook when a turtle is 
entangled but not hooked and line is being removed. One long-handled 
dehooker for ingested hooks is required on board. The minimum design and 
performance standards are as follows:
    (A) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be constructed 
of \5/16\ inch (7.94 mm) 316L stainless steel and have a dehooking end 
no larger than 1\7/8\ inches (4.76 cm) outside diameter. The device must 
be capable of securely engaging and controlling the leader while 
shielding the barb of the hook to prevent the hook from re-engaging 
during removal. It must not have any unprotected terminal points 
(including blunt ones), as these could cause injury to the esophagus 
during hook removal. The device must be of a size capable of securing 
the range of hook sizes and styles used by the vessel.
    (B) Extended reach handle. The hook removal device must be securely 
fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a length equal to or 
greater than 150 percent of the vessel's freeboard or 6 ft (1.83 m), 
whichever is greater. It is recommended that the handle be designed so 
that it breaks down into sections. The handle must be sturdy and strong 
enough to facilitate the secure attachment of the hook removal device.
    (ii) Long-handled dehooker for external hooks. This item is intended 
to be used to remove externally-hooked hooks from sea turtles that 
cannot be boated. The long-handled dehooker for ingested hooks described 
in paragraph (a)(7)(i) of this section meets this requirement. The 
minimum design and performance standards are as follows:
    (A) Construction. The device must be constructed of \5/16\ inch 
(7.94 mm) 316 L stainless steel rod. A 5 inch (12.70 cm) tube T-handle 
of 1 inch (2.54 cm) outside diameter is recommended, but not required. 
The dehooking end must be blunt with all edges rounded. The device must 
be of a size capable of securing the range of hook sizes and styles used 
by the vessel.
    (B) Handle. The handle must have a length equal to or greater than 
the vessel's freeboard or 3 ft (0.91 m), whichever is greater.
    (iii) Long-handled device to pull an ``inverted V.'' This item is 
intended to be used to pull an ``inverted V'' in the fishing line when 
disentangling and dehooking entangled sea turtles. One long-handled 
device to pull an ``inverted V'' is required on the vessel. The minimum 
design and performance standards are as follows:
    (A) Hook end. It must have a hook-shaped end, like that of a 
standard boat hook or gaff, which must be constructed of stainless steel 
or aluminum.
    (B) Handle. The handle must have a length equal to or greater than 
150 percent of the vessel's freeboard or 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is 
greater. The handle must be sturdy and strong enough to allow the hook 
end to be effectively used to engage and pull an ``inverted V'' in the 
line.
    (C) The long-handled dehookers described in paragraphs (a)(7)(i) and 
(ii) of this section meet this requirement.
    (iv) Short-handled dehooker for ingested hooks. This item is 
intended to be used to remove ingested hooks, externally hooked hooks, 
and hooks in the front of the mouth of sea turtles that can be boated. 
One short-handled dehooker for ingested hooks is required on board. The 
minimum design and performance standards are as follows:
    (A) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be constructed 
of \1/4\ inch (6.35 mm) 316 L stainless steel, and the design of the 
dehooking end must be such to allow the hook to be secured and the barb 
shielded without re-engaging during the hook removal process. The 
dehooking end must be no larger than 1-5/16 inch (3.33 cm) outside 
diameter. It must not have any unprotected terminal points (including 
blunt ones), as this could cause injury to the esophagus during hook 
removal. The dehooking end must be of a size appropriate to secure the 
range of hook sizes and styles used by the vessel.

[[Page 497]]

    (B) Sliding plastic bite block. The dehooker must have a sliding 
plastic bite block, which is intended to be used to protect the sea 
turtle's beak and facilitate hook removal if the turtle bites down on 
the dehooker. The bite block must be constructed of a \3/4\ inch (1.91 
cm) inside diameter high impact plastic cylinder (for example, Schedule 
80 PVC) that is 10 inches (25.40 cm) long. The dehooker and bite block 
must be configured to allow for 5 inches (12.70 cm) of slide of the bite 
block along the shaft of the dehooker.
    (C) Shaft and handle. The shaft must be 16 to 24 inches (40.64 to 
60.69 cm) in length, and must have a T-handle 4 to 6 inches (10.16 to 
15.24 cm) in length and \3/4\ to 1\1/4\ inches (1.90 to 3.18 cm) in 
diameter.
    (v) Short-handled dehooker for external hooks. This item is intended 
to be used to remove externally hooked hooks from sea turtles that can 
be boated. One short-handled dehooker for external hooks is required on 
board. The short-handled dehooker for ingested hooks required to comply 
with paragraph (a)(7)(v) of this section meets this requirement. The 
minimum design and performance standards are as follows:
    (A) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be constructed 
of \5/16\ inch (7.94 cm) 316 L stainless steel, and the design must be 
such that a hook can be rotated out without pulling it out at an angle. 
The dehooking end must be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must 
be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles 
used by the vessel.
    (B) Shaft and handle. The shaft must be 16 to 24 inches (40.64 to 
60.69 cm) in length, and must have a T-handle 4 to 6 inches (10.16 to 
15.24 cm) in length and \3/4\ to 1\1/4\ inches (1.90 to 3.18 cm) in 
diameter.
    (8) Tire. This item is intended to be used for supporting a turtle 
in an upright orientation while it is on board. One tire is required on 
board, but an assortment of sizes is recommended to accommodate a range 
of turtle sizes. The tire must be a standard passenger vehicle tire and 
must be free of exposed steel belts.
    (9) Long-nose or needle-nose pliers. This item is intended to be 
used to remove deeply embedded hooks from the turtle's flesh that must 
be twisted in order to be removed, and also to hold in place PVC splice 
couplings when used as mouth openers. One pair of long-nose or needle-
nose pliers is required on board. The minimum design standards are as 
follows: The pliers must be 8 to 14 inches (20.32 to 35.56 cm) in 
length. It is recommended that they be constructed of stainless steel 
material.
    (10) Wire or bolt cutters. This item is intended to be used to cut 
through hooks in order to remove all or part of the hook. One pair of 
wire or bolt cutters is required on board. The minimum design and 
performance standards are as follows: The wire or bolt cutters must be 
capable of cutting hard metals, such as stainless or carbon steel hooks, 
and they must be capable of cutting through the hooks used by the 
vessel.
    (11) Monofilament line cutters. This item is intended to be used to 
cut and remove fishing line as close to the eye of the hook as possible 
if the hook is swallowed or cannot be removed. One pair of monofilament 
line cutters is required on board. The minimum design standards are as 
follows: Monofilament line cutters must be 6 to 9 inches (15.24 to 22.86 
cm) in length. The blades must be 1\3/4\ (4.45 cm) in length and \5/8\ 
inches (1.59 cm) wide when closed.
    (12) Mouth openers and gags. These items are intended to be used to 
open the mouths of boated sea turtles, and to keep them open when 
removing ingested hooks in a way that allows the hook or line to be 
removed without causing further injury to the turtle. At least two of 
the seven different types of mouth openers and gags described below are 
required on board. The seven types and their minimum design standards 
are as follows.
    (i) A block of hard wood. A block of hard wood is intended to be 
used to gag open a turtle's mouth by placing it in the corner of the 
jaw. It must be made of hard wood of a type that does not splinter (for 
example, maple), and it must have rounded and smoothed edges. The 
dimensions must be 10 to 12 inches (24.50 to 30.48 cm) by \3/4\ to 1\1/
4\ inches (1.90 to 3.18 cm) by \3/4\ to 1\1/4\ inches (1.90 to 3.18 cm).

[[Page 498]]

    (ii) A set of three canine mouth gags. A canine mouth gag is 
intended to be used to gag open a turtle's mouth while allowing hands-
free operation after it is in place. A set of canine mouth gags must 
include one of each of the following sizes: small (5 inches, 12.7 cm), 
medium (6 inches, 15.2 cm), and large (7 inches, 17.8 cm). They must be 
constructed of stainless steel. A 1\3/4\ inch (4.45 cm) long piece of 
vinyl tubing (\3/4\ inch, 1.91 cm) outside diameter and \5/8\ inch (1.59 
cm) inside diameter) must be placed over the ends of the gags to protect 
the turtle's beak.
    (iii) A set of two sturdy canine chew bones. A canine chew bone is 
intended to be used to gag open a turtle's mouth by placing it in the 
corner of the jaw. They must be constructed of durable nylon, zylene 
resin, or thermoplastic polymer, and strong enough to withstand biting 
without splintering. To accommodate a variety of turtle beak sizes, a 
set must include one large (5\1/2\ to 8 inches (13.97 to 20.32 cm) in 
length) and one small (3\1/2\ to 4\1/2\ inches (8.89 to 11.43 cm) in 
length) canine chew bones.
    (iv) A set of two rope loops covered with hose. A set of two rope 
loops covered with a piece of hose is intended to be used as a mouth 
opener and to keep a turtle's mouth open during hook and/or line 
removal. A set consists of two 3-foot (0.91 m) lengths of poly braid 
rope, each covered with an 8 inch (20.32 cm) section of \1/2\ inch (1.27 
cm) or \3/4\ inch (1.91 cm) light-duty garden hose, and each tied into a 
loop.
    (v) A hank of rope. A hank of rope is intended to be used to gag 
open a sea turtle's mouth by placing it in the corner of the jaw. A hank 
of rope is made from a 6 foot (1.83 m) lanyard of braided nylon rope 
that is folded to create a hank, or looped bundle, of rope. The hank 
must be 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm) in thickness.
    (vi) A set of four PVC splice couplings. PVC splice couplings are 
intended to be used to allow access to the back of the mouth of a turtle 
for hook and line removal by positioning them inside a turtle's mouth 
and holding them in place with long-nose or needle-nose pliers. The set 
must consist of the following Schedule 40 PVC splice coupling sizes: 1 
inch (2.54 cm), 1\1/4\ inches (3.18 cm), 1\1/2\ inches (3.81 cm), and 2 
inches (5.08 cm).
    (vii) A large avian oral speculum. A large avian oral speculum is 
intended to be used to hold a turtle's mouth open and control the head 
with one hand while removing a hook with the other hand. It must be 9 
inches (22.86 cm) in length and constructed of \3/16\ inch (4.76 mm) 
wire diameter surgical stainless steel (Type 304). It must be covered 
with 8 inches (20.32 cm) of clear vinyl tubing \5/16\ inch (7.94 mm) 
outside diameter, \3/16\ inch (4.76 mm) inside diameter.
    (b) Handling requirements. If a sea turtle is observed to be hooked 
or entangled in fishing gear from any vessel fishing under the Pelagics 
FEP, vessel owners and operators must use the required mitigation gear 
set forth in paragraph (a) of this section to comply with these handling 
requirements. Any hooked or entangled sea turtle must be handled in a 
manner to minimize injury and promote survival.
    (1) Sea turtles that cannot be brought aboard. In instances where a 
sea turtle is too large to be brought aboard or the sea turtle cannot be 
brought aboard without causing further injury to the sea turtle, the 
vessel owner or operator must disentangle and remove the gear, or cut 
the line as close as possible to the hook or entanglement, to remove the 
maximum amount of the gear from the sea turtle.
    (2) Sea turtles that can be brought aboard. In instances where a sea 
turtle is not too large to be brought aboard, or the sea turtle can be 
brought aboard without causing further injury to the turtle, the vessel 
owner or operator must take the following actions:
    (i) Immediately bring the sea turtle aboard;
    (ii) Handle the sea turtle in accordance with the procedures in 
paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section; and
    (iii) Disentangle and remove the gear, or cut the line as close as 
possible to the hook or entanglement, to remove the maximum amount of 
the gear from the sea turtle.
    (3) Sea turtle resuscitation. If a sea turtle appears dead or 
comatose, the following actions must be taken:
    (i) Place the sea turtle on its belly (on the bottom shell or 
plastron) so

[[Page 499]]

that the sea turtle is right side up and its hindquarters elevated at 
least 6 inches (15.24 cm) for a period of no less than 4 hours and no 
more than 24 hours. The amount of the elevation varies with the size of 
the sea turtle; greater elevations are needed for larger sea turtles;
    (ii) Administer a reflex test at least once every 3 hours. The test 
is to be performed by gently touching the eye and pinching the tail of a 
sea turtle to determine if the sea turtle is responsive;
    (iii) Keep the sea turtle shaded and damp or moist (but under no 
circumstances place the sea turtle into a container holding water). A 
water-soaked towel placed over the eyes, carapace and flippers is the 
most effective method of keeping a sea turtle moist; and
    (iv) Return to the sea any sea turtle that revives and becomes 
active in the manner described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section. Sea 
turtles that fail to revive within the 24-hour period must also be 
returned to the sea in the manner described in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section.
    (4) Sea turtle release. After handling a sea turtle in accordance 
with the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section, 
the sea turtle must be returned to the ocean after identification unless 
NMFS requests the retention of a dead sea turtle for research. In 
releasing a sea turtle the vessel owner or operator must:
    (i) Place the vessel engine in neutral gear so that the propeller is 
disengaged and the vessel is stopped, and release the sea turtle away 
from deployed gear; and
    (ii) Observe that the turtle is safely away from the vessel before 
engaging the propeller and continuing operations.
    (5) Other sea turtle requirements. No sea turtle, including a dead 
turtle, may be consumed or sold. A sea turtle may be landed, offloaded, 
transshipped or kept below deck only if NMFS requests the retention of a 
dead sea turtle for research.



Sec. 665.813  Western Pacific longline fishing restrictions.

    (a) [Reserved]
    (b) Limits on sea turtle interactions in the shallow-set longline 
fishery--(1) Fleet Limits. There are limits on the maximum number of 
allowable physical interactions that occur each year between leatherback 
sea turtles and vessels registered for use under Hawaii longline limited 
access permits while engaged in shallow-set fishing.
    (i) The annual fleet limit for leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys 
coriacea) is 16.
    (ii) Upon determination by the Regional Administrator that the 
shallow-set fleet has reached the limit during a given calendar year, 
the Regional Administrator will, as soon as practicable, file for 
publication at the Office of the Federal Register a notification that 
the fleet reached the limit, and that shallow-set fishing north of the 
Equator will be prohibited beginning at a specified date until the end 
of the calendar year in which the limit was reached.
    (2) Trip limits. There are limits on the maximum number of allowable 
physical interactions that occur during a single fishing trip between 
leatherback and North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles and individual 
vessels registered for use under Hawaii longline limited access permits 
while engaged in shallow-set fishing. For purposes of this section, a 
shallow-set fishing trip commences when a vessel departs port, and ends 
when the vessel returns to port, regardless of whether fish are landed. 
For purposes of this section, a calendar year is the year in which a 
vessel reaches a trip limit.
    (i) The trip limit for leatherback sea turtles is 2, and the trip 
limit for North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) is 5.
    (ii) Upon determination by the Regional Administrator that a vessel 
has reached either sea turtle limit during a single fishing trip, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the permit holder and the vessel 
operator that the vessel has reached a trip limit, and that the vessel 
is required to immediately retrieve all fishing gear and stop fishing.
    (iii) Upon notification, the vessel operator shall immediately 
retrieve all fishing gear, stop fishing, and return to port.

[[Page 500]]

    (iv) A vessel that reaches a trip limit for either turtle species 
during a calendar year shall be prohibited from engaging in shallow-set 
fishing during the 5 days immediately following the vessel's return to 
port.
    (v) A vessel that reaches a trip limit a second time during a 
calendar year, for the same turtle species as the first instance, shall 
be prohibited from engaging in shallow-set fishing for the remainder of 
that calendar year. Additionally, in the subsequent calendar year, that 
vessel shall be limited to an annual interaction limit for that species, 
either 2 leatherback or 5 North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles. If that 
subsequent annual interaction limit is reached, that vessel shall be 
prohibited from engaging in shallow-set fishing for the remainder of 
that calendar year.
    (vi) Upon determination by the Regional Administrator that a vessel 
has reached an annual interaction limit, the Regional Administrator will 
notify the permit holder and the vessel operator that the vessel has 
reached the limit, and that the vessel is required to immediately stop 
fishing and return to port.
    (vii) Upon notification, the vessel operator shall immediately 
retrieve all fishing gear, stop fishing, and return to port.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Vessels registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited 
access permit may not have on board at any time during a trip for which 
notification to NMFS under Sec. 665.803(a) indicated that deep-setting 
would be done any float lines less than 20 meters in length, longline 
gear with metal wire line within 1 meter of the hook, or light sticks. 
As used in this paragraph ``float line'' means a line used to suspend 
the main longline beneath a float, and ``light stick'' means any type of 
light emitting device, including any fluorescent ``glow bead,'' 
chemical, or electrically powered light that is affixed underwater to 
the longline gear.
    (e) [Reserved]
    (f) Any owner or operator of a vessel registered for use under any 
longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801 must use only circle hooks 
sized 18/0 or larger, with an offset not to exceed 10 degrees, when 
shallow-setting north of the Equator (0[deg] lat.). As used in this 
paragraph, an offset circle hook sized 18/0 or larger is one with an 
outer diameter at its widest point no smaller than 1.97 inches (50 mm) 
when measured with the eye of the hook on the vertical axis (y-axis) and 
perpendicular to the horizontal axis (x-axis). As used in this 
paragraph, the allowable offset is measured from the barbed end of the 
hook, and is relative to the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or shank, 
of the hook when laid on its side.
    (g) Any owner or operator of a vessel registered for use under any 
longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801 must use only mackerel-type 
bait when shallow-setting north of the Equator (0[deg] lat.). As used in 
this paragraph, mackerel-type bait means a whole fusiform fish with a 
predominantly blue, green or gray back and predominantly gray, silver or 
white lower sides and belly.
    (h) Owners and operators of vessels registered for use under a 
Hawaii longline limited access permit may make sets only of the type 
(shallow-setting or deep-setting) indicated in the notification to NMFS 
pursuant to Sec. 665.803(a).
    (i) A vessel registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited 
access permit may not be used to engage in shallow-setting north of the 
Equator any time during which shallow-set fishing is prohibited pursuant 
to paragraphs (b)(1) or (2) of this section.
    (j) Swordfish limits. When fishing north of the Equator (0[deg] 
lat.), owners and operators of vessels registered for use under a Hawaii 
longline limited access permit, on a trip for which the permit holder 
notified NMFS under Sec. 665.803(a) that the vessel would deep-set, may 
possess or land no more than the following number of swordfish for such 
trip:
    (1) If an observer is on board, there is no limit.
    (2) If there is no observer on board, and if only circle hooks are 
used, the limit is 25.
    (3) If there is no observer on board, and if any type of hook other 
than a circle hook is used, the limit is 10.
    (k) South Pacific longline requirements. When fishing south of the 
Equator (0[deg] lat.) for western Pacific pelagic MUS,

[[Page 501]]

owners and operators of vessels longer than 40 ft (12.2 m) registered 
for use with any valid longline permit issued pursuant to Sec. 665.801 
must use longline gear that is configured according to the requirements 
in paragraphs (k)(1) through (4) of this section.
    (1) Each float line must be at least 30 m long.
    (2) At least 15 branch lines must be attached to the mainline 
between any two float lines attached to the mainline.
    (3) Each branch line must be at least 10 meters long.
    (4) No branch line may be attached to the mainline closer than 70 
meters to any float line.

[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 13299, Mar. 11, 2011; 76 
FR 52889, Aug. 24, 2011; 77 FR 43722, July 26, 2012; 77 FR 60649, Oct. 
4, 2012; 83 FR 49496, Oct. 2, 2018; 85 FR 57997, Sept. 17, 2020; 85 FR 
71579, Nov. 10, 2020; 87 FR 25156, Apr. 28, 2022]



Sec. 665.814  Protected species workshop.

    (a) Each year, both the owner and the operator of a vessel 
registered for use under any longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801 
must attend and be certified for completion of a workshop conducted by 
NMFS on interaction mitigation techniques for sea turtles, seabirds and 
other protected species.
    (b) A protected species workshop certificate will be issued by NMFS 
annually to any person who has completed the workshop.
    (c) An owner of a vessel registered for use under any longline 
permit issued under Sec. 665.801 must have a valid protected species 
workshop certificate issued by NMFS to the owner of the vessel, in order 
to maintain or renew their vessel registration.
    (d) An owner and an operator of a vessel registered for use under 
any longline permit issued under Sec. 665.801 must have on board the 
vessel a valid protected species workshop certificate issued by NMFS to 
the operator of the vessel, or a legible copy thereof.



Sec. 665.815  Pelagic longline seabird mitigation measures.

    (a) Seabird mitigation techniques. When deep-setting or shallow-
setting north of 23[deg] N. lat. or shallow-setting south of 23[deg] N. 
lat., owners and operators of vessels registered for use under a Hawaii 
longline limited access permit, must either side-set according to 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or fish in accordance with paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section.
    (1) Side-setting. Owners and operators of vessels opting to side-set 
under this section must fish according to the following specifications:
    (i) The mainline must be deployed as far forward on the vessel as 
practicable, and at least 1 m (3.3 ft) forward from the stern of the 
vessel;
    (ii) The mainline and branch lines must be set from the port or the 
starboard side of the vessel;
    (iii) If a mainline shooter is used, the mainline shooter must be 
mounted as far forward on the vessel as practicable, and at least 1 m 
(3.3 ft) forward from the stern of the vessel;
    (iv) Branch lines must have weights with a minimum weight of 45 g 
(1.6 oz);
    (v) One weight must be connected to each branch line within 1 m (3.3 
ft) of each hook;
    (vi) When seabirds are present, the longline gear must be deployed 
so that baited hooks remain submerged and do not rise to the sea 
surface; and
    (vii) A bird curtain must be deployed. Each bird curtain must 
consist of the following three components: a pole that is fixed to the 
side of the vessel aft of the line shooter and which is at least 3 m 
(9.8 ft) long; at least three main streamers that are attached at 
regular intervals to the upper 2 m (6.6 ft) of the pole and each of 
which has a minimum diameter of 20 mm (0.8 in); and branch streamers 
attached to each main streamer at the end opposite from the pole, each 
of which is long enough to drag on the sea surface in the absence of 
wind, and each of which has a minimum diameter 10 mm (0.4 in).
    (2) Alternative to side-setting. Owners and operators of vessels 
that do not side-set must do the following:
    (i) Discharge fish, fish parts (offal), or spent bait while setting 
or hauling longline gear, on the opposite side of the vessel from where 
the longline gear is being set or hauled, when seabirds are present;
    (ii) Retain sufficient quantities of fish, fish parts, or spent bait 
between

[[Page 502]]

the setting of longline gear for the purpose of strategically 
discharging it in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section;
    (iii) Remove all hooks from fish, fish parts, or spent bait prior to 
its discharge in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section;
    (iv) Remove the bill and liver of any swordfish that is caught, 
sever its head from the trunk and cut it in half vertically and 
periodically discharge the butchered heads and livers in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section;
    (v) When using basket-style longline gear north of 23[deg] N. lat., 
ensure that the main longline is deployed slack to maximize its sink 
rate;
    (vi) Use completely thawed bait that has been dyed blue to an 
intensity level specified by a color quality control card issued by 
NMFS;
    (vii) Maintain a minimum of two cans (each sold as 0.45 kg or 1 lb 
size) containing blue dye on board the vessel; and
    (viii) Follow the requirements in paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) of 
this section, as applicable.
    (3) Deep-setting requirements. The following additional requirements 
apply to vessels engaged in deep-setting using a monofilament main 
longline north of 23[deg] N. lat. that do not side-set. Owners and 
operators of these vessels must do the following:
    (i) Employ a line shooter; and
    (ii) Attach a weight of at least 45 g (1.6 oz) to each branch line 
within 1 m (3.3 ft) of the hook.
    (4) Shallow-setting requirement. In addition to the requirements set 
forth in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, owners and 
operators of vessels engaged in shallow-setting that do not side-set 
must begin the deployment of longline gear at least 1 hour after local 
sunset and complete the deployment no later than local sunrise, using 
only the minimum vessel lights to conform with navigation rules and best 
safety practices.
    (b) Short-tailed albatross handling techniques. If a short-tailed 
albatross is hooked or entangled by a vessel registered for use under a 
Hawaii longline limited access permit, owners and operators must ensure 
that the following actions are taken:
    (1) Stop the vessel to reduce the tension on the line and bring the 
bird on board the vessel using a dip net;
    (2) Cover the bird with a towel to protect its feathers from oils or 
damage while being handled;
    (3) Remove any entangled lines from the bird; and
    (4) Determine if the bird is alive or dead.
    (i) If dead, freeze the bird immediately with an identification tag 
attached directly to the specimen listing the species, location and date 
of mortality, and band number if the bird has a leg band. Attach a 
duplicate identification tag to the bag or container holding the bird. 
Any leg bands present must remain on the bird. Contact NMFS, the USCG, 
or the USFWS at the numbers listed on the Short-tailed Albatross 
Handling Placard distributed at the NMFS protected species workshop, 
inform them that you have a dead short-tailed albatross on board, and 
submit the bird to NMFS within 72 hours following completion of the 
fishing trip.
    (ii) If alive, handle the bird in accordance with paragraphs (b)(5) 
through (11) of this section.
    (5) Place the bird in a safe enclosed place;
    (6) Immediately contact NMFS, the USCG, or the USFWS at the numbers 
listed on the Short-tailed Albatross Handling Placard distributed at the 
NMFS protected species workshop and request veterinary guidance;
    (7) Follow the veterinary guidance regarding the handling and 
release of the bird;
    (8) If the bird is externally hooked and no veterinary guidance is 
received within 24-48 hours, handle the bird in accordance with 
paragraphs (c)(4) and (c)(5) of this section, and release the bird only 
if it meets the following criteria:
    (i) Able to hold its head erect and respond to noise and motion 
stimuli;
    (ii) Able to breathe without noise;
    (iii) Capable of flapping and retracting both wings to normal folded 
position on its back;
    (iv) Able to stand on both feet with toes pointed forward; and

[[Page 503]]

    (v) Feathers are dry.
    (9) Any seabird that is released in accordance with paragraph (b)(8) 
of this section or under the guidance of a veterinarian must be placed 
on the sea surface;
    (10) If the hook has been ingested or is inaccessible, keep the bird 
in a safe, enclosed place and submit it to NMFS immediately upon the 
vessel's return to port. Do not give the bird food or water; and
    (11) Complete the short-tailed albatross recovery data form issued 
by NMFS.
    (c) Non-short-tailed albatross seabird handling techniques. If a 
seabird other than a short-tailed albatross is hooked or entangled by a 
vessel registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited access permit 
owners and operators must ensure that the following actions are taken:
    (1) Stop the vessel to reduce the tension on the line and bring the 
seabird on board the vessel using a dip net;
    (2) Cover the seabird with a towel to protect its feathers from oils 
or damage while being handled;
    (3) Remove any entangled lines from the seabird;
    (4) Remove any external hooks by cutting the line as close as 
possible to the hook, pushing the hook barb out point first, cutting off 
the hook barb using bolt cutters, and then removing the hook shank;
    (5) Cut the fishing line as close as possible to ingested or 
inaccessible hooks;
    (6) Leave the bird in a safe enclosed space to recover until its 
feathers are dry; and
    (7) After recovered, release seabirds by placing them on the sea 
surface.



Sec. 665.816  American Samoa longline limited entry program.

    (a) General. Under Sec. 665.801(c), certain U.S. vessels are 
required to be registered for use under a valid American Samoa longline 
limited access permit. Under the American Samoa Longline Limited Entry 
Program, the maximum number of longline fishing permits available is 
limited to 60 permits annually.
    (b) Terminology. For purposes of this section, the following terms 
have these meanings:
    (1) Documented participation means participation proved by, but not 
necessarily limited to, a properly submitted NMFS or American Samoa 
logbook, an American Samoa creel survey record, a delivery or payment 
record from an American Samoa-based cannery, retailer or wholesaler, an 
American Samoa tax record, an individual wage record, ownership title, 
vessel registration, or other official documents showing:
    (i) Ownership of a vessel that was used to fish in the EEZ around 
American Samoa; or
    (ii) Evidence of work on a fishing trip during which longline gear 
was used to harvest western Pacific pelagic MUS in the EEZ around 
American Samoa. If the applicant does not possess the necessary 
documentation of evidence of work on a fishing trip based on records 
available only from NMFS or the Government of American Samoa (e.g., 
creel survey record or logbook), the applicant may issue a request to 
PIRO to obtain such records from the appropriate agencies, if available. 
The applicant should provide sufficient information on the fishing trip 
to allow PIRO to retrieve the records.
    (2) Family means those people related by blood, marriage, and formal 
or informal adoption.
    (c) Vessel size classes. The Regional Administrator shall issue 
American Samoa longline limited access permits in the following size 
classes:
    (1) Small vessel, which is less than 50 ft (15.2 m) LOA.
    (2) Large vessel, which is equal to or over 50 ft (15.2 m) LOA.
    (d) Permit eligibility. Any U.S. national or U.S. citizen or 
company, partnership, or corporation is eligible for an American Samoa 
longline limited access permit.
    (e) Permit issuance. (1) If the number of permits issued falls below 
the maximum number of permits allowed, the Regional Administrator shall 
publish a notice in the Federal Register and use other means to notify 
prospective applicants of any available permit(s) in each class. Any 
application for issuance of a permit must be submitted

[[Page 504]]

to PIRO no later than 120 days after the date of publication of the 
notice on the availability of additional permits in the Federal 
Register. The Regional Administrator shall issue permits to persons 
according to the following priority standard:
    (i) Priority accrues to the person with the earliest documented 
participation in the pelagic longline fishery in the EEZ around American 
Samoa from smallest to largest vessel.
    (ii) In the event of a tie in the priority ranking between two or 
more applicants, the applicant whose second documented participation in 
the pelagic longline fishery in the EEZ around American Samoa is first 
in time will be ranked first in priority. If there is still a tie 
between two or more applicants, the Regional Administrator will select 
the successful applicant by an impartial lottery.
    (2) An application must be made, and application fees paid, in 
accordance with Sec. 665.13(c)(1), (d), and (f)(2). If the applicant is 
any entity other than a sole owner, the application must be accompanied 
by a supplementary information sheet, obtained from the Assistant 
Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, containing the names 
and mailing addresses of all owners, partners, and corporate officers 
that comprise ownership of the vessel for which the permit application 
is prepared.
    (3) Within 30 days of receipt of a completed application, the 
Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries shall make a 
decision on whether the applicant qualifies for a permit and will notify 
the successful applicant by a dated letter. The successful applicant 
must register a vessel of appropriate size to the permit within 120 days 
of the date of the letter of notification. The successful applicant must 
also submit a supplementary information sheet, obtained from the 
Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, containing 
the name and mailing address of the owner of the vessel to which the 
permit is registered. If the registered vessel is owned by any entity 
other than a sole owner, the names and mailing addresses of all owners, 
partners, and corporate officers must be included. If the successful 
applicant fails to register a vessel to the permit within 120 days of 
the date of the letter of notification, the Assistant Regional 
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries shall issue a letter of 
notification to the next person on the priority list or, in the event 
that there are no more prospective applicants on the priority list, re-
start the issuance process pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this section. 
Any person who fails to register the permit to a vessel under this 
paragraph (e)(3) within 120 days shall not be eligible to apply for a 
permit for 6 months from the date those 120 days expired.
    (4) An appeal of a denial of an application for a permit shall be 
processed in accordance with Sec. 665.801(o).
    (f) Permit term. The duration of a permit is three years from the 
date of issuance by NMFS.
    (g) Permit transfer. The holder of an American Samoa longline 
limited access permit may transfer the permit to another individual, 
partnership, corporation, or other entity as described in this section. 
The application for permit transfer must be submitted to the Regional 
Administrator within 30 days of the transfer date. If the applicant is 
any entity other than a sole owner, the application must be accompanied 
by a supplementary information sheet, obtained from the Assistant 
Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, containing the names 
and mailing addresses of all owners, partners, and corporate officers. 
After such an application has been made, the permit is not valid for use 
by the new permit holder until the Regional Administrator has issued the 
permit in the new permit holder's name under Sec. 665.13(c).
    (1) An American Samoa longline limited access permit may be 
transferred (by sale, gift, bequest, intestate succession, barter, or 
trade) to only the following persons:
    (i) A western Pacific community located in American Samoa that meets 
the criteria set forth in section 305(I)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
16 U.S.C. 1855(I)(2), and its implementing regulations in this part; or
    (ii) Any U.S. citizens or national.
    (2) Additionally, an American Samoa longline limited access small 
vessel permit may also be transferred (by

[[Page 505]]

sale, gift, bequest, intestate succession, barter, or trade) to a family 
member of the permit holder.
    (h) Permit renewal. (1) An American Samoa longline limited access 
permit will not be renewed following three years in which the vessel(s) 
to which it is registered landed less than:
    (i) Small vessel: A total of 500 lb (227 kg) of western Pacific 
pelagic MUS harvested using longline gear; or
    (ii) Large vessel: A total of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of western Pacific 
pelagic MUS harvested using longline gear.
    (2) For all vessels, the minimum harvest amount must be landed in 
American Samoa.
    (3) In the event of a transfer, the new permit holder would be 
required to meet the harvest requirement based on the following formula: 
Remaining harvest amount = product of percentage of time left within the 
3-year permit period and the minimum harvest amount for that size 
vessel. The original permit term and duration does not change in the 
event of a transfer.
    (i) Concentration of permits. No more than 10 percent of the maximum 
number of permits, of both size classes combined, may be held by the 
same permit holder. Fractional interest will be counted as a full permit 
for calculating whether the 10-percent standard has been reached.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[86 FR 55745, Oct. 7, 2021]



Sec. 665.817  [Reserved]



Sec. 665.818  Exemptions for American Samoa large vessel prohibited areas.

    (a) Exemption for historical participation. (1) An exemption will be 
issued to a person who currently owns a large vessel to use that vessel 
to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS in the American Samoa large 
vessel prohibited areas, if the person seeking the exemption had been 
the owner of that vessel when it was registered for use with a Western 
Pacific general longline permit, and has made at least one landing of 
western Pacific pelagic MUS in American Samoa on or prior to November 
13, 1997.
    (2) A landing of western Pacific pelagic MUS for the purpose of this 
paragraph must have been properly recorded on a NMFS Western Pacific 
Federal daily longline form that was submitted to NMFS, as required in 
Sec. 665.14.
    (3) An exemption is valid only for a vessel that was registered for 
use with a Western Pacific general longline permit and landed western 
Pacific pelagic MUS in American Samoa on or prior to November 13, 1997, 
or for a replacement vessel of equal or smaller LOA than the vessel that 
was initially registered for use with a Western Pacific general longline 
permit on or prior to November 13, 1997.
    (4) An exemption is valid only for the vessel for which it is 
registered. An exemption not registered for use with a particular vessel 
may not be used.
    (5) An exemption may not be transferred to another person.
    (6) If more than one person, e.g., a partnership or corporation, 
owned a large vessel when it was registered for use with a Western 
Pacific general longline permit and made at least one landing of western 
Pacific pelagic MUS in American Samoa on or prior to November 13, 1997, 
an exemption issued under this section will be issued to only one 
person.
    (b) Exemption for vessel size. Except as otherwise prohibited in 
subpart I of this part, a vessel of any size that is registered for use 
with a valid American Samoa longline limited access permit is authorized 
to fish for western Pacific pelagic MUS within the American Samoa large 
vessel prohibited areas as defined in Sec. 665.806(b), except that no 
large vessel as defined in Sec. 665.12 may be used to fish for western 
Pacific pelagic MUS in the portions of the American Samoa large vessel 
prohibited areas, as follows:
    (1) EEZ waters around Tutuila Island enclosed by straight lines 
connecting the following coordinates (the datum for these coordinates is 
World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84)):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     S. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TU-1.............................  14[deg]01[min]42[  171[deg]02[min]36[
                                    sec]               sec]
TU-2.............................  14[deg]01[min]42[  170[deg]20[min]22[
                                    sec]               sec]
TU-3.............................  14[deg]34[min]31[  170[deg]20[min]22[
                                    sec]               sec]
TU-4.............................  14[deg]34[min]31[  171[deg]03[min]10[
                                    sec]               sec]
TU-5.............................  14[deg]02[min]47[  171[deg]03[min]10[
                                    sec]               sec]
TU-1.............................  14[deg]01[min]42[  171[deg]02[min]36[
                                    sec]               sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 506]]

    (2) EEZ waters around the Manua Islands enclosed by straight lines 
connecting the following coordinates (WGS84):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     S. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MA-1.............................  13[deg]57[min]16[  169[deg]53[min]37[
                                    sec]               sec]
MA-2.............................  13[deg]57[min]16[  169[deg]12[min]45[
                                    sec]               sec]
MA-3.............................  14[deg]28[min]28[  169[deg]12[min]45[
                                    sec]               sec]
MA-4.............................  14[deg]28[min]28[  169[deg]53[min]37[
                                    sec]               sec]
MA-1.............................  13[deg]57[min]16[  169[deg]53[min]37[
                                    sec]               sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) EEZ waters around Swains Island enclosed by straight lines 
connecting the following coordinates (WGS84):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     S. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SW-1.............................  10[deg]50[min]42[  171[deg]17[min]42[
                                    sec]               sec]
SW-2.............................  10[deg]50[min]42[  170[deg]51[min]39[
                                    sec]               sec]
SW-3.............................  11[deg]16[min]08[  170[deg]51[min]39[
                                    sec]               sec]
SW-4.............................  11[deg]16[min]08[  171[deg]17[min]42[
                                    sec]               sec]
SW-1.............................  10[deg]50[min]42[  171[deg]17[min]42[
                                    sec]               sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[81 FR 5626, Feb. 3, 2016, as amended at 82 FR 43909, Sept. 20, 2017; 86 
FR 36240, July 9, 2021]



Sec. 665.819  Territorial catch and fishing effort limits.

    (a) General. (1) Notwithstanding Sec. 665.4, if the WCPFC agrees to 
a catch or fishing effort limit for a stock of western Pacific pelagic 
MUS that is applicable to a U.S. participating territory, the Regional 
Administrator may specify an annual or multi-year catch or fishing 
effort limit for a U.S. participating territory, as recommended by the 
Council, not to exceed the WCPFC adopted limit. The Regional 
Administrator may authorize such U.S. participating territory to 
allocate a portion, as recommended by the Council, of the specified 
catch or fishing effort limit to a fishing vessel or vessels holding a 
valid permit issued under Sec. 665.801 through a specified fishing 
agreement pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) If the WCPFC does not agree to a catch or fishing effort limit 
for a stock of western Pacific pelagic MUS applicable to a U.S. 
participating territory, the Council may recommend that the Regional 
Administrator specify such a limit that is consistent with the Pelagics 
FEP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable 
laws. The Council may also recommend that the Regional Administrator 
authorize a U.S. participating territory to allocate a portion of a 
specified catch or fishing effort limit to a fishing vessel or vessels 
holding valid permits issued under Sec. 665.801 through a specified 
fishing agreement pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.
    (3) The Council shall review any existing or proposed catch or 
fishing effort limit specification and portion available for allocation 
at least annually to ensure consistency with the Pelagics FEP, Magnuson-
Stevens Act, WCPFC decisions, and other applicable laws. Based on this 
review, at least annually, the Council shall recommend to the Regional 
Administrator whether such catch or fishing effort limit specification 
or portion available for allocation should be approved for the next 
fishing year.
    (4) The Regional Administrator shall review any Council 
recommendation pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section and, if 
determined to be consistent with the Pelagics FEP, Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
WCPFC decisions, and other applicable laws, shall approve such 
recommendation. If the Regional Administrator determines that a 
recommendation is inconsistent with the Pelagics FEP, Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, WCPFC decisions and other applicable laws, the Regional 
Administrator will disapprove the recommendation and provide the Council 
with a written explanation of the reasons for disapproval. If a catch or 
fishing effort limit specification or allocation limit is disapproved, 
or if the Council recommends and NMFS approves no catch or fishing 
effort limit specification or allocation limit, no specified fishing 
agreements as described in paragraph (c) of this section will be 
accepted for the fishing year covered by such action.
    (b) Procedures and timing. (1) After receiving a Council 
recommendation for a catch or fishing effort limit specification, or 
portion available for allocation, the Regional Administrator will 
evaluate the recommendation for consistency with the Pelagics FEP, other 
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.
    (2) The Regional Administrator will publish in the Federal Register 
a notice and request for public comment of the proposed catch or fishing 
effort

[[Page 507]]

limit specification and any portion of the limit that may be allocated 
to a fishing vessel or vessels holding a valid permit issued under Sec. 
665.801.
    (3) The Regional Administrator will publish in the Federal Register, 
a notice of the final catch or fishing effort limit specification and 
portion of the limit that may be allocated to a fishing vessel or 
vessels holding valid permits issued under Sec. 665.801. The final 
specification of a catch or fishing effort limit will also announce the 
deadline for submitting a specified fishing agreement for review as 
described in paragraph (c) of this section. The deadline will be no 
earlier than 30 days after the publication date of the Federal Register 
notice that specifies the final catch or fishing effort limit and the 
portion of the limit that may be allocated through a specified fishing 
agreement.
    (c) Specified fishing agreements. A specified fishing agreement 
means an agreement between a U.S. participating territory and the owner 
or a designated representative of a fishing vessel or vessels holding a 
valid permit issued under Sec. 665.801 of this part. An agreement 
provides access to an identified portion of a catch or fishing effort 
limit and may not exceed the amount specified for the territory and made 
available for allocation pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. The 
identified portion of a catch or fishing effort limit in an agreement 
must account for recent and anticipated harvest on the stock or stock 
complex or fishing effort, and any other valid agreements with the 
territory during the same year not to exceed the territory's catch or 
fishing effort limit or allocation limit.
    (1) An authorized official or designated representative of a U.S. 
participating territory may submit a complete specified fishing 
agreement to the Council for review. A complete specified fishing 
agreement must meet the following requirements:
    (i) Identify the vessel(s) to which the fishing agreement applies, 
along with documentation that such vessel(s) possesses a valid permit 
issued under Sec. 665.801;
    (ii) Identify the amount (weight) of western Pacific pelagic MUS to 
which the fishing agreement applies, if applicable;
    (iii) Identify the amount of fishing effort to which the fishing 
agreement applies, if applicable;
    (iv) Be signed by an authorized official of the applicable U.S. 
participating territory, or designated representative;
    (v) Be signed by each vessel owner or designated representative; and
    (vi) Satisfy either paragraph (c)(1)(vi)(A) or (B) of this section:
    (A) Require the identified vessels to land or offload catch in the 
ports of the U.S. participating territory to which the fishing agreement 
applies; or
    (B) Specify the amount of monetary contributions that each vessel 
owner in the agreement, or his or her designated representative, will 
deposit into the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund.
    (vii) Be consistent with the Pelagics FEP and implementing 
regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws; and
    (viii) Shall not confer any right of compensation to any party 
enforceable against the United States should action under such agreement 
be prohibited or limited by NMFS pursuant to its authority under 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, or other applicable laws.
    (2) Council review. The Council, through its Executive Director, 
will review a submitted specified fishing agreement to ensure that it is 
consistent with paragraph (1) of this section. The Council will advise 
the authorized official or designated representative of the U.S. 
participating territory to which the agreement applies of any 
inconsistency and provide an opportunity to modify the agreement, as 
appropriate. The Council will transmit the complete specified fishing 
agreement to the Regional Administrator for review.
    (3) Agency review. (i) Upon receipt of a specified fishing agreement 
from the Council, the Regional Administrator will consider such 
agreement for consistency with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the 
Pelagics FEP and implementing regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
other applicable laws.
    (ii) Within 30 calendar days of receipt of the fishing agreement 
from the Council, the Regional Administrator

[[Page 508]]

will provide the authorized official or designated representative of the 
U.S. participating territory to which the agreement applies and the 
signatory vessel owners or their designated representatives with written 
notice of whether the agreement meets the requirements of this section. 
The Regional Administrator will reject an agreement for any of the 
following reasons:
    (A) The agreement fails to meet the criteria specified in this 
subpart;
    (B) The applicant has failed to disclose material information;
    (C) The applicant has made a material false statement related to the 
specified fishing agreement;
    (D) The agreement is inconsistent with the Pelagics FEP, 
implementing regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or other applicable 
laws; or
    (E) The agreement includes a vessel identified in another valid 
specified fishing agreement.
    (iii) The Regional Administrator, in consultation with the Council, 
may recommend that specified fishing agreements include such additional 
terms and conditions as are necessary to ensure consistency with the 
Pelagics FEP and implementing regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
other applicable laws.
    (iv) The U.S. participating territory must notify NMFS and the 
Council in writing of any changes in the identity of fishing vessels to 
which the specified fishing agreement applies within 72 hours of the 
change.
    (v) Upon written notice that a specified fishing agreement fails to 
meet the requirements of this section, the Regional Administrator may 
provide the U.S. participating territory an opportunity to modify the 
fishing agreement within the time period prescribed in the notice. Such 
opportunity to modify the agreement may not exceed 30 days following the 
date of written notice. The U.S. participating territory may resubmit 
the agreement according to paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (vi) The absence of the Regional Administrator's written notice 
within the time period specified in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section 
or, if applicable, within the extended time period specified in 
paragraph (c)(3)(v) of this section shall operate as the Regional 
Administrator's finding that the fishing agreement meets the 
requirements of this section.
    (4) Transfer. Specified fishing agreements authorized under this 
section are not transferable or assignable, except as allowed pursuant 
to paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (5) A vessel shall not be identified in more than one valid 
specified fishing agreement at a time.
    (6) Revocation and suspension. The Regional Administrator, in 
consultation with the Council, may at any time revoke or suspend 
attribution under a specified fishing agreement upon the determination 
that either: Operation under the agreement would violate the 
requirements of the Pelagics FEP or implementing regulations, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, or other applicable laws; or the U.S. 
participating territory fails to notify NMFS and the Council in writing 
of any changes in the identity of fishing vessels to which the specified 
fishing agreement applies within 72 hours of the change.
    (7) Cancellation. The U.S. participating territory and the vessel 
owner(s), or designated representative(s), that are party to a specified 
fishing agreement must notify the Regional Administrator in writing 
within 72 hours after an agreement is cancelled or no longer valid. A 
valid notice of cancellation shall require the signatures of both 
parties to the agreement. All catch or fishing effort attributions under 
the agreement shall cease upon the written date of a valid notice of 
cancellation.
    (8) Appeals. An authorized official or designated representative of 
a U.S. participating territory or signatory vessel owners or their 
designated representatives may appeal the granting, denial, 
conditioning, or suspension of a specified fishing agreement affecting 
their interests to the Regional Administrator in accordance with the 
permit appeals procedures set forth in Sec. 665.801(o) of this subpart.
    (9) Catch or fishing effort attribution procedures. (i) For vessels 
identified in a valid specified fishing agreement that are subject to a 
U.S. limit and fishing restrictions set forth in 50 CFR

[[Page 509]]

part 300, subpart O, NMFS will attribute catch made by such vessels to 
the applicable U.S. participating territory starting seven days before 
the date NMFS projects the annual U.S. limit to be reached, or upon the 
effective date of the agreement, whichever is later.
    (ii) For U.S. fishing vessels identified in a valid specified 
fishing agreement that are subject to catch or fishing effort limits and 
fishing restrictions set forth in this subpart, NMFS will attribute 
catch or fishing effort to the applicable U.S. participating territory 
starting seven days before the date NMFS projects the limit to be 
reached, or upon the effective date of the agreement, whichever is 
later.
    (iii) If NMFS determines catch or fishing effort made by fishing 
vessels identified in a specified fishing agreement exceeds the 
allocated limit, NMFS will attribute any overage of the limit back to 
the U.S. or Pacific island fishery to which the vessel(s) is registered 
and permitted in accordance with the regulations set forth in 50 CFR 
part 300, subpart O and other applicable laws.
    (d) Accountability measures. (1) NMFS will monitor catch and fishing 
effort with respect to any territorial catch or fishing effort limit, 
including the amount of a limit allocated to vessels identified in a 
valid specified fishing agreement, using data submitted in logbooks and 
other information. When NMFS projects a territorial catch or fishing 
effort limit or allocated limit to be reached, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish notification to that effect in the Federal 
Register at least seven days before the limit will be reached.
    (2) The notice will include an advisement that fishing for the 
applicable pelagic MUS stock or stock complex, or fishing effort, will 
be restricted on a specific date. The restriction may include, but is 
not limited to, a prohibition on retention, closure of a fishery, 
closure of specific areas, or other catch or fishing effort 
restrictions. The restriction will remain in effect until the end of the 
fishing year.
    (e) Disbursement of contributions from the Sustainable Fisheries 
Fund. (1) NMFS shall make available to the Western Pacific Fishery 
Management Council monetary contributions, made to the Fund pursuant to 
a specified fishing agreement, in the following order of priority:
    (i) Project(s) identified in an approved Marine Conservation Plan 
(16 U.S.C. 1824) of a U.S. participating territory that is a party to a 
valid specified fishing agreement, pursuant to Sec. 665.819(c); and
    (ii) In the case of two or more valid specified fishing agreements 
in a fishing year, the projects listed in an approved Marine 
Conservation Plan applicable to the territory with the earliest valid 
agreement will be funded first.
    (2) At least seven calendar days prior to the disbursement of any 
funds, the Council shall provide in writing to NMFS a list identifying 
the order of priority of the projects in an approved Marine Conservation 
Plan that are to be funded. The Council may thereafter revise this list.

[79 FR 64111, Oct. 28, 2014]



           Subpart G_Marianas Trench Marine National Monument

    Source: 78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 665.900  Scope and purpose.

    The regulations in this subpart codify certain provisions of the 
Proclamation, and govern the administration of fishing in the Monument. 
Nothing in this subpart shall be deemed to diminish or enlarge the 
jurisdiction of the Territory of Guam or the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands.



Sec. 665.901  Boundaries.

    The Marianas Trench Marine National Monument includes the following:
    (a) Islands Unit. The Islands Unit includes the waters and submerged 
lands of the three northernmost Mariana Islands (Farallon de Pajaros 
(Uracas), Maug, and Asuncion). The shoreward boundary of the Islands 
Unit is the mean low water line. The seaward boundary of Islands Unit is 
defined by

[[Page 510]]

straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             ID                     E. long.               N. lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................  144[deg]1[min]22.97[  21[deg]23[min]42.40[
                               sec]                  sec]
2...........................  145[deg]33[min]25.20  21[deg]23[min]42.40[
                               [sec]                 sec]
3...........................  145[deg]44[min]31.14  21[deg]11[min]14.60[
                               [sec]                 sec]
4...........................  146[deg]18[min]36.75  20[deg]49[min]17.46[
                               [sec]                 sec]
5...........................  146[deg]18[min]36.75  19[deg]22[min]0.00[s
                               [sec]                 ec]
6...........................  145[deg]3[min]12.22[  19[deg]22[min]0.00[s
                               sec]                  ec]
7...........................  144[deg]1[min]22.97[  20[deg]45[min]44.11[
                               sec]                  sec]
1...........................  144[deg]1[min]22.97[  21[deg]23[min]42.40[
                               sec]                  sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Volcanic Unit. The Volcanic Unit includes the submerged lands of 
designated volcanic sites. The boundaries of the Volcanic Unit are 
defined as circles of a one nautical mile radius centered on each of the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               ID                      E. long.             N. lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fukujin.........................  143[deg]27[min]30[  21[deg]56[min]30[s
                                   sec]                ec]
Minami Kasuga 2................  143[deg]38[min]30[  21[deg]36[min]36[s
                                   sec]                ec]
N.W. Eifuku.....................  144[deg]2[min]36[s  21[deg]29[min]15[s
                                   ec]                 ec]
Minami Kasuga 3................  143[deg]38[min]0[s  21[deg]24[min]0[se
                                   ec]                 c]
Daikoku.........................  144[deg]11[min]39[  21[deg]19[min]27[s
                                   sec]                ec]
Ahyi............................  145[deg]1[min]45[s  20[deg]26[min]15[s
                                   ec]                 ec]
Maug............................  145[deg]13[min]18[  20[deg]1[min]15[se
                                   sec]                c]
Alice Springs...................  144[deg]30[min]0[s  18[deg]12[min]0[se
                                   ec]                 c]
Central trough..................  144[deg]45[min]0[s  18[deg]1[min]0[sec
                                   ec]                 ]
Zealandia.......................  145[deg]51[min]4[s  16[deg]52[min]57[s
                                   ec]                 ec]
E. Diamante.....................  145[deg]40[min]47[  15[deg]56[min]31[s
                                   sec]                ec]
Ruby............................  145[deg]34[min]24[  15[deg]36[min]15[s
                                   sec]                ec]
Esmeralda.......................  145[deg]14[min]45[  14[deg]57[min]30[s
                                   sec]                ec]
N.W. Rota 1....................  144[deg]46[min]30[  14[deg]36[min]0[se
                                   sec]                c]
W. Rota.........................  144[deg]50[min]0[s  14[deg]19[min]30[s
                                   ec]                 ec]
Forecast........................  143[deg]55[min]12[  13[deg]23[min]30[s
                                   sec]                ec]
Seamount X......................  144[deg]1[min]0[se  13[deg]14[min]48[s
                                   c]                  ec]
South Backarc...................  143[deg]37[min]8[s  12[deg]57[min]12[s
                                   ec]                 ec]
Archaean site...................  143[deg]37[min]55[  12[deg]56[min]23[s
                                   sec]                ec]
Pika site.......................  143[deg]38[min]55[  12[deg]55[min]7[se
                                   sec]                c]
Toto............................  143[deg]31[min]42[  12[deg]42[min]48[s
                                   sec]                ec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Trench Unit. The Trench Unit includes the submerged lands of the 
Marianas Trench. The boundary of the Trench Unit extends from the 
northern limit of the EEZ around the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands to the southern limit of the EEZ around Guam as defined 
by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order 
listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              ID                      E. long.             N. lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  145[deg]5[min]46[se  23[deg]53[min]35[se
                                 c]                   c]
2.............................  145[deg]52[min]27.1  23[deg]45[min]50.54
                                 0[sec]               [sec]
3.............................  146[deg]36[min]18.9  23[deg]29[min]18.33
                                 1[sec]               [sec]
4.............................  147[deg]5[min]16.84  23[deg]11[min]43.92
                                 [sec]                [sec]
5.............................  147[deg]22[min]31.4  20[deg]38[min]41.35
                                 3[sec]               [sec]
6.............................  147[deg]40[min]48.3  19[deg]59[min]23.30
                                 1[sec]               [sec]
7.............................  147[deg]39[min]59.5  19[deg]27[min]2.96[
                                 1[sec]               sec]
8.............................  147[deg]48[min]51.6  19[deg]8[min]18.74[
                                 1[sec]               sec]
9.............................  148[deg]21[min]47.2  18[deg]56[min]6.46[
                                 0[sec]               sec]
10............................  148[deg]42[min]50.5  17[deg]58[min]2.20[
                                 0[sec]               sec]
11............................  148[deg]34[min]47.1  16[deg]40[min]53.86
                                 2[sec]               [sec]
12............................  148[deg]5[min]39.95  15[deg]25[min]51.09
                                 [sec]                [sec]
13............................  146[deg]23[min]24.3  12[deg]21[min]38.38
                                 8[sec]               [sec]
14............................  145[deg]28[min]33.2  11[deg]34[min]7.64[
                                 8[sec]               sec]
15............................  143[deg]3[min]9[sec  10[deg]57[min]30[se
                                 ]                    c]
16............................  142[deg]19[min]54.9  11[deg]47[min]24.83
                                 3[sec]               [sec]
17............................  144[deg]42[min]31.2  12[deg]21[min]24.65
                                 4[sec]               [sec]
18............................  145[deg]17[min]59.9  12[deg]33[min]5.35[
                                 3[sec]               sec]
19............................  147[deg]29[min]32.2  15[deg]49[min]25.53
                                 4[sec]               [sec]
20............................  147[deg]27[min]32.3  17[deg]57[min]52.76
                                 5[sec]               [sec]
21............................  147[deg]20[min]16.9  19[deg]9[min]19.41[
                                 6[sec]               sec]
22............................  146[deg]57[min]55.3  20[deg]23[min]58.80
                                 1[sec]               [sec]
23............................  145[deg]44[min]31.1  21[deg]11[min]14.60
                                 4[sec]               [sec]
24............................  144[deg]5[min]27.55  23[deg]2[min]28.67[
                                 [sec]                sec]
1.............................  145[deg]5[min]46[se  23[deg]53[min]35[se
                                 c]                   c]
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec. 665.902  Definitions.

    The following definitions are used in this subpart:
    Management unit species or MUS means the Mariana Archipelago 
management unit species as defined in Sec. Sec. 665.401, 665.421, 
665.441, and 665.461, and the pelagic management unit species as defined 
in Sec. 665.800.
    Monument means the submerged lands and, where applicable, waters of 
the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument as defined in Sec. 
665.901.
    Proclamation means Presidential Proclamation 8335 of January 6, 
2009, ``Establishment of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.''



Sec. 665.903  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, and Sec. 665.15 and subpart D of this part, the 
following activities are prohibited in the Islands Unit and, thus, 
unlawful for a person to conduct or cause to be conducted.
    (a) Commercial fishing in violation of Sec. 665.904(a).
    (b) Non-commercial fishing, except as authorized under permit and 
pursuant to the procedures and criteria established in Sec. 665.905.
    (c) Transferring a permit in violation of Sec. 665.905(d).
    (d) Commercial fishing outside the Islands Unit and non-commercial 
fishing within the Islands Unit on the same trip in violation of Sec. 
665.904(c).

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.904  Regulated activities.

    (a) Commercial fishing is prohibited in the Islands Unit.

[[Page 511]]

    (b) Non-commercial fishing is prohibited in the Islands Unit, except 
as authorized under permit and pursuant to the procedures and criteria 
established in Sec. 665.905.
    (c) Commercial fishing outside the Islands Unit and non-commercial 
fishing within the Islands Unit during the same trip is prohibited.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.905  Fishing permit procedures and criteria.

    (a) Marianas Trench Monument Islands Unit non-commercial permit--(1) 
Applicability. Both the owner and operator of a vessel used to non-
commercially fish for, take, retain, or possess MUS in the Islands Unit 
must have a permit issued under this section, and the permit must be 
registered for use with that vessel.
    (2) Eligibility criteria. A permit issued under this section may be 
issued only to a community resident of Guam or the CNMI.
    (3) Terms and conditions. (i) Customary exchange of fish harvested 
within the Islands Unit under a non-commercial permit is allowed, except 
that customary exchange by fishermen engaged in recreational fishing is 
prohibited.
    (ii) Monetary reimbursement under customary exchange shall not 
exceed actual fishing trip expenses, including but not limited to ice, 
bait, fuel, or food.
    (b) Marianas Trench Monument Islands Unit recreational charter 
permit--(1) Applicability. Both the owner and operator of a vessel 
chartered to recreationally fish for, take, retain, or possess MUS in 
the Islands Unit must have a permit issued under this section, and the 
permit must be registered for use with that vessel. Charter boat 
customers are not required to obtain a permit.
    (2) Eligibility criteria. To be eligible for a permit issued under 
this section, a charter business must be established legally under the 
laws of Guam or the CNMI.
    (3) Terms and conditions. (i) The sale or exchange through barter or 
trade of fish caught in the Monument by a charter boat is prohibited.
    (ii) No MUS harvested under a recreational charter fishing permit 
may be used for the purposes of customary exchange.
    (c) Application. An application for a permit required under this 
section must be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13.
    (d) Transfer. A permit issued under this section is not 
transferrable.
    (e) Reporting and recordkeeping. The operator of a vessel subject to 
the requirements of this section must comply with the terms and 
conditions described in Sec. 665.14.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.906  International law.

    The regulations in this subpart shall be applied in accordance with 
international law. No restrictions shall apply to or be enforced against 
a person who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the United 
States (including foreign flag vessels) unless in accordance with 
international law.



        Subpart H_Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

    Source: 78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 665.930  Scope and purpose.

    The regulations in this subpart codify certain provisions of the 
Proclamations, and govern the administration of fishing in the Monument.

[80 FR 15695, Mar. 25, 2015]



Sec. 665.931  Boundaries.

    The Monument, including the waters and submerged and emergent lands 
of Wake, Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, Johnston Atoll, Kingman 
Reef, and Palmyra Atoll, is defined as follows:
    (a) Wake Island. The Wake Island unit of the Monument includes the 
waters and submerged and emergent lands around Wake Island to the 
seaward limit of the U.S. EEZ.
    (b) Howland and Baker Islands. The Howland and Baker Islands units 
of the Monument include the waters and submerged and emergent lands 
around Howland and Baker Islands within an

[[Page 512]]

area defined by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in 
the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             ID                     W. long.                Lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................  177[deg]27[min]7[sec  1[deg]39[min]15[sec]
                               ]                     N.
2...........................  175[deg]38[min]32[se  1[deg]39[min]15[sec]
                               c]                    N.
3...........................  175[deg]38[min]32[se  0[deg]38[min]33[sec]
                               c]                    S.
4...........................  177[deg]27[min]7[sec  0[deg]38[min]33[sec]
                               ]                     S.
1...........................  177[deg]27[min]7[sec  1[deg]39[min]15[sec]
                               ]                     N.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Jarvis Island. The Jarvis Island unit of the Monument includes 
the waters and submerged and emergent lands around Jarvis Island to the 
seaward limit of the U.S. EEZ.
    (d) Johnston Atoll. The Johnston Atoll unit of the Monument includes 
the waters and submerged and emergent lands around Johnston Atoll to the 
seaward limit of the U.S. EEZ.
    (e) Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll. The Kingman Reef and Palmyra 
Atoll units of the Monument include the waters and submerged and 
emergent lands around Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll within an area 
defined by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the 
order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             ID                     W. long.               N. lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................  163[deg]11[min]16[se  7[deg]14[min]38[sec]
                               c]
2...........................  161[deg]12[min]3[sec  7[deg]14[min]38[sec]
                               ]
3...........................  161[deg]12[min]3[sec  5[deg]20[min]23[sec]
                               ]
4...........................  161[deg]25[min]22[se  5[deg]1[min]34[sec]
                               c]
5...........................  163[deg]11[min]16[se  5[deg]1[min]34[sec]
                               c]
1...........................  163[deg]11[min]16[se  7[deg]14[min]38[sec]
                               c]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 15695, Mar. 25, 2015]



Sec. 665.932  Definitions.

    The following definitions are used in this subpart:
    Management unit species or MUS means the Pacific Remote Island Areas 
management unit species as defined in Sec. Sec. 665.601, 665.621, 
665.641, and 665.661, and the pelagic management unit species as defined 
in Sec. 665.800.
    Monument means the waters and submerged and emergent lands of the 
Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument and the Pacific Remote 
Islands Marine National Monument Expansion, as defined in Sec. 665.931.
    Proclamations means Presidential Proclamation 8336 of January 6, 
2009, ``Establishment of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National 
Monument,'' and Presidential Proclamation 9173 of September 29, 2014, 
``Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument Expansion.''

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 15695, Mar. 25, 2015]



Sec. 665.933  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, and Sec. 665.15 and subparts E and F of this part, the 
following activities are prohibited in the Monument and, thus, unlawful 
for a person to conduct or cause to be conducted.
    (a) Commercial fishing in the Monument.
    (b) Non-commercial fishing in the Monument, except as authorized 
under permit and pursuant to the procedures and criteria established in 
Sec. 665.935.
    (c) Transferring a permit in violation of Sec. 665.935(d).
    (d) Commercial fishing outside the Monument and non-commercial 
fishing within the Monument on the same trip in violation of Sec. 
665.934(c).
    (e) Non-commercial fishing within 12 nm of emergent land within the 
Monument, unless authorized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, in 
consultation with NMFS and the Council, in violation of Sec. 
665.934(d). For the purposes of this subsection, consultation means that 
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will consult with NMFS, which in turn 
will consult with the Council.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.934  Regulated activities.

    (a) Commercial fishing is prohibited in the Monument.
    (b) Non-commercial fishing is prohibited in the Monument, except 
under permit and pursuant to the procedures and criteria established in 
Sec. 665.935 or pursuant to Sec. 665.934(d).
    (c) Commercial fishing outside the Monument and non-commercial 
fishing within the Monument during the same trip is prohibited.
    (d) Non-commercial fishing is prohibited within 12 nm of emergent 
land within the Monument, unless authorized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife 
Service, in consultation with NMFS and the Council. For the purposes of 
this subsection, consultation means that the

[[Page 513]]

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will consult with NMFS, which in turn will 
consult with the Council.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.935  Fishing permit procedures and criteria.

    (a) Non-commercial fishing--(1) Applicability. Except as provided in 
section 665.934(d), a vessel that is used to non-commercially fish for, 
take, retain, or possess MUS in the Monument must be registered for use 
with a permit issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 665.603, 665.624, 665.642, 
665.662, 665.801(f), or 665.801(g).
    (2) Terms and conditions. Customary exchange of fish harvested in 
the Monument is prohibited.
    (b) Pacific Remote Islands Monument recreational charter permit--(1) 
Applicability. Except as provided in Sec. 665.934(d), both the owner 
and operator of a vessel that is chartered to recreationally fish for, 
take, retain, or possess MUS in the Monument must have a permit issued 
under this section, and the permit must be registered for use with that 
vessel. Charter boat customers are not required to obtain a permit.
    (2) Terms and conditions. (i) The sale or exchange through barter or 
trade of fish caught by a charter boat fishing in the Monument is 
prohibited.
    (ii) Customary exchange of fish harvested under a Monument 
recreational charter permit is prohibited.
    (c) Application. An application for a permit required under this 
section must be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13.
    (d) Transfer. A permit issued under this section is not 
transferrable.
    (e) Reporting and recordkeeping. The operator of a vessel subject to 
the requirements of this section must comply with the terms and 
conditions described in Sec. 665.14.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.936  International law.

    The regulations in this subpart shall be applied in accordance with 
international law. No restrictions shall apply to or be enforced against 
a person who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the United 
States (including foreign flag vessels) unless in accordance with 
international law.



              Subpart I_Rose Atoll Marine National Monument

    Source: 78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 665.960  Scope and purpose.

    The regulations in this subpart codify certain provisions of the 
Proclamation, and govern the administration of fishing within the 
Monument. Nothing in this subpart shall be deemed to diminish or enlarge 
the jurisdiction of the Territory of American Samoa.



Sec. 665.961  Boundaries.

    The Monument consists of emergent and submerged lands and waters 
extending seaward approximately 50 nm from Rose Atoll. The boundary is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the 
order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             ID                     W. long.               S. lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................  169[deg]0[min]42[sec  13[deg]41[min]54[sec
                               ]                     ]
2...........................  167[deg]17[min]0[sec  13[deg]41[min]54[sec
                               ]                     ]
3...........................  167[deg]17[min]0[sec  15[deg]23[min]10[sec
                               ]                     ]
4...........................  169[deg]0[min]42[sec  15[deg]23[min]10[sec
                               ]                     ]
1...........................  169[deg]0[min]42[sec  13[deg]41[min]54[sec
                               ]                     ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec. 665.962  Definitions.

    The following definitions are used in this subpart:
    Management Unit Species or MUS means the American Samoa management 
unit species as defined in Sec. Sec. 665.401, 665.421, 665.441, and 
665.461, and the pelagic management unit species as defined in Sec. 
665.800.
    Monument means the waters and emergent and submerged lands of the 
Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, as defined in Sec. 665.961.
    Proclamation means Presidential Proclamation 8337 of January 6, 
2009, ``Establishment of the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.''



Sec. 665.963  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, and Sec. 665.15 and subpart B of this

[[Page 514]]

part, the following activities are prohibited in the Monument and, thus, 
unlawful for a person to conduct or cause to be conducted.
    (a) Commercial fishing in the Monument.
    (b) Non-commercial fishing in the Monument, except as authorized 
under permit and pursuant to the procedures and criteria established in 
Sec. 665.965.
    (c) Transferring a permit in violation of Sec. 665.965(d).
    (d) Commercial fishing outside the Monument and non-commercial 
fishing within the Monument on the same trip in violation of Sec. 
665.964(c).
    (e) Fishing within 12 nm of emergent land within the Monument in 
violation of Sec. 665.964(d).

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.964  Regulated activities.

    (a) Commercial fishing is prohibited in the Monument.
    (b) Non-commercial fishing is prohibited in the Monument, except as 
authorized under permit and pursuant to the procedures and criteria 
established in Sec. 665.965.
    (c) Commercial fishing outside the Monument and non-commercial 
fishing within the Monument during the same trip is prohibited.
    (d) All fishing is prohibited within 12 nm of emergent land within 
the Monument.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.965  Fishing permit procedures and criteria.

    (a) Rose Atoll Monument non-commercial fishing permit--(1) 
Applicability. Both the owner and operator of a vessel used to non-
commercially fish for, take, retain, or possess MUS in the Monument must 
have a permit issued under this section, and the permit must be 
registered for use with that vessel.
    (2) Eligibility criteria. A permit issued under this section may be 
issued only to a community resident of American Samoa.
    (3) Terms and conditions. (i) Customary exchange of fish harvested 
under a non-commercial permit within the Monument is allowed, except 
that customary exchange by fishermen engaged in recreational fishing is 
prohibited.
    (ii) Monetary reimbursement under customary exchange shall not 
exceed actual fishing trip expenses, including but not limited to ice, 
bait, fuel, or food.
    (b) Rose Atoll Monument recreational charter permit -- (1) 
Applicability. Both the owner and operator of a vessel that is chartered 
to fish recreationally for, take, retain, or possess MUS in the Monument 
must have a permit issued under this section, and the permit must be 
registered for use with that vessel. Charter boat customers are not 
required to obtain a permit.
    (2) Permit eligibility criteria. To be eligible for a permit issued 
under this section, a charter business must be established legally under 
the laws of American Samoa.
    (3) Terms and conditions. (i) The sale or exchange through barter or 
trade of fish caught by a charter boat fishing in the Monument is 
prohibited.
    (ii) No MUS harvested under a recreational charter fishing permit 
may be used for the purposes of customary exchange.
    (c) Application. An application for a permit required under this 
section must be submitted to PIRO as described in Sec. 665.13.
    (d) Transfer. A permit issued under this section is not 
transferrable.
    (e) Reporting and recordkeeping. The operator of a vessel subject to 
the requirements of this section must comply with the terms and 
conditions described in Sec. 665.14.

[78 FR 33003, June 3, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]



Sec. 665.966  International law.

    The regulations in this subpart shall be applied in accordance with 
international law. No restrictions shall apply to or be enforced against 
a person who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the United 
States (including foreign flag vessels) unless in accordance with 
international law.

[[Page 515]]



         Sec. Figure 1 to Part 665--Carapace Length of Lobsters
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14JA10.126



          Sec. Figure 2 to Part 665--Length of Fishing Vessels
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14JA10.127


[[Page 516]]





   Sec. Figure 3 to Part 665--Sample Fabricated Arceneaux Line Clipper
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14JA10.128


[[Page 517]]





PART 679_FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE 
OFF ALASKA--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
679.1 Purpose and scope.
679.2 Definitions.
679.3 Relation to other laws.
679.4 Permits.
679.5 Recordkeeping and reporting.
679.6 Exempted fisheries.
679.7 Prohibitions.
679.8 Facilitation of enforcement.
679.9 Penalties.

                      Subpart B_Management Measures

679.20 General limitations.
679.21 Prohibited species bycatch management.
679.22 Closures.
679.23 Seasons.
679.24 Gear limitations.
679.25 Inseason adjustments.
679.26 Prohibited Species Donation Program.
679.27 Improved Retention/Improved Utilization Program.
679.28 Equipment and operational requirements.

      Subpart C_Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program

679.30 [Reserved]
679.31 CDQ and PSQ reserves, allocations, and transfers.
679.32 Groundfish and halibut CDQ catch monitoring.
679.33 CDQ cost recovery.

         Subpart D_Individual Fishing Quota Management Measures

679.40 Sablefish and halibut QS.
679.41 Transfer of quota shares and IFQ.
679.42 Limitations on use of QS and IFQ.
679.43 Determinations and appeals.
679.44 Penalties.
679.45 IFQ cost recovery program.

                Subpart E_North Pacific Observer Program

679.50 Applicability.
679.51 Observer and Electronic Monitoring System requirements for 
          vessels and plants.
679.52 Observer provider permitting and responsibilities.
679.53 Observer certification and responsibilities.
679.54 Release of observer data to the public.
679.55 Observer fees.

 Subpart F_American Fisheries Act and Aleutian Island Directed Pollock 
                       Fishery Management Measures

679.60 Authority and related regulations.
679.61 Formation and operation of fishery cooperatives.
679.62 Inshore sector cooperative allocation program.
679.63 Catch weighing requirements for vessels and processors.
679.64 Harvesting sideboard limits in other fisheries.
679.65 Bering Sea Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management Program Economic 
          Data Report (Chinook salmon EDR program).
679.66 AFA cost recovery.
679.67 Aleutian Islands pollock cost recovery.

                       Subpart G_Rockfish Program

679.80 Allocation and transfer of rockfish QS.
679.81 Rockfish Program annual harvester privileges.
679.82 Rockfish Program use caps and sideboard limits.
679.83 Rockfish Program entry level longline fishery.
679.84 Rockfish Program recordkeeping, permits, monitoring, and catch 
          accounting.
679.85 Cost recovery.

                     Subpart H_Amendment 80 Program

679.90 Allocation, use, and transfer of Amendment 80 QS permits.
679.91 Amendment 80 Program annual harvester privileges.
679.92 Amendment 80 Program use caps and sideboard limits.
679.93 Amendment 80 Program recordkeeping, permits, monitoring, and 
          catch accounting.
679.94 Economic data report (EDR) for the Amendment 80 sector.
679.95 Amendment 80 Program cost recovery.

   Subpart I_Equipment and Operational Requirements for the Longline 
                       Catcher/Processor Subsector

679.100 Applicability.

Subpart J [Reserved]

                     Subpart K_Halibut Deck Sorting

679.120 Halibut deck sorting.
679.121 [Reserved]

[[Page 518]]

             Subpart L_Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program

679.130 Allocation, use, and transfer of PCTC Program QS permits.
679.131 PCTC Program annual harvester privileges.
679.132 Aleutian Islands CQ set-aside provisions in the PCTC Program.
679.133 PCTC Program ownership caps, use caps, and sideboard limits.
679.134 PCTC Program permits, catch monitoring, catch accounting, and 
          recordkeeping and reporting.
679.135 PCTC Program cost recovery.

Appendix A to Part 679--Performance and Technical Requirements for 
          Scales Used To Weigh Catch at Sea in the Groundfish Fisheries 
          Off Alaska
Figure 1 to Part 679--Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Statistical and 
          Reporting Areas
Figure 2 to Part 679--BSAI Catcher Vessel Operational Area
Figure 3 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Reporting Areas
Figure 4 to Part 679--BSAI Herring Savings Areas
Figure 5 to Part 679--Kodiak Island Type 1, 2, and 3 Nonpelagic Trawl 
          Closure Status and Marmot Bay Tanner Crab Protection Area
Figure 6 to Part 679--Length Overall of Vessel
Figure 7 to Part 679--Location of Trawl Gear Test Areas in the GOA and 
          the BSAI
Figure 8 to Part 679--Aleutian Islands Chinook Salmon Savings Area
Figure 9 to Part 679--Chum Savings Area (CSSA) of the CVOA
Figure 10 to Part 679--Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Zone 
          (PIHCZ) in the Bering Sea
Figure 11 to Part 679--Red King Crab Savings Area (RKCSA)
Figure 12 to Part 679--Bristol Bay Trawl Closure Area
Figure 13 to Part 679--BSAI C. Opilio Tanner Crab Bycatch Limitations 
          Zone
Figure 14 to Part 679--Sablefish Regulatory Areas
Figure 15 to Part 679--Regulatory Areas for the Pacific Halibut Fishery
Figure 16 to Part 679--Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Area
Figure 17 to Part 679--Northern Bering Sea Research Area and Saint 
          Lawrence Island Habitat Conservation Area (HCA)
Figure 18 to Part 679--Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve
Figure 19 to Part 679--Shelikof Strait Conservation Area
Figure 20 to Part 679--Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA) of the 
          Bering Sea
Figure 21 to Part 679--Nunivak Island, Etolin Strait, and Kuskokwim Bay 
          Habitat Conservation Area
Figure 22 to Part 679 [Reserved]
Figure 23 to Part 679--Salmon Management Area
Figure 24 to Part 679--Arctic Management Area
Figure 25 to Part 679--Elevating Device Clearance Measurement Locations 
          for Modified Nonpelagic Trawl Gear
Figure 26 to Part 679--Modified Nonpelagic Trawl Gear
Figure 27 to Part 679--Locations for Measuring Maximum Cross Sections of 
          Line Material (shown as A) and Supporting Material (shown as 
          B) for Modified Nonpelagic Trawl Gear
Table 1a to Part 679--Delivery Condition* and Product Codes
Table 1b to Part 679--Discard and Disposition Codes
Table 1c to Part 679--Product Type Codes
Table 2a to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Groundfish
Table 2b to Part 679--Species Code: FMP Prohibited Species and CR Crab
Table 2c to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Forage Fish Species (All 
          Species of the Following Families), Grenadier Species, Squids, 
          and Sculpins
Table 2d to Part 679--Species Codes: Non-FMP Species
Table 3 to Part 679--Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish Species and 
          Conversion Rates for Pacific Halibut
Table 4 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Pollock Fisheries 
          Restrictions
Table 5 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Pacific Cod 
          Fisheries Restrictions
Table 6 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Atka Mackerel 
          Fisheries Restrictions
Table 7 to Part 679--Community Development Quota Groups and Communities 
          Eligible To Participate in the CDQ Program
Table 8 to Part 679--Harvest Zone Codes for Use with Vessel Activity 
          Reports
Table 9 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses Eligible for Use in the 
          BSAI Longline Catcher/Processor Subsector, Column A. X 
          Indicates Whether Column B or Column C Applies.
Table 10 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Retainable Percentage
Table 11 to Part 679--BSAI Retainable Percentage
Table 12 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas, 3nm No 
          Groundfish Fishing Sites
Table 13 to Part 679--Transfer Form Summary
Table 14a to Part 679--Port of Landing Codes, Alaska

[[Page 519]]

Table 14b to Part 679--Port of Landing Codes: Non-Alaska
Table 14c to Part 679--At-Sea Operation Type Codes To Be Used as Port 
          Codes for Vessels Matching This Type of Operation
Table 15 to Part 679--Gear Codes, Descriptions, and Use
Table 16 to Part 679--Area Codes and Descriptions for Use With State of 
          Alaska ADF&G Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR)
Table 17 to Part 679--Process Codes for Use With State of Alaska 
          Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR)
Table 18 to Part 679--Required Buying and Production Forms for Use with 
          State of Alaska Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR)
Table 19 to Part 679--Seabird Avoidance Gear Codes
Table 20 to Part 679--Seabird Avoidance Gear Requirements for Vessels, 
          Based on Area, Gear, and Vessel Type. (See Sec. 679.24(e) for 
          Complete Seabird Avoidance Program Requirements; See 
          679.24(e)(1) for Applicable Fisheries
Table 21 to Part 679--Eligible Communities, Halibut IFQ Regulatory Area 
          Location, Community Governing Body That Recommends the CQE, 
          and the Fishing Programs and Associated Areas Where a CQE 
          Representing an Eligible Community May Be Permitted To 
          Participate
Table 22 to Part 679--Alaska Seamount Habitat Protection Areas
Table 23 to Part 679--Aleutian Islands Coral Habitat Protection Areas
Table 24 to Part 679--Except as Noted, Locations in the Aleutian Islands 
          Habitat Conservation Area Open to Nonpelagic Trawl Fishing
Table 25 to Part 679--Bowers Ridge Habitat Conservation Zone
Table 26 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Coral Habitat Protection Areas
Table 27 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Slope Habitat Conservation Areas
Table 28a to Part 679--Qualifying Season Dates for Central GOA Rockfish 
          Primary Species
Table 28b to Part 679--Qualifying Season Dates for Central GOA Rockfish 
          Primary Species
Table 28c to Part 679--Allocation of Rockfish Secondary Species
Table 28d to Part 679--Allocation of Halibut PSC under the Central GOA 
          Rockfish Program
Table 28e to Part 679--Rockfish Entry Level Longline Fishery Allocations
Table 29 to Part 679--Initial Rockfish QS Pools
Table 30 to Part 679--Rockfish Program Retainable Percentages
Table 31 to Part 679--List of Amendment 80 Vessels and LLP Licenses 
          Originally Assigned to an Amendment 80 Vessel
Table 32 to Part 679--Amendment 80 Initial QS Pool
Table 33 to Part 679--Annual Apportion of Amendment 80 Species ITAC 
          Between the Amendment 80 and BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors 
          (Except Yellowfin Sole)
Table 34 to Part 679--Annual Apportionment of BSAI Yellowfin Sole 
          Between the Amendment 80 and BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors
Table 35 to Part 679--Apportionment of Crab PSC and Halibut PSC Between 
          the Amendment 80 and BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors
Table 36 to Part 679--Percentage of Crab and Halibut PSC Limit Assigned 
          to Each Amendment 80 Species
Table 37 to Part 679--GOA Amendment 80 Sideboard Limit for Groundfish 
          for the Amendment 80 Sector
Table 38 to Part 679--GOA Amendment 80 Sideboard Limit for Halibut PSC 
          for the Amendment 80 Sector
Table 39 to Part 679--Amendment 80 Vessels That May Be Used to Directed 
          Fish for Flatfish in the GOA
Table 40 to Part 679--BSAI Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for AFA Catcher/
          Processors and AFA Catcher Vessels
Table 41 to Part 679--BSAI Crab PSC Sideboard Limits for AFA Catcher/
          Processors and AFA Catcher Vessels
Table 42 to Part 679--Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Area
Table 43 to Part 679--Northern Bering Sea Research Area
Table 44 to Part 679--Nunivak Island, Etolin Strait, and Kuskokwim Bay 
          Habitat Conservation Area
Table 45 to Part 679--St. Lawrence Island Habitat Conservation Area
Table 46 to Part 679--St. Matthew Island Habitat Conservation Area
Tables 47-48 to Part 679 [Reserved]
Table 49 to Part 679--Groundfish Licenses Qualifying for Hook-and-Line 
          Catcher/Processor Endorsement Exemption
Table 50 to Part 679 [Reserved]
Table 51 to Part 679--Modified Gear Trawl Zone
Table 52 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses Eligible for a BSAI Trawl 
          Limited Access Sector Yellowfin Sole Directed Fishery 
          Endorsement
Table 53 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses That Require Qualified 
          Landings Assignment To Be Eligible for a BSAI Trawl Limited 
          Access Sector Yellowfin Sole Directed Fishery Endorsement
Table 54 to Part 679--BSAI Species and Species Groups for Which Directed

[[Page 520]]

          Fishing for Sideboard Limits by Listed AFA Catcher/Processors 
          and Catcher/Processors Designated on Listed AFA Catcher/
          Processor Permits is Prohibited
Table 55 to Part 679--BSAI Species and Species Groups for Which Directed 
          Fishing for Sideboard Limits by Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessels 
          is Prohibited
Table 56 to Part 679--GOA Species and Species Groups for Which Directed 
          Fishing for Sideboard Limits by Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessels 
          is Prohibited
Table 57 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses With Bering Sea or 
          Aleutian Islands Area and Catcher/Processor Operation 
          Endorsements Eligible for a BSAI Pacific Cod Trawl Mothership 
          Endorsement

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. 
L. 108-447; Pub. L. 111-281.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 679 appear at 61 FR 
56438, Nov. 1, 1996; 62 FR 2047, Jan. 15, 1997; 66 FR 27909, May 21, 
2001; 67 FR 79739, Dec. 30, 2002; and 77 FR 6502, Feb. 8, 2012.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 679.1  Purpose and scope.

    Regulations in this part were developed by the Council under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 
et seq. (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 
1982 (Halibut Act). Along with part 600 of this chapter, these 
regulations implement the following:
    (a) Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. 
(1) Regulations in this part govern commercial fishing for groundfish in 
the GOA by vessels of the United States (see subparts A, B, D, and E of 
this part).
    (2) The following State of Alaska regulations are not preempted by 
this part for vessels regulated under this part fishing for demersal 
shelf rockfish in the Southeast Outside District, and which are 
registered under the laws of the State of Alaska: 5 AAC 28.111, fishing 
seasons; 5 AAC 28.130, gear; 5 AAC 28.160, harvest guidelines; 5 AAC 
28.190, harvest of bait by commercial permit holders.
    (b) Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Management Area. Regulations in this part govern 
commercial fishing for groundfish in the BSAI by vessels of the United 
States (see subparts A, B, C, D, and E of this part).
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) IFQ Program for sablefish and halibut. The IFQ management 
measures for the commercial fisheries that use fixed gear to harvest 
sablefish and halibut (see subparts A, B, D, and E of this part).
    (1) Sablefish. (i) Regulations in this part govern commercial 
fishing for sablefish by vessels of the United States:
    (A) Using fixed gear within that portion of the GOA and the BSAI 
over which the United States exercises exclusive fishery management 
authority; and
    (B) Using fixed gear in waters of the State of Alaska adjacent to 
the BSAI and the GOA, provided that aboard such vessels are persons who 
currently hold sablefish quota shares, sablefish IFQ permits, or 
sablefish IFQ hired master permits.
    (ii) Regulations in this part do not govern commercial fishing for 
sablefish in Prince William Sound or under a State of Alaska limited 
entry program.
    (2) Halibut. Regulations in this part govern commercial fishing for 
halibut by vessels of the United States using fixed gear, as that term 
is defined in 50 CFR 679.2, in and off of Alaska.
    (e) Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. 
Regulations in this part govern the Western Alaska CDQ Program (see 
subparts A, B, C, D, and E of this part). The purpose of the program is 
specified in 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(A).
    (f) Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program. Regulations in this 
part govern elements of the Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program.
    (g) Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and 
Tanner Crabs. Regulations in this part govern commercial fishing for 
king and Tanner crab in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area by 
vessels of the United States, and supersede State of Alaska regulations 
applicable to the commercial king and Tanner crab fisheries in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutians Islands Area EEZ that are determined to be 
inconsistent with the FMP (see

[[Page 521]]

subpart A, B, and E of this part). Additional regulations governing 
commercial fishing for, and processing of, king and Tanner crab managed 
pursuant to section 313(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Crab 
Rationalization Program are codified at 50 CFR part 680.
    (h) Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska. (1) 
Regulations in this part govern commercial fishing for scallops in the 
Federal waters off Alaska by vessels of the United States (see subpart A 
of this part).
    (2) State of Alaska laws and regulations that are consistent with 
the FMP and with the regulations in this part apply to vessels of the 
United States that are fishing for scallops in the Federal waters off 
Alaska.
    (i) Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off 
Alaska (Salmon FMP)--(1) Regulations in this part govern commercial 
fishing for salmon by fishing vessels of the United States in the West 
Area of the Salmon Management Area.
    (2) State of Alaska laws and regulations that are consistent with 
the Salmon FMP and with the regulations in this part apply to vessels of 
the United States that are commercial and sport fishing for salmon in 
the East Area of the Salmon Management Area.
    (j) License Limitation Program (LLP). (1) Regulations in this part 
implement the LLP for the commercial groundfish fisheries in the EEZ off 
Alaska and the LLP for the commercial crab fisheries in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutians Islands Area.
    (2) Regulations in this part govern the commercial fishing for 
groundfish under the LLP by vessels of the United States using 
authorized gear within the GOA and the Bering Sea and Aleutians Islands 
Area and the commercial fishing for crab species under the LLP by 
vessels of the United States using authorized gear within the Bering Sea 
and Aleutians Islands Area.
    (k) American Fisheries Act and AI directed pollock fishery measures. 
Regulations in this part were developed by NMFS and the Council under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the American Fisheries Act (AFA), and the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 to govern commercial fishing for 
BSAI pollock according to the requirements of the AFA and the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004. This part also governs payment 
and collection of the loan, under the AFA, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, made to all those persons who 
harvest pollock from the directed fishing allowance allocated to the 
inshore component under section 206(b)(1) of the AFA.
    (l) Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the Arctic 
Management Area. Regulations in this part govern commercial fishing for 
Arctic fish in the Arctic Management Area by vessels of the United 
States (see this subpart and subpart B of this part).

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.1, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and in 
part 600 of this chapter, the terms used in this part have the following 
meanings:
    ABC reserve means, for purposes of flathead sole, rock sole, and 
yellowfin sole in the BSAI, an amount, not to exceed the ABC surplus, 
that may be reduced for social, economic, or ecological considerations 
according to Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(iii).
    ABC surplus means, for purposes of flathead sole, rock sole, and 
yellowfin sole in the BSAI, the difference between each species' annual 
ABC and TAC.
    Active/inactive periods means for longline or pot gear catcher 
vessel, see Sec. 679.5(c)(3)(iv)(A)(1); for longline or pot gear 
catcher/processor, see Sec. 679.5(c)(3)(iv)(B)(1); for trawl gear 
catcher vessel, see Sec. 679.5(c)(4)(iv)(A)(1); for trawl gear catcher/
processor, see Sec. 679.5(c)(4)(iv)(B)(1); for shoreside processor or 
SFP, see Sec. 679.5(c)(5)(ii); for mothership, see Sec. 
679.5(c)(6)(iv).
    Adequate evidence, for purposes of subpart E of this part, means 
information sufficient to support the reasonable belief that a 
particular act or omission has occurred.
    ADF&G means the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

[[Page 522]]

    ADF&G fish ticket number means a nine-digit number designated by one 
alphabet letter (i.e., G = groundfish), two numbers that identify the 
year (i.e., 98), followed by six numbers.
    ADF&G processor code means State of Alaska Department of Fish & Game 
(ADF&G) Intent to operate processor license number (example: F12345).
    AFA catcher/processor means:
    (1) For purposes of BS pollock and all BSAI groundfish fisheries 
other than Atka mackerel, flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Pacific cod, 
Pacific ocean perch, rock sole, and yellowfin sole, a catcher/processor 
that is permitted to harvest BS pollock under Sec. 679.4(l)(2).
    (2) For purposes of BSAI Atka mackerel, flathead sole, Greenland 
turbot, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, rock sole, and yellowfin sole, 
a catcher/processor that is permitted to harvest BS pollock and that is 
listed under Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(i).
    AFA catcher vessel means a catcher vessel permitted to harvest BS 
pollock under Sec. 679.4(l)(3).
    AFA crab processing facility means a processing plant, catcher/
processor, mothership, floating processor or any other operation that 
processes any FMP species of BSAI crab, and that is affiliated with an 
AFA entity that processes pollock harvested by a catcher vessel 
cooperative operating in the inshore or mothership sectors of the BS 
pollock fishery.
    AFA entity means a group of affiliated individuals, corporations, or 
other business concerns, except for a CDQ group, that harvests or 
processes pollock in the BS directed pollock fishery.
    AFA fee liability means the amount of money for Bering Sea pollock 
cost recovery, in U.S. dollars, owed to NMFS by an AFA cooperative or 
AFA sector as determined by multiplying the appropriate AFA standard ex-
vessel value of landed Bering Sea pollock by the appropriate AFA fee 
percentage.
    AFA fee percentage means that positive number no greater than 3 
percent (0.03) determined by the Regional Administrator and established 
for use in calculating the AFA fee liability for an AFA cooperative or 
AFA sector.
    AFA inshore processor means a shoreside processor or stationary 
floating processor permitted to process BS pollock under Sec. 
679.4(l)(5).
    AFA mothership means a mothership permitted to process BS pollock 
under Sec. 679.4(l)(4).
    AFA pollock equivalent pounds means the weight recorded in pounds 
for landed AFA pollock and calculated as round weight.
    AFA rebuilt vessel means an AFA vessel that was rebuilt after 
October 15, 2010.
    AFA replacement vessel means a vessel that NMFS designated on an AFA 
permit pursuant to Sec. 679.4(l)(7) after October 15, 2010.
    AFA standard ex-vessel value means the total U.S. dollar amount of 
landed Bering Sea pollock as calculated by multiplying the number of 
landed pounds of Bering Sea pollock by the appropriate AFA standard 
price determined by the Regional Administrator.
    AFA standard price means the price, in U.S. dollars, for landed 
Bering Sea pollock, in AFA pollock equivalent pounds, as determined by 
the Regional Administrator.
    AFA vessel means a vessel that is designated on an AFA catcher 
vessel permit, an AFA catcher/processor permit, or an AFA mothership 
permit, and is thereby authorized to participate in the Bering Sea 
directed pollock fishery.
    Affiliates, for purposes of subparts E and H to this part, means 
business concerns, organizations, or individuals are affiliates of each 
other if, directly or indirectly, either one controls or has the power 
to control the other, or a third party controls or has the power to 
control both. Indicators of control include, but are not limited to: 
Interlocking management or ownership; identity of interests among family 
members; shared facilities and equipment; common use of employees; or a 
business entity organized following the decertification, suspension, or 
proposed decertification of an observer provider that has the same or 
similar management, ownership, or principal employees as the observer 
provider that was decertified, suspended, or proposed for 
decertification.
    Affiliation for the purpose of defining AFA, Rockfish Program, and 
PCTC Program means a relationship between two

[[Page 523]]

or more individuals, corporations, or other business concerns, except 
CDQ groups, in which one concern directly or indirectly owns a 10 
percent or greater interest in another, exerts control over another, or 
has the power to exert control over another; or a third individual, 
corporation, or other business concern directly or indirectly owns a 10 
percent or greater interest in both, exerts control over both, or has 
the power to exert control over both.
    (1) What is 10 percent or greater ownership? For the purpose of 
determining affiliation, 10 percent or greater ownership is deemed to 
exist if an individual, corporation, or other business concern directly 
or indirectly owns 10 percent or greater interest in a second 
corporation or other business concern.
    (2) What is an indirect interest? An indirect interest is one that 
passes through one or more intermediate entities. An entity's percentage 
of indirect interest in a second entity is equal to the entity's 
percentage of direct interest in an intermediate entity multiplied by 
the intermediate entity's direct or indirect interest in the second 
entity.
    (3) What is control? For the purpose of determining affiliation, 
control is deemed to exist if an individual, corporation, or other 
business concern has any of the following relationships or forms of 
control over another individual, corporation, or other business concern:
    (i) Controls 10 percent or more of the voting stock of another 
corporation or business concern;
    (ii) Has the authority to direct the business of the entity that 
owns the fishing vessel or processor. The authority to direct the 
business of the entity does not include the right to simply participate 
in the direction of the business activities of an entity that owns a 
fishing vessel or processor;
    (iii) Has the authority in the ordinary course of business to limit 
the actions of or to replace the chief executive officer, a majority of 
the board of directors, any general partner or any person serving in a 
management capacity of an entity that holds 10 percent or greater 
interest in a fishing vessel or processor. Standard rights of minority 
shareholders to restrict the actions of the entity are not included in 
this definition of control provided they are unrelated to day-to-day 
business activities. These rights include provisions to require the 
consent of the minority shareholder to sell all or substantially all the 
assets, to enter into a different business, to contract with the major 
investors or their affiliates, or to guarantee the obligations of 
majority investors or their affiliates;
    (iv) Has the authority to direct the transfer, operation, or manning 
of a fishing vessel or processor. The authority to direct the transfer, 
operation, or manning of a vessel or processor does not include the 
right to simply participate in such activities;
    (v) Has the authority to control the management of or to be a 
controlling factor in the entity that holds 10 percent or greater 
interest in a fishing vessel or processor;
    (vi) Absorbs all the costs and normal business risks associated with 
ownership and operation of a fishing vessel or processor;
    (vii) Has the responsibility to procure insurance on the fishing 
vessel or processor, or assumes any liability in excess of insurance 
coverage;
    (viii) Has the authority to control a fishery cooperative through 10 
percent or greater ownership or control over a majority of the vessels 
in the cooperative, has the authority to appoint, remove, or limit the 
actions of or replace the chief executive officer of the cooperative, or 
has the authority to appoint, remove, or limit the actions of a majority 
of the board of directors of the cooperative. In such instance, all 
members of the cooperative are considered affiliates of the individual, 
corporation, or other business concern that exerts control over the 
cooperative; or
    (ix) Has the ability through any other means whatsoever to control 
the entity that holds 10 percent or greater interest in a fishing vessel 
or processor.
    Agent (1) For purposes of permits issued under Sec. 679.4, means a 
person appointed and residing within the United States who may apply for 
permits and may otherwise act on behalf of the owner, operator, or 
manager of a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership,

[[Page 524]]

shoreside processor, stationary floating processor, buying station, 
tender vessel, support vessel, or on behalf of the IFQ permit holders, 
IFQ registered buyers, or CDQ halibut permit holders.
    (2) For purposes of groundfish product distribution under Sec. 
679.5(g), means a buyer, distributor, or shipper but not a buying 
station or tender vessel, who may receive and distribute groundfish on 
behalf of the owner, operator, and manager of a catcher/processor, 
mothership, shoreside processor, or stationary floating processor.
    (3) For purposes of IFQ recordkeeping and reporting under Sec. 
679.5(l), means a person who on behalf of the Registered Buyer may 
submit IFQ reports.
    Agent for service of process means, for purposes of Sec. 679.21(f), 
a person appointed by the members of an AFA inshore cooperative, a CDQ 
group, or an entity representing the AFA catcher/processor sector or the 
AFA mothership sector, who is authorized to receive and respond to any 
legal process issued in the United States with respect to all owners and 
operators of vessels that are members of the inshore cooperative, the 
entity representing the catcher/processor sector, the entity 
representing the mothership sector, or the entity representing the 
cooperative or a CDQ group and owners of all vessels directed fishing 
for pollock CDQ on behalf of that CDQ group.
    AI directed pollock fishery means directed fishing for pollock in 
the AI under the allocation to the Aleut Corporation authorized at Sec. 
679.20(a)(5)(iii).
    Alaska local time (A.l.t.) means the time in the Alaska time zone.
    Alaska Seamount Habitat Protection Areas means management areas 
established for the protection of seamount habitat areas of particular 
concern in the BSAI and GOA. See Table 22 to this part.
    Alaska State waters means waters adjacent to the State of Alaska and 
shoreward of the EEZ off Alaska.
    Aleut Corporation means the Aleut Corporation incorporated pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
    Aleut Corporation entity means a harvester or processor selected by 
the Aleut Corporation and approved by NMFS to harvest or process pollock 
in the AI directed pollock fishery.
    Aleutian Islands Coral Habitat Protection Areas means management 
areas established for the protection of certain coral garden areas in 
reporting areas of the Aleutian Islands subarea and adjacent State 
waters. See Table 23 to this part.
    Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area means a management area 
established for the protection of fish habitat in reporting areas of the 
Aleutian Islands subarea and adjacent State waters. See Table 24 to this 
part.
    Aleutian Islands pollock equivalent pounds means the weight recorded 
in pounds for landed Aleutian Islands pollock and calculated as round 
weight.
    Aleutian Islands pollock fee liability means the amount of money for 
Aleutian Islands directed pollock cost recovery, in U.S. dollars, owed 
to NMFS by the Aleut Corporation as determined by multiplying the 
appropriate standard ex-vessel value of its landed Aleutian Islands 
pollock by the appropriate Aleutian Islands pollock fee percentage.
    Aleutian Islands pollock fee percentage means that positive number 
no greater than 3 percent (0.03) determined by the Regional 
Administrator and established for use in calculating the Aleutian 
Islands pollock fee liability for the Aleut Corporation.
    Aleutian Islands pollock standard ex-vessel value means the total 
U.S. dollar amount of landed Aleutian Islands pollock as calculated by 
multiplying the number of landed pounds of Aleutian Islands pollock by 
the appropriate Aleutian Islands pollock standard price determined by 
the Regional Administrator.
    Aleutian Islands pollock standard price means the price, in U.S. 
dollars, for landed Aleutian Islands pollock, in Aleutian Islands 
pollock equivalent pounds, as determined by the Regional Administrator.
    Aleutian Islands shoreplant means a processing facility that is 
physically located on land west of 170[deg] W. longitude within the 
State of Alaska.
    Aleutian Islands Subarea (AI) of the BSAI means that portion of the 
EEZ contained in Statistical Areas 541, 542, and 543 (see Figure 1 to 
this part).

[[Page 525]]

    American Fisheries Act (AFA) means Title II--Fisheries Subtitles I 
and II, as cited within the Omnibus Appropriations Bill FY99 (Pub. L. 
105-277).
    Amendment 80 ABC reserve means the amount of the flathead sole, rock 
sole, or yellowfin sole ABC reserve that remains after designating the 
amount assigned to the CDQ ABC reserve and that is allocated among 
Amendment 80 cooperatives as calculated annually as described at Sec. 
679.91(i)(2).
    Amendment 80 cooperative means a group of Amendment 80 QS holders 
who have chosen to fish cooperatively for Amendment 80 species under the 
requirements of subpart H to this part and who have applied for and 
received a CQ permit issued by NMFS to catch a quantity of fish 
expressed as a portion of the ITAC and crab and halibut PSC limits.
    Amendment 80 equivalent pounds means the weight recorded in pounds 
for landed Amendment 80 species CQ and calculated as round weight.
    Amendment 80 fee liability means the amount of money for Amendment 
80 cost recovery, in U.S. dollars, owed to NMFS by an Amendment 80 CQ 
permit holder as determined by multiplying the appropriate standard ex-
vessel value of landed Amendment 80 species CQ by the appropriate 
Amendment 80 fee percentage.
    Amendment 80 fee percentage means that positive number no greater 
than 3 percent (0.03) determined by the Regional Administrator and 
established for use in calculating the Amendment 80 fee liability for an 
Amendment 80 CQ permit holder.
    Amendment 80 fishery means an Amendment 80 cooperative or the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery.
    Amendment 80 initial QS pool means the sum of Amendment 80 QS units 
established for an Amendment 80 species in a management area based on 
the Amendment 80 official record and used for the initial allocation of 
Amendment 80 QS units and use cap calculations as described in Sec. 
679.92(a).
    Amendment 80 legal landing means the total catch of Amendment 80 
species in a management area in the BSAI by an Amendment 80 vessel that:
    (1) Was made in compliance with state and Federal regulations in 
effect at that time; and
    (2) Is recorded on a Weekly Production Report from January 20, 1998, 
through December 31, 2004; and
    (3) Amendment 80 species caught while test fishing, fishing under an 
experimental, exploratory, or scientific activity permit, or fishing 
under the Western Alaska CDQ Program are not considered Amendment 80 
legal landings.
    Amendment 80 limited access fishery means the fishery conducted in 
the BSAI by persons with Amendment 80 QS permits, Amendment 80 LLP 
licenses, or Amendment 80 vessels assigned to the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery.
    Amendment 80 LLP license means:
    (1) Any LLP license that is endorsed for groundfish in the Bering 
Sea subarea or Aleutian Islands subarea with a catcher/processor 
designation and that designates an Amendment 80 vessel in an approved 
application for Amendment 80 QS;
    (2) Any LLP license that designates an Amendment 80 vessel at any 
time after the effective date of the Amendment 80 Program; and
    (3) Any Amendment 80 LLP/QS license.
    Amendment 80 LLP/QS license means an LLP license originally assigned 
to an originally qualifying Amendment 80 vessel with an Amendment 80 QS 
permit assigned to that LLP license.
    Amendment 80 mackerel QS means Atka mackerel QS derived from 
Amendment 80 legal landings assigned to an Amendment 80 mackerel vessel.
    Amendment 80 mackerel vessel means an Amendment 80 vessel that is 
not an Amendment 80 non-mackerel vessel.
    Amendment 80 non-mackerel QS means Atka mackerel QS derived from 
Amendment 80 legal landings assigned to an Amendment 80 non-mackerel 
vessel.
    Amendment 80 non-mackerel vessel means an Amendment 80 vessel that 
is less than 200 feet in length overall and that has been used to catch 
less than 2.0 percent of the total Amendment 80 legal landings of BSAI 
Atka mackerel.
    Amendment 80 official record means information used by NMFS to 
determine

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eligibility to participate in the Amendment 80 Program and to assign 
specific catch privileges to Amendment 80 QS holders.
    Amendment 80 Program means the Program implemented under subpart H 
of this part to manage Amendment 80 species fisheries by limiting 
participation in these fisheries to eligible participants.
    Amendment 80 PSC means halibut and crab PSC as described in Table 35 
to this part that are allocated to the Amendment 80 sector.
    Amendment 80 QS holder means a person who is issued an Amendment 80 
QS permit by NMFS.
    Amendment 80 QS permit means a permit issued by NMFS that designates 
the amount of Amendment 80 QS units derived from the Amendment 80 legal 
landings assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel for each Amendment 80 
species in a management area.
    Amendment 80 QS pool means the sum of Amendment 80 QS units 
established for each Amendment 80 species in a management area based on 
the Amendment 80 official record.
    Amendment 80 QS unit means a measure of the Amendment 80 QS pool 
based on Amendment 80 legal landings.
    Amendment 80 replacement vessel means a vessel approved by NMFS in 
accordance with Sec. 679.4(o)(4).
    Amendment 80 sector means:
    (1) Those Amendment 80 QS holders who own Amendment 80 vessels and 
hold Amendment 80 LLP licenses; or
    (2) Those persons who hold Amendment 80 LLP/QS licenses.
    Amendment 80 species means the following species in the following 
regulatory areas:
    (1) BSAI Atka mackerel;
    (2) Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch;
    (3) BSAI flathead sole;
    (4) BSAI Pacific cod;
    (5) BSAI rock sole; and
    (6) BSAI yellowfin sole.
    Amendment 80 standard ex-vessel value means the total U.S. dollar 
amount of landed Amendment 80 species CQ as calculated by multiplying 
the number of landed Amendment 80 equivalent pounds by the appropriate 
Amendment 80 standard price determined by the Regional Administrator.
    Amendment 80 standard price means the price, in U.S. dollars, for 
landed Amendment 80 species, in Amendment 80 equivalent pounds, as 
determined by the Regional Administrator.
    Amendment 80 vessel means any vessel that:
    (1) Is listed in Column A of Table 31 to this part with the 
corresponding USCG Documentation Number listed in Column B of Table 31 
to this part; or
    (2) Is designated on an Amendment 80 QS permit, Amendment 80 LLP/QS 
license, or Amendment 80 LLP license and is approved by NMFS in 
accordance with Sec. 679.4(o)(4) as an Amendment 80 replacement vessel.
    Ancillary product (see Table 1 to this part).
    Appointed agent for service of process means an agent appointed by 
the members of a fishery cooperative to serve on behalf of the 
cooperative. The appointed agent for service of process may be the owner 
of a vessel listed as a member of the cooperative or a registered agent.
    Arctic fish means finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other 
forms of marine animal and plant life other than marine mammals, birds, 
Pacific salmon, and Pacific halibut.
    Arctic Management Area, for purposes of regulations governing the 
Arctic Management Area fisheries, means all marine waters in the U.S. 
EEZ of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas from 3 nautical miles off the coast 
of Alaska or its baseline to 200 nautical miles offshore, north of 
Bering Strait (from Cape Prince of Wales to Cape Dezhneva) and westward 
to the 1990 U.S./Russia maritime boundary line and eastward to the U.S./
Canada maritime boundary (see Figure 24 to this part).
    Area endorsement means (for purposes of groundfish LLP) a 
designation on a license that authorizes a license holder to deploy a 
vessel to conduct directed fishing for license limitation groundfish in 
the designated area, subarea, or district. Area endorsements, which are 
inclusive of, but not necessarily the same as, management areas, 
subareas, or districts defined in this part, are as follows:
    (1) Aleutian Islands area endorsement. Authorizes the license holder 
to

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deploy a vessel to conduct directed fishing for license limitation 
groundfish in the Aleutian Islands Subarea;
    (2) Bering Sea area endorsement. Authorizes the license holder to 
deploy a vessel to conduct directed fishing for license limitation 
groundfish in the Bering Sea Subarea;
    (3) Central Gulf area endorsement. Authorizes the license holder to 
deploy a vessel to conduct directed fishing for license limitation 
groundfish in the Central GOA regulatory area and the West Yakutat 
District;
    (4) Southeast Outside area endorsement. Authorizes the license 
holder to deploy a vessel to conduct directed fishing for license 
limitation groundfish in the Southeast Outside District; and
    (5) Western Gulf area endorsement. Authorizes the license holder to 
deploy a vessel to conduct directed fishing for license limitation 
groundfish in the Western GOA regulatory area.
    Area/species endorsement means (for purposes of LLP) a designation 
on a license that authorizes a license holder to deploy a vessel to 
conduct directed fishing for the designated crab species in Federal 
waters in the designated area (see Figures 16 and 17 to this part). 
Area/species endorsements for crab species licenses are as follows:
    (1) Aleutian Islands brown king in waters with an eastern boundary 
the longitude of Scotch Cap Light (164[deg]44[min] W. long.), a western 
boundary of the U.S.-Russian Convention Line of 1867, and a northern 
boundary of a line from the latitude of Cape Sarichef (54[deg]36[min] N. 
lat.) westward to 171[deg] W. long., then north to 55[deg]30[min] N. 
lat., then west to the U.S.-Russian Convention line of 1867.
    (2) Aleutian Islands red king in waters with an eastern boundary the 
longitude of Scotch Cap Light (164[deg]44[min] W. long.), a western 
boundary of the U.S.-Russian Convention Line of 1867, and a northern 
boundary of a line from the latitude of Cape Sarichef (54[deg]36[min] N. 
lat.) westward to 171[deg] W. long., then north to 55[deg]30[min] N. 
lat., and then west to the U.S.-Russian Convention line of 1867.
    (3) Bristol Bay red king in waters with a northern boundary of 
58[deg]39[min] N. lat., a southern boundary of 54[deg]36[min] N. lat., 
and a western boundary of 168[deg] W. long. and including all waters of 
Bristol Bay.
    (4) Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area C. opilio and C. bairdi in 
Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea waters east of the U.S.-Russian Convention 
Line of 1867, excluding all Pacific Ocean waters east of a boundary line 
extending south (180[deg]) from Scotch Cap Light.
    (5) Norton Sound red king and Norton Sound blue king in waters with 
a western boundary of 168[deg] W. long., a southern boundary of 
61[deg]49[min] N. lat., and a northern boundary of 65[deg]36[min] N. 
lat.
    (6) Pribilof red king and Pribilof blue king in waters with a 
northern boundary of 58[deg]39[min] N. lat., an eastern boundary of 
168[deg] W. long., a southern boundary line from 54[deg]36[min] N. lat., 
168[deg] W. long., to 54[deg]36[min] N. lat., 171[deg] W. long., to 
55[deg]30[min] N. lat., 171[deg] W. long., to 55[deg]30[min] N. lat., 
173[deg]30[min] E. lat., and then westward to the U.S.-Russian 
Convention line of 1867.
    (7) St. Matthew blue king in waters with a northern boundary of 
61[deg]49[min] N. lat., a southern boundary of 58[deg]39[min] N. lat., 
and a western boundary of the U.S.-Russian Convention line of 1867.
    Associated processor means:
    (1) Relationship with a buying station or tender vessel. A 
mothership or catcher/processor issued an FFP, or a shoreside processor 
or SFP issued an FPP, with a contractual relationship with a buying 
station or tender vessel to conduct groundfish buying station or tender 
vessel activities for that processor.
    (2) Relationship with a custom processor. A mothership or catcher/
processor issued an FFP or a shoreside processor or SFP issued an FPP, 
with a contractual relationship with a custom processor to process 
groundfish on its behalf.
    At-sea operation means, for purposes of eLandings, a catcher/
processor or mothership that is receiving and/or processing fish in 
State waters and/or in waters of the EEZ off the coast of Alaska.
    Authorized distributor means a tax-exempt organization authorized by 
NMFS to coordinate the processing, storage, transportation, and 
distribution of salmon taken as incidental catch in the groundfish trawl 
fisheries to tax-exempt hunger relief agencies, food

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bank networks, and food bank distributors (see Sec. 679.26, Prohibited 
Species Donation Program).
    Authorized fishing gear (see also Sec. 679.24 for gear limitations 
and Table 15 to this part for gear codes) means trawl gear, fixed gear, 
longline gear, pot gear, and nontrawl gear as follows:
    (1) Bottom contact gear means nonpelagic trawl, dredge, dinglebar, 
pot, or hook-and-line gear.
    (2) Dinglebar gear means one or more lines retrieved and set with a 
troll gurdy or hand troll gurdy, with a terminally attached weight from 
which one or more leaders with one or more lures or baited hooks are 
pulled through the water while a vessel is making way.
    (3) Dredge means a dredge-like device designed specifically for and 
capable of taking scallops by being towed along the ocean floor.
    (4) Fixed gear means:
    (i) For sablefish harvested from any GOA reporting area, all 
longline gear, longline pot gear, and, for purposes of determining 
initial IFQ allocation, all pot gear used to make a legal landing.
    (ii) For sablefish harvested from any BSAI reporting area, all hook-
and-line gear, jig gear, and all pot gear.
    (iii) For halibut harvested from any IFQ regulatory area, all 
fishing gear composed of lines with hooks attached, including one or 
more stationary, buoyed, and anchored lines with hooks attached.
    (iv) For halibut harvested from any GOA reporting area, all longline 
pot gear, if the vessel operator is fishing for IFQ sablefish in 
accordance with Sec. 679.42(l).
    (v) For halibut harvested from any IFQ regulatory area in the BSAI, 
all pot gear, if the vessel operator is fishing for IFQ or CDQ halibut 
in accordance with Sec. 679.42.
    (5) Hand troll gear means one or more lines, with lures or hooks 
attached, drawn through the water behind a moving vessel, and retrieved 
by hand or hand-cranked reels or gurdies and not by any electrically, 
hydraulically, or mechanically powered device or attachment.
    (6) Handline gear means a hand-held line, with one or more hooks 
attached, that may only be operated manually.
    (7) Hook-and-line gear means a stationary, buoyed, and anchored line 
with hooks attached, or the taking of fish by means of such a device.
    (8) Jig gear means a single, non-buoyed, non-anchored line with 
hooks attached, or the taking of fish by means of such a device.
    (9) Longline gear means hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline or 
the taking of fish by means of such a device.
    (10) Longline pot means a stationary, buoyed, and anchored line with 
two or more pots attached, or the taking of fish by means of such a 
device.
    (11) Mobile bottom contact gear means nonpelagic trawl, dredge, or 
dinglebar gear.
    (12) Nonpelagic trawl means a trawl other than a pelagic trawl.
    (13) Nontrawl gear means pot and longline gear.
    (14) Pelagic trawl gear means a trawl that:
    (i) Has no discs, bobbins, or rollers;
    (ii) Has no chafe protection gear attached to the footrope or 
fishing line;
    (iii) Except for the small mesh allowed under paragraph (14)(ix) of 
this definition:
    (A) Has no mesh tied to the fishing line, headrope, and breast lines 
with less than 20 inches (50.8 cm) between knots and has no stretched 
mesh size of less than 60 inches (152.4 cm) aft from all points on the 
fishing line, headrope, and breast lines and extending passed the 
fishing circle for a distance equal to or greater than one half the 
vessel's LOA; or
    (B) Has no parallel lines spaced closer than 64 inches (162.6 cm) 
from all points on the fishing line, headrope, and breast lines and 
extending aft to a section of mesh, with no stretched mesh size of less 
than 60 inches (152.4 cm) extending aft for a distance equal to or 
greater than one-half the vessel's LOA;
    (iv) Has no stretched mesh size less than 15 inches (38.1 cm) aft of 
the mesh described in paragraph (14)(iii) of this definition for a 
distance equal to or greater than one-half the vessel's LOA;
    (v) Contains no configuration intended to reduce the stretched mesh 
sizes described in paragraphs (14)(iii) and (iv) of this definition;

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    (vi) Has no flotation other than floats capable of providing up to 
200 lb (90.7 kg) of buoyancy to accommodate the use of a net-sounder 
device;
    (vii) Has no more than one fishing line and one footrope for a total 
of no more than two weighted lines on the bottom of the trawl between 
the wing tip and the fishing circle;
    (viii) Has no metallic component except for connectors (e.g., 
hammerlocks or swivels) or a net-sounder device aft of the fishing 
circle and forward of any mesh greater than 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) 
stretched measure;
    (ix) May have small mesh within 32 ft (9.8 m) of the center of the 
headrope as needed for attaching instrumentation (e.g., net-sounder 
device); and
    (x) May have weights on the wing tips.
    (15) Pot gear means a portable structure, rigid or collapsible, that 
is designed and constructed to capture and retain fish alive in the 
water. This gear type includes longline pot and pot-and-line gear. Each 
groundfish pot must comply with the following:
    (i) Biodegradable panel. Each pot used to fish for groundfish must 
be equipped with a biodegradable panel at least 18 inches (45.72 cm) in 
length that is parallel to, and within 6 inches (15.24 cm) of, the 
bottom of the pot, and that is sewn up with untreated cotton thread of 
no larger size than No. 30.
    (A) Collapsible pot exception. A collapsible pot (e.g., slinky pot) 
used to fish for halibut IFQ or CDQ, or sablefish IFQ or CDQ, in 
accordance with paragraph (4) of this definition, is exempt from the 
biodegradable panel placement requirements described in paragraph 
(15)(i) of this definition. Instead, a collapsible pot must have either 
a biodegradable panel placed anywhere on the mesh of the collapsible 
pot, which is at least 18 inches (45.72 cm) in length and is made from 
untreated cotton thread of no larger size than No. 30, or one door on 
the pot must measure at least 18 inches (45.72 cm) in diameter and be 
wrapped with untreated cotton thread of no larger size than No. 30.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (ii) Tunnel opening. Each pot used to fish for groundfish must be 
equipped with rigid tunnel openings that are no wider than 9 inches 
(22.86 cm) and no higher than 9 inches (22.86 cm), or soft tunnel 
openings with dimensions that are no wider than 9 inches (22.86 cm).
    (iii) Halibut retention exception. If halibut retention is required 
when harvesting halibut from any IFQ regulatory area in the BSAI or GOA, 
the requirements to comply with a tunnel opening for pots when fishing 
for IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish in the BSAI in accordance 
with Sec. 679.42(m), or for IFQ sablefish in the GOA in accordance with 
Sec. 679.42(l), do not apply.
    (16) Pot-and-line gear means a stationary, buoyed line with a single 
pot attached, or the taking of fish by means of such a device.
    (17) Power troll gear means one or more lines, with hooks or lures 
attached, drawn through the water behind a moving vessel, and 
originating from a power gurdy or power-driven spool fastened to the 
vessel, the extension or retraction of which is directly to the gurdy or 
spool.
    (18) Trawl gear means a cone or funnel-shaped net that is towed 
through the water by one or more vessels. For purposes of this part, 
this definition includes, but is not limited to, beam trawls (trawl with 
a fixed net opening utilizing a wood or metal beam), otter trawls (trawl 
with a net opening controlled by devices commonly called otter doors), 
and pair trawls (trawl dragged between two vessels) and is further 
described as pelagic or nonpelagic trawl.
    (19) Troll gear means one or more lines with hooks or lures attached 
drawn through the water behind a moving vessel. This gear type includes 
hand troll and power troll gear and dinglebar gear.
    (20) Snap gear means a type of hook-and-line gear where the hook and 
gangion are attached to the groundline using a mechanical fastener or 
snap.
    Authorized officer means:
    (1) Any commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the USCG;
    (2) Any special agent or fishery enforcement officer of NMFS;
    (3) Any officer designated by the head of any Federal or state 
agency that has entered into an agreement with the Secretary and the 
Commandant of the

[[Page 530]]

USCG to enforce the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other 
statute administered by NOAA; or
    (4) Any USCG personnel accompanying and acting under the direction 
of any person described in paragraph (1) of this definition.
    Basis species means any species or species group that is open to 
directed fishing that the vessel is authorized to harvest (see Tables 
10, 11, and 30 to this part).
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, for purposes of regulations 
governing the commercial king and Tanner crab fisheries in part 680 of 
this Chapter, means those waters of the EEZ off the west coast of Alaska 
lying south of the Chukchi Sea statistical area as described in the 
coordinates listed for Figure 1 to this part, and extending south of the 
Aleutian Islands for 200 nm west of Scotch Cap Light 
(164[deg]44[min]36[sec] W. long).
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI), for purposes 
of regulations governing the groundfish fisheries, means the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands subareas (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Area means a habitat protection area 
specified at Table 42 and Figure 16 to this part.
    Bering Sea Subarea of the BSAI means that portion of the EEZ 
contained in Statistical Areas 508, 509, 512, 513, 514, 516, 517, 518, 
519, 521, 523, 524, and 530 (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Bled codend means a form of discard by vessels using trawl gear 
wherein some or all of the fish are emptied into the sea from the net 
before fish are brought fully on board.
    Bogoslof District means that part of the Bering Sea Subarea 
contained in Statistical Area 518 (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Bowers Ridge Habitat Conservation Zone means a management area 
established for the protection of the Bowers Ridge and Ulm Plateau 
habitat areas of particular concern in the BSAI. See Table 25 to this 
part.
    Breast line means the rope or wire running along the forward edges 
of the side panels of a net, or along the forward edge of the side rope 
in a rope trawl.
    Briefing means a short (usually 2-4 day) training session that 
observers must complete to fulfill endorsement requirements.
    BSAI trawl limited access sector means fisheries conducted in the 
BSAI by persons using trawl gear and who are not:
    (1) Using an Amendment 80 vessel or an Amendment 80 LLP license; or
    (2) Fishing for CDQ groundfish.
    Bulwark means a section of a vessel's side continuing above the main 
deck.
    Buying station means a land-based entity that receives unprocessed 
groundfish from a vessel for delivery to a shoreside processor and that 
does not process those fish.
    Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 (Zone 1) means that part of the Bering Sea 
Subarea that is contained within the boundaries of Statistical Areas 
508, 509, 512, and 516 (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Bycatch Limitation Zone 2 (Zone 2) means that part of the Bering Sea 
Subarea that is contained within the boundaries of Statistical Areas 
513, 517, and 521 (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Bycatch or bycatch species means fish caught and released while 
targeting another species or caught and released while targeting the 
same species.
    Calendar day means a 24-hour period that starts at 0001 hours Alaska 
local time and ends at 2400 hours Alaska local time.
    Catch (see 50 CFR 600.10.)
    Catcher/processor (C/P) means, with respect to groundfish 
recordkeeping and reporting and subpart E of this part, a vessel that is 
used for catching fish and processing that fish.
    Catcher/processor vessel designation means, for purposes of the 
license limitation program, a license designation that authorizes the 
license holder:
    (1) Designated on a groundfish license to deploy a vessel to conduct 
directed fishing for license limitation groundfish and process license 
limitation groundfish on that vessel or to conduct only directed fishing 
for license limitation groundfish; or
    (2) Designated on a crab species license to deploy a vessel to 
conduct directed fishing for crab species and process crab species on 
that vessel or to conduct only directed fishing for crab species.

[[Page 531]]

    Catcher vessel (C/V) means a vessel that is used for catching fish 
and that does not process fish on board.
    Catcher vessel designation means, for purposes of the license 
limitation program, a license designation that authorizes the license 
holder:
    (1) Designated on a groundfish license to deploy a vessel to conduct 
directed fishing for, but not process, license limitation groundfish on 
that vessel; or
    (2) Designated on a crab species license to deploy a vessel to 
conduct directed fishing for, but not process, crab species on that 
vessel.
    Catcher Vessel Operational Area (CVOA) (see Figure 2 to this part 
and Sec. 679.22(a)(5)).
    CBL means crab bycatch limit.
    CDQ means community development quota and is the amount of a CDQ 
reserve that is allocated to a CDQ group.
    CDQ ABC reserve means 10.7 percent of the amount of the flathead 
sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole ABC reserve that is allocated among 
the CDQ groups as calculated annually as described at Sec. 
679.31(b)(4).
    CDQ allocation means a percentage of a CDQ reserve specified under 
Sec. 679.31 that is assigned to a CDQ group.
    CDQ equivalent pounds means the weight recorded in pounds, for 
landed CDQ groundfish and halibut, and calculated as round weight.
    CDQ fee liability means the amount of money for CDQ groundfish and 
halibut cost recovery, in U.S. dollars, owed to NMFS by a CDQ group as 
determined by multiplying the appropriate standard ex-vessel value of 
landed CDQ groundfish and halibut by the appropriate CDQ fee percentage.
    CDQ fee percentage means that positive number no greater than 3 
percent (0.03) determined by the Regional Administrator and established 
for use in calculating the CDQ groundfish and halibut fee liability for 
a CDQ group.
    CDQ group means an entity identified as eligible for the CDQ Program 
under 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(D). CDQ groups are listed in Table 7 to this 
part.
    CDQ number means a number assigned to a CDQ group by NMFS that must 
be recorded and is required in all logbooks and reports submitted by 
vessels harvesting CDQ or processors taking deliveries of CDQ.
    CDQ Program means the Western Alaska Community Development Quota 
Program.
    CDQ representative means any individual who is authorized by a CDQ 
group to sign documents submitted to NMFS on behalf of the CDQ group.
    CDQ reserve means the amount of each groundfish TAC apportioned 
under Sec. 679.20, the amount of each catch limit for halibut, or the 
amount of TAC for crab that has been allocated to the CDQ Program.
    CDQ species means any species or species group that is allocated 
from a CDQ reserve to a CDQ group.
    CDQ standard ex-vessel value means the total U.S. dollar amount of 
landed CDQ groundfish and halibut as calculated by multiplying the 
number of landed CDQ equivalent pounds by the appropriate CDQ standard 
price determined by the Regional Administrator.
    CDQ standard price means the price, in U.S. dollars, for landed CDQ 
groundfish and halibut, in CDQ equivalent pounds, as determined by the 
Regional Administrator.
    Central Aleutian District means that part of the Aleutian Islands 
Subarea contained in Statistical Area 542 (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Central GOA Regulatory Area means that portion of the GOA EEZ that 
is contained in Statistical Areas 620 and 630 (see Figure 3 to this 
part).
    Chum Salmon Savings Area of the BSAI CVOA (See Sec. 679.21(f)(14) 
and Figure 9 to this part).
    Civil judgment, for purposes of subpart E of this part, means a 
judgment or finding of a civil offense by any court of competent 
jurisdiction.
    Clearing officer means, a NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement 
(OLE) special agent, an OLE fishery enforcement officer, or an OLE 
enforcement aide.
    Commercial fishing means:
    (1) For purposes of the salmon fishery, fishing for salmon for sale 
or barter.
    (2) For purposes of the Pacific halibut fishery, fishing, the 
resulting catch of which either is, or is intended to be, sold or 
bartered but does not include subsistence fishing for halibut, as 
defined at 50 CFR 300.61.

[[Page 532]]

    (3) For purposes of Arctic fish, the resulting catch of fish in the 
Arctic Management Area which either is, or is intended to be, sold or 
bartered but does not include subsistence fishing for Arctic fish, as 
defined in this subsection.
    Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR) means the annual report 
of information on exvessel and first wholesale values for fish and 
shellfish required under Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code, 
chapter 39.130 (see Sec. 679.5 (p)).
    Commissioner of ADF&G means the principal executive officer of 
ADF&G.
    Community quota entity (CQE) means a non-profit organization that:
    (1) Did not exist prior to April 10, 2002;
    (2) Represents at least one eligible community that is listed in 
Table 21 of this part; and,
    (3) Has been approved by the Regional Administrator to obtain by 
transfer and hold QS, and to lease IFQ resulting from the QS on behalf 
of an eligible community; and
    (4) Must be the Adak Community Entity as defined at Sec. 680.2 if 
that non-profit organization represents the eligible community of Adak, 
AK.
    Conviction, for purposes of subpart E of this part, means a judgment 
or conviction of a criminal offense by any court of competent 
jurisdiction, whether entered upon a verdict or a plea, and includes a 
conviction entered upon a plea of nolo contendere.
    Cooperative quota (CQ)--(1) For purposes of the Amendment 80 Program 
means:
    (i) The annual catch limit of an Amendment 80 species that may be 
caught by an Amendment 80 cooperative while fishing under a CQ permit;
    (ii) The amount of annual halibut and crab PSC that may be used by 
an Amendment 80 cooperative while fishing under a CQ permit.
    (2) For purposes of the Rockfish Program means:
    (i) The annual catch limit of a rockfish primary species or rockfish 
secondary species that may be harvested by a rockfish cooperative while 
fishing under a CQ permit;
    (ii) The amount of annual halibut PSC that may be used by a rockfish 
cooperative in the Central GOA while fishing under a CQ permit (see 
rockfish halibut PSC in this section).
    (3) For purposes of the PCTC Program means:
    (i) The annual catch limit of Pacific cod that may be caught by a 
PCTC Program cooperative while fishing under a CQ permit;
    (ii) The amount of annual halibut and crab PSC that may be used by a 
PCTC Program cooperative while fishing under a CQ permit.
    C. Opilio Crab Bycatch Limitation Zone (COBLZ) (see Sec. 679.21(e) 
and Figure 13 to this part.
    CQ permit means a permit issued to an Amendment 80 cooperative under 
Sec. 679.4(o)(2), a rockfish cooperative under Sec. 679.4(n)(1), or a 
PCTC Program cooperative under Sec. 679.131(a).
    CQE floating processor means, for the purposes of processing Pacific 
cod within the marine municipal boundaries of CQE communities (see Table 
21 of this part) in the Western or Central Gulf of Alaska Federal 
reporting areas 610, 620, or 630, a vessel not meeting the definition of 
a stationary floating processor in this section, that has not harvested 
groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska in the same calendar year, and operates 
on the authority of an FPP endorsed as a CQE floating processor.
    Council means North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    Crab species means (see also king crab and tanner crab) all crab 
species covered by the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian 
Islands King and Tanner Crabs, including, but not limited to, red king 
crab (Paralithodes camtschatica), blue king crab (Paralithodes 
platypus), brown or golden king crab (Lithodes aequispina), scarlet or 
deep sea king crab (Lithodes couesi), Tanner or bairdi crab 
(Chionoecetes bairdi), opilio or snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), 
grooved Tanner crab (Chionoecetes tanneri), and triangle Tanner crab 
(Chionoecetes angulatus).
    Crab species license means a license issued by NMFS that authorizes 
the license holder designated on the license to deploy a vessel to 
conduct directed fishing for crab species.
    Cruise means an observer deployment with a unique cruise number. A 
cruise begins when an observer receives an endorsement to deploy and 
ends when the

[[Page 533]]

observer completes all debriefing responsibilities.
    Daily reporting period or day is the period from 0001 hours, A.l.t., 
until the following 2400 hours, A.l.t.
    Data collection agent (DCA) means the entity selected by the 
Regional Administrator to distribute an EDR to a person required to 
complete it, to receive the completed EDR, to review and verify the 
accuracy of the data in the EDR, and to provide those data to authorized 
recipients.
    Debriefing means the post-deployment process that includes a one-on-
one interview with NMFS staff, a NMFS preliminary data review, observer 
completion of all data corrections noted, observer preparation of 
affidavits and reports, and completion of tasks related to biological 
specimens or special projects.
    Decertification, as used in Sec. 679.53(c), means action taken by a 
decertifying official under Sec. 679.53(c)(3) to revoke certification 
of an observer or observer provider. An observer or observer provider 
whose certification is so revoked is decertified.
    Decertifying official, for purposes of subpart E of this part, means 
a designee authorized by the Regional Administrator to impose 
decertification.
    Deep water flatfish (see Table 10 to this part pursuant to Sec. 
679.20(c).)
    Deployment means the period between an observer's arrival at the 
point of embarkation and the date the observer disembarks for travel to 
debriefing.
    Designated contact for the Aleut Corporation means an individual who 
is designated by the Aleut Corporation for the purpose of communication 
with NMFS regarding the identity of selected AI directed pollock fishery 
participants and weekly reports required by Sec. 679.5.
    Designated cooperative representative means an individual who is 
designated by the members of a fishery cooperative to fulfill 
requirements on behalf of the cooperative including, but not limited to, 
the signing of cooperative fishing permit applications; submitting 
catcher vessel pollock cooperative catch reports, and submitting annual 
cooperative fishing reports.
    Designated primary processor means an AFA inshore processor that is 
designated by an inshore pollock cooperative as the AFA inshore 
processor to which the cooperative will deliver at least 90 percent of 
its BS pollock allocation during the year in which the AFA inshore 
cooperative fishing permit is in effect.
    Direct financial interest means any source of income to, or capital 
investment or other interest held by, an individual, partnership, or 
corporation or an individual's spouse, immediate family member or parent 
that could be influenced by performance or non-performance of observer 
or observer provider duties.
    Directed fishing means:
    (1) Unless indicated otherwise, any fishing activity that results in 
the retention of an amount of a species or species group on board a 
vessel that is greater than the maximum retainable amount for that 
species or species group as calculated under Sec. 679.20.
    (2) With respect to license limitation groundfish species, directed 
fishing as defined in paragraph (1) of this definition.
    (3) With respect to crab species under this part, the catching and 
retaining of any crab species.
    (4) With respect to the harvest of groundfish by AFA catcher/
processors and AFA catcher vessels, any fishing activity that results in 
the retention of an amount of a species or species group on board a 
vessel that is greater than the maximum retainable percentage for that 
species or species group as calculated under Sec. 679.20.
    (5) With respect to the harvest of flatfish in the Bering Sea 
subarea, for purposes of nonpelagic trawl restrictions under Sec. 
679.22(a) and modified nonpelagic trawl gear requirements under 
Sec. Sec. 679.7(c)(5) and 679.24(f), fishing with nonpelagic trawl gear 
during any fishing trip that results in a retained aggregate amount of 
yellowfin sole, rock sole, Greenland turbot, arrowtooth flounder, 
flathead sole, Alaska plaice, and other flatfish that is greater than 
the retained amount of any other fishery category defined under Sec. 
679.21(b)(1)(ii) or of sablefish.
    (6) With respect to the harvest of flatfish in the Central GOA 
Regulatory Area, for purposes of modified nonpelagic trawl gear 
requirements under

[[Page 534]]

Sec. Sec. 679.7(b)(9) and 679.24(f), fishing with nonpelagic trawl gear 
during any fishing trip that results in a retained aggregate amount of 
shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth 
flounder, and flathead sole that is greater than the retained amount of 
any other trawl fishery category as defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii).
    Discard (see Sec. 600.10.)
    Dockside sale means, the transfer of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish from the person who harvested it to individuals for personal 
consumption, and not for resale.
    Documented harvest means a lawful harvest that was recorded in 
compliance with Federal and state commercial fishing regulations in 
effect at the time of harvesting.
    Donut Hole means the international waters of the Bering Sea outside 
the limits of the EEZ and Russian economic zone as depicted on the 
current edition of NOAA chart INT 813 Bering Sea (Southern Part).
    Eastern Aleutian District means that part of the Aleutian Islands 
Subarea contained in Statistical Area 541 (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Eastern GOA Regulatory Area means the Reporting Areas 649 and 659 
and that portion of the GOA EEZ that is contained in Statistical Areas 
640 and 650 (see Figure 3 to this part).
    Economic data report (EDR) means the report of cost, labor, 
earnings, and revenue data required under Sec. 679.65, Sec. 679.94, 
and Sec. 679.110.
    eLandings means the Internet data entry system or desktop client 
components of the Interagency Electronic Reporting System (IERS) for 
reporting commercial fishery landings and production from waters off 
Alaska.
    Electronic Monitoring system or EM system means a network of 
equipment that uses a software operating system connected to one or more 
technology components, including, but not limited to, cameras and 
recording devices to collect data on catch and vessel operations.
    Eligible applicant means (for purposes of the LLP program) a 
qualified person who submitted an application during the application 
period announced by NMFS and:
    (1) For a groundfish license or crab species license, who owned a 
vessel on June 17, 1995, from which the minimum number of documented 
harvests of license limitation groundfish or crab species were made in 
the relevant areas during the qualifying periods specified in Sec. 
679.4(k)(4) and (k)(5), unless the fishing history of that vessel was 
transferred in conformance with the provisions in paragraph (2) of this 
definition; or
    (2) For a groundfish license or crab species license, to whom the 
fishing history of a vessel from which the minimum number of documented 
harvests of license limitation groundfish or crab species were made in 
the relevant areas during the qualifying periods specified in Sec. 
679.4(k)(4) and (k)(5) has been transferred or retained by the express 
terms of a written contract that clearly and unambiguously provides that 
the qualifications for a license under the LLP have been transferred or 
retained; or
    (3) For a crab species license, who was an individual who held a 
State of Alaska permit for the Norton Sound king crab summer fishery at 
the time he or she made at least one harvest of red or blue king crab in 
the relevant area during the period specified in Sec. 
679.4(k)(5)(ii)(G), or a corporation that owned or leased a vessel on 
June 17, 1995, that made at least one harvest of red or blue king crab 
in the relevant area during the period in Sec. 679.4(k)(5)(ii)(G), and 
that was operated by an individual who was an employee or a temporary 
contractor; or
    (4) For a scallop license, who qualifies for a scallop license as 
specified at Sec. 679.4(g)(2) of this part; or
    (5) Who is an individual that can demonstrate eligibility pursuant 
to the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 29 U.S.C. 794 
(a).
    Eligible community means:
    (1) for purposes of the CDQ Program, a community identified as 
eligible for the CDQ Program under 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(D). Eligible 
communities are listed in Table 7 to this part.
    (2) For purposes of the IFQ program in the GOA, a community that is 
listed in Table 21 to this part, and that:
    (i) Is a municipality or census designated place, as defined in the 
2000

[[Page 535]]

United States Census, located on the GOA coast of the North Pacific 
Ocean;
    (ii) Has a population of not less than 20 and not more than 1,500 
persons based on the 2000 United States Census;
    (iii) Has had a resident of that community with at least one 
commercial landing of halibut or sablefish made during the period from 
1980 through 2000, as documented by the State of Alaska Commercial 
Fisheries Entry Commission; and
    (iv) Is not accessible by road to a community larger than 1,500 
persons based on the 2000 United States Census.
    (3) For purposes of the IFQ program in the Aleutian Islands subarea, 
a community that is listed in Table 21 to this part, and that:
    (i) Is a municipality or census designated place, as defined in the 
2000 United States Census, located on the Aleutian Islands subarea coast 
of the North Pacific Ocean;
    (ii) Is not an entity identified as eligible for the CDQ Program 
under 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(D);
    (iii) Has a population of not less than 20 and not more than 1,500 
persons based on the 2000 United States Census;
    (iv) Has had a resident of that community with at least one 
commercial landing of halibut or sablefish made during the period from 
1980 through 2000, as documented by the State of Alaska Commercial 
Fisheries Entry Commission; and
    (v) Is not accessible by road to a community larger than 1,500 
persons based on the 2000 United States Census.
    Eligible community resident means:
    (1) For purposes of the IFQ Program, any individual who:
    (i) Is a citizen of the United States;
    (ii) Has maintained a domicile in a rural community listed in Table 
21 to this part for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the 
time when the assertion of residence is made, and who is not claiming 
residency in another community, state, territory, or country, except 
that residents of the Village of Seldovia shall be considered to be 
eligible community residents of the City of Seldovia for the purposes of 
eligibility to lease IFQ from a CQE; and
    (iii) Is an IFQ crew member except when that person is receiving 
halibut or sablefish IFQ that is derived from QS held by a CQE on behalf 
of an eligible community in the Aleutian Islands.
    (2) For purposes of the Area 2C and Area 3A catch sharing plan (CSP) 
in Sec. 300.65(c) of this title, means any individual or non-individual 
entity who:
    (i) Holds a charter halibut permit as defined in Sec. 300.61 of 
this title;
    (ii) Has been approved by the Regional Administrator to receive GAF, 
as defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title, from a CQE in a transfer 
between IFQ and GAF pursuant to Sec. 300.65(c)(5)(ii) of this title; 
and
    (iii) Begins or ends every charter vessel fishing trip, as defined 
in Sec. 300.61 of this title, authorized by the charter halibut permit 
issued to that person, and on which halibut are retained, at a 
location(s) within the boundaries of the community represented by the 
CQE from which the GAF were received. The geographic boundaries of the 
eligible community will be those defined by the United States Census 
Bureau.
    EM selection pool means the defined group of vessels from which NMFS 
will randomly select the vessels required to use an EM system under 
Sec. 679.51(f).
    EM service provider means any person, including their employees or 
agents, that NMFS contracts with to provide EM services, or to review, 
interpret, or analyze EM data, as required under Sec. 679.51(f).
    Endorsement. (1) (See area endorsement for purposes of the 
groundfish LLP permits);
    (2) (See area/species endorsement for purposes of the crab LLP 
permits);
    (3) (See Sec. 679.4(g)(3)(ii) area endorsements for purposes of the 
scallop permit).
    Experimental fishery (see Exempted fishery, Sec. 679.6).
    Federal waters means waters within the EEZ off Alaska (see also 
reporting area).
    Federally permitted vessel means a vessel that is named on either a 
Federal fisheries permit issued pursuant to Sec. 679.4(b) or on a 
Federal crab vessel permit issued pursuant to Sec. 680.4(k) of this 
chapter. Federally permitted vessels must conform to regulatory 
requirements for purposes of fishing restrictions in habitat 
conservation areas, habitat conservation zones,

[[Page 536]]

habitat protection areas, and the Modified Gear Trawl Zone; for purposes 
of anchoring prohibitions in habitat protection areas; for purposes of 
requirements for the BS and GOA nonpelagic trawl fishery pursuant to 
Sec. 679.7(b)(9), Sec. 679.7(c)(5), and Sec. 679.24(f); and for 
purposes of VMS requirements.
    Fishery cooperative or cooperative means any entity cooperatively 
managing directed fishing for BS pollock and formed under section 1 of 
the Fisherman's Collective Marketing Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 521). In and 
of itself, a cooperative is not an AFA entity subject to excessive 
harvest share limitations, unless a single person, corporation or other 
business entity controls the cooperative and the cooperative has the 
power to control the fishing activity of its member vessels.
    Fish product (See groundfish product.)
    Fish product weight means the weight of the fish product in pounds 
or to at least the nearest thousandth of a metric ton (0.001 mt). Fish 
product weight is based upon the number of production units and the 
weight of those units. Production units include pans, cartons, blocks, 
trays, cans, bags, and individual fresh or frozen fish. The weight of a 
production unit is the average weight of representative samples of the 
product, and, for fish other than fresh fish, may include additives or 
water but not packaging. Any allowance for water added cannot exceed 5 
percent of the gross product weight (fish, additives, and water).
    Fishermen means persons who catch, take, or harvest fish.
    Fishing circle means the circumference of a trawl intersecting the 
center point on a fishing line, and that is perpendicular to the long 
axis of a trawl.
    Fishing line means a length of chain or wire rope in the bottom 
front end of a trawl to which the webbing or lead ropes are attached.
    Fishing trip means: (1) With respect to retention requirements (MRA, 
IR/IU, and pollock roe stripping), recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements under Sec. 679.5, and determination of directed fishing 
for flatfish.
    (i) Catcher/processors and motherships. An operator of a catcher/
processor or mothership processor vessel is engaged in a fishing trip 
from the time the harvesting, receiving, or processing of groundfish is 
begun or resumed in an area until any of the following events occur:
    (A) The effective date of a notification prohibiting directed 
fishing in the same area under Sec. 679.20 or Sec. 679.21;
    (B) The offload or transfer of all fish or fish product from that 
vessel;
    (C) The vessel enters or leaves an area where a different directed 
fishing prohibition applies;
    (D) The vessel begins fishing with a different type of authorized 
fishing gear; or
    (E) The end of a weekly reporting period, whichever comes first.
    (ii) Catcher vessels. An operator of a catcher vessel is engaged in 
a fishing trip from the time the harvesting of groundfish is begun until 
the offload or transfer of all fish or fish product from that vessel.
    (2) IFQ program. With respect to the IFQ program, the period 
beginning when a vessel operator commences harvesting IFQ species and 
ending when the vessel operator lands any species.
    (3) North Pacific Observer Program. With respect to subpart E of 
this part, one of the following periods:
    (i) For a catcher vessel delivering to a shoreside processor or 
stationary floating processor, the period of time that begins when a 
catcher vessel departs a port to harvest fish until the offload or 
transfer of all fish from that vessel.
    (ii) For a catcher vessel delivering to a tender vessel, the period 
of time that begins when a catcher vessel departs from port to harvest 
fish until the vessel returns to a port in which a shoreside processor 
or stationary floating processor with a valid FPP is located.
    (iii) For a catcher/processor in the partial observer coverage 
category, the period of time that begins when the vessel departs a port 
to harvest fish until the vessel returns to port and offloads all 
processed product.
    (iv) For a vessel in the EM selection pool of the partial coverage 
category, the period of time that begins when the vessel leaves a shore-
based port or tender vessel with an empty hold until the vessel returns 
to a shore-based port or tender vessel and all fish are delivered.

[[Page 537]]

    (4) For purposes of Sec. 679.7(n)(7), the period beginning when a 
vessel operator commences harvesting any Rockfish Program species and 
ending when the vessel operator offloads or transfers any processed or 
unprocessed Rockfish Program species from that vessel.
    (5) For purposes of Sec. 679.7(o)(4), the period beginning when a 
vessel operator commences harvesting any Amendment 80 species and ending 
when the vessel operator offloads or transfers any processed or 
unprocessed Amendment 80 species from that vessel.
    (6) For purposes of Sec. 679.7(d)(5)(ii)(C)(2) for CDQ groups and 
Sec. 679.7(k)(8)(ii) for AFA entities, the period beginning when a 
vessel operator commences harvesting any pollock that will accrue 
against a directed fishing allowance for pollock in the BS or against a 
pollock CDQ allocation harvested in the BS and ending when the vessel 
operator offloads or transfers any processed or unprocessed pollock from 
that vessel.
    Fishing year means 0001 hours, A.l.t., on January 1, through 2400 
hours, A.l.t., on December 31 (see Sec. 679.23).
    Fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve means 20 percent of the sablefish 
fixed gear TAC for each subarea in the BSAI for which a sablefish TAC is 
specified under Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B).
    Flatfish Exchange means the exchange of unused CDQ, or Amendment 80 
CQ, of flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole in the BSAI for an 
equivalent amount (in metric tons) of CDQ ABC reserve or Amendment 80 
ABC reserve, respectively, for flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin 
sole in the BSAI other than the species listed for exchange on the 
Flatfish Exchange Application as described in a notice of adjustment or 
apportionment in the Federal Register.
    Food bank distributor means a tax-exempt organization with the 
primary purpose of distributing food resources to hunger relief agencies 
(see Sec. 679.26).
    Food bank network means a tax-exempt organization with the primary 
purpose of coordinating receipt and delivery of food resources to its 
member food bank distributors or hunger relief agencies (see Sec. 
679.26).
    Footrope means a chain or wire rope attached to the bottom front end 
of a trawl and attached to the fishing line.
    Forage fish (see Table 2c to this part and Sec. 679.20(i)).
    Gear (see the definition for Authorized fishing gear of this 
section).
    Gear deployment (or to set gear) (see Sec. 679.5(c)(3)(vi)(B) for 
longline and pot gear; see Sec. 679.5(c)(4)(vi)(B) for trawl gear).
    Gear retrieval (or to haul gear) (see Sec. 679.5(c)(3)(vi)(C) for 
longline and pot gear; see Sec. 679.5(c)(4)(vi)(C) for trawl gear).
    Grenadiers (see Table 2c to this part and Sec. 679.20(i)).
    Groundfish means (1) FMP species as listed in Table 2a to this part.
    (2) Target species specified annually pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2) 
(See also the definitions for: License limitation groundfish; CDQ 
species; and IR/IU species of this section).
    Groundfish CDQ fishing means fishing that results in the retention 
of any groundfish CDQ species, but that does not meet the definition of 
pollock CDQ fishing, sablefish CDQ fishing, or halibut CDQ fishing.
    Groundfish license means (for purposes of the LLP program) a license 
issued by NMFS that authorizes the license holder designated on the 
license to deploy a vessel to conduct directed fishing for license 
limitation groundfish.
    Groundfish product or fish product means any species product listed 
in Tables 1, 2a, 2c, and 2d to this part.
    Gulf of Alaska (GOA) means that portion of the EEZ contained in 
Statistical Areas 610, 620, 630, 640, and 650 (see Figure 3 to this 
part).
    Gulf of Alaska Coral Habitat Protection Areas means management areas 
established for the protection of coral habitat areas of particular 
concern in the Gulf of Alaska. See Table 26 to this part.
    Gulf of Alaska Slope Habitat Conservation Areas means management 
areas established for the protection of essential fish habitat on the 
Gulf of Alaska slope. See Table 27 to this part.
    Halibut means Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis).
    Halibut CDQ fishing means using fixed gear, retaining halibut CDQ, 
and not

[[Page 538]]

retaining groundfish over the maximum retainable amounts specified in 
Sec. 679.20(e) and Table 11 to this part.
    Halibut CDQ reserve means the amount of the halibut catch limit for 
IPHC regulatory areas 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E that is reserved for the 
halibut CDQ program (see Sec. 679.31(a)(2)).
    Halibut Deck Sorting means the authorized sorting of halibut on deck 
pursuant to Sec. 679.120.
    Harvesting or to harvest means the catching and retaining of any 
fish.
    Harvest zone codes (see Table 8 to this part).
    Haul means the retrieval of trawl gear which results in catching 
fish or which does not result in catching fish; a test of trawl gear; or 
when non-functional gear is pulled in, even if no fish are harvested. 
All hauls of any type need to be recorded and numbered throughout the 
year, whether or not fish are caught.
    Headrope means a rope bordering the top front end of a trawl.
    Health care provider means an individual licensed to provide health 
care services by the state where he or she practices and performs within 
the scope of his or her specialty to diagnose and treat medical 
conditions as defined by applicable Federal, state, or local laws and 
regulations. A health care provider located outside of the United States 
and its territories who is licensed to practice medicine by the 
applicable medical authorities is included in this definition.
    Herring Savings Area means any of three areas in the BSAI presented 
in Figure 4 to this part (see also Sec. 679.21(b)(4) for additional 
closure information).
    Hook-and-line catcher/processor means a catcher/processor vessel 
that is named on a valid LLP license that is noninterim and 
transferable, or that is interim and subsequently becomes noninterim and 
transferable, and that is endorsed for any of the following areas: 
Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and/or any area in the Gulf of Alaska; and 
endorsed for catcher/processor fishing activity, catcher/processor 
Pacific cod, and hook-and-line gear.
    Hunger relief agency means a tax-exempt organization with the 
primary purpose of feeding economically disadvantaged individuals free 
of charge (see Sec. 679.26).
    IFQ actual ex-vessel value means the U.S. dollar amount of all 
compensation, monetary or non-monetary, including any IFQ retro-payments 
received by an IFQ permit holder for the purchase of IFQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish landing(s) on his or her permit(s) described in terms of IFQ 
equivalent pounds.
    IFQ crew member means any individual who has at least 150 days 
experience working as part of the harvesting crew in any U.S. commercial 
fishery, or any individual who receives an initial allocation of QS. For 
purposes of this definition, ``harvesting'' means work that is directly 
related to the catching and retaining of fish. Work in support of 
harvesting, but not directly involved with harvesting, is not considered 
harvesting crew work. For example, searching for fish, work on a fishing 
vessel only as an engineer or cook, or work preparing a vessel for a 
fishing trip would not be considered work of a harvesting crew.
    IFQ equivalent pound(s) means the weight amount, recorded in pounds 
and calculated as round weight for sablefish and headed and gutted 
weight for halibut for an IFQ landing or for estimation of the fee 
liability of halibut landed as guided angler fish (GAF), as defined in 
Sec. 300.61 of this title. Landed GAF are converted to IFQ equivalent 
pounds as specified in Sec. 300.65(c) of this title.
    IFQ fee liability means that amount of money for IFQ cost recovery, 
in U.S. dollars, owed to NMFS by an IFQ permit holder as determined by 
multiplying the appropriate standard ex-vessel value or, for non-GAF 
landings, the actual ex-vessel value of his or her IFQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish landing(s), by the appropriate IFQ fee percentage and the 
appropriate standard ex-vessel value of landed GAF derived from his or 
her IFQ by the appropriate IFQ fee percentage.
    IFQ fee percentage means that positive number no greater than 3 
percent (0.03) determined by the Regional Administrator and established 
for use to calculate the IFQ cost recovery fee liability for an IFQ 
permit holder.

[[Page 539]]

    IFQ halibut means any halibut that is harvested with setline gear as 
defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title or fixed gear as defined in this 
section while commercial fishing in any IFQ regulatory area defined in 
this section.
    IFQ landing means the unloading or transferring of any IFQ halibut, 
CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or products thereof from the vessel that 
harvested such fish or the removal from the water of a vessel containing 
IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or products thereof.
    IFQ permit holder means the person identified on an IFQ permit, at 
the time a landing is made (see Sec. 679.4(d)(1)).
    IFQ program means the individual fishing quota program for the fixed 
gear fisheries for Pacific halibut and sablefish in waters in and off 
Alaska and governed by regulations under this part.
    IFQ regulatory area means:
    (1) With respect to IFQ halibut, areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 
or 4E as prescribed in the annual management measures published in the 
Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of chapter III of this title 
(see also Figure 15 to this part).
    (2) With respect to IFQ sablefish, any of the three regulatory areas 
in the GOA and any subarea of the BSAI, and all waters of the State of 
Alaska between the shore and the inshore boundary of such regulatory 
areas and subareas, except waters of Prince William Sound and areas in 
which sablefish fishing is managed under a State of Alaska limited entry 
program (see Figure 14 to this part).
    IFQ retro-payment means the U.S. dollar value of a payment, monetary 
or non-monetary, made to an IFQ permit holder for the purchase of IFQ 
halibut or IFQ sablefish landed at some previous time.
    IFQ sablefish means any sablefish that is harvested with fixed gear, 
either in the EEZ off Alaska or in waters of the State of Alaska, by 
persons holding an IFQ permit, but does not include sablefish harvested 
in Prince William Sound or under a State of Alaska limited entry 
program.
    IFQ standard ex-vessel value means the total U.S. dollar amount of 
IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish landings as calculated by multiplying the 
number of landed IFQ equivalent pounds plus landed GAF in IFQ equivalent 
pounds by the appropriate IFQ standard price determined by the Regional 
Administrator.
    IFQ standard price means a price, expressed in U.S. dollars per IFQ 
equivalent pound, for landed IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish determined 
annually by the Regional Administrator and documented in an IFQ standard 
price list published by NMFS.
    Immediate family member includes an individual with any of the 
following relationships to the QS holder:
    (1) Spouse, and parents thereof;
    (2) Sons and daughters, and spouses thereof;
    (3) Parents, and spouses thereof;
    (4) Brothers and sisters, and spouses thereof;
    (5) Grandparents and grandchildren, and spouses thereof;
    (6) Domestic partner and parents thereof, including domestic 
partners of any individual in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this 
definition; and
    (7) Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close 
association with the QS holder is the equivalent of a family 
relationship.
    Incidental catch or incidental species means fish caught and 
retained while targeting on some other species, but does not include 
discard of fish that were returned to the sea.
    Indictment, for purposes of subpart E of this part, means indictment 
for a criminal offense. An information or other filing by competent 
authority charging a criminal offense must be given the same effect as 
an indictment.
    Individual means a natural person who is not a corporation, 
partnership, association, or other such entity.
    Individual fishing quota (IFQ) means the annual catch limit of 
sablefish or halibut that may be harvested by a person who is lawfully 
allocated a harvest privilege for a specific portion of the TAC of 
sablefish or halibut.
    Initial Total Allowable Catch (ITAC) means the tonnage of a TAC for 
an Amendment 80 species in a management area that is available for 
apportionment to the BSAI trawl limited access sector and the Amendment 
80 sector in a calendar year after deducting

[[Page 540]]

from the TAC the CDQ reserve, the incidental catch allowance the 
Regional Administrator determines is required on an annual basis, as 
applicable, to account for projected incidental catch of an Amendment 80 
species by non-Amendment 80 vessels engaged in directed fishing for 
groundfish and, for Atka mackerel, the Atka mackerel jig allocation.
    Inshore component in the GOA means the following three categories of 
the U.S. groundfish fishery that process pollock harvested in the GOA or 
Pacific cod harvested in the Eastern GOA:
    (1) Shoreside processors.
    (2) Vessels less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA that hold an inshore 
processing endorsement on their Federal fisheries permit, and that 
process no more than 126 mt per week in round-weight equivalents of an 
aggregate amount of pollock and Eastern GOA Pacific cod.
    (3) Stationary floating processors that--
    (i) Hold an inshore processing endorsement on their Federal 
processor permit;
    (ii) Process pollock harvested in a GOA directed fishery at a single 
GOA geographic location in Alaska state waters during a fishing year; 
and/or,
    (iii) Process Pacific cod harvested in the Eastern GOA regulatory 
area at a single GOA geographic location in Alaska state waters during a 
fishing year.
    Interagency electronic reporting system (IERS) means an interagency 
electronic reporting system that allows fishery participants to use the 
Internet or desktop client software named eLandings to enter landings 
and production data for appropriate distribution to the ADF&G, IPHC, and 
NMFS Alaska Region (see Sec. 679.5(e)).
    IPHC means International Pacific Halibut Commission (see part 300 of 
chapter III of this title).
    IR/IU means the improved retention/improved utilization program set 
out at Sec. 679.27.
    IR/IU species means any groundfish species that is regulated by a 
retention or utilization requirement set out at Sec. 679.27.
    King crab means red king crab (Paralithodes camtschatica), blue king 
crab (P. platypus), brown (or golden) king crab (Lithodes aequispina), 
and scarlet (or deep sea) king crab (Lithodes couesi).
    Landing means offloading fish.
    Legal landing means a landing in compliance with Federal and state 
commercial fishing regulations in effect at the time of landing.
    Legal landing of halibut or sablefish (see Sec. 679.40(a)(3)(v)).
    Length overall (LOA) of a vessel means the centerline longitudinal 
distance, rounded to the nearest foot, measured between:
    (1) The outside foremost part of the vessel visible above the 
waterline, including bulwarks, but excluding bowsprits and similar 
fittings or attachments, and
    (2) The outside aftermost part of the vessel visible above the 
waterline, including bulwarks, but excluding rudders, outboard motor 
brackets, and similar fittings or attachments (see Figure 6 to this 
part).
    License holder means the person who is named on a currently valid 
groundfish license, crab species license, or scallop license.
    License limitation groundfish means target species specified 
annually pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2), except that demersal shelf 
rockfish east of 140 W. longitude, sablefish managed under the IFQ 
program, sablefish managed under the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, 
and pollock allocated to the Aleutian Islands directed pollock fishery 
and harvested by vessels 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA or less, are not considered 
license limitation groundfish.
    Limited Access System Administrative Fund (LASAF) means the 
administrative account used for depositing cost recovery fee payments 
into the U.S. Treasury as described in the Magnuson-Stevens Act under 
section 304(d)(2)(C)(i) and established under section 305(h)(5)(B).
    Listed AFA catcher/processor means an AFA catcher/processor 
permitted to harvest BS pollock under Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(i).
    LLP license originally assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel means the 
LLP license listed in Column C of Table 31 to this part that corresponds 
to the vessel listed in Column A of Table 31 to this part with the USCG 
Documentation

[[Page 541]]

Number listed in Column B of Table 31 to this part.
    Logbook means Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL) or Daily 
Fishing Logbook (DFL) required by Sec. 679.5.
    Management area means any district, regulatory area, subpart, part, 
or the entire GOA, BSAI, or Arctic Management Area.
    Manager, with respect to any shoreside processor, stationary 
floating processor, or buying station, means the individual responsible 
for the operation of the processor or buying station.
    Marmot Bay Tanner Crab Protection Area means a habitat protection 
area of the Gulf of Alaska specified in Figure 5 to this part that is 
closed to directed fishing for groundfish with trawl gear, except 
directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear.
    Maximum LOA (MLOA) means:
    (1) With respect to the scallop license limitation program, the MLOA 
is equal to the length overall on February 8, 1999, of the longest 
vessel that was:
    (i) Authorized by a Federal or State of Alaska Scallop Moratorium 
Permit to harvest scallops;
    (ii) Used by the eligible applicant to make legal landings of 
scallops during the scallop LLP qualification period, as specified at 
Sec. 679.4(g)(2)(iii) of this part.
    (2) With respect to the groundfish and crab species license 
limitation program, the LOA of the vessel on June 24, 1992, unless the 
vessel was less than 125 ft (38.1 m) on June 24, 1992, then 1.2 times 
the LOA of the vessel on June 24, 1992, or 125 ft (38.1 m), whichever is 
less. However, if the vessel was under reconstruction on June 24, 1992, 
then the basis for the MLOA will be the LOA of the vessel on the date 
that reconstruction was completed and not June 24, 1992. The following 
exceptions apply regardless of how the MLOA was determined.
    (i) If the vessel's LOA on June 17, 1995, was less than 60 ft (18.3 
m), or if the vessel was under reconstruction on June 17, 1995, and the 
vessel's LOA on the date that reconstruction was completed was less than 
60 ft (18.3 m), then the vessel's MLOA cannot exceed 59 ft (18 m).
    (ii) If the vessel's LOA on June 17, 1995, was greater than or equal 
to 60 ft (18.3 m) but less than 125 ft (38.1 m), or if the vessel was 
under reconstruction on June 17, 1995, and the vessel's LOA on the date 
that reconstruction was completed was greater than or equal to 60 ft 
(18.3 m) but less 125 ft (38.1 m), then the vessel's MLOA cannot exceed 
124 ft (37.8 m).
    (iii) If the vessel's LOA on June 17, 1995, was 125 ft (38.1 m) or 
greater, then the vessel's MLOA is the vessel's LOA on June 17, 1995, or 
if the vessel was under reconstruction on June 17, 1995, and the 
vessel's LOA on the date that reconstruction was completed was 125 ft 
(38.1 m) or greater, then the vessel's MLOA is the vessel's LOA on the 
date reconstruction was completed.
    (iv) The MLOA of an Amendment 80 LLP license or Amendment 80 LLP/QS 
license will be permanently changed to 295 ft. (89.9 m) when an 
Amendment 80 replacement vessel is listed on the license following the 
approval of a license transfer application described at Sec. 
679.4(k)(7).
    (v) The MLOA of a groundfish LLP license endorsed to catch and 
process Pacific cod with hook-and-line gear in the BS or AI, or both, 
and is designated in Column B of Table 9 to this part is 220 feet (67 
m).
    (vi) An AFA vessel is exempt from the MLOA on an LLP license with a 
Bering Sea area endorsement or an Aleutian Islands area endorsement when 
the vessel is used in the BSAI to harvest or process license limitation 
groundfish and the LLP license specifies an exemption from the MLOA 
restriction for the AFA vessel.
    Maximum retainable amount (MRA) (see Sec. 679.20(e)).
    Modified Gear Trawl Zone means an area of the Bering Sea subarea 
specified at Table 51 to this part that is closed to directed fishing 
for groundfish with nonpelagic trawl gear, except by vessels using 
modified nonpelagic trawl gear meeting the standards at Sec. 679.24(f).
    Mothership means a vessel that receives and processes groundfish 
from other vessels.
    Nearshore Bristol Bay Trawl Closure Area of the BSAI (See Sec. 
679.22(a)(9) and Figure 12 to this part.)

[[Page 542]]

    Net-sounder device means a sensor used to determine the depth from 
the water surface at which a fishing net is operating.
    Net weight (IFQ or CDQ halibut only). Net weight of IFQ or CDQ 
halibut means the weight of a halibut that is gutted, head off, and 
washed or ice and slime deducted.
    NMFS Alaska Region website means https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ 
region/alaska.
    NMFS investigator, for purposes of subpart E of this part, means a 
designee authorized by the Regional Administrator to conduct 
investigations under this section.
    NMFS Person Identification Number means a unique number assigned by 
NMFS to any person who applied for, or who has been issued, a 
certificate, license, or permit under any fishery management program 
administered by the Alaska Region for purposes of the NMFS/Alaska Region 
Integrated Regional Data System.
    Non-allocated or nonspecified species means those fish species, 
other than prohibited species, for which TAC has not been specified 
(e.g., prowfish and lingcod).
    Non-IFQ groundfish means groundfish, other than IFQ sablefish.
    Non-individual entity means a person who is not an individual or 
``natural'' person; it includes corporations, partnerships, estates, 
trusts, joint ventures, joint tenancy, and any other type of ``person'' 
other than a natural person.
    Non-allocated secondary species (see Rockfish Program species in 
this section).
    Non-chinook salmon means coho, pink, chum or sockeye salmon.
    North Pacific fishery means any commercial fishery in state or 
Federal waters off Alaska.
    Northern Bering Sea Research Area means a habitat research area 
specified at Table 43 and Figure 17 to this part.
    Nunivak Island, Etolin Strait, and Kuskokwim Bay Habitat 
Conservation Area means a habitat protection area specified at Table 44 
and Figure 21 to this part.
    Observed means observed by one or more observers (see subpart E of 
this part).
    Observer means any
    (1) Individual employed by a permitted observer provider or a NMFS 
observer provider for the purpose of serving in the capacity of an 
observer aboard vessels and at shoreside processors or stationary 
floating processors under this part; or
    (2) NMFS employee deployed at the direction of the Regional 
Administrator or individual authorized by NMFS, aboard a vessel or at a 
shoreside processor or stationary floating processor for the purpose of 
serving in the capacity of an observer as required for vessels, 
shoreside processors, or stationary floating processors under Sec. 
679.51(a) or (b), or for other purposes of conservation and management 
of marine resources as specified by the Regional Administrator.
    Observer Program means the administrative office of the North 
Pacific Observer Program located at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center 
(See Sec. 679.51(c)(3) for contact information).
    Observer Provider means any person or commercial enterprise that is 
granted a permit by NMFS to provide observer services to vessels, 
shoreside processors, or stationary floating processors for observer 
coverage credit as required in subpart E of this part.
    Official AFA record means the information prepared by the Regional 
Administrator about vessels and processors that were used to participate 
in the BSAI pollock fisheries during the qualifying periods specified in 
Sec. 679.4(l). Information in the official AFA record includes vessel 
ownership information, documented harvests made from vessels during AFA 
qualifying periods, vessel characteristics, and documented amounts of 
pollock processed by pollock processors during AFA qualifying periods. 
The official AFA record is presumed to be correct for the purpose of 
determining eligibility for AFA permits. An applicant for an AFA permit 
will have the burden of proving correct any information submitted in an 
application that is inconsistent with the official record.
    Official License Limitation Program (LLP) record means the 
information prepared by the Regional Administrator about vessels that 
were used to participate in the groundfish or crab

[[Page 543]]

fisheries during qualified periods for the groundfish and crab LLP 
specified at Sec. 679.4(k) and in the scallop fisheries during the 
qualifying periods for the scallop LLP specified at Sec. 679.4(g). 
Information in the official LLP record includes vessel ownership 
information, documented harvests made from vessels during the 
qualification periods, and vessel characteristics. The official LLP 
record is presumed to be correct for the purpose of determining 
eligibility for licenses. An applicant for a license under the LLP will 
have the burden of proving the validity of information submitted in an 
application that is inconsistent with the official LLP record.
    Offshore component in the GOA means all vessels not included in the 
definition of ``inshore component in the GOA'' that process pollock 
harvested in the GOA, and/or Pacific cod harvested in the Eastern GOA.
    Operate a vessel means for purposes of VMS that the fishing vessel 
is:
    (1) Offloading or processing fish;
    (2) In transit to, from, or between the fishing areas; or
    (3) Fishing or conducting operations in support of fishing.
    Optimum yield means:
    (1) With respect to the salmon fishery, that amount of any species 
of salmon that will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, 
with particular reference to food production and recreational 
opportunities, as specified in the Salmon FMP.
    (2) With respect to the groundfish and Arctic fisheries, see Sec. 
679.20(a)(1).
    Other flatfish (see Table 11 to this part pursuant to Sec. 
679.20(c).)
    Other gear means gear other than authorized fishing gear.
    Other rockfish (see Tables 10 and 11 to this part pursuant to Sec. 
679.20(c); see also ``rockfish'' in this section.)
    Other species is a category of target species for the purpose of MRA 
and PSC management that consists of groundfish species in each 
management area. These target species are managed as an other species 
group and identified in Tables 10 and 11 to this part pursuant to Sec. 
679.20(e).
    Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program means the Pacific Cod 
Trawl Cooperative Program as implemented under subpart L of this part.
    Parallel groundfish fishery. With respect to subpart E of this part, 
parallel groundfish fishery means a fishery that occurs in waters of the 
State of Alaska (from 0 to 3 nm) adjacent to the BSAI or GOA management 
areas and opens concurrently with Federal groundfish fisheries such that 
groundfish catch is deducted from the Federal Total Allowable Catch.
    PCTC Program cooperative means a group of eligible Pacific cod 
harvesters who have chosen to form a cooperative and associate with a 
processor under the requirements at Sec. 679.131 in order to combine 
and harvest fish collectively under a CQ permit issued by NMFS.
    PCTC Program harvester QS pool means the sum of Pacific cod QS units 
assigned to LLP licenses established for the PCTC Program fishery based 
on the PCTC Program official record.
    PCTC Program official record means information used by NMFS 
necessary to determine eligibility to participate in the PCTC Program 
and assign specific harvest privileges or limits to PCTC Program 
participants based on Pacific cod legal landings as defined at Sec. 
679.130.
    PCTC Program participants means those PCTC Program harvesters and 
processors who receive, hold, or use PCTC Program QS.
    PCTC Program processor QS pool means the sum of PCTC Program QS 
units assigned to processor permits issued under the PCTC Program based 
on the PCTC Program official record.
    PCTC Program QS unit means a single share of the PCTC Program QS 
pool based on Pacific cod legal landings.
    PCTC Program quota share (QS) means QS units issued by NMFS 
expressed in metric tons, derived from the Pacific cod legal landings 
assigned to an LLP license or PCTC Program QS permit held by a processor 
and used as the basis for the issuance of annual CQ.
    Permit means documentation granting permission to fish and includes 
``license'' as a type of permit.
    Person means any individual (whether or not a citizen or national of 
the

[[Page 544]]

United States), any corporation, partnership, association, or other non-
individual entity (whether or not organized, or existing under the laws 
of any state), and any Federal, state, local, or foreign government or 
any entity of any such aforementioned governments.
    Personal use fishing means, for purposes of the salmon fishery, 
fishing other than commercial fishing.
    Pollock CDQ fishing means directed fishing for pollock in the BS or 
AI under a pollock allocation to the CDQ Program authorized at Sec. 
679.31(a) and accruing pollock catch against a pollock CDQ allocation.
    Pollock roe means product consisting of pollock eggs, either loose 
or in sacs or skeins.
    Pot catcher/processor means a catcher/processor vessel that is named 
on a valid LLP license that is noninterim and transferable, or that is 
interim and subsequently becomes noninterim and transferable, and that 
is endorsed for Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and/or Gulf of Alaska 
catcher/processor fishing activity, catcher/processor Pacific cod, and 
pot gear.
    Preponderance of the evidence, for purposes of subpart E of this 
part, means proof by information that, compared with that opposing it, 
leads to the conclusion that the fact at issue is more probably true 
than not.
    Primary product (see Table 1 to this part).
    Processing, or to process, means the preparation of, or to prepare, 
fish or crab to render it suitable for human consumption, industrial 
uses, or long-term storage, including but not limited to cooking, 
canning, smoking, salting, drying, freezing, or rendering into meal or 
oil, but does not mean icing, bleeding, heading, or gutting.
    Processor vessel means, unless otherwise restricted, any vessel that 
has been issued a Federal fisheries permit and that can be used for 
processing groundfish.
    Product transfer report (PTR) (see Sec. 679.5(g)).
    Program Administrator, RAM means the Program Administrator of 
Restricted Access Management Program, Alaska Region, NMFS.
    Prohibited species means any of the species of Pacific salmon 
(Oncorhynchus spp.), steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Pacific 
halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), Pacific herring (Clupea harengus 
pallasi), king crab, and Tanner crab (see Table 2b to this part), caught 
by a vessel issued an FFP under Sec. 679.4(b) while fishing for 
groundfish in the BSAI or GOA, unless retention is authorized by other 
applicable laws, including the annual management measures published in 
the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of this title.
    Prohibited species catch (PSC) means any of the species listed in 
Table 2b to this part.
    PRR means standard product recovery rate (see Table 3 to this part).
    PSD Permit means a permit issued by NMFS to an applicant who 
qualifies as an authorized distributor for purposes of the PSD.
    PSD Program means the Prohibited Species Donation Program 
established under Sec. 679.26.
    PSQ means prohibited species quota and is the amount of a PSQ 
reserve that is allocated to a CDQ group.
    PSQ allocation means a percentage of a PSQ reserve specified under 
Sec. 679.31 that is assigned to a CDQ group.
    PSQ reserve means the amount of a prohibited species catch limit 
established under Sec. 679.21 that has been allocated to the CDQ 
Program under Sec. 679.21.
    PSQ species means any species or species group that has been 
allocated from a PSQ reserve to a CDQ group.
    Qualified Person means:
    (1) With respect to the IFQ program, see IFQ Management Measures at 
Sec. 679.40(a)(2).
    (2) With respect to the groundfish and crab species license 
limitation program, a person who was eligible on June 17, 1995, to 
document a fishing vessel under Chapter 121, Title 46, U.S.C.
    (3) With respect to the scallop LLP, a person who was eligible on 
February 8, 1999, to document a fishing vessel under Chapter 121, Title 
46, U.S.C.
    Quarter, or quarterly reporting period, means one of four successive 
3-month periods, which begin at 0001 hours, A.l.t., on the first day of 
each quarter, and end at 2400 hours, A.l.t., on the last day of each 
quarter, as follows:

[[Page 545]]

    (1) 1st quarter: January 1 through March 31.
    (2) 2nd quarter: April 1 through June 30.
    (3) 3rd quarter: July 1 through September 30.
    (4) 4th quarter: October 1 through December 31.
    Quota share (QS) means a permit, the face amount of which is used as 
a basis for the annual calculation of a person's IFQ.
    Reconstruction means a change in the LOA of the vessel from its 
original qualifying LOA.
    Recreational Fishing Quota (RFQ) means the pounds of halibut issued 
annually to a Recreational Quota Entity to supplement the annual guided 
sport catch limit under the catch sharing plan for IFQ regulatory areas 
2C and 3A pursuant to Sec. 300.65(c) of this title.
    Recreational Quota Entity (RQE) means a non-profit entity 
incorporated under the laws of the State of Alaska, recognized as exempt 
from Federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service, and authorized 
by NMFS to participate in the Halibut IFQ Program to hold commercial 
halibut quota share to supplement the annual guided sport catch limit in 
IFQ regulatory areas 2C and 3A under the catch sharing plan pursuant to 
Sec. 300.65(c) of this title. NMFS will authorize only one RQE at a 
time.
    Red King Crab Savings Area (RKCSA) of the BSAI (see Sec. 
679.22(a)(3) and Figure 11 to this part).
    Red King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS) of the BSAI (see Sec. 
679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B) and Figure 11 to this part).
    Regional Administrator, for purposes of this part, means the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, as defined at Sec. 600.10 of this 
chapter, or a designee.
    Registered buyer means the person identified on a Registered Buyer 
permit (see Sec. 679.4(d)(3)).
    Registered crab receiver (RCR) means a person issued an RCR permit, 
described under 50 CFR part 680, by the Regional Administrator.
    Regulatory area means any of three areas of the EEZ in the GOA (see 
Figure 3 to this part).
    Reporting area (see Figures 1 and 3 to this part) means:
    (1) An area that includes a statistical area of the EEZ off Alaska 
and any adjacent waters of the State of Alaska;
    (2) The reporting areas 300, 400, 550, and 690, which do not contain 
EEZ waters off Alaska or Alaska state waters; or
    (3) Reporting areas 649 and 659, which contain only waters of the 
State of Alaska.
    Representative (see Sec. 679.5(b)).
    Reprocessed or rehandled product (see Table 1 to this part).
    Restricted AFA inshore processor means an AFA inshore processor 
permitted to harvest pollock under Sec. 679.4(l)(5)(i)(B).
    Retain on board (see Sec. Sec. 600.10 and 679.27 of this chapter.)
    Rockfish means:
    (1) For the Gulf of Alaska: Any species of the genera Sebastes or 
Sebastolobus except Sebastes ciliatus (dark rockfish); Sebastes melanops 
(black rockfish); and Sebastes mystinus (blue rockfish).
    (2) For the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area: Any 
species of the genera Sebastes or Sebastolobus except Sebastes ciliatus 
(dark rockfish).
    Rockfish (Catch Monitoring Control Plan) CMCP specialist, for 
purposes of subpart H to this part, means a designee authorized by the 
Regional Administrator to monitor compliance with catch monitoring and 
control plans or for other purposes of conservation and management of 
marine resources as specified by the Regional Administrator.
    Rockfish cooperative means a group of rockfish eligible harvesters 
who have chosen to form a rockfish cooperative under the requirements in 
Sec. 679.81 in order to combine and harvest fish collectively under a 
CQ permit issued by NMFS.
    Rockfish CQ (See CQ)
    Rockfish CQ equivalent pound(s) means the weight recorded in pounds, 
for a rockfish CQ landing and calculated as round weight.
    Rockfish eligible harvester means a person who is permitted by NMFS 
to hold rockfish QS.
    Rockfish entry level harvester means a person who is harvesting fish 
in the rockfish entry level longline fishery.
    Rockfish entry level longline fishery means the longline gear 
fisheries in the

[[Page 546]]

Central GOA conducted under the Rockfish Program by rockfish entry level 
harvesters.
    Rockfish entry level trawl fishery means the trawl gear fisheries in 
the Central GOA conducted under the Rockfish Program by rockfish entry 
level harvesters during 2007 through 2011 only.
    Rockfish fee liability means that amount of money for Rockfish 
Program cost recovery, in U.S. dollars, owed to NMFS by a CQ permit 
holder as determined by multiplying the appropriate standard ex-vessel 
value of his or her rockfish landing(s) by the appropriate rockfish fee 
percentage.
    Rockfish fee percentage means that positive number no greater than 3 
percent (0.03) determined by the Regional Administrator and established 
for use in calculating the rockfish fee liability for a CQ permit 
holder.
    Rockfish halibut PSC means the amount of halibut PSC that may be 
used by a rockfish cooperative in the Central GOA as assigned on a CQ 
permit.
    Rockfish legal landings means groundfish caught and retained in 
compliance with state and Federal regulations in effect at that time 
unless harvested and then processed as meal, and--
    (1) For catcher vessels: The harvest of groundfish from the Central 
GOA regulatory area that is offloaded and recorded on a State of Alaska 
fish ticket during the directed fishing season for that rockfish primary 
species as established in Tables 28a and 28b to this part.
    (2) For catcher/processors: The harvest of groundfish from the 
Central GOA regulatory area that is recorded on a weekly production 
report based on harvests during the directed fishing season for that 
rockfish primary species as established in Table 28a to this part.
    Rockfish processor means a shoreside processor with a Federal 
processor permit that receives groundfish harvested under the authority 
of a CQ permit.
    Rockfish Program means the program implemented under subpart G to 
this part to manage Rockfish Program fisheries.
    Rockfish Program fisheries means one of following fisheries under 
the Rockfish Program:
    (1) A rockfish cooperative in the catcher/processor sector;
    (2) A rockfish cooperative in the catcher vessel sector; and
    (3) The rockfish entry level longline fishery.
    Rockfish Program official record means information used by NMFS 
necessary to determine eligibility to participate in the Rockfish 
Program and assign specific harvest privileges or limits to Rockfish 
Program participants.
    Rockfish Program species means the following species that are 
managed under the authority of the Rockfish Program:
    (1) Rockfish primary species means northern rockfish, Pacific ocean 
perch, and dusky rockfish in the Central GOA regulatory area.
    (2) Rockfish secondary species means the following species in the 
Central GOA regulatory area:
    (i) Sablefish not allocated to the IFQ Program;
    (ii) Thornyhead rockfish;
    (iii) Pacific cod for the catcher vessel sector;
    (iv) Rougheye rockfish for the catcher/processor sector; and
    (v) Shortraker rockfish for the catcher/processor sector.
    (3) Rockfish non-allocated species means all groundfish species 
other than Rockfish Program species.
    Rockfish quota share (QS) means a permit expressed in numerical 
units, the amount of which is based on rockfish legal landings for 
purposes of qualifying for the Rockfish Program and that are assigned to 
an LLP license.
    Rockfish QS pool means the sum of rockfish QS units established for 
the Rockfish Program fishery based on the Rockfish Program official 
record.
    Rockfish QS unit means a measure of QS based on rockfish legal 
landings.
    Rockfish sector means:
    (1) Catcher/processor sector: Those rockfish eligible harvesters who 
hold an LLP license with a catcher/processor designation and who are 
eligible to receive rockfish QS that may result in CQ that may be 
harvested and processed at sea.
    (2) Catcher vessel sector: Those rockfish eligible harvesters who 
hold an LLP license who are eligible to receive

[[Page 547]]

rockfish QS that may result in CQ that may not be harvested and 
processed at sea.
    Rockfish sideboard fisheries means fisheries that are assigned a 
rockfish sideboard limit that may be harvested by participants in the 
Rockfish Program.
    Rockfish sideboard limit means:
    (1) The maximum amount of northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, 
and dusky rockfish that may be harvested in the Rockfish Program as 
specified in the sideboard provisions under Sec. 679.82(e), as 
applicable; and
    (2) The maximum amount of halibut PSC that may be used in the 
Rockfish Program as specified in the sideboard provisions under Sec. 
679.82(e), as applicable.
    Rockfish sideboard ratio means a portion of a rockfish sideboard 
limit for a groundfish fishery that is assigned as specified under Sec. 
679.82(e).
    Rockfish standard ex-vessel value means the total U.S. dollar amount 
of rockfish CQ groundfish landings as calculated by multiplying the 
number of landed rockfish CQ equivalent pounds by the appropriate 
rockfish standard price determined by the Regional Administrator.
    Rockfish standard price means a price, expressed in U.S. dollars per 
rockfish CQ equivalent pound, for landed rockfish CQ groundfish 
determined annually by the Regional Administrator.
    Round-weight equivalent means the weight of groundfish calculated by 
dividing the weight of the primary product made from that groundfish by 
the PRR for that primary product as listed in Table 3 to this part, or, 
if not listed, the weight of groundfish calculated by dividing the 
weight of a primary product by the standard PRR as determined using the 
best available evidence on a case-by-case basis.
    Sablefish (black cod) means Anoplopoma fimbria. (See also IFQ 
sablefish; sablefish as a prohibited species at Sec. 679.21(a)(5); and 
sablefish as a prohibited species at Sec. 679.24(c)(2)(ii)).
    Sablefish CDQ fishing means fishing using fixed gear, retaining 
sablefish CDQ, and that results in the retained catch of sablefish CDQ 
plus sablefish IFQ being greater than the retained catch of any other 
groundfish species or species group.
    Salmon means the following species:
    (1) Chinook (or king) salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha);
    (2) Coho (or silver) salmon (O. kisutch);
    (3) Pink (or humpback) salmon (O. gorbuscha);
    (4) Sockeye (or red) salmon (O. nerka); and
    (5) Chum (or dog) salmon (O. keta).
    Salmon bycatch incentive plan agreement (IPA) is a voluntary private 
contract, approved by NMFS under Sec. 679.21(f)(12), that establishes 
incentives for participants to avoid Chinook salmon and chum salmon 
bycatch while directed fishing for pollock in the BS.
    Salmon Management Area means those waters of the EEZ off Alaska (see 
Figure 23 to part 679) under the authority of the Salmon FMP. The Salmon 
Management Area is divided into a West Area and an East Area with the 
border between the two at the longitude of Cape Suckling 
(143[deg]53.6[min] W):
    (1) The East Area means the area of the EEZ in the Gulf of Alaska 
east of the longitude of Cape Suckling (143[deg]53.6[min] W).
    (2) The West Area means the area of the EEZ off Alaska in the Bering 
Sea, Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and the Gulf of Alaska west of the 
longitude of Cape Suckling (143[deg]53.6[min] W), including the Cook 
Inlet EEZ Subarea, but excludes the Prince William Sound Area and the 
Alaska Peninsula Area. The Cook Inlet EEZ Subarea means the EEZ waters 
of Cook Inlet north of a line at 59[deg]46.15[min] N. The Prince William 
Sound Area and the Alaska Peninsula Area are shown in Figure 23 to this 
part and described as:
    (i) [Reserved]
    (ii) the Prince William Sound Area which means the EEZ waters 
shoreward of a line that starts at 60[deg]16.8[min] N and 
146[deg]15.24[min] W and extends southeast to 59[deg]42.66[min] N and 
144[deg]36.20[min] W and a line that starts at 59[deg]43.28[min] N and 
144[deg]31.50[min] W and extends northeast to 59[deg]56.4[min] N and 
143[deg]53.6[min] W.
    (iii) the Alaska Peninsula Area which means the EEZ waters shoreward 
of a line at 54[deg]22.5[min] N from 164[deg]27.1[min] W to

[[Page 548]]

163[deg]1.2[min] W and a line at 162[deg]24.05[min] W from 
54[deg]30.1[min] N to 54[deg]27.75[min] N.
    Scallop(s) means any species of the family Pectinidae, including, 
without limitation, weathervane scallops (Patinopectin caurinus).
    Scallop license means a license issued by NMFS that authorizes the 
license holder to catch and retain scallops pursuant to the conditions 
specified on the license.
    Scallop Registration Area H (Cook Inlet) means all Federal waters of 
the GOA west of the longitude of Cape Fairfield (148[deg]50[min] W. 
long.) and north of the latitude of Cape Douglas (58[deg]52[min] N. 
lat.).
    Sculpins (see Table 2c to this part and Sec. 679.20(i)).
    Seabird means those bird species that habitually obtain their food 
from the sea below the low water mark.
    Seabird avoidance gear (see Sec. Sec. 679.24(e), 679.42(b)(2), and 
Table 19 to this part).
    Set means a string of longline gear, a string of pots, or a group of 
pots with individual pots deployed and retrieved in the water in a 
similar location with similar soak time. In the case of pot gear, when 
the pots in a string are hauled more than once in the same position, a 
new set is created each time the string is retrieved and re-deployed. A 
set includes a test set, unsuccessful harvest, or when gear is not 
working and is pulled in, even if no fish are harvested.
    Shallow water flatfish (see Table 10 to this part pursuant to Sec. 
679.20(c).)
    Shoreside processor means any person or vessel that receives, 
purchases, or arranges to purchase, unprocessed groundfish, except 
catcher/processors, motherships, buying stations, tender vessels, 
restaurants, or persons receiving groundfish for personal consumption or 
bait.
    Shoreside processor electronic logbook report (SPELR) (discontinued, 
see definition of ``eLandings'' under this section).
    Shucking machine means any mechanical device that automatically 
removes the meat or the adductor muscle from the shell.
    Sideboard ratio for purposes of the Rockfish Program means a portion 
of a sideboard limit for a groundfish fishery that is assigned to the 
catcher vessel sector or catcher/processor sector based on the catch 
history of vessels in that sector.
    Single geographic location (see Sec. 679.4(l)(5)(iii)).
    Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve means an area totaling 2.5 square nm 
in the GOA, off Cape Edgecumbe, in Statistical Area 650. See Figure 18 
to this part.
    Southeast Outside District of the GOA means that part of the Eastern 
GOA Regulatory Area contained in Statistical Area 650 (see Figure 3 to 
this part).
    Squids (see Table 2c to this part and Sec. 679.20(i)).
    St. Lawrence Island Habitat Conservation Area means a habitat 
protection area specified at Table 45 to this part.
    St. Matthew Island Habitat Conservation Area means a habitat 
protection area specified at Table 46 to this part.
    State means the State of Alaska.
    Stationary floating processor (SFP) means:
    (1) A vessel of the United States operating as a processor in Alaska 
State waters that remains anchored or otherwise remains stationary in a 
single geographic location while receiving or processing groundfish 
harvested in the GOA or BSAI; and
    (2) In the Western and Central GOA Federal reporting areas 610, 620, 
or 630, a vessel that has not operated as a catcher/processor, CQE 
floating processor, or mothership in the GOA during the same fishing 
year; however, an SFP can operate as catcher/processor or mothership in 
the BSAI and an SFP in the Western and Central GOA during the same 
fishing year.
    Statistical area means the part of any reporting area defined in 
Figures 1 and 3 to this part, contained in the EEZ.
    Stretched mesh size means the distance between opposite knots of a 
four-sided mesh when opposite knots are pulled tautly to remove slack.
    Subsistence fishing for purposes of fishing in the Arctic Management 
Area means the harvest of Arctic fish and Pacific salmon for non-
commercial, long-term, customary and traditional use necessary to 
maintain the life of the taker or those who depend upon the taker to 
provide them with such subsistence.

[[Page 549]]

    Superexclusive registration area means any State of Alaska 
designated registration area within the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area where, if a vessel is registered to fish for crab, that vessel is 
prohibited from fishing for crab in any other registration area during 
that registration year.
    Support vessel means any vessel that is used in support of other 
vessels regulated under this part, including, but not limited to, 
supplying a fishing vessel with water, fuel, provisions, fishing 
equipment, fish processing equipment or other supplies, or transporting 
processed fish. The term ``support vessel'' does not include processor 
vessels or tender vessels.
    Suspending official, for purposes of subpart E of this part, means a 
designee authorized by the Regional Administrator to impose suspension.
    Suspension, as used in Sec. 679.53, means action taken by a 
suspending official under Sec. 679.53(c) to suspend certification of 
observers or observer providers temporarily until a final decision is 
made with respect to decertification.
    Tagged halibut or sablefish (see Sec. 679.40(g)).
    Tanner crab means Chionoecetes species or hybrids of these species.
    Target species are those species or species groups for which a TAC 
is specified pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2).
    Tax-exempt organization means an organization that received a 
determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service recognizing tax 
exemption under 26 CFR part 1 (Sec. Sec. 1.501 to 1.640).
    Tender vessel means a vessel that is used to transport unprocessed 
fish or shellfish received from another vessel to an associated 
processor.
    Ten percent or greater direct or indirect ownership interest for 
purposes of the Amendment 80 Program means a relationship between two or 
more persons in which one directly or indirectly owns or controls a 10 
percent or greater interest in, or otherwise controls, another person; 
or a third person which directly or indirectly owns or controls, or 
otherwise controls a 10 percent or greater interest in both. For the 
purpose of this definition, the following terms are further defined:
    (1) Person. A person is a person as defined in this section.
    (2) Indirect interest. An indirect interest is one that passes 
through one or more intermediate persons. A person's percentage of 
indirect interest in a second person is equal to the person's percentage 
of direct interest in an intermediate person multiplied by the 
intermediate person's direct or indirect interest in the second person.
    (3) Controls a 10 percent or greater interest. A person controls a 
10 percent or greater interest in a second person if the first person:
    (i) Controls a 10 percent ownership share of the second person; or
    (ii) Controls 10 percent or more of the voting or controlling stock 
of the second person.
    (4) Otherwise controls. A person otherwise controls another person, 
if the first person has:
    (i) The right to direct, or does direct, the business of the other 
person;
    (ii) The right in the ordinary course of business to limit the 
actions of, or replace, or does limit or replace, the chief executive 
officer, a majority of the board of directors, any general partner, or 
any person serving in a management capacity of the other person;
    (iii) The right to direct, or does direct, the Rockfish Program 
fishery processing activities of the other person;
    (iv) The right to restrict, or does restrict, the day-to-day 
business activities and management policies of the other person through 
loan covenants;
    (v) The right to derive, or does derive, either directly, or through 
a minority shareholder or partner, and in favor of the other person, a 
significantly disproportionate amount of the economic benefit from the 
processing of fish by that other person;
    (vi) The right to control, or does control, the management of, or to 
be a controlling factor in, the other person;
    (vii) The right to cause, or does cause, the purchase or sale of 
fish processed by the other person;
    (viii) Absorbs all of the costs and normal business risks associated 
with ownership and operation of the other person; or

[[Page 550]]

    (ix) Has the ability through any other means whatsoever to control 
the other person.
    Transfer means:
    (1) Groundfish fisheries of the GOA and BSAI. Any loading, 
offloading, shipment or receipt of any IFQ sablefish or other groundfish 
product by a mothership, catcher/processor, shoreside processor, or 
stationary floating processor, including quantities transferred inside 
or outside the EEZ, within any state's territorial waters, within the 
internal waters of any state, at any shoreside processor, stationary 
floating processor, or at any offsite meal reduction plant.
    (2) IFQ halibut and CDQ halibut fisheries. Any loading, offloading, 
or shipment of any IFQ halibut or CDQ halibut product including 
quantities transferred inside or outside the EEZ, within any state's 
territorial waters, within the internal waters of any state, at any 
shoreside processor, stationary floating processor, or at any offsite 
meal reduction plant.
    Trawl test areas (see Figure 7 to this part and Sec. 679.24(d)).
    Unlisted AFA catcher/processor means an AFA catcher/processor 
permitted to harvest BS pollock under Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(ii).
    Unrestricted AFA inshore processor means an AFA inshore processor 
permitted to harvest pollock under Sec. 679.4(l)(5)(i)(A).
    Unsorted codend is a codend of groundfish that is not brought on 
board a catcher vessel and that is delivered to a mothership, shoreside 
processor, or stationary floating processor without the potential for 
sorting. No other instance of catcher vessel harvest is considered an 
``unsorted codend.'' All other catch that does not meet this definition 
is considered ``presorted'' whether or not sorting occurs.
    U.S. citizen means:
    (1) General usage. Any individual who is a citizen of the United 
States.
    (2) IFQ program. (i) Any individual who is a citizen of the United 
States at the time of application for QS; or
    (ii) Any corporation, partnership, association, or other non-
individual entity that would have qualified to document a fishing vessel 
as a vessel of the United States during the QS qualifying years of 1988, 
1989, and 1990.
    U.S.-Russian Boundary means the seaward boundary of Russian waters 
as defined in Figure 1 to this part.
    User means, for purposes of IERS and its components including 
eLandings and tLandings, an individual representative of a Registered 
Buyer; a Registered Crab Receiver; a mothership or catcher/processor 
that is required to have a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) under Sec. 
679.4; a shoreside processor or SFP and mothership that receives 
groundfish from vessels issued an FFP under Sec. 679.4; any shoreside 
processor or SFP that is required to have a Federal processor permit 
under Sec. 679.4; and his or her designee(s).
    User identification (UserID), for purposes of IERS and eLandings, 
means the string of letters and/or numbers that identifies the 
individual and gives him or her authorization to view and submit reports 
for specific operations or to otherwise use eLandings. To facilitate the 
management of Users and privileges and to provide for data security, a 
separate UserID is issued to each individual.
    Vessel Activity Report (VAR) (see Sec. 679.4(k)).
    Vessel length category means the length category of a vessel, based 
on the assigned MLOA, used to determine eligibility.
    Vessel Monitoring Plan (VMP) means the document that describes how 
fishing operations on the vessel will be conducted and how the EM system 
and associated equipment will be configured to meet the data collection 
objectives and purpose of the EM program. VMPs are required under Sec. 
679.51(f).
    Vessel operations category (see Sec. 679.5(b)(3)).
    Walrus Protection Areas (see Sec. 679.22(a)(4)).
    Week-ending date means the last day of the weekly reporting period 
which ends on Saturday at 2400 hours, A.l.t., except during the last 
week of each calendar year, when it ends at 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 
31.
    Weekly production report (WPR) is no longer required (see Sec. 
679.5(e)(9) and (10)).
    Weekly reporting period means a time period that begins at 0001 
hours, A.l.t.,

[[Page 551]]

Sunday morning (except during the first week of each year, when it 
starts on January 1) and ends at 2400 hours, A.l.t., the following 
Saturday night (except during the last week of each year, when it ends 
on December 31).
    West Yakutat District of the GOA means that part of the Eastern GOA 
Regulatory Area contained in Statistical Area 640 (see Figure 3 to this 
part).
    Western Aleutian District means that part of the Aleutian Islands 
Subarea contained in Statistical Area 543 (see Figure 1 to this part).
    Western GOA Regulatory Area means that portion of the GOA EEZ that 
is contained in Statistical Area 610 (see Figure 3 to this part).
    Wing tip means the point where adjacent breast lines intersect or 
where a breast line intersects with the fishing line.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.2, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.3  Relation to other laws.

    (a) Foreign fishing for groundfish. Regulations governing U.S. 
nationals fishing in the Russian fisheries are set forth in part 300 of 
chapter III of this title.
    (b) Domestic fishing for groundfish. (1) The conservation and 
management of groundfish in waters of the territorial sea and internal 
waters of the State of Alaska are governed by the Alaska Administrative 
Code at 5 AAC Chapter 28 and by the Alaska Statutes at Title 16.
    (2) Alaska Administrative Code (5 AAC 39.130) governs reporting and 
permitting requirements using ADF&G ``Intent to Operate'' and ``Fish 
Tickets.''
    (c) Halibut. Additional regulations governing the conservation and 
management of halibut are set forth in subpart E of part 300 of chapter 
III of this title.
    (d) King and Tanner crabs. Additional regulations governing 
conservation and management of king crabs and Tanner crabs in the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands Area are contained in 50 CFR part 680 and in 
Alaska Statutes at A.S. 16 and Alaska Administrative Code at 5 AAC 
Chapters 34, 35, and 39.
    (e) Incidental catch of marine mammals. Regulations governing 
exemption permits and the recordkeeping and reporting of the incidental 
take of marine mammals are set forth in Sec. 216.24 and part 229 of 
this title.
    (f) Domestic fishing for salmon. Management of the salmon commercial 
troll fishery and sport fishery in the East Area of the Salmon 
Management Area, defined at Sec. 679.2, is delegated to the State of 
Alaska.
    (g) Scallops. Additional regulations governing conservation and 
management of scallops off Alaska are contained in Alaska Statutes A.S. 
16 and Alaska Administrative Code at 5 AAC Chapter 38.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 35578, July 5, 1996; 62 
FR 2045, Jan. 15, 1997; 62 FR 19688, Apr. 23, 1997; 63 FR 38502, July 
17, 1998; 63 FR 47356, Sept. 4, 1998; 69 FR 877, Jan. 7, 2004; 70 FR 
10232, Mar. 2, 2005; 77 FR 75587, Dec. 21, 2012]



Sec. 679.4  Permits.

    (a) Requirements. Only persons who are U.S. citizens are authorized 
to receive or hold permits under this section, with the exception that 
an IFQ hired master permit or a CDQ hired master permit need not be held 
by a U.S. citizen.
    (1) What permits are available? Various types of permits are issued 
for programs codified at 50 CFR parts 300 and 679. These permits are 
listed in the following table. The date of effectiveness for each permit 
is given along with certain reference paragraphs for further 
information.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Permit is in
 If program permit or card type    effect from issue       For more
               is:                 date through the   information, see .
                                        end of:               . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) IFQ:                          ..................  ..................
  (A) Registered buyer..........  Until expiration    Paragraph
                                   date shown on       (d)(3)(ii) of
                                   permit.             this section
  (B) Halibut & sablefish         Specified fishing   Paragraph (d)(1)
   permits.                        year.               of this section
  (C) Halibut & sablefish hired   Specified fishing   Paragraph (d)(2)
   master permits.                 year.               of this section
  (ii) CDQ Halibut..............  ..................  ..................

[[Page 552]]

 
  (A) Halibut permit............  Specified fishing   Paragraph (e) of
                                   year.               this section
  (B) Halibut hired master        Specified fishing   Paragraph (e) of
   permit.                         year.               this section
(iii) AFA:
  (A) Catcher/processor.........  Indefinite unless   Paragraph (l) of
                                   permit is revoked   this section
                                   after vessel is
                                   replaced or
                                   permit is
                                   suspended after
                                   vessel is lost.
  (B) Catcher vessel............  Indefinite unless   Paragraph (l) of
                                   permit is revoked   this section
                                   after vessel is
                                   replaced or
                                   removed, or
                                   permit is
                                   suspended after
                                   vessel is lost.
  (C)Mothership.................  Indefinite unless   Paragraph (l) of
                                   permit is revoked   this section
                                   after vessel is
                                   replaced or
                                   permit is
                                   suspended after
                                   vessel is lost.
  (D) Inshore processor.........  Indefinite........  Paragraph (l) of
                                                       this section
  (E) Inshore cooperative.......  Calendar year.....  Paragraph (l) of
                                                       this section
(iv) Groundfish:
  (A) Federal fisheries.........  Until expiration    Paragraph (b) of
                                   date shown on       this section
                                   permit.
  (B) Federal processor.........  Until expiration    Paragraph (f) of
                                   date shown on       this section
                                   permit.
(v) [Reserved]                    ..................  ..................
(vi) High Seas Fishing            5 years...........  Sec. 300.10 of
 Compliance Act (HSFCA)                                this title
(vii) License Limitation Program
 (LLP):
  (A) Groundfish license........  Specified fishing   Paragraph (k) of
                                   year or interim     this section
                                   (active until
                                   further notice).
  (B) Crab license..............  Specified fishing   Paragraph (k) of
                                   year or interim     this section
                                   (active until
                                   further notice).
  (C) Scallop license...........  Indefinite........  Paragraph (g) of
                                                       this section
(viii) Exempted fisheries         1 year or less....  Sec. 679.6
(ix) Research                     1 year or less....  Sec. 600.745(a)
                                                       of this chapter
(x) Prohibited species donation
 program:
  (A) Salmon....................  3 years...........  Sec. 679.26
  (B) Halibut...................  3 years...........  Sec. 679.26
(xi) Special Subsistence
 Permits:
  (A) Community Harvest Permit..  1 year............  Sec. 300.65 of
                                                       this title
  (B) Ceremonial or Educational   30 days...........  Sec. 300.65 of
   Permit.                                             this title
(xii) Rockfish Program:
  (A) Rockfish QS...............  Indefinite........  Sec. 679.80(a).
  (B) CQ........................  Until expiration    Paragraph (n) of
                                   date shown on       this section.
                                   permit.
(xiii) Amendment 80 Program:
(A) Amendment 80 QS permit......  Indefinite........  Sec. 679.90(b).
(B) CQ permit...................  Specified fishing   Sec. 679.91(b).
                                   year.
(C) Amendment 80 limited access   Specified fishing   Sec. 679.91(b).
 fishery.                          year.
(xiv) Crab Rationalization        see Sec. 680.4    Sec. 680.4 of
 Program permits                   of this chapter.    this chapter
  (A) Crab Quota Share permit...  Indefinite........  Sec. 680.4(b) of
                                                       this chapter
  (B) Crab Processor Quota Share  Indefinite........  Sec. 680.4(c) of
   permit.                                             this chapter
  (C) Crab Individual Fishing     Specified fishing   Sec. 680.4(d) of
   Quota (IFQ) permit.             year.               this chapter
  (D) Crab Individual Processor   Specified fishing   Sec. 680.4(e) of
   Quota (IPQ) permit.             year.               this chapter
  (E) Crab IFQ hired master       Specified fishing   Sec. 680.4(g) of
   permit.                         year.               this chapter
  (F) Registered Crab receiver    Specified fishing   Sec. 680.4(i) of
   permit.                         year.               this chapter
  (G) Federal crab vessel permit  Specified fishing   Sec. 680.4(k) of
                                   year.               this chapter
  (H) Crab harvesting             Specified fishing   Sec. 680.21(b)
   cooperative IFQ permit.         year.               of this chapter
(xv) Guided sport halibut
 fishery permits:
(A) Charter halibut permit......  Until expiration    Sec. 300.67 of
                                   date shown on       this title.
                                   permit.
(B) Community charter halibut     Indefinite........  Sec. 300.67 of
 permit.                                               this title.
(C) Military charter halibut      Indefinite........  Sec. 300.67 of
 permit.                                               this title.
(D) Guided Angler Fish (GAF)      Until expiration    Sec. 300.65 of
 permit.                           date shown on       this title.
                                   permit.
(xvi) PCTC Program:
    (A) PCTC Program QS permit    10 Years..........  Paragraph (q) of
     (for processors).                                 this section.
    (B) PCTC Program CQ permit..  Until expiration    Paragraph (q) of
                                   date shown on       this section
                                   permit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Permit and logbook required by participant and fishery. For the 
various types of permits issued, refer to Sec. 679.5

[[Page 553]]

for recordkeeping and reporting requirements. For subsistence and GAF 
permits, refer to Sec. 300.65 of this title for recordkeeping and 
reporting requirements.
    (3) Permit application--(i) Obtain and submit an application. A 
person may obtain an application for a new permit or for renewal or 
revision of an existing permit for any of the permits under this section 
and must submit forms to NMFS as instructed in application instructions. 
With appropriate software, all permit applications may be completed 
online and printed from the Alaska Region website at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (ii) Deficient application. Upon receipt of an incomplete or 
improperly completed permit application, the Program Administrator, RAM, 
will notify the applicant of the deficiency in the permit application. 
If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency, the permit will not be 
issued. No permit will be issued to an applicant until a complete 
application is received.
    (iii) Separate permit. The operator, manager, Registered Buyer, or 
Registered Crab Receiver must obtain a separate permit for each 
applicant, facility, or vessel, as appropriate to each Federal permit in 
this section.
    (iv) The information requested on the application must be typed or 
printed legibly.
    (v) All permits are issued free of charge.
    (4) [Reserved]
    (5) Alteration. No person may alter, erase, mutilate, or forge any 
permit or document issued under this section. Any such permit or 
document that is intentionally altered, erased, mutilated, or forged is 
invalid.
    (6) Disclosure. NMFS will maintain a list of permitted processors 
that may be disclosed for public inspection.
    (7) Sanctions and denials. Procedures governing sanctions and 
denials are found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904. Such procedures are 
required for enforcement purposes, not administrative purposes.
    (8) Harvesting privilege. Quota shares, permits, or licenses issued 
pursuant to this part are neither a right to the resource nor any 
interest that is subject to the ``takings'' provision of the Fifth 
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Rather, such quota shares, permits, 
or licenses represent only a harvesting privilege that may be revoked or 
amended subject to the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
other applicable law.
    (9) Permit surrender. (i) The Regional Administrator will recognize 
the voluntary surrender of a permit issued in this section, if a permit 
may be surrendered and if it is submitted by the person named on the 
permit, owner of record, or authorized representative.
    (ii) Submit the original permit, except for an FFP or an FPP, to 
NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802. For surrender of an FFP and FPP, 
respectively, refer to paragraphs (b)(3)(ii) and (f)(3)(ii) of this 
section.
    (iii) Objective written evidence is considered proof of a timely 
application. The responsibility remains with the sender to prove when 
the application to amend or to surrender a permit was received by NMFS 
(i.e., by certified mail or other method that provides written evidence 
that NMFS Alaska Region received it).
    (iv) For applications delivered by hand delivery or carrier only, 
the receiving date of signature by NMFS staff is the date the 
application was received. If the application is submitted by fax or 
mail, the receiving date of the application is the date stamped received 
by NMFS.
    (b) Federal fisheries permit (FFP)--(1) Requirements. (i) No vessel 
of the United States may be used to retain groundfish in the GOA or BSAI 
or engage in any fishery in the GOA or BSAI that requires retention of 
groundfish, unless the owner or authorized representative first obtains 
an FFP for the vessel, issued under this part. An FFP is issued without 
charge. Only persons who are U.S. citizens are authorized to receive or 
hold an FFP.
    (ii) Each vessel within the GOA or BSAI that retains groundfish must 
have a legible copy of a valid FFP on board at all times.
    (2) Vessel operations categories. An FFP authorizes a vessel owner 
or authorized representative to deploy a vessel to conduct operations in 
the GOA or BSAI under the following categories: Catcher vessel, catcher/
processor,

[[Page 554]]

mothership, tender vessel, or support vessel. A vessel may not be 
operated in a category other than as specified on the FFP, except that a 
catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, or tender vessel may be 
operated as a support vessel.
    (3) Duration--(i) Length of permit effectiveness. NMFS issues FFPs 
on a three-year cycle and an FFP is in effect from the effective date 
through the expiration date, as indicated on the FFP, unless the FFP is 
revoked, suspended, surrendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of 
this section, or modified under Sec. 600.735 or Sec. 600.740 of this 
chapter.
    (ii) Surrendered permit--(A) An FFP may be voluntarily surrendered 
in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this section. Except as provided 
under paragraphs (b)(3)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section, if surrendered, 
an FFP may be reissued in the same fishing year in which it was 
surrendered.
    (B) For the BSAI, NMFS will not reissue a surrendered FFP to the 
owner or authorized representative of a vessel named on an FFP that has 
been issued with endorsements for catcher/processor or catcher vessel 
operation type; trawl, pot, and/or hook-and-line gear type; and the BSAI 
area, until after the expiration date of the surrendered FFP as 
initially issued.
    (C) For the GOA, NMFS will not reissue a surrendered FFP to the 
owner or authorized representative of a vessel named on an FFP that has 
been issued a GOA area endorsement and any combination of endorsements 
for catcher/processor operation type, catcher vessel operation type, 
trawl gear type, hook-and-line gear type, pot gear type, and/or jig gear 
type, until after the expiration date of the surrendered FFP.
    (D) An owner or authorized representative, who applied for and 
received an FFP, must notify NMFS of the intention to surrender the FFP 
by submitting an FFP application found at the NMFS Web site at http://
www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov and indicating on the application that 
surrender of the permit is requested. Upon receipt and processing of an 
FFP surrender application, NMFS will withdraw the FFP from active status 
in the FFP data bases.
    (iii) Amended permit--(A) An owner or authorized representative who 
applied for and received an FFP, must notify NMFS of any change in the 
permit information by submitting an FFP application found at the NMFS 
Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The owner or authorized 
representative must submit the application form as instructed on the 
form. Except as provided under paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(B) and (C) of this 
section, upon receipt and approval of an application form for permit 
amendment, NMFS will issue an amended FFP.
    (B) In the BSAI, NMFS will not approve an application to amend an 
FFP to remove a catcher/processor or catcher vessel operation type 
endorsement, trawl gear type endorsement, pot gear type endorsement, 
hook-and-line gear type endorsement, or BSAI area endorsement from an 
FFP that has been issued with endorsements for catcher/processor or 
catcher vessel operation type, trawl, pot, or hook-and-line gear type, 
and the BSAI area.
    (C) In the GOA, NMFS will not approve an application to amend an FFP 
to remove endorsements for catcher/processor operation type, catcher 
vessel operation type, trawl gear type, hook-and-line gear type, pot 
gear type, or jig gear type, and the GOA area.
    (D) If the application for an amended FFP required under this 
section designates a change or addition of a vessel operations category 
or any other endorsement, a legible copy of the valid, amended FFP must 
be on board the vessel before the new or modified type of operation 
begins.
    (E) Selections for species endorsements will remain valid until an 
FFP is amended to remove those endorsements or the FFP with these 
endorsements is surrendered or revoked.
    (4) Submittal of application. NMFS will process a request for an FFP 
provided that the application form contains the information specified on 
the form, with all required fields accurately completed and all required 
documentation attached. This application form must be submitted to NMFS 
using the methods described on the form. The vessel owner must sign and 
date the application form certifying that all information is true, 
correct, and complete. If

[[Page 555]]

the owner is not an individual, the authorized representative must sign 
and date the application form. An application form for an FFP will be 
provided by NMFS or is available from NMFS Alaska Region Web site at 
http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The acceptable submittal methods will 
be described on the application form.
    (5) Issuance. (i) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 
904, upon receipt of a properly completed permit application, the 
Regional Administrator will issue an FFP required by this paragraph (b).
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will send an FFP with the 
appropriate logbooks to the owner or authorized representative, as 
provided under Sec. 679.5.
    (iii) NMFS will reissue an FFP to the owner or authorized 
representative who holds an FFP issued for a vessel if that vessel is 
subject to sideboard provisions as described under Sec. 679.82(d) 
through (f).
    (iv) NMFS will reissue an FFP to the owner or authorized 
representative who holds an FFP issued to an Amendment 80 vessel.
    (6) Transfer. An FFP issued under this paragraph (b) is not 
transferable or assignable and is valid only for the vessel for which it 
is issued.
    (7) Inspection. A legible copy of a valid FFP issued under this 
paragraph (b) must be carried on board the vessel at all times 
operations are conducted under this type of permit and must be presented 
for inspection upon the request of any authorized officer.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) IFQ permits, IFQ hired master permits, and Registered Buyer 
permits. The permits described in this section are required in addition 
to the permit and licensing requirements prescribed in the annual 
management measures published in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 
300.62 of this title and in the permit requirements of this section.
    (1) IFQ permit. (i) An IFQ permit authorizes the person identified 
on the permit to harvest IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish from a specified 
IFQ regulatory area at any time during an open fishing season during the 
fishing year for which the IFQ permit is issued until the amount 
harvested is equal to the amount specified under the permit, or until 
the permit is revoked, suspended, surrendered in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(9) of this section, or modified under 15 CFR part 904.
    (ii) A legible copy of any IFQ permit that specifies the IFQ 
regulatory area and vessel length overall from which IFQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish may be harvested by the IFQ permit holder must be carried on 
board the vessel used by the permitted person to harvest IFQ halibut or 
IFQ sablefish at all times that such fish are retained on board.
    (iii) An IFQ permit may be voluntarily surrendered in accordance 
with paragraph (a)(9) of this section. An annual IFQ permit will not be 
reissued in the same fishing year in which it was surrendered, but a new 
annual IFQ permit may be issued to the quota share holder of record in a 
subsequent fishing year.
    (iv) An RFQ permit account identifies the amount of RFQ authorized 
for use by charter vessel anglers in Area 2C or Area 3A. The number of 
pounds of RFQ allocated to the RFQ permit account will be added to the 
annual guided sport catch limit under the catch sharing plan (described 
at 50 CFR 300.65(c)) for the appropriate IFQ regulatory area, Area 2C or 
Area 3A.
    (2) IFQ hired master permit. (i) An IFQ hired master permit 
authorizes the individual identified on the IFQ hired master permit to 
land IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish for debit against the specified IFQ 
permit until the IFQ hired master permit expires, or is revoked, 
suspended, surrendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this 
section, or modified under 15 CFR part 904, or cancelled on request of 
the IFQ permit holder.
    (ii) A legible copy of an IFQ hired master permit issued to an 
eligible individual in accordance with Sec. 679.42(i) and (j) by the 
Regional Administrator must be onboard the vessel that harvests IFQ 
halibut or IFQ sablefish at all times that such fish are retained 
onboard by a hired master. Except as specified in Sec. 679.42(d), an 
individual that is issued an IFQ hired master permit must remain onboard 
the vessel

[[Page 556]]

used to harvest IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish with that IFQ hired master 
permit during the IFQ fishing trip and at the landing site during all 
IFQ landings.
    (iii) Each IFQ hired master permit issued by the Regional 
Administrator will display an IFQ permit number and the name of the 
individual authorized by the IFQ permit holder to land IFQ halibut or 
IFQ sablefish for debit against the IFQ permit holder's IFQ. In 
addition, IFQ hired master permits will also display the ADF&G vessel 
identification number of the authorized vessel.
    (iv) An IFQ hired master permit may be voluntarily surrendered in 
accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this section. An IFQ hired master 
permit may be reissued to the permit holder of record in the same 
fishing year in which it was surrendered.
    (3) Registered Buyer permit. (i) A Registered Buyer permit 
authorizes the person identified on the permit to receive and make an 
IFQ landing by an IFQ permit holder or IFQ hired master permit holder or 
to receive and make a CDQ halibut landing by a CDQ permit holder or CDQ 
hired master permit holder at any time during the fishing year for which 
it is issued until the Registered Buyer permit expires, or is revoked, 
suspended, surrendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this 
section, or modified under 15 CFR part 904.
    (ii) A Registered Buyer permit is required of:
    (A) Any person who receives IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish from the person(s) who harvested the fish;
    (B) Any person who harvests IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish and transfers such fish in a dockside sale, outside of an IFQ 
regulatory area, or outside the State of Alaska.
    (C) A vessel operator who submits a Departure Report (see Sec. 
679.5(l)(4)).
    (iii) A Registered Buyer permit is issued on an annual cycle defined 
as March 1 through the end of February of the next calendar year, to 
persons that have a Registered Buyer application approved by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (iv) For the Registered Buyer application to be considered complete, 
all fees due to NMFS under Sec. 679.55 at the time of application must 
be paid.
    (v) A Registered Buyer permit is in effect from the first day of 
March in the year for which it is issued or from the date of issuance, 
whichever is later, through the end of the current annual cycle, unless 
it is revoked, suspended, surrendered in accordance with paragraph 
(a)(9) of this section, or modified under Sec. 600.735 or Sec. 600.740 
of this chapter.
    (vi) A Registered Buyer permit may be voluntarily surrendered in 
accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this section. A Registered Buyer 
permit may be reissued to the permit holder of record in the same 
fishing year in which it was surrendered.
    (4) Issuance. The Regional Administrator will issue IFQ permits and 
IFQ hired master permits annually or at other times as needed to 
accommodate transfers, revocations, appeals resolution, and other 
changes in QS or IFQ holdings, and designation of masters under Sec. 
679.42.
    (5) Transfer. The quota shares and IFQ issued under this section are 
not transferable, except as provided under Sec. 679.41. IFQ hired 
master permits and Registered Buyer permits issued under this paragraph 
(d) are not transferable.
    (6) Inspection--(i) IFQ permit and IFQ hired master permit. (A) The 
IFQ permit holder must present a legible copy of the IFQ permit for 
inspection on request of any authorized officer or Registered Buyer 
receiving IFQ species.
    (B) The IFQ hired master permit holder must present a legible copy 
of the IFQ permit and a legible copy of the IFQ hired master permit for 
inspection on request of any authorized officer or Registered Buyer 
receiving IFQ species.
    (ii) Registered Buyer permit. A legible copy of the Registered Buyer 
permit must be present at the location of an IFQ landing or CDQ halibut 
landing and must be made available by an individual representing the 
Registered Buyer for inspection on request of any authorized officer.
    (7) Validity. An IFQ permit issued under this part is valid only if 
the IFQ permit holder has paid all IFQ fees that

[[Page 557]]

are due as a result of final agency action as specified in Sec. Sec. 
679.45 and 679.5(l)(7)(ii).
    (e) Halibut CDQ permits and CDQ hired master permits--(1) 
Requirements. (i) The CDQ group, the operator of the vessel, the manager 
of a shoreside processor or stationary floating processor, and the 
Registered Buyer must comply with the requirements of this paragraph (e) 
for the catch of CDQ halibut.
    (ii) The CDQ group, vessel owner or operator, and Registered Buyer 
are subject to all of the IFQ prohibitions at Sec. 679.7(f).
    (2) Halibut CDQ permit. The CDQ group must obtain a halibut CDQ 
permit issued by the Regional Administrator. The vessel operator must 
have a legible copy of a halibut CDQ permit on any fishing vessel 
operated by, or for, a CDQ group that will have halibut CDQ on board and 
must make the permit available for inspection by an authorized officer. 
A halibut CDQ permit is non-transferable and is issued annually until 
revoked, suspended, surrendered, or modified. A halibut CDQ permit may 
be voluntarily surrendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this 
section. A halibut CDQ permit will not be reissued in the same fishing 
year in which it was surrendered, but a new annual halibut CDQ permit 
may be issued in a subsequent fishing year to the CDQ group entitled to 
a CDQ halibut allocation.
    (3) An individual must have on board the vessel a legible copy of 
his or her halibut CDQ hired master permit issued by the Regional 
Administrator while harvesting and landing any CDQ halibut. Each halibut 
CDQ hired master permit will identify a CDQ permit number and the 
individual authorized by the CDQ group to land halibut for debit against 
the CDQ group's halibut CDQ. A halibut CDQ hired master permit may be 
voluntarily surrendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this 
section. A halibut CDQ hired master permit may be reissued to the permit 
holder of record in the same fishing year in which it was surrendered.
    (4) Alteration. No person may alter, erase, mutilate, or forge a 
halibut CDQ permit, hired master permit, Registered Buyer permit, or any 
valid or current permit or document issued under this part. Any such 
permit or document that has been intentionally altered, erased, 
mutilated, or forged is invalid.
    (5) Landings. A person may land CDQ halibut only if he or she has a 
valid halibut CDQ hired master permit. The person(s) holding the halibut 
CDQ hired master permit and the Registered buyer must comply with the 
requirements of Sec. 679.5(g) and (l)(1) through (6).
    (f) Federal processor permit (FPP)--(1) Requirement. No shoreside 
processor of the United States, SFP, or CQE floating processor defined 
at Sec. 679.2 may receive, process, purchase, or arrange to purchase 
unprocessed groundfish harvested in the GOA or BSAI, unless the owner or 
authorized representative first obtains an FPP issued under this part. A 
processor may not be operated in a category other than as specified on 
the FPP. An FPP is issued without charge.
    (2) FPP application. To obtain, amend, renew, or surrender an FPP, 
the owner or authorized representative must complete an FPP application 
form per the instructions at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (i) Fees. For the FPP application to be considered complete, all 
fees due to NMFS from the owner or authorized representative of a 
shoreside processor or SFP or person named on a Registered Buyer permit 
subject to the observer fee as specified at Sec. 679.55(c) at the time 
of application must be paid.
    (ii) Signature. The owner or authorized representative of the 
shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor must sign and date 
the application form, certifying that all information is true, correct, 
and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If the 
application form is completed by an authorized representative, proof of 
authorization must accompany the application form.
    (3) Duration--(i) Length of effectiveness. An FPP is in effect from 
the effective date through the date of permit expiration, unless it is 
revoked, suspended, surrendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of 
this section, or modified under Sec. 600.735 or Sec. 600.740 of this 
chapter.

[[Page 558]]

    (ii) Surrendered permit. (A) An FPP may be voluntarily surrendered 
in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this section. An FPP may be 
reissued to the permit holder of record in the same fishing year in 
which it was surrendered.
    (B) An owner or authorized representative, who applied for and 
received an FPP, must notify NMFS of the intention to surrender the FPP 
by submitting an FPP application form found at the NMFS Web site at 
http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov and indicating on the application form 
that surrender of the FPP is requested. Upon receipt and processing of 
an FPP surrender application form, NMFS will withdraw the FPP from 
active status in permit data bases.
    (iii) Amended permit--(A) Requirement. An owner or authorized 
representative, who applied for and received an FPP, must notify NMFS of 
any change in the permit information by submitting an FPP application 
form found at the NMFS Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The 
owner or authorized representative must submit the application form as 
instructed on the form. Upon receipt and approval of an FPP amendment 
application form, NMFS will issue an amended FPP.
    (B) GOA Inshore Processing endorsement. A GOA inshore processing 
endorsement is required in order to process GOA inshore pollock and 
Eastern GOA inshore Pacific cod. If an SFP owner or authorized 
representative holds an FPP with a GOA Inshore Processing endorsement, 
the SFP is prohibited from processing GOA pollock and GOA Pacific cod in 
more than one single geographic location during a fishing year and is 
also prohibited from operating as a catcher/processor in the BSAI. Once 
issued, a GOA Inshore Processing endorsement cannot be surrendered for 
the duration of a fishing year.
    (C) CQE Floating Processor endorsement. If a vessel owner or 
authorized representative holds an FPP with a GOA Inshore Processing 
endorsement in order to process Pacific cod within the marine municipal 
boundaries of CQE communities in the Western or Central GOA, the vessel 
must not meet the definition of an SFP and must not have harvested 
groundfish off Alaska in the same calendar year.
    (D) Vessels are prohibited from holding both a GOA CQE Floating 
Processor endorsement and a GOA SFP endorsement during the same calendar 
year.
    (4) Transfer. An FPP issued under this paragraph (f) is not 
transferable or assignable and is valid only for the processor for which 
it is issued.
    (5) Inspection. A legible copy of a valid FPP issued under this 
paragraph (f) must be on site at the shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE 
floating processor at all times and must be presented for inspection 
upon the request of any authorized officer.
    (g) Scallop LLP--(1) General requirements. (i) In addition to the 
permit and licensing requirements prescribed in this part, each vessel 
within the EEZ off Alaska that is catching and retaining scallops, must 
have an original scallop LLP license onboard at all times it is catching 
and retaining scallops. This scallop LLP license, issued by NMFS, 
authorizes the person named on the license to catch and retain scallops 
in compliance with State of Alaska regulations and only with a vessel 
that does not exceed the maximum LOA specified on the license and the 
gear designation specified on the license.
    (ii) A scallop LLP license may be voluntarily surrendered in 
accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this section. A surrendered scallop 
LLP license will cease to exist and will not be subsequently reissued.
    (2) Qualifications for a scallop LLP license. A scallop LLP license 
will be issued to an eligible applicant who:
    (i) Is a qualified person;
    (ii) Was named on a State of Alaska scallop moratorium permit or 
Federal scallop moratorium permit on February 8, 1999;
    (iii) Used the moratorium permit held on February 8, 1999, to make 
legal landings of scallops in each of any 2 calendar years during the 
qualification period beginning January 1, 1996, through October 9, 1998; 
and
    (iv) Submitted a complete application for a scallop license during 
the application period specified pursuant to paragraph (g)(4) of this 
section.

[[Page 559]]

    (3) Scallop license conditions and endorsements. A scallop license 
authorizes the license holder to catch and retain scallops only if the 
vessel length and gear used do not exceed the vessel length and gear 
endorsements specified on the license. These endorsements will be 
determined as follows.
    (i) The MLOA specified on the scallop license is equal to the length 
overall on February 8, 1999, of the longest vessel that was authorized 
by a Federal or State of Alaska Scallop Moratorium Permit to harvest 
scallops and used by the eligible applicant to make legal landings of 
scallops during the scallop LLP qualification period, as specified at 
Sec. 679.4(g)(2)(iii) of this part.
    (ii) The gear specified on a scallop license will be restricted to 
two dredges with a combined width of no more than 20 feet (6.1 m) in all 
areas if the eligible applicant was a moratorium permit holder with a 
Scallop Registration Area H (Cook Inlet) endorsement and did not make a 
legal landing of scallops caught outside Area H during the qualification 
period specified in paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (4) Application for a scallop license--(i) General. The Regional 
Administrator will issue a scallop license to an applicant if a complete 
application is submitted by or on behalf of the applicant during the 
specified application period, and if that applicant meets all the 
criteria for eligibility in this part. An application that is postmarked 
or hand delivered after the ending date for the application period for 
the scallop LLP specified in paragraph Sec. 679.4(g)(4)(ii) will be 
denied. An application form will be sent to the last known address of 
the person identified as an eligible applicant by the official LLP 
record. An application form may be requested from the Regional 
Administrator.
    (ii) Application Period. January 16, 2001, through February 12, 
2001.
    (iii) Contents of application. To be complete, an application for a 
scallop license must be signed and dated by the applicant, or the 
individual representing the applicant, and contain the following 
information, as applicable:
    (A) Scallop Moratorium Permit number under which legal landings of 
scallops were made during the qualification period specified in 
paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section;
    (B) Name, business address, telephone number, FAX number, and social 
security number or tax ID number of the applicant, and whether the 
applicant is a U.S. citizen or a U.S. business;
    (C) Name of the managing company, if any;
    (D) Evidence of legal landings in the qualifying years and 
registration areas;
    (E) For the vessel(s) being used as the basis for eligibility for a 
license, the name, state registration number (e.g., ADF&G number), the 
USCG documentation number, and valid evidence of the LOA on February 8, 
1999, of the longest vessel used by the applicant during the 
qualification period specified in paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (iv) Successor-in-interest. If an applicant is applying as the 
successor-in-interest to an eligible applicant, an application, to be 
complete, also must contain valid evidence proving the applicant's 
status as a successor-in-interest to that eligible applicant and:
    (A) Valid evidence of the death of that eligible applicant at the 
time of application, if the eligible applicant was an individual; or
    (B) Valid evidence that the eligible applicant is no longer in 
existence at the time of application, if the eligible applicant is not 
an individual.
    (v) Application evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate 
an application submitted during the specified application period and 
compare all claims in the application with the information in the 
official LLP record. Claims in the application that are consistent with 
information in the official LLP record will be accepted by the Regional 
Administrator. Inconsistent claims in the application, unless verified 
by evidence, will not be accepted. An applicant who submits inconsistent 
claims, or an applicant who fails to submit the information specified in 
paragraphs (g)(4)(iii) and (g)(4)(iv) of this section, will be provided 
a 60-day evidentiary period pursuant to paragraph (g)(4)(vii) of this 
section to submit the specified information, submit evidence to verify 
his or her inconsistent claims, or submit a

[[Page 560]]

revised application with claims consistent with information in the 
official LLP record. An applicant who submits claims that are 
inconsistent with information in the official LLP record has the burden 
of proving that the submitted claims are correct.
    (vi) Additional information or evidence. The Regional Administrator 
will evaluate additional information or evidence to support an 
applicant's inconsistent claims submitted within the 60-day evidentiary 
period pursuant to paragraph (g)(4)(vii) of this section. If the 
Regional Administrator determines that the additional information or 
evidence meets the applicant's burden of proving that the inconsistent 
claims in his or her application are correct, the official LLP record 
will be amended and the information will be used in determining whether 
the applicant is eligible for a license. However, if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the additional information or evidence 
does not meet the applicant's burden of proving that the inconsistent 
claims in his or her application is correct, the applicant will be 
notified by an initial administrative determination, pursuant to 
paragraph (g)(4)(viii) of this section, that the applicant did not meet 
the burden of proof to change the information in the official LLP 
record.
    (vii) 60-day evidentiary period. The Regional Administrator will 
specify by letter a 60-day evidentiary period during which an applicant 
may provide additional information or evidence to support the claims 
made in his or her application, or to submit a revised application with 
claims consistent with information in the official LLP record, if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the applicant did not meet the 
burden of proving that the information on the application is correct 
through evidence provided with the application. Also, an applicant who 
fails to submit information as specified in paragraphs (g)(4)(iii) and 
(g)(4)(iv) of this section will have 60 days to provide that 
information. An applicant will be limited to one 60-day evidentiary 
period. Additional information or evidence, or a revised application, 
received after the 60-day evidentiary period specified in the letter has 
expired will not be considered for purposes of the initial 
administrative determination.
    (viii) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant following 
the expiration of the 60-day evidentiary period if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by 
the applicant fails to support the applicant's claims and is 
insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official LLP record is 
correct, or if the additional information, evidence, or revised 
application is not provided within the time period specified in the 
letter that notifies the applicant of his or her 60-day evidentiary 
period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies in the application, 
including any deficiencies with the information, the evidence submitted 
in support of the information, or the revised application. The IAD will 
also indicate which claims cannot be approved based on the available 
information or evidence. An applicant who receives an IAD may appeal 
pursuant to Sec. 679.43. An applicant who avails himself or herself of 
the opportunity to appeal an IAD will not receive a transferable license 
until after the final resolution of that appeal in the applicant's 
favor.
    (ix) Issuance of a non-transferable license. The Regional 
Administrator will issue a non-transferable license to the applicant at 
the same time notification is provided to the applicant of his or her 
60-day evidentiary period if issuance is required by the license renewal 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 558. A non-transferable license authorizes a 
person to catch and retain scallops as specified on the non-transferable 
license, and will have the specific endorsements and designations based 
on the claims in his or her application. A non-transferable license will 
expire upon final agency action.
    (5) Transfer of a Scallop License--(i) General. The Regional 
Administrator will approve the transfer of a scallop license if a 
complete transfer application is submitted to Restricted Access 
Management, Alaska Region, NMFS, and if the transfer meets all the 
eligibility criteria as specified in paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this 
section. An application

[[Page 561]]

form may be requested from the Regional Administrator.
    (ii) Eligibility criteria for transfers. A scallop license can be 
transferred if:
    (A) The designated transferee is eligible to document a fishing 
vessel under Chapter 121, Title 46, U.S.C.;
    (B) The parties to the transfer do not have any fines, civil 
penalties, other payments due and outstanding, or outstanding permit 
sanctions resulting from Federal fishing violations;
    (C) The transfer will not cause the designated transferee to exceed 
the license limit in Sec. 679.7(i); and
    (D) The transfer does not violate any other provision specified in 
this part.
    (iii) Contents of transfer application. To be complete, an 
application for a scallop license transfer must be signed by the license 
holder and the designated transferee, or the individuals representing 
them, and contain the following information, as applicable:
    (A) Name, business address, telephone number, and FAX number of the 
license holder and of the designated transferee;
    (B) License number and total price being paid for the license;
    (C) Certification that the designated transferee is a U.S. citizen, 
or a U.S. corporation, partnership, or other association;
    (D) A legible copy of a contract or sales agreement that specifies 
the license to be transferred, the license holder, the designated 
transferee, the monetary value or the terms of the license transfer; and
    (E) Other information the Regional Administrator deems necessary for 
measuring program performance.
    (iv) Incomplete applications. The Regional Administrator will return 
an incomplete transfer application to the applicant and identify any 
deficiencies if the Regional Administrator determines that the 
application does not meet all the criteria identified in paragraph 
(g)(5) of this section.
    (v) Transfer by court order, operation of law, or as part of a 
security agreement. The Regional Administrator will transfer a scallop 
license based on a court order, operation of law, or a security 
agreement if the Regional Administrator determines that the transfer 
application is complete and the transfer will not violate any of the 
provisions of this section.
    (h) [Reserved]
    (i) Exempted fisheries permits. (See Sec. 679.6.)
    (j) Prohibited species donation program permits. (See Sec. 
679.26(a)(3).)
    (k) Licenses for license limitation (LLP) groundfish or crab 
species--(1) General requirements. (i) In addition to the permit and 
licensing requirements of this part, and except as provided in paragraph 
(k)(2) of this section, each vessel within the GOA or the BSAI must have 
an LLP groundfish license on board at all times it is engaged in fishing 
activities defined in Sec. 679.2 as directed fishing for license 
limitation groundfish. This groundfish license, issued by NMFS to a 
qualified person, authorizes a license holder to deploy a vessel to 
conduct directed fishing for license limitation groundfish only in 
accordance with the specific area and species endorsements, the vessel 
and gear designations, the MLOA specified on the license, and any 
exemption from the MLOA specified on the license.
    (ii) Each vessel must have a crab species license, defined in Sec. 
679.2, issued by NMFS on board at all times it is engaged in fishing 
activities for the crab fisheries identified in this paragraph. A crab 
species license may be used only to participate in the fisheries 
endorsed on the license and on a vessel that complies with the vessel 
designation and MLOA specified on the license. NMFS requires a crab 
species license endorsed for participation in the following crab 
fisheries:
    (A) Aleutian Islands Area C. opilio.
    (B) Norton Sound red king and Norton Sound blue king in waters of 
the EEZ with a western boundary of 168[deg] W. long., a southern 
boundary of 62[deg] N. lat., and a northern boundary of 65[deg]36[min] 
N. lat.;
    (C) Minor Species endorsement for Bering Sea golden king crab 
(Lithodes aequispinus).
    (2) Exempt vessels. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 
(k)(1) of this section,
    (i) A catcher vessel or catcher/processor vessel that does not 
exceed 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA may conduct directed fishing for license 
limitation groundfish in the GOA without a groundfish license;

[[Page 562]]

    (ii) A catcher vessel or catcher/processor vessel that does not 
exceed 32 ft (9.8 m) LOA may conduct directed fishing for license 
limitation groundfish in the BSAI without a groundfish license and may 
conduct directed fishing for crab species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Area without a crab species license;
    (iii) A vessel may use a maximum of five jig machines, one line per 
jig machine, and a maximum of 30 hooks per line, to conduct directed 
fishing for license limitation groundfish in the GOA without a 
groundfish license;
    (iv) A catcher vessel or catcher/processor vessel that does not 
exceed 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA may use a maximum of 5 jig machines, one line 
per jig machine, and a maximum of 15 hooks per line, to conduct directed 
fishing for license limitation groundfish in the BSAI without a 
groundfish license;
    (v) A catcher vessel or catcher/processor vessel that does not 
exceed 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA, and during the period after November 18, 
1992, through October 9, 1998, was specifically constructed for and used 
exclusively in accordance with a CDP approved by NMFS, and is designed 
and equipped to meet specific needs that are described in the CDP, is 
exempted from the requirement to have a LLP groundfish license to 
conduct directed fishing for license limitation groundfish in the GOA 
and in the BSAI area and a crab species license to fish for crab species 
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; or
    (vi) The operator of a catcher vessel that is greater than 32 ft 
(9.8 m) LOA, that does not exceed 46 ft (14.0 m) LOA, and that is 
registered by a CDQ group following the procedures described in Sec. 
679.5(m) may use hook-and-line gear to conduct groundfish CDQ fishing 
without a groundfish license.
    (3) Vessel and gear designations and vessel length categories--(i) 
Vessel MLOA--(A) General. A license may be used only on a vessel 
designated on the license, a vessel that complies with the vessel 
designation and gear designation specified on the license, and a vessel 
that has an LOA less than or equal to the MLOA specified on the license, 
unless the license specifies that the vessel is exempt from the MLOA on 
the license.
    (B) Modification of license MLOA for groundfish licenses with a 
Pacific cod endorsement in the GOA. (1) A groundfish license with a 
specified MLOA less than or equal to 50 feet prior to April 21, 2011 
that subsequently receives a Pacific cod endorsement in the GOA with a 
catcher vessel and pot gear designation as specified under paragraph 
(k)(10) of this section will be redesignated with an MLOA of 50 feet on 
the date that the Pacific cod endorsement is assigned to that groundfish 
license;
    (2) A groundfish license with a specified MLOA greater than or equal 
to 60 feet:
    (i) That was continuously assigned to a single vessel less than 60 
feet LOA from January 1, 2002, through December 8, 2008; and
    (ii) That met the landing thresholds applicable for a groundfish 
license with a specified MLOA of less than 60 feet for the specific gear 
designation(s) and regulatory area(s) applicable to that groundfish 
license as described in paragraph (k)(10) of this section, will be 
redesignated with an MLOA equal to the LOA of the vessel to which that 
groundfish license was assigned from January 1, 2002, through December 
8, 2008, based on the LOA for that vessel in NMFS' non-trawl gear recent 
participation official record on April 21, 2011, or as specified by a 
marine survey conducted by an independent certified marine surveyor or 
naval architect provided that the license holder provides NMFS with a 
marine survey conducted by an independent certified marine surveyor or 
naval architect not later than 90 days after April 21, 2011 that 
specifies the LOA of the vessel to which that groundfish license was 
assigned.
    (3) The MLOA specified on a groundfish license under paragraph 
(k)(3)(i)(B)(2) of this section may not exceed 60 feet.
    (C) Modification of the MLOA on an Amendment 80 LLP license or an 
Amendment 80 LLP/QS license. The MLOA designated on an Amendment 80 LLP 
license or an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license will be 295 ft. (89.9 m) if an 
Amendment 80 replacement vessel is designated on the license following 
the approval of a license transfer request under paragraph (k)(7) of 
this section.

[[Page 563]]

    (D) Modification of the MLOA on a groundfish LLP license listed in 
column A of Table 9 to this part. (1) Each groundfish LLP license 
endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod with hook-and-line gear in the 
BS or AI, or both, and designated in column B of Table 9 to this part 
will receive a 220-foot (67 m) MLOA following February 6, 2014.
    (2) Each groundfish LLP license endorsed to catch and process 
Pacific cod with hook-and-line gear in the BS or AI, or both, and 
designated in column C of Table 9 to this part is eligible to be 
assigned a 220-foot (67 m) MLOA if the LLP holder submits a timely 
written request to remove all pot gear Pacific cod endorsements on that 
LLP following the process established under paragraph (k)(6)(xi) of this 
section.
    (E) Exemption from MLOA on an LLP license with a Bering Sea area 
endorsement or an Aleutian Islands area endorsement for AFA rebuilt or 
AFA replacement vessels. An AFA rebuilt vessel or an AFA replacement 
vessel may exceed the MLOA on an LLP groundfish license with a Bering 
Sea area endorsement or an Aleutian Islands area endorsement when the 
vessel is conducting directed fishing for groundfish in the BSAI 
pursuant to that LLP groundfish license and when the exemption is 
specified on the LLP license.
    (ii) Vessel designations--(A) Catcher/processor vessel. A license 
will be assigned a catcher/processor vessel designation if:
    (1) For license limitation groundfish, license limitation groundfish 
were processed on the vessel that qualified for the groundfish license 
under paragraph (k)(4) of this section during the period January 1, 
1994, through June 17, 1995, or in the most recent calendar year of 
participation during the area endorsement qualifying period specified in 
paragraph (k)(4)(ii) of this section; or
    (2) For crab species, crab species were processed on the vessel that 
qualified for the crab species license under paragraph (k)(5) of this 
section during the period January 1, 1994, through December 31, 1994, or 
in the most recent calendar year of participation during the area 
endorsement qualifying period specified in paragraph (k)(5)(ii) of this 
section.
    (3) For purposes of paragraphs (k)(3)(ii)(A)(1) and (k)(3)(ii)(A)(2) 
of this section, evidence of processing must be demonstrated by 
production reports or other valid documentation demonstrating that 
processing occurred on the vessel during the relevant period.
    (B) Catcher vessel. A license will be assigned a catcher vessel 
designation if it does not meet the criteria in paragraph 
(k)(3)(ii)(A)(1) or (k)(3)(ii)(A)(2) of this section to be assigned a 
catcher/processor vessel designation.
    (C) Changing a vessel designation. A person who holds a groundfish 
license or a crab species license with a catcher/processor vessel 
designation may, upon request to the Regional Administrator, have the 
license reissued with a catcher vessel designation. The vessel 
designation change to a catcher vessel will be permanent, and that 
license will be valid for only those activities specified in the 
definition of catcher vessel designation at Sec. 679.2.
    (D) Limited processing by catcher vessels. Up to 1 mt of round 
weight equivalent of license limitation groundfish or crab species may 
be processed per day on a vessel less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) 
LOA that is authorized to fish with an LLP license with a catcher vessel 
designation.
    (iii) Vessel length categories. A vessel's eligibility will be 
determined using the following three vessel length categories, which are 
based on the vessel's LOA on June 17, 1995, or, if the vessel was under 
reconstruction on June 17, 1995, the vessel's length on the date that 
reconstruction was completed.
    (A) Vessel length category ``A'' if the LOA of the qualifying vessel 
on the relevant date was equal to or greater than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA.
    (B) Vessel length category ``B'' if the LOA of the qualifying vessel 
on the relevant date was equal to or greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) but 
less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA.
    (C) Vessel length category ``C'' if the LOA of the qualifying vessel 
on the relevant date was less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA.
    (iv) Gear designations for groundfish licenses--(A) General. A 
vessel may only

[[Page 564]]

use gear consistent with the gear designation on the LLP license 
authorizing the use of that vessel to fish for license limitation 
groundfish or crab species, except that a vessel fishing under authority 
of an LLP license endorsed only for trawl gear may fish for slope 
rockfish with non-trawl gear within the Gulf of Alaska Slope Habitat 
Conservation Areas, as described in Table 27 to this part.
    (B) Trawl/non-trawl. A license will be assigned a trawl/non-trawl 
gear designation if trawl and non-trawl gear were used to harvest LLP 
species from the qualifying vessel during the period beginning January 
1, 1988, through June 17, 1995.
    (C) Trawl. A license will be assigned a trawl gear designation if 
only trawl gear was used to harvest LLP species from the qualifying 
vessel during the period beginning January 1, 1988, through June 17, 
1995.
    (D) Non-trawl. A license will be assigned a non-trawl gear 
designation if only non-trawl gear was used to harvest LLP species from 
the qualifying vessel during the period beginning January 1, 1988, 
through June 17, 1995.
    (E) Changing a gear designation. (1) An applicant may request a 
change of gear designation based on gear used from the vessel during the 
period beginning June 18, 1995, through February 7, 1998. Such a change 
would be permanent and may only be used for a change from trawl to non-
trawl or from non-trawl to trawl.
    (2) An applicant may request a change of gear designation based on a 
significant financial investment in converting a vessel or purchasing 
fishing gear on or before February 7, 1998, and making a documented 
harvest with that gear on or before December 31, 1998. Such a change 
would be permanent and may only be used for a change from trawl to non-
trawl or from non-trawl to trawl.
    (F) Definitions of non-trawl gear and significant financial 
investment. (1) For purposes of paragraph (k)(3)(iv) of this section, 
non-trawl gear means any legal gear, other than trawl, used to harvest 
license limitation groundfish.
    (2) For purposes of paragraph (k)(3)(iv)(E)(2) of this section, 
``significant financial investment'' means having spent at least 
$100,000 toward vessel conversion and/or gear to change to trawl gear 
from non-trawl gear, or having acquired groundline, hooks, pots, jig 
machines, or hauling equipment to change to non-trawl gear from trawl 
gear.
    (4) Qualifications for a groundfish license. A groundfish license 
will be issued to an eligible applicant that meets the criteria in 
paragraphs (k)(4)(i) and (k)(4)(ii) of this section. For purposes of the 
license limitation program, evidence of a documented harvest must be 
demonstrated by a state catch report, a Federal catch report, or other 
valid documentation that indicates the amount of license limitation 
groundfish harvested, the groundfish reporting area in which the license 
limitation groundfish was harvested, the vessel and gear type used to 
harvest the license limitation groundfish, and the date of harvesting, 
landing, or reporting. State catch reports are Alaska, California, 
Oregon, or Washington fish tickets. Federal catch reports are production 
reports required under Sec. 679.5.
    (i) General qualification periods (GQP). This table provides the GQP 
documented harvest requirements for LLP groundfish licenses:

[[Page 565]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          if the requirements found in the table at
                                            Sec. 679.4(k)(4)(ii) are met for the
A groundfish license will be assigned...      area endorsement and at least one          during the period...
                                           documented harvest of license limitation
                                           groundfish was caught and retained in...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) One or more area endorsements in the   the BSAI or waters shoreward of the BSAI  (1) Beginning January 1,
 table at Sec. 679.4(k)(4)(ii)(A) or                                                1988, through June 27,
 (B)                                                                                  1992; or
                                                                                     (2) Beginning January 1,
                                                                                      1988, through December 31,
                                                                                      1994, provided that the
                                                                                      harvest was of license
                                                                                      limitation groundfish
                                                                                      using pot or jig gear from
                                                                                      a vessel that was less
                                                                                      than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA;
                                                                                      or
                                                                                     (3) Beginning January 1,
                                                                                      1988, through June 17,
                                                                                      1995, provided that,
                                                                                      during the period
                                                                                      beginning January 1, 1988,
                                                                                      through February 9, 1992,
                                                                                      a documented harvest of
                                                                                      crab species was made from
                                                                                      the vessel, and, during
                                                                                      the period beginning
                                                                                      February 10, 1992, through
                                                                                      December 11, 1994, a
                                                                                      documented harvest of
                                                                                      groundfish species, except
                                                                                      sablefish landed using
                                                                                      fixed gear, was made from
                                                                                      the vessel in the GOA or
                                                                                      the BSAI using trawl or
                                                                                      longline gear.
(B) One or more area endorsements in the  the GOA or in waters shoreward of the GOA  (1) Beginning January 1,
 table at Sec. 679.4(k)(4)(ii)(C)                                                   1988, through June 27,
 through (O)                                                                          1992; or
                                                                                     (2) Beginning January 1,
                                                                                      1988, through December 31,
                                                                                      1994, provided that the
                                                                                      harvest was of license
                                                                                      limitation groundfish
                                                                                      using pot or jig gear from
                                                                                      a vessel that was less
                                                                                      than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA;
                                                                                      or
                                                                                     (3) Beginning January 1,
                                                                                      1988, through June 17,
                                                                                      1995, provided that,
                                                                                      during the period
                                                                                      beginning January 1, 1988,
                                                                                      through February 9, 1992,
                                                                                      a documented harvest of
                                                                                      crab species was made from
                                                                                      the vessel, and, during
                                                                                      the period beginning
                                                                                      February 10, 1992, through
                                                                                      December 11, 1994, a
                                                                                      documented harvest landing
                                                                                      of groundfish species,
                                                                                      except sablefish landed
                                                                                      using fixed gear, was made
                                                                                      from the vessel in the GOA
                                                                                      or the BSAI using trawl or
                                                                                      longline gear.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Endorsement qualification periods (EQP). This table provides 
the documented harvest requirements for LLP groundfish license area 
endorsements:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                from a vessel in
    A groundfish license will be               if...             during the period...            in...            vessel length     and that meets the
             assigned...                                                                                           category...     requirements for a...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) An Aleutian Island area           at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Aleutian Islands    ``A'', ``B'', or  catcher/ processor
 endorsement                           harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   Subarea or in waters                ``C'' designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    shoreward of that                         catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made.                              area.                                     designation.
(B) A Bering Sea area endorsement     at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Bering Sea Subarea  ``A'', ``B'', or  catcher/ processor
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   or in waters                        ``C'' designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    shoreward of that                         catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made.                              area.                                     designation.
(C) A Western Gulf area endorsement   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Western GOA                   ``A''   catcher/ processor
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   regulatory area or in                     designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    waters shoreward of                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made in                            that area.                                designation; or
                                       each of any two
                                       calendar years.
(D) A Western Gulf area endorsement   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Western Area of               ``B''   catcher vessel
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     designation; or
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward
                                       groundfish was made.                              of that area.
(E) A Western Gulf area endorsement   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Western Area of               ``B''   catcher/processor
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     vessel designation;
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       or
                                       groundfish was made in                            of that area.
                                       each of any two
                                       calendar years.
(F) A Western Gulf area endorsement   at least four            beginning January 1,     the Western Area of               ``B''   catcher/processor
                                       documented harvest of    1995, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     vessel designation;
                                       any amount of license    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       or
                                       limitation groundfish                             of that area.
                                       were made.
(G) A Western Gulf area endorsement   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Western Area of                  ``C''catcher/processor
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made.                              of that area.                             designation.

[[Page 566]]

 
(H) A Central Gulf area endorsement   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Central area of               ``A''   catcher/processor
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made in                            of that area, or in                       designation; or
                                       each of any two                                   the West Yakutat
                                       calendar years.                                   District or in waters
                                                                                         shoreward of that
                                                                                         district.
(I) A Central Gulf area endorsement   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Central area of               ``B''   catcher/processor
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made in                            of that area, or in                       designation; or
                                       each of any two                                   the West Yakutat
                                       calendar years.                                   District or in waters
                                                                                         shoreward of that
                                                                                         district.
(J) A Central Gulf area endorsement   at least four            beginning January 1,     the Central area of               ``B''   catcher/processor
                                       documented harvest of    1995, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     designation or a
                                       any amount of license    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       limitation groundfish                             of that area, or in                       designation; or
                                       were made.                                        the West Yakutat
                                                                                         District or in waters
                                                                                         shoreward of that
                                                                                         district.
(K) A Central Gulf area endorsement   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the Central area of                  ``C''catcher/processor
                                       harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   the Gulf of Alaska or                     designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made.                              of that area, or in                       designation.
                                                                                         the West Yakutat
                                                                                         District or in waters
                                                                                         shoreward of that
                                                                                         district.
(L) A Southeast Outside area          at least one documented  beginning January 1,     in the Southeast                  ``A''   catcher/processor
 endorsement                           harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   Outside District or                       designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made in                            of that district.                         designation; or
                                       each of any two
                                       calendar years.
(M) A Southeast Outside area          at least one documented  beginning January 1,     in the Southeast                  ``B''   catcher/processor
 endorsement                           harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   Outside District or                       designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made in                            of that district.                         designation; or
                                       each of any two
                                       calendar years.
(N) A Southeast Outside area          at least four            beginning January 1,     in the Southeast                  ``B''   catcher/processor
 endorsement                           documented harvest of    1995, through June 17,   Outside District or                       designation or a
                                       any amount of license    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       limitation groundfish                             of that district.                         designation; or
                                       were made.
(O) A Southeast Outside area          at least one documented  beginning January 1,     in the Southeast                     ``C''catcher/processor
 endorsement                           harvest of any amount    1992, through June 17,   Outside District or                       designation or a
                                       of license limitation    1995.                    in waters shoreward                       catcher vessel
                                       groundfish was made.                              of that district.                         designation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) An eligible applicant that is issued a groundfish license 
based on a vessel's qualifications in the table at paragraphs 
(k)(4)(i)(A)(2) or (k)(4)(i)(B)(2) of this section must choose only one 
area endorsement for that groundfish license even if documented harvests 
qualifies the eligible applicant for more than one area endorsement.
    (iv) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (k)(4)(i) of this 
section, NMFS will issue a groundfish license with the appropriate area 
endorsements to an eligible applicant whose vessel meets the 
requirements in the table at paragraph (k)(4)(i)(A) of this section, and 
the requirements in the table at any of the paragraphs (k)(4)(ii)(C) 
through (O) of this section, except:
    (A) From whose vessel no documented harvests were made in the GOA or 
waters shoreward of the GOA during the period beginning January 1, 1988, 
through June 27, 1992, and

[[Page 567]]

    (B) From whose vessel no documented harvests were made in the BSAI 
or waters shoreward of the BSAI during the period beginning January 1, 
1992, through June 17, 1995.
    (v) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (k)(4)(i) of this 
section, a groundfish license with the appropriate area endorsements 
will be issued to an eligible applicant whose vessel meets the 
requirements in the tables at paragraphs (k)(4)(i) and (k)(4)(ii) and 
(A) or (B) of this section, except:
    (A) From whose vessel no documented harvests were made in the BSAI 
or waters shoreward of the BSAI during the period beginning January 1, 
1988, through June 27, 1992, and
    (B) From whose vessel no documented harvests were made in the GOA or 
waters shoreward of the GOA during the period beginning January 1, 1992, 
through June 17, 1995.
    (vi) Trawl gear designation recent participation requirements. (A) 
NMFS will revoke any trawl gear designation on a groundfish license with 
an Aleutian Island, Bering Sea, Central Gulf, or Western Gulf regulatory 
area unless one of the following conditions apply:
    (1) A person made at least two legal landings using trawl gear under 
the authority of that groundfish license in that regulatory area during 
the period from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2006; or
    (2) That trawl gear designation endorsed in that area is exempt from 
the requirements of this paragraph (k)(4)(vi)(A) as described under 
paragraphs (k)(4)(vii) or (k)(4)(viii) of this section.
    (B) NMFS shall assign a legal landing to a groundfish license for an 
area based only on information contained in the official record 
described in paragraph (k)(4)(x) of this section.
    (vii) Exemption to trawl gear recent participation requirements for 
the AFA, Amendment 80 Program, and Rockfish Program. (A) Trawl gear 
designations with Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands area endorsements on a 
groundfish license that was derived in whole or in part from the 
qualifying fishing history of an AFA vessel are exempt from the landing 
requirements in paragraph (k)(4)(vi) of this section.
    (B) Trawl gear designations with Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands area 
endorsements on a groundfish license are exempt from the landing 
requirements in paragraph (k)(4)(vi) of this section provided that all 
of the following conditions apply:
    (1) The groundfish license was not derived in whole or in part from 
the qualifying fishing history of an AFA vessel;
    (2) The groundfish license is assigned to an AFA vessel on August 
14, 2009; and
    (3) No other groundfish license with a Bering Sea or Aleutian Island 
area endorsement is assigned to that AFA vessel on August 14, 2009.
    (C) Trawl gear designations with Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands area 
endorsements on a groundfish license that is listed in Column C of Table 
31 to this part are exempt from the landing requirements in paragraph 
(k)(4)(vi) of this section.
    (D) A trawl gear designation with Central Gulf area endorsement on a 
groundfish license that is assigned Rockfish QS is exempt from the 
landing requirements in paragraph (k)(4)(vi) of this section.
    (viii) Exemption to trawl gear recent participation requirements for 
groundfish licenses with a Central Gulf or Western Gulf area 
endorsement. A trawl gear designation with a Central Gulf or Western 
Gulf area endorsement on a groundfish license is exempt from the landing 
requirements in paragraph (k)(4)(vi) of this section provided that a 
person made at least 20 legal landings under the authority of that 
groundfish license in either the Central Gulf or Western Gulf area using 
trawl gear during the period from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 
2007.
    (ix) Aleutian Island area endorsements for non-AFA trawl catcher 
vessels. (A) If a non-AFA catcher vessel that is less than 60 feet LOA 
was used to make at least 500 mt of legal landings of Pacific cod using 
trawl gear from the waters that were open by the State of Alaska for 
which it adopts a Federal fishing season adjacent to the Aleutian 
Islands Subarea during the period from January 1, 2000, through December 
31, 2006, according to the official record, NMFS

[[Page 568]]

shall issue an Aleutian Island area endorsement with a trawl gear 
designation to a groundfish license assigned to the vessel owner 
according to the official record, provided that the groundfish license 
assigned to that non-AFA catcher vessel meets all of the following 
requirements:
    (1) It was not derived in whole or in part from the qualifying 
fishing history of an AFA vessel;
    (2) It has a trawl gear designation;
    (3) It does not have a catcher/processor vessel designation; and
    (4) That groundfish license has an MLOA of less than 60 feet.
    (B) If a non-AFA catcher vessel that is equal to or greater than 60 
feet LOA was used to make at least one legal landing in State of Alaska 
waters adjacent to the Aleutian Islands Subarea using trawl gear during 
the period from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2006, or one 
landing of Pacific cod from the State of Alaska Pacific cod fishery 
during the period from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2006, 
according to the official record, NMFS shall issue an Aleutian Island 
area endorsement with a trawl gear designation to a groundfish license 
assigned to the vessel owner according to the official record, provided 
that the groundfish license assigned to that non-AFA catcher vessel 
meets the following criteria:
    (1) It was not derived in whole or in part from the qualifying 
fishing history of an AFA vessel;
    (2) It has a trawl gear designation;
    (3) It does not have a catcher/processor vessel designation; and
    (4) At least 1,000 mt of legal landings of Pacific cod using trawl 
gear in the BSAI were made under the authority of that groundfish 
license during the period from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 
2006, according to the official record.
    (C) NMFS will assign the AI endorsement to an eligible groundfish 
license held and designated by the vessel owner beginning on August 14, 
2009.
    (D) If the vessel owner does not hold a groundfish license to which 
an AI endorsement may be assigned on August 14, 2009 according to the 
official record, the vessel owner will have the opportunity to amend the 
official record as described in paragraph (k)(4)(x) of this section to 
designate an otherwise eligible groundfish license. If the official 
record is subsequently amended, NMFS will assign the AI endorsement to 
the groundfish license specified in the amended official record.
    (x) Trawl gear recent participation official record. (A) The 
official record will contain all information used by the Regional 
Administrator to determine the following:
    (1) The number of legal landings assigned to a groundfish license 
for purposes of the trawl gear designation participation requirements 
described in paragraph (k)(4)(vi) of this section;
    (2) The amount of legal landings assigned to a groundfish license 
for purposes of the AI endorsements described in paragraph (k)(4)(ix) of 
this section;
    (3) The owner of a vessel that has made legal landings that may 
generate an AI endorsement as described in paragraph (k)(4)(ix) of this 
section; and
    (4) All other relevant information necessary to administer the 
requirements described in paragraphs (k)(4)(vi) through (k)(4)(ix) of 
this section.
    (B) The official record is presumed to be correct. A groundfish 
license holder has the burden to prove otherwise. For the purposes of 
creating the official record, the Regional Administrator will presume 
the following:
    (1) A groundfish license is presumed to have been used onboard the 
same vessel from which that groundfish license was derived, the original 
qualifying vessel, during the calendar years 2000 and 2001, unless clear 
and unambiguous written documentation is provided that establishes 
otherwise;
    (2) If more than one person is claiming the same legal landing, then 
each groundfish license for which the legal landing is being claimed 
will be credited with the legal landing;
    (3) The groundfish license to which an AI endorsement described in 
paragraph (k)(4)(ix) of this section will be initially assigned.
    (C) Only legal landings as defined in Sec. 679.2 and documented on 
State of Alaska fish tickets or NMFS weekly production reports will be 
used to assign legal landings to a groundfish license.

[[Page 569]]

    (D) The Regional Administrator will specify by letter a 30-day 
evidentiary period during which an applicant may provide additional 
information or evidence to amend or challenge the information in the 
official record. A person will be limited to one 30-day evidentiary 
period. Additional information or evidence received after the 30-day 
evidentiary period specified in the letter has expired will not be 
considered for purposes of the initial administrative determination.
    (E) The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the 
applicant following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if 
the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the person fails to support a person's claims and is 
insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official record is 
correct, or if the additional information, evidence, or revised 
application is not provided within the time period specified in the 
letter that notifies the applicant of his or her 30-day evidentiary 
period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies with the information, or 
the evidence submitted in support of the information. The IAD will also 
indicate which claims cannot be approved based on the available 
information or evidence. A person who receives an IAD may appeal 
pursuant to Sec. 679.43. A person who avails himself or herself of the 
opportunity to appeal an IAD will receive a non-transferable license 
pending the final resolution of that appeal, notwithstanding the 
eligibility of that applicant for some claims based on consistent 
information in the official record.
    (5) Qualification for a crab species license. A crab species license 
will be issued to an eligible applicant who owned a vessel that meets 
the criteria in paragraphs (k)(5)(i), (k)(5)(ii), and (k)(5)(iii) of 
this section, except that vessels are exempt from the requirements in 
paragraph (k)(5)(i) of this section for area/species endorsements at 
paragraphs (A) and (G) in the table at paragraph (k)(5)(ii) of this 
section.
    (i) General qualification period (GQP). To qualify for one or more 
of the area/species endorsements in the table at paragraph (k)(5)(ii) of 
this section, the requirements of paragraph (k)(5)(iii) of this section 
must be met and:
    (A) At least one documented harvest of any amount of crab species 
must have been made from a vessel between January 1, 1988, and June 27, 
1992; or
    (B) At least one documented harvest of any amount of crab species 
must have been made from a vessel between January 1, 1988, and December 
31, 1994, providing that, during the period January 1, 1988, through 
February 9, 1992, the vessel for which the documented harvest was made 
also made a legal landing of any groundfish species harvested in the GOA 
or BSAI with any authorized gear, except sablefish caught with fixed 
gear, and, during the period February 10, 1992, through December 11, 
1994, made a legal landing of any king or Tanner crab species harvested 
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area.
    (ii) Area/species endorsements. This table provides the documented 
harvest requirements for LLP crab license area/species endorsements:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    A crab species license will be
             assigned...                        if...             during the period...            in...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) A Pribilof red king and Pribilof   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the area described in
 blue king area/species endorsement     harvest of red king      1993, through December   the definition for a
                                        crab or blue king crab   31, 1994.                Pribilof red king and
                                        was made by a vessel.                             Pribilof blue king
                                                                                          area/species
                                                                                          endorsement at Sec.
                                                                                          679.2.
(B) A Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands  at least three           beginning January 1,     the area described in
 Area C. opilio and C. bairdi area/     documented harvests of   1992, through December   the definition for a
 species endorsement                    C. opilio and C.         31, 1994.                Bering Sea and
                                        bairdi were made by a                             Aleutian Islands Area
                                        vessel.                                           C. opilio and C.
                                                                                          bairdi area/species
                                                                                          endorsement at Sec.
                                                                                          679.2.
(C) A St. Matthew blue king area/      at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the area described in
 species endorsement                    harvest of red king      1992, through December   the definition for a
                                        crab or blue king crab   31, 1994.                St. Matthew blue king
                                        was made by a vessel.                             area/species
                                                                                          endorsement at Sec.
                                                                                          679.2.
(D) An Aleutian Islands brown king     at least three           beginning January 1,     the area described in
 area/species endorsement               documented harvests of   1992, through December   the definition for an
                                        brown king crab were     31, 1994.                Aleutian Islands brown
                                        made by a vessel.                                 king area/species
                                                                                          endorsement at Sec.
                                                                                          679.2.

[[Page 570]]

 
(E) An Aleutian Islands red king area/ at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the area described in
 species endorsement                    harvest of red king      1992, through December   the definition for an
                                        crab or blue king crab   31, 1994.                Aleutian Islands red
                                        was made by a vessel.                             king area/species
                                                                                          endorsement at Sec.
                                                                                          679.2.
(F) A Bristol Bay red king area/       at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the area described in
 species endorsement                    harvest of red king      1991, through December   the definition for a
                                        crab or blue king crab   31, 1994.                Bristol Bay red king
                                        was made by a vessel.                             area/species
                                                                                          endorsement at Sec.
                                                                                          679.2.
(G) A Norton Sound red king and blue   at least one documented  beginning January 1,     the area described in
 king area/species endorsement          harvest of red king      1993, through December   the definition for a
                                        crab or blue king crab   31, 1994.                Norton Sound red king
                                        was made by a vessel.                             and blue king area/
                                                                                          species endorsement at
                                                                                          Sec. 679.2.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Recent participation period (RPP). (A) The RPP is the period 
from January 1, 1996, through February 7, 1998. To qualify for a crab 
species license, defined at Sec. 679.2, a person must have made at 
least one documented harvest of any amount of LLP crab species from a 
vessel during the RPP and must have held a LLP qualifying fishing 
history at the time of that documented harvest. A LLP qualifying fishing 
history meets the documented harvest requirements at paragraphs 
(k)(5)(i) and (k)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (B) Exceptions to the RPP. A person does not need to meet the 
documented harvest requirements in paragraph (k)(5)(iii)(A) of this 
section if he or she deployed a vessel that met the documented harvest 
requirements in paragraph (k)(5)(i) of this section, if applicable, 
paragraph (k)(5)(ii) of this section, and:
    (1) Only qualifies area/species endorsement at paragraph (G) in the 
table at paragraph (k)(5)(ii).
    (2) Those documented harvests were made from a vessel that meets the 
requirements for vessel length category ``C''.
    (3) The vessel used to meet the document harvest requirements in 
paragraphs (k) (5) (i) and (k) (5) (ii) of this section was lost or 
destroyed, and he or she made a documented harvest of crab species any 
time during the period beginning after the vessel was lost or destroyed 
but before January 1, 2000.
    (iv) Exception to allow purchase of LLP qualifying fishing history 
after the documented harvest in the RPP. To qualify for a LLP crab 
species license, a person who made a documented harvest of LLP crab 
species during the period from January 1, 1998, through February 7, 
1998, must have obtained, or entered into a contract to obtain, the LLP 
qualifying fishing history by 8:36 a.m. Alaska local time on October 10, 
1998,
    (v) A qualified person who owned a vessel on June 17, 1995, that met 
the requirements in paragraphs (k)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section, but 
whose vessel was unable to meet requirements of paragraph (k)(5)(iii) of 
this section because of unavoidable circumstances (i.e., the vessel was 
lost damaged, or otherwise unable to participate in the license 
limitation crab fisheries) may receive a license if the qualified person 
is able to demonstrate that:
    (A) The owner of the vessel at the time of the unavoidable 
circumstance held a specific intent to conduct fishing for license 
limitation crab species with that vessel during a specific time period 
in a specific area;
    (B) The specific intent to conduct directed fishing for license 
limitation crab species was thwarted by a circumstance that was:
    (1) Unavoidable;
    (2) Unique to the owner of that vessel, or unique to that vessel; 
and
    (3) Unforeseen and reasonably unforeseeable to the owner of the 
vessel;
    (C) The circumstance that prevented the owner from conducting 
directed fishing for license limitation crab species actually occurred;
    (D) Under the circumstances, the owner of the vessel took all 
reasonable steps to overcome the circumstances that prevented the owner 
from conducting directed fishing for license limitation crab species; 
and
    (E) Any amount of license limitation crab species was harvested on 
the vessel after the vessel was prevented from

[[Page 571]]

participating but before January 1, 2000.
    (vi) A groundfish license or crab species license may be used on a 
vessel that is named on the license, that complies with the vessel 
designation, and that does not exceed the MLOA on the license.
    (6) Application for a groundfish license or a crab species license--
(i) General. The Regional Administrator will issue a groundfish license 
or a crab species license to an applicant if a complete application is 
submitted by or on behalf of the applicant during the specified 
application period, and if that applicant meets all the criteria for 
eligibility in paragraph (k) of this section. An application that is 
postmarked or delivered after the ending date for the application period 
for the License Limitation Program specified in the Federal Register 
will be denied. An application form will be sent to the last known 
address of a person identified as an eligible applicant by the official 
LLP record. An application form may be requested from the Regional 
Administrator.
    (ii) Application period. An application period of no less than 90 
days will be specified by notification in the Federal Register and other 
information sources deemed appropriate by the Regional Administrator.
    (iii) Contents of application. To be complete, an application for a 
groundfish license or a crab species license must be signed by the 
applicant, or the individual representing the applicant, and contain the 
following, as applicable:
    (A) Name, business address, telephone number, and FAX number of the 
applicant;
    (B) Name, state registration number (e.g., ADF&G number), and, if 
applicable, the USCG documentation number of the vessel being used as 
the basis for eligibility for a license; and name, state registration 
number (e.g., ADF&G number), and, if applicable, the USCG documentation 
number of the vessel to be deployed with the license if different than 
the vessel used as the basis of eligibility for a license;
    (C) Name of the managing company, if any;
    (D) Valid evidence of the documented harvests that are the basis of 
eligibility for a license, including harvest area, gear used, date of 
landing, and, if applying for a crab species license, species;
    (E) Valid evidence of LOA on June 24, 1992, of the vessel used as 
the basis of eligibility for a license, except if that vessel was under 
reconstruction on that date, valid evidence of LOA on the date 
reconstruction was completed and valid evidence of when reconstruction 
began and ended;
    (F) Valid evidence of LOA on June 17, 1995, of the vessel used as 
the basis of eligibility for a license, except if that vessel was under 
reconstruction on that date, valid evidence of LOA on the date 
reconstruction was completed, and valid evidence of when reconstruction 
began and ended;
    (G) Valid evidence to support the applicant's claim for a vessel 
designation of catcher vessel or catcher/processor vessel;
    (H) Valid evidence of ownership of the vessel being used as the 
basis for eligibility for a license (for USCG documented vessels, valid 
evidence must be the USCG Abstract of Title), or if eligibility is based 
on a fishing history that has been separated from a vessel, valid 
evidence of ownership of the fishing history being used as the basis of 
eligibility for a license; and
    (I) Valid evidence of the LOA of the vessel to be deployed by the 
license if different than the vessel used as the basis for eligibility 
for a license.
    (iv) Other information required for special circumstances.
    (A) Successor-in-interest. If an applicant is applying as the 
successor-in-interest to an eligible applicant, an application, to be 
complete, also must contain valid evidence proving the applicant's 
status as a successor-in-interest to that eligible applicant and:
    (1) Valid evidence of the death of that eligible applicant at the 
time of application, if the eligible applicant was or is an individual; 
or
    (2) Valid evidence that the eligible applicant is no longer in 
existence at the time of application, if the eligible applicant is not 
an individual.
    (B) Norton Sound crab species license endorsement. If an applicant 
is applying

[[Page 572]]

for a crab species license endorsement for Norton Sound and if the 
applicant is a person, an application, to be complete, must contain 
valid evidence that the applicant was a State of Alaska permit holder 
for the Norton Sound king crab summer fishery in 1993 or 1994. If the 
applicant is a corporation, an application, to be complete, must contain 
valid evidence that the corporation owned or had a lease for a vessel on 
June 17, 1995, that participated in the Norton Sound king crab summer 
fishery in 1993 or 1994.
    (C) Extended general qualification period. If an applicant is 
applying for a license based on meeting the general qualification period 
requirements of paragraph (k)(4)(i)(A)(2) or (k)(4)(i)(B)(2) of this 
section, the application, to be complete, must indicate which single 
endorsement area the applicant has selected for license. A license 
cannot be endorsed for more than one area, notwithstanding the fact that 
the applicant may have the documented harvests to qualify for more than 
one endorsement area.
    (D) Unavoidable circumstances. If a person is claiming that 
unavoidable circumstances prevented him or her from meeting certain 
eligibility requirements for a license under paragraph (k) of this 
section, he or she must provide the information required in the 
particular paragraph of this section authorizing such a claim, and 
include valid evidence of the date the vessel was lost, damaged, or 
otherwise unable to participate in the fishery, and the date a 
documented harvest was made after the vessel was unable to participate 
in the fishery by the unavoidable circumstance.
    (v) Application evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate 
an application submitted during the specified application period and 
compare all claims in the application with the information in the 
official LLP record. Claims in the application that are consistent with 
information in the official LLP record will be accepted by the Regional 
Administrator. Inconsistent claims in the application, unless verified 
by evidence, will not be accepted. Pursuant to paragraph (k)(6)(vii) of 
this section, an applicant who submits inconsistent claims, or an 
applicant who fails to submit the information specified in paragraphs 
(k)(6)(iii) and (k)(6)(iv) of this section, will be provided a 60-day 
evidentiary period pursuant to paragraph (k)(6)(vii) of this section to 
submit the specified information, submit evidence to verify his or her 
inconsistent claims, or submit a revised application with claims 
consistent with information in the official LLP record. An applicant who 
submits claims that are inconsistent with information in the official 
LLP record has the burden of proving that the submitted claims are 
correct.
    (vi) Additional information or evidence. The Regional Administrator 
will evaluate additional information or evidence to support an 
applicant's inconsistent claims submitted within the 60-day evidentiary 
period pursuant to paragraph (k)(6)(vii) of this section. If the 
Regional Administrator determines that the additional information or 
evidence meets the applicant's burden of proving that the inconsistent 
claims in his or her application is correct, the official LLP record 
will be amended and the information will be used in determining whether 
the applicant is eligible for a license. However, if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the additional information or evidence 
does not meet the applicant's burden of proving that the inconsistent 
claims in his or her application is correct, the applicant will be 
notified by an initial administrative determination, pursuant to 
paragraph (k)(6)(viii) of this section, that the applicant did not meet 
the burden of proof to change the information in the official LLP 
record.
    (vii) 60-day evidentiary period. The Regional Administrator will 
specify by letter a 60-day evidentiary period during which an applicant 
may provide additional information or evidence to support the claims 
made in his or her application, or to submit a revised application with 
claims consistent with information in the official LLP record, if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the applicant did not meet the 
burden of proving that the information on the application is correct 
through evidence provided with the application. Also, an applicant who 
fails to submit information as specified in paragraphs (k)(6)(iii) and 
(k)(6)(iv) of

[[Page 573]]

this section will have 60 days to provide that information. An applicant 
will be limited to one 60-day evidentiary period. Additional information 
or evidence, or a revised application, received after the 60-day 
evidentiary period specified in the letter has expired will not be 
considered for purposes of the initial administrative determination.
    (viii) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional 
will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant following the expiration 
of the 60-day evidentiary period if the Regional Administrator 
determines that the information or evidence provided by the applicant 
fails to support the applicant's claims and is insufficient to rebut the 
presumption that the official LLP record is correct, or if the 
additional information, evidence, or revised application is not provided 
within the time period specified in the letter that notifies the 
applicant of his or her 60-day evidentiary period. The IAD will indicate 
the deficiencies in the application, including any deficiencies with the 
information, the evidence submitted in support of the information, or 
the revised application. The IAD will also indicate which claims cannot 
be approved based on the available information or evidence. An applicant 
who receives an IAD may appeal pursuant to Sec. 679.43. An applicant 
who avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD will 
not receive a transferable license until after the final resolution of 
that appeal, notwithstanding the eligibility of that applicant for some 
claims based on consistent information in the application.
    (ix) Issuance of a non-transferable license. The Regional 
Administrator will issue a non-transferable license to the applicant on 
issuance of an IAD if required by the license renewal provisions of 5 
U.S.C. 558. A non-transferable license authorizes a person to deploy a 
vessel to conduct directed fishing for license limitation groundfish or 
crab species as specified on the non-transferable license, and will have 
the specific endorsements and designations based on the claims in his or 
her application. A non-transferable license will expire upon final 
agency action.
    (x) Surrender of groundfish or crab LLP. A groundfish or crab LLP 
license may be voluntarily surrendered in accordance with paragraph 
(a)(9) of this section. A surrendered groundfish or crab LLP license 
will cease to exist and will not be subsequently reissued.
    (xi) Surrender and extinguishment of a groundfish LLP endorsement. 
Endorsements specified on a groundfish LLP license are not severable 
from a license and cannot be surrendered except that pot gear Pacific 
cod endorsements specified on groundfish LLP licenses listed in Column C 
of Table 9 to this part, can be permanently surrendered, removed, and 
extinguished if:
    (A) The holder of the groundfish LLP license listed in Column C of 
Table 9 to this part requests, in writing, that NMFS permanently remove 
and extinguish all pot gear Pacific cod endorsements specified on that 
LLP license and acknowledges in that written request that the surrender 
and removal are permanent and irreversible and that all pot gear Pacific 
cod endorsements on that LLP license are extinguished;
    (B) The holder of the groundfish LLP license listed in Column C of 
Table 9 to this part requests, in writing, that NMFS assign a 220-foot 
(67 m) MLOA on that LLP license;
    (C) The holder of the eligible LLP license, or the authorized agent, 
signs the request;
    (D) NMFS receives the written request to permanently remove and 
extinguish all pot gear Pacific cod endorsements specified on the LLP 
groundfish license by February 6, 2017; and
    (E) The written request is submitted to NMFS using one of the 
following methods:
    (1) Mail: Regional Administrator, c/o Restricted Access Management 
Program, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668;
    (2) Fax: 907-586-7354; or
    (3) Hand delivery or carrier: NMFS, Room 713, 709 West 9th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99801.
    (7) Transfer of a groundfish license or a crab species license--(i) 
General. The Regional Administrator will transfer a groundfish license, 
Aleutian Island area endorsement as described under

[[Page 574]]

paragraph (k)(7)(viii)(A) of this section, or a crab species license if 
a complete transfer application is submitted to Restricted Access 
Management, Alaska Region, NMFS, and if the transfer meets the 
eligibility criteria as specified in paragraph (k)(7)(ii) of this 
section. A transfer application form may be requested from the Regional 
Administrator.
    (ii) Eligibility criteria for transfers. A groundfish license, 
Aleutian Island area endorsement as described under paragraph 
(k)(7)(viii)(A) of this section, or crab species license can be 
transferred if the following conditions are met:
    (A) The designated transferee is eligible to document a fishing 
vessel under Chapter 121, Title 46, U.S.C.;
    (B) The parties to the transfer do not have any fines, civil 
penalties, other payments due and outstanding, or outstanding permit 
sanctions resulting from Federal fishing violations;
    (C) The transfer will not cause the designated transferee to exceed 
the license caps in Sec. 679.7(i); and
    (D) The transfer does not violate any other provision specified in 
this part.
    (iii) Contents of application. To be complete, an application for a 
groundfish license, Aleutian Island area endorsement as described under 
paragraph (k)(7)(viii)(A) of this section transfer, or a crab species 
license transfer must be legible, have dated signatures of the 
applicants, and the applicants must attest that, to the best of the 
applicant's knowledge, all statements in the application are true. An 
application to transfer will be provided by NMFS, or is available on the 
NMFS Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The 
acceptable submittal methods will be specified on the application form.
    (iv) Incomplete applications. The Regional Administrator will return 
an incomplete transfer application to the applicant and identify any 
deficiencies if the Regional Administrator determines that the 
application does not meet all the criteria identified in paragraph 
(k)(7) of this section.
    (v) Transfer by court order, operation of law, or as part of a 
security agreement. The Regional Administrator will transfer a 
groundfish license, Aleutian Island area endorsement as described under 
paragraph (k)(7)(viii)(A) of this section, or a crab species license 
based on a court order, operation of law, or a security agreement if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the transfer application is 
complete and the transfer will not violate any of the provisions of this 
section.
    (vi) Voluntary transfer limitation. A groundfish license, Aleutian 
Island area endorsement as described under paragraph (k)(7)(viii)(A) of 
this section, or a crab species license may be voluntarily transferred 
only once in any calendar year. A voluntary transfer is a transfer other 
than one pursuant to a court order, operation of law, or a security 
agreement. An application for transfer that would cause a person to 
exceed the transfer limit of this provision will not be approved. A 
transfer of an Aleutian Island area endorsement as described under 
paragraph (k)(7)(viii)(A) of this section to another LLP license, or the 
transfer of a groundfish license with an Aleutian Island area 
endorsement as described under paragraph (k)(7)(viii)(A) of this section 
attached to it will be considered to be a transfer of that Aleutian 
Island area endorsement.
    (vii) Request to change the designated vessel. (A) A request to 
change the vessel designated on an LLP groundfish or crab species 
license must be made on a transfer application. If this request is 
approved and made separately from a license transfer, it will count 
towards the annual limit on voluntary transfers specified in paragraph 
(k)(7)(vi) of this section.
    (B) A request to change the vessel designated on an Amendment 80 LLP 
license or an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license must be made on an Application 
for Amendment 80 Replacement Vessel in accordance with Sec. 
679.4(o)(4)(ii). The MLOA modification specified at paragraph 
(k)(3)(i)(C) of this section will be effective when a complete 
application is submitted to NMFS in accordance with paragraph (k)(7) of 
this section, and the application is approved by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (viii) Severability of licenses. (A) Area endorsements or area/
species endorsements specified on a license are not severable from the 
license and must be

[[Page 575]]

transferred together, except that Aleutian Island area endorsements on a 
groundfish license with a trawl gear designation issued under the 
provisions of paragraph (k)(4)(ix)(A) of this section and that are 
assigned to a groundfish license with an MLOA of less than 60 feet LOA 
may be transferred separately from the groundfish license to which that 
Aleutian Island area endorsement was originally issued to another 
groundfish license provided that the groundfish license to which that 
Aleutian Island endorsement is transferred:
    (1) Was not derived in whole or in part from the qualifying fishing 
history of an AFA vessel;
    (2) Has a catcher vessel designation;
    (3) Has a trawl gear designation;
    (4) Has an MLOA of less than 60 feet LOA; and
    (5) A complete transfer application is submitted to the Regional 
Administrator as described under this paragraph (k)(7), and that 
application is approved.
    (B) A groundfish license and a crab species license issued based on 
the legal landings of the same vessel and initially issued to the same 
qualified person are not severable and must be transferred together.
    (ix) Other transfer restrictions. The transfer of a LLP license that 
was issued based on the documented harvests from a vessel that did not 
have an FFP during the period beginning January 1, 1988, through October 
8, 1998, must be accompanied by the vessel from which the documented 
harvests were made or its replacement vessel, or if the LLP license and 
vessel were separated by transfer prior to February 7, 1998, then by the 
vessel that is currently being deployed by the license holder. The 
Regional Administrator will deny a transfer application that requests 
the transfer of a LLP license that was issued based on the documented 
harvests from a vessel that did not have an FFP during the period 
beginning January 1, 1988, through October 8, 1998, if the appropriate 
vessel is not being transferred as part of the same transaction. A 
license holder of an LLP license that was issued based on the documented 
harvests from a vessel that did not have an FFP during the period 
beginning January 1, 1988, through October 8, 1998, may replace the 
vessel from which the documented harvests were made with another vessel 
that meets the vessel designation and MLOA requirements specified on the 
LLP license if the original qualifying vessel is lost or destroyed.
    (8) Other provisions. (i) Any person committing, or a fishing vessel 
used in the commission of, a violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act or any regulations issued pursuant 
thereto, is subject to the civil and criminal penalty provisions and the 
civil forfeiture provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act, part 621 of this chapter, 15 CFR part 904 (Civil 
Procedure), and other applicable law. Penalties include, but are not 
limited to, permanent or temporary sanctions to licenses.
    (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of the license limitation 
program in this part, vessels fishing for species other than license 
limitation groundfish as defined in Sec. 679.2 that were authorized 
under Federal regulations to incidentally catch license limitation 
groundfish without a Federal fisheries permit described at Sec. 
679.4(b) will continue to be authorized to catch the maximum retainable 
bycatch amounts of license limitation groundfish as provided in this 
part without a groundfish license.
    (iii) An eligible applicant, who qualifies for a groundfish license 
or crab species license but whose vessel on which the eligible 
applicant's qualification was based was lost or destroyed, will be 
issued a license. This license:
    (A) Will have the vessel designation of the lost or destroyed 
vessel.
    (B) Cannot be used to conduct directed fishing for license 
limitation groundfish or to conduct directed fishing for crab species on 
a vessel that has an LOA greater than the MLOA designated on the 
license.
    (iv) A qualified person who owned a vessel on June 17, 1995, that 
made a documented harvest of license limitation groundfish, or crab 
species if applicable, between January 1, 1988, and February 9, 1992, 
but whose vessel was unable to meet all the criteria in paragraph (k)(4) 
of this section for a groundfish license or paragraph (k)(5)

[[Page 576]]

of this section for a crab species license because of an unavoidable 
circumstance (i.e., the vessel was lost, damaged, or otherwise unable to 
participate in the license limitation groundfish or crab fisheries) may 
receive a license if the qualified person is able to demonstrate that:
    (A) The owner of the vessel at the time of the unavoidable 
circumstance held a specific intent to conduct directed fishing for 
license limitation groundfish or crab species with that vessel during a 
specific time period in a specific area.
    (B) The specific intent to conduct directed fishing for license 
limitation groundfish or crab species with that vessel was thwarted by a 
circumstance that was:
    (1) Unavoidable.
    (2) Unique to the owner of that vessel, or unique to that vessel.
    (3) Unforeseen and reasonably unforeseeable to the owner of the 
vessel.
    (C) The circumstance that prevented the owner from conducting 
directed fishing for license limitation groundfish or crab species 
actually occurred.
    (D) Under the circumstances, the owner of the vessel took all 
reasonable steps to overcome the circumstance that prevented the owner 
from conducting directed fishing for license limitation groundfish or 
crab species.
    (E) Any amount of license limitation groundfish or appropriate crab 
species was harvested on the vessel in the specific area that 
corresponds to the area endorsement or area/species endorsement for 
which the qualified person who owned a vessel on June 17, 1995, is 
applying and that the license limitation groundfish or crab species was 
harvested after the vessel was prevented from participating by the 
unavoidable circumstance but before June 17, 1995.
    (v) A groundfish license or a crab species license may be used on a 
vessel that complies with the vessel designation on the license and that 
does not exceed the MLOA on the license.
    (9) Pacific cod endorsements in the BSAI--(i) General. In addition 
to other requirements of this part, and unless specifically exempted in 
paragraph (k)(9)(iv) of this section, a license holder must have a 
Pacific cod endorsement on his or her groundfish license to conduct 
directed fishing for Pacific cod with hook-and-line or pot gear in the 
BSAI. A license holder can only use the specific non-trawl gear(s) 
indicated on his or her license to conduct directed fishing for Pacific 
cod in the BSAI.
    (ii) Eligibility requirements for a Pacific cod endorsement. This 
table provides eligibility requirements for Pacific cod endorsements on 
an LLP groundfish license:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Then the license
                                   And the license       holder must                        To receive a Pacific
 If a license holder's license    holder harvested    demonstrate that                      cod endorsement that
          has a . . .            Pacific cod in the       he or she           In . . .       authorizes harvest
                                   BSAI with . . .   harvested at least                          with . . .
                                                            . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Catcher vessel designation.  Hook-and-line gear  7.5 mt of Pacific   In any one of the  Hook-and-line gear.
                                  or jig gear.        cod in the BSAI.    years 1995,
                                                                          1996, 1997,
                                                                          1998, or 1999.
(B) Catcher vessel designation.  Pot gear or jig     100,000 lb of       In each of any     Pot gear.
                                  gear.               Pacific cod in      two of the years
                                                      the BSAI.           1995, 1996,
                                                                          1997, 1998, or
                                                                          1999.
(C) Catcher/processor vessel     Hook-and-line gear  270 mt of Pacific   In any one of the  Hook-and-line gear.
 designation.                                         cod in the BSAI.    years 1996,
                                                                          1997, 1998, or
                                                                          1999.
(D) Catcher/processor vessel     Pot gear..........  300,000 lb of       In each of any     Pot gear.
 designation.                                         Pacific cod in      two of the years
                                                      the BSAI.           1995, 1996,
                                                                          1997, or 1998.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Explanations for Pacific cod endorsements. (A) All eligibility 
amounts in the table at paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section will be 
determined based on round weight equivalents.
    (B) Discards will not count toward eligibility amounts in the table 
at paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section.

[[Page 577]]

    (C) Pacific cod harvested for personal bait use will not count 
toward eligibility amounts in the table at paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this 
section.
    (D) A legal landing of Pacific cod in the BSAI for commercial bait 
will count toward eligibility amounts in the table at paragraph 
(k)(9)(ii) of this section.
    (E) Harvests within the BSAI will count toward eligibility amounts 
in the table at paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section; however, a license 
holder will only be able to harvest Pacific cod in the specific areas in 
the BSAI for which he or she has an area endorsement.
    (F) Harvests within the BSAI Would count toward eligibility amounts 
in the table at paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section if:
    (1) Those harvests were made from the vessel that was used as the 
basis of eligibility for the license holder's LLP groundfish license, or
    (2) Those harvests were made from a vessel that was not the vessel 
used as the basis of eligibility for the license holder's LLP groundfish 
license, provided that, at the time the endorsement-qualifying Pacific 
cod harvests were made, the person who owned such Pacific cod 
endorsement-qualifying fishing history also owned the fishing history of 
a vessel that satisfied the requirements for the LLP groundfish license.
    (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (k)(9)(iii)(F)(2) of 
this section, the LLP groundfish license qualifying history or the 
Pacific cod qualifying history of any one vessel may not be used to 
satisfy the requirements for issuance of more than one LLP groundfish 
license endorsed for the BSAI Pacific cod hook-and-line or pot gear 
fisheries.
    (G) Except as provided in paragraph 679.4(k)(9)(iii)(D), only 
harvests of BSAI Pacific cod in the directed fishery will count toward 
eligibility amounts.
    (iv) Exemptions to Pacific cod endorsements. (A) Any vessel exempted 
from the License Limitation Program at paragraph (k)(2) of this section.
    (B) Any catcher vessel less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA.
    (C) Any catch of Pacific cod for personal use bait.
    (v) Combination of landings and hardship provision. Notwithstanding 
the eligibility requirements in paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section, a 
license holder may be eligible for a Pacific cod endorsement by meeting 
the following criteria.
    (A) Combination of landings. A license holder may combine the 
landings of a sunken vessel and the landings of a vessel obtained to 
replace a sunken vessel to satisfy the eligibility amounts in the table 
at paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section only if he or she meets the 
requirements in paragraphs (k)(9)(v)(A)(1)-(4) of this section. No other 
combination of landings will satisfy the eligibility amounts in the 
table at paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section.
    (1) The sunken vessel was used as the basis of eligibility for the 
license holder's groundfish license;
    (2) The sunken vessel sank after January 1, 1995;
    (3) The vessel obtained to replace the sunken vessel was obtained by 
December 31 of the year 2 years after the sunken vessel sank; and
    (4) The length of the vessel obtained to replace the sunken vessel 
does not exceed the MLOA specified on the license holder's groundfish 
license.
    (B) Hardship provision. A license holder may be eligible for a 
Pacific cod endorsement because of unavoidable circumstances if he or 
she meets the requirements in paragraphs (k)(9)(v)(B)(1)-(4) of this 
section. For purposes of this hardship provision, the term license 
holder includes the person whose landings were used to meet the 
eligibility requirements for the license holder's groundfish license, if 
not the same person.
    (1) The license holder at the time of the unavoidable circumstance 
held a specific intent to conduct directed fishing for BSAI Pacific cod 
in a manner sufficient to meet the landing requirements in the table at 
paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section but that this intent was thwarted 
by a circumstance that was:
    (i) Unavoidable;
    (ii) Unique to the license holder, or unique to the vessel that was 
used as

[[Page 578]]

the basis of eligibility for the license holder's groundfish license; 
and
    (iii) Unforeseen and reasonably unforeseeable to the license holder.
    (2) The circumstance that prevented the license holder from 
conducting directed fishing for BSAI Pacific cod in a manner sufficient 
to meet the landing requirements in paragraph (k)(9)(ii) actually 
occurred;
    (3) The license holder took all reasonable steps to overcome the 
circumstance that prevented the license holder from conducting directed 
fishing for BSAI Pacific cod in a manner sufficient to meet the landing 
requirements in paragraph (k)(9)(ii) of this section; and
    (4) Any amount of Pacific cod was harvested in the BSAI aboard the 
vessel that was used as the basis of eligibility for the license 
holder's groundfish license after the vessel was prevented from 
participating by the unavoidable circumstance but before April 16, 2000.
    (10) Pacific cod endorsements in the Western and Central GOA--(i) 
General. In addition to other requirements of this part, and unless 
specifically exempted in paragraph (k)(10)(iv) of this section, a 
license holder must have a Pacific cod endorsement on his or her 
groundfish license to conduct directed fishing for Pacific cod in the 
Western Gulf of Alaska or Central Gulf of Alaska with hook-and-line 
gear, pot gear, or jig gear on a vessel using more than five jig 
machines, more than one line per machine, and more than 30 hooks per 
line. A license holder can only use the specific non-trawl gear(s) 
indicated on his or her license to conduct directed fishing for Pacific 
cod in the Western Gulf of Alaska or Central Gulf of Alaska.
    (ii) Eligibility requirements for a Pacific cod endorsement. This 
table provides eligibility requirements for Pacific cod endorsements on 
an LLP groundfish license:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   To receive a
                                                                                                   Pacific cod
                                And that                     Then the license                      endorsement
                                 license    And the license     holder must     From January 1,  that authorizes
If a license holder's license    has an    holder harvested  demonstrate that    2002, through    harvest in the
         has a * * *            MLOA of *  Pacific cod with   he or she * * *     December 8,        directed
                                   * *           * * *                          2008, in * * *     Pacific cod
                                                                                                  fishery with *
                                                                                                       * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Catcher vessel             <60 feet..  hook-and-line     legally landed    the Central Gulf  hook-and-line
 designation.                               gear.             at least 10 mt    of Alaska.        gear in the
                                                              of Pacific cod                      Central Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(B) Catcher vessel             =60 feet.  gear.             at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        gear in the
                                                              of Pacific cod                      Central Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(C) Catcher vessel             <60 feet..  hook-and-line     legally landed    the Western Gulf  hook-and-line
 designation.                               gear.             at least 10 mt    of Alaska.        gear in the
                                                              of Pacific cod                      Western Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(D) Catcher vessel             =60 feet.  gear.             at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        gear in the
                                                              of Pacific cod                      Western Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(E) Catcher vessel             <60 feet..  pot gear........  legally landed    the Central Gulf  pot gear in the
 designation.                                                 at least 10 mt    of Alaska.        Central Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(F) Catcher vessel             =60 feet.                    at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        Central Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(G) Catcher vessel             <60 feet..  pot gear........  legally landed    the Western Gulf  pot gear in the
 designation.                                                 at least 10 mt    of Alaska.        Western Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(H) Catcher vessel             =60 feet.                    at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        Western Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(I) Catcher vessel             any.......  jig gear........  at least one      the Central Gulf  jig gear in the
 designation.                                                 legal landing     of Alaska.        Central Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(J) Catcher vessel             any.......  jig gear........  at least one      the Western Gulf  jig gear in the
 designation.                                                 legal landing     of Alaska.        Western Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(K) Catcher/Processor vessel   any.......  hook-and-line     legally landed    the Central Gulf  hook-and-line
 designation.                               gear.             at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        gear in the
                                                              of Pacific cod                      Central Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.

[[Page 579]]

 
(L) Catcher/Processor vessel   any.......  hook-and-line     legally landed    the Western Gulf  hook-and-line
 designation.                               gear.             at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        gear in the
                                                              of Pacific cod                      Western Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(M) Catcher/Processor vessel   any.......  pot gear........  legally landed    the Central Gulf  pot gear in the
 designation.                                                 at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        Central Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(N) Catcher/Processor vessel   any.......  pot gear........  legally landed    the Central Gulf  pot gear in the
 designation.                                                 at least 50 mt    of Alaska.        Central Gulf
                                                              of Pacific cod                      of Alaska.
                                                              in the directed
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(O) Catcher/Processor vessel   any.......  jig gear........  at least one      the Central Gulf  jig gear in the
 designation.                                                 legal landing     of Alaska.        Central Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
(P) Catcher/Processor vessel   any.......  jig gear........  at least one      the Western Gulf  jig gear in the
 designation.                                                 legal landing     of Alaska.        Western Gulf
                                                              in the directed                     of Alaska.
                                                              Pacific cod
                                                              fishery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Explanations for Pacific cod endorsements. (A) All eligibility 
amounts in the table at paragraph (k)(10)(ii) of this section will be 
determined based on round weight equivalents.
    (B) NMFS shall assign a legal landing to a groundfish license in an 
area based only on information contained in the official record 
described in paragraph (k)(10)(v) of this section.
    (C) Notwithstanding the eligibility amount in the table at paragraph 
(k)(10)(ii) of this section, NMFS shall assign a non-trawl Pacific cod 
endorsement with a catcher/processor and a hook-and-line gear 
designation in the regulatory areas specified to those groundfish 
licenses listed in Table 49 to part 679;
    (D) If a groundfish license meets the criteria described in 
paragraph (k)(3)(i)(B)(2) of this section and NMFS has redesignated the 
MLOA of that groundfish license based on those criteria, then NMFS may 
assign a non-trawl Pacific cod endorsement with the specific gear 
designation(s) and regulatory area(s) applicable to the redesignated 
MLOA of that groundfish license based on the eligibility criteria 
established in paragraph (k)(10)(ii) of this section; and
    (E) NMFS may issue groundfish licenses with non-trawl Pacific cod 
endorsements to CQEs as specified in paragraph (k)(10)(vi) of this 
section.
    (iv) Exemptions to Pacific cod endorsements. Any vessel exempted 
from the License Limitation Program at paragraph (k)(2) of this section.
    (v) Non-trawl gear recent participation official record. (A) The 
official record will contain all information used by the Regional 
Administrator to determine the following:
    (1) The number of legal landings and amount of legal landings 
assigned to a groundfish license for purposes of the non-trawl gear 
designation participation requirements described in paragraph 
(k)(10)(ii) of this section;
    (2) All other relevant information necessary to administer the 
requirements described in paragraphs (k)(3)(i)(B) and (k)(10) of this 
section.
    (B) The official record is presumed to be correct. A groundfish 
license holder has the burden to prove otherwise.
    (C) Only legal landings as defined in Sec. 679.2 and documented on 
State of Alaska fish tickets or NMFS weekly production reports will be 
used to assign legal landings to a groundfish license.
    (D) If more than one groundfish license holder is claiming the same 
legal landing because their groundfish license designated the vessel at 
the time that the legal landing was made, then each groundfish license 
for which the legal landing is being claimed will be credited with the 
legal landing.
    (E) The Regional Administrator will specify by letter a 30-day 
evidentiary period during which an applicant may provide additional 
information or evidence to amend or challenge the information in the 
official record. A person

[[Page 580]]

will be limited to one 30-day evidentiary period. Additional information 
or evidence received after the 30-day evidentiary period specified in 
the letter has expired will not be considered for purposes of the 
initial administrative determination (IAD).
    (F) The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the 
applicant following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if 
the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the person fails to support the person's claims and is 
insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official record is 
correct, or if the additional information, evidence, or revised 
application is not provided within the time period specified in the 
letter that notifies the applicant of his or her 30-day evidentiary 
period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies with the information, or 
with the evidence submitted in support of the information. The IAD will 
also indicate which claims cannot be approved based on the available 
information or evidence. A person who receives an IAD may appeal 
pursuant to Sec. 679.43. A person who avails himself or herself of the 
opportunity to appeal an IAD will receive a non-transferable license 
pending the final resolution of that appeal, notwithstanding the 
eligibility of that applicant for some claims based on consistent 
information in the official record.
    (vi) Issuance of non-trawl groundfish licenses to CQEs. (A) Each CQE 
that has been approved by the Regional Administrator under the 
requirements of Sec. 679.41(l)(3) to represent a community listed in 
Table 21 to part 679 that is eligible for Pacific cod endorsed non-trawl 
groundfish licenses, may apply to receive the maximum number of 
groundfish licenses listed in Table 21 to part 679 on behalf of the 
eligible communities listed in Table 21 to part 679 that CQE is 
designated to represent. In order to receive a groundfish license, a CQE 
must submit a complete application for a groundfish license to the 
Regional Administer. A CQE may not apply for, and may not receive more 
than the maximum number of groundfish licenses designated in the 
regulatory area specified for a community as listed in Table 21 to part 
679.
    (B) The application for a CQE to receive a groundfish license must 
include:
    (1) Name of contact person(s) for the CQE, NMFS person number, 
permanent business mailing addresses, business phone, business e-mail, 
and business fax;
    (2) A statement describing the procedures that will be used to 
determine the distribution of LLP licenses to residents of the community 
represented by that CQE;
    (3) Procedures used to solicit requests from residents to be 
assigned an LLP license;
    (4) Criteria used to determine the distribution of the use of LLP 
licenses among qualified community residents and the relative weighting 
of those criteria; and
    (5) The gear designation of groundfish license for which the CQE is 
applying provided that the community for which the CQE is applying is 
eligible to receive a groundfish license designated for the Central Gulf 
of Alaska and the application to receive a groundfish license has been 
received by NMFS not later than six months after April 21, 2011.
    (C) A groundfish license approved for issuance to a CQE by the 
Regional Administrator for a community listed in Table 21 to part 679:
    (1) May not be transferred to any person from the CQE;
    (2) Will have only the regional designation specified for that 
community as listed in Table 21 to part 679;
    (3) Will have an MLOA of 60 feet specified on the license;
    (4) Will have only a catcher vessel designation;
    (5) Will receive only a non-trawl gear endorsement;
    (6) Will be assigned a Pacific cod endorsement with a non-trawl gear 
designation as specified in paragraph (k)(10)(vi)(D) of this section.
    (7) May not be assigned to any vessel other than the vessel 
specified for that groundfish license in the annual CQE authorization 
letter;
    (8) May not be assigned for use by any person(s) other than the 
person(s) specified for that groundfish license in the annual CQE 
authorization letter, or any subsequent amendment to that

[[Page 581]]

authorization letter that is made by the CQE provided that NMFS receives 
that amendment prior to that person using that groundfish license aboard 
a vessel; and
    (9) May not be assigned to more than one vessel per calendar year.
    (D) The CQE must provide a copy of the annual CQE authorization 
letter, and any subsequent amendment to that authorization letter that 
is made by the CQE to NMFS and the vessel operator prior to the 
person(s) designated in the authorization letter using that groundfish 
license aboard a vessel. The vessel operator must maintain a copy of the 
annual CQE authorization letter, and any subsequent amendment to that 
authorization letter that is made by the CQE onboard the vessel when 
that vessel is directed fishing for Pacific cod under the authority of 
that groundfish license. The authorization letter, and any subsequent 
amendment to that authorization letter must be submitted to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (E) The CQE must attest in the annual CQE authorization letter, or 
any subsequent amendment to that authorization letter, that the 
person(s) using a groundfish license issued to a CQE:
    (1) Is a citizen of the United States;
    (2) Has maintained a domicile in a CQE community in the Central GOA 
or Western GOA eligible to receive an LLP license endorsed for Pacific 
cod for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the time when 
the assertion of residence is made; and
    (3) Is not claiming residency in another community, state, 
territory, or country, except that residents of the Village of Seldovia 
shall be considered to be eligible community residents of the City of 
Seldovia for the purposes of eligibility to serve as an authorized 
person.
    (F) Non-trawl Pacific cod gear endorsements on groundfish licenses 
approved for issuance to CQEs by the Regional Administrator shall have 
the following gear designations:
    (1) NMFS will issue only pot gear Pacific cod endorsements for 
groundfish licenses with a Western Gulf of Alaska designation to CQEs on 
behalf of a community listed in Table 21 to part 679.
    (2) NMFS will issue either a pot gear or a hook-and-line gear 
Pacific cod endorsement for a groundfish license with a Central Gulf of 
Alaska designation to CQEs on behalf of a community listed in Table 21 
to part 679 based on the application for a groundfish license as 
described in paragraph (k)(10)(vi)(B) of this section provided that 
application is received by NMFS not later than six months after April 
21, 2011. If an application to receive a groundfish license with a 
Central Gulf of Alaska designation on behalf of a community listed in 
Table 21 to part 679 is received later than six months after April 21, 
2011, NMFS will issue an equal number of pot gear and hook-and-line gear 
Pacific cod endorsements for a groundfish license issued to the CQE on 
behalf of a community listed in Table 21 to part 679. In cases where the 
total number of groundfish licenses issued on behalf of a community 
listed in Table 21 to part 679 is not even, NMFS will issue one more 
groundfish license with a pot gear Pacific cod endorsement than the 
number of groundfish licenses with a hook-and-line gear Pacific cod 
endorsement.
    (G) An annual report on the use of Pacific cod endorsed non-trawl 
groundfish licenses shall be submitted by the CQE as required at Sec. 
679.5(t).
    (vii) Additional endorsements for groundfish license holders 
eligible to participate in the Western and/or Central GOA Pacific cod 
fisheries--(A) Requirements. A license limitation groundfish license 
holder can elect to permanently add a catcher vessel endorsement for 
Pacific cod for the same gears and areas for which the license is 
currently endorsed, for the Western and/or Central GOA if the license 
holder--
    (1) Is operating under the authority of a groundfish license 
endorsed for Pacific cod in Western and Central GOA, as described at 
paragraphs (k)(4)(vi) or (k)(10)(ii) of this section;
    (2) Is endorsed to participate as a catcher/processor in the Western 
and/or Central GOA Pacific cod fishery; and,
    (3) Made a minimum of one Pacific cod landing while operating as a 
catcher vessel under the authority of the catcher/processor license in 
Federal reporting areas 610, 620, or 630, from January 1, 2002, through 
December 31, 2008.

[[Page 582]]

    (4) Or, is the holder of a license limitation groundfish license 
endorsed for trawl gear Western and/or Central GOA and made a minimum of 
one Pacific cod landing while operating as a catcher vessel under the 
authority of the catcher/processor license in Federal reporting areas 
610, 620, or 630, from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2008.
    (B) Additional Central GOA and/or Western GOA catcher vessel 
endorsement. Any holder of an LLP license that has a catcher vessel 
endorsement for the Western and/or Central GOA under paragraph 
(k)(10)(vii) of this section--
    (1) Will have all directed catch of Pacific cod harvested under the 
authority of that groundfish license accrue against the respective GOA 
regulatory area catcher vessel allocations; and
    (2) Will have all incidental catch of Pacific cod in the Western GOA 
or Central GOA Federal reporting areas 610, 620, or 630, harvested under 
the authority of that groundfish license accrue against the respective 
GOA regulatory area catcher vessel allocations.
    (C) Eligible license holders not electing to add catcher vessel 
endorsement(s). Any holder of an LLP license that does not have a 
catcher vessel endorsement for the Western and/or Central GOA under 
(k)(10)(vii) of this section may participate in the Western GOA or 
Central GOA directed Pacific cod fishery as a catcher/processor or a 
catcher vessel; however, direct and incidental catch of Pacific cod in 
the Western GOA and Central GOA will accrue against the respective 
catcher/processor allocation.
    (D) Multiple or stacked LLP licenses. For a vessel that does not 
meet the requirements at paragraph (k)(10)(vii) of this section but does 
have multiple, stacked, LLP licenses and one of those stacked licenses 
is endorsed as a catcher/processor eligible to harvest Pacific cod in 
the Western GOA or Central GOA Federal reporting areas 610, 620, or 630, 
all catch will accrue against the catcher/processor sector allocation 
for that gear type.
    (E) Catch history. NMFS will assign legal landings to each 
groundfish license for an area based only on information contained in 
the official record as described in paragraph (k)(10)(viii) of this 
section.
    (viii) Catcher/processor participation in the Western GOA and 
Central GOA official record. (A) The official record will contain all 
information used by the Regional Administrator to determine the 
following:
    (1) The number and amount of legal landings made under the authority 
of that license by gear type, and operational mode;
    (2) All other relevant information necessary to administer the 
requirements described in paragraphs (k)(10)(vii)(A)(1) through 
(k)(10)(vii)(A)(3) of this section.
    (B) The official record is presumed to be correct. A groundfish 
license holder has the burden to prove otherwise.
    (C) For the purposes of creating the official record, the Regional 
Administrator will presume if more than one person is claiming the same 
legal landing, that each groundfish license for which the legal landing 
is being claimed will be credited with the legal landing;
    (D) Only legal landings as defined in Sec. 679.2 and documented on 
State of Alaska Fish Tickets or NMFS weekly production reports will be 
used to assign legal landings to a groundfish license.
    (E) The Regional Administrator will specify by letter a 30-day 
evidentiary period during which an applicant may provide additional 
information or evidence to amend or challenge the information in the 
official record. A person will be limited to one 30-day evidentiary 
period. Additional information or evidence received after the 30-day 
evidentiary period specified in the letter has expired will not be 
considered for purposes of the initial administrative determination.
    (F) The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the 
applicant following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if 
the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the person fails to support the person's claims and is 
insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official record is 
correct, or if the additional information, evidence, or revised 
application is not provided within the time period specified in the 
letter that notifies the

[[Page 583]]

applicant of his or her 30-day evidentiary period. The IAD will indicate 
the deficiencies with the information, or the evidence submitted in 
support of the information. The IAD will also indicate which claims 
cannot be approved based on the available information or evidence. A 
person who receives an IAD may appeal pursuant to Sec. 679.43. A person 
who avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD that 
is accepted by the National Appeals Office will receive a non-
transferable license pending the final resolution of that appeal, 
notwithstanding the eligibility of that applicant for some claims based 
on consistent information in the official record.
    (11) Restrictions on licenses earned on AFA catcher vessels and 
listed AFA catcher/processors. No person may use an LLP license that was 
derived in whole or in part from the qualifying fishing history of an 
AFA catcher vessel or a listed AFA catcher/processor to fish for 
groundfish or crab on a non-AFA catcher vessel or non-AFA catcher/
processor. NMFS will identify all such licenses affected by this 
restriction and inform the holders of such licenses of this restriction 
through a restriction printed on the face of the license.
    (12) Rockfish QS--(i) General. In addition to other requirements of 
this part, a license holder must have rockfish QS assigned to his or her 
groundfish LLP license to conduct directed fishing for rockfish primary 
species and rockfish secondary species with trawl gear.
    (ii) Eligibility requirements for rockfish QS. The eligibility 
requirements to receive rockfish QS are established in Sec. 679.80(b).
    (13) Amendment 80 Program. In addition to other requirements of this 
part, a license holder must have an Amendment 80 LLP license to conduct 
fishing for an Amendment 80 species assigned to the Amendment 80 sector.
    (14) Yellowfin sole trawl limited access sector (TLAS) directed 
fishery endorsement in the BSAI--(i) General. In addition to other 
requirements of this part, and unless specifically exempted in paragraph 
(k)(2) of this section, a vessel must be designated on a groundfish LLP 
license that has a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole directed fishery endorsement 
in order to conduct directed fishing for yellowfin sole with trawl gear 
in the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sector fishery and deliver the catch to 
a mothership. A vessel designated on a groundfish LLP license with trawl 
and catcher/processor vessel designations and a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole 
directed fishery endorsement may operate as a catcher vessel and deliver 
its catch of yellowfin sole harvested in the directed BSAI TLAS fishery 
to a mothership, or operate as a catcher/processor and catch and process 
its own catch in this fishery.
    (ii) Eligibility requirements for a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole 
directed fishery endorsement. (A) A groundfish LLP license is eligible 
to receive a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole directed fishery endorsement if 
the groundfish LLP license:
    (1) Had a vessel designated on it, in any year from 2008 through 
2015, that made at least one legal trip target landing of yellowfin sole 
in the BSAI TLAS directed fishery to a mothership in any one year from 
2008 through 2015, inclusive, where a trip target is the groundfish 
species for which the retained amount of that groundfish species is 
greater than the retained amount of any other groundfish species for 
that trip;
    (2) Has a Bering Sea area endorsement and a trawl gear designation; 
and
    (3) Is credited by NMFS with a legal trip target landing specified 
in paragraph (k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (B) If a vessel specified in paragraph (k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this 
section was designated on more than one groundfish LLP license from 2008 
through 2015 and made at least one legal trip target landing in a BSAI 
TLAS directed fishery from 2008 through 2015, the vessel owner must 
specify to NMFS only one of those groundfish LLP licenses to receive 
credit with the legal trip target landing(s) specified in paragraph 
(k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Explanations for BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole directed fishery 
endorsement. (A) NMFS will determine whether a groundfish LLP license is 
eligible to receive a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole directed fishery 
endorsement under paragraph (k)(14)(ii) of this section based only on 
information contained in the

[[Page 584]]

official record described in paragraph (k)(14)(v) of this section.
    (B) NMFS will credit a groundfish LLP license with a legal trip 
target landing specified in paragraph (k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section 
if that groundfish LLP license was the only groundfish LLP license on 
which the vessel was designated from 2008 through 2015. If a vessel that 
made at least one legal trip target landing specified in paragraph 
(k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section was designated on more than one 
groundfish LLP license from 2008 through 2015 and made at least one 
legal trip target landing in a BSAI TLAS directed fishery from 2008 
through 2015, the vessel owner must notify NMFS which one of those 
groundfish LLP licenses NMFS is to credit with the legal trip target 
landing(s) specified in paragraph (k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (C) Trip target landings will be determined based on round weight 
equivalents.
    (iv) Exemptions to BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole endorsements. Any vessel 
exempted from the License Limitation Program at paragraph (k)(2) of this 
section is exempted from the requirement to have a BSAI TLAS yellowfin 
sole endorsement to deliver catch of BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole to a 
mothership for processing.
    (v) BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole participation official record. (A) The 
official record will contain all information used by the Regional 
Administrator that is necessary to administer the requirements described 
in paragraph (k)(14) of this section.
    (B) The official record is presumed to be correct. A groundfish LLP 
license holder has the burden to prove otherwise.
    (C) Only legal landings as defined in Sec. 679.2 and documented on 
State of Alaska fish tickets or NMFS weekly production reports will be 
used to determine legal trip target landings under paragraph 
(k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (vi) Process for issuing BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole endorsements. (A) 
NMFS will issue to the holder of each groundfish LLP license endorsed to 
use trawl gear in the Bering Sea and designated in Column A of Table 52 
to this part a notice of eligibility to receive a BSAI TLAS yellowfin 
sole directed fishery endorsement and a revised groundfish LLP license 
with a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole directed fishery endorsement.
    (B) NMFS will issue to the holder of each groundfish LLP license 
endorsed to use trawl gear in the Bering Sea and designated in Column A 
of Table 53 to this part a notice of eligibility to be credited with a 
legal trip target landing specified in (k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this 
section.
    (1) NMFS will also issue to the owner of the vessel designated on 
the groundfish LLP licenses in Column A of Table 53 a notice of 
eligibility for the two listed groundfish LLP licenses to be credited 
with a legal trip target landing specified in (k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this 
section. The notice to the vessel owner will provide instructions for 
the vessel owner to select the one groundfish LLP license that NMFS is 
to credit with the legal trip target landing specified in 
(k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (2) The holder of a groundfish LLP license in Column A of Table 53 
will receive a revised groundfish LLP license with a BSAI TLAS yellowfin 
sole directed fishery endorsement if:
    (i) The owner of the vessel designated on the groundfish LLP license 
requests in writing that NMFS credit that groundfish LLP license with 
the legal trip target landing specified in paragraph (k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) 
of this section;
    (ii) The vessel owner, or the authorized agent, signs the request;
    (iii) The written request is submitted to NMFS using one of the 
following methods: Mail at Regional Administrator, c/o Restricted Access 
Management Program, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; fax at 
907-586-7352; or hand delivery or carrier at NMFS, Room 713, 709 West 
9th Street, Juneau, AK 99801; and
    (iv) NMFS receives the written request and credits the groundfish 
LLP license with the legal trip target landing specified in paragraph 
(k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (3) The holder of a groundfish LLP license in Column A of Table 53 
that is not selected by the vessel owner will receive a notice, using 
the address on record at the time the notification is

[[Page 585]]

sent, informing the holder that the groundfish LLP license was not 
selected by the vessel owner, will not be credited with a legal trip 
target landing, and will not receive a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole 
endorsement. The notice will inform the holder of the groundfish LLP 
license of the timing and process through which the holder can provide 
additional information or evidence to amend or challenge the information 
in the official record of this section as specified in paragraphs 
(k)(14)(vi)(D) and (E) of this section.
    (C) NMFS will issue to the holder of a groundfish LLP license with a 
Bering Sea trawl designation and that is not listed in either Table 52 
or 53 a notice informing that holder that the groundfish LLP license is 
not eligible to be credited with a legal trip target landing or receive 
a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole directed fishery endorsement based on the 
official record, using the address on record at the time the 
notification is sent. The notice will inform the holder of the 
groundfish LLP license of the timing and process through which the 
holder can provide additional information or evidence to amend or 
challenge the information in the official record of this section, as 
specified in paragraphs (k)(14)(vi)(D) and (E) of this section.
    (D) The Regional Administrator will specify by letter a 30-day 
evidentiary period during which an applicant may provide additional 
information or evidence to amend or challenge the information in the 
official record. A person will be limited to one 30-day evidentiary 
period. Additional information or evidence received after the 30-day 
evidentiary period specified in the letter has expired will not be 
considered for purposes of the initial administrative determination 
(IAD).
    (E) The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the 
applicant following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period, if 
the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the person fails to support the person's claims and is 
insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official record is 
correct, or if the additional information, evidence, or revised 
application is not provided within the time period specified in the 
letter that notifies the applicant of his or her 30-day evidentiary 
period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies with the information or 
evidence submitted. The IAD will also indicate which claims cannot be 
approved based on the available information or evidence. A person who 
receives an IAD may appeal pursuant to 15 CFR part 906. NMFS will issue 
a non-transferable interim license that is effective until final agency 
action on the IAD to an applicant who avails himself or herself of the 
opportunity to appeal an IAD and who has a credible claim to eligibility 
for a BSAI TLAS yellowfin sole endorsement.
    (15) BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement--(i) General. In 
addition to other requirements of this part, a catcher/processor must be 
designated on a groundfish LLP license that has a BSAI Pacific cod trawl 
mothership endorsement in order to receive and process Pacific cod 
harvested and delivered by a catcher vessel directed fishing in the BSAI 
non-CDQ Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel fishery as specified in Sec. 
679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A). A catcher/processor designated on a groundfish LLP 
license with Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands area, catcher/processor 
operation, and BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsements may 
operate as a mothership, as defined at Sec. 679.2, to receive and 
process Pacific cod harvested by a catcher vessel directed fishing in 
the BSAI non-CDQ Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel fishery as specified 
in Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A).
    (ii) Eligibility requirements for a BSAI Pacific cod trawl 
mothership endorsement. A groundfish LLP license is eligible to receive 
a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement if the groundfish LLP 
license:
    (A) Has Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands area and catcher/processor 
operation endorsements;
    (B) Had a catcher/processor designated on it that received and 
processed at least one legal mothership trip target of Pacific cod 
delivered from a catcher vessel directed fishing in the BSAI non-CDQ 
Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel fishery as specified in Sec. 
679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A) in each of the three years of the qualifying period 
of 2015 through 2017, inclusive, where a

[[Page 586]]

mothership trip target is, in the aggregate, the groundfish species that 
is delivered by a catcher vessel to a given catcher/processor acting as 
a mothership in an amount greater than the retained amount of any other 
groundfish species delivered by the same catcher vessel to the same 
catcher/processor for a given week; and
    (C) Is credited by NMFS with receiving a legal mothership trip 
target specified in paragraph (k)(15)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (iii) Explanations for BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership 
endorsement. (A) NMFS will determine whether a groundfish LLP license is 
eligible to receive a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement 
under paragraph (k)(15)(ii) of this section based only on information 
contained in the official record described in paragraph (k)(15)(iv) of 
this section.
    (B) NMFS will credit a groundfish LLP license with receipt of a 
legal mothership trip target specified in paragraph (k)(15)(ii)(B) of 
this section if that groundfish LLP license was the only groundfish LLP 
license on which the catcher/processor that received and processed legal 
mothership trip targets was designated from 2015 through 2017.
    (C) Mothership trip targets will be determined based on round weight 
equivalents.
    (iv) Official record of participation in the BSAI non-CDQ Pacific 
cod trawl catcher vessel fishery. (A) The official record will contain 
all information used by the Regional Administrator that is necessary to 
administer the requirements described in paragraph (k)(15) of this 
section.
    (B) The official record is presumed to be correct. A groundfish LLP 
license holder has the burden to prove otherwise.
    (C) Only legal landings as defined in Sec. 679.2 and documented on 
NMFS production reports will be used to determine legal mothership trip 
targets under paragraph (k)(15)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (v) Process for issuing BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership 
endorsements. (A) NMFS will issue to the holder of each groundfish LLP 
license with Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands area and catcher/processor 
operation endorsements, and specified in Column A of Table 57 of this 
part, a notice of eligibility to receive a BSAI Pacific cod trawl 
mothership endorsement and a revised groundfish LLP license with a BSAI 
Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement.
    (B) NMFS will issue to the holder of a groundfish LLP license with 
Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands area and catcher/processor operation 
endorsements, and that is not listed in Table 57 of this part, a notice 
informing that holder that the groundfish LLP license is not eligible to 
be credited with at least one legal mothership trip target of Pacific 
cod in the BSAI non-CDQ Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel fishery for 
each year during the qualifying period or receive a BSAI Pacific cod 
trawl mothership endorsement based on the official record, using the 
address on record at the time the notice is sent. The notice specified 
in this paragraph (k)(15)(v)(B) will inform the holder of the groundfish 
LLP license of the timing and process through which the holder can 
provide additional information or evidence to amend or challenge the 
information in the official record of this section, as specified in 
paragraphs (k)(15)(v)(C) and (D) of this section.
    (C) The Regional Administrator will specify by notice a 30-day 
evidentiary period during which an applicant may provide additional 
information or evidence to amend or challenge the information in the 
official record. A person will be limited to one 30-day evidentiary 
period. Additional information or evidence received after the 30-day 
evidentiary period specified in the letter has expired will not be 
considered for purposes of the initial administrative determination 
(IAD).
    (D) The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the 
applicant following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period, if 
the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the person fails to support the person's claims and is 
insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official record is 
correct, or if the additional information, evidence, or revised 
application is not provided within the time period specified in the 
letter that notifies the

[[Page 587]]

applicant of his or her 30-day evidentiary period. The IAD will indicate 
the deficiencies with the information or evidence submitted. The IAD 
will also indicate which claims cannot be approved based on the 
available information or evidence. A person who receives an IAD may 
appeal pursuant to 15 CFR part 906. NMFS will issue a non-transferable 
interim license that is effective until final agency action on the IAD 
to an applicant who avails himself or herself of the opportunity to 
appeal an IAD and who has a credible claim to eligibility for a BSAI 
Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement.
    (16) PCTC Program. In addition to other requirements of this part, 
an LLP license holder must have PCTC Program QS assigned to their 
groundfish LLP license to join a PCTC Program cooperative to harvest 
Pacific cod.
    (l) AFA permits--(1) General--(i) Applicability. In addition to any 
other permit and licensing requirements set out in this part, any vessel 
used to engage in directed fishing for a non-CDQ allocation of pollock 
in the BS and any shoreside processor, stationary floating processor, or 
mothership that receives pollock harvested in a non-CDQ directed pollock 
fishery in the BS must have a valid AFA permit onboard the vessel or at 
the facility location at all times while non-CDQ pollock is being 
harvested or processed. In addition, the owner of any vessel that is a 
member of a pollock cooperative in the BS must also have a valid AFA 
permit for every vessel that is a member of the cooperative, regardless 
of whether or not the vessel actually engages in directed fishing for 
pollock in the BS. Finally, an AFA permit does not exempt a vessel 
operator, vessel, or processor from any other applicable permit or 
licensing requirement required under this part or in other state or 
Federal regulations.
    (ii) Duration--(A) Expiration of interim AFA permits. All interim 
AFA vessel and processor permits issued prior to January 1, 2002, will 
expire on December 31, 2002, unless extended or re-issued by NMFS.
    (B) Duration of final AFA permits. (1) Except as provided in 
paragraphs (l)(1)(ii)(B)(2), (l)(1)(ii)(B)(3), (l)(5)(v)(B)(3), and 
(l)(6)(iii) of this section, AFA vessel and processor permits issued 
under this paragraph (l) are valid indefinitely unless the permit is 
suspended or revoked.
    (2) An AFA vessel permit is revoked when the vessel designated on 
the permit is replaced or removed under paragraph (l)(7) of this 
section.
    (3) In the event of a total loss or constructive loss of an AFA 
vessel,
    (i) The AFA vessel permit that designates the lost AFA vessel will 
be valid from the date of the vessel loss up to 5 years from December 31 
of the year in which the vessel was lost and will be suspended after 
that date, unless the AFA vessel permit for the lost vessel was revoked 
before that date because the lost vessel was replaced or removed under 
paragraph (l)(7) of this section. For example, if a vessel sinks on 
February 15, 2016, the AFA permit on the vessel will be valid until 
December 31, 2021, unless the owner of the vessel replaces or removes 
the vessel before December 31, 2021; after December 31, 2021, the AFA 
permit on the lost vessel will be suspended until the AFA vessel owner 
replaces or removes the lost vessel;
    (ii) The owner of the lost AFA vessel must notify NMFS in writing of 
the vessel loss within 120 days of the date of the total loss or 
constructive loss of the vessel;
    (iii) For purposes of paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(B)(3) of this section, an 
AFA lost vessel is a vessel that has been subject to a total loss or a 
constructive loss; a total loss means that the vessel is physically lost 
such as from sinking or a fire; a constructive loss means that the 
vessel suffered damage so that the cost of repairing the vessel exceeded 
the value of the vessel; the date of the total loss of a vessel is the 
date on which the physical loss occurred; the date of the constructive 
loss of a vessel is the date on which the damage to the vessel occurred.
    (C) Surrender of AFA permits. Except for AFA inshore processor 
permits, AFA permits may not be surrendered.
    (iii) Application for permit. NMFS will issue AFA vessel and 
processor permits to the current owner(s) of a qualifying vessel or 
processor if the owner(s) submits to the Regional Administrator a

[[Page 588]]

completed AFA permit application that is subsequently approved.
    (iv) Amended permits. AFA vessel and processor permits may not be 
used on or transferred to any vessel or processor that is not listed on 
the permit. However, AFA permits may be amended by NMFS to reflect any 
change in the ownership of the vessel or processor after submittal of 
this information to NMFS in a written letter.
    (2) AFA catcher/processor permits--(i) Listed AFA catcher/
processors. NMFS will issue to an owner of a catcher/processor a listed 
AFA catcher/processor permit if the catcher/processor is one of the 
following (as listed in AFA paragraphs 208(e)(1) through (20)):
    (A) AMERICAN DYNASTY (USCG documentation number 951307);
    (B) KATIE ANN (USCG documentation number 518441);
    (C) AMERICAN TRIUMPH (USCG documentation number 646737);
    (D) NORTHERN EAGLE (USCG documentation number 506694);
    (E) NORTHERN HAWK (USCG documentation number 643771);
    (F) NORTHERN JAEGER (USCG documentation number 521069);
    (G) OCEAN ROVER (USCG documentation number 552100);
    (H) ALASKA OCEAN (USCG documentation number 637856);
    (I) ENDURANCE (USCG documentation number 592206);
    (J) AMERICAN ENTERPRISE (USCG documentation number 594803);
    (K) ISLAND ENTERPRISE (USCG documentation number 610290);
    (L) KODIAK ENTERPRISE (USCG documentation number 579450);
    (M) SEATTLE ENTERPRISE (USCG documentation number 904767);
    (N) US ENTERPRISE (USCG documentation number 921112);
    (O) ARCTIC STORM (USCG documentation number 903511);
    (P) ARCTIC FJORD (USCG documentation number 940866);
    (Q) NORTHERN GLACIER (USCG documentation number 663457);
    (R) PACIFIC GLACIER (USCG documentation number 933627);
    (S) HIGHLAND LIGHT (USCG documentation number 577044);
    (T) STARBOUND (USCG documentation number 944658).
    (ii) Unlisted AFA catcher/processors. NMFS will issue to an owner of 
a catcher/processor an unlisted AFA catcher/processor permit if the 
catcher/processor is not listed in Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(i) and is 
determined by the Regional Administrator to have harvested more than 
2,000 mt of pollock in the 1997 BSAI directed pollock fishery.
    (iii) AFA replacement vessels. (A) NMFS will issue a listed AFA 
catcher/processor permit to the owner of a catcher/processor that is a 
replacement vessel for a vessel that was designated on a listed AFA 
catcher/processor permit.
    (B) NMFS will issue an unlisted AFA catcher/processor permit to the 
owner of a catcher/processor that is a replacement vessel for a vessel 
that was designated on an unlisted AFA catcher/processor permit.
    (iv) Application for AFA catcher/processor permit. A completed 
application for an AFA catcher/processor permit must contain:
    (A) Vessel information. The vessel name, ADF&G registration number, 
USCG documentation number, vessel telephone number (if any), gross tons, 
shaft horsepower, and registered length (in feet);
    (B) Ownership information. The managing owner name(s), tax ID 
number(s), signature(s), business mailing address(es), business 
telephone number(s), business fax number(s), business e-mail 
address(es), and managing company (if any);
    (3) AFA catcher vessel permits. NMFS will issue to an owner of a 
catcher vessel an AFA catcher vessel permit containing sector 
endorsements and sideboard restrictions upon receipt and approval of a 
completed application for an AFA catcher vessel permit.
    (i) Qualifying criteria--(A) Catcher vessels delivering to catcher/
processors. NMFS will endorse an AFA catcher vessel permit to authorize 
directed fishing for pollock for delivery to a catcher/processor if the 
catcher vessel:
    (1) Is one of the following (as listed in paragraphs 208(b)(1) 
through (7) of the AFA):

    AMERICAN CHALLENGER (USCG documentation number 633219);
    FORUM STAR (USCG documentation number 925863);

[[Page 589]]

    MUIR MILACH (USCG documentation number 611524);
    NEAHKAHNIE (USCG documentation number 599534);
    OCEAN HARVESTER (USCG documentation number 549892);
    SEA STORM (USCG documentation number 628959);
    TRACY ANNE (USCG documentation number 904859); or

    (2) Is not listed in paragraph (l)(3)(i)(A)(1) of this section and 
is determined by the Regional Administrator to have delivered at least 
250 mt and at least 75 percent of the pollock it harvested in the 
directed BSAI pollock fishery in 1997 to catcher/processors for 
processing by the offshore component; or
    (3) Is an AFA replacement vessel for a vessel that was designated on 
an AFA catcher vessel permit with a catcher/processor endorsement.
    (B) Catcher vessels delivering to AFA motherships. NMFS will endorse 
an AFA catcher vessel permit to authorize directed fishing for pollock 
for delivery to an AFA mothership if the catcher vessel:
    (1) Is one of the following (as listed in paragraphs 208(c)(1) 
through (20) and in subsection 211(e) of the AFA):
    (i) ALEUTIAN CHALLENGER (USCG documentation number 603820);
    (ii) ALYESKA (USCG documentation number 560237);
    (iii) AMBER DAWN (USCG documentation number 529425);
    (iv) AMERICAN BEAUTY (USCG documentation number 613847);
    (v) CALIFORNIA HORIZON (USCG documentation number 590758);
    (vi) MAR-GUN (USCG documentation number 525608);
    (vii) MARGARET LYN (USCG documentation number 615563);
    (viii) MARK I (USCG documentation number 509552);
    (ix) MISTY DAWN (USCG documentation number 926647);
    (x) NORDIC FURY (USCG documentation number 542651);
    (xi) OCEAN LEADER (USCG documentation number 561518);
    (xii) OCEANIC (USCG documentation number 602279);
    (xiii) PACIFIC ALLIANCE (USCG documentation number 612084);
    (xiv) PACIFIC CHALLENGER (USCG documentation number 518937);
    (xv) PACIFIC FURY (USCG documentation number 561934);
    (xvi) PAPADO II (USCG documentation number 536161);
    (xvii) TRAVELER (USCG documentation number 929356);
    (xviii) VESTERAALEN (USCG documentation number 611642);
    (xix) WESTERN DAWN (USCG documentation number 524423);
    (xx) LISA MARIE (USCG documentation number 1038717); or
    (2) Is not listed in paragraph (l)(3)(i)(B)(1) of this section and 
is determined by the Regional Administrator to have delivered at least 
250 mt of pollock for processing by motherships in the offshore 
component of the BSAI directed pollock fishery in any one of the years 
1996 or 1997, or between January 1, 1998, and September 1, 1998, and is 
not eligible for an endorsement to deliver pollock to catcher/processors 
under paragraph (l)(3)(i)(A) of this section; or
    (3) Is an AFA replacement vessel for a vessel that was designated on 
an AFA catcher vessel permit with a mothership endorsement.
    (C) Catcher vessels delivering to AFA inshore processors. NMFS will 
endorse an AFA catcher vessel permit to authorize directed fishing for 
pollock for delivery to an AFA inshore processor if the catcher vessel 
is:
    (1) One of the following vessels authorized by statute to engage in 
directed fishing for inshore sector pollock:

    HAZEL LORRAINE (USCG documentation number 592211),
    LISA MARIE (USCG documentation number 1038717),
    PROVIDIAN (USCG documentation number 1062183); or

    (2) Is not listed in Sec. 679.4(l)(3)(i)(A), and:
    (i) Is determined by the Regional Administrator to have delivered at 
least 250 mt of pollock harvested in the directed BSAI pollock fishery 
for processing by the inshore component in any one of the years 1996 or 
1997, or between January 1, 1998, and September 1, 1998; or
    (ii) Is less than 60 ft (18.1 meters) LOA and is determined by the 
Regional Administrator to have delivered at least

[[Page 590]]

40 mt of pollock harvested in the directed BSAI pollock fishery for 
processing by the inshore component in any one of the years 1996 or 
1997, or between January 1, 1998, and September 1, 1998; or
    (3) Is an AFA replacement vessel for a vessel that was designated on 
an AFA catcher vessel permit with an inshore endorsement.
    (ii) Application for AFA catcher vessel permit. A completed 
application for an AFA catcher vessel permit must contain:
    (A) Vessel information. The vessel name, ADF&G registration number, 
USCG documentation number, vessel telephone number (if any), gross tons, 
shaft horsepower, and registered length (in feet);
    (B) Ownership information. The managing owner name(s), tax ID 
number(s), signature(s), business mailing address(es), business 
telephone number(s), business fax number(s), business e-mail 
address(es), and managing company (if any);
    (C) Vessel AFA qualification information. The AFA catcher vessel 
permit sector endorsement(s) requested.
    (D) [Reserved]
    (E) Vessel exemptions from AFA catcher vessel groundfish sideboard 
directed fishing closures. An AFA catcher vessel permit may contain 
exemptions from certain groundfish sideboard directed fishing closures. 
If a vessel owner is requesting such an exemption, the application must 
provide supporting documentation that the catcher vessel qualifies for 
the exemption based on the following criteria. The Regional 
Administrator will review the vessel's catch history according to the 
following criteria:
    (1) BSAI Pacific cod. For a catcher vessel to qualify for an 
exemption from AFA catcher vessel sideboards in the BSAI Pacific cod 
fishery, the catcher vessel must: Be less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA, have 
landed a combined total of less than 5,100 mt of BSAI pollock in the 
BSAI directed pollock fishery from 1995 through 1997, and have made 30 
or more legal landings of Pacific cod in the BSAI directed fishery for 
Pacific cod from 1995 through 1997.
    (2) GOA groundfish species. For a catcher vessel to qualify for an 
exemption from AFA catcher vessel sideboards in the GOA groundfish 
fisheries, the catcher vessel must: Be less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA, 
have landed a combined total of less than 5,100 mt of BSAI pollock in 
the BSAI directed pollock fishery from 1995 through 1997, and made 40 or 
more legal landings of GOA groundfish in a directed fishery for GOA 
groundfish from 1995 through 1997.
    (3) AFA replacement vessel for a catcher vessel that qualified for 
an exemption. A catcher vessel that is a replacement vessel for a vessel 
that was designated on an AFA catcher vessel permit with an exemption 
from a groundfish sideboard directed fishing closure will receive an AFA 
catcher vessel permit with the same exemption as the replaced vessel.
    (4) AFA mothership permits. (i) NMFS will issue to an owner of a 
mothership an AFA mothership permit if the mothership:
    (A) Is one of the following (as listed in paragraphs 208(d)(1) 
through (3) of the AFA):
    EXCELLENCE (USCG documentation number 967502);
    GOLDEN ALASKA (USCG documentation number 651041); and
    OCEAN PHOENIX (USCG documentation number 296779); or
    (B) Is an AFA replacement vessel for a vessel that was designated on 
an AFA mothership permit.
    (ii) Application for AFA mothership permit. A completed application 
for an AFA mothership permit must contain:
    (A) Type of permit requested. Type of processor and whether 
requesting an AFA cooperative endorsement.
    (B) Vessel information. The mothership name, ADF&G processor code, 
USCG documentation number, Federal fisheries permit number, gross tons, 
shaft horsepower, and registered length (in feet).
    (C) Ownership information. The managing owner name(s), tax ID 
number(s), signature(s), business mailing address(es), business 
telephone number(s), business fax number(s), business e-mail 
address(es), and managing company (if any);
    (5) AFA inshore processor permits. NMFS will issue to an owner of a 
shoreside processor or stationary floating processor an AFA inshore 
processor

[[Page 591]]

permit upon receipt and approval of a completed application.
    (i) Qualifying criteria--(A) Unrestricted processors. NMFS will 
issue an unrestricted AFA inshore processor permit to a shoreside 
processor or stationary floating processor if the Regional Administrator 
determines that the processor facility processed annually more than 
2,000 mt round-weight of pollock harvested in the inshore component of 
the directed BSAI pollock fishery during each of 1996 and 1997.
    (B) Restricted processors. NMFS will issue a restricted AFA inshore 
processor permit to a shoreside processor or stationary floating 
processor if the Regional Administrator determines that the facility 
processed pollock harvested in the inshore component of the directed 
BSAI pollock fishery during 1996 or 1997, but did not process annually 
more than 2,000 mt round-weight of BSAI pollock during each of 1996 and 
1997.
    (ii) Surrender of permit. An AFA inshore processor permit may be 
voluntarily surrendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(9) of this 
section. An AFA inshore processor permit will not be reissued in the 
same fishing year in which it was surrendered, but may be reapplied for 
and if approved, reissued to the permit holder of record in a subsequent 
fishing year.
    (iii) Single geographic location requirement. An AFA inshore 
processor permit authorizes the processing of pollock harvested in the 
BS subarea directed pollock fishery only in a single geographic location 
during a reporting week. For the purposes of this paragraph, single 
geographic location means:
    (A) Shoreside processors. The physical location at which the land-
based shoreside processor first processed pollock harvested from the BS 
subarea directed pollock fishery during a fishing year.
    (B) Stationary floating processors (SFP). A geographic position 
within State of Alaska waters of the BS subarea and that is within a 5 
nm radius of the latitude and longitude reported in the check-in and 
check-out reports at Sec. 679.5(h)(5)(ix)(B). An AFA SFP cannot change 
its single geographic location more than four times within State of 
Alaska waters in the BS subarea to process pollock harvested in a BS 
subarea directed pollock fishery during a fishing year and cannot use 
more than one single geographic location during a reporting week.
    (iv) Application for permit. A completed application for an AFA 
inshore processor permit must contain:
    (A) Type of permit requested. Type of processor, whether requesting 
an AFA cooperative endorsement, and amount of BSAI pollock processed in 
1996 and 1997;
    (B) Stationary floating processor information. The vessel name, 
ADF&G processor code, USCG documentation number, Federal processor 
permit number, gross tons, shaft horsepower, registered length (in 
feet), and business telephone number, business FAX number, and business 
e-mail address used on board the vessel.
    (C) Shoreside processor information. The processor name, Federal 
processor permit number, ADF&G processor code, business street address; 
business telephone and FAX numbers, and business e-mail address.
    (D) Ownership information. The managing owner name(s), tax ID 
number(s), signature(s), business mailing address(es), business 
telephone number(s), business fax number(s), business e-mail 
address(es), and managing company (if any);
    (v) Authorization of new AFA inshore processors. If the Council 
recommends and NMFS approves a combined BSAI pollock TAC that exceeds 
1,274,900 mt for any fishing year, or in the event of the actual total 
loss or constructive loss of an existing AFA inshore processor, the 
Council may recommend that an additional inshore processor (or 
processors) be issued AFA inshore processing permits.
    (A) Timing of Council action. At any time prior to or during a 
fishing year in which the combined BSAI pollock TAC exceeds 1,274,900 
mt, or at any time after the actual total loss or constructive total 
loss of an existing AFA inshore processor, the Council may, after 
opportunity for public comment, recommend that an additional inshore 
processor (or processors) be issued AFA inshore processor permits.
    (B) Required elements in Council recommendation. Any recommendation

[[Page 592]]

from the Council to add an additional inshore processor (or processors) 
must include the following information:
    (1) Identification of inshore processor(s). The Council 
recommendation must identify by name the inshore processor(s) to which 
AFA inshore processor permits would be issued;
    (2) Type of AFA inshore processor permit(s). The Council 
recommendation must specify whether the identified inshore processor(s) 
should be issued a restricted or unrestricted AFA inshore processor 
permit.
    (3) Duration of permit. The Council recommendation must specify the 
recommended duration of the permit. Permit duration may be for any 
duration from a single fishing season to the duration of section 208 of 
the AFA. Alternatively, the Council may recommend that the permit be 
valid as long as the conditions that led to the permit remain in effect. 
For example, the Council could recommend that a permit issued under this 
paragraph remain valid as long as the combined annual BSAI pollock TAC 
remains above 1,274,900 mt. or a lost AFA inshore processor is not 
reconstructed.
    (4) Council procedures. The Council may establish additional 
procedures for the review and approval of requests to authorize 
additional AFA inshore processors. However, such procedures must be 
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the national standards, and 
other applicable law.
    (5) Action by NMFS. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the 
Council to authorize additional AFA inshore processors, NMFS may issue 
an AFA inshore processor permit to the identified inshore processor(s) 
of the type and duration recommended by the Council, provided the 
Council has met the requirements identified in paragraphs 
(l)(5)(v)(B)(1) through (4) of this section, and the owner(s) of the 
identified inshore processor has submitted a completed application for 
an AFA inshore processor permit that is subsequently approved.
    (6) Inshore cooperative fishing permits--(i) General. NMFS will 
issue to an inshore catcher vessel cooperative formed pursuant to 15 
U.S.C. 521 for the purpose of cooperatively managing directed fishing 
for pollock for processing by an AFA inshore processor an AFA inshore 
cooperative fishing permit upon receipt and approval of a completed 
application.
    (ii) Application for permit. A completed application for an inshore 
cooperative fishing permit must contain the following information:
    (A) Cooperative contact information. Name of cooperative; name of 
cooperative representative; and business mailing address, business 
telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address of 
the cooperative;
    (B) Designated cooperative processor. The name and physical location 
of an AFA inshore processor that is designated in the cooperative 
contract as the processor to whom the cooperative has agreed to deliver 
at least 90 percent of its BS pollock catch;
    (C) Cooperative contract information. A copy of the cooperative 
contract and a written certification that:
    (1) The contract was signed by the owners of at least 80 percent of 
the qualified catcher vessels;
    (2) The cooperative contract requires that the cooperative deliver 
at least 90 percent of its BS pollock catch to its designated AFA 
processor; and
    (3) Each catcher vessel in the cooperative is a qualified catcher 
vessel and is otherwise eligible to fish for groundfish in the BSAI, 
except that a lost vessel that retains an AFA permit pursuant to 
paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(B)(3) of this section need not be designated on a 
Federal Fisheries Permit or an LLP license; has an AFA catcher vessel 
permit with an inshore endorsement; and has no permit sanctions or other 
type of sanctions against it that would prevent it from fishing for 
groundfish in the BSAI.
    (D) Qualified catcher vessels. For the purpose of paragraph 
(l)(6)(ii)(C)(3) of this section, a catcher vessel is a qualified 
catcher vessel if the catcher vessel meets the permit and landing 
requirements in paragraphs (l)(6)(ii)(D)(1) and (l)(6)(ii)(D)(2) of this 
section; the catcher vessel is an AFA replacement catcher vessel that 
meets the requirements in paragraph (l)(6)(ii)(D)(3) of this section; or 
the catcher vessel is an AFA lost catcher vessel that meets the 
requirements in paragraph (l)(6)(ii)(D)(4) of this section.

[[Page 593]]

    (1) Permit requirements--(i) AFA permit. The vessel must have a 
valid AFA catcher vessel permit with an inshore endorsement;
    (ii) LLP permit. The vessel must be named on a valid LLP permit 
authorizing the vessel to engage in trawling for pollock in the Bering 
Sea subarea. If the vessel is more than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA, the vessel 
must be named on a valid LLP permit endorsed for the AI to engage in 
trawling for pollock in the AI; and
    (iii) Permit sanctions. The vessel has no permit sanctions that 
otherwise make it ineligible to engage in fishing for pollock in the 
BSAI.
    (2) Landing requirements--(i) Active vessels. The vessel delivered 
more pollock harvested in the BS inshore directed pollock fishery to the 
AFA inshore processor designated under paragraph (l)(6)(ii)(B) of this 
section than to any other shoreside processor or stationary floating 
processor during the year prior to the year in which the cooperative 
fishing permit will be in effect; or
    (ii) Inactive vessels. The vessel delivered more pollock harvested 
in the BS inshore directed pollock fishery to the AFA inshore processor 
designated under paragraph (l)(6)(ii)(B) of this section than to any 
other shoreside processor or stationary floating processor during the 
last year in which the vessel delivered BS pollock harvested in the BS 
directed pollock fishery to an AFA inshore processor.
    (iii) Harvests under contract to a cooperative. Any landings made by 
a vessel operating under contract to an inshore cooperative in which it 
was not a member will not be used to determine eligibility under 
paragraph (l)(6)(ii)(D)(2).
    (3) AFA replacement catcher vessels. The vessel is an AFA 
replacement vessel for a catcher vessel that met the permit and landing 
requirements in paragraphs (l)(6)(ii)(D)(1) and (l)(6)(ii)(D)(2) of this 
section;
    (4) AFA lost catcher vessels. In the event of a total loss or 
constructive loss of an AFA catcher vessel with an inshore endorsement, 
the owner of the lost vessel has an AFA catcher vessel permit with an 
inshore endorsement for the lost vessel that is valid pursuant to 
paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(B)(3) of this section, and the inshore cooperative 
shows:
    (i) The vessel was lost during a year when the vessel was designated 
on an AFA inshore cooperative fishing permit issued to the cooperative 
submitting the application; or
    (ii) The vessel was lost during a year when the vessel was not 
designated on any AFA inshore cooperative fishing permit and when the 
vessel delivered more pollock to the AFA inshore processor designated by 
the inshore cooperative under paragraph (l)(6)(ii)(B) of this section 
than to any other processor; or
    (iii) The vessel was lost during a year when the vessel was not 
designated on any AFA inshore cooperative fishing permit and when the 
vessel had made no deliveries of pollock and the owner of the lost 
vessel has assigned the catch history of the lost vessel to the inshore 
cooperative that submits the application.
    (E) Business review letter. A copy of a letter from a party to the 
contract requesting a business review letter on the fishery cooperative 
from the Department of Justice and of any response to such request;
    (F) Vessel information. For each cooperative catcher vessel member: 
Vessel name, ADF&G registration number, USCG documentation number, AFA 
permit number; and
    (G) Certification of notary and applicant. Signature and printed 
name of cooperative representative, date of signature, and notary stamp 
or seal, signature and date commission expires of a notary public.
    (iii) Duration of cooperative fishing permits. Inshore cooperative 
fishing permits are valid for 1 calendar year.
    (iv) Addition or subtraction of vessels. The cooperative 
representative must submit a new application to add or subtract a 
catcher vessel to or from an inshore cooperative fishing permit to the 
Regional Administrator prior to the application deadline. Upon approval 
by the Regional Administrator, NMFS will issue an amended cooperative 
fishing permit.
    (v) Application deadline. An inshore cooperative fishing permit 
application and any subsequent contract amendments that add or subtract 
vessels

[[Page 594]]

must be received by the Regional Administrator by December 1 prior to 
the year in which the inshore cooperative fishing permit will be in 
effect. Inshore cooperative fishing permit applications or amendments to 
inshore fishing cooperative permits received after December 1 will not 
be accepted by the Regional Administrator for the subsequent fishing 
year.
    (7) AFA rebuilt vessels, AFA replacement vessels, and removal of 
inshore AFA catcher vessels--(i) AFA rebuilt vessels. (A) To improve 
vessel safety or to improve operational efficiency, including fuel 
efficiency, the owner of an AFA vessel may rebuild the vessel. If the 
owner of an AFA vessel rebuilds the vessel, the owner must notify NMFS 
within 30 days of the issuance of the vessel documentation for the AFA 
rebuilt vessel and must provide NMFS with a copy of the vessel 
documentation for the rebuilt vessel. If the owner of the AFA rebuilt 
vessel provides NMFS with information demonstrating that the AFA rebuilt 
vessel is documented with a fishery endorsement issued under 46 U.S.C. 
12113, NMFS will acknowledge receipt of the notification and inform the 
owner that the AFA permit issued to the vessel before rebuilding is 
valid and can be used on the AFA rebuilt vessel.
    (B) Except as provided in paragraph (l)(7)(i)(C) and paragraph 
(l)(7)(i)(D) of this section, the owner of an AFA rebuilt vessel will be 
subject to the same requirements that applied to the vessel before 
rebuilding and will be eligible to use the AFA rebuilt vessel in the 
same manner as the vessel before rebuilding.
    (C) An AFA rebuilt vessel is exempt from the maximum length overall 
(MLOA) restriction on an LLP groundfish license with a Bering Sea area 
endorsement or an Aleutian Islands area endorsement when the AFA rebuilt 
vessel is conducting directed fishing for groundfish in the BSAI 
pursuant to that LLP groundfish license and the LLP groundfish license 
specifies the exemption.
    (D) If an AFA rebuilt catcher vessel is equal to or greater than 125 
ft (38.1 m) LOA, the AFA rebuilt catcher vessel will be subject to the 
catcher vessel exclusive fishing seasons for pollock in 50 CFR 679.23(i) 
and will not be exempt from 50 CFR 679.23(i) even if the vessel before 
rebuilding was less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA and was exempt from 50 CFR 
679.23(i).
    (ii) AFA replacement vessels. (A) To improve vessel safety or to 
improve operational efficiency, including fuel efficiency, the owner of 
an AFA vessel may replace the AFA vessel with a vessel that is 
documented with a fishery endorsement issued under 46 U.S.C. 12113.
    (B) Upon approval of an application to replace an AFA vessel 
pursuant to paragraph (l)(7) of this section and except as provided in 
paragraph (l)(7)(ii)(C), paragraph (l)(7)(ii)(D), and paragraph 
(l)(7)(E) of this section, the owner of an AFA replacement vessel will 
be subject to the same requirements that applied to the replaced vessel 
and will be eligible to use the AFA replacement vessel in the same 
manner as the replaced vessel. If the AFA replacement vessel is not 
already designated on an AFA permit, the Regional Administrator will 
issue an AFA permit to the owner of the AFA replacement vessel. The AFA 
permit that designated the replaced, or former, AFA vessel will be 
revoked.
    (C) An AFA replacement vessel is exempt from the maximum length 
overall (MLOA) restriction on an LLP groundfish license with a Bering 
Sea area endorsement or an Aleutian Islands area endorsement when the 
AFA replacement vessel is conducting directed fishing for groundfish in 
the BSAI pursuant to that LLP groundfish license and the LLP groundfish 
license specifies an exemption from the MLOA restriction for the AFA 
replacement vessel.
    (D) If an AFA replacement catcher vessel is equal to or greater than 
125 ft (38.1 m) LOA, the AFA replacement catcher vessel will be subject 
to the catcher vessel exclusive fishing seasons for pollock in 50 CFR 
679.23(i) and will not be exempt from 50 CFR 679.23(i), even if the 
replaced vessel was less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA and was exempt from 50 
CFR 679.23(i).
    (E) An AFA replacement catcher vessel for an AFA catcher vessel will 
have the same sideboard exemptions, if any,

[[Page 595]]

as the replaced AFA catcher vessel, except that if the AFA replacement 
vessel was already designated on an AFA permit as exempt from sideboard 
limits, the AFA replacement vessel will maintain its exemption even if 
the replaced vessel was not exempt from sideboard limits.
    (iii) Removal of AFA catcher vessel from the directed pollock 
fishery. (A) The owner of a catcher vessel that is designated on an AFA 
catcher vessel permit with an inshore endorsement may remove the catcher 
vessel from the directed pollock fishery, subject to the requirements in 
paragraphs (B), (C), and (D) of this paragraph (l)(7)(iii).
    (B) The owner of the removed catcher vessel must direct NMFS to 
assign the non-CDQ inshore pollock catch history in the BSAI of the 
removed vessel to one or more catcher vessels in the inshore fishery 
cooperative to which the removed vessel belonged at the time of the 
application for removal.
    (C) Except for the assignment of the pollock catch history of the 
removed catcher vessel in paragraph (l)(7)(iii)(B) of this section, all 
claims relating to the catch history of the removed catcher vessel in 
the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska, including any claims to an 
exemption from AFA sideboard limitations, will be permanently 
extinguished upon NMFS' approval of the application to remove the 
catcher vessel and the AFA permit that was held by the owner of the 
removed catcher vessel will be revoked.
    (D) The catcher vessel or vessels that are assigned the catch 
history of the removed catcher vessel cannot be removed from the fishery 
cooperative to which the removed catcher vessel belonged for a period of 
one year from the date that NMFS assigned the catch history of the 
removed catcher vessel to that vessel or vessels.
    (iv) Replaced vessels and removed vessels. An AFA vessel that is 
replaced or removed under paragraph (l)(7) of this section is 
permanently ineligible to receive any permit to participate in any 
fishery in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska unless the replaced or 
removed vessel reenters the directed pollock fishery as a replacement 
vessel under paragraph (l)(7) of this section.
    (v) Application. To notify NMFS that the owner of an AFA vessel has 
rebuilt the AFA vessel, the owner of the AFA vessel must submit a 
complete application. To replace an AFA vessel with another vessel, NMFS 
must receive a complete application from the owner of the vessel that is 
being replaced. To remove an AFA catcher vessel from the directed 
pollock fishery, NMFS must receive a complete application from the owner 
of the vessel that is to be removed. An application must contain the 
information specified on the application form, with all required fields 
accurately completed and all required documentation attached. The 
application must be submitted to NMFS using the methods described on the 
application. The application referred to in this paragraph is ``American 
Fisheries Act (AFA) Permit: Rebuilt, Replacement, or Removed Vessel 
Application.''
    (8) Application evaluations and appeals--(i) Initial evaluation. The 
Regional Administrator will evaluate an application submitted in accord 
with paragraph (l) of this section. If the Regional Administrator 
determines that the applicant meets the requirements for NMFS to take 
the action requested on the application, NMFS will approve the 
application. If the Regional Administrator determines that the applicant 
has submitted claims based on inconsistent information or fails to 
submit the information specified in the application, the applicant will 
be provided a single 30-day evidentiary period to submit evidence to 
establish that the applicant meets the requirements for NMFS to take the 
requested action. The burden is on the applicant to establish that the 
applicant meets the criteria in the regulation for NMFS to take the 
action requested by the applicant.
    (ii) Additional information and evidence. The Regional Administrator 
will evaluate the additional information or evidence submitted by the 
applicant within the 30-day evidentiary period. If the Regional 
Administrator determines that the additional information or evidence 
meets the applicant's burden of proof, the application will be approved. 
However, if the Regional Administrator determines that the applicant did 
not meet the applicant's burden of

[[Page 596]]

proof, the applicant will be notified by an initial administrative 
determination (IAD) that the application is denied.
    (iii) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant following 
the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by 
the applicant fails to support the applicant's claims and is 
insufficient to establish that the applicant meets the requirements for 
an AFA permit or for NMFS to approve the withdrawal of a catcher vessel, 
or if the additional information, evidence, or revised application is 
not provided within the time period specified in the letter that 
notifies the applicant of the applicant's 30-day evidentiary period. The 
IAD will indicate the deficiencies in the application, including any 
deficiencies with the information, the evidence submitted in support of 
the information, or the revised application. An applicant who receives 
an IAD may appeal under the appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR part 
906.
    (iv) Effect of cooperative allocation appeals. An AFA inshore 
cooperative may appeal the pollock quota share issued to the cooperative 
under Sec. 679.62; however, final agency action on the appeal must 
occur prior to December 1 for the results of the appeal to take effect 
during the subsequent fishing year.
    (m) Participation in the AI directed pollock fishery--(1) 
Applicability. Harvesting pollock in the AI directed pollock fishery and 
processing pollock taken in the AI directed pollock fishery is 
authorized only for those harvesters and processors that are selected by 
the Aleut Corporation and approved by the Regional Administrator to 
harvest pollock in the AI directed pollock fishery or to process pollock 
taken in the AI directed pollock fishery.
    (2) Annual selection of participants by the Aleut Corporation. Each 
year and at least 14 days before harvesting pollock in the AI directed 
pollock fishery or processing pollock harvested in the AI directed 
pollock fishery, a participant must be selected by the Aleut Corporation 
and the following information for each participant must be submitted by 
the designated contact to the Regional Administrator:
    (i) Vessel or processor name;
    (ii) Federal fisheries permits number issued under paragraph (b) of 
this section or Federal processor permit issued under paragraph (f) of 
this section; and
    (iii) The fishing year which participation approval is requested.
    (3) Participant approval. (i) Participants must have:
    (A) A valid Federal fisheries permit or Federal processing permit, 
pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (f) of this section, respectively;
    (B) A valid fishery endorsement on the vessel's U.S. Coast Guard 
documentation for the vessel's participation in the U. S. fishery; and
    (C) A valid AFA permit under: paragraph (l)(2) of this section for 
all catcher/processors, paragraph (l)(3) of this section for all catcher 
vessels greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA, or paragraph (l)(4) of this 
section for all motherships.
    (ii) Each participant selected by the Aleut Corporation that meets 
the conditions under paragraph (m)(3)(i) of this section will be 
approved by the Regional Administrator for participation in the AI 
directed pollock fishery.
    (iii) The Regional Administrator will provide to the designated 
contact for the Aleut Corporation the identity of each approved 
participant and the date upon which participation in the AI directed 
pollock fishery may commence. The Aleut Corporation shall forward to the 
approved participants a copy of NMFS's approval letter before harvesting 
or processing occurs.
    (iv) A copy of NMFS' approval letter for participating in the AI 
directed pollock fishery during the fishing year must be on site at the 
shoreside processor or stationary floating processor, or on board the 
vessel at all times and must be presented for inspection upon the 
request of any authorized officer.
    (4) Participant disapproval. (i) The Regional Administrator shall 
disapprove any participant that does not meet the conditions under 
paragraph (m)(3)(i) of this section. The Regional Administrator will 
notify in writing the Aleut Corporation and the selected participant of 
the disapproval. The selected participant will have 30 days in which

[[Page 597]]

to submit proof of meeting the requirements to participate in the AI 
directed pollock fishery.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an initial 
administrative determinations (IAD) to the selected participant 
following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the selected participant fails to support the participant's 
claims and is insufficient to rebut the presumption that the disapproval 
for participation in the AI directed pollock fishery is correct or if 
the additional information or evidence is not provided within the time 
period specified in the letter that notifies the applicant of his or her 
30-day evidentiary period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies in the 
information required, including the evidence submitted in support of the 
information. The IAD also will indicate which claims cannot be approved 
based on the available information or evidence. A participant who 
receives an IAD may appeal under the appeals procedures set out at Sec. 
679.43. A participant who avails himself or herself of the opportunity 
to appeal an IAD will receive an interim approval from NMFS authorizing 
participation in the AI directed pollock fishery. An interim approval 
based on claims contrary to the final determination will expire upon 
final agency determination.
    (n) Rockfish Program--(1) Cooperative quota (CQ). (i) A CQ permit is 
issued annually to a rockfish cooperative if the members of that 
rockfish cooperative have submitted a complete and timely application 
for CQ as described in Sec. 679.81(f) that is approved by the Regional 
Administrator. A CQ permit authorizes a rockfish cooperative to 
participate in the Rockfish Program. The CQ permit will indicate the 
amount of rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species that 
may be harvested by the rockfish cooperative, and the amount of rockfish 
halibut PSC that may be used by the rockfish cooperative. The CQ permit 
will list the members of the rockfish cooperative, the vessels that are 
authorized to fish under the CQ permit for that rockfish cooperative, 
and the rockfish processor with whom that rockfish cooperative is 
associated, if applicable.
    (ii) A CQ permit is valid only until the end of the calendar year 
for which the CQ permit is issued;
    (iii) A legible copy of the CQ permit must be carried on board the 
vessel(s) used by the rockfish cooperative.
    (2) Rockfish cooperative termination of fishing declaration. (i) A 
rockfish cooperative may choose to terminate its CQ permit through a 
declaration submitted to NMFS.
    (ii) This declaration may only be submitted to NMFS electronically. 
The rockfish cooperative's designated representative must log into the 
online system and create a request for termination of fishing 
declaration as indicated on the computer screen. By using the rockfish 
cooperative's NMFS ID and password, and submitting the termination of 
fishing declaration request, the designated representative certifies 
that all information is true, correct, and complete.
    (o) Amendment 80 Program--(1) Amendment 80 QS permit. (i) An 
Amendment 80 QS permit is issued to a person who submits a timely and 
complete application for Amendment 80 QS that is approved by NMFS under 
Sec. 679.90(b).
    (ii) An Amendment 80 QS permit is assigned to the owner of an 
Amendment 80 vessel that gave rise to that permit under the provisions 
of Sec. 679.90(b), or its replacement under Sec. 679.4(o)(4), unless 
the Amendment 80 QS permit is assigned to the holder of an LLP license 
originally assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel under the provisions of 
Sec. 679.90(d) or Sec. 679.90(e).
    (iii) If an Amendment 80 QS permit is assigned to the owner of an 
Amendment 80 vessel the Amendment 80 QS permit will designate the 
Amendment 80 vessel to which that permit is assigned.
    (iv) If an Amendment 80 QS permit is assigned to the holder of an 
LLP license originally assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel under the 
provisions of Sec. 679.90(d)(2)(ii) or Sec. 679.90(e)(4), the 
Amendment 80 QS permit will be permanently affixed to the LLP license 
originally assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel which will be designated 
as an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license.

[[Page 598]]

    (v) Amendment 80 QS units assigned to an Amendment 80 QS permit are 
non-severable from that Amendment 80 QS permit and if transferred, the 
Amendment 80 QS permit must be transferred in its entirety to another 
person under the provisions of Sec. 679.90(d) or Sec. 679.90(e).
    (vi) A person must hold an Amendment 80 LLP license to hold an 
Amendment 80 QS permit.
    (vii) The owner of an Amendment 80 vessel must designate the 
Amendment 80 vessel on an Amendment 80 QS permit and on an Amendment 80 
LLP license, or designate the Amendment 80 vessel on the Amendment 80 
LLP/QS license to use that Amendment 80 vessel in an Amendment 80 
fishery.
    (2) Amendment 80 Cooperative quota (CQ) permit. (i) A CQ permit is 
issued annually to an Amendment 80 cooperative that submits a timely and 
complete application for CQ that is approved by NMFS as described at 
Sec. 679.91(b)(4).
    (ii) A CQ permit authorizes an Amendment 80 cooperative to catch a 
quantity of fish expressed as a portion of the ITAC and halibut and crab 
PSC that may be held for exclusive use by that Amendment 80 cooperative.
    (iii) A CQ permit will indicate the amount of Amendment 80 species 
that may be caught by the Amendment 80 cooperative, and the amount of 
Amendment 80 crab and halibut PSC that may be used by the Amendment 80 
cooperative. The CQ permit will list the members of the Amendment 80 
cooperative, Amendment 80 LLP licenses, Amendment 80 QS permits, and 
Amendment 80 vessels that are assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative.
    (iv) The amount of CQ listed on the CQ permit will be based on:
    (A) The amount of Amendment 80 QS units held by all members of the 
Amendment 80 cooperative designated on a timely and complete application 
for CQ as described under Sec. 679.91(b) that is approved by NMFS;
    (B) The Amendment 80 QS units derived from Amendment 80 QS permits 
held by members of the Amendment 80 cooperative who have submitted a 
timely and complete EDR for all Amendment 80 QS permits held by that 
member as described under Sec. 679.94; and
    (C) The amount of CQ as modified by an application for CQ transfer 
as described under Sec. 679.91(g) that is approved by NMFS.
    (v) A CQ permit is valid until whichever of the following occurs 
first:
    (A) Until the end of the year for which the CQ permit is issued; or
    (B) Until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to 
Sec. 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.
    (vi) A legible copy of the CQ permit must be carried onboard an 
Amendment 80 vessel assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative when fishing 
in the BSAI or adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it 
adopts a Federal fishing season.
    (3) Amendment 80 limited access fishery permit. (i) An Amendment 80 
limited access fishery permit is required for an Amendment 80 QS holder 
to catch, process, and receive Amendment 80 species assigned to the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery, or use halibut and crab PSC 
assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery. An Amendment 80 
limited access fishery permit is issued annually to an Amendment 80 QS 
holder who:
    (A) Has submitted a timely and complete application for the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery as described at Sec. 679.91(b)(4) 
that is approved by NMFS, or
    (B) Is assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery by NMFS 
as described at Sec. 679.91(a)(3)(ii); and
    (C) Has submitted a timely and complete EDR for all Amendment 80 QS 
permits held by that person as described under Sec. 679.94.
    (ii) An Amendment 80 limited access fishery permit is valid until 
whichever of the following occurs first:
    (A) Until the end of the year for which the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery permit is issued; or
    (B) Until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to 
Sec. 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.
    (iii) A legible copy of the Amendment 80 limited access fishery 
permit must be carried onboard an Amendment 80 vessel assigned to the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery when fishing in the BSAI or adjacent 
waters open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing 
season.

[[Page 599]]

    (4) Amendment 80 Replacement Vessel. (i) The owner of an Amendment 
80 vessel may replace such vessel for any purpose. All Federal fishery 
regulations applicable to the replaced vessel apply to the replacement 
vessel, except as described at Sec. 679.92(d)(2)(ii) if applicable. A 
vessel that replaces an Amendment 80 vessel will be approved by the 
Regional Administrator as an Amendment 80 vessel following the 
submission and approval of a completed application for an Amendment 80 
Replacement Vessel, provided that:
    (A) The replacement vessel does not exceed 295 ft. (89.9 m) LOA;
    (B) The replacement vessel was built in the United States and, if 
ever rebuilt, rebuilt in the United States;
    (C) The applicant provides documentation that the replacement vessel 
complies with U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements applicable to 
processing vessels operating in the Amendment 80 sector or, if unable to 
provide such documentation, the applicant provides documentation that 
the replacement vessel meets the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard's 
Alternative Compliance and Safety Agreement; and
    (D) The replacement vessel is not a vessel listed at section 
208(e)(1) through (20) of the American Fisheries Act or permitted under 
paragraph (l)(2)(i) of this section; is not an AFA replacement vessel 
designated on a listed AFA catcher/processor permit under paragraph 
(l)(2)of this section; and is not an AFA catcher vessel permitted under 
paragraph (l)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Application for Amendment 80 Replacement Vessel. A person who 
wishes to replace an Amendment 80 vessel must submit to NMFS a complete 
Application for Amendment 80 Replacement Vessel. An application must 
contain the information specified on the form, with all required fields 
accurately completed and all required documentation attached. This 
application must be submitted to NMFS using the methods described on the 
application.
    (5) Application evaluations and appeals--(i) Initial evaluation. The 
Regional Administrator will evaluate an application for an Amendment 80 
replacement vessel submitted in accordance with paragraph (o)(4) of this 
section. If the vessel listed in the application does not meet the 
requirements for an Amendment 80 replacement vessel at Sec. 
679.4(o)(4), NMFS will not approve the application. An applicant who 
submits claims based on inconsistent information or fails to submit the 
information specified in the application for an Amendment 80 replacement 
vessel will be provided a single 30-day evidentiary period to submit 
evidence to establish that the vessel meets the requirements to be an 
Amendment 80 replacement vessel. The burden is on the applicant to 
establish that the vessel meets the criteria to become a replacement 
vessel.
    (ii) Additional information and evidence. The Regional Administrator 
will evaluate the additional information or evidence to support an 
application for Amendment 80 replacement vessel submitted within the 30-
day evidentiary period. If the Regional Administrator determines that 
the additional information or evidence meets the applicant's burden of 
proving that the vessel meets the requirements to become an Amendment 80 
Replacement Vessel, the application will be approved. However, if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the vessel does not meet the 
requirements to become an Amendment 80 Replacement Vessel, the applicant 
will be notified by an initial administrative determination (IAD) that 
the application for replacement vessel is denied.
    (iii) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant following 
the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by 
the applicant fails to support the applicant's claims and is 
insufficient to establish that the vessel meets the requirements for an 
Amendment 80 replacement vessel or if the additional information, 
evidence, or revised application is not provided within the time period 
specified in the letter that notifies the applicant of his or her 30-day 
evidentiary period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies in the 
application, including any deficiencies with the information, the 
evidence submitted in

[[Page 600]]

support of the information, or the revised application. An applicant who 
receives an IAD may appeal under the appeals procedures set out at Sec. 
679.43.
    (p) Flatfish Exchange Application--(1) Completed application. NMFS 
will process only completed Flatfish Exchange Applications submitted by 
CDQ groups or Amendment 80 cooperatives.
    (2) Certification. The designated representative must log into the 
Alaska Region Online application Web site and complete an exchange 
application form provided on the Web site. By using the NMFS ID, 
password, and Transfer Key and submitting the Flatfish Exchange 
Application, the designated representative certifies that all 
information submitted is true, correct, and complete.
    (3) Approval. A CDQ group or Amendment 80 cooperative must receive 
NMFS' approval of a Flatfish Exchange Application prior to using the CDQ 
or Amendment 80 CQ subject to the Flatfish Exchange. NMFS will approve 
the Flatfish Exchange Application if:
    (i) The CDQ group has sufficient CDQ ABC reserves of flathead sole, 
rock sole, or yellowfin sole;
    (ii) The Amendment 80 cooperative has sufficient Amendment 80 ABC 
reserves of flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole;
    (iii) The CDQ group receiving flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin 
sole from its CDQ ABC reserve exchanges an equal amount of unused CDQ of 
flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole, other than the species 
received from its CDQ ABC reserve;
    (iv) The Amendment 80 cooperative receiving flathead sole, rock 
sole, or yellowfin sole from its Amendment 80 ABC reserve exchanges an 
equal amount of unused Amendment 80 CQ of flathead sole, rock sole, or 
yellowfin sole, other than the species received from its Amendment 80 
ABC reserve;
    (v) The CDQ group or Amendment 80 cooperative has not received at 
least three approved Flatfish Exchanges during that calendar year, as 
described at paragraph (p)(5) of this section;
    (vi) Approval of the Flatfish Exchange Application will not cause 
flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole to exceed an ABC or an ABC 
reserve for that species; and
    (vii) NMFS receives a completed Flatfish Exchange Application from a 
CDQ group or Amendment 80 cooperative during the calendar year for which 
the Flatfish Exchange would be effective, and NMFS can approve that 
Flatfish Exchange Application before the end of the calendar year in 
which the Flatfish Exchange would be effective.
    (4) Notification. (i) No exchange, adjustment, or apportionment of 
flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole may take effect until a 
notice of adjustment or apportionment has been published in the Federal 
Register with a statement of the findings on which the apportionment or 
adjustment is based.
    (ii) Each NMFS approved Flatfish Exchange is debited as one Flatfish 
Exchange. An approved Flatfish Exchange is effective on the date of 
publication of the notice of adjustment or apportionment in the Federal 
Register.
    (5) CDQ ABC reserve and Amendment 80 ABC reserve exchange 
limitations. Each CDQ group and each Amendment 80 cooperative is limited 
to no more than three Flatfish Exchanges per calendar year.
    (q) PCTC Program permits--(1) PCTC Program cooperative quota 
permits. (i) A CQ permit is issued annually to a PCTC Program 
cooperative that submits a complete and timely application for CQ as 
described at Sec. 679.131 that is approved by the Regional 
Administrator. A CQ permit authorizes a PCTC Program cooperative to 
participate in the PCTC Program. The CQ permit will indicate the amount 
of Pacific cod that may be harvested by the PCTC Program cooperative, 
and the amount of halibut PSC and crab PSC that may be used by the PCTC 
Program cooperative. The CQ permit will list the members of the PCTC 
Program cooperative, the trawl catcher vessels that are authorized to 
fish under the CQ permit for that cooperative, and the PCTC Program 
processor(s) with whom that cooperative is associated.
    (ii) A CQ permit is valid only until the end of the BSAI Pacific cod 
B season for the year in which the CQ permit is issued;
    (iii) A legible copy of a valid CQ permit must be carried on board 
the vessel(s) used by the PCTC Program cooperative.

[[Page 601]]

    (2) PCTC Program quota share permits for processors. (i) NMFS will 
issue PCTC Program QS permits to eligible processors if the owner(s) 
submits to the Regional Administrator a completed application for PCTC 
Program QS as described at Sec. 679.130 that is subsequently approved.
    (ii) A processor may associate the QS assigned to the PCTC Program 
QS permit with a PCTC Program cooperative as described at Sec. 679.131.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.4, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.5  Recordkeeping and reporting (R&R).

    (a) General R&R requirements. R&R requirements include, but are not 
limited to, paper and electronic documentation, logbooks, forms, 
reports, receipts, computer printouts, and requests for inspection 
described in this section and in Sec. 679.28.
    (1) Groundfish logbooks and forms. (i) The Regional Administrator 
will prescribe and provide groundfish logbooks required under this 
section. All groundfish forms required under this section are available 
from the Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov or may 
be requested by calling the Sustainable Fisheries Division at 907-586-
7228 or faxing 907-586-7465. The forms may be completed online, printed, 
and mailed or faxed to NMFS at the address or fax number shown on the 
form. The forms also may be completed online, saved as a file, and 
submitted to NMFS as an attachment to an e-mail to the e-mail address 
shown on the form.
    (ii) Current editions. The operator must use the current edition of 
the logbooks and current format of the forms. Upon approval from the 
Regional Administrator NMFS-approved electronic versions of the forms 
may be used. Upon written notification and approval by the Regional 
Administrator, logbooks from the previous year may be used.
    (iii) Management program defined. A ``management program'' is a 
unique fishery program with a specific management strategy and/or 
allocation. Harvest that occurred under the management programs listed 
in the following table must be recorded separately in the logbooks, 
forms, and eLandings.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            For more
  If harvest made under . . .      Record the . . .     information, see
            program                                          . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Western Alaska Community     CDQ number            subpart C of this
 Development Quota (CDQ)                                part
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) Exempted Fishery             Exempted fishery      Sec. 679.6
                                  permit number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) Research Fishery             Research fishery      Sec. 600.745(a)
                                  permit number         of this chapter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) Aleutian Islands Pollock     n/a                   subpart F of this
 (AIP)                                                  part
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) Open access (OA)             [for recording in     paragraph (e) of
                                  eLandings only]       this section
(F) Rockfish Program             Cooperative number    subpart H to this
                                                        part.
(G) PCTC Program                 Cooperative number    subpart L to this
                                                        part.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Responsibility. (i) The operator of a catcher vessel, catcher/
processor, mothership, or tender vessel (hereafter referred to as the 
operator) and the manager of a shoreside processor, SFP, or buying 
station (hereafter referred to as the manager) are each responsible for 
complying with the applicable R&R requirements in this section and in 
Sec. 679.28.
    (ii) The owner of a vessel, shoreside processor, SFP, buying 
station, or tender vessel is responsible for compliance and must ensure 
that the operator, manager, or representative (see paragraph (b) of this 
section) complies with the applicable R&R requirements in this section 
and in Sec. 679.28.
    (iii) The IFQ permit holder, IFQ hired master permit holder, or 
Registered Buyer must comply with the R&R requirements provided at 
paragraphs (e), (g), (k), and (l) of this section.

[[Page 602]]

    (iv) The CDQ permit holder, CDQ hired master permit holder, or 
Registered Buyer must comply with the R&R requirements provided at 
paragraphs (e), (g), (k), and (l)(1) through (6) of this section.
    (3) Fish to be recorded and reported. The operator or manager must 
record and report the following information (see paragraphs (a)(3)(i) 
through (iv) of this section) for all groundfish (see Table 2a to this 
part), prohibited species (see Table 2b to this part), forage fish (see 
Table 2c to this part), grenadiers (see Table 2c to this part), squids 
(see Table 2c to this part), and sculpins (see Table 2c to this part). 
The operator or manager may record and report the following information 
(see paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section) for non-
groundfish (see Table 2d to this part):
    (i) Harvest information;
    (ii) Receipt information from catcher vessels, buying stations, and 
tender vessels including fish received from vessels not required to have 
an FFP; and fish received under contract for handling or processing for 
another processor;
    (iii) Discard or disposition information, including fish reported 
but not delivered to the operator or manager, e.g., fish used onboard a 
vessel, when receiving catch from a catcher vessel, buying station, or 
tender vessel; and
    (iv) Transfer information, including fish transferred out of the 
facility or off the vessel.
    (4) Exemptions--(i) Catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA. 
Except for vessels using pot gear as described in paragraph 
(c)(3)(i)(B)(1) of this section or vessels participating in the PCTC 
Program as described in paragraph (x) of this section, the owner and 
operator of a catcher vessel less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA are not 
required to comply with the R&R requirements of this section, but must 
comply with the vessel activity report described at paragraph (k) of 
this section.
    (ii) Catcher vessels that take groundfish in crab pot gear for use 
as crab bait on that vessel. (A) Owners or operators of catcher vessels 
who, when crab is open anywhere or in the same area as an open crab 
season, take groundfish in crab pot gear for use as crab bait onboard 
their same vessels, and the bait is neither transferred nor sold, are 
not required to comply with R&R requirements of this section.
    (B) This exemption does not apply to fishermen who:
    (1) Catch groundfish for bait during an open crab season and sell 
that groundfish or transfer it to another vessel, or
    (2) Participate in a directed fishery for groundfish using any gear 
type during periods that are outside an open crab season for use as crab 
bait onboard their vessel.
    (C) No groundfish species listed by NMFS as ``prohibited'' in a 
management or regulatory area may be taken in that area for use as bait.
    (5) Inspection and retention of records--(i) Inspection of records. 
The operator or manager must make available for inspection the R&R 
documentation in this section and in Sec. 679.28 upon the request of an 
authorized officer.
    (ii) Retention of records. The operator or manager must retain the 
R&R documentation described in this section and in Sec. 679.28:
    (A) On site. Retain these records on site at the shoreside processor 
or SFP, or onboard the vessel until the end of the fishing year during 
which the records were made and for as long thereafter as fish or fish 
products recorded in the R&R documentation are retained.
    (B) For 3 years. Retain these records for 3 years after the end of 
the fishing year during which the records were made.
    (6) Maintenance of records. The operator or manager must maintain 
all records described in this section and in Sec. 679.28 in English and 
in a legible, timely, and accurate manner, based on Alaska local time 
(A.l.t.); if handwritten, in indelible ink; if computer-generated, as a 
legible printed paper copy.
    (7) Custom processing. The manager of a shoreside processor or SFP 
or the operator of a mothership must record products that result from 
custom processing for another person in eLandings consistently 
throughout a fishing year using one of the following two methods:

[[Page 603]]

    (i) Combined records. Record landings, discards or dispositions, and 
products of custom-processed groundfish routinely in eLandings using 
processor name, FFP or FPP number, and ADF&G processor code; or
    (ii) Separate records. Record landings, discards or dispositions, 
and products of custom-processed groundfish in eLandings identified by 
the name, FPP number or FFP number, and ADF&G processor code of the 
associated business entity.
    (b) Representative. The operator of a catcher vessel, mothership, 
catcher/processor, or tender vessel or manager of a shoreside processor, 
SFP, or buying station may identify one contact person to complete the 
logbook and forms and to respond to inquiries from NMFS. Designation of 
a representative under this paragraph (b) does not relieve the owner, 
operator, or manager of responsibility for compliance under paragraphs 
(a)(1) through (6) of this section.
    (c) Logbooks--(1) Requirements--(i) Use of two or more vessel 
logbooks of same gear type. If using more than one logbook of the same 
gear type in a fishing year onboard a vessel, the operator must ensure 
that the page numbers follow the consecutive order of the previous 
logbook.
    (ii) Use of two or more vessel logbooks of different gear types. If 
two or more different gear types are used onboard a vessel in a fishing 
year, the operator(s) of this vessel may use the same vessel logbooks 
for different gear types, provided different gear types are recorded on 
separate pages.
    (iii) Two vessel logbooks for pair trawl. If two vessels are 
dragging a trawl between them (pair trawl), the operator of each vessel 
must maintain a separate logbook to record the amount of the catch 
retained and fish discarded by that vessel. Each of the two logbooks 
must be separately paginated.
    (iv) Two logbooks of different operation. If a vessel functions both 
as a mothership and as a catcher/processor in the same fishing year, the 
operator(s) must maintain two logbooks, a separate logbook for each 
operation type, each separately paginated.
    (v) Alteration of logbook information. (A) Except as described in 
paragraph (c)(1)(v)(B) of this section, no person may alter or change 
any entry or record in a logbook.
    (B) An inaccurate or incorrect entry or record must be corrected by 
lining out the original and inserting the correction, provided that the 
original entry or record remains legible. All corrections must be made 
in ink.
    (vi) Logsheet distribution and submittal. (A) No person except an 
authorized officer may remove any original white logsheet of any 
logbook.
    (B) The operator must distribute and submit logsheets as indicated 
in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Logsheet Distribution and Submittal
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Logsheets found in these logbooks
                              ----------------------------------------
   If logsheet color is ...     CV lgl/           CP lgl/    CP           Submit to ...          Time limit
                                  pot    CV trw     pot     trw    MS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) White                      X         X       X         X      X    Must retain, permanently bound in logbook
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Goldenrod                  X         X       X         X      X    Observer            After signature of
                                                                                            operator and prior
                                                                                            to departure of
                                                                                            observer from the
                                                                                            vessel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Yellow                     X         X       ........  .....  ...  Must submit         On the following
                                                                        quarterly to:       schedule:
                                                                       NOAA Fisheries      1st quarter by May 1
                                                                        Office for Law      of that fishing
                                                                        Enforcement         year. 2nd quarter by
                                                                        Alaska Region       August 1 of that
                                                                        Logbook Program,    fishing year. 3rd
                                                                        P.O. Box 21767,     quarter by November
                                                                        Juneau, AK 99802-   1 of that fishing
                                                                        1767 Telephone:     year. 4th quarter by
                                                                        907-586-7225        February 1 of the
                                                                                            following fishing
                                                                                            year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Blue                       X         X       ........  .....  ...  Mothership,         Within 2 hours after
                                                                        shoreside           completion of catch
                                                                        processor, SFP,     delivery
                                                                        buying station,
                                                                        or tender vessel
                                                                        that receives the
                                                                        harvest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 604]]

 
(5) Green                      X         ......  X         .....  ...  Optional, but may   If required, after
                                                                        be required by      the vessel's catch
                                                                        IPHC (see Sec. is off-loaded
                                                                        Sec. 300.60
                                                                        through 300.65 of
                                                                        this chapter)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: CP = catcher/processor; CV = catcher vessel; pot = longline pot or pot-and-line; lgl = longline; trw =
  trawl; MS = mothership.

    (2) Recording active and inactive time periods in the DFL or DCPL--
(i) Account for each day of the fishing year. The operator must account 
for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31, in the 
DFL or DCPL and indicate whether the vessel or processor was active or 
inactive during the time period.
    (A) An active period by fishing category is defined in the following 
paragraphs under this section:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Paragraph                        Fishing Category
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)(3)(iv)(A)(1)                    Catcher vessel, longline or pot gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)(3)(iv)(B)(1)                    Catcher/processor, longline or pot
                                     gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)(4)(iv)(A)(1)                    Catcher vessel, trawl gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)(4)(iv)(B)(1)                    Catcher/processor, trawl gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)(5)(ii)                          Shoreside processor or SFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)(6)(iv)                          Mothership
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) An inactive period is defined as a time period other than 
active.
    (ii) Record January 1 on page 1. The operator must record the first 
day of the fishing year, January 1, on page one of the DFL or DCPL 
regardless of whether the vessel or processor was active or inactive. 
The operator must record time periods consecutively.
    (iii) Required information for inactive periods. If inactive, the 
operator must record the following information (see paragraphs 
(c)(2)(iii)(A) through (F) of this section) on one logsheet in the DFL 
or DCPL:
    (A) If a catcher vessel, record vessel name, ADF&G vessel 
registration number, FFP number or Federal crab vessel permit number, 
operator printed name, operator signature, and page number.
    (B) If a mothership or catcher/processor, record vessel name, ADF&G 
processor code, FFP number, operator printed name, operator signature, 
and page number.
    (C) Mark ``inactive.''
    (D) Record the date (mm/dd) of the first day when inactive under 
``Start date.''
    (E) Write brief explanation why inactive, e.g., bad weather or 
equipment failure. If inactive due to surrender of a FFP or FPP, write 
``surrender of permit'' as the reason for inactivity.
    (F) Record the date (mm/dd) of the last day when inactive under 
``End date.''
    (iv) Inactive two or more quarters. If the inactive time period 
extends across two or more successive quarters, the operator must 
complete a logsheet for each inactive quarter. The first logsheet must 
indicate the first and last day of the first inactive quarter. 
Successive logsheets must indicate the first and last day of its 
respective inactive quarter.
    (3) Longline and pot gear catcher vessel DFL and catcher/processor 
DCPL--(i) Responsibility--(A) Groundfish fisheries. (1) Except as 
described in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, the operator of a 
catcher vessel 60 ft (18.3 m) or greater LOA, that is required to have 
an FFP under Sec. 679.4(b) and that is using longline or pot gear to 
harvest groundfish, must maintain a longline and pot gear DFL and may 
use the same logbook for longline and pot gear, provided different gear 
types are recorded on separate pages.
    (2) Except as described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, the 
operator of a catcher/processor that is required to have an FFP under 
Sec. 679.4(b) and that is using longline or pot gear to harvest 
groundfish must use a combination of catcher/processor longline and pot 
gear DCPL and eLandings to record and report daily processor 
identification information, catch-by-set information,

[[Page 605]]

groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species 
discard or disposition data.
    (B) IFQ or CDQ halibut, or IFQ or CDQ sablefish fisheries. (1) The 
operator of a catcher vessel less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA, using 
longline pot gear to harvest IFQ sablefish or IFQ halibut in the GOA, or 
using pot gear to harvest IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish in 
the BSAI, must maintain a longline and pot gear DFL according to 
paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(A)(2) of this section and may use the same logbook 
for longline and pot gear, provided different gear types are recorded on 
separate pages.
    (2) Except as described in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, the 
operator of a catcher vessel 60 ft (18.3 m) or greater LOA in the GOA 
must maintain a longline and pot gear DFL according to paragraph 
(c)(3)(iv)(A)(2) of this section, when using longline gear or longline 
pot gear to harvest IFQ sablefish and when using gear composed of lines 
with hooks attached, setline gear (IPHC), or longline pot gear to 
harvest IFQ halibut.
    (3) Except as described in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, the 
operator of a catcher vessel 60 ft (18.3 m) or greater LOA in the BSAI 
must maintain a longline and pot gear DFL according to paragraph 
(c)(3)(iv)(A)(2) of this section, when using hook-and-line gear or pot 
gear to harvest IFQ or CDQ sablefish, and when using pot gear or gear 
composed of lines with hooks attached or setline gear (IPHC) to harvest 
IFQ halibut or CDQ halibut.
    (4) Except as described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, the 
operator of a catcher/processor in the GOA must use a combination of a 
catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL and eLandings according to 
paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(B)(2) of this section, when using longline gear or 
longline pot gear to harvest IFQ sablefish and when using gear composed 
of lines with hooks attached, setline gear (IPHC), or longline pot gear 
to harvest IFQ halibut.
    (5) Except as described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, the 
operator of a catcher/processor in the BSAI must use a combination of a 
catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL and eLandings according to 
(c)(3)(iv)(B)(2) of this section, when using hook-and-line gear or pot 
gear to harvest IFQ sablefish, and when using gear composed of lines 
with hooks attached or setline gear (IPHC) to harvest IFQ halibut or CDQ 
halibut.
    (C) CR crab fisheries. The operator of a catcher vessel 60 ft (18.3 
m) or greater LOA, using pot gear to harvest CR crab from the BSAI must 
maintain a longline and pot gear DFL.
    (ii) Reporting time limits--(A) Catcher vessel. The operator of a 
catcher vessel using longline or pot gear must record in the DFL the 
information from the following table for each set within the specified 
time limit:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       REPORTING TIME LIMITS, CATCHER VESSEL LONGLINE OR POT GEAR
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Required information               Time limit for recording
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) FFP number and/or Federal crab     Within 2 hours after completion
 vessel permit number (if               of gear retrieval.
 applicable), IFQ permit numbers
 (halibut, sablefish, and crab), CDQ
 group number, halibut CDQ permit
 number, set number, date and time
 gear set, date and time gear hauled,
 beginning and end positions of set,
 number of skates or pots set, and
 estimated total hail weight for each
 set
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Discard and disposition            By 2400 hours, A.l.t., each day
 information                            to record the previous day's
                                        discard and disposition
                                        information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Submit the blue DFL to             Within 2 hours after completion
 mothership, shoreside processor,       of catch delivery
 SFP, buying station, or tender
 vessel receiving catch
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) All other required information     Within 2 hours after the vessel's
                                        catch is off-loaded,
                                        notwithstanding other time
                                        limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Operator sign the completed        Within 2 hours after completion
 logsheets                              of catch delivery
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Submit goldenrod logsheet to the   After signature of operator and
 observer                               prior to departure of observer
                                        from the vessel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 606]]

    (B) Catcher/processor. The operator of a catcher/processor using 
longline or pot gear must record in the DCPL or submit via eLandings the 
information from the following table for each set within the specified 
time limit:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          REPORTING TIME LIMITS, CATCHER/PROCESSOR LONGLINE OR POT GEAR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Submit via
             Required information               Record In DCPL      eLandings        Time limit for reporting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) FFP number and/or Federal crab vessel       X               ................  Within 2 hours after
 permit number (if applicable), IFQ permit                                         completion of gear retrieval.
 numbers (halibut, sablefish, and crab), CDQ
 group number, halibut CDQ permit number, set
 number, date and time gear set, date and time
 gear hauled, beginning and end positions of
 set, number of skates or pots set, and
 estimated total hail weight for each set
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Discard and disposition information         ..............  X                 By 2400 hours, A.l.t., each
                                                                                   day to record the previous
                                                                                   day's discard and disposition
                                                                                   information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Product information                         ..............  X                 By 2400 hours, A.l.t., each
                                                                                   day to record the previous
                                                                                   day's production information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) All other required information              X               ................  By 2400 hours, A.l.t., of the
                                                                                   day following completion of
                                                                                   production.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Operator sign the completed logsheets       X               ................  By 2400 hours, A.l.t., of the
                                                                                   day following the week-ending
                                                                                   date of the weekly reporting
                                                                                   period.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Submit goldenrod logsheet to the observer   X               ................  After signature of operator
                                                                                   and prior to departure of
                                                                                   observer from the vessel
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Required information, if inactive. See paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section.
    (iv) Required information, if active--(A) Catcher vessel, longline 
or pot gear. (1) A catcher vessel using longline or pot gear is active 
when gear remains on the grounds in a reporting area (except reporting 
areas 300, 400, 550, or 690), regardless of the vessel location.
    (2) If a catcher vessel identified in paragraph (c)(3)(i)(A)(1) or 
(c)(3)(i)(B)(1) through (3) of this section is active, the operator must 
record in the longline and pot gear DFL, for one or more days on each 
logsheet, the information listed in paragraphs (c)(3)(v), (vi), (viii), 
and (x) of this section and may use the same logbook for longline and 
pot gear, provided different gear types are recorded on separate pages.
    (3) Retain and record discard quantities over the MRA. When a CV is 
fishing in an IFQ fishery and the fishery for Pacific cod is closed to 
directed fishing but not in PSC status in that reporting area as 
described in Sec. 679.20, the operator must retain and record up to and 
including the maximum retainable amount (MRA) for Pacific cod as defined 
in Tables 10 or 11 to this part. Quantities over this amount must be 
discarded and recorded as discard in the logbook.
    (B) Catcher/processor, longline or pot gear. (1) A catcher/processor 
using longline or pot gear is active when processing or when all or part 
of the longline or pot gear is in the water.
    (2) If a catcher/processor identified in paragraph (c)(3)(i)(A)(2) 
or (c)(3)(i)(B)(4) through (5) of this section is active, the operator 
must record in the catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL the 
information listed in paragraphs (c)(3)(v) and (vi) of this section and 
must record in eLandings the information listed in paragraphs (c)(3)(v), 
(vii), and (ix) of this section.
    (3) Retain and record discard quantities over the MRA. When a 
catcher/processor is fishing in an IFQ fishery and the fishery for 
Pacific cod or rockfish is closed to directed fishing but not in PSC 
status in that reporting area as described in Sec. 679.20, the operator 
must retain and record up to and including the MRA for Pacific cod or 
rockfish as defined in Table 10 or 11 to this part. Quantities over this 
amount must be

[[Page 607]]

discarded and recorded as discard in eLandings.
    (v) Identification information--(A) Page number. Number the pages in 
each logbook consecutively, beginning on the first page of the DFL or 
DCPL with page 1 for January 1 and continuing for the remainder of the 
fishing year.
    (B) Printed name and signature of operator. The operator's name must 
be printed in the DFL or DCPL. The operator must sign each completed 
logsheet of the DFL or DCPL as verification of acceptance of the 
responsibility required in paragraph (a)(2) of this section
    (C) Vessel identification. Name of vessel as displayed in official 
documentation; FFP number or Federal crab vessel permit number of the 
vessel; and ADF&G vessel registration number if a catcher vessel or 
ADF&G processor code if a catcher/processor.
    (D) Other permit numbers (if applicable). IFQ permit number of the 
operator, if any, and each permit number of any IFQ permit on which 
anyone aboard is authorized to fish; groundfish CDQ number; and halibut 
CDQ permit number.
    (E) Reporting area--(1) Groundfish. Record the Federal reporting 
area code (see Figures 1 and 3 to this part) where gear retrieval was 
completed, regardless of where the majority of the set took place. Use a 
separate logsheet for each reporting area.
    (2) IFQ halibut and CDQ halibut. Record the IPHC regulatory area 
(see Figure 15 to this part) where gear retrieval was completed, 
regardless of where the majority of the set took place.
    (3) CR crab. Leave this field blank.
    (F) Crew size. If a catcher vessel, record the number of crew 
members (including operator), excluding observer(s), on the last day of 
a trip. If a catcher/processor, record the number of crew members 
(including operator), excluding observer(s), on the last day of the 
weekly reporting period.
    (G) Gear type. Use a separate logsheet for each gear type. Place a 
check mark in the box for the gear type used to harvest the fish or 
crab. Record the information from the following table for the 
appropriate gear type on the logsheet. If the gear type is the same on 
subsequent logsheets, place a check mark in the box instead of re-
entering the gear type information on the next logsheet.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If gear type is . . .                      Then . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Other gear...............  If gear is other than those listed within
                                this table, indicate ``Other'' and
                                describe.
(2) Pot gear (includes pot-    (i) If using longline pot gear in the
 and-line and longline pot).    GOA, enter the length of longline pot
                                set to the nearest foot, the size of pot
                                in inches (width by length by height or
                                diameter), and spacing of pots to the
                                nearest foot.
                               (ii) If using longline pot gear in the
                                GOA, enter the number of pots deployed
                                in each set (see paragraph (c)(3)(vi)(F)
                                of this section) and the number of pots
                                lost when the set is retrieved
                                (optional, but may be required by IPHC
                                regulations, see Sec. Sec. 300.60
                                through 300.65 of this title).
                               (iii) If using pot gear, enter the number
                                of pots deployed in each set (see
                                paragraph (c)(3)(vi)(F) of this section)
                                and the number of pots lost when the set
                                is retrieved (optional, but may be
                                required by IPHC regulations, see Sec.
                                Sec. 300.60 through 300.65 of this
                                title).
(3) Hook-and-line gear.......  Indicate: (i) Whether gear is fixed hook
                                (conventional or tub), autoline, or snap
                                (optional, but may be required by IPHC
                                regulations, see Sec. Sec. 300.60
                                through 300.65 of this title).
                               (ii) Number of hooks per skate (optional,
                                but may be required by IPHC regulations,
                                see Sec. Sec. 300.60 through 300.65
                                of this title), length of skate to the
                                nearest foot (optional, but may be
                                required by IPHC regulations, see Sec.
                                Sec. 300.60 through 300.65 of this
                                title), size of hooks, and hook spacing
                                in feet.
                               (iii) Enter the number of skates set and
                                number of skates lost (optional, but may
                                be required by IPHC regulations, see
                                Sec. Sec. 300.60 through 300.65 of
                                this title).
                               (iv) Seabird avoidance gear code(s) (see
                                Sec. 679.24(e) and Table 19 to this
                                part).
                               (v) Enter the number of mammals sighted
                                while hauling gear next to the mammal
                                name: Sperm, orca, and other (optional,
                                but may be required by IPHC regulations,
                                see Sec. Sec. 300.60 through 300.65
                                of this title).
                               (vi) Enter the number of sablefish,
                                halibut, other fish, or hooks damaged
                                found while hauling gear (optional, but
                                may be required by IPHC regulations, see
                                Sec. Sec. 300.60 through 300.65 of
                                this title).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 608]]

    (H) Management program. Indicate whether harvest occurred under a 
management program (see paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section). Use a 
separate logsheet for each management program. If harvest is not under 
one of the listed management programs, leave blank.
    (I) Observer information. Record the number of observers aboard, the 
name of the observer(s), and the observer cruise number(s).
    (vi) Catch-by-set information. The operator must record the 
following information (see paragraphs (c)(3)(vi)(A) through (L) of this 
section) for each set (see Sec. 679.2) in the DFL or DCPL. If no catch 
occurred for a given day, write ``no catch.''
    (A) Set number. Sequentially by year.
    (B) Gear deployment (or to set gear)--(1) Hook-and-line gear begin 
position. Record date (mm/dd), time (in military format, A.l.t.), and 
the begin position (in latitude and longitude to the nearest minute; 
indicate E or W for longitude) when the first hook-and-line gear of a 
set enters the water.
    (2) Jig or troll gear begin position. Record date (mm/dd), time (in 
military format, A.l.t.), and the begin position (latitude and longitude 
to the nearest minute; indicate E or W for longitude) when the jig or 
troll gear enters the water.
    (3) Pot gear begin position. Record date (mm/dd), time (in military 
format, A.l.t.), and the begin position (latitude and longitude to the 
nearest minute; indicate E or W for longitude) when the pot gear enters 
the water.
    (C) Gear retrieval (or to haul gear)--(1) Hook-and-line gear end 
position. Date (mm/dd), time (in military format, A.l.t.), and end 
position coordinates (in latitude and longitude to the nearest minute; 
indicate E or W for longitude), where the last hook-and-line gear of a 
set leaves the water, regardless of where the majority of the set took 
place.
    (2) Jig or troll gear end position. Date (mm/dd), time (in military 
format, A.l.t.), and end position coordinates (in latitude and longitude 
to the nearest minute; indicate E or W for longitude) where the jig or 
troll gear leaves the water.
    (3) Pot gear end position. Date (mm/dd), time (in military format, 
A.l.t.), and end position coordinates (in latitude and longitude to the 
nearest minute; indicate E or W for longitude) where the last pot of a 
set is retrieved, regardless of where the majority of the set took 
place.
    (D) Begin and end buoy or bag numbers. (optional, but may be 
required by IPHC regulations (see Sec. Sec. 300.60 through 300.65 of 
this chapter)).
    (E) Begin and end gear depths. Recorded to the nearest fathom 
(optional, but may be required by IPHC regulations (see Sec. Sec. 
300.60 through 300.65 of this chapter)).
    (F) Species codes. The operator must record and report required 
information for all groundfish (see Table 2a to this part), prohibited 
species (see Table 2b to this part), forage fish (see Table 2c to this 
part), grenadiers (see Table 2c to this part), squids (see Table 2c to 
this part), and sculpins (see Table 2c to this part). The operator may 
record and report information for non-groundfish (see Table 2d to this 
part).
    (G) Target species code. Enter the species code of the intended 
species to be harvested. Enter only one target species code.
    (H) Estimated total hail weight. Enter the estimated hail weight, 
which is an estimate of the total weight of the entire catch without 
regard to species. Indicate whether weight is estimated to the nearest 
pound or to the nearest 0.001 mt.
    (I) IR/IU species (see Sec. 679.27). If a catcher/processor, enter 
species code of IR/IU species and estimated total round weight for each 
IR/IU species, if applicable; indicate whether weight is estimated to 
the nearest pound or the nearest 0.001 mt. Use one line to record 
information for each IR/IU species, including species code and amount of 
catch. If more than one IR/IU species are to be recorded, the operator 
must use a separate line for each species.
    (J) IFQ halibut and CDQ halibut. Estimated total net weight of IFQ 
halibut and CDQ halibut to the nearest pound.
    (K) IFQ sablefish. Number and estimated total round weight of IFQ 
sablefish to the nearest pound. Indicate whether IFQ sablefish product 
is Western cut, Eastern cut, or round weight.

[[Page 609]]

    (L) CR crab. If in a CR crab fishery, record the number and scale 
weight of raw CR crab to the nearest pound.
    (vii) Product information, catcher/processor. The operator of a 
catcher/processor using longline or pot gear must record groundfish 
product information for all retained groundfish in eLandings (see 
paragraph (e)(10) of this section).
    (viii) Discard or disposition information, catcher vessel. The 
operator must record in a DFL the discard or disposition information 
that occurred prior to and during delivery to a buying station, tender 
vessel, mothership, shoreside processor, or SFP. Discard or disposition 
information must include the daily weight of groundfish, daily weight of 
herring PSC, and daily number of PSC animals. If no discard or 
disposition occurred for a given day, the operator must write ``no 
discards or disposition.''
    (A) Enter discard or disposition information by species codes and 
product codes as follows:
    (1) Date (mm/dd) of discard or disposition (day that discard or 
disposition occurred).
    (2) For whole fish discard or disposition of groundfish or Pacific 
herring PSC, daily estimated total weight, balance forward weight from 
the previous day, and cumulative total weight since last delivery for 
each species; indicate whether weight is estimated to the nearest pound 
or nearest 0.001 mt.
    (3) For whole fish discard or disposition of each prohibited species 
(Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, Pacific halibut, king crabs, and 
Tanner crabs) record the daily estimated total number, balance forward 
from the previous day, and cumulative total number since the last 
delivery.
    (4) Summarize the weekly cumulative discard and disposition totals 
of groundfish weights and number of PSC animals separately by reporting 
area, management program, and gear type. Determine the weekly cumulative 
total by adding daily totals and the balance carried forward from the 
day before.
    (B) The operator must record ``0'' or zero balance forward and start 
a new logsheet after the offload or transfer of all fish or fish product 
onboard and prior to the beginning of each fishing trip. Nothing shall 
be carried forward from the previous fishing trip.
    (ix) Discard or disposition information, catcher/processor. The 
operator of a catcher/processor using longline or pot gear must record 
all discard or disposition information in eLandings (see paragraph 
(e)(10) of this section).
    (x) Catcher vessel delivery information. The operator of a catcher 
vessel must enter the following information (see paragraphs (c)(3)(x)(A) 
through (D) of this section) for delivery to a buying station, tender 
vessel, mothership, shoreside processor, or SFP:
    (A) Date (mm/dd) that delivery of harvest was completed.
    (B) ADF&G fish ticket issued to operator by the recipient, 
Registered Buyer, or RCR receiving the delivery.
    (C) Name of recipient, Registered Buyer, or RCR.
    (D) For the unloading port, enter the name of the port or port code 
(see Tables 14a and 14b to this part) of delivery location.
    (4) Trawl gear catcher vessel DFL and catcher/processor DCPL--(i) 
Responsibility. (A) Except as described in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this 
section, the operator of a catcher vessel 60 ft (18.3 m) or greater LOA, 
that is required to have an FFP under Sec. 679.4(b), and that is using 
trawl gear to harvest groundfish must maintain a trawl gear DFL, must 
complete one or more logsheets per day. Upon notification by the 
Regional Administrator, a DFL from the previous year may be used.
    (B) Except as described in paragraph (f)(1)(iv) or (vii) of this 
section, the operator of a catcher/processor that is required to have an 
FFP under Sec. 679.4(b) and that is using trawl gear to harvest 
groundfish is required to use a combination of catcher/processor trawl 
gear DCPL and eLandings to record and report daily processor 
identification information, catch-by-haul landing information, 
groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species 
discard or disposition data. Under paragraph (f)(1)(vii) of this 
section, the operators of AFA catcher/processors or any catcher/
processor harvesting pollock CDQ are required to use an ELB and no 
longer report using a DCPL.

[[Page 610]]

    (ii) Reporting time limits--(A) Catcher vessel. The operator of a 
catcher vessel using trawl gear must record in the DFL the information 
in the following table for each haul within the specified time limit:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            REPORTING TIME LIMITS, CATCHER VESSEL TRAWL GEAR
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Required information               Time limit for recording
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Haul number, time and date gear    Within 2 hours after completion
 set, time and date gear hauled,        of gear retrieval, except that
 beginning and end positions, CDQ       catcher vessels harvesting
 number (if applicable), total          pollock CDQ in the BS and
 estimated hail weight for each haul    delivering unsorted codends to a
                                        mothership must record CDQ
                                        number within 2 hours after
                                        completion of weighing all catch
                                        in the haul on the mothership
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Discard and disposition            By 2400 hours, A.l.t., each day
 information                            to record the previous day's
                                        discard and disposition
                                        information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Submit blue DFL to mothership,     Within 2 hours after completion
 shoreside processor, SFP, buying       of catch delivery
 station, or tender vessel receiving
 the catch
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Record all other required          Within 2 hours after the vessel's
 information                            catch is off-loaded,
                                        notwithstanding other time
                                        limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Operator sign the completed        Within 2 hours after completion
 logsheets                              of catch delivery
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Submit the goldenrod logsheet to   After signature of operator and
 the observer                           prior to departure of observer
                                        from the vessel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Catcher/processor. The operator of a catcher/processor using 
trawl gear must record in the DCPL or submit via eLandings the 
information in the following table for each haul within the specified 
time limit:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           REPORTING TIME LIMITS, CATCHER/PROCESSOR TRAWL GEAR
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Time
     Required        Record In       Submit via eLandings      limit for
   information         DCPL                                    recording
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Management     X             ............................  Within 2
 program, except                                               hours
 CDQ Program,                                                  after
 haul number,                                                  completio
 time and date                                                 n of gear
 gear set, time                                                retrieval
 and date gear                                                     .
 hauled, begin
 and end
 positions of
 gear, and, if
 not required to
 weigh catch on a
 scale approved
 by NMFS, total
 estimated hail
 weight for each
 haul
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) CDQ number     X             ............................  Within 2
 (if applicable)                                               hours
 and, if required                                              after
 to weigh catch                                                completio
 on a scale                                                     n of
 approved by                                                   weighing
 NMFS, the scale                                               all catch
 weight of total                                               in the
 catch for each                                                haul.
 haul
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Discard and    ............  X                             By 2400
 disposition                                                   hours,
 information                                                   A.l.t.,
                                                               each day
                                                               to record
                                                                 the
                                                               previous
                                                               day's
                                                               discard
                                                                 and
                                                               dispositi
                                                                  on
                                                               informati
                                                                 on.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Product        ............  X                             By 2400
 information                                                   hours,
                                                               A.l.t.,
                                                               each day
                                                               to record
                                                                 the
                                                               previous
                                                               day's
                                                               productio
                                                                   n
                                                               informati
                                                                  on
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) All other      X             ............................  By 2400
 required                                                      hours,
 information                                                   A.l.t.,
                                                               of the
                                                                 day
                                                               following
                                                               completio
                                                                n of
                                                               productio
                                                                n to
                                                               record
                                                               all other
                                                               required
                                                               informati
                                                                 on.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Operator sign  X             ............................  By 2400
 the completed                                                 hours,
 logsheets                                                     A.l.t.,
                                                               of the
                                                                 day
                                                               following
                                                               the week-
                                                               ending
                                                               date of
                                                                 the
                                                               weekly
                                                               reporting
                                                               period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) Submit the     X             ............................  After
 goldenrod                                                     signature
 logsheet to the                                                  of
 observer                                                      operator
                                                               and prior
                                                                  to
                                                               departure
                                                                  of
                                                               observer
                                                               from the
                                                               vessel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Required information, if inactive. See paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section.
    (iv) Required information, if active--(A) Catcher vessel. (1) A 
catcher vessel using trawl gear is active when all or part of the trawl 
net is in the water.
    (2) If the catcher vessel identified in paragraph (c)(4)(i)(A) of 
this section is active, the operator must record for

[[Page 611]]

one day per logsheet in the DFL, the information described in paragraphs 
(c)(4)(v), (vi), (viii), and (x) of this section.
    (B) Catcher/processor. (1) A catcher/processor using trawl gear is 
active when processing groundfish or when all or part of the trawl net 
is in the water.
    (2) If the catcher/processor identified in paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B) of 
this section is active, the operator must record for one day per 
logsheet in the DCPL, the information described in paragraphs (c)(4)(v) 
and (vi) of this section and submit in eLandings the information 
described in paragraphs (c)(4)(v), (vii), and (ix) of this section.
    (v) Identification information. If active, the operator must record 
the following information (see paragraphs (c)(4)(v)(A) through (J) of 
this section):
    (A) Date. Enter date of each day (mm/dd/yyyy). This date is also the 
date of gear deployment.
    (B) Page number. Number the pages in each logbook consecutively, 
beginning on the first page of the DFL or DCPL with page 1 for January 1 
and continuing for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (C) Printed name and signature of operator. The operator's name must 
be printed in the DFL or DCPL. The operator must sign each completed 
logsheet of the DFL or DCPL as verification of acceptance of the 
responsibility required in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The 
operator's signature is due by 2400 hours A.l.t. of the day following 
the week-ending date of the weekly reporting period.
    (D) Vessel identification. Name of vessel as displayed in official 
documentation; FFP number of the vessel; ADF&G vessel registration 
number if a catcher vessel; and ADF&G processor code if a catcher/
processor.
    (E) Federal reporting area. Record the Federal reporting area code 
where gear retrieval was completed, regardless of where the majority of 
the set took place. Use a separate logsheet for each reporting area.
    (F) COBLZ or RKCSA. If gear retrieval occurred in the COBLZ (see 
Figure 13 to this part) or RKCSA (see Figure 11 to this part) area 
within a reporting area, use two separate logsheets, the first to record 
the information from the reporting area that includes COBLZ or RKCSA, 
and the second to record the information from the reporting area that 
does not include COBLZ or RKCSA.
    (G) Crew size. If a catcher vessel, record the number of crew 
members (including operator), excluding observer(s), on the last day of 
a trip. If a catcher/processor, record the number of crew members 
(including operator), excluding observer(s), on the last day of the 
weekly reporting period.
    (H) Gear type. Use a separate logsheet for each gear type. Indicate 
whether pelagic trawl or non-pelagic trawl gear was used to harvest the 
fish.
    (I) Management program. Indicate whether harvest occurred under one 
of the management programs (see paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section). 
Use a separate logsheet for each management program. If harvest is not 
under one of the listed management programs, leave blank.
    (J) Observer information. Record the number of observers aboard, the 
name of the observer(s), and the observer cruise number(s).
    (vi) Catch-by-haul information. The operator must record the 
following information (see paragraphs (c)(4)(vi)(A) through (I) of this 
section) for each haul (see Sec. 679.2). If no catch occurred for a 
given day, write ``no catch.''
    (A) Haul number. Number hauls sequentially by year.
    (B) Gear deployment (or to set gear). Record the following 
information (see paragraphs (c)(4)(vi)(B)(1) and (2) of this section) 
for trawl gear deployment:
    (1) The time (in military format, A.l.t.) when the trawl net enters 
the water, and
    (2) The position (latitude and longitude to the nearest minute; 
indicate E or W for longitude) where the trawl net enters the water.
    (C) Gear retrieval (or to haul gear). Record the following 
information (see paragraphs (c)(4)(vi)(C)(1) and (2) of this section) 
for trawl gear retrieval:
    (1) The date (mm/dd) and time (in military format, A.l.t.) when 
retrieval of trawl gear cable begins.
    (2) The position (in latitude and longitude to the nearest minute; 
indicate

[[Page 612]]

E or W for longitude) where retrieval of trawl gear cable begins.
    (D) Average sea depth and average gear depth. Average sea depth and 
average gear depth; indicate whether average is reported to the nearest 
meter or fathom.
    (E) Species codes. The operator must record and report required 
information for all groundfish (see Table 2a to this part), prohibited 
species (see Table 2b to this part), forage fish (see Table 2c to this 
part), grenadiers (see Table 2c to this part), squids (see Table 2c to 
this part), and sculpins (see Table 2c to this part). The operator may 
record and report information for non-groundfish (see Table 2d to this 
part).
    (F) Target species code. Enter the species code of the species to be 
harvested. Enter only one target species code.
    (G) IR/IU species (see Sec. 679.27). If a catcher/processor, enter 
species code of IR/IU species and estimated total round weight for each 
IR/IU species, if applicable; indicate whether estimated weight is to 
the nearest pound or the nearest 0.001 mt. Use one line to record 
information for each IR/IU species, including species code and amount of 
catch. If more than one IR/IU species are to be recorded, the operator 
must use a separate line for each species.
    (H) Total estimated hail weight. (1) If a catcher vessel or catcher/
processor using trawl gear and not using NMFS-approved scales, the 
operator must record the hail weight of each haul; total hail weight is 
an estimate of the total weight of the entire catch without regard to 
species. Indicate whether estimated weight is to the nearest pound or to 
the nearest 0.001 mt.
    (2) If a catcher/processor using trawl gear is required to use a 
NMFS-approved scale, the operator must record the scale weight of each 
haul without regard to species. Indicate whether weight is to the 
nearest pound or to the nearest 0.001 mt.
    (I) Movement to Avoid Salmon. If a catcher vessel is directed 
fishing for pollock in the Bering Sea, indicate with a check mark (X) 
whether, prior to the haul, the operator moved fishing location 
primarily to avoid Chinook salmon bycatch.
    (vii) Product information, catcher/processor. The operator of a 
catcher/processor using trawl gear must record all product information 
for all retained groundfish in eLandings (see paragraph (e)(10) of this 
section).
    (viii) Discard or disposition information, catcher vessel. The 
operator must record in a DFL (see paragraphs (c)(4)(viii)(A) through 
(E) of this section) the discard or disposition that occurred prior to 
and during delivery to a buying station, tender vessel, mothership, 
shoreside processor, or SFP. If no discards or disposition occurred on a 
given day, write ``no discards or disposition.''
    (A) Species code and product code. Record the species code and 
product code for all discards and disposition of groundfish and PSC 
Pacific herring, Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, Pacific halibut, king 
crabs, and Tanner crabs.
    (B) Discard and disposition weight. Record the daily estimated total 
round weight of groundfish or Pacific herring PSC discards and 
disposition, balance forward weight from the previous day, and 
cumulative total weight since last delivery, calculated by adding the 
daily totals and balance carried forward from the day before; indicate 
whether estimated weight is to the nearest pound or nearest 0.001 mt.
    (C) PSC discard numbers. Record the daily number of PSC discards and 
disposition, balance forward from the previous day, and cumulative total 
number since last delivery of PSC animals (Pacific salmon, steelhead 
trout, Pacific halibut, king crabs, and Tanner crabs).
    (D) Discard and disposition cumulative total. Summarize cumulative 
discard and disposition totals of groundfish and PSC animals separately 
by reporting area, if harvest occurred in the COBLZ or RKCSA, management 
program, and gear type.
    (E) Discard zero balance forward. After the offload or transfer of 
all fish or fish product onboard and prior to the beginning of each 
fishing trip, the operator must record the balance forward from the 
previous day as ``zero'' and start a new logsheet. At the beginning of 
each fishing trip, nothing shall be carried forward from the previous 
fishing trip.
    (ix) Discard or disposition information, catcher/processor. The 
operator of a catcher/processor using trawl gear

[[Page 613]]

must record discard or disposition information in eLandings (see 
paragraph (e)(10) of this section).
    (x) Catcher vessel delivery information. The operator must enter the 
following delivery information (see paragraphs (c)(4)(x)(A) through (C) 
of this section) for groundfish delivered to a buying station, tender 
vessel, mothership, shoreside processor, or SFP:
    (A) Date (mm/dd) that delivery of harvest was completed,
    (B) ADF&G fish ticket number issued to operator by the recipient 
receiving the delivery, and
    (C) Name and ADF&G processor code of recipient.
    (5) Shoreside processor DCPL. The shoreside processor DCPL has been 
replaced by eLandings and is no longer available. (See paragraph (e) of 
this section.)
    (i) Required information, if inactive. See paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section.
    (ii) Required information, if active. A shoreside processor or SFP 
is active when receiving or processing groundfish.
    (6) Mothership DCPL--(i) Responsibility. Except as described in 
paragraph (f)(1)(v) of this section, the operator of a mothership that 
is required to have an FFP under Sec. 679.4(b), or the manager of a CQE 
floating processor that receives or processes any groundfish from the 
GOA or BSAI from vessels issued an FFP under Sec. 679.4(b), is required 
to use a combination of mothership DCPL and eLandings to record and 
report daily processor identification information, delivery information, 
groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species 
discard or disposition data. The operator or manager must enter into the 
DCPL any information for groundfish received from catcher vessels, 
groundfish received from processors for reprocessing or rehandling, and 
groundfish received from an associated tender vessel.
    (ii) Reporting time limits. The operator of a mothership must record 
in the DCPL or submit via eLandings the information in the following 
table for each groundfish delivery within the specified time limit:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        REPORTING TIME LIMITS, MOTHERSHIP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Submit via
             Required information               Record In DCPL      eLandings        Time limit for reporting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) All catcher vessel or tender vessel         X               ................  Within 2 hours after
 delivery information                                                              completion of receipt of each
                                                                                   groundfish delivery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) Product information                         ..............  X                 By 2400 hours, A.l.t., each
                                                                                   day to record the previous
                                                                                   day's production information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) Discard or disposition information          ..............  X                 By 2400 hours, A.l.t., each
                                                                                   day to record the previous
                                                                                   day's discard/disposition
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) All other required information              X               ................  By 2400 hours, A.l.t., of the
                                                                                   day following completion of
                                                                                   production
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) Operator sign the completed logsheets       X               ................  By 2400 hours, A.l.t., of the
                                                                                   day following the week-ending
                                                                                   date of the weekly reporting
                                                                                   period.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F) Submit the goldenrod logsheet to the        X               ................  After signed by the operator
 observer                                                                          and prior to departure of
                                                                                   observer from the mothership.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Required information, if inactive. See paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section.
    (iv) Required information, if active. A mothership is active when 
receiving or processing groundfish. If the mothership identified in 
paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section is active, the operator must record 
for one day per logsheet in the DCPL, the information described in 
paragraphs (c)(6)(v) and (vi) of this section and record in eLandings 
the information described in paragraphs (c)(6)(v), (vii), and (viii) of 
this section.
    (v) Identification information. If active, the operator must record 
the following information (see paragraphs (c)(6)(v)(A) through (J) of 
this section) in the DCPL:

[[Page 614]]

    (A) Page number. Number the pages in each logbook consecutively, 
beginning with page 1 for January 1 and continuing throughout the 
logbook for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (B) Printed name and signature of operator. The operator's name must 
be printed in the DCPL. The operator must sign each completed DCPL 
logsheet as verification of acceptance of the responsibility required in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (C) Vessel information. Name of mothership, or CQE floating 
processor as displayed in official documentation, FFP or FPP number, and 
ADF&G processor code.
    (D) Date. Enter date (mm/dd/yyyy) of each operating day.
    (E) Crew size. Record the number of crew members (including 
operator), excluding observer(s), on the last day of the weekly 
reporting period.
    (F) Gear type. Indicate the gear type of harvester. If gear type is 
other than those listed, circle ``Other'' and describe. Use a separate 
logsheet for each gear type.
    (G) Federal reporting areas. Record Federal reporting area code (see 
Figures 1 and 3 to this part) where harvest was completed. Use a 
separate logsheet for each reporting area.
    (H) COBLZ or RKCSA. If groundfish was harvested with trawl gear in 
the COBLZ or RKCSA, use two separate logsheets to record the 
information: one logsheet for the reporting area that includes COBLZ or 
RKCSA, and a second logsheet to record the information from the 
reporting area that does not include COBLZ or RKCSA.
    (I) Observer information. Record the number of observers aboard, the 
name(s) of the observer(s), and the observer cruise number(s).
    (J) Management program. Indicate whether harvest occurred under one 
of the management programs (see paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section). 
Use a separate logsheet for each management program. If harvest is not 
under one of the listed management programs, leave blank.
    (1) For the PCTC Program, enter the observer's haul number for each 
catcher vessel delivery of an unsorted codend by 2400 hours, A.l.t., 
each day to record the previous day's delivery information.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (vi) Delivery information. The operator must record delivery 
information (see paragraphs (c)(6)(vi)(A) through (H) of this section) 
when unprocessed groundfish deliveries are received by the mothership 
from a tender vessel or a catcher vessel. If no deliveries are received 
for a given day, write ``no deliveries.''
    (A) Type of delivery. Enter ``CV'' or ``TV'' to indicate if delivery 
was from a catcher vessel or tender vessel, respectively.
    (B) Non-submittal of discard report. Indicate whether the blue 
logsheet was received from the catcher vessel at the time of catch 
delivery. If the delivery was from a tender vessel, leave this column 
blank. If the blue logsheet is not received from the catcher vessel, 
enter ``NO'' and one of the response codes in the following table to 
describe the reason for non-submittal.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        NON-SUBMITTAL OF DISCARD REPORT                    CODE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The catcher vessel does not have an FFP      ``P''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) The catcher vessel is under 60 ft (18.3 m)   ``P''
 LOA and does not have an FFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) The catcher vessel is under 60 ft (18.3 m)   ``L''
 LOA and has an FFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) The catcher vessel delivered an unsorted     ``U''
 codend
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Another reason; describe circumstances       ``O''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) Vessel identification. Name and ADF&G vessel registration number 
of the catcher vessel or tender vessel (if applicable) delivering the 
groundfish.
    (D) Receipt time. Record time (in military format, A.l.t.) when 
receipt of groundfish delivery was completed.
    (E) Beginning position of receipt. Record the position coordinates 
(in latitude and longitude to the nearest minute; indicate E or W for 
longitude) where receipt of the groundfish delivery began.
    (F) Estimated total groundfish hail weight. Enter the estimated 
total hail weight of the combined species of each delivery from a 
catcher vessel or tender vessel. Total estimated hail weight is an 
estimate of the total weight of

[[Page 615]]

the entire catch without regard to species. Indicate whether the 
estimated weight is to the nearest pound or to the nearest 0.001 mt. If 
a catcher vessel reported discards on a blue DFL but did not deliver 
groundfish, enter ``0'' in this column.
    (G) IR/IU species (see Sec. 679.27). Enter the species code of IR/
IU species and the estimated total round weight for each IR/IU species, 
if applicable; indicate whether estimated weight is to the nearest pound 
or the nearest 0.001 mt. Use one line to record information for each IR/
IU species, including species code and amount of catch. If more than one 
IR/IU species are to be recorded, the operator must use a separate line 
for each species.
    (H) ADF&G fish ticket numbers. If receiving unprocessed groundfish 
from a catcher vessel, record the ADF&G fish ticket number that the 
mothership issued to each catcher vessel. If receiving unprocessed 
groundfish from an associated tender vessel, record the ADF&G fish 
ticket numbers issued by the tender vessel on behalf of the mothership 
to the catcher vessel.
    (vii) Product information. The operator of a mothership must record 
all groundfish product information in eLandings (see paragraph (e)(10) 
of this section), including products made from unprocessed groundfish 
deliveries received from a tender vessel or a catcher vessel; groundfish 
received from another processor or other source; and groundfish received 
for custom processing (see paragraph (a)(7) of this section) by the 
mothership for another processor or business entity.
    (viii) Discard or disposition information. The operator of a 
mothership must record discard and disposition information in eLandings 
(see paragraph (e)(10) of this section). The discard or disposition 
information must include:
    (A) Discards and disposition that occurred onboard after receipt of 
groundfish from a catcher vessel or tender vessel;
    (B) Discards and disposition that occurred prior to, during, and 
after processing of groundfish;
    (C) Discards and disposition that were reported on a blue DFL 
received from a catcher vessel delivering groundfish;
    (D) Discards and disposition that are recorded on a blue DFL 
received from a catcher vessel even though no groundfish are delivered; 
and
    (d) [Reserved]
    (e) Interagency Electronic Reporting System (IERS) and eLandings--
(1) Responsibility--(i) Hardware, software, and Internet connectivity. A 
User must obtain at his or her own expense hardware, software, and 
Internet connectivity to support Internet submissions of commercial 
fishery landings for which participants report to NMFS: landing data, 
production data, and discard or disposition data. The User must enter 
this information via the Internet by logging on to the eLandings system 
at http://elandings.alaska.gov or other NMFS-approved software or by 
using the desktop client software.
    (ii) Reporting of non-IFQ groundfish. If the User is unable to 
submit commercial fishery landings of non-IFQ groundfish due to 
hardware, software, or Internet failure for a period longer than the 
required reporting time, contact NMFS Inseason Management at 907-586-
7228 for instructions. When the hardware, software, or Internet is 
restored, the User must enter this same information into eLandings or 
other NMFS-approved software.
    (iii) IFQ manual landing report. If the User is unable to submit 
commercial fishery landings of IFQ crab, IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or 
IFQ sablefish due to hardware, software, or Internet failure for a 
period longer than the required reporting time, or a change must be made 
to information already submitted, the User must complete an IFQ manual 
landing report. Manual landing instructions must be obtained from OLE, 
Juneau, AK, at 800-304-4846 (Select Option 1).
    (A) The User must complete all questions on the manual report, even 
if only one item has changed. The following additional information is 
required: whether the report is original or revised, name, telephone 
number, and fax number of individual submitting the manual landing 
report.
    (B) The User must fax the IFQ manual landing report to 907-586-7313.
    (C) The User must retain the paper copies of IFQ manual landing 
reports

[[Page 616]]

as indicated at paragraph (a)(5) of this section and make them available 
upon request of NMFS observers and authorized officers as indicated at 
paragraph (a)(6) of this section.
    (2) eLandings processor registration. (i) Before a User can use the 
eLandings system to report landings, production, discard or disposition 
data, he or she must request authorization to use the system, reserve a 
unique UserID, and obtain a password by using the Internet to complete 
the eLandings processor registration at https://elandings.alaska.gov /
elandings/Register.
    (ii) Upon registration acceptance, the User must print, sign, and 
mail the User Agreement Form to NMFS at the address or fax number shown 
on the form. Confirmation will be e-mailed to indicate that the User is 
registered, authorized to use eLandings, and that the UserID and User's 
account are enabled.
    (iii) The User's signature on the registration form means that the 
User agrees to the following terms (see paragraphs (e)(2)(iii)(A) 
through (C) of this section):
    (A) To use eLandings access privileges only for submitting 
legitimate fishery landing reports;
    (B) To safeguard the UserID and password to prevent their use by 
unauthorized persons; and
    (C) To ensure that the User is authorized to submit landing reports 
for the processor permit number(s) listed.
    (3) Information required for eLandings processor registration form. 
The User must enter the following information (see paragraphs (e)(3)(i) 
through (ix) of this section) to obtain operation registration and 
UserID registration:
    (i) Operation type. Select the operation type from the dropdown 
list.
    (ii) Operation name. Enter a name that will refer to the specific 
operation. For example, if the plant is in Kodiak and the company is 
East Pacific Seafoods, the operation name might read ``East Pacific 
Seafoods-Kodiak.''
    (iii) ADF&G processor code. Enter ADF&G processor code.
    (iv) Federal permit number. Enter all the federal permits associated 
with the operation.
    (A) Groundfish shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor. 
If a groundfish shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor, 
enter the FPP number.
    (B) Groundfish catcher/processor or mothership. If a groundfish 
catcher/processor or mothership, enter the FFP number.
    (C) Registered Buyer. If a Registered Buyer, enter the Registered 
Buyer permit number.
    (D) Registered Crab Receiver. If a Registered Crab Receiver, enter 
the Registered Crab Receiver permit number.
    (v) Port code. Enter the home port code (see Tables 14a, 14b, and 
14c to this part) for the operation.
    (vi) ADF&G vessel registration number. If a mothership, catcher/
processor, or tender operation, the operator must enter the ADF&G vessel 
identification number of the vessel.
    (vii) Vehicle license number. If a buying station operation that is 
a vehicle, enter vehicle license number and the state of license 
issuance.
    (viii) Physical operation. If a buying station, tender vessel, or 
custom processor, enter the following information to identify the 
associated processor where the processing will take place: operation 
type, ADF&G processor code, and applicable FFP number, FPP number, 
Registered Buyer permit number, and Registered Crab Receiver permit 
number.
    (ix) UserID registration for primary User. Each operation requires a 
primary User. Enter the following information for the primary User for 
the new operation: create and enter a UserID, initial password, company 
name, User name (name of the person who will use the UserID), city and 
state where the operation is located, business telephone number, 
business fax number, business e-mail address, security question, and 
security answer.
    (4) Information entered automatically for eLandings landing report. 
eLandings autofills the following fields from processor registration 
records (see paragraph (e)(2) of this section): UserID, processor 
company name, business telephone number, e-mail address, port of 
landing, operation type (for catcher/processors, motherships, or SFPs), 
ADF&G processor code, and Federal permit number. The User must review 
the autofilled cells to ensure that they

[[Page 617]]

are accurate for the landing that is taking place. eLandings assigns a 
unique landing report number and an ADF&G electronic fish ticket number 
upon completion of data entry.
    (5) Shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor landing 
report. The manager of a shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE floating 
processor that receives groundfish from a catcher vessel issued an FFP 
under Sec. 679.4 and that is required to have an FPP under Sec. 
679.4(f) must use eLandings or other NMFS-approved software to submit a 
daily landing report during the fishing year to report processor 
identification information and the following information under 
paragraphs (e)(5)(i) through (iii) of this section:
    (i) Information entered for each groundfish delivery to a shoreside 
processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor. The User for a shoreside 
processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor must enter the following 
information (see paragraphs (e)(5)(i)(A) through (C) of this section) 
for each groundfish delivery (other than IFQ sablefish) provided by the 
operator of a catcher vessel, the operator or manager of an associated 
buying station or tender vessel, and from processors for reprocessing or 
rehandling product into eLandings or other NMFS-approved software:
    (A) Delivery information. (1) Number of observers onboard.
    (2) For crew size, enter the number of licensed crew aboard the 
vessel, including the operator.
    (3) Management program name and identifying number, if any, in which 
harvest occurred (see paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section).
    (4) ADF&G groundfish statistical area of harvest.
    (5) For date of landing, enter date (mm/dd/yyyy) that the delivery 
was completed.
    (6) Indicate (YES or NO) whether delivery is from a buying station 
or tender vessel.
    (7) If the delivery is received from a buying station, indicate the 
name of the buying station. If the delivery is received from a tender 
vessel, enter the ADF&G vessel registration number.
    (8) If delivery is received from a catcher vessel, indicate the 
ADF&G vessel registration number of the vessel.
    (9) Indicate whether the blue logsheet was received from the catcher 
vessel at the time of catch delivery. If the blue logsheet is not 
received from the catcher vessel, enter ``NO'' and select the applicable 
code from the following table to explain the reason provided by the 
catcher vessel for not supplying this copy:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        NON-SUBMITTAL OF DISCARD REPORT                    CODE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) The catcher vessel does not have an FFP      ``P''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) The catcher vessel is under 60 ft (18.3 m)  ``P''
 LOA and does not have an FFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) The catcher vessel is under 60 ft (18.3    ``L''
 m) LOA and has an FFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) The catcher vessel delivered an unsorted    ``U''
 codend
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(v) Another reason; describe circumstances       ``O''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (10) Gear type of harvester.
    (11) ADF&G fish ticket number provided to catcher vessel (eLandings 
assigns an ADF&G fish ticket number to the landing report).
    (12) If receiving deliveries of groundfish in the marine municipal 
boundaries of a CQE community listed in Table 21 to this part.
    (B) Landed scale weight. The User for a shoreside processor or SFP 
must record landed scale weight (to the nearest pound) for all retained 
species from groundfish deliveries by species code and delivery 
condition code. Obtain actual weights for each groundfish species 
received and retained by:
    (1) Sorting according to species codes and direct weighing of that 
species, or
    (2) Weighing the entire delivery and then sorting and weighing the 
groundfish species individually to determine their weights.
    (C) Discard or disposition information. The User must record:
    (1) Discard or disposition of fish: that occurred on and was 
reported by a catcher vessel; that occurred on and was reported by a 
buying station or tender vessel; and that occurred prior to, during, 
and/or after production of groundfish at the shoreside processor or SFP. 
Discards and dispositions also must be recorded when no groundfish

[[Page 618]]

are delivered but the blue DFL is submitted by a catcher vessel 
containing records of discards or disposition.
    (2) If groundfish or PSC herring, enter species code, delivery 
condition code, disposition code, and weight (to the nearest pound), and
    (3) If PSC halibut, salmon, or crab, enter species code, delivery 
condition code, disposition code, and count (in numbers of animals).
    (ii) Submittal time limit. The User for a shoreside processor or SFP 
must submit a landing report containing the information described in 
paragraph (e)(5)(i) of this section for each groundfish delivery from a 
specific vessel by 1200 hours, A.l.t., of the day following completion 
of the delivery. If the landed scale weight required in paragraph 
(e)(5)(i)(C) of this section is not available by this deadline, the User 
must transmit an estimated weight for each species by 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., of the day following completion of the delivery, and must submit 
a revised landing report with the landed scale weight for each species 
by 1200 hours, A.l.t., of the third day following completion of the 
delivery.
    (iii) Compliance. By using eLandings, the User for the shoreside 
processor or SFP and the operator for the catcher vessel or tender 
vessel or manager of the buying station providing information to the 
User for the shoreside processor or SFP accept the responsibility of and 
acknowledge compliance with Sec. 679.7(a)(10).
    (6) Mothership landing report. The operator of a mothership that is 
issued an FFP under Sec. 679.4(b) that receives groundfish from a 
catcher vessel required to have an FFP under Sec. 679.4 is required to 
use eLandings or other NMFS-approved software to submit a daily landing 
report during the fishing year to report processor identification 
information and the following information under paragraphs (e)(6)(i) 
through (iii) of this section:
    (i) Information entered for each groundfish delivery to a 
mothership. The User for a mothership must enter the following 
information (see paragraphs (e)(6)(i)(A)(1) through (12) of this 
section) provided by the operator of a catcher vessel, operator or 
manager of an associated tender vessel, or information received from 
processors for reprocessing or rehandling product.
    (A) Delivery information. (1) Number of observers onboard.
    (2) Crew size (including operator).
    (3) Management program name and identifying number, if any, in which 
harvest occurred (see paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section).
    (4) ADF&G groundfish statistical area of harvest.
    (5) Date (mm/dd/yyyy) that delivery was completed.
    (6) If the delivery is received from a tender, enter the ADF&G 
vessel registration number of the tender.
    (7) If delivery received from a catcher vessel, enter the ADF&G 
vessel registration number of the vessel.
    (8) Indicate whether the blue logsheet was received from the catcher 
vessel at the time of catch delivery. If the blue logsheet was not 
received from the catcher vessel, enter ``NO'' and select a code from 
the following table to explain the reason provided by the catcher vessel 
for not supplying this copy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        NON-SUBMITTAL OF DISCARD REPORT                    CODE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) The catcher vessel does not have an FFP      ``P''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) The catcher vessel is under 60 ft (18.3 m)  ``P''
 LOA and does not have an FFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) The catcher vessel is under 60 ft (18.3    ``L''
 m) LOA and has an FFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) The catcher vessel delivered an unsorted    ``U''
 codend
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(v) Another reason; describe circumstances       ``O''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (9) Gear type of harvester.
    (10) Total estimated round weight by species (pounds).
    (11) ADF&G fish ticket number provided to catcher vessel (eLandings 
assigns an ADF&G fish ticket number to the landing report).
    (12) For deliveries from catcher vessels directed fishing for 
pollock in the Bering Sea, indicate whether, prior to the haul, the 
operator of the catcher vessel moved fishing location primarily to avoid 
Chinook salmon bycatch.
    (B) Discard or disposition information. (1) The User must record 
discard or disposition information that occurred on and was reported by 
a catcher vessel; that occurred on and was reported by a tender vessel; 
and that occurred prior

[[Page 619]]

to, during, and after production of groundfish at the mothership. 
Discards and dispositions also must be recorded when no groundfish are 
delivered but the blue DFL is submitted by a catcher vessel containing 
records of discards or disposition.
    (2) If groundfish or PSC herring, enter species code, delivery 
condition code, disposition code, and weight (to the nearest pound), and
    (3) If PSC halibut, salmon, or crab, enter species code, delivery 
condition code, disposition code, and count (in numbers of animals).
    (ii) Submittal time limit. The User for a mothership must submit a 
landing report containing the information described at paragraph 
(e)(6)(i) of this section for each groundfish delivery from a specific 
vessel by 2400 hours, A.l.t., of the day following the delivery.
    (iii) Compliance. By using eLandings, the User for the mothership 
and the catcher vessel operator or tender vessel operator providing 
information to the User for the mothership accept the responsibility of 
and acknowledge compliance with Sec. 679.7(a)(10).
    (7) Registered Buyer landing report. A person who is issued a 
Registered Buyer permit under Sec. 679.4(d)(3) and who receives IFQ 
halibut or IFQ sablefish from an IFQ permit holder or who receives CDQ 
halibut from a CDQ permit holder at any time during the fishing year is 
required to use eLandings or other NMFS-approved software to submit 
landing reports with the following information from paragraphs (e)(7)(i) 
and (ii) of this section):
    (i) Information entered for each IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ 
sablefish delivery. The User for a Registered Buyer must enter the 
following information (see paragraphs (e)(7)(i)(A) through (E) of this 
section) for each IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ sablefish delivery 
into eLandings or other NMFS-approved software:
    (A) User identification. UserID and password of person assigned for 
that system.
    (B) Landing date. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) of the landing.
    (C) Landing location. Location (port code) of the landing (See 
Tables 14a, 14b, and 14c to this part).
    (D) Permit numbers. Permit number of the IFQ permit holder, and any 
IFQ hired master permit holder, or CDQ hired master permit holder 
harvesting the fish and permit number of Registered Buyer receiving the 
IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut.
    (E) Delivery information. As reported by the IFQ permit holder, IFQ 
hired master permit holder, or CDQ hired master permit holder including 
the information in paragraphs (e)(7)(i)(E)(1) through (9) of this 
section):
    (1) Harvesting vessel's ADF&G vessel registration number.
    (2) Gear code of gear used to harvest IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or 
CDQ halibut.
    (3) ADF&G fish ticket number(s) for the landing (after the initial 
eLandings report is submitted, eLandings assigns an ADF&G fish ticket 
number to the landing report).
    (4) ADF&G statistical area of harvest.
    (5) If ADF&G statistical area is bisected by a line dividing two IFQ 
regulatory areas, provide the IFQ regulatory area of harvest.
    (6) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(7)(i)(E)(7) of this section, 
initial accurate scale weight(s) (to the nearest pound) made at the time 
of offloading for IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut sold and 
retained (where retained includes fish intended for personal use, fish 
weighed and reloaded for delivery to another processor, and fish landed 
but rejected at the dock by the Registered Buyer); species codes; 
delivery condition code; and disposition code for each ADF&G statistical 
area of harvest.
    (7) Accurate weight of IFQ sablefish processed product obtained 
before the offload may be substituted for the initial accurate scale 
weight provided in paragraph (e)(7)(i)(E)(6) of this section, at time of 
offload, if the vessel operator is a Registered Buyer reporting an IFQ 
sablefish landing.
    (8) Indicate whether initial accurate scale weight is given with or 
without ice and slime. Fish which have been washed prior to weighing or 
which have been offloaded from refrigerated salt water are not eligible 
for a 2-percent deduction for ice and slime and must be reported as fish 
weights without ice

[[Page 620]]

and slime. The 2-percent deduction is made by NMFS, not the submitter.
    (9) Indicate whether IFQ halibut is incidental catch concurrent with 
legal landing of salmon or concurrent with legal landing of lingcod 
harvested using dinglebar gear.
    (ii) Signatures for IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish 
deliveries. (A) The User for the Registered Buyer must print the 
completed groundfish landing report (ADF&G electronic groundfish ticket) 
and the sablefish/halibut IFQ landing receipt. The User must review the 
autofilled data entry cells to ensure that they are accurate for the 
landing that is taking place.
    (B) The User for the Registered Buyer, plus the IFQ permit holder or 
the IFQ hired master permit holder or CDQ hired master permit holder, 
must acknowledge the accuracy of the printed IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, 
or IFQ sablefish landing receipt, and if necessary, IFQ manual landing 
report, by entering printed name, signature, and date.
    (iii) Time limits--(A) Landing hours. A landing of IFQ halibut, CDQ 
halibut, or IFQ sablefish may commence only between 0600 hours, A.l.t., 
and 1800 hours, A.l.t., unless permission to land at a different time is 
granted in advance by a clearing officer.
    (B) Landing receipt signatures. The User for the Registered Buyer 
and the IFQ permit holder, IFQ hired master permit holder, or CDQ hired 
master permit holder must sign the sablefish/halibut IFQ landing receipt 
within six hours after all IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ sablefish 
are offloaded from a harvesting vessel and prior to shipment or transfer 
of the fish from the landing site.
    (C) Landing completion. The User for the Registered Buyer must 
submit an IFQ landing report, containing the information described in 
this paragraph (e)(7), within six hours after all IFQ halibut, CDQ 
halibut, and IFQ sablefish are offloaded from a specific vessel and 
prior to shipment or transfer of said fish from the landing site.
    (iv) IFQ manual landing report. See paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this 
section.
    (8) Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) IFQ crab landing report. (i) A 
person who is issued an RCR permit under Sec. 680.4(i) of this chapter 
and who receives IFQ crab from a crab IFQ permit holder or crab IFQ 
hired master is required to use eLandings to submit a landing report to 
report every landing of IFQ crab and incidental groundfish.
    (ii) An RCR using a catcher/processor is required to submit a crab 
landing report using eLandings in a format approved by NMFS. NMFS will 
provide format specifications upon request. Interested parties may 
contact NMFS Alaska Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Catch 
Accounting/Data Quality, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, 
telephone 907-586-7228.
    (iii) Information entered for each IFQ crab delivery. The User for 
the RCR must submit information described at paragraphs (e)(8)(iii)(A) 
through (D) of this section into eLandings or other NMFS-approved 
software for each IFQ crab delivery:
    (A) Permit numbers. RCR permit number, IFQ permit number, and IPQ 
permit number, as appropriate.
    (B) Operation type and port code--(1) If a shoreside processor, the 
port code is pre-filled automatically (see Sec. 679.5(e)(4)).
    (2) If a catcher/processor, the at-sea operation type is pre-filled 
automatically.
    (3) If an SFP and crab delivery is received in port, the at-sea 
operation type is pre-filled automatically (see Sec. 679.5(e)(4)) and 
the User must enter the port code from Table 14a to this part.
    (4) If an SFP and crab delivery is received at sea, the at-sea 
operation type is pre-filled automatically (see Sec. 679.5(e)(4)) and 
the User must enter the appropriate crab regional designation (see Sec. 
680.40(b)(2)), shown below:

                      CR Crab Regional Designations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N--North Region........................  Landed in the Bering Sea
                                          subarea north of
                                          56[deg]20[min] N. lat.
S--South Region........................  Landed in any area in Alaska,
                                          not in the North Region.
W--West Region.........................  West of 174[deg] W. long. Only
                                          applicable for western
                                          Aleutian Islands golden king
                                          crab (WAG).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) Delivery information. As reported by IFQ permit holder.
    (1) ADF&G vessel registration number of the delivering vessel.
    (2) Date (mm/dd/yyyy) fishing began.

[[Page 621]]

    (3) Date (mm/dd/yyyy) of the IFQ crab landing.
    (4) ADF&G fish ticket number (automatically supplied).
    (5) ADF&G statistical area of harvest (All ADF&G statistical areas 
are translated to the NMFS reporting area and the IPHC reporting area by 
eLandings.).
    (6) Species code of catch from Table 2 to part 680.
    (7) Delivery-condition codes of catch from Table 3a to this part.
    (8) Number of crab retained and sold condition code, product type, 
size/grade, and sold pounds; and optionally, price per pound.
    (9) Scale weight of deadloss (to the nearest pound) and scale weight 
of crab retained for personal use (to the nearest pound). Deadloss and 
personal use crab that an IPQ holder did not purchase are not debited 
from the IPQ holder's account.
    (D) Crew and observer information--(1) For crew size, enter the 
number of licensed crew aboard the vessel, including the operator.
    (2) Number of observers aboard.
    (iv) Information entered for IFQ crab custom processing landings. In 
addition to the information required in paragraph (e)(8)(iii) of this 
section, if custom processing IFQ crab, the User for the RCR must enter 
the ADF&G processor code of the person for which the IFQ crab was custom 
processed.
    (v) Signatures for IFQ crab deliveries. (A) The User for the RCR 
must print the completed crab landing report (ADF&G electronic crab 
ticket) and the crab IFQ landing receipt. The User must review the 
autofilled data entry cells to ensure that they are accurate for the 
landing that is taking place.
    (B) The User for the Registered Crab Receiver (RCR), plus the IFQ 
permit holder or IFQ hired master permit holder, must acknowledge the 
accuracy of the printed IFQ crab landing receipt, and, if necessary, IFQ 
manual landing report, by entering printed name, signature, and date.
    (vi) Time limits. (A) Except as indicated in paragraph (e)(8)(vi)(B) 
of this section, the User for the RCR is required to submit a crab 
landing report described at this paragraph (e)(8) to NMFS within six 
hours after all crab is offloaded from the vessel.
    (B) For IFQ crab harvested on a catcher/processor, the User for the 
RCR is required to submit an IFQ crab landing report to NMFS by Tuesday 
1200 hours, A.l.t. after the end of each weekly reporting period in 
which IFQ crab was harvested.
    (C) The User for the RCR and the IFQ permit holder or IFQ hired 
master permit holder must enter printed name and sign the crab IFQ 
landing receipt within six hours after all crab is offloaded from the 
harvesting vessel.
    (vii) Landing document retention. The User must retain each landing 
report and landing receipt per paragraph (a)(5) of this section.
    (viii) IFQ manual landing report for crab. See paragraph (e)(1)(iii) 
of this section.
    (9) Shoreside processor or SFP information entered for production 
report. The manager of a shoreside processor or SFP that is required to 
have an FPP under Sec. 679.4(f) must use eLandings or other NMFS-
approved software during the fishing year to submit a production report 
to report daily processor identification information and all groundfish 
production data. The User must retain a copy of each production report 
per paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section.
    (i) Contents. eLandings autofills the following fields when creating 
a production report for a shoreside processor or SFP: FPP number, 
company name, ADF&G processor code, User name, email address, and 
telephone number. The User must review the autofilled cells to ensure 
that they are accurate for the current report. In addition, the User for 
the shoreside processor or SFP must enter the following information (see 
paragraphs (e)(9)(i)(A) through (F) of this section):
    (A) Date. Reporting date (mm/dd/yyyy).
    (B) Observers. Number of observers onsite.
    (C) Area of harvest. Whether harvested in GOA or BSAI.
    (D) Product description. Species code, product type, and product 
code of product.
    (E) Product weight. Enter actual scale weight of product to the 
nearest pound.

[[Page 622]]

    (F) No production/no deliveries (inactive). If there was no 
production or deliveries for the day, mark the ``No Production'' and/or 
``No Deliveries'' boxes.
    (ii) Submittal time limits--(A) When active pursuant to paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii) of this section, the User for a shoreside processor or SFP 
must submit a production report by 1200 hours, A.l.t., each day to 
record the previous day's production information.
    (B) If a shoreside processor or SFP using eLandings is not taking 
deliveries over a weekend, the User or manager may submit the eLandings 
production report from Saturday and Sunday to NMFS by 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., on the following Monday.
    (10) Catcher/processor or mothership information entered for 
production report--(i) Catcher/processor. The operator of a catcher/
processor that is issued an FFP under Sec. 679.4 and that harvests 
groundfish is required to use eLandings or other NMFS-approved software 
to submit a production report to record and report daily processor 
identification information, groundfish production data, and groundfish 
and prohibited species discard or disposition data.
    (ii) Mothership. The operator of a mothership that is issued an FFP 
under Sec. 679.4, or the operator of a CQE floating processor that 
receives groundfish is required to use eLandings or other NMFS-approved 
software to submit a production report to record and report daily 
processor identification information, groundfish production data, and 
groundfish and prohibited species discard or disposition data.
    (iii) Contents. eLandings autofills the following fields when 
creating a production report for a catcher/processor or mothership: FFP 
or FPP number, company name, ADF&G processor code, User name, email 
address, and telephone number. The User must review the autofilled cells 
to ensure that they are accurate for the current report. In addition, 
the User for the catcher/processor or mothership must enter the 
information in paragraphs (e)(10)(iii)(A) through (N) of this section.
    (A) Date. Reporting date (mm/dd/yyyy).
    (B) Designation. From Table 14c to this part, enter whether the 
processor is a catcher/processor = FCP or a mothership = FLD.
    (C) Crew size. Including operator.
    (D) Management program. Enter management program and identifying 
number, if any, in which harvest occurred (see paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of 
this section).
    (E) Gear type of harvester. Enter the gear type used by the 
harvester.
    (F) Federal Reporting Area of harvest. Enter the Federal Reporting 
Area where harvest was made.
    (G) COBLZ or RKCSA. Indicate whether fishing occurred in COBLZ or 
RKCSA (if applicable).
    (H) Product description. Species code, product type, and product 
code of product.
    (I) Product weight. Enter product weight in metric tons to the 
nearest 0.001 mt.
    (J) No production (inactive). If there was no production for the 
day, mark the ``No Production'' box.
    (K) Discard description. The operator must record the discard or 
disposition that occurred prior to, during, and after production of 
groundfish by species code and disposition code of discards and 
disposition.
    (L) Discard weight. Daily weight of groundfish and the daily weight 
of herring PSC to the nearest 0.001 mt.
    (M) PSC numbers--(1) Non-AFA catcher/processors and all motherships. 
Daily number of PSC animals (Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, Pacific 
halibut, king crabs, and Tanner crabs) by species codes and discard and 
disposition codes.
    (2) AFA and CDQ catcher/processors. The operator of an AFA catcher/
processor or any catcher/processor harvesting pollock CDQ must enter 
daily the number of non-salmon PSC animals (Pacific halibut, king crabs, 
and Tanner crabs) by species codes and discard and disposition codes. 
Salmon PSC animals are entered into the electronic logbook as described 
in paragraphs (f)(1)(iv) and (v) of this section.
    (N) ADF&G statistical area. Must be reported beginning January 1, 
2009.
    (iv) Submittal time limits--(A) Except as described in paragraph 
(e)(10)(iv)(B) of this section, when a mothership is active pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(6)(iv) of this section, a catcher/processor

[[Page 623]]

longline or pot gear is active pursuant to paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(B) of 
this section, or a catcher/processor trawl gear is active pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(4)(iv)(B) of this section, the User for a mothership or 
catcher/processor must submit a production report by 2400 hours, A.l.t., 
each day to record the previous day's production information.
    (B) If a vessel is in the groundfish and halibut fishery full 
observer coverage category described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2), the User may 
submit a production report for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday no later 
than 2400 hours, A.l.t., on the following Monday.
    (11) Printing of landing reports, landing receipts, and production 
reports--(i) The User daily must print a paper copy onsite or onboard 
of:
    (A) Each landing report.
    (B) If IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut, each sablefish/
halibut IFQ landing receipt.
    (C) If IFQ crab, each crab IFQ landing receipt.
    (D) Each production report.
    (ii) In addition to paragraph (e)(11)(i) of this section, the 
mothership operator or User must print an additional copy of each 
landing report and provide it to the operator of the catcher vessel 
delivering groundfish to the mothership by 1200 hours, A.l.t., on 
Tuesday following the end of applicable weekly reporting period.
    (12) Retention and inspection of landing reports, landing receipts, 
and production reports--(i) The User daily must retain a printed paper 
copy onsite or onboard of:
    (A) Each landing report.
    (B) If IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut, each sablefish/
halibut IFQ landing receipt.
    (C) If IFQ crab, each crab IFQ landing receipt.
    (D) Each production report.
    (ii) The User must make available the printed copies upon request of 
NMFS observers and authorized officers as indicated at paragraph (a)(5) 
of this section.
    (13) Catcher/processor landing report. (i) The operator of a 
catcher/processor placed in the partial observer coverage category under 
Sec. 679.51(a)(3) must use eLandings or other NMFS-approved software to 
submit a catcher/processor landing report to NMFS for each fishing trip 
conducted while that catcher/processor is in the partial observer 
coverage category.
    (ii) The vessel operator must log into eLandings or other NMFS-
approved software and provide the information required on the computer 
screen. Additional instructions for submitting a catcher/processor 
landing report is on the Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (iii) For purposes of this landing report requirement, the end of a 
fishing trip is defined in Sec. 679.2, paragraph (3)(iii) of the 
definition of a fishing trip.
    (iv) The vessel operator must submit the catcher/processor landing 
report to NMFS by 2400 hours, A.l.t., on the day after the end of the 
fishing trip.
    (14) Tender vessel landing report (``tLandings'')--(i) tLandings. 
tLandings is an applications software for preparing electronic landing 
reports for commercial fishery landings to tender vessels.
    (ii) Tender vessel operator responsibility. The operator of a tender 
vessel taking delivery of groundfish that is required to be reported to 
NMFS on a landing report under paragraph (e)(5) of this section must use 
tLandings to enter information about each landing of groundfish and must 
provide that information to the User defined under Sec. 679.2.
    (iii) User responsibility. The User must configure and provide the 
tender vessel operator with the most recent version of the tLandings 
tender workstation application prior to the tender vessel taking 
delivery of groundfish.
    (iv) Information entered for each groundfish delivery. The tender 
vessel operator must log into the configured tLandings tender 
workstation application and provide the information required on the 
computer screen. Additional instructions for tLandings is on the Alaska 
Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (v) Submittal time limit. (A) The tender vessel operator must 
provide the landing information in tLandings to the User at the 
commencement of the transfer or offload of groundfish from the tender 
vessel to the processor.

[[Page 624]]

    (B) The User must upload the data recorded in tLandings by the 
tender vessel to prepare the initial landing report for a catcher vessel 
delivering to a tender vessel that is required under paragraph (e)(5) of 
this section within the submittal time limit specified under paragraph 
(e)(5).
    (vi) Compliance. By using tLandings, the User and the tender vessel 
operator providing information to the User accept the responsibility of 
and acknowledge compliance with Sec. 679.7(a)(10).
    (f) Electronic logbooks (ELBs). The operator may use a combination 
of a NMFS-approved ELB (instead of a DFL or DCPL) and eLandings to 
record and report groundfish information. To satisfy ELB use 
requirements, the operator after data entry must routinely create the 
following three products: an ELB logsheet, an ELB discard report, and an 
ELB data export.
    (1) Responsibility. The operator of a vessel voluntarily using an 
ELB must notify the Regional Administrator by fax at 907-586-7465 to 
notify NMFS that the operator is using a NMFS-approved ELB instead of a 
DFL or DCPL, prior to participating in any Federal fishery.
    (i) Catcher vessel longline and pot gear ELB. The operator of a 
catcher vessel using longline and pot gear may use a NMFS-approved 
catcher vessel longline or pot gear ELB in lieu of using the NMFS-
prescribed catcher vessel longline or pot gear DFL required at paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Catcher/processor longline and pot gear ELB. Except for 
catcher/processors subject to Sec. 679.100(b), the operator of a 
catcher/processor using longline or pot gear may use a combination of a 
NMFS-approved catcher/processor longline and pot gear ELB and eLandings 
to record and report groundfish information. The operator may use a 
NMFS-approved catcher/processor longline and pot gear ELB to record 
daily processor identification information and catch-by-set information. 
In eLandings, the operator must record daily processor identification, 
groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species 
discard or disposition data.
    (iii) Catcher vessel trawl gear ELB. The operator of a catcher 
vessel using trawl gear may use a NMFS-approved catcher vessel trawl 
gear ELB in lieu of using the NMFS-prescribed catcher vessel trawl gear 
DFL required at paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
    (iv) Catcher/processor trawl gear ELB. Except as described in 
paragraph (f)(1)(vii) of this section, the operator of a catcher/
processor using trawl gear may use a combination of a NMFS-approved 
catcher/processor trawl gear ELB and eLandings to record and report 
groundfish information. In the ELB, the operator may enter processor 
identification information and catch-by-haul information. In eLandings, 
the operator must enter processor identification, groundfish production 
data, and groundfish and prohibited species discard or disposition data.
    (v) Mothership ELB. The operator of a mothership may use a 
combination of a NMFS-approved mothership ELB and eLandings to record 
and report groundfish information. The operator may use a NMFS-approved 
mothership ELB to record daily processor identification information and 
catcher vessel and tender vessel groundfish delivery information. In 
eLandings, the operator must record daily processor identification, 
groundfish production data, and groundfish and prohibited species 
discard or disposition data.
    (vi) If using a NMFS-approved ELB, the operator is not required to 
quarterly submit logsheets to OLE.
    (vii) AFA and CDQ trawl catcher/processors. The operator of an AFA 
catcher/processor or any catcher/processor harvesting pollock CDQ must 
use a combination of NMFS-approved catcher/processor trawl gear ELB and 
eLandings to record and report groundfish and PSC information. In the 
ELB, the operator must enter processor identification information; 
catch-by-haul information; prohibited species discard or disposition 
data for all salmon species in each haul; and indicate whether, prior to 
the haul, the operator moved fishing location primarily to avoid Chinook 
salmon bycatch. In eLandings, the operator must enter processor 
identification, groundfish production data, and groundfish and 
prohibited species discard or disposition data for all prohibited 
species except salmon.

[[Page 625]]

    (viii) Longline catcher/processor subsector. The operator of a 
catcher/processor subject to Sec. 679.100(b) must use a NMFS-approved 
catcher/processor longline and pot gear ELB to record processor 
identification information, catch-by-set information, and, if required 
to weigh Pacific cod on a NMFS-approved scale, the total Pacific cod 
weight from the scale for each set. This requirement applies for the 
entire year that the vessel is subject to Sec. 679.100(b) and operating 
as a catcher/processor using either longline or pot gear.
    (ix) Catcher/processors and motherships required to weigh catch on 
NMFS-approved scales. Catcher/processors and motherships required to 
weigh catch on a NMFS-approved scale must use a NMFS-approved ELB. The 
vessel operator must ensure that each scale is tested as specified in 
Sec. 679.28(b)(3) and that the following information from all scale 
tests, including failed tests, is reported within 24 hours of the 
testing using the ELB:
    (A) The weight of test material from the observer platform scale;
    (B) The total weight of the test material as recorded by the scale 
being tested;
    (C) Percent error as determined by subtracting the known weight of 
the test material from the weight recorded on the scale being tested, 
dividing that amount by the known weight of the test material, and 
multiplying by 100; and
    (D) The time, to the nearest minute A.l.t. when testing began.
    (2) Requirements for using an ELB--(i) Use a NMFS-approved ELB. The 
operator must use only a NMFS-approved ELB. The Regional Administrator 
maintains a list of approved ELBs on the Alaska Region NMFS website at 
http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov (see also Sec. 679.28(h) for approval 
of vendor software).
    (ii) Reporting groundfish by ELB. If the User is unable to submit 
commercial fishery information due to hardware, software, or Internet 
failure for a period longer than the required reporting time, contact 
NMFS Inseason Management at (907) 586-7228 for instructions. When the 
hardware, software, or Internet is restored, the User must enter this 
same information into the electronic logbook (ELB) or other NMFS-
approved software.
    (iii) Enter all required information into the ELB--(A) Inactive. The 
operator must enter all required information, if inactive (see paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section).
    (B) Active. The operator must enter all required information, if 
active (see paragraph (c)(3), (c)(4), or (c)(6) of this section, as 
appropriate).
    (1) Recording time limits. The time limits for recording applicable 
information in the ELBs are the same as the recording time limits for 
DFLs and DCPLs in paragraphs (c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(6) of this section.
    (2) Daily complete ELB data entry and printing of copies as 
indicated in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section.
    (iv) Regularly backup ELB data. The operator must regularly backup 
ELB data to ensure that data are not lost in the event of hardware or 
software problems.
    (v) Correct errors in ELB data. If after an ELB discard report and 
ELB logsheet are printed, an error is found in the data, the operator 
must make any necessary changes to the data, print a new copy of the ELB 
discard report and ELB logsheet, and export the revised file to NMFS. 
The operator must retain both the original and revised ELB reports.
    (3) Printed copies. Upon completion of ELB data entry each day, the 
operator must print the following information (see paragraphs (f)(3)(i) 
and (ii) of this section) in the NMFS-specified format:
    (i) ELB logsheet. (A) Print a copy of an ELB logsheet when a vessel 
is active, by 2400 hours, A.l.t. each day to record the previous day's 
ELB information.
    (B) Print one ELB logsheet to describe a continuous period of 
inactivity, when a vessel is inactive.
    (C) Print a copy of the ELB logsheet for the observer's use, if an 
observer is onboard the vessel, by 2400 hours, A.l.t., each day to 
record the previous day's ELB information.
    (ii) ELB discard report. (A) Print a copy of an ELB discard report 
upon completion of each fishing trip or each offload of fish.
    (B) If an observer is present, print a copy of the ELB discard 
report for the

[[Page 626]]

observer's use upon completion of each fishing trip or each offload of 
fish.
    (4) Signatures--(i) ELB logsheet. The operator daily must sign and 
date each printed ELB logsheet by 2400 hours, A.l.t. each day to record 
the previous day's ELB information. The signature of the operator is 
verification of acceptance of the responsibility required in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section.
    (ii) ELB discard report. The operator daily must sign and date each 
printed ELB discard report upon completion of each fishing trip or each 
offload of fish. The signature of the operator is verification of 
acceptance of the responsibility required in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section.
    (5) Submittal time limits. (i) The operator of a catcher vessel 
using an ELB must upon delivery of catch submit the ELB discard report 
to the mothership, shoreside processor, or SFP.
    (ii) The operator or manager of a buying station or tender vessel 
that receives groundfish catch from a catcher vessel using an ELB must 
upon delivery of catch submit the ELB discard report to the mothership, 
shoreside processor, or SFP, and submit the ELB data export directly to 
the Regional Administrator or through the mothership, shoreside 
processor, or SFP.
    (6) Retention. The operator must keep a signed copy of each ELB 
logsheet and each ELB discard report, filed in sequence for immediate 
access by authorized personnel as described at paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section.
    (7) ELB data submission--(i) Catcher/processors. The operator of a 
catcher/processor must transmit ELB data directly to NMFS online through 
eLandings or other NMFS-approved data transmission mechanism, by 2400 
hours, A.l.t., each day to record the previous day's hauls.
    (ii) Catcher vessels. The operator of a catcher vessel must transmit 
ELB data directly to NMFS as an email attachment or to NMFS through a 
shoreside processor, SFP, or mothership who received his/her groundfish 
catch. Through a prior agreement with the catcher vessel, the operator 
of a mothership or the manager of a shoreside processor or SFP will 
forward the ELB data transfer to NMFS as an email attachment within 24 
hours of completing receipt of the catcher vessel's catch.
    (8) Return receipt. (i) Upon receiving an ELB data export, NMFS will 
generate a dated return-receipt to confirm receipt of the ELB data. If 
errors exist in the data transmitted to NMFS, the receipt will identify 
the errors. If errors are identified, the operator must correct the 
errors and send a revised transmission to NMFS which will then confirm 
acceptance of the ELB data.
    (ii) The operator must retain the NMFS return receipt as described 
in paragraph (a)(5) of this section.
    (iii) If a return receipt from NMFS is not received within 24 hours, 
the operator of the catcher vessel, the operator of a catcher/processor, 
the operator of the mothership, or the manager of the shoreside 
processor or SFP forwarding the ELB data export for the operator of the 
catcher vessel, must contact NMFS by telephone at 907-586-7228 or fax at 
907-586-7131 for instructions.
    (g) Product transfer report (PTR)--(1) General requirements. Except 
as provided in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (v) of this section, the 
operator or manager must record on a PTR those species that are listed 
in Tables 2a and 2c to this part when those species are transferred out 
of the facility or off the vessel and may also record species listed in 
Table 2d to this part. For a comparison of forms used for shipping, 
transporting, or transferring fish or fish product, see Table 13 to this 
part.
    (i) Groundfish and donated prohibited species. The operator of a 
mothership or catcher/processor or the manager of a shoreside processor 
or SFP must complete and submit a separate PTR for each shipment of 
groundfish and donated prohibited species caught in groundfish 
fisheries. A PTR is not required to accompany a shipment.
    (ii) IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, and CDQ halibut. A Registered Buyer 
must submit a separate PTR for each shipment of halibut or sablefish for 
which the Registered Buyer submitted an IFQ landing report or was 
required to submit an IFQ landing report. A PTR is not required to 
accompany a shipment.
    (iii) CR crab. A Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) must submit a 
separate PTR for each shipment of crab for

[[Page 627]]

which the RCR submitted a CR crab landing report or was required to 
submit a CR crab landing report. A PTR is not required to accompany a 
shipment.
    (2) Exceptions--(i) Bait sales (non-IFQ groundfish only). During one 
calendar day, the operator or manager may aggregate and record on one 
PTR the individual sales or shipments of non-IFQ groundfish to vessels 
for bait purposes during the day recording the amount of such bait 
product shipped from a vessel or facility that day.
    (ii) Retail sales--(A) IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, CDQ halibut, and 
non-IFQ groundfish. During one calendar day, the operator, manager, or 
Registered Buyer may aggregate and record on one PTR the amount of 
transferred retail product of IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, CDQ halibut, 
and non-IFQ groundfish if each sale weighs less than 10 lb or 4.5 kg.
    (B) CR crab. During one calendar day, the RCR may aggregate and 
record on one PTR the amount of transferred retail product of CR crab if 
each sale weighs less than 100 lb or 45 kg.
    (iii) Wholesale sales (non-IFQ groundfish only). The operator or 
manager may aggregate and record on one PTR, wholesale sales of non-IFQ 
groundfish by species when recording the amount of such wholesale 
species leaving a vessel or facility in one calendar day, if invoices 
detailing destinations for all of the product are available for 
inspection by an authorized officer.
    (iv) Dockside sales.
    (A) A person holding a valid IFQ permit, or IFQ hired master permit, 
and a Registered Buyer permit may conduct a dockside sale of IFQ halibut 
or IFQ sablefish with a person who has not been issued a Registered 
Buyer permit after all IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish have been landed 
and reported in accordance with paragraph (l) of this section.
    (B) A person holding a valid halibut CDQ hired master permit and 
Registered Buyer permit may conduct a dockside sale of CDQ halibut with 
a person who has not been issued a Registered Buyer permit after all CDQ 
halibut have been landed and reported in accordance with paragraph (l) 
of this section.
    (C) A Registered Buyer conducting dockside sales must issue a 
receipt to each individual receiving IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ 
sablefish in lieu of a PTR. This receipt must include:
    (1) Date of sale;
    (2) Registered Buyer permit number;
    (3) Weight by product of the IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish transferred.
    (D) A Registered Buyer must maintain a copy of each dockside sales 
receipt as described in paragraph (l) of this section.
    (v) Transfer directly from the landing site to a processing facility 
(CDQ halibut, IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab only). A PTR is not 
required for transportation of unprocessed IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, 
CDQ halibut, or CR crab directly from the landing site to a facility for 
processing, provided the following conditions are met:
    (A) A copy of the IFQ landing report receipt (Internet receipt) 
documenting the IFQ landing accompanies the offloaded IFQ halibut, IFQ 
sablefish, or CDQ halibut while in transit.
    (B) A copy of the CR crab landing report receipt (Internet receipt) 
documenting the IFQ landing accompanies the offloaded CR crab while in 
transit.
    (C) A copy of the IFQ landing report or CR crab landing report 
receipt is available for inspection by an authorized officer.
    (D) The Registered Buyer submitting the IFQ landing report or RCR 
submitting the CR crab landing report completes a PTR for each shipment 
from the processing facility pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) of this 
section.
    (3) Time limits and submittal. The operator of a mothership or 
catcher/processor, the manager of a shoreside processor or SFP, the 
Registered Buyer, or RCR must:
    (i) Record all product transfer information on a PTR within 2 hours 
of the completion of the shipment.
    (ii) Submit a PTR by facsimile or electronic file to OLE, Juneau, AK 
(907-586-7313), by 1200 hours, A.l.t., on the Tuesday following the end 
of the applicable weekly reporting period in which the shipment 
occurred.

[[Page 628]]

    (iii) If any information on the original PTR changes prior to the 
first destination of the shipment, submit a revised PTR by facsimile or 
electronic file to OLE, Juneau, AK (907-586-7313), by 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., on the Tuesday following the end of the applicable weekly 
reporting period in which the change occurred.
    (4) Required information. The operator of a mothership or catcher/
processor, the manager of a shoreside processor or SFP, the Registered 
Buyer, or RCR must include the following information on a PTR:
    (i) Original or revised PTR. Whether a submittal is an original or 
revised PTR.
    (ii) Shipper information. Name, telephone number, and facsimile 
number of the representative. According to the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       If you are shipping . . .          Enter under ``Shipper'' . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Non-IFQ groundfish.................  Your processor's name, Federal
                                          fisheries or Federal processor
                                          permit number.
(B) IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ      Your Registered Buyer name and
 sablefish.                               permit number.
(C) CR crab............................  Your RCR name and permit
                                          number.
(D) Non-IFQ groundfish, IFQ halibut,     (1) Your processor's name and
 CDQ halibut or IFQ sablefish, and CR     Federal fisheries permit
 crab on the same PTR.                    number or Federal processor
                                          permit number, (2) Your
                                          Registered Buyer's name and
                                          permit number, and (3) Your
                                          RCR name and permit number.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Transfer information. Using descriptions from the following 
table, enter receiver information, date and time of product transfer, 
location of product transfer (e.g., port, position coordinates, or 
city), mode of transportation, and intended route:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Then enter . . .
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are the shipper and . . .                                                                    Mode of
                                       Receiver         Date & time of        Location of     transportation and
                                                       product transfer    product transfer     intended route
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Receiver is on land and       Receiver name and   Date and time when  Port or city of     Name of the
 transfer involves one van,        Federal             shipment leaves     product transfer.   shipping company;
 truck, or vehicle.                fisheries,          the plant.                              destination city
                                   Federal                                                     and state or
                                   processor, or                                               foreign country.
                                   Federal crab
                                   vessel permit
                                   number (if any).
(B) Receiver is on land and       Receiver name and   Date and time when  Port or city of     Name of the
 transfer involves multiple        Federal             loading of vans     product transfer.   shipping company;
 vans, trucks or vehicles.         fisheries,          or trucks, is                           destination city
                                   Federal             completed each                          and state or
                                   processor, or       day.                                    foreign country.
                                   Federal crab
                                   vessel permit
                                   number (if any).
(C) Receiver is on land and       Receiver name and   Date and time when  Port or city of     Name of the
 transfer involves one airline     Federal             shipment leaves     product transfer.   airline company;
 flight.                           fisheries,          the plant.                              destination
                                   Federal                                                     airport city and
                                   processor, or                                               state.
                                   Federal crab
                                   vessel permit
                                   number (if any).
(D) Receiver is on land and       Receiver name and   Date and time of    Port or city of     Name of the
 transfer involves multiple        Federal             shipment when the   product transfer.   airline
 airline flights.                  fisheries,          last airline                            company(s);
                                   Federal             flight of the day                       destination
                                   processor, or       leaves.                                 airport(s) city
                                   Federal crab                                                and state.
                                   vessel permit
                                   number (if any).
(E) Receiver is a vessel and      Vessel name and     Start and finish    Transfer position   The first
 transfer occurs at sea.           call sign.          dates and times     coordinates in      destination of
                                                       of transfer.        latitude and        the vessel.
                                                                           longitude, in
                                                                           degrees and
                                                                           minutes.
(F) Receiver is a vessel and      Vessel name and     Start and finish    Port or position    The first
 transfer takes place in port.     call sign.          dates and times     of product          destination of
                                                       of transfer.        transfer.           the vessel.
(G) Receiver is an agent (buyer,  Agent name and      Transfer start and  Port, city, or      Name (if
 distributor, shipping agent)      location (city,     finish dates and    position of         available) of the
 and transfer is in a              state).             times.              product transfer.   vessel
 containerized van(s).                                                                         transporting the
                                                                                               van; destination
                                                                                               port.

[[Page 629]]

 
(H) You are aggregating           ``RETAIL SALES''..  Date of transfer..  Port or city of     N/A.
 individual retail sales for                                               product transfer.
 human consumption. (see
 paragraph (g)(2) of this
 section).
(I) You are aggregating           ``BAIT SALES''....  Date of transfer..  Port or city of     N/A.
 individual bait sales during a                                            product transfer.
 day onto one PTR (non-IFQ
 groundfish only).
(J) Non-IFQ Groundfish only. You  ``WHOLESALE         Time of the first   Port or city of     N/A.
 are aggregating wholesale non-    SALES''.            sale of the day;    product transfer.
 IFQ groundfish product sales by                       time of the last
 species during a single day                           sale of the day.
 onto one PTR and maintaining
 invoices detailing destinations
 for all of the product for
 inspection by an authorized
 officer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iv) Products shipped. The operator, manager, Registered Buyer, or 
RCR must record the following information for each product shipped:
    (A) Species code and product code. (1) For non-IFQ groundfish, IFQ 
halibut, IFQ sablefish, and CDQ halibut, the species code and product 
code (Tables 1 and 2 to this part).
    (2) For CR crab, the species code and product code (Tables 1 and 2 
to 50 CFR part 680).
    (B) Species weight. Use only if recording 2 or more species with 2 
or more product types contained within the same production unit. Enter 
the actual scale weight of each product of each species to the nearest 
kilogram or pound (indicate which). If not applicable, enter ``n/a'' in 
the species weight column. If using more than one line to record species 
in one carton, use a brace ``{time} '' to tie the carton information 
together.
    (C) Number of units. Total number of production units (blocks, 
trays, pans, individual fish, boxes, or cartons; if iced, enter number 
of totes or containers).
    (D) Unit weight. Unit weight (average weight of single production 
unit as listed in ``No. of Units'' less packing materials) for each 
species and product code in kilograms or pounds (indicate which).
    (E) Total weight. Total weight for each species and product code of 
shipment less packing materials in kilograms or pounds (indicate which).
    (F) Total or partial offload. (1) If a mothership or catcher/
processor, the operator must indicate whether fish or fish products are 
left onboard the vessel (partial offload) after the shipment is 
complete.
    (2) If a partial offload, for the products remaining on board after 
the transfer, the operator must enter: Species code, product code, and 
total product weight to the nearest kilogram or pound (indicate which) 
for each product.
    (h) Check-in/Check-out report--(1) Requirement. Except as described 
in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, the operator of a catcher/processor 
or mothership and manager of a shoreside processor or SFP must submit to 
NMFS a check-in report (BEGIN message) prior to becoming active and a 
check-out report (CEASE message) for every check-in report submitted. 
The check-in report and check-out report must be submitted by fax to 
907-586-7131.
    (2) Exceptions--(i) VMS onboard. The operator of a catcher/processor 
or mothership is not required to submit to NMFS a check-in report or 
check-

[[Page 630]]

out report if the vessel is carrying onboard a transmitting VMS that 
meets the requirements of Sec. 679.28(f).
    (ii) Two adjacent reporting areas. If on the same day a catcher/
processor intends to fish in two adjacent reporting areas (an action 
which would require submittal of check-out reports and check-in reports 
multiple times a day when crossing back and forth across a reporting 
area boundary), and the two reporting areas have on that day and time an 
identical fishing status for every species, the operator must:
    (A) Submit to NMFS a check-in report to the first area prior to 
entering the first reporting area, and
    (B) Submit to NMFS a check-in report to the second area prior to 
entering the second reporting area.
    (C) Remain within 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) of the boundary 
described in paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (D) If the catcher/processor proceeds in the second reporting area 
beyond 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) of the boundary between the two 
areas, the operator must submit a check-out report from the first 
reporting area. The operator must submit a check-out report from the 
second area upon exiting that reporting area.
    (3) Transit through reporting areas. The operator of a catcher/
processor or mothership is not required to submit a check-in or check-
out report if the vessel is transiting through a reporting area and is 
not fishing or receiving fish.
    (4) Time limits and submittal. Except as indicated in paragraph 
(h)(2) of this section, the operator or manager must submit a check-in 
report and a check-out report according to the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            For ...                   If you are a ...        Submit a BEGIN message     Submit a CEASE message
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Each reporting area, except  (A) C/P using trawl gear   Before gear deployment.    Within 24 hours after
 area 300, 400, 550, or 690                                                             departing a reporting
                                                                                        area but prior to
                                                                                        checking in to another
                                                                                        reporting area.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (B) C/P using longline or  Before gear deployment.    Upon completion of gear
                                  pot gear                   May be checked in to       retrieval and within 24
                                                             more than one area         hours after departing
                                                             simultaneously.            each reporting area.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (C) MS                     Before receiving           Within 24 hours after
                                                             groundfish, must check-    receipt of fish is
                                                             in to reporting area(s)    complete from that
                                                             where groundfish were      reporting area.
                                                             harvested.                If receipt of groundfish
                                                            May be checked in to more   from a reporting area is
                                                             than one area              expected to stop for at
                                                             simultaneously.            least one month during
                                                                                        the fishing year and
                                                                                        then start up again, may
                                                                                        submit check-out report
                                                                                        for that reporting area.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) COBLZ or RKCSA              (A) C/P using trawl gear   Prior to fishing. Submit   Upon completion of gear
                                                             one check-in for the       retrieval for
                                                             COBLZ or RKCSA and         groundfish, submit a
                                                             another check-in for the   separate check-out for
                                                             area outside the COBLZ     the COBLZ or RKCSA and
                                                             or RKCSA.                  another check-out for
                                                                                        the area outside the
                                                                                        COBLZ or RKCSA.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (B) MS                     Before receiving           Upon completion of
                                                             groundfish harvested       groundfish receipt,
                                                             with trawl gear that       submit a separate check-
                                                             were harvested in the      out for the COBLZ or
                                                             COBLZ or RKCSA, submit     RKCSA and another check-
                                                             one check-in for the       out for the area outside
                                                             COBLZ or RKCSA and         the COBLZ or RKCSA.
                                                             another check-in for the
                                                             area outside the COBLZ
                                                             or RKCSA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) Gear Type                  (A) C/P                    If in the same reporting   Upon completion of gear
                                                             area but using more than   retrieval for
                                                             one gear type, prior to    groundfish, submit a
                                                             fishing submit a           separate check-out for
                                                             separate check-in for      each gear type for which
                                                             each gear type.            a check-in was
                                                                                        submitted.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 631]]

 
                                 (B) MS                     If harvested in the same   Upon completion of
                                                             reporting area but using   receipt of groundfish,
                                                             more than one gear type,   submit a separate check-
                                                             prior to receiving         out for each gear type
                                                             groundfish submit a        for which a check-in was
                                                             separate check-in for      submitted.
                                                             each gear type.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) CDQ                         (A) MS                     Prior to receiving         Within 24 hours after
                                                             groundfish CDQ, if         receipt of groundfish
                                                             receiving groundfish       CDQ has ceased for each
                                                             under more than one CDQ    CDQ number.
                                                             number, use a separate
                                                             check-in for each CDQ
                                                             number.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (B) C/P                    Prior to fishing, submit   Within 24 hours after
                                                             a separate check-in for    groundfish CDQ fishing
                                                             each CDQ number.           for each CDQ number has
                                                                                        ceased.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(v) Exempted or Research         (A) C/P                    Prior to fishing, submit   Upon completion of
 Fishery                                                     a separate check-in for    receipt of groundfish
                                                             each type.                 submit a separate check-
                                                                                        out for each type for
                                                                                        which a check-in was
                                                                                        submitted.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (B) MS                     Prior to receiving         Upon completion of
                                                             groundfish, submit a       receipt of groundfish
                                                             separate check-in for      submit a separate check-
                                                             each type.                 out for each type for
                                                                                        which a check-in was
                                                                                        submitted.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) Aleutian Islands Pollock    (A) C/P                    Prior to AIP fishing.      Within 24 hours after
 (AIP)                                                                                  completion of gear
                                                                                        retrieval for AIP.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (B) MS                     Before receiving AIP.      Within 24 hours after
                                                                                        receipt of AIP has
                                                                                        ceased.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vii) Processor Type             C/P, MS                    If a catcher/processor     Upon completion of
                                                             and functioning            simultaneous activity as
                                                             simultaneously as a        both catcher/processor
                                                             mothership in the same     and mothership, a
                                                             reporting area, before     separate check-out, one
                                                             functioning as either      for catcher/processor
                                                             processor type.            and one for mothership.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(viii) Change of fishing year    (A) C/P, MS                If continually active      If a check-out report was
                                                             through the end of one     not previously submitted
                                                             fishing year and at the    during a fishing year
                                                             beginning of a second      for a reporting area,
                                                             fishing year, submit a     submit a check-out
                                                             check-in for each          report for each
                                                             reporting area to start    reporting area on
                                                             the year on January 1.     December 31.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (B) SS, SFP                If continually active      If a check-out report was
                                                             through the end of one     not previously submitted
                                                             fishing year and at the    during a fishing year,
                                                             beginning of a second      submit a check-out
                                                             fishing year, submit a     report on December 31.
                                                             check-in to start the
                                                             year on January 1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ix) Interruption of production  SS, SFP, MS                n/a                        If receipt of groundfish
                                                                                        is expected to stop for
                                                                                        at least one month
                                                                                        during the fishing year
                                                                                        and then start up again,
                                                                                        the manager or operator
                                                                                        may choose to submit a
                                                                                        check-out report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) Change of location           AFA SFP                    Before receiving           Upon completion of
                                                             groundfish.                receipt of groundfish
                                                                                        from a position and
                                                                                        before movement from
                                                                                        that position.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 632]]

    (5) Required information. The operator of a catcher/processor or 
mothership and the manager of a shoreside processor or SFP must record 
the information in the following table on a check-in report and a check-
out report, as appropriate.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Check-in Report                         Check-out Report
      Required information       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       MS            C/P        SS, SFP         MS          C/P        SS, SFP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Whether an original or        X             X             X            X            X            X
 revised report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) Vessel name, ADF&G           X             X             ...........  X            X            ...........
 processor code, FFP number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) Processor name, ADF&G       ............  ............  X            ...........  ...........  X
 processor code, FPP number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) Representative name,         X             X             X            X            X            X
 business telephone number,
 business fax number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(v) COMSAT number (if             X             X             ...........  X            X            ...........
 applicable)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) Management program name      X             X             ...........  X            X            ...........
 (see paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of
 this section) and identifying
 number (if any). If harvest is
 not under one of these
 management programs, leave
 blank.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vii) Processor type, gear type   X             X             ...........  X            X            ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(viii) Date (mm/dd/yyyy) and time (A.l.t., military format)
---------------------------------
(A) When receipt of groundfish    X             ............  X            ...........  ...........  ...........
 will begin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) When gear deployment will     ............  X             ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
 begin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) When the last receipt or      ............  ............  ...........  X            ...........  X
 processing of groundfish was
 completed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) When the vessel departed the  ............  ............  ...........  ...........  X            ...........
 reporting area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ix) Position coordinates
---------------------------------
(A) Where groundfish receipt      X             ............  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
 begins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) Where receiving groundfish    ............  ............  X            ...........  ...........  ...........
 (if SFP):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) Where gear is deployed        ............  X             ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) Where the last receipt of     ............  ............  ...........  X            ...........  ...........
 groundfish was completed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) Where the vessel departed     ............  ............  ...........  ...........  X            ...........
 the reporting area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) Reporting area code
---------------------------------
(A) Where gear deployment begins  ............  X             ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) Where groundfish harvest      X             ............  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
 occurred
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) Where the last receipt of     ............  ............  ...........  X            ...........  ...........
 groundfish was completed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) Where the vessel departed     ............  ............  ...........  ...........  X            ...........
 the reporting area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xi) Primary and secondary target species (A change in intended target species within the same reporting area
 does not require a new BEGIN message.)
---------------------------------
(A) Expected to be received the   X             ............  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
 following week
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) Expected to be harvested the  ............  X             ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
 following week
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xii) Indicate (YES or NO)        ............  ............  X            ...........  ...........  ...........
 whether this is a check-in
 report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xiii) If YES, indicate
---------------------------------

[[Page 633]]

 
(A) If checking-in for the first  ............  ............  X            ...........  ...........  ...........
 time this fishing year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) If checking-in to restart     ............  ............  X            ...........  ...........  ...........
 receipt and processing of
 groundfish after filing a check-
 out report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xiv) Indicate (YES or NO)        ............  ............  ...........  ...........  ...........  X
 whether this is a check-out
 report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xv) If YES, enter date facility  X
 ceased to receive or process
 groundfish.
(xvi) Indicate product weight of  X             X
 all fish or fish products
 (including non groundfish)
 remaining at the facility
 (other than public cold
 storage) by species code and
 product code. Indicate if
 recorded to the nearest pound
 or to the nearest 0.001 mt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Weekly production report (WPR). The WPR is removed from use. 
Instead of a WPR, the operator of a mothership or catcher/processor and 
the manager of a shoreside processor or SFP must submit all landings 
information, production information, and discard and disposition 
information using eLandings or other NMFS-approved software (see 
paragraph (e) of this section).
    (j) [Reserved]
    (k) U.S. Vessel Activity Report (VAR). For a comparison of forms 
used for shipping, transporting, or transferring fish or fish product, 
see Table 13 to this part.
    (1) Fish or fish product onboard. Except as noted in paragraph 
(k)(4) of this section, the operator of a catcher vessel greater than 60 
ft (18.3 m) LOA, a catcher/processor, or a mothership required to hold a 
Federal fisheries permit issued under this part and carrying fish or 
fish product onboard must complete and submit a VAR by facsimile or 
electronic file to OLE, Juneau, AK (907-586-7313) before the vessel 
crosses the seaward boundary of the EEZ off Alaska or crosses the U.S.-
Canadian international boundary between Alaska and British Columbia.
    (2) Combination of non-IFQ groundfish with IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, 
IFQ sablefish or CR crab. If a vessel is carrying non-IFQ groundfish and 
IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish or CR crab, the operator must 
submit a VAR in addition to an IFQ Departure Report required by 
paragraph (l)(4) of this section.
    (3) Revised VAR. If fish or fish products are landed at a port other 
than the one specified on the VAR, the operator must submit a revised 
VAR showing the actual port of landing before any fish are offloaded.
    (4) Exemption: IFQ Departure Report. A VAR is not required if a 
vessel is carrying only IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR 
crab onboard and the operator has submitted an IFQ Departure Report 
required by paragraph (l)(4) of this section.
    (5) Information required. (i) Whether original or revised VAR.
    (ii) Name and Federal fisheries permit number of vessel or RCR 
permit number.
    (iii) Type of vessel (whether catcher vessel, catcher/processor, or 
mothership).
    (iv) Name, daytime telephone number (including area code), and 
facsimile number and COMSAT number (if available) of representative.
    (v) Return report. ``Return,'' for purposes of this paragraph, means 
returning to Alaska. If the vessel is crossing the seaward boundary of 
the EEZ off Alaska or crossing the U.S.-Canadian international boundary 
between Alaska and British Columbia into U.S. waters, indicate a 
``return'' report and enter:
    (A) Intended Alaska port of landing (see Table 14a to this part);
    (B) Estimated date and time (hour and minute, Greenwich mean time) 
the vessel will cross the boundary; and
    (C) The estimated position coordinates in latitude and longitude 
where the vessel will cross.

[[Page 634]]

    (vi) Depart report. ``Depart'' means leaving Alaska. If the vessel 
is crossing the seaward boundary of the EEZ off Alaska and moving out of 
the EEZ or crossing the U.S.-Canadian international boundary between 
Alaska and British Columbia and moving into Canadian waters, indicate a 
``depart'' report and enter:
    (A) The intended U.S. port of landing or country other than the 
United States (see Table 14b to this part);
    (B) Estimated date and time (hour and minute, Greenwich mean time) 
the vessel will cross the boundary; and
    (C) The estimated position coordinates in latitude and longitude 
where the vessel will cross.
    (vii) The Russian Zone. Indicate whether the vessel is returning 
from fishing in the Russian Zone or is departing to fish in the Russian 
Zone.
    (viii) Fish or fish products. For all fish or fish products 
(including non-groundfish) on board the vessel, enter:
    (A) Harvest zone code;
    (B) Species codes;
    (C) Product codes; and
    (D) Total fish product weight in lbs or to the nearest 0.001 mt 
(2.20 lb).
    (l) IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab R&R. In 
addition to the R&R requirements in this section, in 50 CFR part 680 
with respect to CR crab, and as prescribed in the annual management 
measures published in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of 
this title, the following reports and authorizations are required, when 
applicable: IFQ Prior Notice of Landing, Product Transfer Report (see 
Sec. 679.5(g)), IFQ landing report, IFQ Transshipment Authorization, 
and IFQ Departure Report.
    (1) IFQ Prior Notice of Landing (PNOL)--(i) Time limits and 
submittal. (A) Except as provided in paragraph (l)(1)(iv) of this 
section, the operator of any vessel making an IFQ landing must notify 
OLE, Juneau, AK, no fewer than 3 hours before landing IFQ halibut, CDQ 
halibut, or IFQ sablefish, unless permission to commence an IFQ landing 
within 3 hours of notification is granted by a clearing officer.
    (B) A PNOL must be made to the toll-free telephone number 800-304-
4846 or to 907-586-7163 between the hours of 0600 hours, A.l.t., and 
2400 hours, A.l.t.
    (ii) Revision to PNOL. The operator of any vessel wishing to make an 
IFQ landing before the date and time (A.l.t.) reported in the PNOL or 
later than 2 hours after the date and time (A.l.t.) reported in the PNOL 
must submit a new PNOL as described in paragraphs (l)(1)(i) and (iii) of 
this section.
    (iii) Information required. A PNOL must include the following:
    (A) Vessel name and ADF&G vessel registration number;
    (B) Port of landing and port code from Tables 14a and 14b to this 
part;
    (C) Exact location of landing within the port (i.e., dock name, 
harbor name, facility name, or geographical coordinates);
    (D) The date and time (A.l.t.) that the landing will take place;
    (E) Species and estimated weight (in pounds) of the IFQ halibut, CDQ 
halibut or IFQ sablefish that will be landed;
    (F) IFQ regulatory area(s) in which the IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or 
IFQ sablefish were harvested;
    (G) IFQ permit number(s) that will be used to land the IFQ halibut, 
CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish;
    (H) Gear type used to harvest the IFQ sablefish or IFQ halibut (see 
Table 15 to this part); and
    (I) If using longline pot gear in the GOA or pot gear in the BSAI, 
report the number of pots set, the number of pots lost, and the number 
of pots left deployed on the fishing grounds.
    (iv) Exemption--(A) Halibut. An IFQ landing of halibut of 500 lb or 
less of IFQ weight determined pursuant to Sec. 679.40(h) and concurrent 
with a legal landing of salmon harvested using hand troll gear or power 
troll gear is exempt from the PNOL required by this section.
    (B) Lingcod. An IFQ landing of halibut of 500 lb or less of IFQ 
weight determined pursuant to Sec. 679.40(h) and concurrent with a 
legal landing of lingcod harvested using dinglebar gear is exempt from 
the PNOL required by this section.
    (2) IFQ landing--(i) Remain at landing site. Once the landing has 
commenced, the IFQ permit holder, the IFQ hired master permit holder, or 
the CDQ hired

[[Page 635]]

master permit holder, and the harvesting vessel may not leave the 
landing site until the IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut 
account is properly debited (see Sec. 679.40(h)).
    (ii) No movement of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish. The 
offloaded IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish may not be moved 
from the landing site until the IFQ Landing Report is completed through 
eLandings or other NMFS-approved software and the IFQ permit holder's or 
CDQ permit holder's account is properly debited (see Sec. 679.40(h)).
    (iii) Single offload site--(A) IFQ halibut and CDQ halibut. The 
vessel operator who lands IFQ halibut or CDQ halibut must continuously 
and completely offload at a single offload site all halibut onboard the 
vessel.
    (B) IFQ sablefish. The vessel operator who lands IFQ sablefish must 
continuously and completely offload at a single offload site all 
sablefish onboard the vessel.
    (3) Transshipment authorization. For a comparison of forms used for 
shipping, transporting, or transferring fish or fish product, see Table 
13 to this part.
    (i) No person may transship processed IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ 
sablefish, or CR crab between vessels without authorization by a local 
clearing officer. Authorization from a local clearing officer must be 
obtained for each instance of transshipment at least 24 hours before the 
transshipment is intended to commence.
    (ii) Information required. To obtain a Transshipment Authorization, 
the vessel operator must provide the following information to the 
clearing officer:
    (A) Date and time (A.l.t.) of transshipment;
    (B) Location of transshipment;
    (C) Name and ADF&G vessel registration number of vessel offloading 
transshipment;
    (D) Name of vessel receiving the transshipment;
    (E) Product destination;
    (F) Species and product type codes;
    (G) Total product weight;
    (H) Time (A.l.t.) and date of the request;
    (I) Name, telephone number, FAX number (if any) for the person 
making the request.
    (4) IFQ departure report. For a comparison of forms used for 
shipping, transporting, or transferring fish or fish product, see Table 
13 to this part.
    (i) General requirements--(A) Time limit and submittal. A vessel 
operator who intends to make a landing of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ 
sablefish, or CR crab at any location other than in an IFQ regulatory 
area for halibut and sablefish or in a crab fishery for CR crab (see 
Table 1 to part 680) in the State of Alaska must submit an IFQ Departure 
Report, by telephone, to OLE, Juneau, AK, (800-304-4846 or 907-586-7163) 
between the hours of 0600 hours, A.l.t., and 2400 hours, A.l.t.
    (B) Completion of fishing. A vessel operator must submit an IFQ 
Departure Report after completion of all fishing and prior to departing 
the waters of the EEZ adjacent to the jurisdictional waters of the State 
of Alaska, the territorial sea of the State of Alaska, or the internal 
waters of the State of Alaska when IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ 
sablefish, or CR crab are on board.
    (C) Permit--(1) Registered Crab Receiver permit. A vessel operator 
submitting an IFQ Departure Report for CR crab must have a Registered 
Crab Receiver permit.
    (2) Registered Buyer permit. A vessel operator submitting an IFQ 
Departure Report for IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish must 
have a Registered Buyer permit.
    (D) First landing of any species. A vessel operator submitting an 
IFQ Departure Report must submit IFQ landing reports for all IFQ 
halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ sablefish on board at the same time and 
place as the first landing of any IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ 
sablefish.
    (E) Permits on board. (1) A vessel operator submitting an IFQ 
Departure Report to document IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish must have one 
or more IFQ permit holders or IFQ hired master permit holders on board 
with a combined IFQ balance equal to or greater than all IFQ halibut and 
IFQ sablefish on board the vessel.
    (2) A vessel operator submitting an IFQ Departure Report to document 
CDQ halibut must ensure that one or more CDQ hired master permit holders 
are onboard with enough remaining

[[Page 636]]

halibut CDQ balance to harvest amounts of CDQ halibut equal to or 
greater than all CDQ halibut onboard.
    (3) A vessel operator submitting an IFQ Departure Report to document 
CR crab must have one or more permit holders on board with a combined CR 
balance equal to or greater than all CR crab on board the vessel.
    (ii) Required information. When submitting an IFQ Departure Report, 
the vessel operator must provide the following information:
    (A) Intended date, time (A.l.t.), and location of landing;
    (B) Vessel name and ADF&G vessel registration number;
    (C) Vessel operator's name and Registered Buyer permit or Registered 
Crab Receiver permit number;
    (D) Halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and CR crab permit 
numbers of IFQ and CDQ permit holders on board;
    (E) Area of harvest. (1) If IFQ or CDQ halibut, then halibut 
regulatory areas (see Figure 15 to this part).
    (2) If IFQ sablefish, then sablefish regulatory areas (see Figure 14 
to this part).
    (3) If CR crab, then the crab rationalization fishery code (see 
Table 1 to part 680).
    (F) Estimated total weight as appropriate of IFQ halibut, CDQ 
halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab on board (lb/kg/mt).
    (iii) Revision to Departure Report. A vessel operator who intends to 
make an IFQ landing at a location different from the location named on 
the IFQ Departure report must submit a revised report naming the new 
location at least 12 hours in advance of the offload. Revisions must be 
submitted by telephone, to OLE, Juneau, AK, (800-304-4846 or 907-586-
7163) between the hours of 0600 hours, A.l.t., and 2400 hours, A.l.t.
    (5) Landing verification, inspection and record retention--(i) 
Verification and inspection. Each IFQ landing and all fish retained on 
board the vessel making an IFQ landing are subject to verification and 
inspection by authorized officers.
    (ii) Record retention. The IFQ permit holder, IFQ hired master 
permit holder, or CDQ hired master permit holder must retain a legible 
copy of all Landing Report receipts, and the Registered Buyer must 
retain a copy of all reports and receipts required by this section. All 
retained records must be available for inspection by an authorized 
officer:
    (A) Until the end of the fishing year during which the records were 
made and for as long thereafter as fish or fish products recorded are 
retained onboard the vessel or at the facility; and
    (B) Upon request of an authorized officer for 3 years after the end 
of the fishing year during which the records were made.
    (6) Sampling--(i) Each IFQ landing and all fish retained onboard a 
vessel making an IFQ landing are subject to sampling by NMFS-authorized 
observers.
    (ii) Each IFQ halibut landing or CDQ halibut landing is subject to 
sampling for biological information by persons authorized by the IPHC.
    (7) IFQ cost recovery program--(i) IFQ Registered Buyer Ex-vessel 
Volume and Value Report (IFQ Buyer Report)--(A) Applicability. An IFQ 
Registered Buyer that operates as a shoreside processor and receives and 
purchases IFQ landings of sablefish or halibut or CDQ landings of 
halibut must submit annually to NMFS a complete IFQ Buyer Report as 
described in this paragraph (l) and as provided by NMFS for each 
reporting period, as described at Sec. 679.5(1)(7)(i)(E), in which the 
Registered Buyer receives IFQ fish or CDQ halibut.
    (B) Due date. A complete IFQ Buyer Report must be postmarked or 
received by the Regional Administrator not later than October 15 
following the reporting period in which the IFQ Registered Buyer 
receives the IFQ fish or CDQ halibut.
    (C) Information required. A complete IFQ Buyer Report must include 
the following information as instructed on the report form at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram:
    (1) IFQ Registered Buyer identification.
    (2) Pounds purchased and values paid. (i) The monthly total weights, 
represented in IFQ equivalent pounds by IFQ species or CDQ halibut, that 
were landed at the landing port location and purchased by the IFQ 
Registered Buyer;

[[Page 637]]

    (ii) The monthly total gross ex-vessel value, in U.S. dollars, of 
IFQ pounds, by IFQ species or CDQ halibut, that were landed at the 
landing port location and purchased by the IFQ Registered Buyer;
    (3) Value paid for price adjustments--(i) Retro-payments. The 
monthly total U.S. dollar amount of any retro-payments (correlated by 
IFQ species or CDQ halibut, landing month(s), and month of payment) made 
in the current year to IFQ, or to CDQ halibut permit holders for 
landings made during the previous calendar year;
    (ii) Electronic submittal. Certification, including the NMFS ID and 
password of the IFQ Registered Buyer; or
    (iii) Non-electronic submittal. Certification, including the printed 
name and signature of the individual submitting the IFQ Buyer Report on 
behalf of the Registered Buyer, and date of signature.
    (D) Submittal. If applicable, the Registered Buyer must complete an 
IFQ Buyer Report and submit by mail or FAX to NMFS at the address 
provided on the form, or electronically to NMFS online at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram.
    (E) Reporting period. The reporting period of the IFQ Buyer Report 
shall extend from October 1 through September 30 of the following year, 
inclusive.
    (ii) IFQ Permit Holder Fee Submission Form--(A) Applicability. An 
IFQ permit holder who holds an IFQ permit against which a landing was 
made or an RQE that holds RFQ must submit to NMFS a complete IFQ Permit 
Holder Fee Submission Form provided by NMFS.
    (B) Due date and submittal. A complete IFQ Permit Holder Fee 
Submission Form must be postmarked or received by the Regional 
Administrator not later than January 31 following the calendar year in 
which any IFQ landing was made.
    (C) Completed application. NMFS will process an IFQ Permit Holder 
Fee Submission Form provided that a paper or electronic form is 
completed by the IFQ permit holder or an RQE that holds RFQ, with all 
applicable fields accurately filled in, and all required additional 
documentation is attached.
    (D) IFQ landing summary and estimated fee liability. NMFS will 
provide to an IFQ permit holder and an RQE that holds RFQ an IFQ Landing 
and Estimated Fee Liability page as required by Sec. 679.45(a)(2). The 
IFQ permit holder must either accept the accuracy of the NMFS estimated 
fee liability associated with his or her IFQ landings for each IFQ 
permit, or calculate a revised IFQ fee liability in accordance with 
paragraph (l)(7)(ii)(E) of this section. The IFQ permit holder may 
calculate a revised fee liability for all or part of his or her IFQ 
landings.
    (E) Revised fee liability calculation. To calculate a revised fee 
liability, an IFQ permit holder must multiply the IFQ percentage in 
effect by either the IFQ actual ex-vessel value or the IFQ standard ex-
vessel of the IFQ landing. If parts of the landing have different 
values, the permit holder must apply the appropriate values to the 
different parts of the landings.
    (F) Documentation. If NMFS requests in writing that a permit holder 
submit documentation establishing the factual basis for a revised IFQ 
fee liability, the permit holder must submit adequate documentation by 
the 30th day after the date of such request. Examples of such 
documentation regarding initial sales transactions of IFQ landings 
include valid fish tickets, sales receipts, or check stubs that clearly 
identify the IFQ landing amount, species, date, time, and ex-vessel 
value or price.
    (G) Reporting period. The reporting period of the IFQ Permit Holder 
Fee Submission Form shall extend from January 1 to December 31 of the 
year prior to the January 31 due date.
    (8) An annual report on the halibut and sablefish IFQ activity must 
be submitted by the CQE as required at Sec. 679.5(t).
    (9) Recreational Quota Entity Program annual report. An annual 
report on RQE activities must be submitted to NMFS by the RQE as 
required at Sec. 679.5(v).
    (10) A report on annual IFQ regulatory areas 4B, 4C, and 4D Halibut 
IFQ transfer activities must be submitted to NMFS and the Council by a 
CDQ group as required at Sec. 679.5(w).
    (m) CDQ Vessel Registration--(1) Registration. The representative 
for a CDQ group must register each vessel that is

[[Page 638]]

to receive the exemption from the LLP license requirements at Sec. 
679.4(k)(2)(vi) through the CDQ vessel registration system available on 
the NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov). The 
CDQ group representative must log into the CDQ vessel registration 
system and provide the information required on the computer screen. NMFS 
will add each vessel successfully registered to the CDQ vessel 
registration list on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (2) Responsibility. The CDQ group representative must successfully 
complete vessel registration through the CDQ vessel registration system 
before the vessel may be used to conduct groundfish CDQ fishing under 
Sec. 679.32(c)(3)(iii) without an LLP license. By using the CDQ group's 
NMFS ID and password and submitting the vessel registration request, the 
CDQ group representative certifies that all information is true, 
correct, and complete.
    (3) LLP exemption letter. The CDQ vessel registration system will 
provide the CDQ group representative with an LLP exemption letter 
documenting that the registered vessel is exempt from the LLP when 
groundfish CDQ fishing. The CDQ group representative must provide a copy 
of the LLP exemption letter to the operator of the registered vessel 
named in the LLP exemption letter. The operator of the registered vessel 
named in the LLP exemption letter must maintain a legible copy of the 
LLP exemption letter on board the registered vessel at all times when 
that vessel is groundfish CDQ fishing.
    (4) Removing a vessel from the CDQ vessel registration list. A CDQ 
group representative may remove a vessel from the CDQ vessel 
registration system by logging into the online system and following the 
applicable instructions. A CDQ group representative may remove a 
registered vessel from the CDQ vessel registration list at any time but 
must certify at the time of removal that the vessel operator had been 
given notice by the CDQ group that the vessel is going to be removed 
from the list and that the vessel is not groundfish CDQ fishing at the 
time of removal. A vessel that is successfully removed from the CDQ 
vessel registration list is no longer exempt from the LLP requirements 
under Sec. 679.4(k).
    (n) CDQ and PSQ transfers--
    (1) CDQ or PSQ transfer. NMFS will process a request for CDQ or PSQ 
transfer between CDQ groups provided that the requirements of this 
paragraph are met.
    (2) Completed application. A paper or electronic request form must 
be completed with all information fields accurately filled in by 
transferors and transferees, and all required additional documentation 
must be attached.
    (3) Certification of transferor--(i) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferor's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete. The transferor's designated representative must submit the 
paper application as indicated on the application.
    (ii) Electronic submittal. The transferor's designated 
representative must log into the system and create a transfer request as 
indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferor's NMFS ID, 
password, and Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the 
designated representative certifies that all information is true, 
correct, and complete.
    (4) Certification of transferee--(i) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferee's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (ii) Electronic submittal. The transferee's designated 
representative must log into the system and create a transfer request as 
indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferee's NMFS ID, 
password, and Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the 
designated representative certifies that all information is true, 
correct, and complete.
    (o) [Reserved]
    (p) Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR)--(1) Requirement. The 
owner of a mothership or catcher/processor must annually complete and 
submit to ADF&G the appropriate Forms A through M and COAR certification 
page for each year in which the mothership or catcher/processor was 
issued a Federal Fisheries permit. The

[[Page 639]]

owner of a mothership must include all fish received and processed 
during the year, including fish received from an associated tender 
vessel. The ADF&G COAR is further described under Alaska Administrative 
Code (5 AAC 39.130) (see Sec. 679.3 (b)(2)).
    (2) Time limit and submittal of COAR. The owner of a mothership or 
catcher/processor must submit to ADF&G the appropriate Forms A through M 
and COAR certification page by April 1 of the year following the year 
for which the report is required to the following address:
    ADF&G Division of Commercial Fisheries, Attn: COAR, P.O. Box 25526, 
Juneau, AK 99802-5526
    (3) Information required, certification page. The owner of a 
mothership or catcher/processor must:
    (i) Enter the company name and address, including street, city, 
state, and zip code; also seasonal mailing address, if applicable.
    (ii) Enter the vessel name and ADF&G processor code.
    (iii) Check YES or NO to indicate whether fishing activity was 
conducted during the appropriate year.
    (iv) If response to paragraph (p)(3)(iii) of this section is YES, 
complete the applicable forms of the COAR (see table 18 to this part) 
and complete and sign the certification page.
    (v) If response to paragraph (p)(3)(iii) of this section is NO, 
complete and sign only the certification page.
    (vi) Sign and enter printed or typed name, e-mail address, title, 
telephone number, and FAX number of owner.
    (vii) Enter printed or typed name, e-mail address, and telephone 
number of alternate contact.
    (4) Buying information (exvessel), Forms A (1-3), C (1-2), E, G, I 
(1-2), and K--(i) Requirement. The owner of a mothership (if the first 
purchaser of raw fish) must complete and submit the appropriate COAR 
buying forms (A (1-3), C (1-2), E, G, I (1-2), and K) for each species 
purchased from fishermen during the applicable year.
    (ii) Buying information required. The owner of the mothership must 
record the following information on the appropriate COAR buying forms:
    (A) Species name and code (see table 2 to this part).
    (B) Area purchased (see table 16 to this part).
    (C) Gear code (see table 15 to this part).
    (D) Delivery code (form G only) (see table 1 to this part).
    (E) Total weight (to the nearest lb) purchased from fishermen.
    (F) Total amount paid to fishermen, including all post- season 
adjustments and/or bonuses and any credit received by fishermen for gas 
expenses, ice, delivery premiums, and other miscellaneous expenses.
    (G) Price per pound. If additional adjustments may be made after 
this report has been filed, the owner must check the ``$ not final'' 
box, and submit Form M when these adjustments are paid. Do not include 
fish purchased from another processor.
    (5) Production forms, Forms B (1-6), D, F, H, J (1-2), and K). For 
purposes of this paragraph, the total wholesale value is the amount that 
the processor receives for the finished product (free on board pricing 
mothership or catcher/processor). For products finished but not yet sold 
(still held in inventory), calculate the estimated value using the 
average price received to date for that product.
    (i) Requirement--(A) Mothership. The owner of a mothership must 
record and submit the appropriate COAR production forms (B(1-6), D, F, 
H, J(1-2), and K) for all production that occurred for each species 
during the applicable year:
    (1) That were purchased from fishermen on the grounds and/or 
dockside, including both processed and unprocessed seafood.
    (2) That were then either processed on the mothership or exported 
out of the State of Alaska.
    (B) Catcher/processor. The owner of a catcher/processor must record 
and submit the appropriate COAR production forms (B(1-6), D, F, H, J (1-
2), and K) for each species harvested during the applicable year that 
were then either processed on the vessel or exported out of the State of 
Alaska.
    (ii) Information required, non-canned production--(A) Enter area of 
processing (see table 16 to this part). List production of Canadian-
harvested fish separately.

[[Page 640]]

    (B) Processed product. Processed product must be described by 
entering three codes:
    (1) Process prefix code (see table 17 to this part)
    (2) Process suffix code (see table 17 to this part)
    (3) Product code (see table 1 to this part)
    (C) Total net weight. Enter total weight (in pounds) of the finished 
product.
    (D) Total value($). Enter the total wholesale value of the finished 
product.
    (E) Enter price per pound of the finished product.
    (iii) Information required, canned production. Complete an entry for 
each can size produced:
    (A) Enter area of processing (see table 16 to this part).
    (B) Process 51 or 52. Enter conventional canned code (51) or smoked, 
conventional canned code (52).
    (C) Total value($). Enter the total wholesale value of the finished 
product.
    (D) Enter can size in ounces, to the hundredth of an ounce.
    (E) Enter number of cans per case.
    (F) Enter number of cases.
    (6) Custom production forms, Form L (1-2)--(i) Requirement. The 
owner of a mothership or catcher/processor must record and submit COAR 
production form L (1-2) for each species in which custom production was 
done by the mothership or catcher/processor for another processor and 
for each species in which custom production was done for the mothership 
or catcher/processor by another processor.
    (ii) Custom-production by mothership or catcher/processor for 
another processor. If the mothership or catcher/processor custom-
processed fish or shellfish for another processor during the applicable 
year, the owner of the mothership or catcher/processor must list the 
processor name and ADF&G processor code (if known) to describe that 
processor, but must not include any of that production in production 
form L (1-2).
    (iii) Custom-production by another processor for mothership or 
catcher/processor. If a processor custom-processed fish or shellfish for 
the mothership or catcher/processor during the applicable year, the 
owner of the mothership or catcher/processor must use a separate page to 
list each processor and must include the following information.
    (A) Custom fresh/frozen miscellaneous production. The owner of a 
mothership or catcher/processor must list the following information to 
describe production intended for wholesale/retail market and that are 
not frozen for canning later:
    (1) Species name and code (see table 2 to this part).
    (2) Area of processing (see table 16 to this part).
    (3) Processed product. Processed product must be entered using three 
codes:
    (i) Process prefix code (see table 17 to this part).
    (ii) Process suffix code (see table 17 to this part).
    (iii) Product code (see table 1 to this part).
    (4) Total net weight. Enter total weight in pounds of the finished 
product.
    (5) Total wholesale value($). Enter the total wholesale value of the 
finished product.
    (B) Custom canned production. The owner of a mothership or catcher/
processor must list the following information to describe each can size 
produced in custom canned production:
    (1) Species name and code (see table 2 to this part).
    (2) Area of processing (see table 16 to this part).
    (3) Process 51 or 52. Enter conventional canned code (51) or smoked, 
conventional canned code (52).
    (4) Total wholesale value ($). Enter the total wholesale value of 
the finished product.
    (5) Can size in ounces, to the hundredth of an ounce.
    (6) Number of cans per case.
    (7) Number of cases.
    (7) Fish buying retro payments/post-season adjustments, Form M--(i) 
Requirement. The owner of a mothership must record and submit COAR 
production Form M to describe additional adjustments and/or bonuses 
awarded to a fisherman, including credit received by fishermen for gas 
expenses, ice, delivery premiums, and other miscellaneous expenses.

[[Page 641]]

    (ii) Information required--(A) Enter species name and code (see 
table 2 to this part).
    (B) Enter area purchased (see table 16 to this part)
    (C) Enter gear code (see table 16 to this part).
    (D) Enter total pounds purchased from fisherman.
    (E) Enter total amount paid to fishermen (base + adjustment).
    (q) AI directed pollock fishery catch reports--(1) Applicability. 
The Aleut Corporation shall provide NMFS the identity of its designated 
contact for the Aleut Corporation. The Aleut Corporation shall submit to 
the Regional Administrator a pollock catch report containing information 
required by paragraph (q)(3) of this section.
    (2) Time limits and submittal. (i) The Aleut Corporation must submit 
its AI directed pollock fishery catch reports by one of the following 
methods:
    (A) An electronic data file in a format approved by NMFS; or
    (B) By fax.
    (ii) The AI directed pollock fishery catch reports must be received 
by the Regional Administrator by 1200 hours, A.l.t. on Tuesday following 
the end of the applicable weekly reporting period, as defined at Sec. 
679.2.
    (3) Information required. The AI directed pollock fishery catch 
report must contain the following information:
    (i) Catcher vessel ADF&G number;
    (ii) Federal fisheries or Federal processor permit number;
    (iii) Delivery date;
    (iv) Pollock harvested:
    (A) For shoreside and stationary floating processors and 
motherships, the amount of pollock (in lb for shoreside and stationary 
floating processors and in mt for motherships) delivered, including the 
weight of at-sea pollock discards; and
    (B) For catcher/processors, the amount of pollock (in mt) harvested 
and processed, including the weight of at-sea pollock discards; and
    (v) ADF&G fish ticket number.
    (r) Rockfish Program--(1) General. The owners and operators of 
catcher vessels, catcher/processors, and shoreside processors authorized 
as participants in the Rockfish Program must comply with the applicable 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements of this section and must assign 
all catch to a rockfish cooperative or rockfish sideboard fishery, as 
applicable at the time of catch or receipt of groundfish. All owners of 
catcher vessels, catcher/processors, and shoreside processors authorized 
as participants in the Rockfish Program must ensure that their 
designated representatives or employees comply with all applicable 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
    (2) Logbook--(i) DFL. Operators of catcher vessels equal to or 
greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA participating in a Rockfish Program 
fishery and using trawl gear must maintain a daily fishing logbook for 
trawl gear as described in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section.
    (ii) ELB. Operators of catcher/processors permitted in the Rockfish 
Program must use a combination of NMFS-approved catcher/processor trawl 
gear ELB and eLandings to record and report groundfish and PSC 
information as described in paragraph (f) of this section to record 
Rockfish Program landings and production.
    (3) eLandings. Managers of shoreside processors that receive 
rockfish primary species or rockfish secondary species in the Rockfish 
Program must use eLandings or NMFS-approved software as described in 
paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, instead of a logbook and WPR, to 
record Rockfish Program landings and production.
    (4) Production reports. Operators of catcher/processors that are 
authorized as processors in the Rockfish Program must submit a 
production report as described in paragraphs (e)(9) and (10) of this 
section.
    (5) Product transfer report (PTR), processors. Operators of catcher/
processors and managers of shoreside processors that are authorized as 
processors in the Rockfish Program must submit a PTR as described in 
paragraph (g) of this section.
    (6) [Reserved]
    (7) Vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirements (see Sec. 
679.28(f)).
    (8) Rockfish cooperative vessel check-in and check-out report--(i) 
Applicability--(A) Vessel check-in. The designated representative of a 
rockfish cooperative

[[Page 642]]

must designate any vessel that is authorized to fish under the rockfish 
cooperative's CQ permit before that vessel may fish under that CQ permit 
through a check-in procedure. The designated representative for a 
rockfish cooperative must submit to NMFS, in accordance with (8)(ii), a 
check-in designation for a vessel:
    (1) At least 24 hours prior to the time the catcher vessel begins a 
fishing trip to fish under a CQ permit; or
    (2) At least 1 hour prior to the time the catcher/processor begins a 
fishing trip to fish under a CQ permit; and
    (3) A check-in designation is effective at the beginning of the 
first fishing trip after the designation has been submitted.
    (B) Vessel check-out. The designated representative of a rockfish 
cooperative must designate any vessel that is no longer fishing under a 
CQ permit for that rockfish cooperative through a check-out procedure. A 
check-out report must be submitted to NMFS, in accordance with (8)(ii), 
within 6 hours after the effective date and time the rockfish 
cooperative ends the vessel's authority to fish under the CQ permit.
    (1) If the vessel is fishing under a CQ permit for a catcher vessel 
cooperative, a check-out designation is effective at the end of a 
complete offload;
    (2) If the vessel is fishing under a CQ permit for a catcher/
processor cooperative, a check-out designation is effective upon 
submission to NMFS.
    (ii) Submittal. The designated representative of the rockfish 
cooperative must submit a vessel check-in or check-out report 
electronically. The rockfish cooperative's designated representative 
must log into the online system and create a vessel check-in or vessel 
check-out request as indicated on the computer screen. By using the NMFS 
ID password and submitting the transfer request, the designated 
representative certifies that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (iii) Information required. The vessel check-in or check-out report 
must contain the following information:
    (A) CQ permit number;
    (B) ADF&G vessel registration number(s) of vessel(s) designated to 
fish under the CQ permit;
    (C) USCG designation number(s) of vessel(s) designated to fish under 
the CQ permit; and
    (D) Date and time when check-in or check-out begins.
    (9) Rockfish CQ cost recovery fee submission (See Sec. 679.85).
    (10) Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report--(i) Applicability. 
A rockfish processor (as defined at Sec. 679.2) that receives and 
purchases landings of rockfish CQ groundfish must submit annually to 
NMFS a complete Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report, as described 
in this paragraph (r)(10), for each reporting period for which the 
rockfish processor receives rockfish CQ groundfish.
    (ii) Reporting period. The reporting period of the Rockfish Ex-
vessel Volume and Value Report shall extend from May 1 through November 
15 of each year.
    (iii) Due date. A complete Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report must be received by the Regional Administrator not later than 
December 1 of the year in which the rockfish processor received the 
rockfish CQ groundfish.
    (iv) Information required. (A) The rockfish processor must log in 
using the rockfish processor's password and NMFS person ID to submit a 
Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report. The NMFS software autofills 
the rockfish processor's name. The User must review the autofilled cells 
to ensure that they are accurate. A completed application must contain 
the information specified on the Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report with all applicable fields accurately filled-in.
    (B) Certification. By using the rockfish processor NMFS ID and 
password and submitting the report, the rockfish processor certifies 
that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his 
or her knowledge and belief.
    (v) Submittal. The rockfish processor must complete and submit 
online by electronic submission to NMFS the Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume 
and Value Report available at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (s) Amendment 80 Program--(1) General. The owners and operators of 
Amendment 80 vessels must comply with the applicable recordkeeping and

[[Page 643]]

reporting requirements of this section. All owners of Amendment 80 
vessels must ensure that their designated representatives or employees 
comply with all applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
    (2) Logbook-DCPL. Operators of Amendment 80 vessels must use a daily 
cumulative production logbook for trawl gear as described in paragraph 
(a) of this section to record Amendment 80 Program landings and 
production.
    (3) Check-in/check-out report, processors. Operators or managers of 
an Amendment 80 vessel must submit check-in/check-out reports as 
described in paragraph (h) of this section.
    (4) Production report. Operators of Amendment 80 vessels that use a 
DCPL must submit a production report as described in paragraph (e)(10) 
of this section.
    (5) Product transfer report (PTR), processors. Operators of 
Amendment 80 vessels must submit a PTR as described in paragraph (g) of 
this section.
    (6) Annual Amendment 80 cooperative report--(i) Applicability. An 
Amendment 80 cooperative issued a CQ permit must submit annually to the 
Regional Administrator an Amendment 80 cooperative report detailing the 
use of the cooperative's CQ.
    (ii) Time limits and submittal. (A) The annual Amendment 80 
cooperative report must be submitted to the Regional Administrator by an 
electronic data file in a NMFS-approved format; by fax: 907-586-7557; or 
by mail sent to the Regional Administrator, NMFS Alaska Region, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; and
    (B) The annual Amendment 80 cooperative report for fishing 
activities under a CQ permit issued for the prior calendar year must be 
received by the Regional Administrator not later than 1700 hours A.l.t. 
on March 1 of each year.
    (iii) Information required. The annual Amendment 80 cooperative 
report must include at a minimum:
    (A) The cooperative's actual retained and discarded catch of CQ and 
GOA sideboard limited fisheries (if applicable) by statistical area and 
on a vessel-by-vessel basis;
    (B) A description of the method used by the cooperative to monitor 
fisheries in which cooperative vessels participated; and
    (C) A description of any actions taken by the cooperative against 
specific members in response to a member that exceeded the amount of CQ 
that the member was assigned to catch for the Amendment 80 cooperative.
    (D) For each Amendment 80 cooperative, the percent of groundfish 
retained by that Amendment 80 cooperative of the aggregate groundfish 
retained by all Amendment 80 vessels assigned to that Amendment 80 
cooperative using the following equations:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25FE13.001

    Substituting the value for GFroundweight into the following 
equation:

GFR% = (GFroundweight /TotalGF)* 100

Where:

GFroundweight is the total annual round weight equivalent of all 
          retained product weights retained by all Amendment 80 vessels 
          assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative for each IR/IU 
          groundfish species.
PWspeciesn is the total annual product weight for each groundfish 
          species listed in Table 2a to this part by product type as 
          reported in the vessel's production report for all Amendment 
          80 vessels assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative required 
          at Sec. 679.5(e).
PRRspeciesn is the standard product recovery rate for each groundfish 
          species and product combination listed in Table 3 to this 
          part.
GFR% is the groundfish retention percentage for an Amendment 80 
          cooperative calculated as GFroundweight divided by the total 
          weight of groundfish catch.
TotalGF is the total groundfish round catch weight for all Amendment 80 
          vessels assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative

[[Page 644]]

          as measured by the flow scale measurement, less any non-
          groundfish, PSC species or groundfish species on prohibited 
          species status under Sec. 679.20.

    (E) For each Amendment 80 cooperative, a third party must audit the 
Amendment 80 cooperative's annual groundfish retention calculations and 
the Amendment 80 cooperative must include the finding of the third party 
audit in its Amendment 80 annual cooperative report.
    (7) Vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirements (see Sec. 
679.28(f)).
    (t) Community Entity Quota Program Annual Report--(1) Applicability. 
A CQE must submit an annual report on the CQE's administrative 
activities, business operation, and community fishing activities for 
each calendar year it holds any of the following: community charter 
halibut permits as described at Sec. 300.67(k) of this title, halibut 
and sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) and quota shares (QS) as 
described at Sec. 679.41(l)(3), and community Pacific cod endorsed non-
trawl groundfish license limitation program (LLP) licenses as described 
at Sec. 679.4(k)(10)(vi)(F)(2). The CQE may combine annual reports 
about its holdings of community charter halibut permits, IFQ, and LLPs 
in one report. A CQE must submit annual report data for the community 
charter halibut permit, IFQ, and LLP permits it held during the calendar 
year. A CQE is not required to submit an annual report for any calendar 
year in which it did not hold any community charter halibut permits, 
IFQ, or LLPs.
    (2) Time limits and submittal. By January 31, the CQE must submit a 
complete annual report for the prior calendar year to the Regional 
Administrator, and to the governing body of each community represented 
by the CQE as identified in Table 21 to this part.
    (3) Complete annual report. A complete annual report contains all 
general report requirements listed in paragraphs (t)(4)(i) through 
(t)(4)(iii) of this section and all program specific report requirements 
applicable to the CQE as described in paragraphs (t)(5)(i) through 
(t)(5)(iii).
    (4) General report requirements. Each CQE must report the following 
information:
    (i) The eligible community or communities, represented by the CQE, 
any new communities, and any withdrawn communities;
    (ii) Any changes in the bylaws of the CQE, board of directors, or 
other key management personnel; and
    (iii) Copies of minutes and other relevant decision making documents 
from all CQE board meetings held during the prior calendar year.
    (5) Program specific report requirements. Each CQE must report 
business operations and fishing activity for the charter halibut permit, 
IFQ, and LLP programs for each eligible community represented by the 
CQE.
    (i) If a community in Table 21 to part 679 was issued one or more 
charter halibut permits held on behalf of the community by a CQE, then 
the CQE must complete paragraphs (t)(5)(iv)(A) through (I) of this 
section;
    (ii) If a community in Table 21 to part 679 leased halibut and 
sablefish IFQ derived from the QS held on behalf of the community by a 
CQE, then the CQE must complete paragraphs (t)(5)(v)(A) through (J) of 
this section; and
    (iii) If a community in Table 21 to part 679 was assigned one or 
more Pacific cod endorsed non-trawl groundfish licenses held on behalf 
of the community by a CQE, then the CQE must complete paragraphs 
(t)(5)(vi)(A) through (I) of this section.
    (iv) Charter Halibut Limited Access Program. For each community 
represented by the CQE, the program specific report for charter halibut 
permits held by a CQE, must include:
    (A) The total number of charter halibut permits held by the CQE at 
the start of the calendar year, at the end of the calendar year, and 
projected to be held in the next calendar year;
    (B) A description of the process used by the CQE to solicit 
applications from persons to use charter halibut permits that the CQE is 
holding on behalf of the eligible community;
    (C) The total number of persons who applied to use one or more 
charter halibut permits;

[[Page 645]]

    (D) Name, business address, city and state, and number of charter 
halibut permits requested by each person who applied to use a charter 
halibut permit held by the CQE;
    (E) A detailed description of the criteria used by the CQE to 
distribute charter halibut permits among persons who applied to use one 
or more charter halibut permits that the CQE is holding on behalf of the 
eligible community;
    (F) For each person issued one or more charter halibut permits held 
by a CQE, provide their name, business address, city and state, ADF&G 
logbook number(s), and the number(s) of each charter halibut permits 
they were authorized to use with the corresponding regulatory area 
endorsement and angler endorsement;
    (G) For each vessel authorized to participate in the charter halibut 
fishery using one or more charter halibut permits held by the CQE, 
provide the vessel name, ADF&G vessel registration number, USCG 
documentation number, length overall, home port and each charter halibut 
permits number held by the CQE and used onboard the vessel;
    (H) For each vessel authorized to participate in the charter halibut 
fishery using one or more charter halibut permits held by the CQE, 
provide each set of ports from which the vessel departed and to which it 
returned, and the total number of trips that occurred to and from each 
set of ports when one or more charter halibut permits held by the CQE 
was used onboard the vessel; and
    (I) For each community represented by the CQE, provide any payments 
made to the CQE for use of the charter halibut permits.
    (v) Individual Fishing Quota Program. For each community represented 
by the CQE, the program specific report for halibut IFQ or sablefish IFQ 
that were derived from QS held by the CQE must include:
    (A) The total amount of halibut QS and total amount of sablefish QS 
held by the CQE at the start of the calendar year, at the end of the 
calendar year, and projected to be held in the next calendar year;
    (B) A description of the process used by the CQE to solicit 
applications from eligible community residents and non-residents to use 
IFQ that is derived from QS that the CQE is holding on behalf of the 
eligible community;
    (C) The total number of eligible community residents and non-
residents who applied to use IFQ derived from QS held by the CQE;
    (D) Name, business address, city and state, and amount of IFQ 
requested by each person who applied to use IFQ derived from QS held by 
the CQE;
    (E) A detailed description of the criteria used by the CQE to 
distribute IFQ among eligible community residents and non-residents who 
applied to use IFQ held by the CQE;
    (F) For each person who leased IFQ derived from QS held by the CQE, 
provide their name, business address, city and state, each IFQ permit 
number, and the total pounds of halibut IFQ and total pounds of 
sablefish IFQ they were authorized to use through each IFQ permit 
number;
    (G) For each vessel used to harvest IFQ derived from QS held by the 
CQE, provide the vessel name, ADF&G vessel registration number, USCG 
documentation number, length overall, home port, and each IFQ permit 
number(s) used onboard;
    (H) A description of the efforts made by the CQE to ensure crew 
members onboard the vessels used to harvest the IFQ derived from QS held 
by the CQE are residents of the CQE eligible community;
    (I) Name, resident city and state of each person employed as a crew 
member on each vessel used to harvest IFQ derived from QS held by the 
CQE; and
    (J) For each community whose eligible community residents and non-
residents landed IFQ derived from QS held by the CQE, provide any 
payments made to the CQE for use of the IFQ.
    (vi) License Limitation Program. For each community represented by 
the CQE, the program specific report for GOA Pacific cod endorsed non-
trawl groundfish licenses held by a CQE must include:
    (A) The total number of LLP groundfish licenses by gear type 
endorsement held by the CQE at the start of the calendar year, at the 
end of the calendar

[[Page 646]]

year, and projected to be held in the next calendar year;
    (B) A description of the process used by the CQE to solicit 
applications from residents of the eligible community to use LLP 
groundfish license(s) that the CQE is holding on behalf of the eligible 
community;
    (C) The total number of community residents who applied to use an 
LLP groundfish license held by the CQE;
    (D) Name, business address, city and state, and number of LLP 
groundfish licenses requested by each person who applied to use a LLP 
groundfish license held by the CQE;
    (E) A detailed description of the criteria used by the CQE to 
distribute LLP groundfish licenses among eligible community residents 
who applied to use LLP groundfish licenses held by the CQE;
    (F) For each person assigned one or more LLP groundfish licenses 
held by the CQE, provide their name, business address, city and state, 
and LLP groundfish license numbers for permits of each gear endorsement 
type they were authorized to use;
    (G) For each vessel authorized to harvest LLP groundfish using one 
or more LLP groundfish licenses held by the CQE, provide the vessel 
name, ADF&G vessel registration number, USCG documentation number, 
length overall, home port, and each LLP groundfish license number used 
onboard;
    (H) Name, resident city and state of each person employed as a crew 
member on each vessel authorized to harvest LLP groundfish using one or 
more LLP groundfish licenses held by the CQE; and
    (I) For each community whose residents made landings using one or 
more LLP groundfish licenses held by the CQE, provide any payments made 
to the CQE for use of the LLP groundfish licenses.
    (u) BSAI Cost Recovery Volume and Value Reports--(1) Pacific Cod Ex-
vessel Volume and Value Report--(i) Applicability. A shoreside processor 
designated on an FPP, or a mothership designated on an FFP, that 
processes landings of either CDQ Pacific cod or BSAI Pacific cod 
harvested by a vessel using trawl gear must submit annually to NMFS a 
complete Pacific Cod Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report, as described in 
this paragraph (u)(1), for each reporting period for which the 
shorebased processor or mothership receives this Pacific cod.
    (ii) Reporting period. The reporting period of the Pacific Cod Ex-
vessel Volume and Value Report shall extend from January 1 to October 31 
of the year in which the landings were made.
    (iii) Due date. A complete Pacific Cod Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report must be received by NMFS no later than November 10 of the year in 
which the processor or mothership received the Pacific cod.
    (iv) Information required. (A) The submitter must log in using his 
or her password and NMFS person ID to submit a Pacific Cod Ex-vessel 
Volume and Value Report. The User must review any auto-filled cells to 
ensure that they are accurate. A completed report must have all 
applicable fields accurately filled-in.
    (B) Certification. By using the NMFS person ID and password and 
submitting the report, the submitter certifies that all information is 
true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and 
belief.
    (v) Submittal. The submitter must complete and submit online to NMFS 
the Pacific Cod Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report available at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (2) First Wholesale Volume and Value Report--(i) Applicability. An 
Amendment 80 vessel owner that harvests groundfish species, other than 
Pacific cod, must submit annually to NMFS a complete First Wholesale 
Volume and Value Report, as described in this paragraph (u)(2), for each 
reporting period for which the Amendment 80 vessel harvests groundfish 
species, other than Pacific cod.
    (ii) Reporting period. (A) The reporting period of the First 
Wholesale Volume and Value Report for all species except rock sole shall 
extend from January 1 to October 31 of the year in which the landings 
were made.
    (B) The first reporting period of the First Wholesale Volume and 
Value Report for rock sole shall extend from January 1 to March 31, and 
the second reporting period shall extend from April 1 to October 31.

[[Page 647]]

    (iii) Due date. A complete First Wholesale Volume and Value Report 
must be received by NMFS no later than November 10 of the year in which 
the Amendment 80 vessel received the groundfish species, other than 
Pacific cod.
    (iv) Information required. (A) The Amendment 80 vessel owner must 
log in using his or her password and NMFS person ID to submit a First 
Wholesale Volume and Value Report. The vessel owner must review any 
auto-filled cells to ensure that they are accurate. A completed report 
must have all applicable fields accurately filled-in.
    (B) Certification. By using the NMFS person ID and password and 
submitting the report, the Amendment 80 vessel owner certifies that all 
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her 
knowledge and belief.
    (v) Submittal. The Amendment 80 vessel owner must complete and 
submit online to NMFS the First Wholesale Volume and Value Report 
available at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (v) Recreational Quota Entity Program Annual Report--(1) 
Applicability. The RQE must submit a timely and complete annual report 
on the RQE's administrative activities and business operation for each 
calendar year that it holds halibut recreational fishing quota (RFQ) and 
quota shares (QS). The RQE may combine annual reports on its holdings of 
halibut QS and RFQ for IFQ regulatory areas 2C and 3A into one report. 
The RQE must submit annual report data for the halibut QS and RFQ it 
held during the calendar year. The RQE is not required to submit an 
annual report for any calendar year in which it did not hold any halibut 
QS or RFQ.
    (2) Time limits and submittal. By January 31, the RQE must submit a 
complete annual report for the prior calendar year to the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 
99501-2252, and to NMFS-Alaska Regional Administrator, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
    (3) Complete annual report. A complete annual report contains all 
general report requirements described in paragraphs (v)(4)(i) through 
(iv) of this section, and all information specific to IFQ regulatory 
areas 2C and 3A described in paragraphs (v)(5)(i) through (iii) of this 
section.
    (4) General report requirements. The RQE must annually report the 
following information:
    (i) Any changes to the bylaws, board of directors, or other key 
management personnel of the RQE from the preceding year;
    (ii) Amount and description of annual administrative expenses;
    (iii) Amount and description of funds spent on conservation and 
research, including a summary of the results of those expenditures; and
    (iv) Amount and description of all other expenses incurred by the 
RQE.
    (5) Information by IFQ regulatory area. For each IFQ regulatory area 
represented by the RQE, the RQE must annually report the following 
information:
    (i) The total amount of halibut QS by category and blocks held by 
the RQE at the start of the calendar year, on October 1, and at the end 
of the calendar year;
    (ii) A list of all transfers (purchases or sales) of halibut QS, 
including the transaction price; and
    (iii) A description of the number of charter halibut permits and 
number of angler endorsements purchased and held by the RQE.
    (w) Report on Area 4 halibut IFQ transfers to CDQ groups--(1) 
Applicability. A CDQ group that receives IFQ regulatory area 4 halibut 
IFQ by transfer must submit a timely and complete report on the CDQ 
group's annual halibut IFQ transfer activities for each calendar year 
that it receives IFQ regulatory area 4 halibut IFQ by transfer. A CDQ 
group is not required to submit a report for any calendar year in which 
it did not receive any IFQ regulatory area 4 halibut IFQ by transfer.
    (2) Time limits and submittal. A CDQ group must submit a complete 
report by January 31 of the year following a fishing year during which 
the CDQ group receives IFQ regulatory area 4B, 4C, or 4D halibut IFQ by 
transfer. The complete report must be submitted to the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 
99501-2252, and to

[[Page 648]]

NMFS-Alaska Regional Administrator, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK, 99802-
1668.
    (3) Complete report. A complete report contains all report 
requirements described in paragraphs (w)(4)(i) through (w)(4)(iii) of 
this section.
    (4) Report requirements. A CDQ group must report the following 
information:
    (i) The annual amount, IFQ regulatory area, and vessel category of 
IFQ regulatory area 4B, 4C, and 4D halibut IFQ transferred to the CDQ 
group;
    (ii) The criteria used to select IFQ holders to transfer IFQ 
regulatory area 4B, 4C, and 4D halibut IFQ to the CDQ group; and
    (iii) The criteria used to determine the person(s) eligible to 
harvest IFQ regulatory area 4B, 4C, and 4D halibut IFQ received by 
transfer.
    (x) PCTC Program. The owners and operators of catcher vessels and 
processors authorized as participants in the PCTC Program must comply 
with the applicable R&R requirements of this section and must assign all 
catch to a PCTC Program cooperative at the time of catch or receipt of 
groundfish. Owners of catcher vessels and processors authorized as 
participants in the PCTC Program must ensure that their designated 
representatives or employees comply with applicable R&R requirements as 
described at Sec. 679.134.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.5, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.6  Exempted fisheries.

    (a) General. For limited experimental purposes, the Regional 
Administrator may authorize, after consulting with the Council, fishing 
for groundfish or fishing for Arctic fish in the Arctic Management Area 
in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited. No exempted fishing may 
be conducted unless authorized by an exempted fishing permit issued by 
the Regional Administrator to the participating vessel owner in 
accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in this section. 
Exempted fishing permits will be issued without charge and will expire 
at the end of a calendar year unless otherwise provided for under 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    (b) Application. An applicant for an exempted fishing permit shall 
submit to the Regional Administrator, at least 60 days before the 
desired effective date of the exempted fishing permit, a written 
application including, but not limited to, the following information:
    (1) The date of the application.
    (2) The applicant's name, mailing address, and telephone number.
    (3) A statement of the purpose and goal of the experiment for which 
an exempted fishing permit is needed, including a general description of 
the arrangements for disposition of all species harvested under the 
exempted fishing permit.
    (4) Technical details about the experiment, including:
    (i) Amounts of each species to be harvested that are necessary to 
conduct the experiment, and arrangement for disposition of all species 
taken.
    (ii) Area and timing of the experiment.
    (iii) Vessel and gear to be used.
    (iv) Experimental design (e.g., sampling procedures, the data and 
samples to be collected, and analysis of the data and samples).
    (v) Provision for public release of all obtained information, and 
submission of interim and final reports.
    (5) The willingness of the applicant to carry observers, if required 
by the Regional Administrator, and a description of accommodations and 
work space for the observer(s).
    (6) Details for all coordinating parties engaged in the experiment 
and signatures of all representatives of all principal parties.
    (7) Information about each vessel to be covered by the exempted 
fishing permit, including:
    (i) Vessel name.
    (ii) Name, address, and telephone number of owner and master.
    (iii) USCG documentation, state license, or registration number.
    (iv) Home port.
    (v) Length of vessel.
    (vi) Net tonnage.
    (vii) Gross tonnage.
    (8) The signature of the applicant.
    (9) The Regional Administrator may request from an applicant 
additional

[[Page 649]]

information necessary to make the determinations required under this 
section. Any application that does not include all necessary information 
will be considered incomplete. An incomplete application will not be 
considered to be complete until the necessary information is provided in 
writing. An applicant for an exempted fishing permit need not be the 
owner or operator of the vessel(s) for which the exempted fishing permit 
is requested.
    (c) Review procedures. (1) The Regional Administrator, in 
consultation with the Alaska Fishery Science Center, will review each 
application and will make a preliminary determination whether the 
application contains all the information necessary to determine if the 
proposal constitutes a valid fishing experiment appropriate for further 
consideration. If the Regional Administrator finds any application does 
not warrant further consideration, the applicant will be notified in 
writing of the reasons for the decision.
    (2) If the Regional Administrator determines any application is 
complete and warrants further consideration, he or she will initiate 
consultation with the Council by forwarding the application to the 
Council. The Council's Executive Director shall notify the applicant of 
a meeting at which the Council will consider the application and invite 
the applicant to appear in support of the application, if the applicant 
desires. If the Regional Administrator initiates consultation with the 
Council, NMFS will publish notification of receipt of the application in 
the Federal Register with a brief description of the proposal.
    (d) Notifying the applicant. (1) The decision of the Regional 
Administrator, after consulting with the Council, to grant or deny an 
exempted fishing permit is the final action of the agency. The Regional 
Administrator shall notify the applicant in writing of the decision to 
grant or deny the exempted fishing permit and, if denied, the reasons 
for the denial, including:
    (i) The applicant has failed to disclose material information 
required, or has made false statements as to any material fact, in 
connection with the application.
    (ii) According to the best scientific information available, the 
harvest to be conducted under the permit would detrimentally affect 
living marine resources, including marine mammals and birds, and their 
habitat in a significant way.
    (iii) Activities to be conducted under the exempted fishing permit 
would be inconsistent with the intent of this section or the management 
objectives of the FMP.
    (iv) The applicant has failed to demonstrate a valid justification 
for the permit.
    (v) The activity proposed under the exempted fishing permit could 
create a significant enforcement problem.
    (vi) The applicant failed to make available to the public 
information that had been obtained under a previously issued exempted 
fishing permit.
    (vii) The proposed activity had economic allocation as its sole 
purpose.
    (2) In the event a permit is denied on the basis of incomplete 
information or design flaws, the applicant will be provided an 
opportunity to resubmit the application, unless a permit is denied 
because exempted fishing would detrimentally affect marine resources, be 
inconsistent with the management objectives of the FMP, create 
significant enforcement problems, or have economic allocation as its 
sole purpose.
    (e) Terms and conditions. The Regional Administrator may attach 
terms and conditions to the exempted fishing permit that are consistent 
with the purpose of the experiment, including, but not limited to:
    (1) The maximum amount of each species that can be harvested and 
landed during the term of the exempted fishing permit, including trip 
limitations, where appropriate.
    (2) The number, sizes, names, and identification numbers of the 
vessels authorized to conduct fishing activities under the exempted 
fishing permit.
    (3) The time(s) and place(s) where exempted fishing may be 
conducted.
    (4) The type, size, and amount of gear that may be used by each 
vessel operated under the exempted fishing permit.

[[Page 650]]

    (5) The condition that observers be carried aboard vessels operated 
under an exempted fishing permit.
    (6) Reasonable data reporting requirements.
    (7) Such other conditions as may be necessary to assure compliance 
with the purposes of the exempted fishing permit and consistency with 
the FMP objectives.
    (8) Provisions for public release of data obtained under the 
exempted fishing permit.
    (f) Effectiveness. Unless otherwise specified in the exempted 
fishing permit or superseding notification or regulation, an exempted 
fishing permit is effective for no longer than 1 calendar year, but may 
be revoked, suspended, or modified during the calendar year. Exempted 
fishing permits may be renewed following the application procedures in 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (g) Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. In addition to the 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements in this section, the operator 
or manager must comply with requirements at Sec. 679.5(a) through (k).

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 61981, Nov. 15, 1999; 
67 FR 4148, Jan. 28, 2002; 67 FR 22017, May 2, 2002; 74 FR 56745, Nov. 
3, 2009]



Sec. 679.7  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the 
following:
    (a) Groundfish of the GOA and BSAI--(1) Federal Fisheries Permit 
(FFP). (i) Fish for groundfish in the BSAI or GOA with a vessel of the 
United States that does not have on board a legible copy of a valid FFP 
issued under Sec. 679.4.
    (ii) Conduct directed fishing for Atka mackerel, Pacific cod, or 
pollock with pot, hook-and-line, or trawl gear from a vessel of the 
United States that does not have on board a legible copy of a valid FFP 
issued under Sec. 679.4 and endorsed for Atka mackerel, Pacific cod, or 
pollock under Sec. 679.4(b).
    (2) Conduct any fishing contrary to notification of inseason action, 
closure, or adjustment issued under Sec. 679.20, Sec. 679.21, Sec. 
679.22, Sec. 679.25.
    (3) Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program. (i) Fish or process 
groundfish except in compliance with the terms of the Groundfish and 
Halibut Observer Program as provided by subpart E of this part.
    (ii) Except where observer services are provided by a NMFS employee 
or other individuals authorized by NMFS under Sec. 679.51(c) or Sec. 
679.51(d)(1)(ii), deploy observers in the full observer coverage 
category at Sec. 679.51(a)(2) and (b)(2) without an observer provider 
permit issued under Sec. 679.52(a).
    (4) Pollock roe. Retain pollock roe on board a vessel in violation 
of Sec. 679.20(g).
    (5) Rockfish by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, jig, or pot 
gear.
    (i) For any person, to discard rockfish from a catcher vessel 
required to have a Federal fisheries permit that is fishing for 
groundfish or IFQ or CDQ halibut using hook-and-line, jig, or pot gear 
in the BSAI or GOA until that fish has been landed.
    (ii) Exceed the maximum commerce allowance amount established under 
Sec. 679.20(j).
    (6) Gear. Deploy any trawl, longline, longline pot, pot-and-line, or 
jig gear in an area when directed fishing for, or retention of, all 
groundfish by operators of vessels using that gear type is prohibited in 
that area, except that this paragraph (a)(6) shall not prohibit:
    (i) Deployment of fixed gear, as defined in Sec. 679.2 under 
``Authorized fishing gear,'' by an operator of a vessel fishing for IFQ 
halibut during the fishing period prescribed in the annual management 
measures published in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of 
this title.
    (ii) Deployment of pot gear by operators of vessels fishing for crab 
during seasons governed by the State of Alaska.
    (iii) Deployment of jig gear by operators of vessels fishing for 
salmon during seasons governed by the State of Alaska.
    (7) Inshore/offshore. (i) Operate a vessel in the ``inshore 
component in the GOA'' as defined in Sec. 679.2 without a valid Inshore 
Processing endorsement on the vessel's FFP or FPP.
    (ii) Operate a vessel as a ``stationary floating processor'' in the 
``inshore component in the GOA'' as defined in Sec. 679.2, and as a 
catcher/processor in the BSAI during the same fishing year.

[[Page 651]]

    (iii) Operate a vessel as a ``stationary floating processor'' in the 
``inshore component in the GOA'' as defined in Sec. 679.2, and as an 
AFA mothership in the BSAI during the same fishing year.
    (iv) Operate any vessel in the GOA in more than one of the three 
categories included in the definition of ``inshore component in the 
GOA,'' in Sec. Sec. 679.2, during any fishing year.
    (v) Operate any vessel in the GOA under both the ``inshore component 
in the GOA'' and the ``offshore component in the GOA'' definitions in 
Sec. Sec. 679.2 during the same fishing year.
    (vi) Except as provided in paragraph (k)(3)(iv) of this section, use 
a stationary floating processor with a GOA inshore processing 
endorsement to process pollock harvested in the GOA or Pacific cod 
harvested in the Eastern GOA in a directed fishery for those species in 
more than one single geographic location in the GOA during a fishing 
year.
    (vii) Operate a vessel in the ``inshore component of the GOA'' as 
defined in Sec. 679.2 during a calendar year if that vessel is used to 
directed fish for Pacific cod under the authority of a groundfish 
license with a Pacific cod endorsement in the regulatory area listed in 
Table 49 to part 679.
    (viii) Use a vessel operating under the authority of a groundfish 
license with a Pacific cod endorsement to directed fish for Pacific cod 
in the Eastern GOA apportioned to the inshore component of the GOA as 
specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(6) if that vessel has directed fished 
for Pacific cod in the Eastern GOA apportioned to the offshore component 
of the Eastern GOA during that calendar year.
    (ix) Use a vessel operating under the authority of a groundfish 
license with a Pacific cod endorsement to directed fish for Pacific cod 
in the Eastern GOA apportioned to the offshore component of the Eastern 
GOA as specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(6) if that vessel has directed 
fished for Pacific cod in the Eastern GOA apportioned to the inshore 
component of the GOA during that calendar year.
    (8) Fishing in Donut Hole. Except as authorized by permit issued 
pursuant to the section of the Donut Hole Convention implementing 
legislation authorizing NMFS to issue Donut Hole fishing permits (Public 
Law 104-43, section 104(d)), it is unlawful for any person to:
    (i) Fish in the Donut Hole from a vessel for which a Federal 
fisheries permit has been issued pursuant to Sec. 679.4 during the year 
for which the permit was issued.
    (ii) Possess within the EEZ fish harvested from the Donut Hole on 
board a vessel for which a Federal fisheries permit has been issued 
pursuant to Sec. 679.4 during the year for which the permit was issued.
    (9) Authorized fishing gear. Retain groundfish taken with other than 
authorized fishing gear as defined in Sec. 679.2, except that 
groundfish incidentally taken by pot gear by a vessel while 
participating in an open crab season governed by the State of Alaska may 
be retained for use as unprocessed bait on board that vessel.
    (10) Recordkeeping and reporting. (i) Fail to comply with or fail to 
ensure compliance with requirements in Sec. Sec. 679.4 or 679.5.
    (ii) Alter, erase, mutilate, or forge any permit or document issued 
under Sec. Sec. 679.4 or 679.5.
    (iii) Fail to submit or submit inaccurate information on, any 
report, application, or statement required under this part.
    (iv) Intentionally submit false information on any report, 
application, or statement required under this part.
    (11) Buying station or tender vessel--(i) Tender vessel. Use a 
catcher vessel or catcher/processor as a tender vessel before offloading 
all groundfish or groundfish product harvested or processed by that 
vessel.
    (ii) Associated processor. Function as a tender vessel or buying 
station without an associated processor.
    (12) Prohibited species donation program. Retain or possess 
prohibited species, defined at Sec. 679.21(a)(1), except as permitted 
to do so under the PSD program as provided by Sec. 679.26, or as 
authorized by other applicable law.
    (13) Halibut. With respect to halibut caught with fixed gear, as 
defined in Sec. 679.2 under the definition of ``Authorized fishing 
gear,'' deployed from a vessel fishing for groundfish, except for 
vessels fishing for halibut as prescribed

[[Page 652]]

in the annual management measures published in the Federal Register 
pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of this title:
    (i) Fail to release the halibut outboard a vessel's rails.
    (ii) Release halibut caught with longline gear by any method other 
than--
    (A) Cutting the gangion.
    (B) Positioning the gaff on the hook and twisting the hook from the 
halibut.
    (C) Straightening the hook by using the gaff to catch the bend of 
the hook and bracing the gaff against the vessel or any gear attached to 
the vessel.
    (iii) Puncture the halibut with a gaff or other device.
    (iv) Allow halibut caught with longline gear to contact the vessel, 
if such contact causes, or is capable of causing, the halibut to be 
stripped from the hook.
    (14) Trawl gear performance standard--(i) BSAI. Use a vessel to 
participate in a directed fishery for pollock using trawl gear and have 
on board the vessel, at any particular time, 20 or more crabs of any 
species that have a carapace width of more than 1.5 inches (38 mm) at 
the widest dimension.
    (ii) GOA. Use a vessel to participate in a directed fishery for 
pollock using trawl gear when directed fishing for pollock with 
nonpelagic trawl gear is closed and have on board the vessel, at any 
particular time, 20 or more crabs of any species that have a carapace 
width of more than 1.5 inches (38 mm) at the widest dimension.
    (15) Federal processor permit (FPP). (i) Receive, purchase or 
arrange for purchase, discard, or process groundfish harvested in the 
GOA or BSAI by a shoreside processor or SFP and in the Western and 
Central GOA regulatory areas, including Federal reporting areas 610, 
620, and 630, that does not have on site a legible copy of a valid FPP 
issued pursuant to Sec. 679.4(f).
    (ii) Receive, purchase or arrange for purchase, discard, or process 
groundfish harvested in the GOA by a CQE floating processor that does 
not have on site a legible copy of a valid FPP issued pursuant to Sec. 
679.4(f).
    (16) Retention of groundfish bycatch species. Exceed the maximum 
retainable groundfish amount established under Sec. 679.20(e).
    (17) Tender vessel. (i) Use a catcher vessel or catcher/processor as 
a tender vessel before offloading all groundfish or groundfish product 
harvested or processed by that vessel.
    (ii) Use a catcher vessel or catcher/processor to harvest groundfish 
while operating as a tender vessel.
    (18) Pollock, Pacific Cod, and Atka Mackerel Directed Fishing and 
VMS. Operate a vessel in any Federal reporting area when a vessel is 
authorized under Sec. 679.4(b) to participate in the Atka mackerel, 
Pacific cod, or pollock directed fisheries and the vessel's authorized 
species and gear type is open to directed fishing, unless the vessel 
carries an operable NMFS-approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and 
complies with the requirements in Sec. 679.28(f).
    (19) Atka mackerel directed fishing in the Bering Sea reporting 
areas. Conduct directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Bering Sea 
subarea and adjacent State waters with a vessel required to be Federally 
permitted.
    (20) Anchoring in a habitat protection area. Anchor any federally 
permitted vessel in any habitat protection area described in Tables 22, 
23, and 26 of this part.
    (21) VMS on vessels in the Aleutian Islands subarea. Operate a 
federally permitted vessel in the Aleutian Islands subarea without an 
operable VMS and without complying with the requirements at Sec. 
679.28(f).
    (22) VMS for non-pelagic trawl and dredge gear vessels in the GOA. 
Operate a federally permitted vessel in the GOA with non-pelagic trawl 
or dredge gear onboard without an operable VMS and without complying 
with the requirements at Sec. 679.28(f).
    (b) Prohibitions specific to the GOA--(1) Southeast outside trawl 
closure. Use trawl gear in the GOA east of 140[deg] W long.
    (2) Catcher vessel harvest limit for pollock. (i) Retain more than 
300,000 lb (136 mt) of unprocessed pollock on board a catcher vessel 
issued a FFP at any time during a fishing trip as defined at Sec. 
679.2;
    (ii) Land more than 300,000 lb (136 mt) of unprocessed pollock 
harvested in

[[Page 653]]

any GOA reporting area from a catcher vessel issued a FFP to any 
processor or tender vessel during a calendar day as defined at Sec. 
679.2; and
    (iii) Land a cumulative amount of unprocessed pollock harvested from 
any GOA reporting area from a catcher vessel issued a FFP during a 
directed fishery that exceeds the amount in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section multiplied by the number of calendar days that occur during the 
time period the directed fishery is open in that reporting area.
    (3) Tender vessel restrictions for pollock. (i) Operate as a tender 
vessel east of 157[deg]00[min] W long. for pollock harvested in the GOA.
    (ii) Operate as a tender vessel west of 157[deg]00[min] W long. 
while retaining on board at any time more than 600,000 lb (272 mt) of 
unprocessed pollock.
    (4) Catcher vessel restrictions. (i) Deliver Pacific cod harvested 
in the Western GOA or Central GOA regulatory area including Federal 
reporting areas 610, 620, or 630, to a vessel for processing in a GOA 
regulatory area other than the area in which the harvest occurred.
    (ii) Deliver Pacific cod harvested in the Western GOA or Central GOA 
regulatory area, including Federal reporting areas 610, 620, or 630, to 
another vessel for processing unless the processing vessel carries an 
operable NMFS-approved Vessel Monitoring System that complies with the 
requirements in Sec. 679.28(f).
    (iii) Deliver Pacific cod harvested in the Western GOA or adjacent 
waters parallel directed fishery to a vessel for processing in excess of 
the processing limits established at Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(iv) or (v), 
unless the processing vessel meets the definition of a stationary 
floating processor at Sec. 679.2.
    (iv) Deliver Pacific cod harvested in the Central GOA or adjacent 
waters parallel directed fishery in excess of the processing limits 
established at Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(v), unless the processing vessel 
meets the definition of a stationary floating processor at Sec. 679.2.
    (v) Deliver Pacific cod harvested in the Central GOA or adjacent 
waters parallel directed fishery to a vessel for processing, unless that 
vessel is endorsed as a CQE floating processor or stationary floating 
processor.
    (vi) Eligible catcher/processor LLP license holders electing to add 
a catcher vessel endorsement for the Western or Central GOA under Sec. 
679.4 (k)(10)(vii)(B) and (C) of this part are prohibited from catching 
and processing Pacific cod onboard a vessel under the authority of that 
groundfish license in the directed Pacific cod fishery in Federal 
reporting areas 610, 620, or 630.
    (5) Stationary floating processor restrictions. (i) Except as 
provided in paragraph (k)(3)(iv) of this section, to use a stationary 
floating processor to process Pacific cod at more than one single 
geographic location in the GOA during a fishing year if the Pacific cod 
was harvested in a Western or Central GOA directed fishery within 
Federal reporting areas 610, 620, or 630.
    (ii) Operate as a stationary floating processor in the GOA and as a 
catcher/processor in the GOA during the same calendar year.
    (iii) Operate as a stationary floating processor in the GOA and as a 
CQE floating processor or mothership in the GOA during the same calendar 
year.
    (6) Parallel fisheries. Use a vessel designated or required to be 
designated on an FFP to directed fish for Pacific cod from waters 
adjacent to the GOA when Pacific cod caught by that vessel is deducted 
from the Federal TAC specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(2) 
through (6) of this part for the Western GOA and Sec. 
679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)(2) through (7) of this part for the Central GOA 
unless:
    (i) That non-trawl vessel is designated on both:
    (A) An LLP license issued under Sec. 679.4(k) of this part, unless 
that vessel is using jig gear and exempt from the LLP license 
requirement under Sec. 679.4(k)(2)(iii) of this part. Each vessel 
required to have an LLP license must be designated with the following 
endorsements:
    (1) The GOA area designation adjacent to the parallel waters fishery 
where the harvest occurred; and
    (2) A Pacific cod endorsement.
    (B) An FFP issued under Sec. 679.4(b) of this part with the 
following endorsements:
    (1) The GOA area designation;

[[Page 654]]

    (2) An operational type designation;
    (3) A gear type endorsement; and
    (4) A Pacific cod gear type endorsement.
    (ii) Or, that trawl vessel is designated on both:
    (A) An LLP license issued under Sec. 679.4(k) of this part endorsed 
for trawl gear with the GOA area designation adjacent to the parallel 
waters fishery where the harvest occurred, and
    (B) An FFP issued under Sec. 679.4(b) of this part with the 
following endorsements:
    (1) The GOA area designation;
    (2) An operational type designation;
    (3) A trawl gear type endorsement; and
    (4) A Pacific cod gear type endorsement.
    (7) Parallel fishery closures. Use a vessel designated or required 
to be designated on an FFP to catch and retain Pacific cod from waters 
adjacent to the GOA when Pacific cod caught by that vessel is deducted 
from the Federal TAC specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(2) 
through (6) of this part for the Western GOA and Sec. 
679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)(2) through (7) of this part for the Central GOA if 
directed fishing for Pacific cod is not open.
    (8) Prohibitions specific to salmon discard in the Western and 
Central Reporting Areas of the GOA directed fisheries for groundfish. 
Fail to comply with any requirements of Sec. 679.21(h).
    (9) Conduct directed fishing for flatfish, as defined in Sec. 
679.2, with a vessel required to be federally permitted in the Central 
GOA Regulatory Area, as defined in Figure 3 to this part, without 
meeting the requirements for modified nonpelagic trawl gear specified at 
Sec. 679.24(f) and illustrated in Figures 25, 26, and 27 to this part.
    (c) Prohibitions specific to BSAI. (1) For vessel owners and 
operators subject to Sec. 679.100(a), to use the vessel as a catcher/
processor to conduct directed fishing for Pacific cod with hook-and-line 
gear in the BSAI or to conduct groundfish CDQ fishing.
    (2) Prohibited species. Conduct any fishing contrary to a 
notification issued under Sec. 679.21.
    (3) Parallel Pacific cod fisheries--participation requirements. Use 
a vessel named or required to be named on an FFP to catch and retain 
Pacific cod from State of Alaska waters adjacent to the BSAI, when 
Pacific cod caught by that vessel is deducted from the Federal TAC 
specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(2) through (9), unless:
    (i) That non-trawl vessel is designated on both:
    (A) An LLP license issued under Sec. 679.4(k), unless that vessel 
is using jig gear and exempt from the LLP license requirement under 
Sec. 679.4(k)(2)(iii). Each vessel required to have an LLP license must 
be designated with the following endorsements:
    (1) The BSAI area endorsement for the BSAI area adjacent to the 
parallel fishery where the harvest occurred; and
    (2) A BSAI catcher/processor Pacific cod hook-and-line endorsement, 
a BSAI catcher/processor Pacific cod pot endorsement, or a BSAI Pacific 
cod catcher vessel endorsement if that catcher vessel is 60 feet or 
greater length overall; and
    (B) An FFP issued under Sec. 679.4(b) with the following 
endorsements:
    (1) A catcher/processor or catcher vessel operation type 
endorsement;
    (2) A BSAI area endorsement; and
    (3) A pot or hook-and-line gear type endorsement.
    (ii) Or, that trawl vessel is designated on both:
    (A) An LLP license issued under Sec. 679.4(k) endorsed for trawl 
gear with the BSAI area endorsement for the BSAI area adjacent to the 
parallel fishery where the harvest occurred; and
    (B) An FFP issued under Sec. 679.4(b) with the following 
endorsements:
    (1) The BSAI area endorsement;
    (2) An operational type endorsement;
    (3) A trawl gear type endorsement; and
    (4) A Pacific cod gear type endorsement.
    (4) Parallel Pacific cod fisheries--closures. Use a vessel named or 
required to be named on an FFP to catch and retain Pacific cod with 
trawl, pot, or hook-and-line gear from State of Alaska waters adjacent 
to the BSAI when Pacific cod caught by that vessel is deducted from the 
Federal TAC specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A) for trawl, pot, or 
hook-and-line gear, if directed fishing for Pacific cod is not open for 
the

[[Page 655]]

sector to which the vessel belongs in Federal waters.
    (5) Conduct directed fishing for flatfish as defined in Sec. 679.2 
with a vessel required to be federally permitted in any reporting area 
of the Bering Sea subarea as described in Figure 1 to this part without 
meeting the requirements for modified nonpelagic trawl gear specified in 
Sec. 679.24(f).
    (6) For a shoreside processor designated on an FPP, or a mothership 
designated on an FFP, that processes landings of either CDQ Pacific cod 
or BSAI Pacific cod harvested by a vessel using trawl gear to fail to 
submit a timely and complete Pacific Cod Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report as required under Sec. 679.5(u)(1).
    (d) CDQ. (1) Participate in a Western Alaska CDQ program in 
violation of this part.
    (2) Fail to submit, submit inaccurate information on, or 
intentionally submit false information on any report, application, or 
statement required under this part.
    (3) For a CDQ group, exceed a CDQ or a halibut PSQ.
    (4) Catch Accounting--(i) General. (A) For the operator of a 
catcher/processor using trawl gear or a mothership, to harvest or take 
deliveries of CDQ or PSQ species without a valid scale inspection report 
signed by an authorized scale inspector under Sec. 679.28(b)(2) on 
board the vessel.
    (B) For the operator of a vessel required to have an observer 
sampling station described at Sec. 679.28(d), to harvest or take 
deliveries of CDQ or PSQ species without a valid observer sampling 
station inspection report issued by NMFS under Sec. 679.28(d)(10) on 
board the vessel.
    (C) For the manager of a shoreside processor or stationary floating 
processor, or the manager or operator of a buying station or tender 
vessel that is required elsewhere in this part to weigh catch on a scale 
approved by the State of Alaska under Sec. 679.28(c), to fail to weigh 
catch on a scale that meets the requirements of Sec. 679.28(c).
    (D) For the operator of a catcher/processor or a catcher vessel 
required to carry a level 2 observer, to combine catch from two or more 
CDQ groups in the same haul or set.
    (E) For the operator of a catcher vessel using trawl gear or any 
vessel less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA that is groundfish CDQ fishing as 
defined at Sec. 679.2, to discard any groundfish CDQ species or salmon 
PSQ before it is delivered to a processor, unless discard of the 
groundfish CDQ is required under other provisions or, in waters within 
the State of Alaska, discard is required by laws of the State of Alaska.
    (F) For the operator of a vessel using trawl gear, to release CDQ 
catch from the codend before it is brought on board the vessel and 
weighed on a scale approved by NMFS under Sec. 679.28(b) or delivered 
to a processor. This includes, but is not limited to, ``codend dumping'' 
and ``codend bleeding.''
    (G) For the operator of a catcher/processor using trawl gear or a 
mothership, to sort, process, or discard CDQ or PSQ species before the 
total catch is weighed on a scale that meets the requirements of Sec. 
679.28(b), including the daily test requirements described at Sec. 
679.28(b)(3).
    (H) For the operator of a vessel fishing on behalf of a CDQ group to 
retain more than the maximum retainable amount of pollock established 
under Sec. 679.20(e) unless the pollock harvested by that vessel 
accrues against a CDQ group's pollock CDQ allocation.
    (ii) Fixed gear sablefish. For any person on a vessel using fixed 
gear that is fishing for a CDQ group with an allocation of fixed gear 
sablefish CDQ, to discard sablefish harvested with fixed gear unless 
retention of sablefish is not authorized under Sec. 679.23(e)(4)(ii) 
or, in waters within the State of Alaska, discard is required by laws of 
the State of Alaska.
    (5) Prohibited species catch--(i) Crab--(A) Zone 1. For the operator 
of a vessel, to use trawl gear to harvest groundfish CDQ in Zone 1 after 
the CDQ group's red king crab PSQ or C. bairdi Tanner crab PSQ in Zone 1 
is attained.
    (B) Zone 2. For the operator of a vessel, to use trawl gear to 
harvest groundfish CDQ in Zone 2 after the CDQ group's PSQ for C. bairdi 
Tanner crab in Zone 2 is attained.
    (C) COBLZ. For the operator of a vessel, to use trawl gear to 
harvest groundfish CDQ in the C. opilio Bycatch Limitation Zone after 
the CDQ group's

[[Page 656]]

PSQ for C. opilio Tanner crab is attained.
    (ii) Salmon--(A) Discard of salmon. For any person, to discard 
salmon from a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, shoreside 
processor, or SFP or transfer or process any salmon under the PSD 
Program at Sec. 679.26, if the salmon were taken incidental to a 
directed fishery for pollock CDQ in the Bering Sea, until the number of 
salmon has been determined by an observer and the collection of 
scientific data or biological samples from the salmon has been 
completed.
    (B) Non-Chinook salmon. For the operator of a vessel, to use trawl 
gear to harvest pollock CDQ in the Chum Salmon Savings Area between 
September 1 and October 14 after the CDQ group's non-Chinook salmon PSQ 
is attained, unless the vessel is participating in an approved IPA under 
Sec. 679.21(f)(12).
    (C) Chinook salmon--(1) Overages of Chinook salmon PSC allocations. 
For a CDQ group, to exceed a Chinook salmon PSC allocation issued under 
Sec. 679.21(f) as of June 25 for the A season allocation and as of 
December 1 for the B season allocation.
    (2) For the operator of a catcher vessel or catcher/processor, to 
start a new fishing trip for pollock CDQ in the BS in the A season or in 
the B season, if the CDQ group for which the vessel is fishing has 
exceeded its Chinook salmon PSC allocation issued under Sec. 679.21(f) 
for that season.
    (3) For the operator of a catcher/processor or mothership, to catch 
or process pollock CDQ in the BS without complying with the applicable 
requirements of Sec. 679.28(j).
    (4) For the operator of a catcher/processor or a mothership, to 
begin sorting catch from a haul from a directed fishery for pollock CDQ 
in the BS before the observer has completed counting the salmon and 
collecting scientific data or biological samples from the previous haul.
    (5) For the operator of a catcher vessel delivering pollock CDQ 
catch to a shoreside processor or stationary floating processor to:
    (i) Deliver pollock CDQ to a processor that does not have a catch 
monitoring and control plan approved under Sec. 679.28(g).
    (ii) Handle, sort, or discard catch without notifying the observer 
15 minutes prior to handling, sorting, or discarding catch as described 
in Sec. 679.21(f)(15)(ii)(B)(2).
    (iii) Fail to secure catch after the completion of catch handling 
and the collection of scientific data and biological samples as 
described in Sec. 679.21(f)(15)(ii)(B)(3).
    (6) For the manager of a shoreside processor or stationary floating 
processor, to begin sorting a pollock CDQ offload before the observer 
has completed the count of salmon and the collection of scientific data 
or biological samples from the previous offload.
    (6) For a CDQ group, exceed a seasonal allowance of Pacific cod 
under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
    (7) For a CDQ group, exceed a seasonal allowance of Atka mackerel 
under Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(ii).
    (8) Fail to submit a timely and complete CDQ cost recovery fee 
submission form and fee as required under Sec. 679.33.
    (9) For an operator of a catcher vessel greater than 32 ft (9.8 m) 
LOA and less than or equal to 46 ft (14.0 m) LOA using hook-and-line 
gear and that is registered by a CDQ group under Sec. 679.5(m), to 
conduct groundfish CDQ fishing without a legible copy of the LLP 
exemption letter issued to a CDQ group for that vessel on board the 
vessel.
    (10) For a CDQ group representative, to remove a vessel from the CDQ 
vessel registration list under Sec. 679.5(m)(4) without first providing 
notice to the operator of the registered vessel that the vessel is being 
removed from the CDQ vessel registration list or when the vessel 
operator is groundfish CDQ fishing.
    (e) Halibut Deck Sorting. (1) Conduct halibut deck sorting without 
notifying the observer at least 15 minutes prior to bringing fish 
onboard as described in Sec. 679.120(e)(2).
    (2) For any haul for which the notification at Sec. 679.120(e)(2) 
is provided, allow fish to be spilled from the codend without an 
observer being present to monitor halibut deck sorting.

[[Page 657]]

    (3) Sort halibut from the catch prior to weighing except in 
compliance with requirements at Sec. 679.120.
    (4) Sort halibut on deck without an observer present to monitor 
halibut deck sorting.
    (5) Discard halibut sorted on deck prior to the observer's 
completion of data collection for each halibut.
    (6) Sort or discard any species other than halibut during halibut 
deck sorting.
    (7) Conduct halibut deck sorting past the time limit set by NMFS in 
the vessel's Observer Sampling Station Inspection Report.
    (8) Conduct halibut deck sorting without complying with the observer 
deck sampling station requirements at Sec. 679.28(d)(9).
    (9) Fail to have an approved Deck Safety Plan before conducting 
halibut deck sorting.
    (10) Fail to notify the Observer Program for purposes of the pre-
cruise meeting when required by Sec. 679.120(c).
    (11) Weigh catch on a NMFS-approved scale that complies with the 
requirements at Sec. 679.28(b) when halibut deck sorting unless three 
or more observers are present on the vessel and an observer has been 
notified and is available to complete data collection duties in the 
factory.
    (12) Sort halibut without a video monitoring system meeting 
requirements at Sec. 679.28(l).
    (13) Fail to comply with any other requirement or restriction 
specified in this part or violate any provision of this part.
    (f) IFQ fisheries. (1) Fail to submit, or submit inaccurate 
information on, any report, application, or statement required under 
this part.
    (2) Intentionally submit false information on any report, 
application, or statement required under this part.
    (3)(i) Halibut. (A) Retain halibut caught with fixed gear without a 
valid IFQ permit, and if using a hired master, without an IFQ hired 
master permit in the name of an individual aboard.
    (B) Retain halibut caught with fixed gear without a valid CDQ permit 
and without a CDQ hired master permit in the name of an individual 
aboard.
    (C) Use fixed gear to retain RFQ halibut.
    (ii) Sablefish. Retain sablefish caught with fixed gear without a 
valid IFQ permit, and if using a hired master, without an IFQ hired 
master permit in the name of an individual aboard, unless fishing on 
behalf of a CDQ group.
    (4) Except as provided in Sec. 679.40(d), retain IFQ or CDQ halibut 
or IFQ or CDQ sablefish on a vessel in excess of the total amount of 
unharvested IFQ or CDQ, applicable to the vessel category and IFQ or CDQ 
regulatory area(s) in which the vessel is deploying fixed gear, and that 
is currently held by all IFQ or CDQ permit holders aboard the vessel, 
unless the vessel has an observer aboard under subpart E of this part or 
the vessel participates in the EM selection pool and complies with the 
requirements at Sec. 679.51(f), and maintains the applicable daily 
fishing log prescribed in the annual management measures published in 
the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of this title and Sec. 
679.5.
    (5) Possess, buy, sell, or transport IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ 
sablefish harvested or landed in violation of any provision of this 
part.
    (6) Landing. (i) IFQ permit or IFQ hired master permit. Make an IFQ 
landing without an IFQ permit or IFQ hired master permit, as 
appropriate, in the name of the individual making the landing.
    (ii) Hired master, CDQ halibut. Make a CDQ halibut landing without a 
CDQ hired master permit listing the name of the hired master.
    (7) Possess on a vessel or land IFQ sablefish concurrently with non-
IFQ sablefish, except that CDQ sablefish may be possessed on a vessel 
and landed concurrently with IFQ sablefish.
    (8) Discard:
    (i) In the GOA:
    (A) [Reserved]
    (B) Pacific cod that are taken when IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish are 
on board unless Pacific cod are required to be discarded under subpart B 
of this part, or Pacific cod are not authorized to be retained under 
subpart A of this part.
    (ii) In the BSAI:
    (A) [Reserved]

[[Page 658]]

    (B) Pacific cod that are taken when IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish are 
on board according to the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       If the vessel operator . . .                  Then . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) has an LLP groundfish license with a    Pacific cod must not be
 Pacific cod endorsement that meets the      discarded unless Pacific
 requirements of Sec. 679.4(k)(9).         cod are required to be
                                             discarded under subpart B
                                             of this part, or Pacific
                                             cod are not authorized to
                                             be retained under subpart A
                                             of this part.
(2) does not have an LLP groundfish         Pacific cod must not be
 license with a Pacific cod endorsement      discarded up to the
 that meets the requirements of Sec. retainable amount specified
 679.4(k)(9).                                in Table 11 of this part
                                             unless Pacific cod are
                                             required to be discarded
                                             under subpart B of this
                                             part, or Pacific cod are
                                             not authorized to be
                                             retained under subpart A of
                                             this part.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) In the waters within the State of Alaska:
    (A) Rockfish that are taken when IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish are on 
board unless rockfish are required to be discarded by the laws of the 
State of Alaska.
    (B) Pacific cod that are taken when IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish are 
on board unless Pacific cod are required to be discarded by the laws of 
the State of Alaska.
    (9) Harvest on any vessel more IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish than are 
authorized under Sec. 679.42.
    (10) Make an IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ halibut landing 
other than directly to (or by) a registered buyer.
    (11) Discard halibut or sablefish caught with fixed gear from any 
catcher vessel when any IFQ permit holder aboard holds unused halibut or 
sablefish IFQ for that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in 
which the vessel is operating, unless:
    (i) Discard of halibut is required as prescribed in the annual 
management measures published in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 
300.62 of chapter III of this title;
    (ii) Discard of sablefish is required under Sec. 679.20 or, in 
waters within the State of Alaska, discard of sablefish is required 
under laws of the State of Alaska; or
    (iii) Discard of halibut or sablefish is required under other 
provisions.
    (12) Commence an IFQ landing without a Prior Notice of Landing 
(PNOL), before the date and time stated on the PNOL, or more than 2 
hours after the date and time stated on the PNOL, except as provided in 
Sec. 679.5(l)(1).
    (13) [Reserved]
    (14) Violate any other provision under this part.
    (15) Hire a master to fish for IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish that is 
derived from QS held by a CQE.
    (16) Process IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish onboard a vessel on which 
a person is using IFQ derived from QS held by a CQE.
    (17) Deploy, conduct fishing with, or retrieve longline pot gear in 
the GOA before the start or after the end of the IFQ sablefish fishing 
period specified in Sec. 679.23(g)(1).
    (18) Deploy, conduct fishing with, retrieve, or retain IFQ sablefish 
or IFQ halibut from longline pot gear in the GOA:
    (i) In excess of the pot limits specified in Sec. 679.42(l)(5)(ii); 
or
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (19) [Reserved]
    (20) Deploy longline pot gear to fish IFQ sablefish in the GOA 
without marking the gear in accordance with Sec. 679.24(a).
    (21) Fail to redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all 
deployed longline pot gear that is assigned to, and used by, a catcher 
vessel within five days of deploying the gear to fish IFQ sablefish in 
the Southeast Outside District of the GOA in accordance with Sec. 
679.42(l)(5)(iii)(A).
    (22) Fail to redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all 
deployed longline pot gear that is assigned to, and used by, a catcher/
processor within five days of deploying the gear to fish IFQ sablefish 
in the Southeast Outside District of the GOA in accordance with Sec. 
679.42(l)(5)(iii)(B).
    (23) Fail to redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all 
deployed longline pot gear that is assigned to, and used by, a catcher 
vessel or a catcher/processor within five days of deploying the gear to 
fish IFQ sablefish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA, and within 
seven days of deploying the gear to fish IFQ sablefish in the Central 
GOA regulatory area, in accordance with Sec. 679.42(l)(5)(iii)(C) and 
(E).

[[Page 659]]

    (24) Fail to redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all 
deployed longline pot gear that is assigned to, and used by, a catcher 
vessel or a catcher/processor within seven days of deploying the gear to 
fish IFQ sablefish in the Western GOA regulatory area in accordance with 
Sec. 679.42(l)(5)(iii)(D).
    (25) Operate a catcher vessel or a catcher/processor using longline 
pot gear to fish IFQ sablefish or IFQ halibut in the GOA and fail to use 
functioning VMS equipment as required in Sec. 679.42(k)(2).
    (26) Operate a catcher vessel or a catcher/processor using pot gear 
to fish for IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish in the BSAI and 
fail to use functioning VMS equipment as required in Sec. 679.42(m).
    (g) North Pacific Observer Program--Observers. (1) Forcibly assault, 
resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, sexually harass, bribe, or interfere 
with an observer.
    (2) Interfere with or bias the sampling procedure employed by an 
observer, including physical, mechanical, or other sorting or discarding 
of catch before sampling.
    (3) Tamper with, destroy, or discard an observer's collected 
samples, equipment, records, photographic film, papers, or personal 
effects without the express consent of the observer.
    (4) Prohibit or bar by command, impediment, threat, coercion, or by 
refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from collecting samples, 
conducting product recovery rate determinations, making observations, or 
otherwise performing the observer's duties.
    (5) Harass an observer by conduct that has sexual connotations, has 
the purpose or effect of interfering with the observer's work 
performance, or otherwise creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive 
environment. In determining whether conduct constitutes harassment, the 
totality of the circumstances, including the nature of the conduct and 
the context in which it occurred, will be considered. The determination 
of the legality of a particular action will be made from the facts on a 
case-by-case basis.
    (6) Fish for or process fish without observer coverage required 
under subpart E of this part.
    (7) Embark on a fishing trip to directed fish for groundfish or to 
fish for halibut with hook-and-line gear without carrying an observer if 
the fishing trip is selected for observer coverage per Sec. 
679.51(a)(1)(ii)(C)(2), or the vessel is selected for observer coverage 
per Sec. 679.51(a)(1)(ii)(D).
    (8) Require, pressure, coerce, or threaten an observer to perform 
duties normally performed by crew members, including, but not limited 
to, cooking, washing dishes, standing watch, vessel maintenance, 
assisting with the setting or retrieval of gear, or any duties 
associated with the processing of fish, from sorting the catch to the 
storage of the finished product.
    (h) Salmon fisheries. (1) Engage in commercial fishing for salmon 
using any gear except troll gear, defined at Sec. 679.2, in the East 
Area of the Salmon Management Area, defined at Sec. 679.2 and Figure 23 
to this part.
    (2) Engage in commercial fishing for salmon in the West Area of the 
Salmon Management Area, defined at Sec. 679.2 and Figure 23 to this 
part.
    (i) License Limitation Program--(1) Number of licenses. (i) Hold 
more than 10 groundfish licenses in the name of that person at any time, 
except as provided in paragraphs (i)(1)(iii) and (i)(1)(v) of this 
section;
    (ii) Hold more than five crab species licenses in the name of that 
person at any time, except as provided in paragraph (i)(1)(iii) of this 
section; or
    (iii) Hold more licenses than allowed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and 
(i)(1)(ii) of this section unless those licenses were issued to that 
person in the initial distribution of licenses. Any person who receives 
in the initial distribution more licenses than allowed in paragraphs 
(i)(1)(i) and (i)(1)(ii) of this section shall have no transfer 
applications for receipt of additional licenses approved until the 
number of licenses in the name of that person is less than the numbers 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (i)(1)(ii) of this section; 
furthermore, when a person becomes eligible to receive licenses by 
transfer through the provisions of this paragraph, that person is 
subject to the

[[Page 660]]

provisions in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (i)(1)(ii) of this section;
    (iv) Hold more than two scallop licenses in the name of that person 
at any time.
    (v) The CQE representing the City of Sand Point may not hold more 
than 14 groundfish licenses.
    (2) Conduct directed fishing for license limitation groundfish 
without a legible copy of a valid groundfish license, except as provided 
in Sec. 679.4(k)(2);
    (3) Conduct directed fishing for LLP crab species without a legible 
copy of a valid crab license, except as provided in Sec. 679.4(k)(2);
    (4) Process license limitation groundfish on board a vessel without 
a legible copy of a valid groundfish license with a catcher/processor 
designation;
    (5) Process LLP crab species on board a vessel without a legible 
copy of a valid crab species LLP license with a catcher/processor 
designation;
    (6) Use a vessel to fish for LLP groundfish or crab species, or 
allow a vessel to be used to fish for LLP groundfish or crab species, 
that has an LOA that exceeds the MLOA specified on the license that 
authorizes fishing for LLP groundfish or crab species, except if the 
person is using the vessel to fish for LLP groundfish in the Bering Sea 
subarea or the Aleutian Islands subarea pursuant to an LLP license that 
specifies an exemption from the MLOA on the LLP license.
    (7) Lease a groundfish, crab species, or scallop license; or
    (8) Catch and retain scallops:
    (i) Without a copy of a valid scallop license on board;
    (ii) Using a vessel with a MLOA greater than that specified on the 
scallop license; or
    (iii) Using dredge gear contrary to a gear limitation specified on 
the scallop license.
    (9) Use a vessel to fish for LLP groundfish or crab species, or 
allow a vessel to be used to fish for LLP groundfish or crab species, 
other than the vessel named on the license that authorizes fishing for 
LLP groundfish or crab species.
    (10) Operate a vessel under the authority of an LLP license issued 
to a CQE to directed fish for Pacific cod in the GOA if the person 
specified for that groundfish license in the annual CQE authorization 
letter, or any subsequent amendment to that authorization letter, is not 
onboard the vessel.
    (11) Prohibitions specific to the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sector 
yellowfin sole directed fishery. Deliver yellowfin sole harvested with 
trawl gear in the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sector yellowfin sole 
directed fishery to a mothership without a legible copy of a valid 
groundfish LLP license with a BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sector yellowfin 
sole directed fishery endorsement, except as provided in Sec. 
679.4(k)(2).
    (12) Prohibitions specific to directed fishing in the BSAI non-CDQ 
Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel fishery as specified at Sec. 
679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A). Use a catcher/processor to receive and process 
Pacific cod harvested and delivered by a catcher vessel directed fishing 
in the BSAI non-CDQ Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel fishery without a 
legible copy on board of a valid groundfish LLP license with Bering Sea 
or Aleutian Islands area, catcher/processor operation, and BSAI Pacific 
cod trawl mothership endorsements.
    (j) North Pacific Observer Program--EM Systems. (1) Fish without an 
EM system when a vessel is required to carry an EM system under Sec. 
679.51(f).
    (2) Fish with an EM system without a copy of a valid NMFS-approved 
VMP on board when directed fishing in a fishery subject to EM coverage.
    (3) Fail to comply with a NMFS-approved VMP.
    (4) Fail to conduct a function test prior to departing port on a 
fishing trip as required at Sec. 679.51(f)(5)(vi)(A).
    (5) Depart on a fishing trip selected for EM coverage without a 
functional EM system, unless procedures at Sec. 679.51(f)(5)(vi)(A)(1) 
and Sec. 679.51(f)(5)(vi)(A)(2) have been followed.
    (6) Fail to follow procedures at Sec. 679.51(f)(5)(vi)(B) prior to 
each set on a fishing trip selected for EM coverage.
    (7) Fail to make the EM system, associated equipment, logbooks, and 
other records available for inspection upon request by NMFS, OLE, or 
other NMFS-authorized officer.

[[Page 661]]

    (8) Fail to submit a video data storage device as specified under 
Sec. 679.51(f)(5)(vii).
    (9) Tamper with, bias, disconnect, damage, destroy, alter, or in any 
other way distort, render useless, inoperative, ineffective, or 
inaccurate any component of the EM system, associated equipment, or data 
recorded by the EM system when the vessel is directed fishing in a 
fishery subject to EM coverage, unless the vessel operator is directed 
to make changes to the EM system by NMFS, the EM service provider, or as 
directed in the troubleshooting guide of the VMP.
    (10) Assault, impede, intimidate, harass, sexually harass, bribe, or 
interfere with an EM service provider.
    (11) Interfere or bias the sampling procedure employed in the EM 
selection pool, including either mechanically or manually sorting or 
discarding catch outside of the camera view or inconsistent with the 
NMFS-approved VMP.
    (12) Fail to meet vessel owner and operator responsibilities 
specified at Sec. 679.51(f)(5).
    (k) Prohibitions specific to the AFA. It is unlawful for any person 
to do any of the following:
    (1) Catcher/processors--(i) Permit requirement. Use a catcher/
processor to engage in directed fishing for non-CDQ BSAI pollock without 
a valid AFA catcher/processor permit on board the vessel.
    (ii) Fishing in the GOA. Use a listed AFA catcher/processor or a 
catcher/processor designated on a listed AFA catcher/processor permit to 
harvest any species of fish in the GOA.
    (iii) Processing BSAI crab. Use a listed AFA catcher/processor or a 
catcher/processor designated on a listed AFA catcher/processor permit to 
process any crab species harvested in the BSAI.
    (iv) Processing GOA groundfish. (A) Use a listed AFA catcher/
processor or a catcher/processor designated on a listed AFA catcher/
processor permit to process any pollock harvested in a directed pollock 
fishery in the GOA and any groundfish harvested in Statistical Area 630 
of the GOA.
    (B) Use a listed AFA catcher/processor or a catcher/processor 
designated on a listed AFA catcher/processor permit as a stationary 
floating processor for Pacific cod in the GOA and a catcher/processor in 
the GOA during the same year.
    (v) Directed fishing after a sideboard closure. Use a listed AFA 
catcher/processor or a catcher/processor designated on a listed AFA 
catcher/processor permit to engage in directed fishing for a groundfish 
species or species group in the BSAI after the Regional Administrator 
has issued an AFA catcher/processor sideboard directed fishing closure 
for that groundfish species or species group under Sec. Sec. 
679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(b)(4)(iii), or 679.21(e)(3)(v).
    (vi) Catch weighing--(A) Listed AFA catcher/processors and catcher/
processors designated on listed AFA catcher/processor permits. Process 
any groundfish that was not weighed on a NMFS-approved scale that 
complies with the requirements of Sec. 679.28(b). Catch may not be 
sorted before it is weighed and each haul must be sampled by an observer 
for species composition.
    (B) Unlisted AFA catcher/processors and catcher/processors 
designated on unlisted AFA catcher/processor permits. Process groundfish 
harvested in the BSAI pollock fishery that was not weighed on a NMFS-
approved scale that complies with the requirements of Sec. 679.28(b). 
Catch may not be sorted before it is weighed and each haul must be 
sampled by an observer for species composition.
    (vii) Observer sampling station--(A) Listed AFA catcher/processors 
and catcher/processors designated on listed AFA catcher/processor 
permits. Process any groundfish without an observer sampling station as 
described at Sec. 679.28(d). A valid observer sampling station 
inspection report must be on board at all times when an observer 
sampling station is required.
    (B) Unlisted AFA catcher/processors and catcher/processors 
designated on unlisted AFA catcher/processor permits. Process groundfish 
harvested in the BSAI pollock fishery without an observer sampling 
station as described at Sec. 679.28(d). A valid observer sampling 
station inspection report must be on board at all times when an observer 
sampling station is required.
    (2) Motherships--(i) Permit requirement. Use a mothership to process 
pollock

[[Page 662]]

harvested in a non-CDQ directed fishery for pollock in the BSAI without 
a valid AFA permit on board the mothership.
    (ii) Processing GOA groundfish. Use an AFA mothership as a 
stationary floating processor for Pacific cod in the GOA and a 
mothership in the GOA during the same year.
    (iii) Catch weighing. Process any groundfish that was not weighed on 
a NMFS-approved scale that complies with the requirements of Sec. 
679.28(b). Catch may not be sorted before it is weighed and each 
delivery must be sampled by an observer for species composition.
    (iv) Observer sampling station. Process any groundfish without an 
observer sampling station as described at Sec. 679.28(d). A valid 
observer sampling station inspection report must be on board at all 
times when an observer sampling station is required.
    (3) AFA inshore processors--(i) Permit requirement. Use a shoreside 
processor or stationary floating processor to process pollock harvested 
in a non-CDQ directed fishery for pollock in the BS without a valid AFA 
inshore processor permit at the facility or on board vessel.
    (ii) Cooperative processing endorsement. Use a shoreside processor 
or stationary floating processor required to have an AFA inshore 
processor permit to process groundfish harvested by a fishery 
cooperative formed under Sec. 679.62 unless the AFA inshore processor 
permit contains a valid cooperative pollock processing endorsement.
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (iv) Single geographic location requirement. Use an AFA inshore 
processor to process pollock harvested in the BS directed pollock 
fishery at a location other than the single geographic location defined 
as follows:
    (A) Shoreside processors. The physical location at which the land-
based shoreside processor first processed BS pollock harvested in the BS 
directed pollock fishery during a fishing year.
    (B) Stationary floating processor (SFP). A geographic position 
within State of Alaska waters of the BS subarea and that is within a 5 
nm radius of the latitude and longitude reported in the check-in and 
check-out reports at Sec. 679.5(h)(5)(ix)(B). An AFA SFP cannot change 
its single geographic location more than four times within State of 
Alaska waters in the BS subarea to process pollock harvested in a BS 
subarea directed pollock fishery during a fishing year and cannot use 
more than one single geographic location during a reporting week.
    (v) Catch weighing. Process any groundfish that was not weighed on a 
scale approved by the State of Alaska and meeting the requirements 
specified in Sec. 679.28(c).
    (vi) Catch monitoring and control plan (CMCP). (A) Take deliveries 
or process groundfish delivered by a vessel engaged in directed fishing 
for BSAI pollock without following an approved CMCP as described at 
Sec. 679.28(g). A copy of the CMCP must be maintained on the premises 
and made available to authorized officers or NMFS-authorized personnel 
upon request.
    (B) Allow sorting of fish at any location in the processing plant 
other than those identified in the CMCP under Sec. 678.28(g)(7).
    (C) Allow salmon of any species to pass beyond the last point where 
sorting of fish occurs, as identified in the scale drawing of the 
processing plant in the approved CMCP.
    (vii) Restrictions for GOA Pacific cod and GOA pollock. Use an AFA 
SFP to process GOA pollock or GOA Pacific cod in any location other than 
the location at which either GOA pollock or GOA Pacific cod were first 
processed by that SFP in the year 2002.
    (4) Catcher vessels--(i) Permit requirement. Use a catcher vessel to 
engage in directed fishing for non-CDQ BS pollock for delivery to any 
AFA processing sector (catcher/processor, mothership, or inshore) unless 
the vessel has a valid AFA catcher vessel permit on board that includes 
an endorsement for the sector of the BS pollock fishery in which the 
vessel is participating.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (iii) Groundfish sideboard closures. Use an AFA catcher vessel to 
engage in directed fishing for a groundfish species or species group in 
the BSAI or GOA after the Regional Administrator has issued an AFA 
catcher vessel sideboard directed fishing closure for that

[[Page 663]]

groundfish species or species group under Sec. Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv), 
679.21(b)(4)(iii), or 679.21(e)(3)(iv), if the vessel's AFA permit does 
not contain a sideboard exemption for that groundfish species or species 
group.
    (5) AFA inshore fishery cooperatives--(i) Overages by vessel. Use an 
AFA catcher vessel listed on an AFA inshore cooperative fishing permit, 
or under contract to a fishery cooperative under Sec. 679.62(c), to 
harvest non-CDQ BS pollock in excess of the fishery cooperative's annual 
allocation of pollock specified under Sec. 679.62.
    (ii) Overages by fishery cooperative. An inshore pollock fishery 
cooperative is prohibited from exceeding its annual allocation of BS 
pollock TAC.
    (6) Excessive harvesting shares. It is unlawful for an AFA entity or 
a CDQ group to harvest, through a fishery cooperative or otherwise, an 
amount of BS pollock that exceeds the 17.5 percent excessive share limit 
specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6). A CDQ group's harvest of BS 
pollock will be calculated through its proportional ownership of 
individuals, corporations, or other business concerns that harvest BS 
pollock. The owners and operators of the individual vessels comprising 
the AFA entity or CDQ group that harvest BS pollock will be held jointly 
and severally liable for exceeding the excessive harvesting share limit.
    (7) Excessive processing shares. It is unlawful for an AFA entity or 
a CDQ group to process an amount of BS pollock that exceeds the 30-
percent excessive share limit specified under Sec. 
679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7). The amount of BS pollock processed by a CDQ group 
will be calculated through its proportional ownership of individuals, 
corporations, or other business concerns that process BS pollock. The 
owners and operators of the individual processors comprising the AFA 
entity or CDQ group that process BS pollock will be held jointly and 
severally liable for exceeding the excessive processing share limit.
    (8) Salmon PSC--(i) Discard of salmon. For any person, to discard 
any salmon from a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, or 
inshore processor, or transfer or process any salmon under the PSD 
Program at Sec. 679.26, if the salmon were taken incidental to a 
directed fishery for pollock in the BS before the number of salmon has 
been determined by an observer and the collection of scientific data or 
biological samples from the salmon has been completed.
    (ii) Catcher/processors and motherships. For the operator of a 
catcher/processor or a mothership, to begin sorting catch from a haul 
from a directed fishery for pollock in the BS before the observer has 
completed counting the salmon and collecting scientific data or 
biological samples from the previous haul.
    (iii) Shoreside processors and stationary floating processors. For 
the manager of a shoreside processor or stationary floating processor to 
begin sorting a new BS pollock offload before the observer has completed 
the count of salmon and the collection of scientific data or biological 
samples from the previous offload.
    (iv) Catcher vessels. (A) For the operator of a catcher vessel, to 
handle, sort, or discard catch without notifying the observer 15 minutes 
prior to handling, sorting, or discarding catch as described in Sec. 
679.21(f)(15)(ii)(B)(2).
    (B) For the operator of a catcher vessel to fail to secure catch 
after the completion of catch handling and the collection of scientific 
data and biological samples as described in Sec. 
679.21(f)(15)(ii)(B)(3).
    (v) Overages of Chinook salmon PSC allocations--(A) For an inshore 
cooperative, the entity representing the AFA catcher/processor sector, 
or the entity representing the AFA mothership sector, to exceed a 
Chinook salmon PSC allocation issued under Sec. 679.21(f) as of June 25 
for the A season allocation and as of December 1 for the B season 
allocation.
    (B) For a catcher vessel or catcher/processor, to start a fishing 
trip for pollock in the BS in the A season or in the B season if the 
vessel is fishing under a transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocation 
issued to an inshore cooperative, the entity representing the AFA 
catcher/processor sector, or the entity representing the AFA mothership 
sector under Sec. 679.21(f) and the inshore cooperative or entity has 
exceeded its Chinook salmon PSC allocation for that season.

[[Page 664]]

    (9) Fail to submit a timely and complete AFA cost recovery fee 
submission form and fee as required under Sec. 679.66.
    (l) Prohibitions specific to the AI directed pollock fishery--(1) 
Catcher/processors. (i) Use a catcher/processor vessel to harvest 
pollock in the AI directed pollock fishery or process pollock harvested 
in the AI directed pollock fishery without a copy of NMFS' approval 
letter on board pursuant to Sec. 679.4(m).
    (ii) Process any pollock harvested in the AI directed pollock 
fishery without complying with catch weighing and observer sampling 
station requirements set forth at paragraphs (k)(1)(vi) and (k)(1)(vii) 
of this section, respectively.
    (iii) Use a catcher/processor to harvest pollock in the AI directed 
pollock fishery or process pollock harvested in the AI directed pollock 
fishery without a valid AFA catcher/processor permit on board the 
vessel.
    (2) Motherships. (i) Use a mothership to process pollock harvested 
in the AI directed pollock fishery without a copy of NMFS' approval 
letter on board pursuant to Sec. 679.4(m).
    (ii) Process any pollock harvested in the AI directed pollock 
fishery without complying with catch weighing and observer sampling 
station requirements set forth at paragraphs (k)(2)(iii) and (k)(2)(iv) 
of this section, respectively.
    (iii) Use a mothership to process pollock harvested in the AI 
directed pollock fishery without a valid AFA mothership permit on board 
the vessel.
    (3) Shoreside and stationary floating processors. (i) Use a 
shoreside processor or stationary floating processor to process pollock 
harvested in the in AI directed pollock fishery without a copy of NMFS' 
approval letter on location pursuant to Sec. 679.4(m).
    (ii) Process any pollock harvested in the AI directed pollock 
fishery without complying with catch weighing requirements set forth at 
paragraph (k)(3)(v) of this section.
    (iii) Take deliveries of pollock harvested in the AI directed 
pollock fishery or process pollock harvested in the AI pollock fishery 
without following an approved CMCP as described in Sec. 679.28(g). A 
copy of the CMCP must be maintained on the premises and made available 
to authorized officers or NMFS-authorized personnel upon request.
    (4) Catcher vessels. (i) Use a catcher vessel to harvest pollock in 
the AI directed pollock fishery without a copy of NMFS' approval letter 
on board pursuant to Sec. 679.4(m).
    (ii) Have on board at any one time pollock harvested in the AI 
directed pollock fishery and pollock harvested from either the Bering 
Sea subarea or the Gulf of Alaska.
    (iii) Use a catcher vessel to deliver pollock harvested in the AI 
directed pollock fishery:
    (A) To a shoreside or stationary floating processor that does not 
have an approved CMCP pursuant to Sec. 679.28(g) and is not approved by 
NMFS to process pollock harvested in the AI directed pollock fishery, or
    (B) To a catcher/processor or mothership that is not approved by 
NMFS to process pollock harvested in the AI directed pollock fishery.
    (iv) Use a catcher vessel greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA to harvest 
pollock in the AI directed pollock fishery unless the vessel has a valid 
AFA catcher vessel permit on board.
    (5) AI directed pollock fishery overages. (i) Use a catcher vessel 
selected by the Aleut Corporation and approved by NMFS to participate in 
the AI directed pollock fishery under Sec. 679.4(m) to harvest pollock 
in the AI directed pollock fishery in excess of the Aleut Corporation's 
annual or seasonal allocations of pollock or in excess of the vessel 
allocation specified under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii).
    (ii) The Aleut Corporation is prohibited from exceeding its annual 
and seasonal allocations of AI pollock TAC or from exceeding the 
allocation to vessels, as specified in Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii).
    (6) Fail to submit a timely and complete Aleutian Islands pollock 
cost recovery fee submission form and fee as required under Sec. 
679.67.
    (m) PCTC Program--(1) General. (i) Name an LLP license in more than 
one Application for PCTC Program CQ in a fishing year.
    (ii) Use a vessel to catch or receive a PCTC Program cooperative's 
Pacific cod when that vessel was not listed on the Application for PCTC 
Program CQ.
    (iii) Fail to comply with any other requirement or restriction 
specified in

[[Page 665]]

this part or violate any provision of this part.
    (2) Vessel owners and operators participating in the PCTC Program. 
(i) Fail to follow the catch monitoring requirements detailed at Sec. 
679.134.
    (ii) Operate a vessel that is subject to a sideboard limit detailed 
at Sec. 679.133, as applicable, and fail to follow the catch monitoring 
requirements detailed at Sec. 679.134.
    (iii) Exceed the ownership or use caps specified at Sec. 679.133.
    (3) VMS. (i) Operate a vessel in a PCTC Program cooperative and fail 
to use functioning VMS equipment as described at Sec. 679.134.
    (ii) Operate a vessel that is subject to a sideboard limit detailed 
at Sec. 679.133 and fail to use functioning VMS equipment as described 
at Sec. 679.134.
    (4) PCTC Program processors. (i) Take deliveries of, or process, 
PCTC Program Pacific cod harvested by a catcher vessel fishing under the 
authority of a CQ permit unless the processor has an FPP or FFP and LLP 
license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement.
    (ii) For the manager of a shoreside processor or stationary floating 
processor to process any groundfish delivered by a catcher vessel 
fishing under the authority of a CQ permit not weighed on a scale 
approved by the State of Alaska.
    (iii) Fail to submit a timely and complete Pacific cod Ex-vessel 
Volume and Value Report as required under Sec. 679.5(u)(1).
    (iv) Use a catcher/processor designated on an LLP license with a 
BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement to sort, process, or 
discard any species, except halibut sorted on deck by vessels 
participating in halibut deck sorting described at Sec. 679.120, before 
the total catch is weighed on a scale that meets the requirements of 
Sec. 679.28(b).
    (v) Use a catcher/processor designated on an LLP license with a BSAI 
Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement to process Pacific cod in 
excess of the at-sea processing sideboard limit defined at Sec. 
679.133(b)(2) and assigned to the LLP license.
    (vi) Process an amount of Pacific cod that exceeds use caps 
specified at Sec. 679.133.
    (5) PCTC Program cooperatives. (i) Harvest PCTC Program Pacific cod, 
use halibut PSC, or use crab PSC assigned to a PCTC Program cooperative 
in the BSAI without having on board a legible copy of valid CQ permit.
    (ii) Begin a fishing trip for PCTC Program Pacific cod with any 
vessel named in a PCTC Program cooperative if the total amount of 
unharvested PCTC Program Pacific cod on a CQ permit currently held by 
that cooperative is zero or less.
    (iii) Have a negative balance in a CQ account after the end of the 
calendar year for which a CQ permit was issued.
    (iv) Fail to submit a PCTC Program cost recovery fee payment as 
required under Sec. 679.135.
    (n) Rockfish Program--(1) General. (i) Use an LLP license assigned 
to a rockfish cooperative in any rockfish cooperative other than the 
rockfish cooperative to which that LLP license was initially assigned 
for that fishing year.
    (ii) Use an LLP license that was excluded from the Rockfish Program 
or that opted out of the Rockfish Program in any rockfish cooperative 
for that calendar year.
    (iii) Operate a vessel assigned to a rockfish cooperative in any 
rockfish cooperative other than the rockfish cooperative to which that 
vessel was initially assigned for that fishing year.
    (2) Vessels operators participating in the Rockfish Program. (i) 
Operate a vessel that is assigned to a rockfish cooperative and fishing 
under a CQ permit and fail to follow the catch monitoring requirements 
detailed in Sec. 679.84(c) through (e).
    (ii) Operate a vessel that is subject to a sideboard limit detailed 
in Sec. 679.82(e), as applicable, and fail to follow the catch 
monitoring requirements detailed in Sec. 679.84(c) from July 1 until 
July 31, if that vessel is harvesting fish in the West Yakutat District, 
Central GOA, or Western GOA management areas.
    (iii) Operate a catcher/processor opt-out vessel, under Sec. 
679.81(e)(2), that is subject to sideboard provisions detailed in Sec. 
679.82(e) and (f), as applicable, and fail to follow the catch 
monitoring requirements detailed in Sec. 679.84(d) from July 1 until 
July 31, if that vessel is harvesting fish in the West Yakutat

[[Page 666]]

District, Central GOA, or Western GOA management areas.
    (3) VMS. (i) Operate a vessel that is assigned to a rockfish 
cooperative and fail to use functioning VMS equipment as described at 
Sec. 679.28(f) at all times when operating in a reporting area off 
Alaska from May 1:
    (A) Until November 15; or
    (B) Until that rockfish cooperative has submitted a rockfish 
cooperative termination of fishing declaration that has been approved by 
NMFS.
    (ii) Operate a vessel that is subject to a sideboard limit detailed 
in Sec. 679.82(e) and fail to use functioning VMS equipment as 
described in Sec. 679.28(f) at all times when operating in a reporting 
area off Alaska from July 1 until July 31.
    (4) Catcher/processor vessels that opt-out. Operate a vessel that 
has opted-out of participating in a rockfish cooperative to directed 
fish for northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, or pelagic shelf 
rockfish in the Central GOA.
    (5) Rockfish processors. (i) Take deliveries of, or process, 
groundfish harvested by a catcher vessel fishing under the authority of 
a rockfish CQ permit unless operating as a shoreside processor.
    (ii) Process any groundfish delivered by a catcher vessel fishing 
under the authority of a CQ permit not weighed on a scale approved by 
the State of Alaska. The scale must meet the requirements specified in 
Sec. 679.28(c).
    (iii) Take deliveries of, or process, groundfish caught by a vessel 
fishing under the authority of a rockfish CQ permit without following an 
approved CMCP as described in Sec. 679.28(g). A copy of the CMCP must 
be maintained at the facility and made available to authorized officers 
or NMFS-authorized personnel upon request.
    (iv) Take deliveries of, or process, groundfish harvested by a 
catcher vessel fishing under the authority of a rockfish CQ permit 
outside of the geographic boundaries of the City of Kodiak as those 
boundaries are established by the State of Alaska on December 27, 2011.
    (v) Fail to submit a timely and complete Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume 
and Value Report as required under Sec. 679.5(r)(10)
    (6) Rockfish cooperatives. (i) Fail to retain any rockfish primary 
species or rockfish secondary species caught by a vessel when that 
vessel is fishing under the authority of a CQ permit.
    (ii) Harvest rockfish primary species, rockfish secondary species, 
or use halibut PSC assigned to a rockfish cooperative in the Central GOA 
without a valid CQ permit.
    (iii) Begin a fishing trip for any Rockfish Program species with any 
vessel assigned to a rockfish cooperative if the total amount of 
unharvested CQ that is currently held by that rockfish cooperative is 
zero or less for any species for which CQ is assigned.
    (iv) Exceed a rockfish sideboard limit assigned to a rockfish 
cooperative in the catcher/processor sector.
    (v) Operate a vessel assigned to a rockfish cooperative to fish 
under a CQ permit unless the rockfish cooperative has notified NMFS that 
the vessel is fishing under a CQ permit as described under Sec. 
679.5(r)(8).
    (vi) Operate a vessel fishing under the authority of a CQ permit in 
the catcher vessel sector and to have any Pacific ocean perch, pelagic 
shelf rockfish, northern rockfish, sablefish, Pacific cod, or thornyhead 
rockfish aboard the vessel unless those fish were harvested under the 
authority of a CQ permit.
    (vii) Catch and process onboard a vessel any rockfish primary 
species or rockfish secondary species harvested under the authority of a 
CQ permit issued to the catcher vessel sector.
    (viii) Have a negative balance in a CQ account for any species for 
which CQ is assigned after the end of the calendar year for which a CQ 
permit was issued.
    (ix) Deliver rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species 
harvested under the authority of a CQ permit to any processor other than 
a shoreside processor located within the geographic boundaries of the 
City of Kodiak as those boundaries are established by the State of 
Alaska on December 27, 2011.
    (x) Fail to submit a timely and complete rockfish CQ cost recovery 
fee submission form as required under Sec. 679.5(r)(9).
    (7) Use caps. Exceed the use caps that apply under Sec. 679.82(a).

[[Page 667]]

    (8) Rockfish entry level longline fishery. (i) Take deliveries of, 
or process, groundfish caught by a catcher vessel directed fishing in 
the rockfish entry level longline fishery unless operating as a 
shoreside processor.
    (ii) Deliver groundfish caught by a catcher vessel directed fishing 
in the rockfish entry level longline fishery to any processor other than 
a shoreside processor.
    (iii) Use any gear other than longline gear to directed fish for a 
rockfish primary species in the rockfish entry level longline fishery.
    (iv) Catch and process onboard a vessel any rockfish primary species 
harvested while directed fishing in the rockfish entry level longline 
fishery.
    (v) Deliver groundfish caught by a catcher vessel directed fishing 
in the rockfish entry level longline fishery fishing after NMFS has 
closed directed fishing to the rockfish entry level longline fishery or 
November 15 of each calendar year, whichever occurs first.
    (o) Amendment 80 Program--(1) Amendment 80 vessels. (i) Use any 
vessel other than an Amendment 80 vessel to catch any amount of 
Amendment 80 species, crab PSC, or halibut PSC assigned to the Amendment 
80 sector.
    (ii) Use an Amendment 80 vessel to catch any amount of Amendment 80 
species, crab PSC, or halibut PSC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited 
access sector.
    (2) Amendment 80 LLP license. (i) Designate any vessel other than an 
Amendment 80 vessel on an Amendment 80 LLP license;
    (ii) Fail to designate an Amendment 80 vessel on an Amendment 80 LLP 
license that is endorsed for groundfish in the Bering Sea subarea or 
Aleutian Islands subarea with a catcher/processor designation at all 
times during a calendar year unless that Amendment 80 vessel has 
suffered an actual total loss, constructive total loss, or is 
permanently ineligible to receive a fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 
12108.
    (3) Amendment 80 QS permit. (i) Hold an Amendment 80 QS permit 
assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel if that person does not hold an 
Amendment 80 LLP license that designates that Amendment 80 vessel.
    (ii) Hold an Amendment 80 QS permit that is assigned to an Amendment 
80 vessel under Sec. 679.4(o)(1) if that person is not designated as 
the owner of that Amendment 80 vessel by an abstract of title or USCG 
documentation.
    (iii) Hold an Amendment 80 QS permit assigned to an Amendment 80 
vessel if that Amendment 80 vessel has suffered an actual total loss, 
constructive total loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a 
fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108 after October 15 in the 
calendar year following the date of that actual total loss, constructive 
total loss, or permanent ineligibility to receive a fishery endorsement 
under 46 U.S.C. 12108.
    (iv) Fish in an Amendment 80 fishery without an Amendment 80 QS 
permit or Amendment 80 LLP/QS license assigned to that vessel.
    (v) Use an Amendment 80 catcher/processor, as defined at Sec. 
679.2, to receive and process Pacific cod harvested by vessels directed 
fishing for Pacific cod in the BSAI or GOA, if that catcher/processor is 
not designated on:
    (A) An Amendment 80 QS permit and an Amendment 80 LLP license; or
    (B) An Amendment 80 LLP/QS license.
    (4) Amendment 80 cooperatives. (i) Use an Amendment 80 vessel, 
Amendment 80 LLP license, or Amendment 80 QS permit not assigned to an 
Amendment 80 cooperative for a calendar year to catch any Amendment 80 
species, crab PSC, or halibut PSC assigned to that Amendment 80 
cooperative during that calendar year;
    (ii) Use an Amendment 80 vessel assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative for a calendar year to receive or process catch from any 
Amendment 80 vessel not assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative for 
that calendar year.
    (iii) Catch, process, or receive Amendment 80 species assigned to an 
Amendment 80 cooperative in the BSAI or adjacent waters open by the 
State of Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season without a 
copy of a valid Amendment 80 CQ permit onboard unless that Amendment 80 
vessel is using dredge gear while directed fishing for scallops.
    (iv) [Reserved]

[[Page 668]]

    (v) Begin a fishing trip for any Amendment 80 species with any 
vessel assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative if the total amount of 
unharvested CQ that is currently held by that Amendment 80 cooperative 
is zero or less for any species for which CQ is assigned.
    (vi) Have a negative balance in a CQ account for any species for 
which CQ is assigned after the end of the calendar year for which a CQ 
permit was issued.
    (vii) Fail to submit a timely and complete Amendment 80 cost 
recovery fee submission form and fee as required under Sec. 679.95.
    (5) Amendment 80 limited access fishery. (i) Use an Amendment 80 
vessel, Amendment 80 LLP license, or Amendment 80 QS permit not assigned 
to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery for a calendar year to catch 
any Amendment 80 species, crab PSC, or halibut PSC assigned to the 
Amendment 80 limited access sector during that calendar year;
    (ii) Use an Amendment 80 vessel assigned to the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery for a calendar year to receive or process catch from any 
Amendment 80 vessel not assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access 
fishery for that calendar year;
    (iii) Catch, process, or receive Amendment 80 species assigned to 
the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the BSAI or adjacent waters 
open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season 
without a copy of a valid Amendment 80 limited access fishery permit 
onboard unless that Amendment 80 vessel is using dredge gear while 
directed fishing for scallops.
    (6) Catch monitoring. (i) Operate an Amendment 80 vessel using any 
gear but dredge gear while directed fishing for scallops or a catcher/
processor not listed in Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(i) and using trawl gear, to 
catch, process, or receive fish in the BSAI or adjacent waters opened by 
the State of Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season and 
fail to follow the catch monitoring requirements detailed at Sec. 
679.93(a), (b), and (c).
    (ii) Operate an Amendment 80 vessel using any gear but dredge gear 
while directed fishing for scallops that is subject to a sideboard limit 
detailed at Sec. 679.92(b) and (c), as applicable, in the GOA or 
adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts a 
Federal fishing season, and fail to follow the catch monitoring 
requirements detailed at Sec. 679.93(a), (b), and (d).
    (7) Use caps. Exceed the use caps that apply under Sec. 679.92(a).
    (8) Economic data report (EDR): Fail to submit a timely and complete 
EDR as described under Sec. 679.94.
    (9) First Wholesale Volume and Value Report. For an Amendment 80 
vessel owner to fail to submit a timely and complete First Wholesale 
Volume and Value Report as required under Sec. 679.5(u)(2).
    (p) Arctic Management Area. Conduct commercial fishing for any 
Arctic fish in the Arctic Management Area.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.7, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.8  Facilitation of enforcement.

    See Sec. 600.730 of this chapter.



Sec. 679.9  Penalties.

    See Sec. 600.735 of this chapter.



                      Subpart B_Management Measures



Sec. 679.20  General limitations.

    This section applies to vessels engaged in directed fishing for 
groundfish in the GOA and/or the BSAI and to vessels engaged in 
commercial fishing for Arctic fish in the Arctic Management Area.
    (a) Harvest limits--(1) OY--(i) BSAI and GOA. The OY for BSAI and 
GOA target species is a range or specific amount that can be harvested 
consistently with this part, plus the amounts of ``nonspecified 
species'' taken incidentally to the harvest of target species. The 
species categories are defined in Table 1 of the specifications as 
provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (A) The OY for groundfish in the BSAI regulated by this section and 
by part 600 of this chapter is 1.4 million to 2.0 million mt.

[[Page 669]]

    (B) The OY for groundfish in the GOA regulated by this section and 
by part 600 of this chapter is 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
    (ii) Arctic Management Area. The OY for each target fish species 
identified in the Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the 
Arctic Management Area regulated by this section and by part 600 of this 
chapter is 0 mt.
    (2) TAC. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, will specify and 
apportion the annual TAC and reserves for each calendar year among the 
GOA and BSAI target species. TACs in the target species category may be 
split or combined for purposes of establishing new TACs with 
apportionments thereof under paragraph (c) of this section. The sum of 
the TACs so specified must be within the OY range specified in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    (3) Annual TAC determination. The annual determinations of TAC for 
each target species and the reapportionment of reserves may be adjusted, 
based upon a review of the following:
    (i) Biological condition of groundfish stocks. Resource assessment 
documents prepared annually for the Council that provide information on 
historical catch trend; updated estimates of the MSY of the groundfish 
complex and its component species groups; assessments of the stock 
condition of each target species; assessments of the multispecies and 
ecosystem impacts of harvesting the groundfish complex at current 
levels, given the assessed condition of stocks, including consideration 
of rebuilding depressed stocks; and alternative harvesting strategies 
and related effects on the component species group.
    (ii) Socioeconomic considerations. Socioeconomic considerations that 
are consistent with the goals of the fishery management plans for the 
groundfish fisheries of the BSAI and the GOA, including the need to 
promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources, including 
minimizing costs; the need to manage for the optimum marketable size of 
a species; the impact of groundfish harvests on prohibited species and 
the domestic target fisheries that utilize these species; the desire to 
enhance depleted stocks; the seasonal access to the groundfish fishery 
by domestic fishing vessels; the commercial importance of a fishery to 
local communities; the importance of a fishery to subsistence users; and 
the need to promote utilization of certain species.
    (4) Sablefish TAC--(i) Eastern GOA regulatory area--(A) Fixed gear. 
Vessels in the Eastern GOA regulatory area using fixed gear will be 
allocated 95 percent of the sablefish TAC.
    (B) Trawl gear. Vessels in the Eastern GOA regulatory area using 
trawl gear will be allocated 5 percent of the sablefish TAC for bycatch 
in other trawl fisheries.
    (ii) Central and Western GOA regulatory areas--(A) Fixed gear. 
Vessels in the Central and Western GOA regulatory areas using fixed gear 
will be allocated 80 percent of the sablefish TAC in each of the Central 
and Western GOA regulatory areas.
    (B) Trawl gear. Vessels using trawl gear will be allocated 20 
percent of the sablefish TAC in these areas.
    (iii) Bering Sea subarea--(A) Fixed gear. Vessels in the Bering Sea 
subarea using fixed gear will be allocated 50 percent of each TAC for 
sablefish.
    (B) Trawl gear. Vessels in the Bering Sea subarea using trawl gear 
will be allocated 50 percent of each TAC for sablefish.
    (iv) Aleutian Islands subarea--(A) Fixed gear. Vessels in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea using fixed gear will be allocated 75 percent 
of each TAC for sablefish.
    (B) Trawl gear. Vessels in the Aleutian Islands subarea using trawl 
gear will be allocated 25 percent of each TAC for sablefish.
    (5) Pollock TAC--(i) Bering Sea Subarea--(A) AFA allocations. The 
pollock TAC apportioned to the Bering Sea Subarea, after subtraction of 
the 10 percent CDQ reserve under Sec. 679.31(a), will be allocated as 
follows:
    (1) Incidental catch allowance. The Regional Administrator will 
establish an incidental catch allowance to account for projected 
incidental catch of pollock by vessels engaged in directed fishing for 
groundfish other than pollock and by vessels harvesting non-pollock CDQ. 
If during a fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines that the 
incidental catch allowance has been set too high or too low, he/she may 
issue inseason notification in the

[[Page 670]]

Federal Register that reallocates incidental catch allowance to the 
directed fishing allowance, or vice versa, according to the proportions 
established under paragraph (a)(5)(i)(A) of this section.
    (2) Directed fishing allowance. The remaining pollock TAC 
apportioned to the Bering Sea subarea is established as a directed 
fishing allowance.
    (3) Inshore sector allocation. Fifty percent of the directed fishing 
allowance will be allocated to AFA catcher vessels harvesting pollock 
for processing by AFA inshore processors. The inshore allocation will be 
further divided into separate allocations for cooperative and open 
access fishing.
    (i) Inshore cooperatives. The inshore cooperative allocation will be 
equal to the aggregate annual allocations of all AFA inshore catcher 
vessel cooperatives that receive pollock allocations under Sec. 
679.62(a).
    (ii) Inshore open access. The inshore open access allocation will 
equal that portion of the inshore sector allocation that is not 
allocated to inshore cooperatives.
    (4) Catcher/processor sector allocation. Forty percent of the 
directed fishing allowance will be allocated to AFA catcher/processors 
and AFA catcher vessels delivering to catcher processors.
    (i) Catcher/processor and catcher vessel cooperatives. If by 
December 1 of the year prior to the year when fishing under the 
cooperative agreement will begin, NMFS receives filing of cooperative 
contracts and/or an inter-cooperative agreement entered into by listed 
AFA catcher/processors and all AFA catcher vessels with catcher/
processor sector endorsements, and the Regional Administrator determines 
that such contracts provide for the distribution of harvest between 
catcher/processors and catcher vessels in a manner agreed to by all 
members of the catcher/processor sector cooperative(s), then NMFS will 
not subdivide the catcher/processor sector allocation between catcher 
vessels and catcher/processors.
    (ii) Catcher vessel allocation. If such contract is not filed with 
NMFS by December 1 of the preceding year, then NMFS will allocate 91.5 
percent of the catcher/processor sector allocation to AFA catcher/
processors engaged in directed fishing for pollock and 8.5 percent of 
the catcher/processor sector allocation to AFA catcher vessels 
delivering to catcher/processors.
    (iii) Unlisted AFA catcher processors. Unlisted AFA catcher/
processors will be limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of 
catcher/processor sector allocation.
    (5) Mothership sector allocation. Ten percent of the directed 
fishing allowance will be allocated to AFA catcher vessels harvesting 
pollock for processing by AFA motherships.
    (6) Excessive harvesting share. NMFS will establish an excessive 
harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the directed 
fishing allowances established under paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and (a)(5)(ii) 
of this section. The excessive harvesting share limit will be published 
in the annual harvest specifications and is subject to revision on an 
inseason basis if NMFS reallocates unharvested amounts of the incidental 
catch allowance to the directed fishing allowance, or vice versa.
    (7) Excessive processing share. NMFS will establish an excessive 
processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the directed 
fishing allowances established under paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and (a)(5)(ii) 
of this section. The excessive processing share limit will be published 
in the annual harvest specifications and is subject to revision on an 
inseason basis if NMFS reallocates unharvested amounts of the incidental 
catch allowance to the directed fishing allowance, or vice versa.
    (B) BSAI seasonal allowances for AFA and CDQ--(1) Inshore, catcher/
processor, mothership, and CDQ sectors. The portions of the BS subarea 
pollock directed fishing allowances allocated to each sector under 
sections 206(a) and 206(b) of the AFA and the CDQ allowance in the BSAI 
will be divided into two seasonal allowances corresponding to the two 
fishing seasons set out at Sec. 679.23(e)(2), as follows:
    (i) A Season, 45 percent;
    (ii) B Season, 55 percent.
    (2) Inseason adjustments. Within any fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator may add or subtract any under harvest or over harvest of a 
seasonal

[[Page 671]]

allowance for a component to the subsequent seasonal allowance for the 
component through notification published in the Federal Register.
    (C) Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA) harvest limit. For each 
component under Sections 206(a) and 206(b) of the AFA and for the open 
access fishery, no more than 28 percent of the annual pollock directed 
fishery allowance may be taken from the SCA before April 1. The SCA is 
defined at Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(vii).
    (ii) Bogoslof District. If the Bogoslof District is open to directed 
fishing for pollock by regulation, then the pollock TAC for this 
district will be allocated according to the same procedure established 
for the Bering Sea subarea at paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section. If 
the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock by 
regulation, then the entire TAC for this district will be allocated as 
an incidental catch allowance.
    (iii) AI. (A) If a directed fishery for pollock in the AI is not 
specified under paragraph (c) of this section, then the entire TAC for 
this subarea will be allocated as an incidental catch allowance.
    (B) If the AI is open to directed fishing for pollock under 
paragraph (c) of this section, then the pollock TAC for this subarea 
will be specified, allocated, seasonally apportioned, and reallocated as 
follows:
    (1) AI annual TAC limitations. When the AI pollock ABC is less than 
19,000 mt, the annual TAC will be no greater than the ABC. When the AI 
pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt, the annual TAC will be equal to 
19,000 mt.
    (2) Allocations--(i) CDQ Directed fishing allowance. 10 percent of 
the annual TAC will be allocated to the CDQ pollock reserve established 
under Sec. 679.31(a)(2).
    (ii) Incidental catch allowance. The Regional Administrator will 
determine the amount of the pollock incidental catch necessary to 
support an incidental catch allowance in the AI during the fishing year 
for each season. This amount of pollock will be deducted from the annual 
TAC. If during a fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines 
that the incidental catch allowance is excessive or inadequate, the 
Regional Administrator may reallocate the excess of the incidental catch 
allowance to the directed pollock fishery, or may reallocate pollock 
from the directed pollock fishery to the incidental catch allowance as 
necessary to support incidental catch of pollock in AI groundfish 
fisheries, by publication in the Federal Register.
    (iii) Directed Pollock Fishery. The amount of the TAC remaining 
after subtraction of the CDQ directed fishing allowance and the 
incidental catch allowance will be allocated to the Aleut Corporation as 
a directed pollock fishery allocation.
    (3) Seasonal apportionment. The seasonal harvest of pollock in the 
AI directed pollock fishery shall be:
    (i) A season. No greater than the lesser of the annual initial TAC 
plus any A season CDQ pollock directed fishery allowance or 40 percent 
of the AI pollock ABC. The total A season apportionment, including the 
AI directed pollock fishery allocation, the CDQ pollock directed fishery 
seasonal allowance, and the incidental catch amount, shall not exceed 40 
percent of the ABC.
    (ii) B season. The B season apportionment of the AI directed pollock 
fishery shall equal the annual initial TAC minus the A season directed 
pollock fishery apportionment under paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(B)(3)(i) of 
this section and minus the incidental catch amount under paragraph 
(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (iii) Inseason adjustments for the directed pollock fishery. During 
any fishing year, the Regional Administrator may add any under harvest 
of the A season directed pollock fishery apportionment to the B season 
directed pollock fishery apportionment by inseason notification 
published in the Federal Register if the Regional Administrator 
determines that the harvest capacity in the B season is sufficient to 
harvest the adjusted B season apportionment.
    (iv) Inseason adjustments for the incidental catch allowance. During 
any fishing year, the Regional Administrator may add any under harvest 
of the A season incidental catch allowance apportionment to the B season 
incidental catch allowance apportionment by publication in the Federal 
Register if the Regional Administrator determines

[[Page 672]]

that the additional B season incidental catch allowance is necessary to 
support other groundfish fisheries.
    (4) Reallocation of the annual AI directed pollock fishery and AI 
CDQ allocations. As soon as practicable, if the Regional Administrator 
determines that vessels participating in either the AI directed pollock 
fishery or the AI CDQ directed pollock fishery likely will not harvest 
the entire AI directed pollock fishery or CDQ pollock directed fishing 
allowance, the Regional Administrator may reallocate some or all of the 
projected unused directed pollock fishery allocation to the Bering Sea 
subarea directed pollock fishery or AI CDQ pollock directed fishing 
allowance to the Bering Sea subarea CDQ pollock directed fishing 
allowance by inseason notification published in the Federal Register.
    (5) Allocations to small vessels. The annual allocation for vessels 
60 feet (18.3 m) LOA or less participating in the AI directed pollock 
fishery will be:
    (i) No more than 25 percent of the AI directed pollock fishery 
allocation through 2008;
    (ii) No more than 50 percent of the AI directed pollock fishery 
allocation from 2009 through 2012; and
    (iii) 50 percent of the AI directed pollock fishery allocation in 
2013 and beyond.
    (6) Pollock harvest limitations. Pollock harvests during the A 
season as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(2) are limited to:
    (i) No more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC in 
Area 543.
    (ii) No more than 15 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC in 
Area 542.
    (iii) No more than 30 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC in 
Area 541.
    (iv) GOA--(A) Apportionment by area. The TAC for pollock in the 
combined GOA Western and Central Regulatory Areas will be apportioned 
among statistical areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the 
distribution of the pollock biomass as determined by the most recent 
NMFS surveys.
    (B) GOA Western and Central Regulatory Areas seasonal 
apportionments. Each apportionment established under paragraph 
(a)(5)(iv)(A) of this section will be divided into two seasonal 
apportionments corresponding to the two fishing seasons specified in 
Sec. 679.23(d)(2) as follows: A Season, 50 percent; and B Season, 50 
percent. Within any fishing year, underharvest or overharvest of a 
seasonal apportionment may be added to or subtracted from remaining 
seasonal apportionments in a manner to be determined by the Regional 
Administrator, provided that any revised seasonal apportionment does not 
exceed 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment for the statistical 
area. The reapportionment of underharvest will be applied to the 
subsequent season within the same statistical area up to the 20 percent 
limit specified in this paragraph. Any underharvest remaining beyond the 
20 percent limit may be further apportioned to the subsequent season in 
the other statistical areas, in proportion to estimated biomass and in 
an amount no more than 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment for 
the statistical area.
    (6) GOA inshore/offshore allocations--(i) GOA pollock. The 
apportionment of pollock in all GOA regulatory areas for each seasonal 
allowance described in paragraph (a)(5)(iv) of this section will be 
allocated entirely to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the 
inshore component in the GOA after subtraction of an amount that is 
projected by the Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered 
to, the offshore component in the GOA incidental to directed fishing for 
other groundfish species.
    (ii) Eastern GOA Regulatory Area Pacific cod. The apportionment of 
Pacific cod in the Eastern GOA Regulatory Area will be allocated 90 
percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore 
component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for 
processing by the offshore component.
    (7) Pacific cod TAC, BSAI--(i) CDQ reserve and seasonal allowances. 
(A) A total of 10.7 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC will be 
allocated to the CDQ Program in the annual harvest specifications 
required under paragraph (c) of this section. The Pacific cod CDQ 
allocation will be deducted from the annual Pacific cod TAC before 
allocations to the non-CDQ sectors are

[[Page 673]]

made under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section.
    (B) The BSAI Pacific cod CDQ gear allowances by season, as those 
seasons are specified under Sec. 679.23(e)(5), are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Gear Type               A season      B season      C season
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Trawl                      60%            20%           20%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (i) Trawl CV                 70%            10%           20%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (ii) Trawl CP                50%            30%           20%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Hook-and-line CP and hook- 60%            40%           no C season
 and-line CV =60
 ft (18.3 m) LOA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Jig                        40%            20%           40%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) All other non-trawl gear   no seasonal    no seasonal   no seasonal
                                allowance      allowance     allowance
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Non-CDQ allocations--(A) Sector allocations. The remainder of 
the BSAI Pacific cod TAC after subtraction of the CDQ reserve for 
Pacific cod will be allocated to non-CDQ sectors as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Sector                            % Allocation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Jig vessels                              1.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Hook-and-line/pot CV <60 ft (18.3 m)     2
 LOA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Hook-and-line CV =60 ft       0.2
 (18.3 m) LOA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Hook-and-line CP                         48.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Pot CV =60 ft (18.3 m) LOA    8.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Pot CP                                   1.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) AFA trawl CP                             2.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(8) Amendment 80 sector                      13.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Trawl CV                                 22.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Incidental catch allowance. During the annual harvest 
specifications process set forth at paragraph (c) of this section, the 
Regional Administrator will specify an amount of Pacific cod that NMFS 
estimates will be taken as incidental catch in directed fisheries for 
groundfish other than Pacific cod by the hook-and-line and pot gear 
sectors. This amount will be the incidental catch allowance and will be 
deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC annually 
allocated to the hook-and-line and pot gear sectors before the 
allocations under paragraph (a)(7)(ii)(A) of this section are made to 
these sectors.
    (iii) Reallocation among non-CDQ sectors. If, during a fishing year, 
the Regional Administrator determines that a non-CDQ sector will be 
unable to harvest the entire amount of Pacific cod allocated to that 
sector under paragraph (a)(7)(ii)(A) of this section, the Regional 
Administrator will reallocate the projected unused amount of Pacific cod 
to other sectors through notification in the Federal Register. Any 
reallocation decision by the Regional Administrator will take into 
account the capability of a sector to harvest the reallocated amount of 
Pacific cod, and the following reallocation hierarchy:
    (A) Catcher vessel sectors. The Regional Administrator will 
reallocate projected unharvested amounts of Pacific cod TAC from a 
catcher vessel sector as follows: first to the jig sector, or to the 
less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA hook-and-line or pot catcher vessel sector, 
or to both of these sectors; second, to the greater than or equal to 60 
ft (18.3 m) LOA hook-and-line or to the greater than or equal to 60 ft 
(18.3 m) LOA pot catcher vessel sectors; and third to the trawl catcher 
vessel sector. If the Regional Administrator determines that a projected 
unharvested amount from the jig sector allocation, the less than 60 ft 
(18.3 m) LOA hook-and-line or pot catcher vessel sector allocation, or 
the greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA hook-and-line catcher 
vessel sector allocation is unlikely to be harvested through this 
hierarchy, the Regional Administrator will reallocate that amount to the 
hook-and-line catcher/processor sector.

[[Page 674]]

If the Regional Administrator determines that a projected unharvested 
amount from a greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA pot catcher 
vessel sector allocation is unlikely to be harvested through this 
hierarchy, the Regional Administrator will reallocate that amount to the 
pot catcher/processor sector in accordance with the hierarchy set forth 
in paragraph (a)(7)(iii)(C) of this section. If the Regional 
Administrator determines that a projected unharvested amount from a 
trawl catcher vessel sector allocation is unlikely to be harvested 
through this hierarchy, the Regional Administrator will reallocate that 
amount to the other trawl sectors in accordance with the hierarchy set 
forth in paragraph (a)(7)(iii)(B) of this section.
    (B) Trawl gear sectors. The Regional Administrator will reallocate 
any projected unharvested amounts of Pacific cod TAC from the trawl 
catcher vessel or AFA catcher/processor sectors to other trawl sectors 
before unharvested amounts are reallocated and apportioned to specified 
gear sectors as follows:
    (1) 83.1 percent to the hook-and-line catcher/processor sector,
    (2) 2.6 percent to the pot catcher/processor sector, and
    (3) 14.3 percent to the greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA 
pot catcher vessel sector.
    (C) Pot gear sectors. The Regional Administrator will reallocate any 
projected unharvested amounts of Pacific cod TAC from the pot catcher/
processor sector to the greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA pot 
catcher vessel sector, and from the greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 
m) LOA pot catcher vessel sector to the pot catcher/processor sector 
before reallocating it to the hook-and-line catcher/processor sector.
    (iv) Non-CDQ seasonal allowances--(A) Seasonal allowances by sector. 
The BSAI Pacific cod sector allowances are apportioned by season, as 
those seasons are specified at Sec. 679.23(e)(5), as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Seasonal Allowances
                Sector                --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               A season                 B season                 C season
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Trawl                              .......................  .......................  .......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (i) Trawl CV                         74 %                     11 %                     15 %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (ii) Trawl CP                        75 %                     25 %                     0 %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Hook-and-line CP, hook-and-line    51 %                     49 %                     no C season
 CV =60 ft (18.3 m) LOA,
 and pot gear vessels =60
 ft (18.3 m) LOA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Jig vessels                        60 %                     20 %                     20 %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) All other nontrawl vessels         no seasonal allowance    no seasonal allowance    no seasonal allowance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Unused seasonal allowances. Any unused portion of a seasonal 
allowance of Pacific cod from any sector except the jig sector will be 
reallocated to that sector's next season during the current fishing year 
unless the Regional Administrator makes a determination under paragraph 
(a)(7)(iii) of this section that the sector will be unable to harvest 
its allocation.
    (C) Jig sector. The Regional Administrator will reallocate any 
projected unused portion of a seasonal allowance of Pacific cod for the 
jig sector under this section to the less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA hook-
and-line or pot catcher vessel sector. The Regional Administrator will 
reallocate the projected unused portion of the jig sector's C season 
allowance on or about September 1 of each year.
    (v) ITAC allocation to the Amendment 80 sector. A percentage of the 
Pacific cod TAC, after subtraction of the CDQ reserve, will be allocated 
as ITAC to the Amendment 80 sector as described in Table 33 to this 
part. Separate allocations for each Amendment 80 cooperative and the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery are described under Sec. 679.91. 
The allocation of Pacific cod to

[[Page 675]]

the Amendment 80 sector will be further divided into seasonal 
apportionments as described under paragraph (a)(7)(iv)(A)(1)(ii) of this 
section.
    (A) Use of seasonal apportionments by Amendment 80 cooperatives. (1) 
The amount of Pacific cod listed on a CQ permit that is assigned for use 
in the A season may be used in the B or C season.
    (2) The amount of Pacific cod that is listed on a CQ permit that is 
assigned for use in the B season may not be used in the A season.
    (3) The amount of Pacific cod listed on a CQ permit that is assigned 
for use in the C season may not be used in the A or B seasons.
    (B) Harvest of seasonal apportionments in the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery. (1) Pacific cod ITAC assigned for harvest by the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the A season may be harvested in 
the B or C seasons.
    (2) Pacific cod ITAC assigned for harvest by the Amendment 80 
limited access fishery in the B season may not be harvested in the A 
season.
    (3) Pacific cod ITAC assigned for harvest by the Amendment 80 
limited access fishery in the C season may not be harvested in the A or 
B seasons.
    (vi) ITAC rollover to Amendment 80 cooperatives. If during a fishing 
year, the Regional Administrator determines that a portion of the 
Pacific cod TAC is unlikely to be harvested and is made available for 
reallocation to the Amendment 80 sector according to the provisions 
under paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section, the Regional Administrator 
may issue inseason notification in the Federal Register that reallocates 
that remaining amount of Pacific cod to Amendment 80 cooperatives, 
according to the procedures established under Sec. 679.91(f).
    (vii) Pacific cod harvest limitations. During the annual harvest 
specifications process, the Regional Administrator will establish an 
Area 543 Pacific cod harvest limit based on Pacific cod abundance in 
Area 543 as determined by the annual stock assessment process. NMFS will 
first subtract the State GHL Pacific cod amount from the AI Pacific cod 
ABC. Then NMFS will determine the harvest limit in Area 543 by 
multiplying the percentage of Pacific cod estimated in Area 543 by the 
remaining ABC for AI Pacific cod.
    (viii) Aleutian Islands CQ set-aside provisions. During the annual 
harvest specifications process, the Regional Administrator will 
establish the PCTC Program Aleutian Islands CQ set-aside through the 
process set forth at Sec. 679.132.
    (8) BSAI Atka mackerel--(i) Jig gear. Vessels using jig gear will be 
allocated up to 2 percent of the TAC of Atka mackerel specified for the 
Eastern Aleutian Islands District and Bering Sea subarea, after 
subtraction of reserves, based on the following criteria:
    (A) The amount of Atka mackerel harvested by vessels using jig gear 
during recent fishing years;
    (B) The anticipated harvest of Atka mackerel by vessels using jig 
gear during the upcoming fishing year; and
    (C) The extent to which the jig-gear allocation will support the 
development of a jig-gear fishery for Atka mackerel while minimizing the 
amount of Atka mackerel TAC annually allocated to vessels using jig gear 
that remains unharvested at the end of the fishing year.
    (ii) ITAC allocation to Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access 
sectors. The remainder of the Atka mackerel TAC, after subtraction of 
the jig gear allocation, CDQ reserve, and incidental catch allowance for 
the BSAI trawl limited access sector and vessels using non-trawl gear, 
will be allocated as ITAC to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited 
access sectors.
    (A) Seasonal allowances. The Atka mackerel TAC specified for each 
subarea or district will be divided equally, after subtraction of the 
jig gear allocation, into two seasonal allowances corresponding to the A 
and B seasons defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3).
    (B) Overages and Underages. Within any fishing year, unharvested 
amounts of the A season allowance will be added to the B season 
allowance and harvests in excess of the A season allowance will be 
deducted from the B season allowance.
    (C) Atka mackerel harvest limitations. (1) Atka mackerel catch 
within waters 0 nm to 20 nm of Steller sea lion sites listed in Table 6 
to this part and located west of 178[deg] W longitude is:

[[Page 676]]

    (i) Limited to no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 
542 and 543; and
    (ii) Equally divided between the A and B seasons as defined at Sec. 
679.23(e)(3).
    (2) The annual TAC in Area 543 will be no more than 65 percent of 
the ABC in Area 543.
    (D) Any unharvested Atka mackerel A season allowance that is added 
to the B season is prohibited from being harvested within waters 0 nm to 
20 nm of Steller sea lion sites listed in Table 6 to this part and 
located in Areas 541, 542, and 543.
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (iv) Amendment 80 sector allocation. The allocation of Atka mackerel 
ITAC to the Amendment 80 sector is established in Table 33 to this part. 
The allocation of Atka mackerel ITAC to the Amendment 80 sector will be 
further divided into seasonal apportionments under Sec. 679.23(e)(3), 
and separate allocations for each Amendment 80 cooperative and the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery as described under Sec. 679.91.
    (A) Use of seasonal apportionments by Amendment 80 cooperatives. (1) 
The amount of Atka mackerel listed on a CQ permit that is assigned for 
use in the A season may be used in the B season.
    (2) The amount of Atka mackerel listed on a CQ permit that is 
assigned for use in the B season may not be used in the A season.
    (B) Harvest of seasonal apportionments in the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery. (1) Atka mackerel ITAC assigned for harvest by the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the A season may be harvested in 
the B season.
    (2) Atka mackerel ITAC assigned for harvest by the Amendment 80 
limited access fishery in the B season may not be harvested in the A 
season.
    (v) BSAI trawl limited access sector allocation--(A) BSAI trawl 
limited access sector directed fishing allowance. The amount of Atka 
mackerel ITAC assigned as a directed fishing allowance to the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector is established in Table 33 to this part.
    (B) BSAI trawl limited access sector incidental catch allowance and 
ITAC rollover. If, during a fishing year, the Regional Administrator 
determines that a portion of the Atka mackerel incidental catch 
allowance or ITAC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector is 
unlikely to be harvested, the Regional Administrator may issue inseason 
notification in the Federal Register that reallocates that remaining 
amount of Atka mackerel directed fishing allowance to Amendment 80 
cooperatives, according to the procedures established under Sec. 
679.91(f).
    (9) BSAI shortraker rockfish and rougheye rockfish. After 
subtraction of reserves, the TAC of shortraker rockfish and rougheye 
rockfish specified for the Aleutian Islands subarea will be allocated 30 
percent to vessels using non-trawl gear and 70 percent to vessels using 
trawl gear.
    (10) Amendment 80 species except Pacific cod and Atka mackerel--(i) 
ITAC allocation to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access 
sectors. The remainder of the TACs for each Amendment 80 species other 
than Atka mackerel and Pacific cod, after subtraction of the CDQ reserve 
and incidental catch allowance for the BSAI trawl limited access sector 
and vessels using non-trawl gear, will be allocated as ITAC to the 
Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors.
    (ii) Amendment 80 sector ITAC. The allocation of ITAC for each 
Amendment 80 species other than Atka mackerel and Pacific cod to the 
Amendment 80 sector is established in Tables 33 and 34 to this part. The 
allocation of these species to the Amendment 80 sector will be further 
divided into separate allocations for each Amendment 80 cooperative and 
the Amendment 80 limited access fishery as described under Sec. 679.91.
    (iii) BSAI trawl limited access sector allocation--(A) BSAI trawl 
limited access sector directed fishing allowance. The amount of ITAC for 
each Amendment 80 species other than Atka mackerel and Pacific cod 
assigned as a directed fishing allowance to the BSAI trawl limited 
access sector is established in Tables 33 and 34 to this part.
    (B) BSAI trawl limited access sector ITAC rollover. If, during a 
fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines that a portion of 
the incidental catch allowance or ITAC assigned to the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector for

[[Page 677]]

each Amendment 80 species other than Atka mackerel and Pacific cod is 
unlikely to be harvested, the Regional Administrator may issue inseason 
notification in the Federal Register that reallocates that remaining 
amount to Amendment 80 cooperatives, according to the procedures 
established under Sec. 679.91(f).
    (11) All other groundfish TAC. The initial TAC for each target 
species and the ``other species'' category will be 85 percent of the TAC 
as provided under paragraph (b) of this section.
    (12) GOA Pacific cod TAC--(i) Seasonal allowances by sector. The 
Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs will be seasonally apportioned 
to the jig sector such that 60 percent of the TAC is apportioned to the 
A season and 40 percent of the TAC is apportioned to the B season, as 
specified in Sec. 679.23(d)(3), before TAC is apportioned among other 
non-jig sectors. The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs will be 
seasonally apportioned among the non-jig sectors such that 63.84 percent 
of the Western GOA TAC is apportioned to the A season and 36.16 percent 
of the Western GOA TAC is apportioned to the B season, and 64.16 percent 
of the Central GOA TAC is apportioned to the A season and 35.84 percent 
of the Central GOA TAC is apportioned to the B season, as specified in 
Sec. 679.23(d)(3).
    (A) Western GOA Regulatory Area--Jig sector. A portion of the annual 
Pacific cod TAC will be allocated to vessels with an FFP that use jig 
gear, as determined in the annual harvest specification under paragraph 
(c)(7) of this section, before TAC is apportioned among other non-jig 
sectors. Other Pacific cod sector allowances are apportioned after 
allocation to the jig sector based on gear type and operation type as 
follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Seasonal allowances
                                                                                       -------------------------
               Sector                        Gear type              Operation type        A season     B season
                                                                                            (in          (in
                                                                                          percent)     percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1).................................  Hook-and-Line..........  Catcher vessel.........         0.70         0.70
(2).................................  Hook-and-Line..........  Catcher/Processor......        10.90         8.90
(3).................................  Trawl..................  Catcher vessel.........        31.54         6.86
(4).................................  Trawl..................  Catcher/Processor......         0.90         1.50
(5).................................  Pot....................  Catcher Vessel and             19.80        18.20
                                                                Catcher/Processor.
(6).................................  Nontrawl...............  Any....................         0.00         0.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Central GOA Regulatory Area--Jig sector. A portion of the annual 
Pacific cod TAC will be allocated to vessels with an FFP that use jig 
gear, as determined in the annual harvest specification under paragraph 
(c)(7) of this section, before TAC is apportioned among other non-jig 
sectors. Other Pacific cod sector allowances are apportioned after 
allocation to the jig sector based on gear type, operation type, and 
length overall as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Seasonal allowances
                                                                                       -------------------------
            Sector                  Gear type        Operation type    Length overall     A season     B season
                                                                           in feet          (in          (in
                                                                                          percent)     percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)...........................  Hook-and-Line....  Catcher vessel...  <50.............      9.31552      5.28678
(2)...........................  Hook-and-Line....  Catcher vessel...  =50..      5.60935      1.09726
(3)...........................  Hook-and-Line....  Catcher/Processor  Any.............      4.10684      0.99751
(4)...........................  Trawl............  Catcher vessel...  Any.............     25.29364     16.29047
(5)...........................  Trawl............  Catcher/Processor  Any.............      2.00334      2.19451
(6)...........................  Pot..............  Catcher Vessel     Any.............     17.82972      9.97506
                                                    and Catcher/
                                                    Processor.
(7)...........................  Nontrawl.........  Any..............  Any.............         0.00         0.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Reapportionment of TAC--(A) The Regional Administrator may 
apply any underage or overage of Pacific cod harvest by each sector from 
one season to the subsequent season. In adding or subtracting any 
underages or overages to the subsequent season, the Regional

[[Page 678]]

Administrator shall consider the incidental catch and any catch in the 
directed fishery by each sector.
    (B) If, during a fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines 
that a sector will be unable to harvest the entire amount of Pacific cod 
allocated to that sector under (a)(12)(i)(A) or (B) of this section, the 
Regional Administrator will reallocate the projected unused amount of 
Pacific cod to other sectors through notification in the Federal 
Register. Any reallocation decision by the Regional Administrator would 
consider a reallocation of the projected unused allocation to the CV 
sectors first, then to the combined CV and C/P pot sector, and then to 
all other C/P sectors, taking into account the capability of a sector, 
as determined by the NMFS Alaska Regional Administrator, to harvest the 
remaining Pacific cod TAC.
    (iii) Catch accounting--(A) Incidental Pacific cod harvested between 
the closure of the A season and opening of the B season shall be 
deducted from the B season TAC apportionment for that sector.
    (B) Each license holder that is assigned an LLP license with a 
catcher/processor operation type endorsement that is not assigned a 
catcher vessel operation type endorsement under the provisions at Sec. 
679.4(k)(10)(vii)(A) and (B) shall have all incidental and direct catch 
of Pacific cod deducted from the catcher/processor sector allocation and 
gear type designation corresponding to the gear used by that vessel.
    (C) Holders of catcher/processor licenses assigned a Western GOA CV 
endorsement, under the provisions at Sec. 679.4(k)(10)(vii)(A) and (B), 
shall have all incidental and direct catch of Pacific cod in the Western 
GOA deducted from the CV sector's allocation and gear type designation 
corresponding to the gear used by that vessel in the Western GOA.
    (D) Holders of C/P licenses eligible to, and electing to receive a 
Central CV endorsement, under the provisions at Sec. 
679.4(k)(10)(vii)(A) and (B), shall have all incidental and direct catch 
of Pacific cod in the Central GOA deducted from the CV sector's 
allocation and gear type designation corresponding to the gear used by 
that vessel in the Central GOA.
    (E) NMFS shall determine the length overall of a vessel operating in 
the Central GOA based on the length overall designated on the FFP 
assigned to that vessel.
    (iv) Processing caps for FFP licensed vessels. In the Western GOA, 
no more than 2 percent of the total Pacific cod TAC allocated to the 
Western GOA regulatory area can be delivered for processing to vessels 
operating under the authority of an FFP.
    (v) Processing caps for FPP licensed vessels operating as CQE 
floating processors. Harvesting vessels may deliver Pacific cod 
harvested in the directed Pacific cod TAC fishery, if the processing 
vessel receiving the Pacific cod--
    (A) Does not meet the definition of a stationary floating processor 
at Sec. 679.2;
    (B) Is operating under the authority of an FPP license endorsed as a 
CQE floating processor;
    (C) Is located within the marine municipal boundaries of a CQE 
community in the State waters adjacent to the Central or Western GOA as 
described in Table 21 to this part; and
    (D) The total amount of Pacific cod received or processed by all CQE 
floating processors does not exceed--
    (1) 3 percent of the total Western GOA Pacific cod TAC; or
    (2) 3 percent of the total Central GOA Pacific cod TAC.
    (b) Reserves--(1) BSAI--(i) Nonspecified reserve. Fifteen percent of 
the BSAI TAC for each target species, except pollock, the fixed gear 
allocation for sablefish, and the Amendment 80 species, which includes 
Pacific cod, is automatically placed in the nonspecified reserve before 
allocation to any sector. The remaining 85 percent of each TAC is 
apportioned to the initial TAC for each target species that contributed 
to the nonspecified reserve. The nonspecified reserve is not designated 
by species or species group. Any amount of the nonspecified reserve may 
be apportioned to target species that contributed to the nonspecified 
reserve, provided that such apportionments are consistent with paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section and do not result in overfishing of a target 
species.

[[Page 679]]

    (ii) CDQ reserves--(A) Pollock CDQ reserves--(1) Bering Sea. In the 
annual harvest specifications required by paragraph (c) of this section, 
10 percent of the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC will be allocated to a 
CDQ reserve as a directed fishing allowance.
    (2) Aleutian Islands subarea and Bogoslof District. In the annual 
harvest specifications required by paragraph (c) of this section, 10 
percent of the Aleutian Islands subarea and Bogoslof District pollock 
TACs will be allocated to a CDQ reserve as a directed fishing allowance 
unless the Aleutian Islands subarea or Bogoslof District is closed to 
directed fishing for pollock by regulation. If the Aleutian Islands 
subarea and/or Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for 
pollock by regulation, then no pollock CDQ reserve will be established 
for those areas and incidental harvest of pollock by CDQ groups will 
accrue against the incidental catch allowance for pollock established 
under paragraph (a)(5)(i)(A)(1) of this section.
    (B) Fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserves. Twenty percent of the fixed 
gear allocation of sablefish established under paragraphs (a)(4)(iii)(A) 
and (a)(4)(iv)(A) of this section will be allocated to a CDQ reserve for 
each subarea.
    (C) CDQ reserves for Amendment 80 species. An amount equal to 10.7 
percent of the BSAI TACs for Atka mackerel, Aleutian Islands Pacific 
ocean perch, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, and Pacific cod 
will be allocated to a CDQ reserve for each of these species by 
management area, subarea, or district.
    (D) CDQ reserves for other groundfish species. (1) An amount equal 
to 10.7 percent of the BSAI TACs for Bering Sea Greenland turbot and 
arrowtooth flounder, and 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocation of 
sablefish in the BS and AI is apportioned from the nonspecified reserve 
established under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section to a CDQ reserve 
for each of these species by management area, subarea, or district.
    (2) For all other groundfish species not specifically listed in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(A) through (b)(1)(ii)(D)(1) of this section, an 
amount equal to 10.7 percent of the BSAI TAC will be apportioned to a 
CDQ reserve if NMFS, after consultation with the Council and in 
consideration of public comment, determines in the annual harvest 
specifications process under paragraph (c) of this section that a 
directed fishery in the BSAI exists for this species under section 
305(i)(1)(B)(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. In making this 
determination, the Council and NMFS shall consider whether sufficient 
TAC exists to open a directed fishery for that species in the BSAI and 
that this species or species group is economically viable for the CDQ 
group to target.
    (iii) ABC reserves. (A) ABC reserves are annually established for 
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. For each flatfish species, 
the ABC reserve is calculated as an amount less than or equal to the ABC 
surplus. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, may set the ABC 
reserve for flathead sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole below the ABC 
surplus for that species based on social, economic, or ecological 
considerations.
    (B) CDQ ABC reserves. An amount equal to 10.7 percent of the ABC 
reserves for flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole will be 
allocated to a CDQ ABC reserve. The CDQ ABC reserves will be:
    (1) Calculated during the annual harvest specifications described at 
paragraph (c) of this section, as allocations to CDQ groups; and
    (2) Allocated to each CDQ group as described under Sec. 
679.31(b)(4).
    (C) Amendment 80 ABC reserves. Amendment 80 ABC reserves shall be 
calculated as the ABC reserves described under paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A) 
of this section as reduced by the CDQ ABC reserves under paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii)(B) of this section. The Amendment 80 ABC reserves will be:
    (1) Calculated during the annual harvest specifications described at 
paragraph (c) of this section, as allocations to Amendment 80 
cooperatives; and
    (2) Allocated to each Amendment 80 cooperative as described under 
Sec. 679.91(i)(2).
    (2) GOA. Initial reserves are established for pollock, Pacific cod, 
flatfish, octopuses, and sharks, which are equal to 20 percent of the 
TACs for these species or species groups.

[[Page 680]]

    (i) Pollock inshore-offshore reapportionment. Any amounts of the GOA 
reserve that are reapportioned to pollock as provided by paragraph (b) 
of this section must be apportioned for processing by the inshore 
component in the GOA and the offshore component in the GOA in the same 
proportions specified in paragraph (a)(6)(i) of this section.
    (ii) Pacific cod reapportionment. Any amounts of the GOA reserve 
that are reapportioned to the GOA Pacific cod fishery as provided by 
paragraph (b) of this section must be apportioned in the same proportion 
specified in paragraphs (a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i) of this section.
    (3) Apportionment of reserves--(i) Notification. (A) As soon as 
practicable after April 1, June 1, and August 1, and on such other dates 
as NMFS determines appropriate, NMFS will, by notification in the 
Federal Register, apportion all or part of the BSAI or GOA reserve in 
accordance with this paragraph (b).
    (B) No apportionment, retention, or PSC limit adjustment may take 
effect until notification has been published in the Federal Register 
with a statement of the findings upon which the apportionment, 
retention, or adjustment is based.
    (ii) Apportionment--(A) General. Except as provided in paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section, NMFS will apportion the amount of BSAI or 
GOA reserve that will be harvested by U.S. vessels during the remainder 
of the year.
    (B) Exception. Part or all of the BSAI or GOA reserve may be 
withheld if an apportionment would adversely affect the conservation of 
groundfish resources or prohibited species.
    (iii) Public comment--(A) Prior comment. NMFS will provide all 
interested persons an opportunity to comment on the proposed 
apportionments, retentions, or PSC limit adjustments under this 
paragraph (b) before such apportionments, retentions, or adjustments are 
made, unless NMFS finds that there is good cause for not providing a 
prior comment opportunity, and publishes the reasons therefor in the 
notification of apportionment, retention, or adjustment.
    (B) Submittal dates. Comments provided for in this paragraph 
(b)(3)(iii) must be received by NMFS not later than 5 days before April 
1, June 1, and August 1, or other dates that may be specified.
    (C) Subsequent comment. If NMFS determines for good cause that 
notification of apportionment, retention or PSC limit adjustment must be 
issued without providing interested persons a prior opportunity for 
public comment, comments on the apportionment, retention or adjustment 
will be received for a period of 15 days after its effective date.
    (D) Response to comments. NMFS will consider all timely comments in 
deciding whether to make a proposed apportionment, retention, or PSC 
limit adjustment or to modify an apportionment, retention, or adjustment 
that previously has been made, and shall publish responses to those 
comments in the Federal Register as soon as practicable.
    (E) Data available. The Regional Administrator will make available 
to the public during business hours the aggregate data upon which any 
preliminary TAC or PSC limit figure is based or the data upon which any 
apportionment or retention of surplus or reserve, or PSC limit 
adjustment was or is proposed to be based. These data will be available 
for a sufficient period to facilitate informed comment by interested 
persons.
    (c) Annual specifications--(1) Proposed specifications--(i) 
Notification. As soon as practicable after consultation with the 
Council, NMFS will publish proposed specifications for the groundfish 
fisheries in the BSAI and the GOA.
    (ii) Public comment. NMFS will accept public comment on the proposed 
specifications established by this section and by Sec. 679.21 for a 
period specified in the notice of proposed specifications published in 
the Federal Register.
    (iii) GOA. The proposed specifications will specify for up to two 
fishing years the annual TAC for each target species and apportionments 
thereof, halibut prohibited species catch amounts, and seasonal 
allowances of pollock and Pacific cod.
    (iv) BSAI. (A) The proposed harvest specifications will specify for 
up to two fishing years the annual TAC for each

[[Page 681]]

target species and apportionments thereof, PSQ reserves and prohibited 
species catch allowances, seasonal allowances of pollock, Pacific cod, 
and Atka mackerel TAC (including pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel 
CDQ), and CDQ reserves.
    (B) The proposed harvest specifications will specify for up to two 
fishing years the ABC surpluses, ABC reserves, CDQ ABC reserves, CDQ ABC 
reserves for each CDQ group, Amendment 80 ABC reserves, and Amendment 80 
ABC reserves for each Amendment 80 cooperative for flathead sole, rock 
sole, and yellowfin sole.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) Final specifications--(i) Procedure and notification. NMFS will 
consider comments received on the proposed specifications and, after 
consultation with the Council, will publish a notice of final 
specifications in the Federal Register unless NMFS determines that the 
final specifications would not be a logical outgrowth of the notice of 
proposed specifications. In that event, NMFS will either:
    (A) Publish a revised notice of proposed specifications in the 
Federal Register for public comment, and after considering comments 
received on the revised proposed specifications, publish a notice of 
final specifications in the Federal Register; or
    (B) Publish a notice of final specifications in the Federal Register 
without an additional opportunity for public comment based on a finding 
that good cause pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act justifies 
waiver of the requirement for a revised notice of proposed 
specifications and opportunity for public comment thereon.
    (ii) GOA. The final specifications will specify for up to two 
fishing years the annual TAC for each target species and apportionments 
thereof, halibut prohibited species catch amounts, and seasonal 
allowances of pollock and Pacific cod.
    (iii) BSAI. (A) The final harvest specifications will specify for up 
to two fishing years the annual TAC for each target species and 
apportionments thereof, PSQ reserves and prohibited species catch 
allowances, seasonal allowances of pollock (including pollock, Pacific 
cod, and Atka mackerel CDQ), and CDQ reserves.
    (B) The final harvest specifications will specify for up to two 
fishing years the annual ABC surpluses, ABC reserves, CDQ ABC reserves, 
CDQ ABC reserves for each CDQ group, Amendment 80 ABC reserves, and 
Amendment 80 ABC reserves for each Amendment 80 cooperative for flathead 
sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole.
    (4) AFA and inshore/offshore allocations--(i) BSAI pollock. The 
annual harvest specifications will specify the allocation of pollock for 
processing by each AFA industry component in the BSAI, and any seasonal 
allowances thereof, as authorized under paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section.
    (ii) GOA pollock. The annual harvest specifications will specify the 
allocation of GOA pollock for processing by the inshore component in the 
GOA and the offshore component in the GOA, and any seasonal allowances 
thereof, as authorized under paragraphs (a)(5) and (a)(6) of this 
section.
    (iii) Eastern GOA Pacific cod. The annual harvest specifications 
will specify the allocation of Eastern GOA Pacific cod for processing by 
the inshore component and the offshore component, and any seasonal 
allowances thereof, as authorized under paragraph (a)(6) of this 
section.
    (5) BSAI Pacific cod gear allocations. The proposed and final 
specifications will specify the allocation of BSAI Pacific cod among 
gear types as authorized under paragraph (a)(7) of this section.
    (6) BSAI Atka mackerel allocations. The proposed and final harvest 
specifications will specify the allocation of BSAI Atka mackerel among 
gear types as authorized under paragraph (a)(8) of this section.
    (7) Western and Central GOA Pacific cod allocations. The proposed 
and final harvest specifications will specify the allocation of GOA 
Pacific cod among gear types and any seasonal allowances thereof, as 
authorized under paragraph (a)(12) of this section.
    (d) Fishery closures--(1) Directed fishing allowance--(i) General. 
If the Regional Administrator determines that any allocation or 
apportionment of a

[[Page 682]]

target species specified under paragraph (c) of this section has been or 
will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed 
fishing allowance for that species or species group.
    (ii) Specified fishery amounts--(A) Inseason adjustments. The 
category allocations or apportionments established under paragraph (c) 
of this section may be revised by inseason adjustments, as defined at 
Sec. 679.25, for a given species or species group or pollock allowance, 
as identified by regulatory area, subarea, or district, and, if 
applicable, as further identified by gear type.
    (B) Incidental catch. In establishing a directed fishing allowance, 
the Regional Administrator shall consider the amount of the allocation 
or apportionment established under paragraph (c) of this section that 
will be taken as incidental catch in directed fishing for other species 
in the same subarea, regulatory area, or district.
    (iii) Directed fishing closure--(A) Notification. If the Regional 
Administrator establishes a directed fishing allowance for a fishery 
allocation or apportionment under this paragraph (d), and that allowance 
has been or will be reached before the end of the fishing season or 
year, NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register prohibiting 
directed fishing in the specified subarea, regulatory area, or district.
    (B) Retention of incidental species. Except as described in Sec. 
679.20(e)(3)(iii) and Sec. 679.20(j), if directed fishing for a target 
species or species group is prohibited, a vessel may not retain that 
incidental species in an amount that exceeds the maximum retainable 
amount, as calculated under paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, at 
any time during a fishing trip.
    (iv) AFA sideboard limitations--(A) If the Regional Administrator 
determines that any sideboard harvest limit for a group of AFA vessels 
established under Sec. 679.64 has been or will be reached, the Regional 
Administrator may establish a sideboard directed fishing allowance for 
the species or species group applicable only to the identified group of 
AFA vessels.
    (B) In establishing a directed fishing allowance under paragraph 
(d)(1)(iv)(A) of this section, the Regional Administrator will consider 
the amount of the sideboard limit established for a group of AFA vessels 
under Sec. 679.64 that will be taken as incidental catch by those 
vessels in directed fishing for other species.
    (C) If the Regional Administrator determines that a sideboard amount 
is insufficient to support a directed fishery for that species then the 
Regional Administrator may set the sideboard directed fishing allowance 
at zero for that species or species group.
    (D) Species or species groups for which directed fishing for 
sideboard limits by AFA vessels is prohibited are listed in Tables 54, 
55, and 56 to this part.
    (v) Amendment 80 GOA sideboard limits--GOA groundfish. (A) If the 
Regional Administrator determines that a GOA sideboard limit for a GOA 
groundfish species as described under Table 37 to this part is 
sufficient to support a directed fishing allowance for that species, the 
Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing allowance for 
the species applicable only to Amendment 80 vessels subject to the GOA 
groundfish sideboard limit.
    (B) If the Regional Administrator determines that a GOA groundfish 
sideboard limit as described under Table 37 to this part is insufficient 
to support a directed fishing allowance by Amendment 80 vessels for that 
species, then the Regional Administrator may set the directed fishing 
allowance to zero for that species for Amendment 80 vessels.
    (C) Upon determining that a GOA sideboard limit as described under 
Table 37 to this part for a species is or will be reached, the Regional 
Administrator will publish notification in the Federal Register 
prohibiting directed fishing for that species by the Amendment 80 
vessels to which the GOA sideboard limit applies.
    (vi) Amendment 80 GOA sideboard limits--halibut PSC. (A) If the 
Regional Administrator determines that a GOA sideboard limit for halibut 
PSC is sufficient to support a directed fishery for a species or species 
group, management area, and season specified in Table 38 to this part, 
then the Regional Administrator may establish a halibut PSC

[[Page 683]]

sideboard limit for that species or species group, management area, and 
season applicable to the Amendment 80 vessels to which the halibut PSC 
limit applies.
    (B) If the Regional Administrator determines that a halibut PSC 
sideboard limit is insufficient to support a directed fishery for a 
species or species group, management area, and season as specified in 
Table 38 to this part then the Regional Administrator may set the 
halibut PSC sideboard limit for that species or species group to zero 
for the Amendment 80 vessels to which the halibut PSC limit applies.
    (C) Upon determining that a halibut PSC sideboard limit for a 
species or species group, management area, and season as specified in 
Table 38 to this part is or will be reached, the Regional Administrator 
will publish notification in the Federal Register prohibiting directed 
fishing for a specific species or species group by the Amendment 80 
vessels to which the halibut PSC limit applies as follows:
    (1) If the halibut PSC sideboard limit is reached for the deep-water 
species fishery as defined in Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B) for a season, 
then NMFS will close directed fishing in the GOA for all species in the 
deep-water species fishery except northern rockfish, Pacific ocean 
perch, and dusky rockfish in the Central GOA for that season.
    (2) If the halibut PSC sideboard limit is reached for the shallow-
water species fishery as defined in Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(A) for a 
season, then NMFS will close directed fishing in the GOA for all species 
in the shallow-water species fishery for that season.
    (2) Groundfish as prohibited species closure. When the Regional 
Administrator determines that the TAC of any target species specified 
under paragraph (c) of this section, or the share of any TAC assigned to 
any type of gear, has been or will be achieved prior to the end of a 
year, NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register requiring 
that target species be treated in the same manner as a prohibited 
species, as described under Sec. 679.21(a), for the remainder of the 
year, except rockfish species caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-
line, pot, or jig gear as described in Sec. 679.20(j).
    (3) Overfishing closure--(i) Notification. If, in making a 
determination under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, the Regional 
Administrator also determines that fishing for other target species or 
species groups in the area, district or part thereof where the 
notification applies, may lead to the overfishing of the species or 
species group for which the allocation or apportionment has been or will 
be reached, NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register 
specifying limitations or prohibitions designed to prevent overfishing 
of that species or species group.
    (ii) Limitations and prohibitions. These limitations and 
prohibitions may prohibit directed fishing for other species or species 
groups in the area, district, or part thereof where the notification 
applies, or may limit time, area, or gear types that may be used in 
directed fishing for the other species or species groups.
    (iii) Factors to be considered. When making the determinations 
specified under paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of this section, 
the Regional Administrator may consider allowing fishing to continue or 
resume with certain gear types or in certain areas and times based on 
findings of:
    (A) The risk of biological harm to a groundfish species or species 
group for which the TAC or PSC limit is or will be reached.
    (B) The risk of socioeconomic harm to authorized users of the 
groundfish for which the TAC or PSC limit will be or has been reached.
    (C) The impact that the continued closure might have on the 
socioeconomic well-being of other domestic fisheries.
    (4) Harvest control for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod. If 
a biological assessment of stock condition for pollock, Pacific cod, or 
Atka mackerel within an area projects that the spawning biomass in that 
area will be equal to or below 20 percent of the projected unfished 
spawning biomass during a fishing year, the Regional Administrator will 
prohibit the directed fishery for the relevant species within the area. 
The Regional Administrator will prohibit the directed fishery under this 
paragraph by notification published in the Federal Register. The 
directed

[[Page 684]]

fishery will remain closed until a subsequent biological assessment 
projects that the spawning biomass for the species in the area will 
exceed 20 percent of the projected unfished spawning biomass during a 
fishing year.
    (e) Maximum retainable amounts (MRA)--(1) Proportion of basis 
species. The maximum retainable amount of an incidental catch species is 
calculated as a proportion of the basis species retained on board the 
vessel using:
    (i) The retainable percentages in Table 10 to this part for the GOA 
species categories (except the Rockfish Program fisheries, which are 
described in Table 30 to this part for the Rockfish Program fisheries); 
and
    (ii) Table 11 to this part for the BSAI species categories.
    (2) Calculation. (i) To calculate the maximum retainable amount for 
a specific incidental catch species, an individual retainable amount 
must be calculated with respect to each basis species that is retained 
on board that vessel.
    (ii) To obtain these individual retainable amounts, multiply the 
appropriate retainable percentage for the incidental catch species/basis 
species combination, set forth in Table 10 to this part for the GOA 
species categories (except the Rockfish Program fisheries, which are 
described in Table 30 to this part for the Rockfish Program fisheries), 
and Table 11 to this part for the BSAI species categories, by the amount 
of that basis species, in round-weight equivalents.
    (iii) The maximum retainable amount for that specific incidental 
catch species is the sum of the individual retainable amount.
    (3) Application. (i) For catcher vessels, the maximum retainable 
amount for vessels fishing during a fishing trip in areas closed to 
directed fishing is the lowest maximum retainable amount applicable in 
any area, and this maximum retainable amount must be applied at any time 
and to all areas for the duration of the fishing trip.
    (ii) For catcher/processors fishing in an area closed to directed 
fishing for a species or species group, the maximum retainable amount 
for that species or species group applies at any time for the duration 
of the fishing trip.
    (iii) For all vessels not listed in subpart F of this section, the 
maximum retainable amount for pollock harvested in the BSAI is 
calculated at the end of each offload and is based on the basis species 
harvested since the previous offload. For purposes of this paragraph, 
offload means the removal of any fish or fish product from the vessel 
that harvested the fish or fish product to any other vessel or to shore.
    (iv) The maximum retainable amount for groundfish harvested in the 
Central GOA by a catcher/processor vessel fishing under a rockfish CQ 
permit is calculated at the end of each weekly reporting period, and is 
based on the basis species defined in Table 30 harvested since the 
previous weekly reporting period, or for any portion of a weekly 
reporting period that vessel was designated under a vessel check-in as 
specified in Sec. 679.5(r)(8).
    (v) For all vessels not listed in subpart F of this section, the 
maximum retainable amount for Atka mackerel harvested in the Bering Sea 
subarea is calculated at the end of each offload and is based on the 
basis species harvested since the previous offload. For purposes of this 
paragraph, offload means the removal of any fish or fish product from 
the vessel that harvested the fish or fish product to any other vessel 
or to shore.
    (vi) For a catcher/processor with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl 
mothership endorsement that receives an unsorted codend delivered by a 
catcher vessel authorized to harvest and that is assigned to PCTC 
Program Pacific cod, the maximum retainable amount for each species or 
species group applies at any time for the duration of the fishing trip 
and must be applied to only the PCTC Program hauls during a fishing 
trip.
    (f) Directed fishing calculations and determinations--(1) Round-
weight equivalents. Any determination concerning directed fishing, the 
amount or percentage of any species, species group, or any fish or fish 
products must be calculated in round-weight equivalents.
    (2) Retainable amounts. Any groundfish species for which directed 
fishing is closed may not be used to calculate retainable amounts of 
other groundfish species. Only fish harvested under the

[[Page 685]]

CDQ Program may be used to calculate retainable amounts of other CDQ 
species.
    (g) Allowable retention of pollock roe--(1) Percentage of pollock 
roe. (i) Pollock roe retained on board a vessel at any time during a 
fishing trip must not exceed the following percentages of the total 
round-weight equivalent of pollock, as calculated from the primary 
pollock product on board the vessel during the same fishing trip:
    (A) 7 percent in the Gulf of Alaska, and
    (B) 9 percent in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
    (ii) Determinations of allowable retention of pollock roe will be 
based on amounts of pollock harvested, received, or processed during a 
single fishing trip.
    (iii) Pollock or pollock products from previous fishing trips that 
are retained on board a vessel may not be used to determine the 
allowable retention of pollock roe for that vessel.
    (2) Primary product. (i) For purposes of this paragraph (g), only 
one primary pollock product per fish, other than roe, may be used to 
calculate the round-weight equivalent.
    (ii) A primary pollock product that contains roe (such as headed and 
gutted pollock with roe) may not be used to calculate the round-weight 
equivalent of pollock.
    (iii) The primary pollock product must be distinguished from 
ancillary pollock products in eLandings required under Sec. 
679.5(e)(9)(i)(D) and Sec. 679.5(e)(10)(iii)(H) (see also Table 1c to 
this part).
    (3) Pollock product recovery rates (PRRs). Use the product types and 
standard PRRs for pollock found in Table 3 to this part to calculate 
round-weight equivalents for pollock for purposes of this paragraph (g).
    (4) Calculation of retainable pollock roe--(i) Round-weight 
equivalent. (A) To calculate the amount of pollock roe that can be 
retained on board during a fishing trip, first calculate the round-
weight equivalent by dividing the total amount of primary product on 
board by the appropriate PRR.
    (B) To determine the maximum amount of pollock roe that can be 
retained on board a vessel during the same fishing trip, multiply the 
round-weight equivalent by 0.07 in the Gulf of Alaska or 0.09 in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
    (C) Pollock roe retained on board from previous fishing trips will 
not be counted.
    (ii) Two or more products from different fish. (A) If two or more 
products, other than roe, are made from different fish, round-weight 
equivalents are calculated separately for each product.
    (B) To determine the maximum amount of pollock roe that can be 
retained on board a vessel during a fishing trip, add the round-weight 
equivalents together; then, multiply the sum by 0.07 in the Gulf of 
Alaska or 0.09 in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
    (iii) Two or more products from same fish. If two or more products, 
other than roe, are made from the same fish, the maximum amount of 
pollock roe that can be retained during a fishing trip is determined 
from the primary product.
    (5) Primary pollock product--(i) Process prior to transfer. Any 
primary pollock product used to calculate retainable amounts of pollock 
roe must be frozen, canned, or reduced to meal by the vessel retaining 
the pollock roe prior to any transfer of the product to another vessel.
    (ii) No discard of processed product. Any pollock product that has 
been processed may not be discarded at sea unless such discarding is 
necessary to meet other requirements of this part.
    (h) Standard product types and standard PRRs--(1) Calculating round-
weight equivalents from standard PRRs. Round-weight equivalents for 
groundfish products are calculated using the product codes and standard 
PRRs specified in Table 3 to this part.
    (2) Adjustments. The Regional Administrator may adjust standard PRRs 
and product types specified in Table 3 to this part if he or she 
determines that existing standard PRRs are inaccurate or if new product 
types are developed.
    (i) Adjustments to any standard PRR listed in Table 3 to this part 
that are within and including 15 percent of that standard PRR may be 
made without providing notification and opportunity for prior public 
comment.

[[Page 686]]

    (ii) Adjustments of any standard PRR during a calendar year, when 
aggregated with all other adjustments made during that year, will not 
exceed 15 percent of the standard PRR listed in Table 3 to this part at 
the beginning of that calendar year.
    (iii) No new product type will be announced until NMFS publishes the 
proposed adjustment and/or new product type in the Federal Register and 
provides the public with at least 30 days opportunity for public 
comment.
    (iv) Any adjustment of a PRR that acts to further restrict the 
fishery will not be effective until 30 days after the date of 
publication in the Federal Register.
    (v) If NMFS makes any adjustment or announcement without providing a 
prior notification and opportunity for prior public comment, the 
Regional Administrator will receive public comments on the adjustment or 
announcement for a period of 15 days from the date of publication in the 
Federal Register.
    (i) Forage fish, grenadiers, squids, and sculpins--(1) Definition. 
See Table 2c to this part.
    (2) Applicability. The provisions of this paragraph (i) apply to all 
vessels fishing for groundfish in the BSAI or GOA, and to all vessels 
processing groundfish harvested in the BSAI or GOA.
    (3) Closure to directed fishing. Directed fishing for forage fish, 
grenadiers, squids, and sculpins is prohibited at all times in the BSAI 
and GOA.
    (4) Limits on sale, barter, trade, and processing of forage fish and 
grenadiers. The sale, barter, trade, or processing of forage fish and 
grenadiers is prohibited, except as provided in paragraph (i)(5) of this 
section.
    (5) Allowable fishmeal production of forage fish and grenadiers. 
Retained catch of forage fish or grenadiers not exceeding the maximum 
retainable amount may be processed into fishmeal for sale, barter, or 
trade.
    (6) Allowable fish products for squids and sculpins. Retained catch 
of squids and sculpins not exceeding the maximum retainable amount may 
be sold to a processor or processed into any product form, including 
(but not limited to) fishmeal, bait, and whole fish/food fish, for sale, 
barter, or trade.
    (j) Full retention of rockfish by catcher vessels using hook-and-
line, pot, or jig gear--(1) Retention and landing requirements. The 
operator of a catcher vessel that is required to have a Federal 
fisheries permit using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear, must retain and 
land all rockfish that is caught while fishing for groundfish or IFQ or 
CDQ halibut in the BSAI or GOA.
    (2) Maximum commerce allowance (MCA) for rockfish in the BSAI and 
GOA. Except as described in Sec. Sec. 679.20(j)(3) and (4), when 
rockfish is closed to directed fishing, the operator of a catcher vessel 
that is required to have a Federal fisheries permit under Sec. 
679.4(b), or the manager of a shoreside processor that is required to 
have a Federal processor permit under Sec. 679.4(f), must dispose of 
rockfish retained and landed in accordance with paragraph (j)(1) of this 
section as follows:
    (i) A person may sell, barter, or trade a round weight equivalent 
amount of rockfish that is less than or equal to 15 percent of the 
aggregate round weight equivalent of IFQ halibut and groundfish species, 
other than rockfish, that are landed during the same fishing trip.
    (ii) A person may sell, barter, or trade a round weight equivalent 
amount of yelloweye rockfish that is less than or equal to 5 percent of 
the aggregate round weight equivalent of IFQ halibut and groundfish 
species, other than rockfish, that are landed during the same fishing 
trip. The aggregate amount of all rockfish species sold, bartered, or 
traded cannot exceed the MCA established under paragraph (j)(2)(i) of 
this section.
    (iii) Amounts of rockfish retained by catcher vessels under 
paragraphs (j)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section that are in excess of the 
limits specified in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section may be 
put to any use, including but not limited to personal consumption or 
donation, but must not enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade 
except as fish meal.
    (3) MCA of DSR in Southeast Outside District of the GOA (SEO) when 
closed to directed fishing. When DSR is closed to directed fishing in 
the SEO, the operator of a catcher vessel that is required

[[Page 687]]

to have a Federal fisheries permit under Sec. 679.4(b), or the manager 
of a shoreside processor that is required to have a Federal processor 
permit under Sec. 679.4(f), must dispose of DSR retained and landed in 
accordance with paragraph (j)(1) of this section as follows:
    (i) A person may sell, barter, or trade a round weight equivalent 
amount of DSR that is less than or equal to 10 percent of the aggregate 
round weight equivalent of IFQ halibut and groundfish species, other 
than sablefish, that are landed during the same fishing trip. The 
aggregate amount of all rockfish species sold, bartered, or traded 
cannot exceed the MCA established under paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this 
section.
    (ii) A person may sell, barter, or trade a round weight equivalent 
amount of DSR that is less than or equal to 1 percent of the aggregate 
round weight equivalent of IFQ sablefish that are landed during the same 
fishing trip. The aggregate amount of all rockfish species sold, 
bartered, or traded cannot exceed the MCA established under paragraph 
(j)(2)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Amounts of DSR retained by catcher vessels under paragraph 
(j)(1) of this section that are in excess of the limits specified in 
paragraphs (j)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section may be put to any use, 
including but not limited to personal consumption or donation, but must 
not enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade except as fish meal.
    (4) MCA for rockfish when on prohibited species status. When a 
rockfish species is placed on prohibited species status under Sec. 
679.20(d)(2), the MCA is set to 0 percent and no amount of that rockfish 
species may enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade except as fish 
meal. The operator of a catcher vessel that is required to have a 
Federal fisheries permit under Sec. 679.4(b), or the manager of a 
shoreside processor that is required to have a Federal processor permit 
under Sec. 679.4(f), may put rockfish retained and landed in excess of 
the MCA specified in this paragraph to any use, including but not 
limited to personal consumption or donation, but such rockfish must not 
enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade except as fish meal.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.20, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.21  Prohibited species bycatch management.

    (a) General. (1) See Sec. 679.2 and Table 2b to this part for 
definition of prohibited species.
    (2) Prohibited species catch restrictions. The operator of each 
vessel engaged in directed fishing for groundfish in the GOA or BSAI 
must:
    (i) Minimize its catch of prohibited species.
    (ii) After allowing for sampling by an observer, if an observer is 
aboard, sort its catch immediately after retrieval of the gear and, 
except for salmon prohibited species catch in the BS pollock fisheries 
and GOA groundfish fisheries under paragraph (f) or (h) of this section, 
or any prohibited species catch as provided (in permits issued) under 
the PSD program at Sec. 679.26, return all prohibited species, or parts 
thereof, to the sea immediately, with a minimum of injury, regardless of 
its condition.
    (3) Rebuttable presumption. Except as provided under paragraphs (f) 
and (h) of this section and Sec. 679.26, there will be a rebuttable 
presumption that any prohibited species retained on board a fishing 
vessel regulated under this part was caught and retained in violation of 
this section.
    (4) Prohibited species taken seaward of the EEZ off Alaska. No 
vessel fishing for groundfish in the GOA or BSAI may have on board any 
species listed in this paragraph (a) that was taken in waters seaward of 
these management areas, regardless of whether retention of such species 
was authorized by other applicable laws.
    (5) Sablefish as a prohibited species. (See Sec. 679.24(c) for gear 
restrictions for sablefish.)
    (6) Addresses. Unless otherwise specified, submit information 
required under this section to NMFS as follows: by mail to the Regional 
Administrator, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802; by courier to the 
Office of the Regional Administrator, 709 West 9th St., Juneau, AK 
99801; or by fax to 907-586-7465. Forms are available on the

[[Page 688]]

NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/).
    (b) BSAI halibut PSC limits--(1) Establishment of BSAI halibut PSC 
limits. Subject to the provisions in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iv) 
of this section, the following four BSAI halibut PSC limits are 
established, which total 3,515 mt: Amendment 80 sector--1,745 mt; BSAI 
trawl limited access sector--745 mt; BSAI non-trawl sector--710 mt; and 
CDQ Program--315 mt (established as a PSQ reserve).
    (i) Amendment 80 sector. The PSC limit of halibut caught while 
conducting any fishery in the Amendment 80 sector is an amount of 
halibut equivalent to 1,745 mt of halibut mortality. Halibut PSC limits 
within the Amendment 80 sector will be established for Amendment 80 
cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access fishery according to 
the procedure and formulae in Sec. 679.91(d) and (f). If halibut PSC is 
assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery, it will be 
apportioned into PSC allowances for trawl fishery categories according 
to the procedure in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(A)(2) and (3) of this section.
    (ii) BSAI trawl limited access sector--(A) General. (1) The PSC 
limit of halibut caught while conducting any fishery in the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector is an amount of halibut equivalent to 745 mt of 
halibut mortality.
    (2) NMFS, after consultation with the Council, will apportion the 
PSC limit set forth under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section 
into PSC allowances for the trawl fishery categories defined in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(B)(1) through (6) of this section.
    (3) Apportionment of the trawl halibut PSC limit set forth under 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section among the trawl fishery 
categories will be based on each category's proportional share of the 
anticipated halibut PSC during a fishing year and the need to optimize 
the amount of total groundfish harvested under the halibut PSC limit for 
this sector.
    (4) The sum of all PSC allowances for this sector will equal the PSC 
limit set forth under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (B) Trawl fishery categories. For purposes of apportioning the trawl 
PSC limit set forth under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this section 
among trawl fisheries, the following fishery categories are specified 
and defined in terms of round-weight equivalents of those groundfish 
species or species groups for which a TAC has been specified under Sec. 
679.20.
    (1) Midwater pollock fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any 
weekly reporting period that results in a catch of pollock that is 95 
percent or more of the total amount of groundfish caught during the 
week.
    (2) Flatfish fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly 
reporting period that results in a retained aggregate amount of rock 
sole, ``other flatfish,'' and yellowfin sole that is greater than the 
retained amount of any other fishery category defined under this 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B).
    (i) Yellowfin sole fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any 
weekly reporting period that is defined as a flatfish fishery under this 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B)(2) and results in a retained amount of yellowfin 
sole that is 70 percent or more of the retained aggregate amount of rock 
sole, ``other flatfish,'' and yellowfin sole.
    (ii) Rock sole/flathead sole/Alaska plaice/``other flatfish'' 
fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly reporting period that 
is defined as a flatfish fishery under this paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B)(2) 
and is not a yellowfin sole fishery as defined under paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii)(B)(2)(i) of this section.
    (3) Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/Kamchatka flounder/
sablefish fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly reporting 
period that results in a retained aggregate amount of Greenland turbot, 
arrowtooth flounder, Kamchatka flounder, and sablefish that is greater 
than the retained amount of any other fishery category defined under 
this paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B).
    (4) Rockfish fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly 
reporting period that results in a retained aggregate amount of rockfish 
species that is greater than the retained amount of any other fishery 
category defined under this paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B).

[[Page 689]]

    (5) Pacific cod fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly 
reporting period that results in a retained aggregate amount of Pacific 
cod that is greater than the retained amount of any other groundfish 
fishery category defined under this paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B). This 
Pacific cod fishery is further apportioned between the PCTC Program, the 
trawl catcher vessel limited access C season, and AFA catcher/processors 
as established at Sec. 679.131(c) and (d).
    (6) Pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species.'' Fishing with trawl gear 
during any weekly reporting period that results in a retained aggregate 
amount of pollock other than pollock harvested in the midwater pollock 
fishery defined under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, Atka 
mackerel, and ``other species'' that is greater than the retained amount 
of any other fishery category defined under this paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii)(B).
    (C) Halibut PSC in midwater pollock fishery. Any amount of halibut 
that is incidentally taken in the midwater pollock fishery, as defined 
in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, will be counted against 
the halibut PSC allowance specified for the pollock/Atka mackerel/
``other species'' category, as defined in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B)(6) of 
this section.
    (iii) BSAI Non-trawl Sector--(A) General. (1) The PSC limit of 
halibut caught while conducting any fishery in the BSAI non-trawl sector 
is an amount of halibut equivalent to 710 mt of halibut mortality.
    (2) NMFS, after consultation with the Council, will apportion the 
PSC limit set forth under paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A)(1) into PSC 
allowances for the non-trawl fishery categories defined under paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii)(B) of this section.
    (3) Apportionment of the non-trawl halibut PSC limit of 710 mt among 
the non-trawl fishery categories will be based on each category's 
proportional share of the anticipated halibut PSC during a fishing year 
and the need to optimize the amount of total groundfish harvested under 
the halibut PSC limit for this sector.
    (4) The sum of all PSC allowances for this sector will equal the PSC 
limit set forth under paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (B) Non-trawl fishery categories. For purposes of apportioning the 
non-trawl halibut PSC limit among fisheries, the following fishery 
categories are specified and defined in terms of round-weight 
equivalents of those BSAI groundfish species for which a TAC has been 
specified under Sec. 679.20.
    (1) Pacific cod hook-and-line catcher vessel fishery. Catcher 
vessels fishing with hook-and-line gear during any weekly reporting 
period that results in a retained catch of Pacific cod that is greater 
than the retained amount of any other groundfish species.
    (2) Pacific cod hook-and-line catcher/processor fishery. Catcher/
processors fishing with hook-and-line gear during any weekly reporting 
period that results in a retained catch of Pacific cod that is greater 
than the retained amount of any other groundfish species.
    (3) Sablefish hook-and-line fishery. Fishing with hook-and-line gear 
during any weekly reporting period that results in a retained catch of 
sablefish that is greater than the retained amount of any other 
groundfish species.
    (4) Groundfish jig gear fishery. Fishing with jig gear during any 
weekly reporting period that results in a retained catch of groundfish.
    (5) Groundfish pot gear fishery. Fishing with pot gear under 
restrictions set forth in Sec. 679.24(b) during any weekly reporting 
period that results in a retained catch of groundfish.
    (6) Other non-trawl fisheries. Fishing for groundfish with non-trawl 
gear during any weekly reporting period that results in a retained catch 
of groundfish and does not qualify as a Pacific cod hook-and-line 
catcher vessel fishery, a Pacific cod hook-and-line catcher/processor 
fishery, a sablefish hook-and-line fishery, a jig gear fishery, or a 
groundfish pot gear fishery as defined under paragraphs 
(b)(1)(iii)(B)(1) through (5) of this section.
    (iv) CDQ Program. The PSC limit of halibut caught while conducting 
any fishery in the CDQ Program is an amount of halibut equivalent to 315 
mt of halibut mortality. The PSC limit to the CDQ Program will be 
treated as a

[[Page 690]]

Prohibited Species Quota (PSQ) reserve to the CDQ Program for all 
purposes under 50 CFR part 679 including Sec. Sec. 679.31 and 
679.7(d)(3). The PSQ limit is not apportioned by gear, fishery, or 
season.
    (2) Seasonal apportionments of BSAI halibut PSC allowances--(i) 
General. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, may apportion a 
halibut PSC allowance on a seasonal basis.
    (ii) Factors to be considered. NMFS will base any seasonal 
apportionment of a PSC allowance on the following types of information:
    (A) Seasonal distribution of prohibited species;
    (B) Seasonal distribution of target groundfish species relative to 
prohibited species distribution;
    (C) Expected PSC needs on a seasonal basis relevant to change in 
prohibited species biomass and expected catches of target groundfish 
species;
    (D) Expected variations in PSC rates throughout the fishing year;
    (E) Expected changes in directed groundfish fishing seasons;
    (F) Expected start of fishing effort; or
    (G) Economic effects of establishing seasonal prohibited species 
apportionments on segments of the target groundfish industry.
    (iii) Seasonal trawl fishery PSC allowances--(A) Unused seasonal 
apportionments. Unused seasonal apportionments of trawl fishery PSC 
allowances made under this paragraph (b)(2) will be added to the 
respective fishery PSC allowance for the next season during a current 
fishing year except for the Pacific cod fishery apportionment to the 
PCTC Program, which follows the regulations at Sec. 679.131(c) and (d).
    (B) Seasonal apportionment exceeded. If a seasonal apportionment of 
a trawl fishery PSC allowance made under this paragraph (b)(2) is 
exceeded, the amount by which the seasonal apportionment is exceeded 
will be deducted from the respective apportionment for the next season 
during a current fishing year except for the Pacific cod fishery 
apportionment to the PCTC Program, which follows the regulations at 
Sec. 679.131(c) and (d).
    (iv) Seasonal non-trawl fishery PSC allowances--(A) Unused seasonal 
apportionments. Any unused portion of a seasonal non-trawl fishery PSC 
allowance made under paragraph (b)(2) of this section will be 
reapportioned to the fishery's remaining seasonal PSC allowances during 
a current fishing year in a manner determined by NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council, based on the types of information listed 
under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (B) Seasonal apportionment exceeded. If a seasonal apportionment of 
a non-trawl fishery PSC allowance made under paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section is exceeded, the amount by which the seasonal apportionment is 
exceeded will be deducted from the fishery's remaining seasonal PSC 
allowances during a current fishing year in a manner determined by NMFS, 
after consultation with the Council, based on the types of information 
listed under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (3) Notification of allowances--(i) General. NMFS will publish in 
the Federal Register, for up to two fishing years, the proposed and 
final BSAI halibut PSC allowances, the seasonal apportionments thereof, 
and the manner in which seasonal apportionments of non-trawl fishery PSC 
allowances will be managed.
    (ii) Public comment. Public comment will be accepted by NMFS on the 
proposed PSC allowances seasonal apportionments thereof, and the manner 
in which seasonal apportionments of non-trawl fishery PSC allowances 
will be managed, for a period specified in the notice of proposed 
specifications published in the Federal Register.
    (4) Management of BSAI halibut PSC allowances--(i) Trawl sector--
Amendment 80 limited access fishery and BSAI trawl limited access 
sector: closures--(A) Exception. When a PSC allowance, or seasonal 
apportionment thereof, specified for the pollock/Atka mackerel/``other 
species'' fishery category, as defined in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B)(6) of 
this section is reached, only directed fishing for pollock is closed to 
trawl vessels using nonpelagic trawl gear.
    (B) Closures. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(i)(A) of this 
section, if, during the fishing year, the Regional Administrator 
determines that U.S. fishing vessels participating in any of the trawl 
fishery categories listed in

[[Page 691]]

paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(B)(2) through (6) of this section will catch the 
halibut PSC allowance, or seasonal apportionment thereof, specified for 
that fishery category under paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, 
NMFS will publish in the Federal Register a document to close the entire 
BSAI to directed fishing for each species and/or species group in that 
fishery category for the remainder of the year or for the remainder of 
the season. This does not apply to allocations to the PCTC Program 
specified at Sec. 679.133(b).
    (ii) BSAI non-trawl sector: closures. If, during the fishing year, 
the Regional Administrator determines that U.S. fishing vessels 
participating in any of the non-trawl fishery categories listed under 
paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section will catch the halibut PSC 
allowance, or seasonal apportionment thereof, specified for that fishery 
category under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, NMFS will publish 
in the Federal Register the closure of the entire BSAI to directed 
fishing with the relevant gear type for each species and/or species 
group in that fishery category.
    (iii) AFA PSC sideboard limits. Halibut PSC limits for the AFA 
catcher/processor sector and the AFA trawl catcher vessel sector will be 
established pursuant to Sec. 679.64(a) and (b) and managed through 
directed fishing closures for the AFA catcher/processor sector and the 
AFA trawl catcher vessel sector in the groundfish fisheries for which 
the PSC limit applies.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) GOA halibut PSC limits. This section is applicable for vessels 
engaged in directed fishing for groundfish in the GOA.
    (1) Notification and public comment--(i) Proposed and final 
apportionments. NMFS will publish in the Federal Register proposed and 
final apportionments of the halibut PSC limits in paragraphs (d)(2) and 
(3) of this section in the notification required under Sec. 679.20.
    (ii) Modification of apportionments. NMFS, by notification in the 
Federal Register, may change the halibut PSC apportionments during the 
year for which they were specified, based on new information of the 
types set forth in this paragraph (d).
    (iii) Public comment. NMFS will accept public comment on the 
proposed halibut PSC apportionments for a period specified in the notice 
of proposed halibut PSC apportionments published in the Federal 
Register. NMFS will consider comments received on proposed halibut PSC 
apportionments and, after consultation with the Council, will publish 
notification in the Federal Register specifying the final halibut PSC 
apportionments.
    (2) Hook-and-line gear and pot gear annual halibut PSC limit. (i) 
The annual total PSC limit of halibut caught while conducting any hook-
and-line gear fishery for groundfish in the GOA is an amount of halibut 
equivalent to the amount of halibut mortality established for each of 
the fishery categories in paragraphs (d)(2)(i)(A) and (B) of this 
section. The notification at paragraph (d)(1) of this section also may 
specify a halibut PSC limit for the pot gear fisheries.
    (A) Demersal shelf rockfish, Southeast Outside (SEO) District. The 
halibut PSC limit in the demersal shelf rockfish fishery in the SEO 
District is 9 mt.
    (B) Other hook-and-line fishery. The halibut PSC limit in the other 
hook-and-line gear fishery is established according to the provisions of 
paragraphs (d)(2)(iii) and (d)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (ii) Hook-and-line fishery categories. For purposes of apportioning 
the hook-and-line halibut PSC limit among fisheries, the following 
fishery categories are specified and defined in terms of round-weight 
equivalents of those GOA groundfish species for which a TAC has been 
specified under Sec. 679.20.
    (A) Demersal shelf rockfish, SEO District. Fishing with hook-and-
line gear in the SEO District of the Eastern GOA regulatory area during 
any weekly reporting period that results in a retained catch of demersal 
shelf rockfish that is greater than the retained amount of any other 
fishery category defined under this paragraph (d)(2)(ii).
    (B) Other hook-and-line fishery. Fishing with hook-and-line gear 
during any weekly reporting period that results in a retained catch of 
groundfish and is not a demersal shelf rockfish fishery defined under 
paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.

[[Page 692]]

    (iii) Apportionment of the GOA halibut PSC limit among other hook-
and-line catcher vessels and catcher/processors.
    (A) Catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the other hook-and-
line fishery will be apportioned part of the GOA halibut PSC limit in 
proportion to the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod allocations, 
where X is equal to annnual TAC, as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR20FE14.000

    (B) Catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the other hook-
and-line fishery will be apportioned part of the GOA halibut PSC limit 
in proportion to the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod 
allocations, where X is equal to annual TAC, as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR20FE14.001

    (C) No later than November 1, any halibut PSC limit allocated under 
paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section not projected by the Regional 
Administrator to be used by one of the hook-and-line sectors during the 
remainder of the fishing year will be made available to the other 
sector.
    (iv) Other hook-and-line fishery annual PSC limit reductions. The 
annual halibut PSC limits established for the other hook-and-line 
fishery under paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section are reduced, as 
follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Annual PSC limit
                                          percent reduction
                                           from the annual
                                          halibut PSC limit
             Vessel category              established under                    Effective years
                                              paragraph
                                            (d)(2)(iii) of
                                            this section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Catcher vessel......................                  7  2014.
                                                         12  2015.
                                                         15  2016 and each year thereafter.
(B) Catcher/processor...................                  7  2014 and each year thereafter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Trawl gear annual halibut PSC limit. (i) The annual total PSC 
limit of halibut caught while conducting any trawl gear fishery for 
groundfish in the GOA is an amount of halibut equivalent to 1,973 mt of 
halibut mortality. This amount is reduced as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Annual trawl gear
     Percent reduction from 1,973 mt        PSC limit (mt)                     Effective years
                                                 \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.......................................              1,848  2014.
12......................................              1,759  2015.
15......................................              1,705  2016 and each year thereafter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This amount maintains the 191 mt annual allocation to the Rockfish Program (see Table 28d to this part) from
  the 1,973 mt halibut PSC limit, while reducing the remainder of the annual trawl gear halibut PSC limit by the
  percentage listed in the first column.


[[Page 693]]

    (ii) PSC allowance. The halibut PSC limit specified for vessels 
using trawl gear may be further apportioned as PSC allowances to the 
fishery categories listed in paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this section, 
based on each category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut 
PSC mortality during a fishing year and the need to optimize the amount 
of total groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The sum of all 
PSC allowances will equal the halibut PSC limit established under 
paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Trawl fishery categories. For purposes of apportioning the 
trawl halibut PSC limit among fisheries, the following fishery 
categories are specified and defined in terms of round-weight 
equivalents of these GOA groundfish species for which a TAC has been 
specified under Sec. 679.20:
    (A) Shallow-water species fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during 
any weekly reporting period that results in a retained aggregate catch 
of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka 
mackerel, and ``other species'' that is greater than the retained 
aggregate amount of other GOA groundfish species or species group.
    (B) Deep-water species fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any 
weekly reporting period that results in a retained catch of groundfish 
and is not a shallow-water species fishery as defined under paragraph 
(d)(3)(iii)(A) of this section.
    (4) Seasonal apportionments--(i) General. NMFS, after consultation 
with the Council, may apportion each halibut PSC limit or bycatch 
allowance specified under this paragraph (d) on a seasonal basis.
    (ii) Factors to be considered. NMFS will base any seasonal 
apportionment of a halibut PSC limit or bycatch allowance on the 
following types of information:
    (A) Seasonal distribution of halibut.
    (B) Seasonal distribution of target groundfish species relative to 
halibut distribution.
    (C) Expected halibut bycatch needs, on a seasonal basis, relative to 
changes in halibut biomass and expected catches of target groundfish 
species.
    (D) Expected variations in bycatch rates throughout the fishing 
year.
    (E) Expected changes in directed groundfish fishing seasons.
    (F) Expected start of fishing effort.
    (G) Economic effects of establishing seasonal halibut allocations on 
segments of the target groundfish industry.
    (iii) Unused seasonal apportionments. (A) Unused seasonal 
apportionments of halibut PSC limits specified for trawl, hook-and-line, 
or pot gear will be added to the respective seasonal apportionment for 
the next season during a current fishing year; and
    (B) An amount not greater than 55 percent of the halibut PSC that 
had been allocated as CQ and that has not been used by a rockfish 
cooperative will be added to the last seasonal apportionment for trawl 
gear during the current fishing year:
    (1) After November 15; or
    (2) After the effective date of a termination of fishing declaration 
according to the provisions set out in Sec. 679.4(n)(2), whichever 
occurs first.
    (C) The amount of unused halibut PSC not reapportioned under the 
provisions described in Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) will not be available 
for use as halibut PSC by any person for the remainder of that calendar 
year.
    (D) Combined management of trawl halibut PSC limits from May 15 
through June 30. NMFS will combine management of available trawl halibut 
PSC limits in the second season deep-water and shallow-water species 
fishery categories for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 
during the current fishery year. Halibut PSC sideboard limits for the 
Amendment 80 and AFA sectors will continue to be defined as deep-water 
and shallow-water species fisheries from May 15 through June 30. NMFS 
will re-apportion the halibut PSC limit between the deep-water and 
shallow-water species fisheries after June 30 to account for actual 
halibut PSC use by each fishery category during May 15 through June 30. 
The Regional Administrator will issue a Federal Register notice to 
reapportion the amounts of trawl halibut PSC to each species fishery 
category.
    (iv) Seasonal apportionment exceeded. If a seasonal apportionment of 
a halibut PSC limit specified for trawl,

[[Page 694]]

hook-and-line, pot gear, and/or operational type is exceeded, the amount 
by which the seasonal apportionment is exceeded will be deducted from 
the respective apportionment for the next season during a current 
fishing year.
    (5) Apportionment among regulatory areas and districts. Each halibut 
PSC limit specified under this paragraph (d) also may be apportioned 
among the GOA regulatory areas and districts.
    (6) Halibut PSC closures--(i) Trawl gear fisheries. If, during the 
fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines that U.S. fishing 
vessels participating in either of the trawl fishery categories listed 
in paragraph (d)(3)(iii) (A) or (B) of this section will catch the 
halibut bycatch allowance, or apportionments thereof, specified for that 
fishery category under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, NMFS will 
publish notification in the Federal Register closing the entire GOA or 
the applicable regulatory area or district to directed fishing with 
trawl gear for each species and/or species group that comprises that 
fishing category; provided, however, that when the halibut bycatch 
allowance, or seasonal apportionment thereof, specified for the shallow-
water species fishery is reached, fishing for pollock by vessels using 
pelagic trawl gear may continue, consistent with other provisions of 
this part.
    (ii) Hook-and-line fisheries. If, during the fishing year, the 
Regional Administrator determines that U.S. fishing vessels 
participating in any of the three hook-and-line gear and operational 
type fishery categories listed under paragraph (d)(2) of this section 
will catch the halibut PSC allowance, or apportionments thereof, 
specified for that fishery category under paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register closing 
the entire GOA or the applicable regulatory area, district, or operation 
type to directed fishing with hook-and-line gear for each species and/or 
species group that composes that fishing category.
    (iii) Pot gear fisheries. If, during the fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator determines that the catch of halibut by operators of 
vessels using pot gear to participate in a directed fishery for 
groundfish will reach the halibut PSC limit, or seasonal apportionment 
thereof, NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register 
prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using pot gear 
for the remainder of the season to which the halibut PSC limit or 
seasonal apportionment applies.
    (iv) Nonpelagic trawl gear fisheries--(A) Continued fishing under 
specified conditions. When the vessels to which a halibut PSC limit 
applies have caught an amount of halibut equal to that PSC, the Regional 
Administrator may, by notification in the Federal Register, allow some 
or all of those vessels to continue to fish for groundfish using 
nonpelagic trawl gear under specified conditions, subject to the other 
provisions of this part.
    (B) Factors to be considered. In authorizing and conditioning such 
continued fishing with bottom-trawl gear, the Regional Administrator 
will take into account the following considerations, and issue relevant 
findings:
    (1) The risk of biological harm to halibut stocks and of socio-
economic harm to authorized halibut users posed by continued bottom 
trawling by these vessels.
    (2) The extent to which these vessels have avoided incidental 
halibut catches up to that point in the year.
    (3) The confidence of the Regional Administrator in the accuracy of 
the estimates of incidental halibut catches by these vessels up to that 
point in the year.
    (4) Whether observer coverage of these vessels is sufficient to 
assure adherence to the prescribed conditions and to alert the Regional 
Administrator to increases in their incidental halibut catches.
    (5) The enforcement record of owners and operators of these vessels, 
and the confidence of the Regional Administrator that adherence to the 
prescribed conditions can be assured in light of available enforcement 
resources.
    (7) AFA halibut bycatch limitations. Halibut bycatch limits for AFA 
catcher vessels will be established according to the procedure and 
formula set out in Sec. 679.64(b) and managed through directed fishing 
closures for AFA catcher vessels in the groundfish fisheries to

[[Page 695]]

which the halibut bycatch limit applies.
    (e) BSAI PSC limits for crab and herring--(1) Trawl gear--(i) Red 
king crab in Zone 1. The PSC limit of red king crab caught by trawl 
vessels while engaged in directed fishing for groundfish in Zone 1 
during any fishing year will be specified for up to two fishing years by 
NMFS, after consultation with the Council, based on abundance and 
spawning biomass of red king crab using the criteria set out under 
paragraphs (e)(1)(i)(A) through (C) of this section. The following table 
refers to the PSC limits for red king crab that you must follow in Zone 
1:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 When the number of mature female red king  The zone 1 PSC limit will be
                crab is ...                              ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) At or below the threshold of 8.4        32,000 red king crab.
 million mature crab or the effective
 spawning biomass is less than or equal to
 14.5 million lb (6,577 mt)
(B) Above the threshold of 8.4 million      97,000 red king crab.
 mature crab and the effective spawning
 biomass is greater than 14.5 but less
 than 55 million lb (24,948 mt)
(C) Above the threshold of 8.4 million      197,000 red king crab.
 mature crab and the effective spawning
 biomass is equal to or greater than 55
 million lb
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Tanner crab (C. bairdi). The PSC limit of C. bairdi crabs 
caught by trawl vessels while engaged in directed fishing for groundfish 
in Zones 1 and 2 during any fishing year will be specified for up to two 
fishing years by NMFS under paragraph (e)(6) of this section, based on 
total abundance of C. bairdi crabs as indicated by the NMFS annual 
bottom trawl survey, using the criteria set out under paragraphs 
(e)(1)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section.
    (A) The following table refers to the PSC limits for C. bairdi that 
you must follow in Zone 1:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   When the total abundance of C. bairdi
               crabs is ...                   The PSC limit will be ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 150 million animals or less             0.5 percent of the total
                                             abundance minus 20,000
                                             animals
(2) Over 150 million to 270 million         730,000 animals
 animals
(3) Over 270 million to 400 million         830,000 animals
 animals
(4) Over 400 million animals                980,000 animals
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) This table refers to the PSC limits for C. bairdi that you must 
follow in Zone 2.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   When the total abundance of C. bairdi
               crabs is ...                   The PSC limit will be ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 175 million animals or less             1.2 percent of the total
                                             abundance minus 30,000
                                             animals
(2) Over 175 million to 290 million         2,070,000 animals
 animals
(3) Over 290 million to 400 million         2,520,000 animals
 animals
(4) Over 400 million animals                2,970,000 animals
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) C. opilio. The PSC limit of C. opilio caught by trawl vessels 
while engaged in directed fishing for groundfish in the COBLZ will be 
specified annually by NMFS under paragraph (e)(6) of this section, based 
on total abundance of C. opilio as indicated by the NMFS annual bottom 
trawl survey using the following criteria:
    (A) PSC Limit. The PSC limit will be 0.1133 percent of the total 
abundance, minus 150,000 C. opilio crabs, unless;
    (B) Minimum PSC Limit. If 0.1133 percent multiplied by the total 
abundance is less than 4.5 million, then the minimum PSC limit will be 
4.350 million animals; or
    (C) Maximum PSC Limit. If 0.1133 percent multiplied by the total 
abundance is greater than 13 million, then the maximum PSC limit will be 
12.850 million animals.
    (iv) [Reserved]
    (v) Pacific herring. The PSC limit of Pacific herring caught while 
conducting any domestic trawl fishery for groundfish in the BSAI is 1 
percent of the annual eastern Bering Sea herring biomass. The PSC limit 
will be apportioned into annual herring PSC allowances, by target 
fishery, and will be published along with the annual herring PSC limit 
in the Federal Register with the proposed and final groundfish 
specifications defined in Sec. 679.20.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) PSC apportionment to trawl fisheries--(i) General--(A) PSQ 
reserve. The following allocations of the trawl gear PSC limits are made 
to the CDQ Program as PSQ reserves. The PSQ reserves are not apportioned 
by gear or fishery.
    (1) Crab PSQ. 10.7 percent of each PSC limit set forth in paragraphs 
(e)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (B) Fishery categories. NMFS, after consultation with the Council 
and after

[[Page 696]]

subtraction of PSQ reserves and PSC CQ assigned to Amendment 80 
cooperatives, will apportion each PSC limit set forth in paragraphs 
(e)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section into bycatch allowances for 
fishery categories defined in paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this section, 
based on each category's proportional share of the anticipated 
incidental catch during a fishing year of prohibited species for which a 
PSC limit is specified and the need to optimize the amount of total 
groundfish harvested under established PSC limits.
    (ii) Red king crab, C. bairdi, and C. opilio--(A) General. For 
vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish in the BSAI, other 
than vessels fishing under a CQ permit assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative, the PSC limits for red king crab, C. bairdi, and C. opilio 
will be apportioned to the trawl fishery categories defined in 
paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(B) through (F) of this section.
    (B) Red King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS). (1) The RKCSS is the 
portion of the RKCSA between 56[deg]00[min] and 56[deg]10[min] N. lat. 
Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, vessels using non-pelagic 
trawl gear in the RKCSS may engage in directed fishing for groundfish in 
a given year, if the ADF&G had established a guideline harvest level the 
previous year for the red king crab fishery in the Bristol Bay area.
    (2) When the RKCSS is open to vessels fishing for groundfish with 
nonpelagic trawl gear under paragraph (e)(3)(ii)(B)(1) of this section, 
NMFS, after consultation with the Council, will specify an amount of the 
red king crab bycatch limit annually established under paragraph 
(e)(1)(i) of this section for the RKCSS. The amount of the red king crab 
bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS will not exceed an amount 
equivalent to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC allowance and will be 
based on the need to optimize the groundfish harvest relative to red 
king crab bycatch.
    (C) Incidental catch in midwater pollock fishery. Any amount of red 
king crab, C. bairdi, or C. opilio that is incidentally taken in the 
midwater pollock fishery as defined in paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) of this 
section will be counted against the bycatch allowances specified for the 
pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' category defined in paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(F) of this section.
    (iii) Pacific herring. The PSC limit for Pacific herring will be 
apportioned to the BSAI trawl fishery categories defined in paragraphs 
(e)(3)(iv) (A) through (F) of this section.
    (iv) Trawl fishery categories. For purposes of apportioning trawl 
PSC limits for crab and herring among fisheries, other than crab PSC CQ 
assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative, the following fishery 
categories are specified and defined in terms of round-weight 
equivalents of those groundfish species or species groups for which a 
TAC has been specified under Sec. 679.20.
    (A) Midwater pollock fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any 
weekly reporting period that results in a catch of pollock that is 95 
percent or more of the total amount of groundfish caught during the 
week.
    (B) Flatfish fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly 
reporting period that results in a retained aggregate amount of rock 
sole, ``other flatfish,'' and yellowfin sole that is greater than the 
retained amount of any other fishery category defined under this 
paragraph (e)(3)(iv).
    (1) Yellowfin sole fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any 
weekly reporting period that is defined as a flatfish fishery under this 
paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B) and results in a retained amount of yellowfin 
sole that is 70 percent or more of the retained aggregate amount of rock 
sole, ``other flatfish,'' and yellowfin sole.
    (2) Rock sole/flathead sole/Alaska plaice/``other flatfish'' 
fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly reporting period that 
is defined as a flatfish fishery under this paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(B) and 
is not a yellowfin sole fishery as defined under paragraph 
(e)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this section.
    (C) Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/Kamchatka flounder/
sablefish fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly reporting 
period that results in a retained aggregate amount of Greenland turbot, 
arrowtooth flounder, Kamchatka flounder, and sablefish that is greater 
than the retained amount of any other fishery category defined under 
this paragraph (e)(3)(iv).

[[Page 697]]

    (D) Rockfish fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly 
reporting period that results in a retained aggregate amount of rockfish 
species that is greater than the retained amount of any other fishery 
category defined under this paragraph (e)(3)(iv).
    (E) Pacific cod fishery. Fishing with trawl gear during any weekly 
reporting period that results in a retained aggregate amount of Pacific 
cod that is greater than the retained amount of any other groundfish 
fishery category defined under this paragraph (e)(3)(iv). The Pacific 
cod fishery is further apportioned between the PCTC Program, the trawl 
catcher vessel limited access C season, and AFA catcher/processors as 
established at Sec. 679.131(d).
    (F) Pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species.'' Fishing with trawl gear 
during any weekly reporting period that results in a retained aggregate 
amount of pollock other than pollock harvested in the midwater pollock 
fishery defined under paragraph (e)(3)(iv)(A) of this section, Atka 
mackerel, and ``other species'' that is greater than the retained amount 
of any other fishery category defined under this paragraph (e)(3)(iv).
    (v) AFA prohibited species catch limitations. Crab PSC limits for 
the AFA catcher/processor sector and the AFA trawl catcher vessel sector 
will be established according to the procedures and formulas set out in 
Sec. 679.64(a) and (b) and managed through directed fishing closures 
for the AFA catcher/processor sector and the AFA trawl catcher vessel 
sector in the groundfish fisheries for which the PSC limit applies.
    (vi) Amendment 80 sector bycatch limitations. (A) Crab PSC limits 
for the Amendment 80 sector in the BSAI will be established according to 
the procedure and formulae set out in Sec. 679.91(d) through (f); and
    (B) Crab PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery 
will be managed through directed fishing closures for Amendment 80 
vessels to which the crab bycatch limits apply.
    (4) [Reserved]
    (5) Seasonal apportionments of bycatch allowances--(i) General. 
NMFS, after consultation with the Council, may apportion fishery bycatch 
allowances on a seasonal basis.
    (ii) Factors to be considered. NMFS will base any seasonal 
apportionment of a bycatch allowance on the following types of 
information:
    (A) Seasonal distribution of prohibited species;
    (B) Seasonal distribution of target groundfish species relative to 
prohibited species distribution;
    (C) Expected prohibited species bycatch needs on a seasonal basis 
relevant to change in prohibited species biomass and expected catches of 
target groundfish species;
    (D) Expected variations in bycatch rates throughout the fishing 
year;
    (E) Expected changes in directed groundfish fishing seasons;
    (F) Expected start of fishing effort; or
    (G) Economic effects of establishing seasonal prohibited species 
apportionments on segments of the target groundfish industry.
    (iii) Seasonal trawl fishery bycatch allowances--(A) Unused seasonal 
apportionments. Unused seasonal apportionments of trawl fishery bycatch 
allowances made under this paragraph (e)(5) will be added to its 
respective fishery bycatch allowance for the next season during a 
current fishing year.
    (B) Seasonal apportionment exceeded. If a seasonal apportionment of 
a trawl fishery bycatch allowance made under paragraph (d)(5) of this 
section is exceeded, the amount by which the seasonal apportionment is 
exceeded will be deducted from its respective apportionment for the next 
season during a current fishing year.
    (6) Notification--(i) General. NMFS will publish in the Federal 
Register, for up to two fishing years, the annual red king crab PSC 
limit, and, if applicable, the amount of this PSC limit specified for 
the RKCSS, the annual C. bairdi PSC limit, the annual C. opilio PSC 
limit, the proposed and final PSQ reserve amounts, the proposed and 
final bycatch allowances, and the seasonal apportionments thereof, as 
required by paragraph (e) of this section.
    (ii) Public comment. Public comment will be accepted by NMFS on the 
proposed annual red king crab PSC limit and, if applicable, the amount 
of this PSC limit specified for the RKCSS, the annual C. bairdi PSC 
limit, the annual

[[Page 698]]

C. opilio PSC limit, the proposed and final bycatch allowances, seasonal 
apportionments thereof, and the manner in which seasonal apportionments 
of non-trawl fishery bycatch allowances will be managed, for a period 
specified in the notice of proposed specifications published in the 
Federal Register.
    (7) Trawl PSC closures--(i) Exception. When a bycatch allowance, or 
seasonal apportionment thereof, specified for the pollock/Atka mackerel/
``other species'' fishery category is reached, only directed fishing for 
pollock is closed to trawl vessels using nonpelagic trawl gear.
    (ii) Red king crab or C. bairdi Tanner crab, Zone 1, closure--(A) 
General. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(7)(i) of this section, if, 
during the fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines that U.S. 
fishing vessels participating in any of the fishery categories listed in 
paragraphs (e)(3)(iv) (B) through (F) of this section will catch the 
Zone 1 bycatch allowance, or seasonal apportionment thereof, of red king 
crab or C. bairdi Tanner crab specified for that fishery category under 
paragraph (e)(3) of this section, NMFS will publish in the Federal 
Register the closure of Zone 1, including the RKCSS, to directed fishing 
for each species and/or species group in that fishery category for the 
remainder of the year or for the remainder of the season.
    (B) RKCSS. If, during the fishing year the Regional Administrator 
determines that the amount of the red king crab PSC limit that is 
specified for the RKCSS under Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B) of this section 
will be caught, NMFS will publish in the Federal Register the closure of 
the RKCSS to directed fishing for groundfish with nonpelagic trawl gear 
for the remainder of the year.
    (iii) C. bairdi Tanner crab, Zone 2, closure. Except as provided in 
paragraph (e)(7)(i) of this section, if, during the fishing year, the 
Regional Administrator determines that U.S. fishing vessels 
participating in any of the fishery categories listed in paragraphs 
(e)(3)(iv) (B) through (F) of this section will catch the Zone 2 bycatch 
allowance, or seasonal apportionment thereof, of C. bairdi Tanner crab 
specified for that fishery category under paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section, NMFS will publish in the Federal Register the closure of Zone 2 
to directed fishing for each species and/or species group in that 
fishery category for the remainder of the year or for the remainder of 
the season.
    (iv) COBLZ. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(7)(i) of this 
section, if, during the fishing year, the Regional Administrator 
determines that U.S. fishing vessels participating in any of the trawl 
fishery categories listed in paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(B) through (F) of 
this section will catch the COBLZ bycatch allowance, or seasonal 
apportionment thereof, of C. opilio specified for that fishery category 
under paragraph (e)(3) of this section, NMFS will publish in the Federal 
Register the closure of the COBLZ, as defined in Figure 13 to this part, 
to directed fishing for each species and/or species group in that 
fishery category for the remainder of the year or for the remainder of 
the season.
    (v) This paragraph (e)(7) does not apply to apportionments to the 
PCTC Program as described at Sec. 679.130.
    (vi) Pacific herring--(A) Closure. Except as provided in paragraph 
(e)(7)(vi)(B) of this section, if, during the fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator determines that U.S. fishing vessels participating in any 
of the fishery categories listed in paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(A) through (F) 
of this section in the BSAI will catch the herring bycatch allowance, or 
seasonal apportionment thereof, specified for that fishery category 
under paragraph (e)(3) of this section, NMFS will publish in the Federal 
Register the closure of the Herring Savings Area as defined in Figure 4 
to this part to directed fishing for each species and/or species group 
in that fishery category.
    (B) Exceptions--(1) Midwater pollock. When the midwater pollock 
fishery category reaches its specified bycatch allowance, or seasonal 
apportionment thereof, the Herring Savings Areas are closed to directed 
fishing for pollock with trawl gear.
    (2) Pollock/Atka mackerel/ ``other species''. When the pollock/Atka 
mackerel/``other species'' fishery category

[[Page 699]]

reaches its specified bycatch allowance, or seasonal apportionment 
thereof, the Herring Savings Areas are closed to directed fishing for 
pollock by trawl vessels using nonpelagic trawl gear.
    (f) Salmon Bycatch Management in the BS Pollock Fishery--(1) 
Applicability. This paragraph contains regulations governing the bycatch 
of salmon in the BS pollock fishery.
    (2) Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit. Each year, 
NMFS will allocate to AFA sectors listed in paragraph (f)(3)(ii) of this 
section a portion of the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit. NMFS will 
publish the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit in the annual harvest 
specifications after determining if it is a low Chinook salmon abundance 
year. NMFS will determine that it is a low Chinook salmon abundance year 
when abundance of Chinook salmon in western Alaska is less than or equal 
to 250,000 Chinook salmon. By October 1 of each year, the State of 
Alaska will provide to NMFS an estimate of Chinook salmon abundance 
using the 3-System Index for western Alaska based on the Kuskokwim, 
Unalakleet, and Upper Yukon aggregate stock grouping.
    (i) An AFA sector will receive a portion of the 47,591 Chinook 
salmon PSC limit, or, in a low Chinook salmon abundance year, the 33,318 
Chinook salmon PSC limit, if --
    (A) No Chinook salmon bycatch incentive plan agreement (IPA) is 
approved by NMFS under paragraph (f)(12) of this section; or
    (B) That AFA sector has exceeded its performance standard under 
paragraph (f)(6) of this section.
    (ii) An AFA sector will receive a portion of the 60,000 Chinook 
salmon PSC limit, or, in a low Chinook salmon abundance year, the 45,000 
Chinook salmon PSC limit, if--
    (A) At least one IPA is approved by NMFS under paragraph (f)(12) of 
this section; and
    (B) That AFA sector has not exceeded its performance standard under 
paragraph (f)(6) of this section.
    (3) Allocations of the Chinook salmon PSC limits--(i) Seasonal 
apportionment. NMFS will apportion the Chinook salmon PSC limits 
annually 70 percent to the A season and 30 percent to the B season, 
which are described in Sec. 679.23(e)(2).
    (ii) AFA sectors. Each year, NMFS will make allocations of the 
applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit to the following four AFA sectors:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            AFA Sector:                  Eligible participants are:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Catcher/processor.............  AFA catcher/processors and AFA
                                     catcher vessels delivering to AFA
                                     catcher/processors, all of which
                                     are permitted under Sec.
                                     679.4(l)(2) and (l)(3)(i)(A),
                                     respectively.
(B) Mothership....................  AFA catcher vessels harvesting
                                     pollock for processing by AFA
                                     motherships, all of which are
                                     permitted under Sec.
                                     679.4(l)(3)(i)(B) and (l)(4),
                                     respectively.
(C) Inshore.......................  AFA catcher vessels harvesting
                                     pollock for processing by AFA
                                     inshore processors, all of which
                                     are permitted under Sec.
                                     679.4(l)(3)(i)(C).
(D) CDQ Program...................  The six CDQ groups authorized under
                                     section 305(i)(1)(D) of the
                                     Magnuson-Stevens Act to participate
                                     in the CDQ Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Allocations to each AFA sector. NMFS will allocate the Chinook 
salmon PSC limits to each AFA sector as follows:
    (A) If a sector is managed under the 60,000 Chinook salmon PSC 
limit, the maximum amount of Chinook salmon PSC allocated to each sector 
in each season and annually is--

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     A season                        B season                      Annual total
                       AFA sector                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Catcher/processor...................................            32.9          13,818            17.9           3,222            28.4          17,040
(2) Mothership..........................................             8.0           3,360             7.3           1,314             7.8           4,674
(3) Inshore.............................................            49.8          20,916            69.3          12,474            55.6          33,390
(4) CDQ Program.........................................             9.3           3,906             5.5             990             8.2           4,896
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 700]]

    (B) If the sector is managed under the 45,000 Chinook salmon PSC 
limit, the sector will be allocated the following amount of Chinook 
salmon PSC in each season and annually:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     A season                        B season                      Annual total
                       AFA sector                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Catcher/processor...................................            32.9          10,363            17.9           2,415            28.4          12,780
(2) Mothership..........................................             8.0           2,520             7.3             987             7.8           3,510
(3) Inshore.............................................            49.8          15,687            69.3           9,355            55.6          25,020
(4) CDQ Program.........................................             9.3           2,930             5.5             743             8.2           3,690
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) If the sector is managed under the 47,591 Chinook salmon PSC 
limit, the sector will be allocated the following amount of Chinook 
salmon PSC in each season and annually:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     A season                        B season                      Annual total
                       AFA sector                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Catcher/processor...................................            32.9          10,906            17.9           2,556            28.4          13,516
(2) Mothership..........................................             8.0           2,665             7.3           1,042             7.8           3,707
(3) Inshore.............................................            49.8          16,591            69.3           9,894            55.6          26,485
(4) CDQ Program.........................................             9.3           3,098             5.5             785             8.2           3,883
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (D) If the sector is managed under the 33,318 Chinook salmon PSC 
limit, the sector will be allocated the following amount of Chinook 
salmon PSC in each season and annually:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     A season                        B season                      Annual total
                       AFA sector                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook    % Allocation     of Chinook
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Catcher/processor...................................            32.9           7,673            17.9           1,789            28.4           9,462
(2) Mothership..........................................             8.0           1,866             7.3             730             7.8           2,599
(3) Inshore.............................................            49.8          11,615            69.3           6,926            55.6          18,525
(4) CDQ Program.........................................             9.3           2,169             5.5             550             8.2           2,732
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iv) Allocations to the AFA catcher/processor and mothership 
sectors. (A) NMFS will issue transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocations 
under paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this section to entities representing the 
AFA catcher/processor sector and the AFA mothership sector if these 
sectors meet the requirements of paragraph (f)(8) of this section.
    (B) If no entity is approved by NMFS to represent the AFA catcher/
processor sector or the AFA mothership sector, then NMFS will manage 
that sector under a non-transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocation under 
paragraph (f)(10) of this section.
    (v) Allocations to inshore cooperatives and the AFA inshore open 
access fishery. NMFS will further allocate the inshore sector's Chinook 
salmon PSC allocation under paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this section among 
the inshore cooperatives and the inshore open access fishery based on 
the percentage allocations of pollock to each inshore cooperative under 
Sec. 679.62(a). NMFS will issue transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocations to inshore cooperatives. Any Chinook salmon PSC allocated to 
the inshore open access fishery will be as a non-transferable allocation 
managed by NMFS under the requirements of paragraph (f)(10) of this 
section.
    (vi) Allocations to the CDQ Program. NMFS will further allocate the 
Chinook salmon PSC allocation to the CDQ Program under paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii) of this section among the six CDQ groups based on each CDQ 
group's percentage of the CDQ Program pollock allocation. NMFS will 
issue transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocations to CDQ groups.

[[Page 701]]

    (vii) Accrual of Chinook salmon bycatch to specific PSC allocations.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
If a Chinook salmon PSC allocation
                is:                   Then all Chinook salmon bycatch:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) A transferable allocation to a  By any vessel fishing under a
 sector-level entity, inshore        transferable allocation will accrue
 cooperative, or CDQ group under     against the allocation to the
 paragraph (f)(8) of this section.   entity representing that vessel.
(B) A non-transferable allocation   By any vessel fishing under a non-
 to a sector or the inshore open     transferable allocation will accrue
 access fishery under paragraph      against the allocation established
 (f)(10) of this section.            for the sector or inshore open
                                     access fishery, whichever is
                                     applicable.
(C) The opt-out allocation under    By any vessel fishing under the opt-
 paragraph (f)(5) of this section.   out allocation will accrue against
                                     the opt-out allocation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (viii) Public release of Chinook salmon PSC information. For each 
year, NMFS will release to the public and publish on the NMFS Alaska 
Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/):
    (A) The Chinook salmon PSC allocations for each entity receiving a 
transferable allocation;
    (B) The non-transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocations;
    (C) The vessels fishing under each transferable or non-transferable 
allocation;
    (D) The amount of Chinook salmon bycatch that accrues towards each 
transferable or non-transferable allocation;
    (E) Any changes to these allocations due to transfers under 
paragraph (f)(9) of this section, rollovers under paragraph (f)(11) of 
this section, and deductions from the B season non-transferable 
allocations under paragraphs (f)(5)(v) or (f)(10)(iii) of this section; 
and
    (F) Tables for each sector that provide the percent of the sector's 
pollock allocation, numbers of Chinook salmon associated with each 
vessel in the sector used to calculate the opt-out allocation and annual 
threshold amounts, and the percent of the pollock allocation associated 
with each vessel that NMFS will use to calculate IPA minimum 
participation assigned to each vessel.
    (4) Reduction in allocations of the Chinook salmon PSC limit--(i) 
Reduction in sector allocations. NMFS will reduce the seasonal 
allocation of the Chinook salmon PSC limit to the catcher/processor 
sector, the mothership sector, the inshore sector, or the CDQ Program 
under paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(A) or (B) of this section, if the owner of 
any permitted AFA vessel in that sector, or any CDQ group, does not 
participate in an approved IPA under paragraph (f)(12) of this section. 
NMFS will subtract the amount of Chinook salmon from each sector's 
allocation associated with each vessel not participating in an approved 
IPA.
    (ii) Adjustments to the inshore sector and inshore cooperative 
allocations. (A) If some members of an inshore cooperative do not 
participate in an approved IPA, NMFS will reduce the allocation to the 
cooperative to which those vessels belong, or the inshore open access 
fishery.
    (B) If all members of an inshore cooperative do not participate in 
an approved IPA, the amount of Chinook salmon that remains in the 
inshore sector's allocation, after subtracting the amount of Chinook 
salmon associated with the non-participating inshore cooperative, will 
be reallocated among the inshore cooperatives participating in an 
approved IPA based on the proportion each participating cooperative 
represents of the Chinook salmon PSC initially allocated among the 
participating inshore cooperatives that year.
    (iii) Adjustment to CDQ group allocations. If a CDQ group does not 
participate in an approved IPA, the amount of Chinook salmon that 
remains in the CDQ Program's allocation, after subtracting the amount of 
Chinook salmon associated with the non-participating CDQ group, will be 
reallocated among the CDQ groups participating in an approved IPA based 
on the proportion each participating CDQ group represents of the Chinook 
salmon PSC initially allocated among the participating CDQ groups that 
year.
    (iv) All members of a sector do not participate in an approved IPA. 
If all members of a sector do not participate in an

[[Page 702]]

approved IPA, the amount of Chinook salmon that remains after 
subtracting the amount of Chinook salmon associated with the non-
participating sector will not be reallocated among the sectors that have 
members participating in an approved IPA. This portion of the PSC limit 
will remain unallocated for that year.
    (5) Chinook salmon PSC opt-out allocation. The following table 
describes requirements for the opt-out allocation:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) What is the amount of Chinook      The opt-out allocation will equal
 salmon PSC that will be allocated to   the sum of the Chinook salmon
 the opt-out allocation in the A        PSC deducted under paragraph
 season and the B season?               (f)(4)(i) of this section from
                                        the seasonal allocations of each
                                        sector with members not
                                        participating in an approved
                                        IPA.
(ii) Which participants will be        Any AFA-permitted vessel or any
 managed under the opt-out              CDQ group that is a member of a
 allocation?                            sector eligible under paragraph
                                        (f)(2)(ii) of this section to
                                        receive allocations of the
                                        60,000 PSC limit or the 45,000
                                        PSC limit, but that is not
                                        participating in an approved
                                        IPA.
(iii) What Chinook salmon bycatch      All Chinook salmon bycatch by
 will accrue against the opt-out        participants under paragraph
 allocation?                            (f)(5)(ii) of this section.
(iv) How will the opt-out allocation   All participants under paragraph
 be managed?                            (f)(5)(ii) of this section will
                                        be managed as a group under the
                                        seasonal opt-out allocations. If
                                        the Regional Administrator
                                        determines that the seasonal opt-
                                        out allocation will be reached,
                                        NMFS will publish a notice in
                                        the Federal Register closing
                                        directed fishing for pollock in
                                        the BS, for the remainder of the
                                        season, for all vessels fishing
                                        under the opt-out allocation.
(v) What will happen if Chinook        NMFS will deduct from the B
 salmon bycatch by vessels fishing      season opt-out allocation any
 under the opt-out allocation exceeds   Chinook salmon bycatch in the A
 the amount allocated to the A season   season that exceeds the A season
 opt-out allocation?                    opt-out allocation.
(vi) What will happen if Chinook       If Chinook salmon bycatch by
 salmon bycatch by vessels fishing      vessels fishing under the opt-
 under the opt-out allocation is less   out allocation in the A season
 than the amount allocated to the A     is less than the amount
 season opt-out allocation?             allocated to the opt-out
                                        allocation in the A season, this
                                        amount of Chinook salmon will
                                        not be added to the B season opt-
                                        out allocation.
(vii) Is Chinook salmon PSC allocated  No. Chinook salmon PSC allocated
 to the opt-out allocation              to the opt-out allocation is not
 transferable?                          transferable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (6) Chinook salmon bycatch performance standard. If the total annual 
Chinook salmon bycatch by the members of a sector participating in an 
approved IPA is greater than that sector's annual threshold amount of 
Chinook salmon in any three of seven consecutive years, that sector will 
receive an allocation of Chinook salmon under the 47,591 PSC limit in 
all future years, except in low Chinook salmon abundance years when that 
sector will receive an allocation under the 33,318 Chinook salmon PSC 
limit.
    (i) Annual threshold amount. Prior to each year, NMFS will calculate 
each sector's annual threshold amount. NMFS will post the annual 
threshold amount for each sector on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site 
(http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/). At the end of each year, NMFS will 
evaluate the Chinook salmon bycatch by all IPA participants in each 
sector against that sector's annual threshold amount.
    (ii) Calculation of the annual threshold amount. A sector's annual 
threshold amount is the annual number of Chinook salmon that would be 
allocated to that sector under the 47,591 Chinook salmon PSC limit, as 
shown in the table in paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) of this section, or the 
33,318 Chinook salmon PSC limit in low Chinook salmon abundance years, 
as shown in the table in paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(D) of this section. If 
any vessels in a sector do not participate in an approved IPA, NMFS will 
reduce that sector's annual threshold amount by the number of Chinook 
salmon associated with each vessel not participating in an approved IPA. 
If any CDQ groups do not participate in an approved IPA, NMFS will 
reduce the CDQ Program's annual threshold amount by the number of 
Chinook salmon associated with each CDQ group not participating in an 
approved IPA.
    (iii) Exceeding the performance standard. If NMFS determines that a 
sector has exceeded its performance standard by exceeding its annual 
threshold amount in any three of seven consecutive years, NMFS will 
issue a notification in the Federal Register that the

[[Page 703]]

sector has exceeded its performance standard. In all subsequent years, 
NMFS will allocate to that sector either the amount of Chinook salmon in 
the table in paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) of this section or, in low Chinook 
salmon abundance years, the amount of Chinook salmon in the table in 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(D) of this section. All members of the affected 
sector will fish under this lower PSC allocation regardless of whether a 
vessel or CDQ group within that sector participates in an approved IPA.
    (7) Replacement vessels. If an AFA-permitted vessel is no longer 
eligible to participate in the BS pollock fishery or if a vessel 
replaces a currently eligible vessel, NMFS will assign the portion and 
number of Chinook salmon associated with that vessel to the replacement 
vessel or distribute it among other eligible vessels in the sector based 
on the procedures in the law, regulation, or private contract that 
accomplishes the vessel removal or replacement action.
    (8) Entities eligible to receive transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocations. (i) NMFS will issue transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocations to the following entities, if these entities meet all the 
applicable requirements of this section.
    (A) Inshore cooperatives. NMFS will issue transferable Chinook 
salmon PSC allocations to the inshore cooperatives permitted annually 
under Sec. 679.4(l)(6). The representative and agent for service of 
process (see definition at Sec. 679.2) for an inshore cooperative is 
the cooperative representative identified in the application for an 
inshore cooperative fishing permit issued under Sec. 679.4(l)(6), 
unless the inshore cooperative representative notifies NMFS in writing 
that a different person will act as its agent for service of process for 
purposes of this paragraph (f). An inshore cooperative is not required 
to submit an application under paragraph (f)(8)(ii) of this section to 
receive a transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocation.
    (B) CDQ groups. NMFS will issue transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocations to the CDQ groups. The representative and agent for service 
of process for a CDQ group is the chief executive officer of the CDQ 
group, unless the chief executive officer notifies NMFS in writing that 
a different person will act as its agent for service of process. A CDQ 
group is not required to submit an application under paragraph 
(f)(8)(ii) of this section to receive a transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocation.
    (C) Entity representing the AFA catcher/processor sector. NMFS will 
authorize only one entity to represent the catcher/processor sector for 
purposes of receiving and managing transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocations on behalf of the catcher/processors eligible to fish under 
transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocations. NMFS will issue 
transferable Chinook salmon allocations under the Chinook salmon PSC 
limit to the entity representing the catcher/processor sector if that 
entity represents all the owners of AFA-permitted vessels in this sector 
that are participants in an approved IPA.
    (D) Entity representing the AFA mothership sector. NMFS will 
authorize only one entity to represent the mothership sector for 
purposes of receiving and managing transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocations on behalf of the vessels eligible to fish under transferable 
Chinook salmon PSC allocations. NMFS will issue transferable Chinook 
salmon allocations under the Chinook salmon PSC limit to an entity 
representing the mothership sector if that entity represents all the 
owners of AFA-permitted vessels in this sector that are participants in 
an approved IPA.
    (ii) Request for approval as an entity eligible to receive 
transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocations. A representative of an 
entity representing the catcher/processor sector or the mothership 
sector may request approval by NMFS to receive transferable Chinook 
salmon PSC allocations on behalf of the members of the sector. The 
application must be submitted to NMFS at the address in paragraph (b)(6) 
of this section. A completed application consists of the application 
form and a contract, described below.
    (A) Application form. The applicant must submit a paper copy of the 
application form with all information fields

[[Page 704]]

accurately filled in, including the affidavit affirming that each 
eligible vessel owner, from whom the applicant received written 
notification requesting to join the sector entity, has been allowed to 
join the sector entity subject to the same terms and conditions that 
have been agreed on by, and are applicable to, all other parties to the 
sector entity. The application form is available on the NMFS Alaska 
Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/) or from NMFS at the 
address in paragraph (b)(6) of this section.
    (B) Contract. A contract containing the following information must 
be attached to the completed application form:
    (1) Information that documents that all vessel owners party to the 
contract agree that the entity, the entity's representative, and the 
entity's agent for service of process named in the application form 
represent them for purposes of receiving transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocations.
    (2) A statement that the entity's representative and agent for 
service of process are authorized to act on behalf of the vessel owners 
party to the contract.
    (3) Signatures, printed names, and date of signature for the owners 
of each AFA-permitted vessel identified in the application form.
    (C) Contract duration. Once submitted, the contract attached to the 
application form is valid until amended or terminated by the parties to 
the contract.
    (D) Deadline. An application form and contract must be received by 
NMFS no later than 1700 hours, A.l.t., on October 1 of the year prior to 
the year for which the Chinook salmon PSC allocations are effective.
    (E) Approval. If more than one entity application form is submitted 
to NMFS, NMFS will approve the application form for the entity that 
represents the most eligible vessel owners in the sector.
    (F) Amendments to the sector entity. (1) An amendment to the sector 
entity contract, with no change in entity participants, may be submitted 
to NMFS at any time and is effective upon written notification of 
approval by NMFS to the entity representative. To amend a contract, the 
entity representative must submit a complete application, as described 
in paragraph (f)(8)(ii) of this section.
    (2) To make additions or deletions to the vessel owners represented 
by the entity for the next year, the entity representative must submit a 
complete application, as described in paragraph (f)(8)(ii) of this 
section, by December 1.
    (iii) Entity representative. (A) The entity's representative must --
    (1) Act as the primary contact person for NMFS on issues relating to 
the operation of the entity;
    (2) Submit on behalf of the entity any applications required for the 
entity to receive a transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocation and to 
transfer some or all of that allocation to and from other entities 
eligible to receive transfers of Chinook salmon PSC allocations;
    (3) Ensure that an agent for service of process is designated by the 
entity; and
    (4) Ensure that NMFS is notified if a substitute agent for service 
of process is designated. Notification must include the name, address, 
and telephone number of the substitute agent in the event the previously 
designated agent is no longer capable of accepting service on behalf of 
the entity or its members within the 5-year period from the time the 
agent is identified in the application to NMFS under paragraph 
(f)(8)(ii) of this section.
    (B) Any vessel owner that is a member of an inshore cooperative, or 
a member of the entity that represents the catcher/processor sector or 
the mothership sector, may authorize the entity representative to sign a 
proposed IPA submitted to NMFS, under paragraph (f)(12) of this section, 
on his or her behalf. This authorization must be included in the 
contract submitted to NMFS, under paragraph (f)(8)(ii)(B) of this 
section, for the sector-level entities and in the contract submitted 
annually to NMFS by inshore cooperatives under Sec. 679.61(d).
    (iv) Agent for service of process. The entity's agent for service of 
process must--
    (A) Be authorized to receive and respond to any legal process issued 
in the

[[Page 705]]

United States with respect to all owners and operators of vessels that 
are members of an entity receiving a transferable allocation of Chinook 
salmon PSC or with respect to a CDQ group. Service on or notice to the 
entity's appointed agent constitutes service on or notice to all members 
of the entity.
    (B) Be capable of accepting service on behalf of the entity until 
December 31 of the year five years after the calendar year for which the 
entity notified the Regional Administrator of the identity of the agent.
    (v) Absent a catcher/processor sector or mothership sector entity. 
If the catcher/processor sector or the mothership sector does not form 
an entity to receive a transferable allocation of Chinook salmon PSC, 
the sector will be managed by NMFS under a non-transferable allocation 
of Chinook salmon PSC under paragraph (f)(10) of this section.
    (9) Transfers of Chinook salmon PSC. (i) A Chinook salmon PSC 
allocation issued to eligible entities under paragraph (f)(8)(i) of this 
section may be transferred to any other entity receiving a transferable 
allocation of Chinook salmon PSC by submitting to NMFS an application 
for transfer described in paragraph (f)(9)(iii) of this section. 
Transfers of Chinook salmon PSC allocations among eligible entities are 
subject to the following restrictions:
    (A) Entities receiving transferable allocations under the 60,000 PSC 
limit may only transfer to and from other entities receiving allocations 
under the 60,000 PSC limit.
    (B) Entities receiving transferable allocations under the 45,000 PSC 
limit may only transfer to and from other entities receiving allocations 
under the 45,000 PSC limit.
    (C) Entities receiving transferable allocations under the 47,591 PSC 
limit may only transfer to and from other entities receiving allocations 
under the 47,591 PSC limit.
    (D) Entities receiving transferable allocations under the 33,318 PSC 
limit may only transfer to and from other entities receiving allocations 
under the 33,318 PSC limit.
    (E) Chinook salmon PSC allocations may not be transferred between 
seasons.
    (ii) Post-delivery transfers. If the Chinook salmon bycatch by an 
entity exceeds its seasonal allocation, the entity may receive transfers 
of Chinook salmon PSC to cover overages for that season. An entity may 
conduct transfers to cover an overage that results from Chinook salmon 
bycatch from any fishing trip by a vessel fishing on behalf of that 
entity that was completed or is in progress at the time the entity's 
allocation is first exceeded. Under Sec. 679.7(d)(5)(ii)(C)(2) and 
(k)(8)(v)(B), vessels fishing on behalf of an entity that has exceeded 
its Chinook salmon PSC allocation for a season may not start a new 
fishing trip for pollock in the BS on behalf of that same entity for the 
remainder of that season.
    (iii) Application for transfer of Chinook salmon PSC allocation--(A) 
Completed application. NMFS will process a request for transfer of 
Chinook salmon PSC provided that a paper or electronic application is 
completed, with all information fields accurately filled in. Application 
forms are available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/) or from NMFS at the address in paragraph 
(b)(6) of this section.
    (B) Certification of transferor--(1) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferor's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete. The transferor's designated representative must submit the 
paper application as indicated on the application.
    (2) Electronic submittal. The transferor's designated entity 
representative must log onto the NMFS online services system and create 
a transfer request as indicated on the computer screen. By using the 
transferor's NMFS ID, password, and Transfer Key, and submitting the 
transfer request, the designated representative certifies that all 
information is true, correct, and complete.
    (C) Certification of transferee--(1) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferee's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.

[[Page 706]]

    (2) Electronic submittal. The transferee's designated representative 
must log onto the NMFS online services system and accept the transfer 
request as indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferee's 
NMFS ID, password, and Transfer Key, the designated representative 
certifies that all information is true, correct, and complete.
    (D) Deadline. NMFS will not approve an application for transfer of 
Chinook salmon PSC after June 25 for the A season or after December 1 
for the B season.
    (10) Non-transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocations. (i) All 
vessels belonging to a sector that is ineligible to receive transferable 
allocations under paragraph (f)(8) of this section, any catcher vessels 
participating in an inshore open access fishery, and all vessels fishing 
under the opt-out allocation under paragraph (f)(5) of this section will 
fish under specific non-transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocations.
    (ii) All vessels fishing under a non-transferable Chinook salmon PSC 
allocation, including vessels fishing on behalf of a CDQ group, will be 
managed together by NMFS under that non-transferable allocation. If, 
during the fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines that a 
seasonal non-transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocation will be reached, 
NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal Register closing the BS to 
directed fishing for pollock by those vessels fishing under that non-
transferable allocation for the remainder of the season or for the 
remainder of the year.
    (iii) For each non-transferable Chinook salmon PSC allocation, NMFS 
will deduct from the B season allocation any amount of Chinook salmon 
bycatch in the A season that exceeds the amount available under the A 
season allocation.
    (11) Rollover of unused A season allocation--(i) Rollovers of 
transferable allocations. NMFS will add any Chinook salmon PSC 
allocation remaining at the end of the A season, after any transfers 
under paragraph (f)(9)(ii) of this section, to an entity's B season 
allocation.
    (ii) Rollover of non-transferable allocations. For a non-
transferable allocation for the mothership sector, catcher/processor 
sector, or an inshore open access fishery, NMFS will add any Chinook 
salmon PSC remaining in that non-transferable allocation at the end of 
the A season to that B season non-transferable allocation.
    (12) Salmon bycatch incentive plan agreements (IPAs)--(i) Minimum 
participation requirements. More than one IPA may be approved by NMFS. 
Each IPA must have participants that represent the following:
    (A) Minimum percent pollock. Parties to an IPA must collectively 
represent at least 9 percent of the BS pollock quota.
    (B) Minimum number of unaffiliated AFA entities. Parties to an IPA 
must represent any combination of two or more CDQ groups or 
corporations, partnerships, or individuals who own AFA-permitted vessels 
and are not affiliated, as affiliation is defined for purposes of AFA 
entities in Sec. 679.2.
    (ii) Membership in an IPA. (A) No vessel owner or CDQ group is 
required to join an IPA.
    (B) For a vessel owner in the catcher/processor sector or mothership 
sector to join an IPA, that vessel owner must be a member of the entity 
representing that sector under paragraph (f)(8).
    (C) For a CDQ group to be a member of an IPA, the CDQ group must 
sign the IPA and list in that IPA each vessel harvesting BS pollock CDQ, 
on behalf of that CDQ group, that will participate in that IPA.
    (D) Once a member of an IPA, a vessel owner or CDQ group cannot 
withdraw from the IPA during a fishing year.
    (iii) Request for approval of a proposed IPA. The IPA representative 
must submit a proposed IPA to NMFS at the address in paragraph (b)(6) of 
this section. The proposed IPA must contain the following information:
    (A) Affidavit. The IPA must include the affidavit affirming that 
each eligible vessel owner or CDQ group, from whom the IPA 
representative received written notification requesting to join the IPA, 
has been allowed to join the IPA subject to the same terms and 
conditions that have been agreed on by, and are applicable to, all other 
parties to the IPA.

[[Page 707]]

    (B) Name of the IPA.
    (C) Representative. The IPA must include the name, telephone number, 
and email address of the IPA representative who submits the proposed IPA 
on behalf of the parties and who is responsible for submitting proposed 
amendments to the IPA and the annual report required under paragraph 
(f)(13) of this section.
    (D) Third party group. The IPA must identify at least one third 
party group. Third party groups include any entities representing 
western Alaskans who depend on salmon and have an interest in salmon 
bycatch reduction but do not directly fish in a groundfish fishery.
    (E) Description of the incentive plan. The IPA must contain a 
description of the following--
    (1) The incentive(s) that will be implemented under the IPA for the 
operator of each vessel participating in the IPA to avoid Chinook salmon 
and chum salmon bycatch under any condition of pollock and Chinook 
salmon abundance in all years.
    (2) How the incentive(s) to avoid chum salmon do not increase 
Chinook salmon bycatch.
    (3) The rewards for avoiding Chinook salmon, penalties for failure 
to avoid Chinook salmon at the vessel level, or both.
    (4) How the incentive measures in the IPA are expected to promote 
reductions in a vessel's Chinook salmon and chum salmon bycatch rates 
relative to what would have occurred in absence of the incentive 
program.
    (5) How the incentive measures in the IPA promote Chinook salmon and 
chum salmon savings in any condition of pollock abundance or Chinook 
salmon abundance in a manner that is expected to influence operational 
decisions by vessel operators to avoid Chinook salmon and chum salmon.
    (6) How the IPA ensures that the operator of each vessel governed by 
the IPA will manage that vessel's Chinook salmon bycatch to keep total 
bycatch below the performance standard described in paragraph (f)(6) of 
this section for the sector in which the vessel participates.
    (7) How the IPA ensures that the operator of each vessel governed by 
the IPA will manage that vessel's chum salmon bycatch to avoid areas and 
times where the chum salmon are likely to return to western Alaska.
    (8) The rolling hot spot program for salmon bycatch avoidance that 
operates throughout the entire A season and B season and the agreement 
to provide notifications of closure areas and any violations of the 
rolling hot spot program to the third party group.
    (9) The restrictions or penalties targeted at vessels that 
consistently have significantly higher Chinook salmon PSC rates relative 
to other vessels fishing at the same time.
    (10) The requirement for vessels to enter a fishery-wide in-season 
salmon PSC data sharing agreement.
    (11) The requirement for the use of salmon excluder devices, with 
recognition of contingencies, from January 20 to March 31, and from 
September 1 until the end of the B season.
    (12) The requirement that salmon savings credits are limited to a 
maximum of three years for IPAs with salmon savings credits.
    (13) The restrictions or performance criteria used to ensure that 
Chinook salmon PSC rates in October are not significantly higher than 
those achieved in the preceding months.
    (F) Compliance agreement. The IPA must include a written statement 
that all parties to the IPA agree to comply with all provisions of the 
IPA.
    (G) Signatures. The names and signatures of the owner or 
representative for each vessel and CDQ group that is a party to the IPA. 
The representative of an inshore cooperative, or the representative of 
the entity formed to represent the AFA catcher/processor sector or the 
AFA mothership sector under paragraph (f)(8) of this section may sign a 
proposed IPA on behalf of all vessels that are members of that inshore 
cooperative or sector level entity.
    (iv) Deadline and duration--(A) Deadline for proposed IPA. A 
proposed IPA must be received by NMFS no later than 1700 hours, A.l.t., 
on October 1 of the year prior to the year for which the IPA is proposed 
to be effective.
    (B) Duration. Once approved, an IPA is effective starting January 1 
of the year following the year in which NMFS

[[Page 708]]

approves the IPA, unless the IPA is approved between January 1 and 
January 19, in which case the IPA is effective starting in the year in 
which it is approved. Once approved, an IPA is effective until December 
31 of the first year in which it is effective or until December 31 of 
the year in which the IPA representative notifies NMFS in writing that 
the IPA is no longer in effect, whichever is later. An IPA may not 
expire mid-year. No party may join or leave an IPA once it is approved, 
except as allowed under paragraph (f)(12)(v)(C) of this section.
    (v) NMFS review of a proposed IPA--(A) Approval. An IPA will be 
approved by NMFS if it meets the following requirements:
    (1) Meets the minimum participation requirements in paragraph 
(f)(12)(i) of this section;
    (2) Is submitted in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs 
(f)(12)(ii) and (iv) of this section; and
    (3) Contains the information required in paragraph (f)(12)(iii) of 
this section.
    (B) IPA identification number. If approved, NMFS will assign an IPA 
identification number to the approved IPA. This number must be used by 
the IPA representative in amendments to the IPA.
    (C) Amendments to an IPA. Amendments to an approved IPA may be 
submitted to NMFS at any time and will be reviewed under the 
requirements of this paragraph (f)(12). An amendment to an approved IPA 
is effective upon written notification of approval by NMFS to the IPA 
representative.
    (D) Disapproval. (1) NMFS will disapprove a proposed IPA or a 
proposed amendment to an IPA for either of the following reasons:
    (i) If the proposed IPA fails to meet any of the requirements of 
paragraphs (f)(12)(i) through (iii) of this section, or
    (ii) If a proposed amendment to an IPA would cause the IPA to no 
longer be consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (f)(12)(i) 
through (iv) of this section.
    (2) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). If, in NMFS' review 
of the proposed IPA, NMFS identifies deficiencies in the proposed IPA 
that require disapproval of the proposed IPA, NMFS will notify the 
applicant in writing. The IPA representative will be provided one 30-day 
period to address, in writing, the deficiencies identified by NMFS. 
Additional information or a revised IPA received by NMFS after the 
expiration of the 30-day period specified by NMFS will not be considered 
for purposes of the review of the proposed IPA. NMFS will evaluate any 
additional information submitted by the applicant within the 30-day 
period. If the Regional Administrator determines that the additional 
information addresses deficiencies in the proposed IPA, the Regional 
Administrator will approve the proposed IPA under paragraphs 
(f)(12)(iv)(B) and (f)(12)(v)(A) of this section. However, if, after 
consideration of the original proposed IPA and any additional 
information submitted during the 30-day period, NMFS determines that the 
proposed IPA does not comply with the requirements of paragraph (f)(12) 
of this section, NMFS will issue an initial administrative determination 
(IAD) providing the reasons for disapproving the proposed IPA.
    (3) Administrative Appeals. An IPA representative who receives an 
IAD disapproving a proposed IPA may appeal under the procedures set 
forth at Sec. 679.43. If the IPA representative fails to file an appeal 
of the IAD pursuant to Sec. 679.43, the IAD will become the final 
agency action. If the IAD is appealed and the final agency action is a 
determination to approve the proposed IPA, then the IPA will be 
effective as described in paragraph (f)(12)(iv)(B) of this section.
    (4) Pending appeal. While appeal of an IAD disapproving a proposed 
IPA is pending, proposed members of the IPA subject to the IAD that are 
not currently members of an approved IPA will fish under the opt-out 
allocation under paragraph (f)(5) of this section. If no other IPA has 
been approved by NMFS, NMFS will issue all sectors allocations of the 
47,591 Chinook salmon PSC limit as described in paragraph (f)(3)(iii)(C) 
of this section, or, in low Chinook salmon abundance years, allocations 
of the 33,318 Chinook salmon PSC limit as described in paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii)(D) of this section.
    (vi) Public release of an IPA. NMFS will make all proposed IPAs and 
all approved IPAs and the list of participants

[[Page 709]]

in each approved IPA available to the public on the NMFS Alaska Region 
Web site

(http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/).
    (13) IPA Annual Report. The representative of each approved IPA must 
submit a written annual report to the Council at the address specified 
in Sec. 679.61(f). The Council will make the annual report available to 
the public.
    (i) Submission deadline. The IPA Annual Report must be received by 
the Council no later than March 15.
    (ii) Information requirements. The IPA Annual Report must contain 
the following information:
    (A) A comprehensive description of the incentive measures, including 
the rolling hot spot program and salmon excluder use, in effect in the 
previous year;
    (B) A description of how these incentive measures affected 
individual vessels;
    (C) An evaluation of whether incentive measures were effective in 
achieving salmon savings beyond levels that would have been achieved in 
absence of the measures, including the effectiveness of--
    (1) Measures to ensure that chum salmon were avoided in areas and at 
times where chum salmon are likely to return to western Alaska;
    (2) Restrictions or penalties that target vessels that consistently 
have significantly higher Chinook salmon PSC rates relative to other 
vessels; and
    (3) Restrictions or performance criteria used to ensure that Chinook 
PSC rates in October are not significantly higher than in previous 
months.
    (D) A description of any amendments to the terms of the IPA that 
were approved by NMFS since the last annual report and the reasons that 
the amendments to the IPA were made.
    (E) The sub-allocation to each participating vessel of the number of 
Chinook salmon PSC and amount of pollock (mt) at the start of each 
fishing season, and number of Chinook salmon PSC and amount of pollock 
(mt) caught at the end of each season.
    (F) The following information on in-season transfer of Chinook 
salmon PSC and pollock among AFA cooperatives, entities eligible to 
receive Chinook salmon PSC allocations, or CDQ groups:
    (1) Date of transfer;
    (2) Name of transferor;
    (3) Name of transferee;
    (4) Number of Chinook salmon PSC transferred; and
    (5) Amount of pollock (mt) transferred.
    (G) The following information on in-season transfers among vessels 
participating in the IPA:
    (1) Date of transfer;
    (2) Name of transferor;
    (3) Name of transferee;
    (4) Number of Chinook salmon PSC transferred; and
    (5) Amount pollock (mt) transferred.
    (14) Non-Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit and 
Chum Salmon Savings Area. (i) The PSC limit for non-Chinook salmon 
caught by vessels using trawl gear from August 15 through October 14 in 
the Catcher Vessel Operational Area, as defined under Sec. 679.22(a)(5) 
and in Figure 2 to this part, is 42,000 fish.
    (ii) 10.7 percent of the non-Chinook PSC limit is allocated to the 
CDQ Program as a PSQ reserve.
    (iii) If the Regional Administrator determines that 42,000 non-
Chinook salmon have been caught by vessels using trawl gear during the 
period August 15 through October 14 in the Catcher Vessel Operational 
Area, NMFS will prohibit fishing for pollock for the remainder of the 
period September 1 through October 14 in the Chum Salmon Savings Area as 
defined in Figure 9 to this part.
    (iv) Trawl vessels participating in directed fishing for pollock and 
operating under an IPA approved by NMFS under paragraph (f)(12) of this 
section are exempt from closures in the Chum Salmon Savings Area.
    (15) Salmon handling. Regulations in this paragraph apply to vessels 
directed fishing for pollock in the BS, including pollock CDQ, and 
processors taking deliveries from these vessels.
    (i) Salmon discard. The operator of a vessel and the manager of a 
shoreside processor or SFP must not discard any salmon or transfer or 
process any salmon under the PSD Program at Sec. 679.26 if the salmon 
were taken incidental to a directed fishery for pollock in the BS

[[Page 710]]

until the number of salmon has been determined by the observer and the 
observer's collection of any scientific data or biological samples from 
the salmon has been completed.
    (ii) Salmon retention and storage. (A) Operators of catcher/
processors or motherships must--
    (1) Sort and transport all salmon bycatch from each haul to an 
approved storage container located adjacent to the observer sampling 
station that allows an observer free and unobstructed access to the 
salmon (see Sec. 679.28(d)(2)(i) and (d)(7)). The salmon storage 
container must remain in view of the observer from the observer sampling 
station at all times during the sorting of the haul.
    (2) If, at any point during sorting of a haul or delivery, the 
salmon are too numerous to be contained in the salmon storage container, 
cease all sorting and give the observer the opportunity to count the 
salmon in the storage container and collect scientific data or 
biological samples. Once the observer has completed all counting and 
sampling duties for the counted salmon, the salmon must be removed by 
vessel personnel from the approved storage container and the observer 
sampling station, in the presence of the observer.
    (3) Before sorting of the next haul may begin, give the observer the 
opportunity to complete the count of salmon and the collection of 
scientific data or biological samples from the previous haul. When the 
observer has completed all counting and sampling duties for a haul or 
delivery, vessel personnel must remove the salmon, in the presence of 
the observer, from the salmon storage container and the observer 
sampling station.
    (4) Ensure no salmon of any species pass the observer sample 
collection point, as identified in the scale drawing of the observer 
sampling station (see Sec. 679.28(d)(2)(i) and (d)(7)).
    (B) Operators of vessels delivering to shoreside processors or 
stationary floating processors must--
    (1) Retain all salmon taken incidental to a directed fishery for 
pollock in the BS until the salmon are delivered to the processor 
receiving the vessel's BS pollock catch.
    (2) Notify the observer at least 15 minutes before handling catch on 
board the vessel, including, but not limited to, moving catch from one 
location to another, sorting, or discard of catch prior to the delivery 
of catch to the processor receiving the vessel's BS pollock catch. This 
notification requirement is in addition to the notification requirements 
in Sec. 679.51(e).
    (3) Secure all salmon and catch after the observer has completed the 
collection of scientific data and biological samples and after the 
vessel crew has completed handling the catch. All salmon and any other 
catch retained on board the vessel must be made unavailable for sorting 
and discard until the delivery of catch to the processor receiving the 
vessel's BS pollock catch. Methods to make salmon or retained catch 
unavailable for sorting or discard include but are not limited to 
securing the catch in a completely enclosed container above or below 
deck, securing the catch in an enclosed codend, or completely and 
securely covering the fish on deck.
    (4) Comply with the requirements in paragraphs (f)(15)(ii)(B)(2) and 
(3) of this section, before handling the catch prior to delivery.
    (C) Shoreside processors or stationary floating processors must--
    (1) Comply with the requirements in Sec. 679.28(g)(7)(vii) for the 
receipt, sorting, and storage of salmon from deliveries of catch from 
the BS pollock fishery.
    (2) Ensure no salmon of any species pass beyond the last point where 
sorting of fish occurs, as identified in the scale drawing of the plant 
in the Catch Monitoring Control Plan (CMCP).
    (3) Sort and transport all salmon of any species to the salmon 
storage container identified in the CMCP (see Sec. 679.28 (g)(7)(vi)(C) 
and (g)(7)(x)(F)). The salmon must remain in that salmon storage 
container and within the view of the observer at all times during the 
offload.
    (4) If, at any point during the offload, salmon are too numerous to 
be contained in the salmon storage container, cease the offload and all 
sorting and give the observer the opportunity to count the salmon and 
collect scientific

[[Page 711]]

data or biological samples. The counted salmon then must be removed from 
the area by plant personnel in the presence of the observer.
    (5) At the completion of the offload, give the observer the 
opportunity to count the salmon and collect scientific data or 
biological samples.
    (6) Before sorting of the next offload of catch from the BS pollock 
fishery may begin, give the observer the opportunity to complete the 
count of salmon and the collection of scientific data or biological 
samples from the previous offload of catch from the BS pollock fishery. 
When the observer has completed all counting and sampling duties for the 
offload, plant personnel must remove the salmon, in the presence of the 
observer, from the salmon storage container and location where salmon 
are counted and biological samples or scientific data are collected.
    (iii) Assignment of crew to assist observer. Operators of vessels 
and managers of shoreside processors and SFPs that are required to 
retain salmon under paragraph (f)(15)(i) of this section must designate 
and identify to the observer aboard the vessel, or at the shoreside 
processor or SFP, a crew person or employee responsible for ensuring all 
sorting, retention, and storage of salmon occurs according to the 
requirements of (f)(15)(ii) of this section.
    (iv) Discard of salmon. Except for salmon under the PSD Program at 
Sec. 679.26, all salmon must be returned to the sea as soon as is 
practicable, following notification by an observer that the number of 
salmon has been determined and the collection of scientific data or 
biological samples has been completed.
    (g) Chinook salmon bycatch management in the AI pollock fishery--(1) 
Applicability. This paragraph contains regulations governing the bycatch 
of Chinook salmon in the AI pollock fishery.
    (2) AI Chinook salmon PSC limit. (i) The PSC limit for Chinook 
salmon caught by vessels while harvesting pollock in the AI is 700 fish.
    (ii) 7.5 percent of the PSC limit is allocated to the CDQ Program as 
a PSQ reserve.
    (3) Area closures. If, during the fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator determines that catch of Chinook salmon by vessels using 
trawl gear while directed fishing for pollock in the AI will reach the 
PSC limit, NMFS, by notification in the Federal Register, will close the 
AI Chinook Salmon Savings Area, as defined in Figure 8 to this part, to 
directed fishing for pollock with trawl gear on the following dates:
    (i) From the effective date of the closure until April 15, and from 
September 1 through December 31, if the Regional Administrator 
determines that the annual limit of AI Chinook salmon will be attained 
before April 15.
    (ii) From September 1 through December 31, if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the annual limit of AI Chinook salmon will 
be attained after April 15.
    (h) GOA Chinook Salmon PSC Management--(1) Applicability. 
Regulations in this paragraph apply to trawl vessels participating in 
the directed fishery for groundfish in the Western and Central reporting 
areas of the GOA and processors receiving deliveries from these vessels.
    (2) GOA Chinook salmon PSC limits for the pollock sectors 
(fisheries). (i) The annual PSC limit for vessels participating in the 
directed fishery for pollock in the Western reporting area of the GOA is 
6,684 Chinook salmon.
    (ii) The annual PSC limit for vessels participating in the directed 
fishery for pollock in the Central reporting area of the GOA is 18,316 
Chinook salmon.
    (3) GOA non-pollock trawl sectors. For the purposes of accounting 
for the annual Chinook salmon PSC limits at paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this 
section, the non-pollock trawl sectors are:
    (i) Trawl catcher/processor sector. The Trawl catcher/processor 
sector is any catcher/processor vessel fishing for groundfish, other 
than pollock, with trawl gear in the Western or Central GOA reporting 
area and processing that groundfish at sea;
    (ii) Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector. The Rockfish Program 
catcher vessel sector is any catcher vessel fishing for groundfish, 
other than pollock, with trawl gear in the Western or Central reporting 
area of the GOA and operating under the authority of a Central GOA 
Rockfish Program CQ permit assigned to the catcher vessel sector; and

[[Page 712]]

    (iii) Non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector. The Non-Rockfish 
Program catcher vessel sector is any catcher vessel fishing for 
groundfish, other than pollock, with trawl gear in the Western or 
Central reporting area of the GOA and not operating under the authority 
of a Central GOA Rockfish Program CQ permit assigned to the catcher 
vessel sector.
    (4) GOA Chinook salmon PSC limits for non-pollock trawl fisheries. 
(i) The annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central 
reporting areas of the GOA for the sectors defined in paragraph (h)(3) 
of this section are as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Unless, the use    If so, in the
                                                                The total      of the Chinook       following
                                                             Chinook salmon   salmon PSC limit   calendar year,
For the following sectors defined in Sec. 679.21(h)(3) .    PSC limit in     for that sector     the Chinook
                            . .                               each calendar     in a calendar   salmon PSC limit
                                                              year is . . .     year does not    for that sector
                                                                                exceed . . .      will be . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Trawl catcher/processor sector........................             3,600             3,120             4,080
                                                                             -----------------------------------
(B) Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector................             1,200                  N/A
                                                                             -----------------------------------
(C) Non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector............             2,700             2,340             3,060
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) For the Trawl catcher/processor sector defined in paragraph 
(h)(3)(i) of this section:
    (A) The seasonal PSC limit prior to June 1 is 2,376 Chinook salmon 
if the annual Chinook salmon PSC limit is 3,600. The seasonal PSC limit 
prior to June 1 is 2,693 Chinook salmon if the annual Chinook salmon PSC 
limit is 4,080.
    (B) The number of Chinook salmon PSC available on June 1 through the 
remainder of the calendar year is the annual Chinook salmon PSC limit 
specified for the Trawl catcher/processor sector minus the number of 
Chinook salmon used by that sector prior to June 1 and any Chinook 
salmon PSC limit reapportioned to another sector specified at paragraph 
(h)(5)(iii) of this section prior to June 1.
    (5) Inseason reapportionment of Chinook salmon PSC limits. (i) On 
October 1, the Regional Administrator may reallocate any unused Chinook 
salmon PSC available to the Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector, 
defined in paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of this section, in excess of 150 
Chinook salmon to the Non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector, but 
not to exceed the Non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector's limit on 
Chinook salmon PSC reapportionment as defined in paragraph (h)(5)(iv)(D) 
of this section.
    (ii) On November 15, the Regional Administrator may reallocate all 
remaining Chinook salmon PSC available to the Rockfish Program catcher 
vessel sector, defined in paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of this section, to the 
Non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector, but not to exceed the Non-
Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector's limit on Chinook salmon PSC 
reapportionment as defined in paragraph (h)(5)(iv)(D) of this section.
    (iii) Any Chinook salmon PSC limit in paragraphs (h)(2) or (h)(4) of 
this section projected by the Regional Administrator to be unused during 
the remainder of the fishing year may be reapportioned subject to the 
Chinook salmon PSC limits in paragraphs (h)(5)(iv)(A) through (D) of 
this section for the remainder of the fishing year. NMFS will publish 
notification in the Federal Register announcing any Chinook salmon PSC 
limit reapportionments in the GOA.
    (iv) On an annual basis, NMFS shall not reapportion an amount of 
unused Chinook salmon PSC greater than the following amounts:
    (A) 3,342 Chinook salmon to vessels participating in the directed 
fishery for pollock in the Western reporting area of the GOA;
    (B) 9,158 Chinook salmon to vessels participating in the directed 
fishery for pollock in the Central reporting area of the GOA;

[[Page 713]]

    (C) 600 Chinook salmon to the Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector 
defined in paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of this section; and
    (D) 1,350 Chinook salmon to the Non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel 
sector defined in paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (6) Salmon retention. (i) The operator of a vessel, including but 
not limited to a catcher vessel or tender, must retain all salmon until 
delivered to a processing facility.
    (ii) The operator of a catcher/processor or the owner and manager of 
a shoreside processor or SFP receiving groundfish deliveries from trawl 
vessels must retain all salmon until the number of salmon by species has 
been accurately recorded in the eLandings at-sea production report or 
eLandings groundfish landing report.
    (iii) The owner and manager of a shoreside processor or SFP 
receiving pollock deliveries must, if an observer is present, retain all 
salmon until the observer is provided the opportunity to count the 
number of salmon and collect scientific data or biological samples from 
the salmon.
    (iv) The operator of a catcher/processor must retain all salmon 
until an observer is provided the opportunity to collect scientific data 
or biological samples from the salmon.
    (7) Salmon discard. Except for salmon under the PSD program defined 
in Sec. 679.26, all salmon must be discarded after the requirements at 
paragraph (h)(6)(ii) or (h)(6)(iii) of this section have been met.
    (8) GOA Chinook salmon PSC closures. If, during the fishing year, 
the Regional Administrator determines that:
    (i) Vessels participating in the directed fishery for pollock in the 
Western reporting area or Central reporting area of the GOA will reach 
the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit specified for that reporting 
area under paragraph (h)(2) of this section or the applicable limit 
following any reapportionment under paragraph (h)(5) of this section, 
NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register closing the 
applicable regulatory area to directed fishing for pollock;
    (ii) Vessels in a sector defined in paragraph (h)(3) of this section 
will reach the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit specified for that 
sector under paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section or the applicable limit 
following any reapportionment under paragraph (h)(5) of this section, 
NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register closing directed 
fishing for all groundfish species, other than pollock, with trawl gear 
in the Western and Central reporting areas of the GOA for that sector; 
or
    (iii) Vessels in the Trawl catcher/processor sector defined in 
paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this section will reach the seasonal Chinook 
salmon PSC limit specified at paragraph (h)(4)(ii)(A) of this section 
prior to June 1, NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register 
closing directed fishing for all groundfish species, other than pollock, 
with trawl gear in the Western and Central reporting areas of the GOA 
for all vessels in the Trawl catcher/processor sector until June 1. 
Directed fishing for groundfish species, other than pollock will reopen 
on June 1 for the Trawl catcher/processor sector defined in paragraph 
(h)(3)(i) of this section with the Chinook salmon PSC limit determined 
at paragraph (h)(4)(ii)(B) of this section unless NMFS determines that 
the amount of Chinook salmon PSC available to the sector is insufficient 
to allow the sector to fish and not exceed its annual Chinook salmon PSC 
limit.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.21, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.22  Closures.

    (a) BSAI--(1) Zone 1 (512) closure to trawl gear. No fishing with 
trawl gear is allowed at any time in reporting Area 512 of Zone 1 in the 
Bering Sea subarea.
    (2) Zone 1 (516) closure to trawl gear. No fishing with trawl gear 
is allowed at any time in reporting Area 516 of Zone 1 in the Bering Sea 
Subarea during the period March 15 through June 15.
    (3) Red King Crab Savings Area (RKCSA). Directed fishing for 
groundfish by vessels using trawl gear other than pelagic trawl gear is 
prohibited at all times, except as provided at

[[Page 714]]

Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B), in that part of the Bering Sea subarea 
defined as RKCSA in Figure 11 to this part.
    (4) Walrus protection areas. (i) From April 1 through September 30 
of each calendar year, vessels designated on a Federal fisheries permit 
issued under Sec. 679.4 are prohibited from deploying fishing gear in 
that part of the Bering Sea subarea between 3 and 12 nm seaward of the 
baseline used to measure the territorial sea around islands named Round 
Island and The Twins, as shown on National Ocean Survey Chart 16315, and 
around Cape Peirce (58[deg]33[min] N. lat., 161[deg]43[min] W. long.).
    (ii) From April 1 through September 30 of each calendar year, 
vessels designated on a Federal fisheries permit issued under Sec. 
679.4 are prohibited in that part of the Bering Sea subarea between 3 
and 12 nm seaward of the baseline used to measure the territorial sea 
around islands named Round Island and The Twins, as shown on National 
Ocean Survey Chart 16315, and around Cape Peirce (58[deg]33[min] N. 
lat., 161[deg]43[min] W. long.), except that from April 1 through August 
15 of each calendar year vessels designated on a Federal fisheries 
permit are not prohibited from entering and transiting through waters 
off:
    (A) Round Island, north of a straight line connecting 
58[deg]47.90[min] N. lat./160[deg]21.91[min] W. long., and 
58[deg]32.94[min] N. lat./159[deg]35.45[min] W. long.; and
    (B) Cape Peirce, east of a straight line connecting 
58[deg]30.00[min] N. lat./161[deg]46.20[min] W. long., and 
58[deg]21.00[min] N. lat./161[deg]46.20[min] W. long.
    (5) Catcher Vessel Operational Area (CVOA)--(i) Definition. The CVOA 
is defined as that part of the BSAI that is south of 56[deg]00[min] N 
lat. and between 163[deg]00[min] W long. and 167[deg]30[min] W long., 
and north of the Aleutian Islands (Figure 2 to part 679).
    (ii) Catcher/processor restrictions. A catcher/processor vessel 
authorized to fish for BSAI pollock under Sec. 679.4 is prohibited from 
conducting directed fishing for pollock in the CVOA during the B pollock 
season defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(2)(ii), unless it is directed fishing 
for Pollock CDQ.
    (6) Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Zone. Directed fishing for 
groundfish using trawl gear or pot gear, or fishing for halibut using 
pot gear, is prohibited at all times in the area defined in Figure 10 to 
this part as the Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Zone.
    (7) Steller sea lion protection areas, Bering Sea reporting areas--
(i) Bogoslof area--(A) Boundaries. The Bogoslof area consists of all 
waters of area 518 as described in Figure 1 of this part south of a 
straight line connecting 55[deg]00[min] N lat./170[deg]00[min] W long., 
and 55[deg]00[min] N lat./168[deg]11[min]4.75[min] W long.;
    (B) Fishing prohibition. All waters within the Bogoslof area are 
closed to directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel 
by vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b), 
except as provided in paragraph (a)(7)(i)(C) of this section.
    (C) Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area. (1) All catcher vessels 
less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear for 
directed fishing for Pacific cod are exempt from the Pacific cod fishing 
prohibition as described in paragraph (a)(7)(i)(B) of this section in 
the portion of the Bogoslof area south of a line connecting a point 3 nm 
north of Bishop Point (54[deg]01[min]25[sec] N lat./
166[deg]57[min]00[sec] W long.) to Cape Tanak (53[deg]33[min]50[sec] N 
lat./168[deg]00[min]00[sec] W long.), not including waters of the Bishop 
Point Pacific cod fishing closures as described in Table 5 of this part.
    (2) If the Regional Administrator determines that 113 mt of Pacific 
cod have been caught by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA 
using jig or hook-and-line gear in the exemption area described in 
paragraph (a)(7)(i)(C)(1) of this section, the Regional Administrator 
will prohibit directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less 
than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the exemption 
area by notification published in the Federal Register.
    (ii) Bering Sea Pollock Restriction Area--(A) Boundaries. The Bering 
Sea Pollock Restriction Area consists of all waters of the Bering Sea 
subarea south of a line connecting the points 163[deg]0[min]00[sec] W 
long./55[deg]46[min]30[sec] N lat., 165[deg]08[min]00[sec] W long./
54[deg]42[min]9[sec] N lat., 165[deg]40[min]00[sec] W long./
54[deg]26[min]30[sec] N lat., 166[deg]12[min]00[sec] W long./
54[deg]18[min]40[sec] N lat., and 167[deg]0[min]00[sec] W long./
54[deg]8[min]50[sec] N lat.

[[Page 715]]

    (B) Fishing prohibition. All waters within the Bering Sea Pollock 
Restriction Area are closed during the A season, as defined at Sec. 
679.23(e)(2), to directed fishing for pollock by vessels named on a 
Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b).
    (iii) Groundfish closures. Directed fishing for groundfish by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) is 
prohibited within 3 nm of selected sites. These sites are listed in 
Table 12 of this part and are identified by ``Bering Sea'' in column 2.
    (iv) Pollock closures. Directed fishing for pollock by vessels named 
on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) is prohibited within 
pollock no-fishing zones around selected sites. These sites are listed 
in Table 4 of this part and are identified by ``Bering Sea'' in column 
2.
    (v) Pacific cod closures. Directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) and 
using trawl, hook-and-line, or pot gear is prohibited within the Pacific 
cod no-fishing zones around selected sites. These sites and gear types 
are listed in Table 5 of this part and are identified by ``BS'' in 
column 2.
    (vi) Atka mackerel closures. Directed fishing for Atka mackerel by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) and 
using trawl gear is prohibited within the Bering Sea reporting areas.
    (vii) Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA)--(A) General. 
Directed fishing for pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing 
by the inshore component, catcher/processors in the offshore component, 
motherships in the offshore component, or directed fishing for CDQ 
pollock, is prohibited within the SCA until April 1 when the Regional 
Administrator announces, by notification in the Federal Register, that 
the criteria set out in paragraph (a)(7)(vii)(C) of this section have 
been met by that industry component.
    (B) Boundaries. The SCA consists of the area of the Bering Sea 
subarea between 170[deg]00[min] W long. and 163[deg]00[min] W long., 
south of straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
listed:
    55[deg]00[min] N lat. 170[deg]00[min] W long.;
    55[deg]00[min] N lat. 168[deg]00[min] W long.;
    55[deg]30[min] N lat. 168[deg]00[min] W long.;
    55[deg]30[min] N lat. 166[deg]00[min] W long.;
    56[deg]00[min] N lat. 166[deg]00[min] W long.; and,
    56[deg]00[min] N lat. 163[deg]00[min] W long.
    (C) Criteria for closure--(1) General. The directed fishing closures 
identified in paragraph (a)(7)(vii)(A) of this section will take effect 
when the Regional Administrator determines that the harvest limit for 
pollock within the SCA, as specified in Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C) is 
reached before April 1. The Regional Administrator shall prohibit 
directed fishing for pollock in the SCA by notification published in the 
Federal Register.
    (2) Inshore catcher vessels greater than 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA. The 
Regional Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for pollock by 
vessels greater than 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA, catching pollock for processing 
by the inshore component before reaching the inshore SCA harvest limit 
before April 1 to accommodate fishing by vessels less than or equal to 
99 ft (30.2 m) inside the SCA until April 1. The Regional Administrator 
will estimate how much of the inshore seasonal allowance is likely to be 
harvested by catcher vessels less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA 
and reserve a sufficient amount of the inshore SCA allowance to 
accommodate fishing by such vessels after the closure of the SCA to 
inshore vessels greater than 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA. The Regional 
Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for all inshore catcher 
vessels within the SCA when the harvest limit specified in Sec. 
679.20(a)(5)(i)(C) has been met before April 1.
    (8) Steller sea lion protection areas, Aleutian Islands reporting 
areas--(i) Seguam Foraging area. (A) The Seguam foraging area is all 
waters within the area between 52[deg] N lat. and 53[deg] N lat. and 
between 173[deg]30[min] W long. and 172[deg]30[min] W long.
    (B) Directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) is 
prohibited in the Seguam Foraging area as described in paragraph 
(a)(8)(i)(A) of this section.
    (ii) Pollock Closure. Directed fishing for pollock by vessels named 
on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) is prohibited within 
the pollock no-fishing zones around selected sites. These

[[Page 716]]

sites are listed in Table 4 of this part and are identified by 
``Aleutian I.'' in column 2.
    (iii) Groundfish closures. Directed fishing for groundfish by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) is 
prohibited within 3 nm of selected sites. These sites are listed in 
Table 12 of this part and are identified by ``Aleutian Islands'' in 
column 2.
    (iv) Pacific cod closures. Directed fishing for Pacific cod required 
to be deducted from the Federal TAC specified at Sec. 679.20 by vessels 
named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) using trawl, 
hook-and-line, or pot gear is prohibited within Pacific cod no-fishing 
zones around selected sites. These sites and gear types are described in 
Table 5 of this part and its footnotes and are identified by ``AI'' in 
column 2.
    (v) Atka mackerel closures. Directed fishing for Atka mackerel by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) and 
using trawl gear is prohibited within Atka mackerel no-fishing zones 
around selected sites. These sites are listed in Table 6 of this part 
and are identified by ``Aleutian Islands'' in column 2.
    (9) Nearshore Bristol Bay Trawl Closure. Directed fishing for 
groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in Bristol Bay, as described in 
the current edition of NOAA chart 16006, is closed at all times in the 
area east of 162[deg]00[min] W. long., except that the Nearshore Bristol 
Bay Trawl Area defined in Figure 12 to this part is open to trawling 
from 1200 hours A.l.t., April 1 to 1200 hours A.l.t., June 15 of each 
year.
    (10) Chum Salmon Savings Area. Directed fishing for pollock by 
vessels using trawl gear is prohibited from August 1 through August 31 
in the Chum Salmon Savings Area defined at Figure 9 to this part (see 
also Sec. 679.21(f)(14)). Vessels directed fishing for pollock in the 
BS, including pollock CDQ, and operating under an approved IPA under 
Sec. 679.21(f)(12) are exempt from closures in the Chum Salmon Savings 
Area.
    (11) [Reserved]
    (12) Alaska Seamount Habitat Protection Areas. No federally 
permitted vessel may fish with bottom contact gear in the Alaska 
Seamount Habitat Protection Areas, as described in Table 22 to this 
part.
    (13) Aleutian Islands Coral Habitat Protection Areas. No federally 
permitted vessel may fish with bottom contact gear in the Aleutian 
Islands Coral Habitat Protection Areas, as described in Table 23 to this 
part.
    (14) Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area. Except within those 
areas identified as opened to nonpelagic trawl gear fishing in Table 24 
to this part, no federally permitted vessel may fish with nonpelagic 
trawl gear in the Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area, as 
described in Table 24 to this part.
    (15) Bowers Ridge Habitat Conservation Zone. No federally permitted 
vessel may fish with mobile bottom contact gear in the Bowers Ridge 
Habitat Conservation Zone, as described in Table 25 to this part.
    (16) Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Area. No federally permitted 
vessel may fish with nonpelagic trawl gear in the Bering Sea Habitat 
Conservation Area specified at Table 42 and Figure 16 to this part.
    (17) Northern Bering Sea Research Area. No federally permitted 
vessel may fish with nonpelagic trawl gear in the Northern Bering Sea 
Research Area specified at Table 43 and Figure 17 to this part.
    (18) Nunivak Island, Etolin Strait, and Kuskokwim Bay Habitat 
Conservation Area. No federally permitted vessel may fish with 
nonpelagic trawl gear in the Nunivak Island, Etolin Strait, and 
Kuskokwim Bay Habitat Conservation Area specified at Table 44 and Figure 
21 to this part.
    (19) St. Lawrence Island Habitat Conservation Area. No federally 
permitted vessel may fish with nonpelagic trawl gear in the St. Lawrence 
Island Habitat Conservation Area specified at Table 45 to this part.
    (20) St. Matthew Island Habitat Conservation Area. No federally 
permitted vessel may fish with nonpelagic trawl gear in the St. Matthew 
Island Habitat Conservation Area specified at Table 46 to this part.
    (21) Modified Gear Trawl Zone. No vessel required to be federally 
permitted may fish with nonpelagic trawl gear in the Modified Gear Trawl 
Zone specified

[[Page 717]]

at Table 51 to this part, except for federally permitted vessels that 
are directed fishing for groundfish using modified nonpelagic trawl gear 
that meets the standards at Sec. 679.24(f).
    (b) GOA--(1) Kodiak Island, trawls other than pelagic trawls--(i) 
Type I closures. No person may trawl in waters of the EEZ within the 
vicinity of Kodiak Island, as shown in Figure 5 to this part as Type I 
areas, from a vessel having any trawl other than a pelagic trawl either 
attached or on board.
    (ii) Type II closures. From February 15 to June 15, no person may 
trawl in waters of the EEZ within the vicinity of Kodiak Island, as 
shown in Figure 5 to this part as Type II areas, from a vessel having 
any trawl other than a pelagic trawl either attached or on board.
    (iii) Type III closures. Type III areas are open unless otherwise 
closed to trawling.
    (2) Steller sea lion protection areas--(i) Groundfish closures. 
Directed fishing for groundfish by vessels named on a Federal Fisheries 
Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) is prohibited within 3 nm of selected sites. 
These sites are listed in Table 12 of this part and are identified by 
``Gulf of Alaska'' in column 2.
    (ii) Pollock closures. Directed fishing for pollock by vessels named 
on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) is prohibited within 
pollock no-fishing zones around selected sites. These sites are listed 
in Table 4 of this part and are identified by ``Gulf of Alaska'' in 
column 2.
    (iii) Pacific cod closures. Directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) and 
using trawl, hook-and-line, or pot gear in the federally managed Pacific 
cod or State of Alaska parallel groundfish fisheries, as defined in 
Alaska Administrative Code (5 AAC 28.087(c), January 3, 2002), is 
prohibited within Pacific cod no-fishing zones around selected sites. 
These sites and gear types are listed in Table 5 of this part and are 
identified by ``GOA'' in column 2.
    (iv) Atka mackerel closure. Directed fishing for Atka mackerel by 
vessels named on a Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b) within 
the Gulf of Alaska subarea is prohibited at all times.
    (3) Marmot Bay Tanner Crab Protection Area. No federally permitted 
vessel may fish with trawl gear in the Marmot Bay Tanner Crab Protection 
Area, as described in Figure 5 to this part, except federally permitted 
vessels directed fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear.
    (4) Southeast Outside District, gear other than nontrawl. Use of any 
gear other than nontrawl gear is prohibited at all times in Southeast 
Outside District defined at Figure 3 to this part.
    (5) Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve. (i) No FFP holder may fish for 
groundfish in the Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve, and no vessel named on 
an FFP may be anchored in the Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve, as 
described in Figure 18 to this part.
    (ii) No person fishing under an IFQ halibut permit may fish for 
halibut and no person fishing under an IFQ sablefish permit may fish for 
sablefish in the Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve; and no vessel with an 
IFQ permit holder or IFQ hired master permit holder onboard may be 
anchored in the Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve, as described in Figure 
18 to this part.
    (6) [Reserved]
    (7) Cook Inlet. No person may use a non-pelagic trawl in waters of 
the EEZ of Cook Inlet north of a line from Cape Douglas 
(58[deg]51.10[min] N. lat.) to Point Adam (59[deg]15.27[min] N. lat.).
    (8) Alaska Seamount Habitat Protection Areas. No federally permitted 
vessel may fish with bottom contact gear in the Alaska Seamount Habitat 
Protection Areas, as described in Table 22 to this part.
    (9) Gulf of Alaska Coral Habitat Protection Areas. No federally 
permitted vessel may fish with bottom contact gear in the Gulf of Alaska 
Coral Habitat Protection Areas, as described in Table 26 to this part.
    (10) Gulf of Alaska Slope Habitat Conservation Areas. No federally 
permitted vessel may fish with nonpelagic trawl gear in the Gulf of 
Alaska Slope Habitat Conservation Areas, as described in Table 27 to 
this part.
    (c) Directed fishing closures. See Sec. 679.20(d) and Sec. 
679.20(i).
    (d) Groundfish as prohibited species closures. See Sec. 679.20(d).
    (e) Overfishing closures. See Sec. 679.20(d).

[[Page 718]]

    (f) Prohibited species closures. See Sec. 679.21.
    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) CDQ fisheries closures. See Sec. 679.7(d)(5) for time and area 
closures that apply to the CDQ fisheries once the non-Chinook salmon PSQ 
and crab PSQ amounts have been reached.
    (i) Forage fish, grenadiers, squids, and sculpins closures. See 
Sec. 679.20(i)(3).

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.22, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.23  Seasons.

    (a) Groundfish, general. Fishing for groundfish in the GOA and BSAI 
is authorized from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, through 2400 hours, 
A.l.t., December 31, subject to the other provisions of this part, 
except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (b) Time of groundfish openings and closures. The time of all 
openings and closures of fishing seasons, other than the beginning and 
end of the calendar fishing year, is 1200 hours, A.l.t.
    (c) GOA and BSAI trawl groundfish. Notwithstanding other provisions 
of this part, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear in the GOA and BSAI 
is prohibited from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., January 20.
    (d) GOA groundfish seasons--(1) Directed fishing for trawl rockfish. 
Directed fishing for rockfish with trawl gear is authorized from 1200 
hours, A.l.t., on the first day of the third quarterly reporting period 
of a fishing year through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, subject to 
other provisions of this part.
    (2) Directed fishing for pollock. Subject to other provisions of 
this part, directed fishing for pollock in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons:
    (i) A season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., May 31; and
    (ii) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., November 1.
    (3) Directed fishing for Pacific cod--(i) Hook-and-line or pot gear. 
Subject to other provisions of this part, directed fishing for Pacific 
cod with hook-and-line or pot gear in the Western and Central GOA 
Regulatory Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons:
    (A) A season. From 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., June 10; and
    (B) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1 through 2400 
hours, A.l.t., December 31.
    (ii) Trawl gear. Subject to other provisions of this part, directed 
fishing for Pacific cod with trawl gear in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons 
except as authorized in Subpart G of this Section under the Rockfish 
Program:
    (A) A season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., June 10; and
    (B) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., November 1.
    (iii) Jig gear. Subject to other provisions of this part, directed 
fishing for Pacific cod with jig gear in the Western and Central GOA 
Regulatory Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons:
    (A) A season. From 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., June 10 or when the jig A season allocation is reached, 
whichever occurs first;
    (B) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10 through 2400 hours, 
A.l.t., December 31 or when the jig B season allocation is reached, 
whichever occurs first.
    (e) BSAI groundfish seasons--(1) Directed fishing for arrowtooth 
flounder, Kamchatka flounder, and Greenland turbot. Directed fishing for 
arrowtooth flounder, Kamchatka flounder, and Greenland turbot in the 
BSAI is authorized from 1200 hours, A.l.t., May 1 through 2400 hours, 
A.l.t., December 31, subject to the other provisions of this part.
    (2) Directed fishing for pollock in the Bering Sea subarea by 
inshore, offshore catcher/processor, and mothership components, in the 
AI directed pollock fishery, and pollock CDQ fisheries. Subject to other 
provisions of this part, directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
catching

[[Page 719]]

pollock for processing by the inshore component, catcher/processors in 
the offshore component, and motherships in the offshore component in the 
Bering Sea subarea, directed fishing for pollock in the AI directed 
pollock fishery, or directed fishing for CDQ pollock in the BSAI is 
authorized only during the following two seasons:
    (i) A season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., June 10; and
    (ii) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., November 1.
    (3) Directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear. Subject to 
other provisions of this part, directed fishing for Atka mackerel with 
trawl gear in the BSAI is authorized only during the following two 
seasons:
    (i) A season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., June 10; and
    (ii) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., December 31.
    (4) CDQ fishing seasons--(i) Halibut CDQ. Fishing for CDQ halibut 
with fixed gear under an approved CDQ allocation may begin on the 
effective date of the allocation, except that CDQ fishing may occur only 
during the fishing periods specified in the annual management measures 
published in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of chapter 
III of this title.
    (ii) Sablefish CDQ. Fishing for CDQ sablefish with fixed gear under 
an approved CDQ allocation may begin on the effective date of the 
allocation, except that it may occur only during the IFQ fishing season 
specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Groundfish CDQ. Fishing for groundfish CDQ species, other than 
CDQ pollock; hook-and-line, pot, jig, or trawl CDQ Pacific cod; trawl 
CDQ Atka mackerel; and fixed gear CDQ sablefish under subpart C of this 
part, is authorized from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1 through the end 
of each fishing year, except as provided under paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (5) Directed fishing for Pacific cod--(i) Hook-and-line gear. 
Subject to other provisions of this part, directed fishing for CDQ and 
non-CDQ Pacific cod with vessels equal to or greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) 
LOA using hook-and-line gear is authorized only during the following two 
seasons:
    (A) A season. From 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., June 10; and
    (B) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10 through 2400 hours, 
A.l.t., December 31.
    (ii) Trawl gear. Subject to other provisions of this part, directed 
fishing for CDQ and non-CDQ Pacific cod with trawl gear in the BSAI is 
authorized only during the following three seasons:
    (A) A season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., April 1;
    (B) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 1 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., June 10; and
    (C) C season-- (1) Catcher vessels and AFA catcher/processors. From 
1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1.
    (2) Amendment 80 and CDQ. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10 through 
1200 hours, A.l.t., December 31.
    (iii) Pot gear. Subject to other provisions of this part, non-CDQ 
directed fishing for Pacific cod with vessels equal to or greater than 
60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is authorized only during 
the following two seasons:
    (A) A season. From 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., June 10; and
    (B) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1 through 2400 
hours, A.l.t., December 31.
    (iv) Jig gear. Subject to other provisions of this part, directed 
fishing for CDQ and non-CDQ Pacific cod with jig gear is authorized only 
during the following three seasons:
    (A) A season. From 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., April 30;
    (B) B season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 30 through 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., August 31;
    (C) C season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., August 31 through 2400 hours, 
A.l.t., December 31.
    (f) IFQ halibut. The fishing period(s) for IFQ halibut are 
established by the IPHC and are specified in the annual management 
measures published in the

[[Page 720]]

Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of chapter III of this title. 
Catches of halibut by fixed gear at times other than during the 
specified fishing periods must be treated as prohibited species as 
prescribed at Sec. 679.21(a).
    (g) IFQ sablefish. (1) Directed fishing for sablefish using fixed 
gear in any IFQ regulatory area may be conducted in any fishing year 
during the period specified by the Regional Administrator and announced 
by publication in the Federal Register. The Regional Administrator will 
take into account the opening date of the halibut season when 
determining the opening date for sablefish for the purposes of reducing 
bycatch and regulatory discards between the two fisheries.
    (2) Except for catches of sablefish with longline pot gear in the 
GOA, catches of sablefish by fixed gear during other periods may be 
retained up to the amounts provided for by the directed fishing 
standards specified at Sec. 679.20 when made by an individual aboard 
the vessel who has a valid IFQ permit and unused IFQ in the account on 
which the permit was issued.
    (3) Catches of sablefish in excess of the maximum retainable bycatch 
amounts and catches made without IFQ must be treated in the same manner 
as prohibited species as defined at Sec. 679.21(a).
    (h) Stand down requirements for trawl catcher vessels transiting 
between the BSAI and GOA.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     You are
    If you own or operate a      prohibited from
  catcher vessel and fish for      subsequently          Until* * *
 groundfish with trawl gear in   deploying trawl
           the* * *              gear in the* * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) BSAI while pollock or       Western and        1200 hours A.l.t. on
 Pacific cod is open to          Central GOA        the third day after
 directed fishing in the BSAI.   regulatory areas.  the date of landing
                                                    or transfer of all
                                                    groundfish on board
                                                    the vessel harvested
                                                    in the BSAI, unless
                                                    you are engaged in
                                                    directed fishing for
                                                    Pacific cod in the
                                                    GOA for processing
                                                    by the offshore
                                                    component or if
                                                    checked-in and
                                                    participating in a
                                                    CGOA Rockfish
                                                    Program cooperative.
(2) Western GOA regulatory      BSAI.............  1200 hours A.l.t. on
 area while pollock or inshore                      the third day after
 Pacific cod is open to                             the date of landing
 directed fishing in the                            or transfer of all
 Western GOA regulatory area.                       groundfish on board
                                                    the vessel harvested
                                                    in the Western
                                                    Regulatory Area of
                                                    the GOA, unless you
                                                    are participating in
                                                    a CDQ fishery.
(3) Central GOA regulatory      BSAI.............  1200 hours A.l.t. on
 area while pollock or inshore                      the second day after
 Pacific cod is open to                             the date of landing
 directed fishing in the                            or transfer of all
 Central GOA regulatory area.                       groundfish on board
                                                    the vessel harvested
                                                    in the Central GOA
                                                    regulatory area ,
                                                    unless you are
                                                    participating in a
                                                    CDQ fishery.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Catcher vessel exclusive fishing seasons for pollock. Catcher 
vessels are prohibited from participating in directed fishing for 
pollock under the following conditions. Vessels less than 125 ft (38.1 
m) LOA are exempt from this restriction when fishing east of 
157[deg]00[min] W long. GOA and BSAI seasons are specified at Sec. 
679.23(d)(2) and Sec. 679.23(e)(2).

[[Page 721]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR02JA03.006


[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.23, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.24  Gear limitations.

    Regulations pertaining to vessel and gear markings are set forth in 
this section and as prescribed in the annual management measures 
published in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of chapter 
III of this title.
    (a) Marking of hook-and-line, longline pot, and pot-and-line gear. 
(1) All hook-and-line, longline pot, and pot-and-line marker buoys 
carried on board or used by any vessel regulated under this part shall 
be marked with the vessel's Federal fisheries permit number or ADF&G 
vessel registration number.
    (2) Markings shall be in characters at least 4 inches (10.16 cm) in 
height and 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) in width in a contrasting color visible 
above the water line and shall be maintained so the markings are clearly 
visible.
    (3) Each end of a set of longline pot gear deployed to fish IFQ 
sablefish in the GOA must have one hard buoy ball attached and marked 
with the capital letters ``LP'' in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section.
    (b) Gear restrictions--(1) Pots----Longline pot gear. Any person 
using longline pot gear must treat any catch of groundfish as a 
prohibited species, except:
    (i) In the Aleutian Islands subarea.
    (ii) While directed fishing for sablefish in the Bering Sea subarea.
    (iii) While directed fishing for IFQ sablefish in the GOA.
    (iv) While fishing for IFQ or CDQ halibut in the BSAI.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) Trawl footrope. No person trawling in any GOA area limited to 
pelagic trawling under Sec. 679.22 may allow the footrope of that trawl 
to be in contact with the seabed for more than 10 percent of the period 
of any tow.
    (4) BSAI pollock nonpelagic trawl prohibition. No person may use 
nonpelagic trawl gear to engage in directed fishing for pollock in the 
BSAI.
    (c) Gear restrictions for sablefish--(1) Gear allocations. Gear 
allocations of sablefish TAC are set out under Sec. 679.20.
    (2) Eastern GOA regulatory area--(i) General. (A) No person may use 
any gear other than hook-and-line, longline pot, jig, or trawl gear when 
fishing for

[[Page 722]]

sablefish in the Eastern GOA regulatory area.
    (B) No person may use any gear other than hook-and-line gear, 
longline pot gear, or jig gear to engage in directed fishing for IFQ 
sablefish.
    (ii) Sablefish as prohibited species--(A) Trawl gear. When operators 
of vessels using trawl gear have harvested 5 percent of the TAC for 
sablefish in the Eastern GOA regulatory area during any year, further 
trawl catches of sablefish must be treated as prohibited species as 
provided by Sec. 679.21(a).
    (B) Other gear. Operators of vessels using gear types other than 
those specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section in the Eastern 
GOA regulatory area must treat any catch of sablefish as a prohibited 
species as provided by Sec. 679.21(a).
    (3) Central and Western GOA regulatory areas; sablefish as 
prohibited species. Operators of vessels using gear types other than 
hook-and-line, longline pot, jig, or trawl gear in the Central and 
Western GOA regulatory areas must treat any catch of sablefish in these 
areas as a prohibited species as provided by Sec. 679.21(a).
    (4) BSAI. Operators of vessels using gear types other than hook-and-
line, longline pot, pot-and-line, jig, or trawl gear in the BSAI must 
treat sablefish as a prohibited species as provided by Sec. 679.21(a).
    (d) Trawl gear test areas--(1) General. For purposes of allowing 
pelagic and nonpelagic trawl fishermen to test trawl fishing gear, NMFS 
may establish, after consulting with the Council, locations for the 
testing of trawl fishing gear in areas that would otherwise be closed to 
trawling.
    (2) Trawl gear testing. For the purposes of this section, ``trawl 
gear testing'' means deploying trawl gear in areas designated in this 
paragraph (d) and in Figure 7 to this part under the following 
conditions.
    (i) The codend shall be unzipped while trawl gear testing.
    (ii) Groundfish shall not be possessed on board when trawl gear 
testing.
    (iii) Observers aboard vessels during the time spent trawl gear 
testing shall not fulfill observer requirements at subpart E of this 
part.
    (3) Criteria. The establishment of test areas must comply with the 
following criteria:
    (i) Depth and bottom type must be suitable for testing the 
particular gear type.
    (ii) The areas must be outside State waters.
    (iii) The areas must be in locations not normally closed to fishing 
with that gear type.
    (iv) The areas must be in locations that are not usually fished 
heavily by that gear type.
    (v) The areas must not be within a designated Steller sea lion 
protection area at any time of the year.
    (4) Test areas. Trawl gear testing is allowed in the following areas 
(Figure 7 to this part) bounded by straight lines connecting the 
coordinates in the order listed, at all times:
    (i) Kodiak Test Area.

57[deg]37[min] N. lat., 152[deg]02[min] W. long.
57[deg]37[min] N. lat., 151[deg]25[min] W. long.
57[deg]23[min] N. lat., 151[deg]25[min] W. long.
57[deg]23[min] N. lat., 152[deg]02[min] W. long.
57[deg]37[min] N. lat., 152[deg]02[min] W. long.

    (ii) Sand Point Test Area.

54[deg]50[min] N. lat., 161[deg]00[min] W. long.
54[deg]50[min] N. lat., 160[deg]30[min] W. long.
54[deg]35[min] N. lat., 160[deg]30[min] W. long.
54[deg]35[min] N. lat., 161[deg]00[min] W. long.
54[deg]50[min] N. lat., 161[deg]00[min] W. long.

    (iii) Bering Sea Test Area.

55[deg]00[min] N. lat., 167[deg]00[min] W. long.
55[deg]00[min] N. lat., 166[deg]00[min] W. long.
54[deg]40[min] N. lat., 166[deg]00[min] W. long.
54[deg]40[min] N. lat., 167[deg]00[min] W. long.
55[deg]00[min] N. lat., 167[deg]00[min] W. long.

    (e) Seabird avoidance program for vessels fishing with hook-and-line 
gear--(1) Applicability. The operator of a vessel that is longer than 26 
ft (7.9 m) LOA fishing with hook-and-line gear must comply with the 
seabird avoidance requirements as specified in paragraphs (e)(2) and 
(e)(3) of this section while fishing for any of the following species:
    (i) IFQ halibut or CDQ halibut.
    (ii) IFQ sablefish.
    (iii) Groundfish in the EEZ off Alaska.
    (2) Seabird Avoidance Requirements. The operator of a vessel 
described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section must:
    (i) Gear onboard. Have onboard the vessel the seabird avoidance gear 
as

[[Page 723]]

specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section;
    (ii) Gear inspection. Upon request by an authorized officer or 
observer, make the seabird avoidance gear available for inspection;
    (iii) Gear use. Use seabird avoidance gear as specified in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section that meets standards as specified in paragraph 
(e)(4) of this section, while hook-and-line gear is being deployed.
    (iv) Sink baited hooks. Use hooks that when baited, sink as soon as 
they are put in the water.
    (v) Offal discharge. (A) If offal is discharged while gear is being 
set or hauled, discharge offal in a manner that distracts seabirds from 
baited hooks, to the extent practicable. The discharge site on board a 
vessel must be either aft of the hauling station or on the opposite side 
of the vessel from the hauling station.
    (B) Remove hooks from any offal that is discharged.
    (C) Eliminate directed discharge through chutes or pipes of residual 
bait or offal from the stern of the vessel while setting gear. This does 
not include baits falling off the hook or offal discharges from other 
locations that parallel the gear and subsequently drift into the wake 
zone well aft of the vessel.
    (D) For vessels not deploying gear from the stern, eliminate 
directed discharge of residual bait or offal over sinking hook-and-line 
gear while gear is being deployed.
    (vi) Safe release of seabirds. Make every reasonable effort to 
ensure birds brought on board alive are released alive and that, 
wherever possible, hooks are removed without jeopardizing the life of 
the birds.
    (3) Seabird avoidance gear requirements. (See also Table 20 to this 
part.)
    (i) The operator of a vessel identified in paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section must comply with paragraph (e)(3)(ii) or (e)(3)(iii) of this 
section while fishing with hook-and-line gear for groundfish, IFQ 
halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish in Federal waters (EEZ) and for 
IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish in the State of Alaska 
waters, excluding fishing in:
    (A) NMFS Reporting Area 649 (Prince William Sound);
    (B) State waters of Cook Inlet;
    (C) NMFS Reporting Area 659 (Eastern GOA Regulatory Area; Southeast 
Inside District), but including waters in the areas south of a straight 
line at 56[deg]17.25 N. lat. between Point Harris and Port Armstrong in 
Chatham Strait, State statistical areas 325431 and 325401, and west of a 
straight line at 136[deg]21.17 E. long. from Point Wimbledon extending 
south through the Inian Islands to Point Lavinia; and
    (D) Area 4E with a vessel less than or equal to 55 ft (16.8 m) LOA, 
but including fishing in waters south of 60[deg]00.00 N. lat. and west 
of 160[deg]00.00 W. long.
    (ii) Using other than snap gear,
    (A) A minimum of 1 buoy bag line as specified in paragraph (e)(4)(i) 
of this section must be used by vessels greater than 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA 
and less than or equal to 55 ft (16.8 m) LOA without masts, poles, or 
rigging.
    (B) A minimum of a single streamer line as specified in paragraph 
(e)(4)(ii) of this section must be used by vessels greater than 26 ft 
(7.9 m) LOA and less than or equal to 55 ft (16.8 m) LOA with masts, 
poles, or rigging.
    (C) A minimum of a paired streamer line of a standard as specified 
in paragraph (e)(4)(iii) of this section must be used by vessels greater 
than 55 ft (16.8 m) LOA.
    (iii) Using snap gear,
    (A) A minimum of 1 buoy bag line as specified in paragraph (e)(4)(i) 
of this section must be used by vessels greater than 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA 
and less than or equal to 55 ft (16.8 m) LOA without masts, poles, or 
rigging.
    (B) A minimum of a single streamer line as specified in paragraph 
(e)(4)(iv) of this section must be used by vessels greater than 26 ft 
(7.9 m) LOA and less than or equal to 55 ft (16.8 m) LOA with masts, 
poles, or rigging.
    (C) A minimum of a single streamer line as specified in paragraph 
(e)(4)(iv) of this section must be used by vessels greater than 55 ft 
(16.8 m) LOA.
    (4) Seabird avoidance gear performance and material standards:
    (i) Buoy bag line weather exception. In winds exceeding 45 knots 
(storm or Beaufort 9 conditions), the use of a buoy bag line is 
discretionary.

[[Page 724]]

    (ii) Single streamer standard. (A) A single streamer line must:
    (1) Be a minimum of 300 feet (91.4 m) in length;
    (2) Have streamers spaced every 16.4 ft (5 m);
    (3) Be deployed before the first hook is set in such a way that 
streamers are in the air for a minimum of 131.2 ft (40 m) aft of the 
stern and within 6.6 ft (2 m) horizontally of the point where the main 
groundline enters the water.
    (4) Have individual streamers that hang attached to the mainline to 
9.8 in (0.25 m) above the waterline in the absence of wind.
    (5) Have streamers constructed of material that is brightly colored, 
UV-protected plastic tubing or 3/8 inch polyester line or material of an 
equivalent density.
    (B) Weather exception: In winds exceeding 45 knots (storm or 
Beaufort 9 conditions), the use of a single streamer line is 
discretionary.
    (iii) Paired streamer standard: (A) At least one streamer line must 
be deployed before the first hook is set and two streamer lines must be 
fully deployed within 90 seconds.
    (B) Weather exceptions: In conditions of wind speeds exceeding 30 
knots (near gale or Beaufort 7 conditions), but less than or equal to 45 
knots, a single streamer must be deployed from the windward side of the 
vessel. In winds exceeding 45 knots (storm or Beaufort 9 conditions), 
the use of streamer lines is discretionary.
    (C) Streamer lines must:
    (1) Be deployed in such a way that streamers are in the air for a 
minimum of 131.2 ft (40 m) aft of the stern for vessels under 100 ft 
(30.5 m) and 196.9 ft (60 m) aft of the stern for vessels 100 ft (30.5 
m) or over;
    (2) Be a minimum of 300 feet (91.4 m) in length;
    (3) Have streamers spaced every 16.4 ft (5 m);
    (4) For vessels deploying hook-and-line gear from the stern, the 
streamer lines must be deployed from the stern, one on each side of the 
main groundline.
    (5) For vessels deploying gear from the side, the streamer lines 
must be deployed from the stern, one over the main groundline and the 
other on one side of the main groundline.
    (6) Have individual streamers that hang attached to the mainline to 
9.8 in (0.25 m) above the waterline in the absence of wind.
    (7) Have streamers constructed of material that is brightly colored, 
UV-protected plastic tubing or \3/8\ inch polyester line or material of 
an equivalent density.
    (iv) Snap gear streamer standard: (A) For vessels using snap gear, a 
single streamer line must:
    (1) Be deployed before the first hook is set in such a way that 
streamers are in the air for 65.6 ft (20 m) aft of the stern and within 
6.6 ft (2 m) horizontally of the point where the main groundline enters 
the water.
    (2) Have a minimum length of 147.6 ft (45 m).
    (B) Weather exception: In winds exceeding 45 knots (storm or 
Beaufort 9 conditions), the use of a single streamer line is 
discretionary.
    (v) Weather safety standard. The use of seabird avoidance devices 
required by paragraph (e)(3) of this section is discretionary for 
vessels greater than 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA and less than or equal to 55 ft 
(16.8 m) LOA in conditions of wind speeds exceeding 30 knots (near gale 
or Beaufort 7 conditions).
    (5) Other methods. Any of the following measures or methods must be 
accompanied by the applicable seabird avoidance gear requirements as 
specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section:
    (i) Night-setting.
    (ii) Line shooter.
    (iii) Lining tube.
    (6) Seabird avoidance exemption.
    Nothwithstanding any other paragraph in this part, operators of 
vessels 32 ft (9.8 m) LOA or less using hook-and-line gear in IPHC Area 
4E in waters shoreward of the EEZ are exempt from seabird avoidance 
regulations.
    (f) Modified nonpelagic trawl gear. Nonpelagic trawl gear modified 
as shown in Figure 26 to this part must be used by any vessel required 
to be federally permitted and that is used to directed fish for 
flatfish, as defined in Sec. 679.2, in any reporting area of the BS or 
in the Central GOA Regulatory Area or directed fish for groundfish with

[[Page 725]]

nonpelagic trawl gear in the Modified Trawl Gear Zone specified in Table 
51 to this part. Nonpelagic trawl gear used by these vessels must meet 
the following standards:
    (1) Elevated section minimum clearance. Except as provided for in 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this section, elevating devices must be 
installed on the elevated section shown in Figure 26 to this part to 
raise the elevated section at least 2.5 inches (6.4 cm), as measured 
adjacent to the elevating device contacting a hard, flat surface that is 
parallel to the elevated section, regardless of the elevating device 
orientation, and measured between the surface and the widest part of the 
line material. Elevating devices must be installed on each end of the 
elevated section, as shown in Figure 26 to this part. Measuring 
locations to determine compliance with this standard are shown in Figure 
25 to this part.
    (2) Elevating device spacing. Elevating devices must be secured 
along the entire length of the elevated section shown in Figure 26 to 
this part and spaced no less than 30 feet (9.1 m) apart; and either
    (i) If the elevating devices raise the elevated section shown in 
Figure 26 to this part 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) or less, the space between 
elevating devices must be no more than 65 feet (19.8 m); or
    (ii) If the elevating devices raise the elevated section shown 
Figure 26 to this part more than 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), the space between 
elevating devices must be no more than 95 feet (29 m).
    (3) Clearance measurements and line cross sections. (i) The largest 
cross section of the line of the elevated section shown in Figure 26 to 
this part between elevating devices shall not be greater than the cross 
section of the material at the nearest measurement location, as selected 
based on the examples shown in Figure 25 to this part. The material at 
the measurement location must be--
    (A) The same material as the line between elevating devices, as 
shown in Figures 25a and 25d to this part;
    (B) Different material than the line between elevating devices and 
used to support the elevating device at a connection between line 
sections (e.g., on a metal spindle, on a chain), as shown in Figure 25b 
to this part; or
    (C) Disks of a smaller cross section than the elevating device, 
which are strung continuously on a line between elevating devices, as 
shown in Figure 25c to this part.
    (ii) Portions of the line between elevating devices that are braided 
or doubled for section terminations or used for line joining devices are 
not required to be a smaller cross section than the measuring location.
    (iii) Required minimum clearance for supporting material of a larger 
cross section than the cross section of the line material. When the 
material supporting the elevating device has a larger cross section than 
the largest cross section of the line between elevating devices, except 
as provided for in paragraph (f)(3)(ii) of this section, based on 
measurements taken in locations shown in Figure 27 to this part, the 
required minimum clearance shall be as follows:
    (A) For elevating devices spaced 30 feet (9.1 m) to 65 feet (19.8 
m), the required minimum clearance is =[2.5 inches - 
((support material cross section - line material cross section)/2)], or
    (B) For elevating devices spaced greater than 65 feet (19.8 m) to 95 
feet (29 m), the required minimum clearance is =[3.5 inches -
((support material cross section - line material cross section)/2)].

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.24, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.25  Inseason adjustments.

    (a) General--(1) Types of adjustments. Inseason adjustments for 
directed fishing for groundfish or fishing for IFQ or CDQ halibut issued 
by NMFS under this section include:
    (i) Closure, extension, or opening of a season in all or part of a 
management area.
    (ii) Modification of the allowable gear to be used in all or part of 
a management area.
    (iii) Adjustment of TAC and PSC limits.

[[Page 726]]

    (iv) Interim closures of statistical areas, or portions thereof, to 
directed fishing for specified groundfish species.
    (v) Inseason closures of an area, district, or portions thereof, of 
harvest of specified halibut fisheries.
    (2) Determinations. (i) Any inseason adjustment taken under 
paragraph (a)(1)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this section must be based 
on a determination that such adjustments are necessary to prevent:
    (A) Overfishing of any species or stock of fish or shellfish;
    (B) Harvest of a TAC for any groundfish species or the taking of a 
PSC limit for any prohibited species that, on the basis of the best 
available scientific information, is found by NMFS to be incorrectly 
specified; or
    (C) Underharvest of a TAC or gear share of a TAC for any groundfish 
species when catch information indicates that the TAC or gear share has 
not been reached.
    (ii) Any inseason closure of a statistical area, or portion thereof, 
under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section, must be based upon a 
determination that such closures are necessary to prevent:
    (A) A continuation of relatively high bycatch rates of prohibited 
species specified under Sec. 679.21(a) in a statistical area, or 
portion thereof;
    (B) Take of an excessive share of PSC limits or bycatch allowances 
established under Sec. 679.21(d) and (e) by vessels fishing in a 
statistical area, or portion thereof;
    (C) Closure of one or more directed fisheries for groundfish due to 
excessive prohibited species bycatch rates occurring in a specified 
fishery operating within all or part of a statistical area; or
    (D) Premature attainment of established PSC limits or bycatch 
allowances and associated loss of opportunity to harvest the groundfish 
OY.
    (iii) The selection of the appropriate inseason management 
adjustments under paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section must be 
from the following authorized management measures and must be based upon 
a determination by the Regional Administrator that the management 
adjustment selected is the least restrictive necessary to achieve the 
purpose of the adjustment:
    (A) Any gear modification that would protect the species in need of 
conservation, but that would still allow other fisheries to continue;
    (B) An inseason adjustment that would allow other fisheries to 
continue in noncritical areas and time periods;
    (C) Closure of a management area or portion thereof, or gear type, 
or season to all groundfish or halibut fishing; or
    (D) Reopening of a management area or season to achieve the TAC or 
gear share of a TAC for any of the target species.
    (iv) The adjustment of a TAC or PSC limit for any species under 
paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section must be based upon a determination 
by the Regional Administrator that the adjustment is based upon the best 
available scientific information concerning the biological stock status 
of the species in question and that the currently specified TAC or PSC 
limit is incorrect. Any adjustment to a TAC or PSC limit must be 
reasonably related to the change in biological stock status.
    (v) The inseason closure of a statistical area, or a portion 
thereof, under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section shall not extend 
beyond a 60-day period unless information considered under paragraph (b) 
of this section warrants an extended closure period. Any closure of a 
statistical area, or portion thereof, to reduce prohibited species 
bycatch rates requires a determination by the Regional Administrator 
that the closure is based on the best available scientific information 
concerning the seasonal distribution and abundance of prohibited species 
and bycatch rates of prohibited species associated with various 
groundfish fisheries.
    (b) Data. All information relevant to one or more of the following 
factors may be considered in making the determinations required under 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section:
    (1) The effect of overall fishing effort within a statistical area;
    (2) Catch per unit of effort and rate of harvest;
    (3) Relative distribution and abundance of stocks of groundfish 
species and prohibited species within all or part of a statistical area;

[[Page 727]]

    (4) Condition of a stock in all or part of a statistical area;
    (5) Inseason prohibited species bycatch rates observed in groundfish 
fisheries in all or part of a statistical area;
    (6) Historical prohibited species bycatch rates observed in 
groundfish fisheries in all or part of a statistical area;
    (7) Economic impacts on fishing businesses affected; or
    (8) Any other factor relevant to the conservation and management of 
groundfish species or any incidentally caught species that are 
designated as prohibited species or for which a PSC limit has been 
specified.
    (c) Procedure. (1) No inseason adjustment issued under this section 
will take effect until--
    (i) NMFS has filed the proposed adjustment for public inspection 
with the Office of the Federal Register; and
    (ii) NMFS has published the proposed adjustment in the Federal 
Register for public comment for a period of 30 days before it is made 
final, unless NMFS finds for good cause that such notification and 
public procedure is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.
    (2) If NMFS decides, for good cause, that an adjustment is to be 
made without affording a prior opportunity for public comment, public 
comments on the necessity for, and extent of, the adjustment will be 
received by the Regional Administrator for a period of 15 days after the 
effective date of notification.
    (3) During any such 15-day period, the Regional Administrator will 
make available for public inspection, during business hours, the 
aggregate data upon which an adjustment was based.
    (4) If written comments are received during any such 15-day period 
that oppose or protest an inseason adjustment issued under this section, 
NMFS will reconsider the necessity for the adjustment and, as soon as 
practicable after that reconsideration, will either--
    (i) Publish in the Federal Register notification of continued 
effectiveness of the adjustment, responding to comments received; or
    (ii) Modify or rescind the adjustment.
    (5) Notifications of inseason adjustments issued by NMFS under 
paragraph (a) of this section will include the following information:
    (i) A description of the management adjustment.
    (ii) Reasons for the adjustment and the determinations required 
under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.
    (iii) The effective date and any termination date of such 
adjustment. If no termination date is specified, the adjustment will 
terminate on the last day of the fishing year.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 61642, Oct. 6, 2010; 81 
FR 24733, Apr. 27, 2016; 85 FR 850, Jan. 8, 2020]



Sec. 679.26  Prohibited Species Donation Program.

    (a) Authorized species. The PSD program applies only to the 
following species:
    (1) Salmon.
    (2) Halibut delivered by catcher vessels using trawl gear to 
shoreside processors and stationary floating processors.
    (b) Authorized distributors--(1) Application. An applicant seeking 
to become an authorized distributor must provide the Regional 
Administrator with the following information:
    (i) Proof of the applicant's tax-exempt status.
    (ii) A description of the arrangements for processing, shipping, 
storing, and transporting donated fish and an estimate of the associated 
costs.
    (iii) A statement describing the applicant's expertise in providing 
for the distribution of food product from remote Alaskan locations to 
hunger relief agencies, food bank networks, or food bank distributors, 
including arrangements for transportation, distribution costs, and 
product quality control.
    (iv) Documentation of support from cold storage and transportation 
facilities.
    (v) A proposed operating budget that is adequate to ensure that fish 
donated under this program will be distributed to hunger relief 
agencies, food bank networks, or food bank distributors and that the 
fish will be maintained in a manner fit for human consumption.
    (vi) Proof of the applicant's ability to obtain and maintain 
adequate funding

[[Page 728]]

for the distribution of fish under the PSD program.
    (vii) A copy of the applicant's articles of incorporation and bylaws 
showing that the purpose of the applicant includes providing food 
resources to hunger relief agencies, food bank networks, or food bank 
distributors.
    (viii) Proof of the applicant's ability to take full responsibility 
for the documentation and disposition of fish received under the PSD 
program, including sufficient liability insurance to cover public 
interests relating to the quality of fish distributed for human 
consumption.
    (ix) Quality control criteria to be followed by vessels, processors, 
hunger relief agencies, food bank networks, and food bank distributors.
    (x) The number of vessels and processors that the applicant is 
capable of administering effectively.
    (xi) A list of all vessels and processors, and food bank networks or 
food bank distributors participating in the PSD program. The list of 
vessels and processors must include:
    (A) The vessel's or processor's Federal fisheries permit number or 
Federal processor permit number.
    (B) The name of the vessel owner or responsible operator or the name 
of the owner or plant manager of the processor.
    (C) The vessel's or processor's telephone number.
    (D) The signature of the vessel owner or responsible operator or the 
owner or plant manager of the processor.
    (xii) A signed statement from the applicant and from all persons who 
are listed under paragraph (b)(1)(xi) of this section and who would 
conduct activities pursuant to the PSD permit waiving any and all claims 
against the United States and its agents and employees for any liability 
for personal injury, death, sickness, damage to property directly or 
indirectly due to activities conducted under the PSD program.
    (xiii) A list of locations where fish must be delivered by 
participating vessels and processors.
    (xiv) A separate application must be submitted for each species 
listed under paragraph (a) of this section that the applicant seeks to 
distribute.
    (2) Selection. The Regional Administrator may select one or more 
tax-exempt organizations to be authorized distributors under the PSD 
program based on the information submitted by applicants under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section. The number of authorized distributors selected 
by the Regional Administrator will be based on the following criteria:
    (i) The number and qualifications of applicants for PSD permits.
    (ii) The number of harvesters and the quantity of fish that 
applicants can effectively administer.
    (iii) The anticipated level of bycatch of prohibited species listed 
under paragraph (a) of this section.
    (iv) The potential number of vessels and processors participating in 
the PSD program.
    (3) PSD Permit. (i) After review of qualified applicants, the 
Regional Administrator will announce the selection of authorized 
distributor(s) in the Federal Register and will issue PSD permit(s).
    (ii) The Regional Administrator may impose additional terms and 
conditions on a PSD permit consistent with the objectives of the PSD 
program.
    (iii) A PSD permit may be suspended, modified, or revoked, under 15 
CFR part 904 for noncompliance with terms and conditions specified in 
the permit or for a violation of this section or other regulations in 
this part.
    (iv) Effective period. A PSD permit issued for salmon or halibut 
remains in effect for a 3-year period after the selection notice is 
published in the Federal Register unless suspended or revoked. A PSD 
permit issued to an authorized distributor may be renewed following the 
application procedures in this section.
    (v) If the authorized distributor modifies any information on the 
PSD permit application submitted under paragraph (b)(1)(xi) or 
(b)(1)(xiii) of this section, the authorized distributor must submit a 
modified list of participants or a modified list of delivery locations 
to the Regional Administrator.
    (c) Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. (1) A vessel or 
processor retaining prohibited species under the PSD program must comply 
with all applicable recordkeeping and reporting

[[Page 729]]

requirements, including allowing the collection of data and biological 
sampling by an observer prior to processing any fish under the PSD 
program. A vessel or processor participating in the PSD program:
    (i) In the BS pollock fishery must comply with applicable 
regulations at Sec. Sec. 679.7(d) and (k), 679.21(c), and 679.28; and
    (ii) In the Central or Western GOA pollock fishery must comply with 
applicable regulations at Sec. Sec. 679.7(b), 679.21(h) and 679.28.
    (2) Prohibited species retained under the PSD program must be 
packaged, and all packages must be labeled with the date of processing, 
the name of the processing facility, the contents and the weight of the 
fish contained in the package, and the words, ``NMFS PROHIBITED SPECIES 
DONATION PROGRAM - NOT FOR SALE - PERISHABLE PRODUCT - KEEP FROZEN''.
    (3) A processor retaining or receiving fish under the PSD program 
and an authorized distributor must keep on file and make available for 
inspection by an authorized officer all documentation, including receipt 
and cargo manifests setting forth the origin, weight, and destination of 
all prohibited species bycatch. Such documentation must be retained 
until 3 years after the effective period of the PSD permit.
    (d) Processing, handling, and distribution. (1) Processing and 
reprocessing of all fish retained under the PSD Program must be carried 
out under the direction of the authorized distributor. A processor 
retaining or receiving fish under the PSD Program, at a minimum, must 
head, gut, and freeze the fish in a manner that makes it fit for human 
consumption.
    (2) Fish that are determined to be unfit for human consumption prior 
to delivery to an authorized distributor must be discarded under Sec. 
679.21(a). Fish that are determined to be unfit for human consumption 
after delivery to the authorized distributor must be destroyed in 
accordance with applicable sanitation laws and regulations.
    (3) Authorized distributors and persons conducting activities 
supervised by authorized distributors may retain prohibited species only 
for the purpose of processing and delivering the prohibited species to 
hunger relief agencies, food networks or food distributors as provided 
by this section. Such persons may not consume or retain prohibited 
species for personal use and may not sell, trade or barter, or attempt 
to sell, trade or barter any prohibited species that is retained under 
the PSD program, except that processors may convert offal from salmon or 
halibut that has been retained pursuant to the PSD program into fish 
meal, fish oil, or bone meal, and sell or trade these products.
    (4) No prohibited species that has been sorted from a vessel's catch 
or landing may be retained by a vessel or processor, or delivered to a 
delivery location under this section, unless the vessel or processor and 
delivery location is included on the list provided to the Regional 
Administrator under paragraph (b)(1)(xi), (b)(1)(xiii) or (b)(3)(v) of 
this section.

[61 FR 38359, July 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 32145, 32146, June 12, 
1998; 65 FR 78121, Dec. 14, 2000; 66 FR 53122, Oct. 19, 2001; 67 FR 
4148, Jan. 28, 2002; 69 FR 52612, Aug. 27, 2004; 75 FR 53067, Aug. 30, 
2010; 77 FR 42636, July 20, 2012; 81 FR 24733, Apr. 27, 2016]

    Effective Date Note: At 67 FR 4158, Jan. 28, 2002, Sec. 679.26 was 
amended in paragraph (c)(3) by removing the words ``until 1 year after'' 
and inserting in its place ``until 3 years after''. This amendment 
contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will 
not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of 
Management and Budget.



Sec. 679.27  Improved Retention/Improved Utilization Program.

    (a) Applicability. The owner or operator of a vessel that is 
required to obtain a Federal fisheries or processor permit under Sec. 
679.4 must comply with the IR/IU program set out in this section while 
fishing for groundfish in the GOA or BSAI, fishing for groundfish in 
waters of the State of Alaska that are shoreward of the GOA or BSAI, or 
when processing groundfish harvested in the GOA or BSAI.
    (b) IR/IU species. The following species are defined as ``IR/IU 
species'' for the purposes of this section:
    (1) Pollock.
    (2) Pacific cod.
    (3) Shallow-water flatfish species complex in the GOA as defined in 
the

[[Page 730]]

annual harvest specifications for the GOA (beginning January 1, 2003).
    (4) For catcher/processors not listed in Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(i) using 
trawl gear in the BSAI, all species listed in Table 2a to this part, 
except for groundfish in prohibited species status.
    (c) Minimum retention requirements--(1) Definition of retain on 
board. Notwithstanding the definition at 50 CFR 600.10, for the purpose 
of this section, to retain on board means to be in possession of on 
board a vessel.
    (2) The following table displays minimum retention requirements by 
vessel category and directed fishing status:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        you must retain
                                                         on board until
  If you own or operate a ...           and ...         lawful transfer
                                                              ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Catcher vessel.............  (A) Directed fishing  all fish of that
                                  for an IR/IU          species brought
                                  species is open.      on board the
                                                        vessel.
                                 (B) Directed fishing  all fish of that
                                  for an IR/IU          species brought
                                  species is            on board the
                                  prohibited.           vessel up to the
                                                        MRA for that
                                                        species.
                                 (C) Retention of an   no fish of that
                                  IR/ IU species is     species.
                                  prohibited.
(ii) Catcher/processor.........  (A) Directed fishing  a primary product
                                  for an IR/IU          from all fish of
                                  species is open.      that species
                                                        brought on board
                                                        the vessel.
                                 (B) Directed fishing  a primary product
                                  for an IR/IU          from all fish of
                                  species is            that species
                                  prohibited.           brought on board
                                                        the vessel up to
                                                        the point that
                                                        the round-weight
                                                        equivalent of
                                                        primary products
                                                        on board equals
                                                        the MRA for that
                                                        species.
                                 (C) Retention of an   no fish or
                                  IR/IU species is      product of that
                                  prohibited.           species.
(iii) Mothership...............  (A) Directed fishing  a primary product
                                  for an IR/IU          from all fish of
                                  species is open.      that species
                                                        brought on board
                                                        the vessel
                                 (B) Directed fishing  a primary product
                                  for an IR/IU          from all fish of
                                  species is            that species
                                  prohibited.           brought on board
                                                        the vessel up to
                                                        the point that
                                                        the round-weight
                                                        equivalent of
                                                        primary products
                                                        on board equals
                                                        the MRA for that
                                                        species.
                                 (C) Retention of an   no fish or
                                  IR/IU species is      product of that
                                  prohibited.           species.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Bleeding codends and shaking longline gear. Any action intended 
to discard or release an IR/IU species prior to being brought on board 
the vessel is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to bleeding 
codends and shaking or otherwise removing fish from longline gear.
    (e) At-sea discard of product. Any product from an IR/IU species may 
not be discarded at sea, unless such discarding is necessary to meet 
other requirements of this part.
    (f) Discard of fish or product transferred from other vessels. The 
retention requirements of this section apply to all IR/IU species 
brought on board a vessel, whether harvested by that vessel or 
transferred from another vessel. At-sea discard of IR/IU species or 
products that were transferred from another vessel is prohibited.
    (g) IR/IU species as bait. IR/IU species may be used as bait 
provided that the deployed bait is physically secured to authorized 
fishing gear. Dumping of unsecured IR/IU species as bait (chumming) is 
prohibited.
    (h) Previously caught fish. The retention and utilization 
requirements of this section do not apply to incidental catch of dead or 
decomposing fish or fish parts that were previously caught and discarded 
at sea.
    (i) Minimum utilization requirements. If you own or operate a 
catcher/processor or mothership, the minimum utilization requirement for 
an IR/IU species harvested in the BSAI is determined by the directed 
fishing status for that species according to the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              then your total weight of
                                                retained or lawfully
                                                transferred products
                   If...                     produced from your catch or
                                                receipt of that IR/IU
                                              species during a fishing
                                                    trip must...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) directed fishing for an IR/IU species   equal or exceed 15 percent
 is open,                                    of the round-weight catch
                                             or round-weight delivery of
                                             that species during the
                                             fishing trip.
(2) directed fishing for an IR/IU species   equal or exceed 15 percent
 is prohibited,                              of the round-weight catch
                                             or round-weight delivery of
                                             that species during the
                                             fishing trip or 15 percent
                                             of the MRA for that
                                             species, whichever is
                                             lower.
(3) retention of an IR/IU species is        equal zero.
 prohibited,
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 731]]

    (j) [Reserved]

[62 FR 63890, Dec. 3, 1997, as amended at 62 FR 65381, Dec. 12, 1997; 68 
FR 52144, Sept. 2, 2003; 69 FR 32903, June 14, 2004; 71 FR 17381, Apr. 
6, 2006; 72 FR 52722, Sept. 14, 2007; 73 FR 76166, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 
62508, Nov. 30, 2009; 75 FR 53069, Aug. 30, 2010; 77 FR 6502, Feb. 8, 
2012; 78 FR 12632, Feb. 25, 2013]



Sec. 679.28  Equipment and operational requirements.

    (a) Applicability. This section contains the operational 
requirements for scales, observer sampling stations, vessel monitoring 
system hardware, catch monitoring and control plans, catcher vessel 
electronic logbook software, and video monitoring systems. The operator 
or manager must retain a copy of all records described in this section 
(Sec. 679.28) as indicated at Sec. 679.5(a)(5) and (6) and make 
available the records upon request of NMFS observers and authorized 
officers as indicated at Sec. 679.5(a)(5).
    (b) Scales used to weigh catch at sea. In order to be approved by 
NMFS a scale used to weigh catch at sea must meet the type evaluation 
requirements set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and the 
initial inspection and annual reinspection requirements set forth in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Once a scale is installed on a vessel 
and approved by NMFS for use to weigh catch at sea, it must be 
reinspected annually and must be tested daily and meet the maximum 
permissible error (MPE) requirements described in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section.
    (1) List of scales eligible for approval. The model of scale must be 
included on the Regional Administrator's list of scales eligible to be 
approved for weighing catch at sea before an inspector will schedule or 
conduct a scale inspection under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. A 
scale will be included on the list when the Regional Administrator 
receives the information specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iv) 
of this section. This information identifies and describes the scale, 
sets forth contact information regarding the manufacturer, and sets 
forth the results of required type evaluations and testing. Type 
evaluation and testing must be conducted by a laboratory accredited by 
the government of the country in which the tests are conducted.
    (i) Information about the scale. (A) Name of scale manufacturer.
    (B) Name of manufacturer's representative.
    (C) Mailing address of scale manufacturer and manufacturer's 
representative.
    (D) Telephone and fax number of manufacturer's representative.
    (E) Model and serial number of the scale tested.
    (F) A written description of the scale and diagrams explaining how 
the scale operates and how it compensates for motion.
    (G) A list of the model numbers of all scales for which type 
evaluation results are applicable, identifying the differences between 
the model evaluated in the laboratory and other models listed. The 
scales may differ only in the elements of the scale that perform motion 
compensation, the size or capacity of the scale, and the software used 
by the scale.
    (H) A list of types of scale adjustments that will be recorded on 
the audit trail, including the name of the adjustment as it will appear 
on the audit trail, and a written description of the adjustment.
    (ii) Information about the laboratory. (A) Name of laboratory.
    (B) Mailing address of laboratory.
    (C) Telephone and fax number of laboratory's representative.
    (D) Name and address of government agency accrediting the 
laboratory.
    (E) Name and signature of person responsible for evaluation of the 
scale and the date of signature.
    (iii) Checklist. A completed checklist indicating that all 
applicable technical and performance standards in appendix A to this 
part and the laboratory tests in the annex to appendix A to this part 
have been met.
    (iv) Verification of test results. Verification that a scale meets 
the laboratory evaluation and testing requirements in appendix A of this 
part and each of the influence quantity and disturbance tests as 
specified in the annex to appendix A to this part:
    (A) Test results and data on forms supplied by NMFS;

[[Page 732]]

    (B) National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Certificates of 
Conformance, test results and data for a component of a scale or for the 
entire device. NTEP Certificates of Conformance, test results, and data 
may be submitted only in lieu of the specific influence factor tests 
conducted to obtain the NTEP Certificates of Conformance. Additional 
information must be submitted to verify compliance with the laboratory 
tests that are not performed under the NTEP; and/or
    (C) International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) 
Certificates of Conformance, test results and data.
    (v) Exceptions. A scale manufacturer or their representative may 
request that NMFS approve a custom built automatic hopper scale under 
the following conditions:
    (A) The scale electronics are the same as those used in other scales 
on the Regional Administrator's list of scales eligible for approval;
    (B) Load cells have received Certificates of Conformance from NTEP 
or OIML;
    (C) The scale compensates for motion in the same manner as other 
scales made by that manufacturer which have been listed on the Regional 
Administrator's list of scales eligible for approval;
    (D) The scale, when installed, meets all of the requirements set 
forth in paragraph 3 of appendix A to this part, except those 
requirements set forth in paragraph 3.2.1.1.
    (2) Inspection of at-sea scales--(i) What is an inspection? An 
inspection is a visual assessment and test of a scale after it is 
installed on the vessel and while the vessel is tied up at a dock and 
not under power at sea to determine if the scale meets all of the 
applicable performance and technical requirements in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section and in appendix A to this part. A scale will be approved by 
the inspector if it meets all of the applicable performance and 
technical requirements in paragraph (b)(2) of this section and appendix 
A to this part.
    (ii) How often must a scale be inspected? Each scale must be 
inspected and approved before the vessel may participate in any fishery 
requiring the weighing of catch at sea with an approved scale. Each 
scale must be reinspected within 12 months of the date of the most 
recent inspection.
    (iii) Who may perform scale inspections and approvals? Scales must 
be inspected and approved by a NMFS-staff scale inspector or an 
inspector designated by NMFS and trained by a NMFS-staff scale 
inspector.
    (iv) How does a vessel owner arrange for a scale inspection? The 
operator must submit a request for a scale inspection at least 10 
working days in advance of the requested date of inspection by filing a 
request online or by printing and faxing the scale inspection request at 
http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov /scales/default.htm.
    (v) Where will scale inspections be conducted? Scales inspections by 
inspectors paid by NMFS will be conducted on vessels tied up at docks in 
Kodiak, Alaska; Dutch Harbor, Alaska; and in the Puget Sound area of 
Washington State.
    (vi) Responsibilities of the vessel owner during a scale inspection. 
After the vessel owner has installed a model of scale that is on the 
Regional Administrator's list of scales eligible to be approved for 
weighing catch at sea, the vessel owner must:
    (A) Make the vessel and scale available for inspection by the scale 
inspector.
    (B) Provide a copy of the scale manual supplied by the scale 
manufacturer to the inspector at the beginning of the inspection.
    (C) Transport test weights, test material, and equipment required to 
perform the test to and from the inspector's vehicle and the location on 
the vessel where the scale is installed.
    (D) Apply test weights to the scale or convey test materials across 
the scale, if requested by the scale inspector.
    (E) Assist the scale inspector in performing the scale inspection 
and testing.
    (vii) Scale inspection report. (A) A scale is approved for use when 
the scale inspector completes and signs a scale inspection report 
verifying that the scale meets all of the requirements specified in this 
paragraph (b)(2) and appendix A to this part.

[[Page 733]]

    (B) The scale inspector must provide the original inspection report 
to the vessel owner and a copy to NMFS.
    (C) The vessel owner must either:
    (1) Maintain a copy of the report on board when use of the scale is 
required and make the report available to the observer, NMFS personnel, 
or an authorized officer, upon request, or;
    (2) Display a valid NMFS-sticker on each approved scale.
    (D) When in use, an approved scale must also meet the requirements 
described in paragraphs (b)(3) through (b)(6) of this section.
    (3) At-sea scale tests. To verify that the scale meets the MPEs 
specified in this paragraph (b)(3), the vessel operator must test each 
scale or scale system used by the vessel to weigh catch at least one 
time during each calendar day. No more than 24 hours may elapse between 
tests when use of the scale is required. The vessel owner must ensure 
that these tests are performed in an accurate and timely manner.
    (i) Belt scales and automatic hopper scales. (A) The MPE in the 
daily at-sea scale tests is plus or minus 3 percent of the known weight 
of the test material.
    (B) Test procedure. The vessel operator must conduct a material test 
by weighing no less than 400 kg of test material, supplied by the scale 
manufacturer or approved by a NMFS-authorized scale inspector, on the 
scale under test. The test material may be run across the scale multiple 
times in order to total 400 kg; however, no single batch of test 
material may weigh less than 40 kg. The known weight of the test 
material must be determined at the time of each scale test by weighing 
it on a platform scale approved for use under paragraph (b)(7) of this 
section.
    (ii) Platform and hanging scales. (A) The MPE for platform and 
hanging scales is plus or minus 0.5 percent of the known weight of the 
test material.
    (B) Test weights. Each test weight must have its weight stamped on 
or otherwise permanently affixed to it. The weight of each test weight 
must be annually certified by a National Institute of Standards and 
Technology approved metrology laboratory or approved for continued use 
by the NMFS authorized inspector at the time of the annual scale 
inspection. The amount of test weights that must be provided by the 
vessel owner is specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(ii)(B)(1) and 
(b)(3)(ii)(B)(2) of this section.
    (1) Platform scales used as observer sampling scales or to determine 
the known weight of test materials. Any combination of test weights that 
will allow the scale to be tested at 10 kg, 25 kg, and 50 kg.
    (2) Scales used to weigh catch. Test weights equal to the largest 
amount of fish that will be weighed on the scale in one weighment.
    (iii) Requirements for all scale tests. (A) Notify the observer at 
least 15 minutes before the time that the test will be conducted, and 
conduct the test while the observer is present.
    (B) Conduct the scale test by placing the test material or test 
weights on or across the scale and recording the following information 
on the at-sea scale test report form:
    (1) Vessel name;
    (2) Month, day, and year of test;
    (3) Time test started to the nearest minute;
    (4) Known weight of test material or test weights;
    (5) Weight of test material or test weights recorded by scale;
    (6) Percent error as determined by subtracting the known weight of 
the test material or test weights from the weight recorded on the scale, 
dividing that amount by the known weight of the test material or test 
weights, and multiplying by 100; and
    (7) Signature of vessel operator.
    (4) Scale maintenance. The vessel owner must ensure that the vessel 
operator maintains the scale in proper operating condition throughout 
its use; that adjustments made to the scale are made so as to bring the 
performance errors as close as practicable to a zero value; and that no 
adjustment is made that will cause the scale to weigh fish inaccurately.
    (5) Printed reports from the scale (not applicable to observer 
sampling scales). The vessel owner must ensure that the printed reports 
are provided as required by this paragraph. Printed reports from the 
scale must be maintained on board the vessel until the end of the year 
during which the reports

[[Page 734]]

were made and be made available to observers, NMFS personnel, or an 
authorized officer. In addition, printed reports must be retained by the 
vessel owner for 3 years after the end of the year during which the 
printouts were made.
    (i) Reports of catch weight and cumulative weight. Reports must be 
printed at least once every 24 hours when use of the scale is required. 
Reports must also be printed before any information stored in the scale 
computer memory is replaced. Scale weights must not be adjusted by the 
scale operator to account for the perceived weight of water, mud, 
debris, or other materials. Scale printouts must show:
    (A) The vessel name and Federal fisheries or processor permit 
number;
    (B) The haul or set number as recorded in the processor's DCPL (see 
Sec. 679.5);
    (C) The total weight of the haul or set;
    (D) The total cumulative weight of all fish or other material 
weighed on the scale.
    (ii) Printed report from the audit trail. The printed report must 
include the information specified in sections 2.3.1.8, 3.3.1.7, and 
4.3.1.8 of appendix A to this part. The printed report must be provided 
to the authorized scale inspector at each scale inspection and must also 
be printed at any time upon request of the observer, the scale 
inspector, NMFS staff, or an authorized officer.
    (iii) Printed reports from the calibration log. The vessel operator 
must print the calibration log on request by NMFS employees or any 
individual authorized by NMFS. The calibration log must be printed and 
retained by the vessel owner and operator before any information stored 
in the scale computer memory is replaced. The calibration log must 
detail either the prior 1,000 calibrations or all calibrations since the 
scale electronics were first put into service, whichever is less. The 
printout from the calibration log must show:
    (A) The vessel name and Federal fisheries or processor permit 
number;
    (B) The month, day, and year of the calibration;
    (C) The time of the calibration to the nearest minute in A.l.t.;
    (D) The weight used to calibrate the scale; and
    (E) The magnitude of the calibration in comparison to the prior 
calibration.
    (iv) Printed reports from the fault log. The vessel operator must 
print the fault log on request by NMFS employees or any individual 
authorized by NMFS. The fault log must be printed and retained by the 
vessel owner and operator before any information stored in the scale 
computer memory is replaced. The fault log must detail either the prior 
1,000 faults and startups, or all faults and startups since the scale 
electronics were first put into service, whichever is less. A fault, for 
the purposes of the fault log, is any condition other than underflow 
detected by the scale electronics that could affect the metrological 
accuracy of the scale. The printout from the fault log must show:
    (A) The vessel name and Federal fisheries or processor permit 
number;
    (B) The month, day, year, and time of each startup to the nearest 
minute in A.l.t.;
    (C) The month, day, year, and time that each fault began to the 
nearest minute in A.l.t.;
    (D) The month, day, year, and time that each fault was resolved to 
the nearest minute in A.l.t.
    (6) Scale installation requirements. The scale display must be 
readable from the location where the observer collects unsorted catch 
unless otherwise authorized by a NMFS-authorized scale inspector.
    (7) Platform scales used as observer sampling scales or to determine 
the known weight of test materials. Platform scales used only as 
observer sampling scales or to determine the known weight of fish for a 
material test of another scale are required to meet all of the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section and appendix A to this 
part except sections 4.3.1 and 4.3.1.5 of appendix A to this part 
(printer) or section 4.3.1.8 (audit trail) of appendix A to this part.
    (8) Video monitoring for scales used by the vessel crew to weigh 
catch. The owner and operator of a vessel fishing for groundfish who are 
required to weigh catch under the regulations in this section must 
provide and maintain a

[[Page 735]]

NMFS-approved video monitoring system as specified in paragraph (e) of 
this section. Additionally, the system must:
    (i) Provide sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor: All 
areas where catch enters the scale, moves across the scale and leaves 
the scale; any access point to the scale from which the scale may be 
adjusted or modified by vessel crew while the vessel is at sea; and the 
scale display and the indicator for the scale operating in a fault 
state.
    (ii) Record and retain video for all periods when catch that must be 
weighed is on board the vessel.
    (c) Scales approved by the State of Alaska. Scale requirements in 
this paragraph are in addition to those requirements set forth by the 
State of Alaska, and nothing in this paragraph may be construed to 
reduce or supersede the authority of the State to regulate, test, or 
approve scales within the State of Alaska or its territorial sea. Scales 
used to weigh groundfish catch that are also required to be approved by 
the State of Alaska under Alaska Statute 45.75 must meet the following 
requirements:
    (1) Verification of approval. The scale must display a valid State 
of Alaska sticker indicating that the scale was inspected and approved 
within the previous 12 months.
    (2) Visibility. The owner and manager of the processor must ensure 
that the scale and scale display are visible simultaneously to the 
observer. Observers, NMFS personnel, or an authorized officer must be 
allowed to observe the weighing of fish on the scale and be allowed to 
read the scale display at all times.
    (3) Printed scale weights. (i) The owner and manager of the 
processor must ensure that printouts of the scale weight of each haul, 
set, or delivery are made available to observers, NMFS personnel, or an 
authorized officer at the time printouts are generated and thereafter 
upon request for the duration of the fishing year. The owner and manager 
must retain scale printouts as records as specified in Sec. 
679.5(a)(5)(ii).
    (ii) A scale identified in a CMCP (see paragraph (g) of this 
section) must produce a printed record for each delivery, or portion of 
a delivery, weighed on that scale. If approved by NMFS as part of the 
CMCP, scales not designed for automatic bulk weighing may be exempted 
from part or all of the printed record requirements. The printed record 
must include:
    (A) The processor name;
    (B) The weight of each load in the weighing cycle;
    (C) The total weight of fish in each delivery, or portion of the 
delivery that was weighed on that scale;
    (D) The total cumulative weight of all fish or other material 
weighed on the scale since the last annual inspection;
    (E) The date and time the information is printed;
    (F) The name and ADF&G number of the vessel making the delivery. 
This information may be written on the scale printout in pen by the 
scale operator at the time of delivery.
    (4) Inseason scale testing. Scales identified in an approved CMCP 
(see paragraph (g) of this section) must be tested by plant personnel in 
accordance with the CMCP when testing is requested by NMFS-staff or 
NMFS-authorized personnel. Plant personnel must be given no less than 20 
minutes notice that a scale is to be tested and no testing may be 
requested if a scale test has been requested and the scale has been 
found to be accurate within the last 24 hours.
    (i) How does a scale pass an inseason test? To pass an inseason 
test, NMFS staff or NMFS-authorized personnel will verify that the scale 
display and printed information are clear and easily read under all 
conditions of normal operation, weight values are visible on the display 
until the value is printed, and the scale does not exceed the maximum 
permissible errors specified below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Maximum Error in Scale
        Test Load in Scale Divisions                   Divisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) 0-500...................................  1
(B) 501-2,000...............................  2
(C) 2,001-4,000.............................  3
(D) 4,000........................  5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) How much weight is required to do an inseason scale test? 
Scales must be tested with the amount and type of

[[Page 736]]

weight specified for each scale type in the following tables:
    (A) Automatic hopper 0 to 150 kg (0 to 300 lb) capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified Test Weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Minimum weighment or 10 kg (20 lb),     Minimum
 whichever is greater
(2) Maximum                                 Maximum
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Automatic hopper 150 kg (300 lb) capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified Test Weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Minimum weighment or 10 kg (20 lb),     Minimum
 whichever is greater
(2) 25 percent of maximum or 150 kg (300    Maximum
 lb), whichever is greater.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) Platform or flatbed 0 to 150 kg (0 to 300 lb) capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified Test Weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 10 kg (20 lb)                           Not Acceptable
(2) Midpoint                                Not Acceptable
(3) Maximum                                 Not Acceptable
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (D) Platform or flatbead 150 kg (300 lb) capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified Test Weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 10 kg (20 lb)                           Not Acceptable
(2) 12.5 percent of maximum or 75 kg (150   50 percent of maximum or 75
 lb), whichever is greater                   kg (150 lb), whichever is
                                             greater
(3) 25 percent of maximum or 150 kg (300    75 percent of maximum or 150
 lb), whichever is greater                   kg (300 lb), whichever is
                                             greater
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (E) Observer sampling scale 50 kg capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified Test Weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 10 kg                                   Not Acceptable
(2) 25 kg                                   Not Acceptable
(3) 50 kg                                   Not Acceptable
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Certified test weights. Each test weight used for inseason 
scale testing must have its weight stamped on or otherwise permanently 
affixed to it. The weight of each test weight must be certified by a 
National Institute of Standards and Technology approved metrology 
laboratory every 2 years. An observer platform scale must be provided 
with sufficient test weights to test the scale at 10 kg, 25 kg, and 50 
kg. All other scales identified in an approved CMCP must be provided 
with sufficient test weights to test the scale as described in this 
paragraph (c)(4) of this section. Test weights for observer platform 
scales must be denominated in kilograms. Test weights for other scales 
may be denominated in pounds.
    (iv) Other test material. When permitted in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of 
this section, a scale may be tested with test material other than 
certified test weights. This material must be weighed on an accurate 
observer platform scale at the time of each use.
    (v) Observer sampling scales. Platform scales used as observer 
sampling scales must:
    (A) Have a capacity of no less than 50 kg;
    (B) Have a division size of no less than 5 g;
    (C) Indicate weight in kilograms and decimal subdivisions; and
    (D) Be accurate within plus or minus 0.5 percent when tested at 10 
kg, 25 kg, and 50 kg by NMFS staff or an observer.
    (d) Observer sampling station--(1) Accessibility. All the equipment 
required for an observer sampling station must be available to the 
observer at all times while a sampling station is required and the 
observer is aboard the vessel, except that the observer sampling scale 
may be used by vessel personnel to conduct material tests of the scale 
used to weigh catch under paragraph (b)(3) of this section, as long as 
the use of the observer's sampling scale by others does not interfere 
with the observer's sampling duties.
    (2) Location--(i) Motherships and catcher/processors or catcher 
vessels using trawl gear. The observer sampling station must be located 
within 4 m of the location from which the observer collects unsorted 
catch. Clear, unobstructed passage must be provided between the observer 
sampling station and the location where the observer collects unsorted 
catch. When standing where unsorted catch is sampled, the observer must 
be able to see that no fish have been removed between the bin and the 
scale used to weigh total catch.
    (ii) Vessels using nontrawl gear. The observer sampling station must 
be located within 5 m of the collection area, described at Sec. 
679.28(d)(8)(ii)(B) of this section, unless any location within this 
distance is unsafe for the observer.

[[Page 737]]

Clear, unobstructed passage must be provided between the observer 
sampling station and the collection area. Access must be provided to the 
tally station, described at Sec. 679.28(d)(8)(ii)(A) of this section. 
NMFS may approve an alternative location if the vessel owner submits a 
written proposal describing the alternative location and the reasons why 
a location within 5 m of where fish are brought on board the vessel is 
unsafe, and the proposed observer sampling station meets all other 
applicable requirements of this section.
    (iii) What is clear, unobstructed passage? Where clear and 
unobstructed passage is required, passageways must be at least 65 cm 
wide at their narrowest point, be free of tripping hazards, and be at 
least 1.8 m high. Doorways or companionways must be free of obstacles.
    (3) Minimum work space. The observer must have a working area for 
sampling of at least 4.5 square meters. This working area includes the 
observer's sampling table. The observer must be able to stand upright 
and have a work area at least 0.9 m deep in the area in front of the 
table and scale.
    (4) Table. The observer sampling station must include a table at 
least 0.6 m deep, 1.2 m wide and 0.9 m high and no more than 1.1 m high. 
The entire surface area of the table must be available for use by the 
observer. Any area used for the observer sampling scale is in addition 
to the minimum space requirements for the table. The observer's sampling 
table must be secured to the floor or wall.
    (5) Observer sampling scale. The observer sampling station must 
include a NMFS-approved platform scale with a capacity of at least 50 kg 
located within 1 m of the observer's sampling table. The scale must be 
mounted so that the weighing surface is no more than 0.7 m above the 
floor. The scale must be approved by NMFS under paragraph (b) of this 
section and must meet the maximum permissible error requirement 
specified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(A) of this section when tested by the 
observer.
    (6) Other requirements. The sampling station must include flooring 
that prevents slipping and drains well (grating or other material where 
appropriate), adequate lighting, and a hose that supplies fresh or sea 
water to the observer.
    (7) Catcher/processors and motherships in the BS pollock fishery, 
including pollock CDQ. Catcher/processors directed fishing for pollock 
in the BS or motherships taking deliveries from vessels directed fishing 
for pollock in the BS also must meet the following requirements:
    (i) A salmon storage container must be located adjacent to the 
observer sampling station;
    (ii) The salmon storage container must remain in view of the 
observer at the observer sampling station at all times during the 
sorting of each haul; and
    (iii) The salmon storage container must be at least 1.5 cubic 
meters.
    (8) Requirements for sampling catch--(i) Motherships and catcher/
processors using trawl gear. The conveyor belt conveying unsorted catch 
must have a removable board to allow fish to be diverted from the belt 
directly into the observer's sampling baskets. The diverter board must 
be located downstream of the scale used to weigh total catch so that the 
observer can use this scale to weigh large samples. At least 1 m of 
accessible belt space, located downstream of the scale used to weigh 
total catch, must be available for the observer's use when sampling a 
haul.
    (ii) Catcher/processors using non-trawl gear. In addition to the 
sampling station, vessels using non-trawl gear must provide:
    (A) Tally station. A place where the observer can see the gear as it 
leaves the water and can count and identify fish. It must be within 5 m 
of where fish are brought aboard the vessel and in a location where the 
observer is not in danger of falling overboard or being injured during 
gear retrieval. Where exposed to wind or seas, it must be equipped with 
a railing at least 1.0 m high, grating or other non-slip material, and 
adequate lighting.
    (B) Collection area. A collection area is a place where the 
observer, or vessel crew under the observer's guidance, collects fish as 
they come off the line or are removed from pots. It must be located 
where the observer can see the gear when it leaves the water. Where 
exposed to wind or seas, it must be

[[Page 738]]

equipped with a railing at least 1.0 m high and grating or other non-
slip material.
    (9) Observer deck sampling station. Motherships and catcher/
processors subject to Sec. 679.120 must be equipped with a deck 
sampling station that meets the following requirements:
    (i) Accessibility. All equipment required for an observer deck 
sampling station must be available to the observer at all times when 
halibut deck sorting.
    (ii) Location. The observer deck sampling station must be located 
adjacent to the point of discard.
    (iii) Work space. The observer must be able to stand upright in 
front of the table.
    (iv) Table--(A) Size. The observer deck sampling station must 
include a table at least 0.6 m deep, 1.2 m wide, and 0.9 m high, and no 
more than 1.1 m high. The entire surface area of the table must be 
available for use by the observer. The table must be secured to the deck 
when halibut deck sorting. The table must be constructed to prevent fish 
from sliding off.
    (B) Length measuring device. The table must have a NMFS-approved 
length measuring device secured to the surface of the table.
    (v) Single pathway. There must be a single pathway for halibut to be 
conveyed to the observer deck sampling station. All halibut sorted on 
deck must pass over the observer table. There must be a single point of 
discard after the observer deck sampling station visible to the 
observer. Halibut too large to be lifted to the table may be measured on 
deck.
    (10) Inspection of the observer sampling station. Each observer 
sampling station must be inspected and approved by NMFS prior to its use 
for the first time and then once each year within 12 months of the most 
recent inspection with the following exceptions: If the observer 
sampling station is moved or if the space or equipment available to the 
observer is reduced or removed when use of the observer sampling station 
is required, the Observer Sampling Station Inspection Report issued 
under this section is no longer valid, and the observer sampling station 
must be reinspected and approved by NMFS. Inspection of the observer 
sampling station is in addition to inspection of the at-sea scales by an 
authorized scale inspector required at paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (i) How does a vessel owner arrange for an observer sampling station 
inspection? The vessel owner must submit an Inspection Request for 
Observer Sampling Station with all the information fields accurately 
filled in to NMFS by fax (206-526-4066) or emailing 
([email protected]) at least 10 working days in advance of 
the requested date of inspection. The request form is available on the 
NMFS Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (ii) Where will Observer sampling station inspections be conducted? 
Inspections will be conducted on vessels tied up at docks in Kodiak, 
Alaska, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and in the Puget Sound area of Washington 
State.
    (iii) Observer Sampling Station Inspection Report. An Observer 
Sampling Station Inspection Report will be issued by NMFS to the vessel 
owner if the observer sampling station meets the requirements in this 
paragraph (d). The vessel owner must maintain a current Observer 
Sampling Station Inspection Report on board the vessel at all times when 
the vessel is required to provide an observer sampling station approved 
for use under this paragraph (d). The Observer Sampling Station 
Inspection Report must be made available to the observer, NMFS 
personnel, or to an authorized officer upon request.
    (A) Deck Sorting. An Observer Sampling Station Inspection Report 
issued to the owner of a vessel participating in halibut deck sorting as 
described at Sec. 679.120 will indicate the time limit for halibut deck 
sorting activities. Considerations used by NMFS to determine the time 
limit for halibut deck sorting include, but are not limited to, deck 
space and configuration, and best available halibut viability 
information.
    (B) [Reserved].
    (e) Video Monitoring System Requirements--(1) What requirements must 
a vessel owner and operator comply with for a video monitoring system? 
(i) The system must have sufficient data storage capacity to store all 
video data from an entire trip. Each frame of stored video

[[Page 739]]

data must record a time/date stamp in Alaska local time (A.l.t.).
    (ii) The system must include at least one external USB port or other 
removable storage device approved by NMFS.
    (iii) The system must output video files to an open source format or 
the vessel owner must provide software capable of converting the output 
video file to an open source format or commercial software must be 
available for converting the output video file to an open source format.
    (iv) Color cameras must have at a minimum 470 TV lines of 
resolution, auto-iris capabilities, and output color video to the 
recording device with the ability to revert to black and white video 
output when light levels become too low for color recognition.
    (v) The video data must be maintained by the vessel operator and 
made available on request by NMFS employees, or any individual 
authorized by NMFS. The data must be retained on board the vessel for no 
less than 120 days after the date the video is recorded, unless NMFS has 
notified the vessel operator that the video data may be retained for 
less than this 120-day period.
    (vi) The system must record at a speed of no less than 5 unique 
frames per second at all times when the use of a video monitoring system 
is required.
    (vii) NMFS employees, or any individual authorized by NMFS, must be 
able to view any video footage from any point in the trip using a 16-bit 
or better color monitor that can display all camera views simultaneously 
and must be assisted by crew knowledgeable in the operation of the 
system.
    (viii) Unless exempted under paragraph (D) below, a 16-bit or better 
color monitor must be provided within the observer sampling station or 
at the location where the observer sorts and weighs samples. The 
monitor:
    (A) Must have the capacity to display all camera views 
simultaneously;
    (B) Must be operating when the use of a video monitoring system is 
required;
    (C) Must be securely mounted at or near eye level;
    (D) Is not applicable to longline C/Ps subject to Sec. 
679.100(b)(2).
    (2) How does a vessel owner or operator arrange for NMFS to conduct 
a video monitoring system inspection? The vessel owner or operator must 
submit an Inspection Request for a Video Monitoring System to NMFS with 
all information fields accurately filled in at least 10 working days in 
advance of the requested date of inspection. The request form is 
available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site (https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov).
    (3) What additional information is required for a video monitoring 
system inspection? (i) A diagram drawn to scale showing all sorting 
locations, the location of the motion-compensated scale, the location of 
each camera and its coverage area, and the location of any additional 
video equipment must be submitted with the Inspection Request for a 
Video Monitoring System form. Diagrams for C/Ps and motherships in the 
BSAI pollock fishery, including pollock CDQ, must include the location 
of the salmon storage container.
    (ii) Any additional information requested by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (4) Where will NMFS conduct video monitoring and bin monitoring 
system inspections? Inspections will be conducted on vessels tied to 
docks at Dutch Harbor, Alaska; Kodiak, Alaska; and in the Puget Sound 
area of Washington State.
    (5) A video monitoring system is approved for use when NMFS 
employees, or any individual authorized by NMFS, completes and signs a 
Video Monitoring Inspection Report verifying that the video system meets 
all applicable requirements of this section.
    (6) A vessel owner or operator must maintain a current NMFS-issued 
Video Monitoring System Inspection Report on board the vessel at all 
times the vessel is required to provide an approved video monitoring 
system. The Video Monitoring System Inspection Report must be made 
available to the observer, NMFS personnel, or to an authorized officer 
upon request.
    (7) How does a vessel owner make a change to the video monitoring 
system? Any change to the video monitoring system that would affect the 
system's functionality must be submitted by a vessel owner to, and be 
approved by,

[[Page 740]]

the Regional Administrator in writing before that change is made.
    (f) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Requirements--(1) What is a VMS? 
A VMS consists of a NMFS-approved VMS transmitter that automatically 
determines the vessels position and transmits it to a NMFS-approved 
communications service provider. The communications service provider 
receives the transmission and relays it to NMFS.
    (2) How are VMS transmitters and communications service providers 
approved by NMFS? (i) NMFS publishes type approval specifications for 
VMS components in the Federal Register.
    (ii) Transmitter manufacturers or communication service providers 
may submit products or services to NMFS for evaluation based on the 
published specifications.
    (iii) NMFS will publish a list of NMFS-approved transmitters and 
communication service providers in the Federal Register. As necessary, 
NMFS will publish amendments to the list of approved components in the 
Federal Register.
    (3) What are the vessel owner's responsibilities? If you are a 
vessel owner that must participate in a VMS, you or your crew must:
    (i) Obtain a NMFS-approved VMS transmitter with transmission 
capabilities required for the areas of vessel operation and have it 
installed onboard your vessel in accordance with the instructions 
provided by NMFS. You may get a copy of the VMS installation and 
operation instructions from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (ii) Activate the VMS transmitter and receive confirmation from NMFS 
that the VMS transmissions are being received before engaging in 
operations when a VMS is required.
    (iii) Continue the VMS transmissions until no longer engaged in 
operations requiring VMS.
    (iv) Stop fishing immediately if:
    (A) Informed by NMFS staff or an authorized officer that NMFS is not 
receiving position reports from the VMS transmitter, or
    (B) The vessel operator determines that the VMS is not transmitting 
properly.
    (v) Make the VMS transmitter available for inspection by NMFS 
personnel, observers or an authorized officer.
    (vi) Ensure that the VMS transmitter is not tampered with, disabled, 
destroyed or operated improperly.
    (vii) Pay all charges levied by the communication service provider.
    (4) What must the vessel owner do before activating a VMS 
transmitter for the first time? If you are a vessel owner who must use a 
VMS and you are activating a VMS transmitter for the first time, you 
must:
    (i) Register the vessel's VMS unit with an appropriate service 
provider;
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (iii) Call OLE at 907-586-7225, Monday through Friday, between the 
hours of 0800 hours, A.l.t., and 1630 hours, A.l.t., at least 72 hours 
before leaving port and receive confirmation that the transmissions are 
being received.
    (5) What must the vessel owner do when the vessel replaces a VMS 
transmitter? A vessel owner who must use a VMS and who intends to 
replace a transmitter, must follow the reporting and confirmation 
procedure for the replacement transmitter, as described in paragraph 
(f)(4) of this section.
    (6) When must the VMS transmitter be transmitting? Your vessel's 
transmitter must be transmitting if:
    (i) You operate a vessel in any reporting area (see definitions at 
Sec. 679.2) off Alaska while any fishery requiring VMS, for which the 
vessel has a species and gear endorsement on its Federal Fisheries 
Permit under Sec. 679.4(b), is open.
    (ii) You operate a vessel required to be federally permitted in 
reporting areas located in the Aleutian Islands subarea or operate a 
federally permitted vessel in adjacent State waters;
    (iii) You operate a vessel required to be Federally permitted with 
non-pelagic trawl or dredge gear onboard in reporting areas located in 
the GOA or operate a federally permitted vessel with non-pelagic trawl 
or dredge gear onboard in adjacent State waters;
    (iv) When that vessel is required to use functioning VMS equipment 
in the Rockfish Program as described in Sec. 679.7(n)(3);

[[Page 741]]

    (v) You operate a vessel in federal reporting areas 610, 620, or 
630, and receive and process groundfish from other vessels;
    (vi) You operate an Amendment 80 catcher/processor (see Sec. 
679.5(s));
    (vii) You are fishing for IFQ sablefish in the Bering Sea or 
Aleutian Islands (see Sec. 679.42(k));
    (viii) You are fishing for IFQ sablefish in the GOA using longline 
pot gear (see Sec. 679.42(l)) or fishing for IFQ or CDQ halibut or CDQ 
sablefish in the BSAI using pot gear (see Sec. 679.42(m)); or
    (ix) You are required under the Crab Rationalization Program 
regulations at 50 CFR 680.23(d).
    (7) What additional requirements does an operator have if trawling 
in the Aleutian Islands reporting areas? Operators of vessels named on a 
Federal Fisheries Permit under Sec. 679.4(b), and that are using trawl 
gear in the Aleutian Islands reporting areas to harvest groundfish that 
is required to be deducted from a Federal TAC specified at Sec. 679.20, 
must set their VMS to transmit the vessel location at least 10 times per 
hour.
    (g) Catch monitoring and control plan requirements (CMCP)--(1) What 
is a CMCP? A CMCP is a plan submitted by the owner and manager of a 
processing plant, and approved by NMFS, detailing how the processing 
plant will meet the catch monitoring and control standards detailed in 
paragraph (g)(7) of this section.
    (2) Who is required to prepare and submit a CMCP for approval? The 
owner and manager of shoreside or stationary floating processors 
receiving fish harvested in the following fisheries must prepare, 
submit, and have approved a CMCP prior to the receipt of fish harvested 
in these fisheries:
    (i) AFA and CDQ pollock,
    (ii) AI directed pollock,
    (iii) Rockfish Program, unless those fish are harvested under the 
rockfish entry level longline fishery as described under Sec. 679.83.
    (3) How is a CMCP approved by NMFS? NMFS will approve a CMCP if it 
meets all the requirements specified in paragraph (g)(7) of this 
section. The processor must be inspected by NMFS prior to approval of 
the CMCP to ensure that the processor conforms to the elements addressed 
in the CMCP. NMFS will complete its review of the CMCP within 14 working 
days of receiving a complete CMCP and conducting a CMCP inspection. If 
NMFS disapproves a CMCP, the plant owner or manager may resubmit a 
revised CMCP or file an administrative appeal as set forth under the 
administrative appeals procedures described at Sec. 679.43.
    (4) How is a CMCP inspection arranged? The time and place of a CMCP 
inspection may be arranged by submitting a written request for an 
inspection to NMFS, Alaska Region. NMFS will schedule an inspection 
within 10 working days after NMFS receives a complete application for an 
inspection. The inspection request must include:
    (i) Name and signature of the person submitting the application and 
the date of the application;
    (ii) Address, telephone number, fax number, and email address (if 
available) of the person submitting the application;
    (iii) A proposed CMCP detailing how the processor will meet each of 
the performance standards in paragraph (g)(7) of this section.
    (5) For how long is a CMCP approved? NMFS will approve a CMCP for 1 
year if it meets the performance standards specified in paragraph (e)(2) 
of this section. An owner or manager must notify NMFS in writing if 
changes are made in plant operations or layout that do not conform to 
the CMCP.
    (6) How do I make changes to my CMCP? An owner and manager may 
change an approved CMCP by submitting a CMCP addendum to NMFS. NMFS will 
approve the modified CMCP if it continues to meet the performance 
standards specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section. Depending on 
the nature and magnitude of the change requested, NMFS may require a 
CMCP inspection as described in paragraph (g)(3) of this section. A CMCP 
addendum must contain:
    (i) Name and signature of the person submitting the addendum;
    (ii) Address, telephone number, fax number and email address (if 
available) of the person submitting the addendum;
    (iii) A complete description of the proposed CMCP change.

[[Page 742]]

    (7) Catch monitoring and control standards--(i) Catch sorting and 
weighing requirements. All groundfish delivered to the plant must be 
sorted and weighed by species. The CMCP must detail the amount and 
location of space for sorting catch, the number of staff assigned to 
catch sorting and the maximum rate that catch will flow through the 
sorting area.
    (ii) Scales used for weighing groundfish. The CMCP must identify by 
serial number each scale used to weigh groundfish and describe the 
rational for its use.
    (iii) Scale testing procedures. Scales identified in the CMCP must 
be accurate within the limits specified in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this 
section. For each scale identified in the CMCP a testing plan must be 
developed that:
    (A) Describes the procedure the plant will use to test the scale;
    (B) Lists the test weights and equipment required to test the scale;
    (C) Lists where the test weights and equipment will be stored; and
    (D) Lists the plant personnel responsible for conducting the scale 
testing.
    (iv) Printed record. The owner and manager must ensure that the 
scale produces a complete and accurate printed record of the weight of 
each species in a delivery. All of the groundfish in a delivery must be 
weighed on a scale capable of producing a complete printed record as 
described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. However, NMFS may exempt 
scales not designed for automatic bulk weighing from some or all of the 
printed record requirements if the CMCP identifies any scale that cannot 
produce a complete printed record, states how the processor will use the 
scale, and states how the plant intends to produce a complete record of 
the total weight of each delivery.
    (v) Delivery point. Each CMCP must identify a single delivery point. 
The delivery point is the first location where fish removed from a 
delivering catcher vessel can be sorted or diverted to more than one 
location. If the catch is pumped from the hold of a catcher vessel or a 
codend, the delivery point normally will be the location where the pump 
first discharges the catch. If catch is removed from a vessel by 
brailing, the delivery point normally will be the bin or belt where the 
brailer discharges the catch.
    (vi) Observation area. Each CMCP must designate an observation area. 
The observation area is a location designated on the CMCP where an 
individual may monitor the flow of fish during a delivery. The owner and 
manager must ensure that the observation area meets the following 
standards:
    (A) Access to the observation area. The observation area must be 
freely accessible to NMFS staff or NMFS-authorized personnel at any time 
a valid CMCP is required.
    (B) Monitoring the flow of fish. From the observation area, an 
individual must have an unobstructed view or otherwise be able to 
monitor the entire flow of fish between the delivery point and a 
location where all sorting has taken place and each species has been 
weighed.
    (C) For shoreside processors or stationary floating processors 
taking deliveries from vessels directed fishing for pollock in the BS, 
including vessels directed fishing for pollock CDQ in the BS, the 
observation area must provide a clear, unobstructed view of the salmon 
storage container to ensure no salmon of any species are removed without 
the observer's knowledge.
    (vii) Observer work station. Each CMCP must identify and include an 
observer work station for the exclusive use of observers. Unless 
otherwise approved by NMFS, the work station must meet the following 
criteria:
    (A) Location of observer work station. (1) The observer work station 
must be located in an area protected from the weather where the observer 
has access to unsorted catch.
    (2) For shoreside processors or stationary floating processors 
taking deliveries from vessels directed fishing for pollock in the BS, 
including vessels directed fishing for pollock CDQ in the BS, the 
observer work station must be adjacent to the location where salmon will 
be counted and biological samples or scientific data are collected.
    (B) Platform scale. The observer work station must include a 
platform scale as described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section;

[[Page 743]]

    (C) Proximity of observer work station. The observation area must be 
located near the observer work station. The plant liaison must be able 
to walk between the work station and the observation area in less than 
20 seconds without encountering safety hazards.
    (D) Workspace. The observer work station must include: A working 
area of at least 4.5 square meters, a table as specified in paragraph 
(d)(4) of this section, and meet the other requirements as specified in 
paragraph (d)(6) of this section.
    (E) Lockable cabinet. The observer work station must include a 
secure and lockable cabinet or locker of at least 0.5 cubic meters.
    (viii) Communication with observer. The CMCP must describe what 
communication equipment such as radios, pagers or cellular phones, is 
used to facilitate communications within the plant. The plant owner must 
ensure that the plant manager provides the observer with the same 
communications equipment used by plant staff.
    (ix) Plant liaison. The CMCP must designate a plant liaison. The 
plant liaison is responsible for:
    (A) Orienting new observers to the plant and providing a copy of the 
approved CMCP;
    (B) Assisting in the resolution of observer concerns; and
    (C) Informing NMFS if changes must be made to the CMCP.
    (x) Scale drawing of plant. The CMCP must be accompanied by a scale 
drawing of the plant showing:
    (A) The delivery point;
    (B) The observation area;
    (C) The observer work station;
    (D) The location of each scale used to weigh catch;
    (E) Each location where catch is sorted including the last location 
where sorting could occur; and
    (F) For shoreside processors or stationary floating processors 
taking deliveries from vessels directed fishing for BS pollock, 
including vessels directed fishing for pollock CDQ in the BS, the 
location of the salmon storage container.
    (xi) CMCP specialist notification. For shoreside processors 
receiving deliveries of groundfish harvested under the authority of a 
rockfish CQ permit, describe how the CMCP specialist will be notified of 
deliveries of groundfish harvested under the authority of a rockfish CQ 
permit.
    (h) ELB software--(1) How do I get my ELB software approved by 
NMFS?--(i) Specifications. NMFS will provide specifications for ELB 
software upon request. Interested parties may contact NMFS by mail at 
NMFS Alaska Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Catch Accounting/
Data Quality, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; by telephone at 
907-586-7228. The four types of ELB software are:
    (A) Catcher vessel longline or pot gear (see Sec. 679.5(c)(3));
    (B) Catcher/processor longline or pot gear (see Sec. 679.5(c)(3));
    (C) Catcher vessel trawl gear (see Sec. 679.5(c)(4)); and
    (D) Catcher/processor trawl gear (see Sec. 679.5(c)(4)).
    (ii) ELB submittal package. A vendor or developer wishing to have an 
ELB approved by NMFS must submit:
    (A) A fully operational test copy of the software; and
    (B) An application for ELB-approval giving the following information 
(see paragraphs (h)(1)(ii)(B)(1) through (3) of this section):
    (1) Company, contact person, address, telephone number, and fax 
number for the company developing the software;
    (2) Name and type of software; and
    (3) Printed name and signature of individual submitting the software 
for approval.
    (C) Copies of all manuals and documentation for the software.
    (iii) ELB approval. NMFS will approve ELB software within 60 working 
days of receipt of all required information if the software meets the 
following standards in paragraphs (h)(1)(iii)(A) through (H) of this 
section):
    (A) Has fields for the entry of all information required for a paper 
DFL or DCPL as described in Sec. 679.5(c)(3) and (4), as appropriate.
    (B) The software must automatically time and date stamp each printed 
copy of the ELB logsheet and ELB discard report and clearly identify the 
first printed copy as an original. If any changes are made to the data 
in the ELB, subsequent printed copies must clearly be identified as 
revised. The

[[Page 744]]

software must be designed to prevent the operator from overriding this 
feature.
    (C) The software must export data as an ASCII comma delimited text 
file, xml file, or other format approved by NMFS.
    (D) The software must integrate with the vessel's global positioning 
system (GPS) to allow vessel location fields to be completed 
automatically.
    (E) When the software is started, it must clearly show the software 
version number.
    (F) The software must be designed to facilitate the transfer of an 
export file to NMFS as an email attachment.
    (G) The software must be designed to ensure that an operator can 
comply with the requirements for ELB use as described in Sec. 679.5(f).
    (H) The software must include sufficient data validation capability 
to prevent a submitter from accidentally transmitting a data file or 
printing an ELB logsheet that is incomplete or contains clearly 
erroneous data.
    (2) What if I need to make changes to NMFS-approved ELB software?--
(i) NMFS-instigated changes. NMFS will provide the developer with 
information that affects the ELB software as soon as it is available for 
distribution, e.g., changes in species codes or product codes.
    (ii) Developer-instigated changes. The developer must submit a copy 
of the changed software along with documentation describing the need for 
the change to NMFS for review and approval as described in paragraph 
(h)(1)(ii) of this section. NMFS will review and approve the new version 
according to the guidelines set forth in paragraph (h)(1)(iii) of this 
section.
    (iii) NMFS-approved ELB changes. If changes to ELB software are 
approved by NMFS, the developer must:
    (A) Give the revised software a new version number;
    (B) Notify all known ELB users of the software that a new version is 
available; and
    (C) Ensure that the ELB users are provided with a revised copy 
within 15 days of notification.
    (i) Bin monitoring--(1) Bin monitoring standards. The vessel owner 
or operator must comply with the requirements specified in paragraph 
(i)(1)(i) of this section unless the vessel owner or operator has 
requested, and NMFS has approved, the video monitoring option described 
at paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (i) Option 1--No crew in bin or tank. No crew may enter any bin or 
tank preceding the point where the observer samples unsorted catch, 
unless:
    (A) The flow of fish has been stopped between the tank and the 
location where the observer samples unsorted catch;
    (B) All catch has been cleared from all locations between the tank 
and the location where the observer samples unsorted catch;
    (C) The observer has been given notice that the vessel crew must 
enter the tank; and either
    (D) The observer is given the opportunity to observe the activities 
of the person(s) in the tank; or
    (E) The observer informs the vessel operator, or his designee, that 
all sampling has been completed for a given haul, in which case crew may 
enter a tank containing fish from that haul without stopping the flow of 
fish or clearing catch between the tank and the observer sampling 
station.
    (ii) Option 2--Video monitoring system option. A vessel owner and 
operator must provide and maintain a NMFS-approved video monitoring 
system as specified in paragraph (e) of this section. Additionally, the 
vessel owner and operator must ensure that the system:
    (A) Records and retains all video for all periods when fish are 
inside the bin; and
    (B) Provides sufficient resolution and field of view to see crew 
activities from any location within the tank where crew could be 
located.
    (2) Who must have a bin monitoring option inspection? A vessel owner 
or operator choosing to operate under the video option (option 2) in 
paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section must receive an annual bin 
monitoring option inspection.
    (3) How does a vessel owner arrange for a bin monitoring option 
inspection? The owner must submit an Inspection Request for Bin 
Monitoring to NMFS with all the information fields filled in

[[Page 745]]

at least 10 working days in advance of the requested date of inspection. 
The request form is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site 
(https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov).
    (4) Where will bin monitoring option inspections be conducted? 
Inspections will be conducted on vessels tied to docks at Dutch Harbor, 
Alaska, Kodiak, Alaska, and in the Puget Sound area of Washington State.
    (5) Bin monitoring option inspection report. A bin monitoring option 
inspection report will be issued to the vessel owner if the bin 
monitoring option meets the requirements of paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this 
section. The vessel owner must maintain a current bin option inspection 
report on board the vessel at all times the vessel is required to 
provide an approved bin monitoring option under this paragraph (i)(5). 
The bin monitoring option inspection report must be made available to 
the observer, NMFS personnel, or to an authorized officer upon request.
    (j) Video monitoring on catcher/processors and motherships in the BS 
pollock fishery, including pollock CDQ. The owner and operator of a 
catcher/processor or a mothership must provide and maintain a video 
monitoring system approved under paragraph (e) of this section. These 
video monitoring system requirements must be met when the catcher/
processor is directed fishing for pollock in the BS, including pollock 
CDQ, and when the mothership is taking deliveries from catcher vessels 
directed fishing for pollock in the BS, including pollock CDQ. 
Additionally, the system must--
    (1) Record and retain video for all periods when fish are flowing 
past the sorting area or salmon are in the storage container.
    (2) The system must provide sufficient resolution and field of view 
to observe all areas where salmon are sorted from the catch, all crew 
actions in these areas, and discern individual fish in the salmon 
storage container.
    (k) Video monitoring in the longline catcher/processor subsector. 
The owner and operator of a catcher/processor subject to Sec. 
679.100(b)(2) must provide and maintain a video monitoring system 
approved under paragraph (e) of this section. These video monitoring 
system requirements must be met when the vessel is operating in either 
the BSAI or GOA groundfish fisheries when directed fishing for Pacific 
cod is open in the BSAI, or while the vessel is groundfish CDQ fishing. 
Additionally, the system must:
    (1) Record and retain video for all periods when Pacific cod are 
being sorted and weighed.
    (2) Provide sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor all 
areas where Pacific cod are sorted from the catch, all fish passing over 
the motion-compensated scale, and all crew actions in these areas.
    (l) Video monitoring for halibut deck sorting. The owner and 
operator of a mothership or catcher/processor subject to Sec. 679.120 
must provide and maintain a video monitoring system approved under 
paragraph (e) of this section when the vessel is halibut deck sorting. 
Additionally, the system must--
    (1) Record and retain video for an entire trip when halibut deck 
sorting may occur; and
    (2) Provide sufficient resolution and field of view to monitor all 
areas on deck where halibut may be sorted from the catch and discarded, 
and all crew actions in these areas.

[63 FR 5843, Feb. 4, 1998]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.28, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



      Subpart C_Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program



Sec. 679.30  [Reserved]



Sec. 679.31  CDQ and PSQ reserves, allocations, and transfers.

    (a) CDQ, PSQ, and CDQ ABC reserves--(1) Groundfish CDQ reserves. See 
Sec. 679.20 (b)(1)(ii).
    (2) Halibut CDQ reserve--(i) NMFS will annually withhold from the 
IFQ allocation the proportions of the halibut catch limit that are 
specified in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section for use as a CDQ 
reserve.
    (ii) The proportions of the halibut catch limit annually withheld 
for the

[[Page 746]]

halibut CDQ program, exclusive of issued QS, are as follows for each 
IPHC regulatory area (see Figure 15 to this part):
    (A) Area 4B. In IPHC regulatory area 4B, 20 percent of the annual 
halibut quota shall be apportioned to a CDQ reserve.
    (B) Area 4C. In IPHC regulatory area 4C, 50 percent of the annual 
halibut quota shall be apportioned to a CDQ reserve.
    (C) Area 4D. In IPHC regulatory area 4D, 30 percent of the annual 
halibut quota shall be apportioned to a CDQ reserve.
    (D) Area 4E. In IPHC regulatory area 4E, 100 percent of the annual 
halibut quota shall be apportioned to a CDQ reserve. A fishing trip 
limit of 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) applies to halibut CDQ harvested through 
September 1.
    (3) Crab CDQ reserves. Crab CDQ reserves for crab species governed 
by the Crab Rationalization Program are specified at Sec. 680.40(a)(1) 
of this chapter. For Norton Sound red king crab, 7.5 percent of the 
guideline harvest level specified by the State of Alaska is allocated to 
the crab CDQ reserve.
    (4) PSQ reserve. (See Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A) and (b)(1)(iv))
    (5) CDQ ABC reserves. (See Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(iii)(A))
    (b) Allocations of CDQ, PSQ, and CDQ ABC reserves among the CDQ 
groups--(1) Annual allocations of groundfish, halibut, and crab CDQ 
reserves among the CDQ groups. The CDQ reserves in paragraphs (a)(1) 
through (a)(3) of this section and Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii) shall be 
allocated among the CDQ groups based on the CDQ percentage allocations 
required under 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(C), unless modified under 16 U.S.C. 
1855(i)(1)(H). A portion of the groundfish CDQ reserves will be 
allocated according to paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Annual allocations of nontarget groundfish species among the CDQ 
groups. Seven-tenths of one percent of each of the annual TACs allocated 
as groundfish CDQ reserves under Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and (D), with 
the exception of the trawl gear sablefish CDQ reserves, shall be 
allocated among the CDQ groups by the panel established in section 
305(i)(1)(G) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (3) Annual allocations of PSQ reserves among the CDQ groups. The 
annual PSQ reserves shall be allocated among the CDQ groups based on the 
percentage allocations approved by NMFS on August 8, 2005. These 
percentage allocations are described and listed in a notice published in 
the Federal Register on August 31, 2006 (71 FR 51804).
    (4) Annual allocations of CDQ ABC reserves among the CDQ groups. (i) 
An amount equivalent to 10 percent of the ABC reserve for flathead sole, 
rock sole, and yellowfin sole as determined under the annual harvest 
specifications at Sec. 679.20(c) shall be allocated among the CDQ 
groups based on the CDQ percentage allocations under 16 U.S.C. 
1855(i)(1)(C), unless modified under 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(H); and
    (ii) An amount equivalent to 0.7 percent of the ABC reserve for 
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole as determined under the 
annual harvest specifications at Sec. 679.20(c) shall be allocated 
among the CDQ groups by the panel established in section 305(i)(1)(G) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (c) Transfers. CDQ groups may request that NMFS transfer CDQ or PSQ 
from one group to another group by each group submitting a completed 
transfer request as described in Sec. 679.5(n)(1). NMFS will approve 
the transfer request if the CDQ group transferring quota to another CDQ 
group has sufficient quota available for transfer. If NMFS approves the 
request, NMFS will make the requested transfer(s) by decreasing the 
account balance of the CDQ group from which the CDQ or PSQ species is 
transferred and by increasing the account balance of the CDQ group 
receiving the transferred CDQ or PSQ species. The PSQ will be 
transferred as of the date NMFS approves the transfer request and is 
effective only for the remainder of the calendar year in which the 
transfer occurs.
    (d) Accessing CDQ ABC reserves. Each CDQ group may request that NMFS 
approve a Flatfish Exchange to add flathead sole, rock sole, or 
yellowfin sole to its CDQ account in exchange for reducing its CDQ 
account by an equal amount of flathead sole, rock sole, or

[[Page 747]]

yellowfin sole. CDQ groups may request Flatfish Exchanges by submitting 
a completed Flatfish Exchange Application as described at Sec. 
679.4(p).

[77 FR 6498, Feb. 8, 2012, as amended at 79 FR 56681, Sept. 23, 2014; 81 
FR 24733, Apr. 27, 2016]



Sec. 679.32  Groundfish and halibut CDQ catch monitoring.

    (a) Applicability. This section contains requirements for CDQ 
groups, vessel operators, and managers of processors that harvest or 
process fixed gear sablefish CDQ, pollock CDQ, or groundfish CDQ. 
Regulations governing the catch accounting of halibut CDQ are at Sec. 
679.40(h).
    (b) PSQ catch. Time and area closures required once a CDQ group has 
reached its salmon PSQ or crab PSQ are listed in Sec. 679.7(d)(5). The 
catch of salmon or crab by vessels using other than trawl gear does not 
accrue to the PSQ for these species. The discard of halibut by vessels 
using pot gear, jig gear, or hook-and-line gear to harvest sablefish CDQ 
will not accrue to the halibut PSQ if this bycatch has been exempted 
from the halibut PSC limit in the annual BSAI specifications published 
in the Federal Register.
    (c) Fisheries monitoring requirements and catch accounting sources 
for vessels sablefish, pollock, or groundfish CDQ fishing--(1) Sablefish 
CDQ fishing with fixed gear.
    (i) Observer coverage. Operators and owners of catcher vessels 
sablefish CDQ fishing must comply with observer coverage requirements at 
Sec. 679.51(a)(1). Operators and owners of catcher/processors sablefish 
CDQ fishing must comply with observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2).
    (ii) Data sources used for CDQ catch accounting. NMFS will use the 
following data sources to account for catch made by vessels sablefish 
CDQ fishing with fixed gear:
    (A) Sablefish CDQ. NMFS will use the same information sources that 
are used to debit sablefish IFQ accounts (see Sec. 679.40(h)) to debit 
fixed gear sablefish CDQ accounts. This information must be reported 
through standard reporting requirements in Sec. 679.5.
    (B) Groundfish CDQ. NMFS will use the catch information submitted 
under standard reporting requirements in Sec. 679.5 to debit any other 
groundfish CDQ species caught while sablefish CDQ fishing from 
applicable groundfish CDQ accounts.
    (2) Pollock CDQ fishing--(i) Operational requirements for catcher/
processors and motherships. Operators of catcher/processors directed 
fishing for pollock CDQ and motherships taking deliveries of codends 
from catcher vessels directed fishing for pollock must comply with the 
following:
    (A) Comply with observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2).
    (B) Notify the observers of CDQ catch before CDQ catch is brought 
onboard the vessel and notify the observers of the CDQ group and CDQ 
number associated with the CDQ catch.
    (C) Comply with the catch weighing and observer sampling station 
requirements at Sec. 679.63(a).
    (ii) Data sources used for CDQ catch accounting--(A) Catcher/
processors and motherships. NMFS will use observer data as the basis to 
debit pollock CDQ, groundfish CDQ, and PSQ account balances.
    (B) Catcher vessels delivering to shoreside processors. NMFS will 
use the catch information submitted under standard reporting 
requirements in Sec. 679.5 to debit pollock CDQ, other groundfish CDQ 
species, and PSQ caught while pollock CDQ fishing from applicable CDQ 
account balances.
    (3) Groundfish CDQ fishing--(i) Operational requirements--(A) 
Catcher vessels using trawl gear and delivering sorted catch to a 
processor. Operators of vessels in this category must comply with all of 
the following requirements:
    (1) Comply with the observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2).
    (2) Retain all CDQ species and salmon PSQ until they are delivered 
to a processor that meets the requirements of paragraph (d) of this 
section unless retention of groundfish CDQ species is not authorized 
under Sec. 679.4 of this part; discard of the groundfish CDQ species is 
required under subpart B of this part; or, in waters within the State of 
Alaska, discard is required by laws of the State of Alaska.
    (3) Retain all halibut and crab PSQ in a bin or other location until 
it is counted and sampled by the observer.

[[Page 748]]

    (4) Provide space on the deck of the vessel for the observer to sort 
and store catch samples and a place from which to hang the observer 
sampling scale.
    (B) Catcher/processors using trawl gear. Operators of vessels in 
this category must comply with the following requirements:
    (1) Comply with the observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2).
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) Comply with the catch monitoring requirements at Sec. 
679.93(c).
    (C) Motherships taking deliveries of unsorted codends. Operators of 
vessels in this category must comply with the following requirements:
    (1) Comply with the observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2).
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) Provide an observer sampling station as described at Sec. 
679.28(d).
    (4) The operator of a mothership taking deliveries of unsorted 
codends from catcher vessels must weigh all catch, except halibut sorted 
on deck by vessels participating in halibut deck sorting described at 
Sec. 679.120, on a scale that complies with the requirements of Sec. 
679.28(b). Catch must not be sorted before it is weighed, unless a 
provision for doing so is approved by NMFS for the vessel. Each CDQ haul 
must be sampled by an observer for species composition and the vessel 
operator must allow observers to use any scale approved by NMFS to weigh 
partial CDQ haul samples.
    (D) Observed catcher vessels using nontrawl gear. This paragraph 
applies to all observed catcher vessels using nontrawl gear, except 
those catcher vessels regulated under paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this 
section. Operators of vessels in this category must retain all CDQ 
species until they are delivered to a processor that meets the 
requirements of paragraph (d) of this section unless retention of 
groundfish CDQ species is not authorized under Sec. 679.4, discard of 
the groundfish CDQ or PSQ species is required under subpart B of this 
part, or, in waters within the State of Alaska, discard is required by 
laws of the State of Alaska. All of the halibut PSQ must be counted and 
sampled for length or weight by the observer.
    (E) Catcher/processors using nontrawl gear. Operators of vessels in 
this category must comply with the following requirements:
    (1) Operators of catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear must 
comply with Sec. 679.100. Operators of catcher/processors using pot 
gear must comply with observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2)(vi)(A)(4); and
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) Provide an observer sampling station as described at Sec. 
679.28(d).
    (4) Notify the Observer Program by phone at 1 (907) 581-2060 (Dutch 
Harbor, AK) or 1 (907) 481-1770 (Kodiak, AK) at least 24 hours prior to 
departure when the vessel will be carrying an observer who has not 
previously been deployed on that vessel within the last 12 months. 
Subsequent to the vessel's departure notification, but prior to 
departure, NMFS may contact the vessel to arrange for a pre-cruise 
meeting. The pre-cruise meeting must minimally include the vessel 
operator or manager and any observers assigned to the vessel.
    (ii) Data sources used for CDQ catch accounting. NMFS will use the 
following sources to account for the catch of groundfish CDQ and PSQ 
species caught by vessels groundfish CDQ fishing.
    (A) Catcher vessels delivering unsorted codends. The weight and 
numbers of groundfish CDQ (including pollock) and PSQ species will be 
determined by applying the species composition sampling data collected 
for each CDQ haul by the observer on the mothership to the total weight 
of each CDQ haul as determined by weighing all catch from each CDQ haul 
on a scale approved under Sec. 679.28(b).
    (B) Observed catcher vessels using trawl gear. The estimated weight 
of halibut and numbers of crab PSQ discarded at sea will be determined 
by using the observer's sample data. The weight or numbers of all landed 
groundfish CDQ and salmon PSQ will be derived from the delivery 
information submitted through the eLandings system, as required at Sec. 
679.5(e).
    (C) Catcher/processors and motherships using trawl gear. The weight 
and numbers of CDQ and PSQ species will be determined by applying the 
observer's sampling data to the total weight of the CDQ haul.

[[Page 749]]

    (D) Observed catcher vessels using nontrawl gear. This paragraph 
applies to all observed catcher vessels using nontrawl gear, except 
those catcher vessels regulated under paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this 
section. The weight of halibut PSQ discarded at sea will be determined 
by using the observer's sample data. The weight or numbers of all landed 
groundfish CDQ and salmon PSQ will be derived from the delivery 
information submitted through the eLandings system, as required at Sec. 
679.5(e).
    (E) Catcher/processors using nontrawl gear. The weight of halibut 
PSQ and all groundfish CDQ species, except sablefish, will be determined 
by applying the observer's species composition sampling data to the 
estimate of total catch weight, if any CDQ species are discarded at sea. 
Sablefish CDQ caught with fixed gear is accounted for as described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Groundfish CDQ fishing by catcher vessels less than or equal 
to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-line gear--(A) Applicability. Regulations in 
this paragraph apply to the operators of catcher vessels less than or 
equal to 46 ft (14.0 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear when groundfish CDQ 
fishing and to the CDQ groups authorizing the operators of these vessels 
to harvest groundfish CDQ or halibut CDQ.
    (B) Halibut CDQ or halibut IFQ. If any halibut CDQ or halibut IFQ 
are retained during a fishing trip on board a vessel described in 
paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(A) of this section, the following requirements 
apply:
    (1) The vessel operator must retain all legal-size halibut caught 
during that entire fishing trip.
    (2) The vessel operator must have sufficient halibut IFQ or halibut 
CDQ available to account for the catch of all legal-size halibut caught 
during the entire fishing trip.
    (3) If the vessel operator is relying on halibut CDQ from a CDQ 
group to support the retained catch of legal-size halibut during a 
fishing trip, the CDQ group must provide adequate halibut CDQ to this 
vessel operator to account for all of the legal-size halibut caught by 
the vessel during the entire fishing trip.
    (C) Halibut PSC. If halibut CDQ or halibut IFQ are not retained 
during a fishing trip on board a vessel described in paragraph 
(c)(3)(iii)(A) of this section, the following requirements apply:
    (1) The vessel operator must discard all halibut caught during the 
fishing trip.
    (2) Small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit. The CDQ group 
representative may transfer halibut from a CDQ group's halibut PSQ to 
its small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit. To do so, the CDQ 
representative must submit a transfer request using the procedures 
described in Sec. 679.5(n). In reviewing a request to transfer halibut 
PSQ to a CDQ group's small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit, NMFS will 
consider whether the amount of halibut to be transferred to the small 
catcher vessel halibut PSC limit is sufficient to support groundfish CDQ 
fishing by the catcher vessels that the CDQ group plans to authorize to 
conduct groundfish CDQ fishing. The transfer is not effective until 
approved by NMFS. The CDQ group representative also may transfer halibut 
from a CDQ group's small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit back to its 
halibut PSQ by submitting a transfer request using the procedures 
described in Sec. 679.5(n). In reviewing a request to transfer halibut 
from the small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit back to the CDQ group's 
halibut PSQ, NMFS will consider the status of CDQ fisheries through the 
end of the year and anticipated halibut PSC rates for any remaining 
groundfish CDQ fishing by vessels managed under the small catcher vessel 
halibut PSC limit for the requesting CDQ group.
    (3) Fishery closures. Directed fishing for groundfish CDQ, except 
sablefish CDQ managed under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, by catcher 
vessels less than or equal to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-line gear is 
prohibited unless the Regional Administrator publishes notification in 
the Federal Register authorizing such directed fishing. In deciding 
whether to authorize directed fishing, NMFS will consider whether a CDQ 
group has sufficient halibut in its small catcher vessel halibut PSC 
limit to support directed fishing for groundfish CDQ by these catcher 
vessels. Upon determining that a CDQ group's

[[Page 750]]

small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit has been or will be reached, the 
Regional Administrator will publish notification in the Federal Register 
prohibiting directed fishing for all groundfish CDQ species, except 
sablefish CDQ, by catcher vessels less than or equal to 46 ft LOA using 
hook-and-line gear fishing for that CDQ group. If the estimated halibut 
PSC by vessels described in paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(A) of this section 
exceeds the balance of the small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit on 
December 31 of any year, and if the CDQ group has remaining halibut PSQ 
on that date, NMFS will transfer an amount of halibut PSQ into the CDQ 
group's small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit to bring the balance of 
the small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit to zero. NMFS will make the 
determination about whether such an administrative transfer is necessary 
after data from the fishing year is finalized.
    (d) Monitoring requirements for shoreside processors and stationary 
floating processors--(1) Requirements for processors taking deliveries 
of pollock CDQ--(i) Catch weighing. Managers of shoreside processors or 
stationary floating processors taking deliveries of pollock CDQ must 
comply with the requirements at Sec. 679.63(c).
    (ii) Catch monitoring and control plan. Managers of AFA inshore 
processors or stationary floating processors taking deliveries of 
pollock CDQ must follow an approved catch monitoring and control plan as 
described at Sec. 679.28(g).
    (iii) Comply with observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(b)(2).
    (2) Requirements for processors taking deliveries of groundfish CDQ. 
Managers of shoreside processors and stationary floating processors 
taking deliveries of groundfish CDQ must comply with the following 
requirements:
    (i) Comply with observer coverage requirements at Sec. 
679.51(b)(1).
    (ii) Provide prior notice to observer of offloading schedule. Notify 
the observer of the offloading schedule of each CDQ delivery at least 1 
hour prior to offloading to provide the observer an opportunity to 
monitor the sorting and weighing of the entire delivery.
    (iii) CDQ and PSQ by weight. Sort and weigh on a scale approved by 
the State of Alaska under Sec. 679.28(c) all groundfish and halibut CDQ 
or PSQ by species or species group.
    (iv) PSQ by number. Sort and count all salmon and crab PSQ.
    (v) CDQ and PSQ sorting and weighing. Sorting and weighing of CDQ 
and PSQ must be monitored by an observer.
    (e) Use of non-CDQ harvest regulations for vessels in voluntary 
fishing cooperatives--(1) Applicability. If approved by NMFS under this 
paragraph (e), vessels participating in a voluntary fishing cooperative 
in a non-CDQ sector are authorized to conduct groundfish CDQ fishing 
under the same regulations that apply while such vessels are used to 
directed fish in the non-CDQ fisheries and are not required to comply 
with the CDQ harvest regulations in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
    (2) Who may apply? A CDQ group representative, a representative of 
an association representing CDQ groups, or the authorized representative 
of a voluntary fishing cooperative may submit an application to use 
alternative CDQ harvest regulations.
    (3) Application process--(i) Application documents. A completed 
application is comprised of an application form and a copy of the 
cooperative contract or an affidavit, as described below:
    (A) Application form. The application to use alternative CDQ harvest 
regulations is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at 
www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. All information fields must be accurately 
completed, including information about the applicant, the voluntary 
fishing cooperative, and the vessels participating in the voluntary 
cooperative.
    (B) Cooperative contract or affidavit. The application must include 
either a copy of the current voluntary fishing cooperative contract 
demonstrating participation in the cooperative by the owners of each of 
the vessels named on the application form or an affidavit that includes 
the information required in this paragraph (e)(3)(i)(B). NMFS must be 
able to determine the following information from the voluntary fishing 
cooperative contract or the affidavit: the name of the authorized 
representative of the cooperative; the printed names and signatures of 
each vessel owner that is a party to the voluntary cooperative; the 
vessel name,

[[Page 751]]

FFP number, and LLP license number for each vessel managed under the 
cooperative; and the target species, processing mode, gear types, and 
management area(s) associated with the voluntary cooperative's federal 
fishing operations. If an applicant submits a copy of the voluntary 
fishing cooperative contract but it does not contain this information, 
the applicant also must submit a written affidavit that provides all of 
the information required in this paragraph (e)(3)(i)(B) that is not 
included in the cooperative contract.
    (ii) Application submission. The application for use of non-CDQ 
harvest regulations must be submitted to the Regional Administrator per 
the instructions on the application form.
    (iii) Submittal and duration--(A) Submittal. An application 
requesting approval for the use of non-CDQ harvest regulations may be 
submitted to NMFS at any time.
    (B) Duration. Once approved, an application to use alternative CDQ 
harvest regulations is effective as of the date on which NMFS approves 
the application. The approval is effective until the requesting entity 
withdraws its application, or until there is a change in the membership 
of the voluntary cooperative, whichever occurs first.
    (iv) NMFS review. NMFS will review an application to use non-CDQ 
harvest regulations to determine that all of the information submitted 
complies with the requirements of paragraphs (e)(2) and (3) of this 
section, and that the vessels listed on the application form represent a 
majority of the vessels participating in the applicable sector. If NMFS 
determines that the application is deficient, NMFS will notify the 
applicant in writing to identify the discrepancies and provide the 
applicant with an opportunity to correct them.
    (v) NMFS determinations and administrative appeal. NMFS will approve 
an application to use non-CDQ harvest regulations when it determines 
that all of the information submitted with the application complies with 
the requirements of paragraphs (e)(2) and (3) of this section, the 
vessels listed on the application form represent a majority of vessels 
participating in an applicable sector, and the CDQ harvest regulations 
are more restrictive than the non-CDQ regulations for the applicable 
sector. NMFS will issue an initial administrative determination (IAD) 
disapproving the application and the reasons for its disapproval if the 
application is incomplete, the voluntary cooperative does not represent 
a majority of the vessels participating in the sector, or the CDQ 
harvest regulations are not more restrictive than the non-CDQ 
regulations for the applicable sector. An applicant who receives an IAD 
disapproving an application may appeal under the procedures set forth at 
Sec. 679.43.
    (vi) Amendments. The entity applied for use of non-CDQ harvest 
regulations must promptly notify NMFS of any changes in the voluntary 
fishing cooperative's membership by re-applying in accordance with this 
paragraph (e). Amendments to an approved application to use alternative 
CDQ harvest regulations may be submitted to NMFS at any time, and will 
be reviewed under the requirements of this paragraph (e).

[77 FR 6499, Feb. 8, 2012, as amended at 77 FR 59060, Sept. 26, 2012; 77 
FR 70091, Nov. 21, 2012; 81 FR 26744, May 4, 2016; 83 FR 30532, June 29, 
2018; 84 FR 55053, Oct. 15, 2019]



Sec. 679.33  CDQ cost recovery.

    (a) Cost Recovery Fee Program for CDQ groundfish and halibut--(1) 
Who is Responsible? The person documented with NMFS as the CDQ group 
representative at the time of a CDQ landing.
    (i) Subsequent transfer, under Sec. 679.31(c), of a CDQ allocation 
by a CDQ group does not affect the CDQ group representative's liability 
for noncompliance with this section.
    (ii) Changes in amount of a CDQ allocation to a CDQ group do not 
affect the CDQ group representative's liability for noncompliance with 
this section.
    (2) Fee collection. Each CDQ group that receives a CDQ allocation of 
groundfish and halibut is responsible for submitting the cost recovery 
payment for all CDQ landings debited against that CDQ group's 
allocations.
    (3) Payment--(i) Payment due date. A CDQ group representative must 
submit all CDQ fee payment(s) to NMFS at the address provided in 
paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section no later than December

[[Page 752]]

31 of the calendar year in which the CDQ groundfish and halibut landings 
were made.
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make electronic payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments must be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the CDQ group representative.
    (iv) Payment method. Payment must be made electronically in U.S. 
dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic check 
drawn on a U.S. bank account.
    (b) CDQ standard ex-vessel value determination and use--(1) General. 
A CDQ group representative must use the CDQ standard prices determined 
by NMFS under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) CDQ standard prices--(i) General. Each year the Regional 
Administrator will publish CDQ standard prices for groundfish and 
halibut in the Federal Register by December 1 of the year in which the 
CDQ groundfish and halibut landings were made. The CDQ standard prices 
will be described in U.S. dollars per CDQ equivalent pound for CDQ 
groundfish and halibut landings made during the current calendar year.
    (ii) Effective duration. The CDQ standard prices published by NMFS 
shall apply to all CDQ groundfish and halibut landings made during the 
current calendar year.
    (iii) Determination. NMFS will calculate the CDQ standard prices for 
each CDQ fishery as follows:
    (A) CDQ halibut and CDQ fixed gear sablefish. NMFS will calculate 
the CDQ standard prices for CDQ halibut and CDQ fixed gear sablefish to 
reflect, as closely as possible by port or port-group, the variations in 
the actual ex-vessel values of CDQ halibut and fixed-gear sablefish 
based on information provided in the IFQ Registered Buyer Ex-vessel 
Volume and Value Report described at Sec. 679.5(l)(7). The Regional 
Administrator will base CDQ standard prices on the following 
information:
    (1) Landed pounds of IFQ halibut and sablefish and CDQ halibut in 
the Bering Sea port-group;
    (2) Total ex-vessel value of IFQ halibut and sablefish and CDQ 
halibut in the Bering Sea port-group; and
    (3) Price adjustments, including retroactive payments.
    (B) CDQ Pacific cod. NMFS will use the standard prices calculated 
for Pacific cod based on information provided in the Pacific Cod Ex-
vessel Volume and Value Report described at Sec. 679.5(u)(1) for CDQ 
Pacific cod.
    (C) CDQ pollock. NMFS will use the standard prices calculated for 
AFA pollock described at Sec. 679.66(b) for CDQ pollock.
    (D) Other CDQ groundfish including sablefish caught with trawl gear. 
(1) NMFS will base all CDQ standard prices for all other CDQ groundfish 
species on the First Wholesale Volume and Value reports specified in 
Sec. 679.5(u)(2).
    (2) NMFS will establish CDQ standard prices for all other CDQ 
groundfish species on an annual basis; except the Regional Administrator 
will establish a first CDQ standard price for rock sole for all landings 
from January 1 through March 31, and a second CDQ standard price for 
rock sole for all landings from April 1 through December 31.
    (3) The average first wholesale product prices reported will be 
multiplied by 0.4 to obtain a proxy for the ex-vessel prices of those 
CDQ groundfish species.
    (c) CDQ fee percentage--(1) Established percentage. The CDQ fee 
percentage for CDQ groundfish and halibut is the amount as determined by 
the factors and methodology described in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section. This amount will be announced by publication in the Federal 
Register in accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this section. This 
amount must not exceed 3.0 percent pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).
    (2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS will calculate 
and publish the CDQ fee percentage according to the following factors 
and methodology:
    (i) Factors. NMFS will use the following factors to determine the 
fee percentage:

[[Page 753]]

    (A) The catch to which the CDQ groundfish and halibut cost recovery 
fee will apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management, data collection, 
and enforcement of the CDQ Program for groundfish and halibut.
    (ii) Methodology. NMFS will use the following equations to determine 
the fee percentage: 100 x DPC/V, where:
    (A) DPC = the direct program costs for the CDQ Program for 
groundfish and halibut for the most recent Federal fiscal year (October 
1 through September 30) with any adjustments to the account from 
payments received in the previous year.
    (B) V = total of the CDQ standard ex-vessel value of the catch 
subject to the CDQ fee liability for the current year.
    (3) Publication--(i) General. NMFS will calculate and announce the 
CDQ fee percentage in a Federal Register notice by December 1 of the 
year in which the CDQ groundfish and halibut landings were made. NMFS 
will calculate the CDQ fee percentage based on the calculations 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Effective period. NMFS will apply the calculated CDQ fee 
percentage to CDQ groundfish and halibut landings made between January 1 
and December 31 of the same year.
    (4) Applicable percentage. The CDQ group representative must use the 
CDQ fee percentage applicable at the time a CDQ groundfish and halibut 
landing is debited from a CDQ group's allocation to calculate the CDQ 
fee liability for any retroactive payments for that CDQ species.
    (5) Fee liability determination for a CDQ group. (i) Each CDQ group 
will be subject to a CDQ fee for any CDQ groundfish and halibut debited 
from that CDQ group's allocation during a calendar year.
    (ii) The CDQ fee assessed to a CDQ group will be based on the 
proportion of the standard ex-vessel value of CDQ groundfish and halibut 
debited from a CDQ group's allocation relative to all CDQ groups during 
a calendar year as determined by NMFS.
    (iii) NMFS will provide a CDQ fee liability summary letter to each 
CDQ group representative by December 1 of each year. The summary will 
explain the CDQ fee liability determination including the current fee 
percentage, and details of CDQ pounds debited from the CDQ group 
allocations by permit, species, date, and prices.
    (d) Underpayment of fee liability--(1) No CDQ group will receive its 
allocations of CDQ groundfish or halibut until the CDQ group 
representative submits full payment of that CDQ group's complete CDQ fee 
liability.
    (2) If a CDQ group representative fails to submit full payment for 
its CDQ fee liability by the date described in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section, the Regional Administrator may:
    (i) At any time thereafter send an IAD to the CDQ group 
representative stating that the CDQ group's estimated fee liability, as 
indicated by his or her own submitted information, is the CDQ fee 
liability due from the CDQ group.
    (ii) Disapprove any application to transfer CDQ to or from the CDQ 
group in accordance with Sec. 679.31(c).
    (3) If a CDQ group fails to submit full payment by December 31 of 
each year, the Regional Administrator will not issue allocations of CDQ 
groundfish and halibut to that CDQ group for the following calendar 
year.
    (4) Upon final agency action determining that a CDQ group 
representative has not paid the CDQ fee liability due for that CDQ 
group, the Regional Administrator may continue to not issue allocations 
of CDQ groundfish and halibut for that CDQ group for any subsequent 
calendar years until NMFS receives the unpaid fees. If payment is not 
received by the 30th day after the final agency action, the agency may 
pursue collection of the unpaid fees.
    (e) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, payment 
submitted to NMFS in excess of the CDQ fee liability determined to be 
due by the final agency action will be returned to the CDQ group 
representative unless the CDQ group representative requests the agency 
to credit the excess amount against the CDQ group's future CDQ fee 
liability.
    (f) Appeals. A CDQ group representative who receives an IAD for 
incomplete payment of a CDQ fee liability

[[Page 754]]

may appeal under the appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR part 906.
    (g) Annual report. Each year, NMFS will publish a report describing 
the CDQ Cost Recovery Fee Program for groundfish and halibut.

[81 FR 167, Jan. 5, 2016]



         Subpart D_Individual Fishing Quota Management Measures



Sec. 679.40  Sablefish and halibut QS.

    The Regional Administrator shall annually divide the annual 
commercial fishing catch limit of halibut as defined in Sec. 300.61 of 
this title and published in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 
300.62 of this title, among qualified halibut quota share holders. The 
Regional Administrator shall annually divide the TAC of sablefish that 
is apportioned to the fixed gear fishery pursuant to Sec. 679.20, minus 
the CDQ reserve, among qualified sablefish quota share holders.
    (a) Initial allocation of QS--(1) General. The Regional 
Administrator shall initially assign to qualified persons, on or after 
October 18, 1994, halibut and sablefish fixed gear fishery QS that are 
specific to IFQ regulatory areas and vessel categories. QS will be 
assigned as a block in the appropriate IFQ regulatory area and vessel 
category, if that QS would have resulted in an allocation of less than 
20,000 lb (9 mt) of IFQ for halibut or sablefish based on the 1994 TAC 
for fixed gear in those fisheries for specific IFQ regulatory areas and 
the QS pools of those fisheries for specific IFQ regulatory areas as of 
October 17, 1994.
    (2) Qualified person. (i) As used in this section, a ``qualified 
person'' means a ``person,'' as defined in Sec. 679.2:
    (A) That owned a vessel that made legal landings of halibut or 
sablefish, harvested with fixed gear, from any IFQ regulatory area in 
any QS qualifying year; or
    (B) That leased a vessel that made legal landings of halibut or 
sablefish, harvested with fixed gear, from any IFQ regulatory area in 
any QS qualifying year. A person who owns a vessel cannot be a qualified 
person based on the legal fixed gear landings of halibut or sablefish 
made by a person who leased the vessel for the duration of the lease.
    (C) Who is a citizen of the United States at the time of application 
for QS.
    (D) Who is a corporation, partnership, association, or other non-
individual entity that would have qualified to document a fishing vessel 
as a vessel of the United States during the QS qualifying years of 1988, 
1989, and 1990.
    (ii) Qualified persons, or their successors-in-interest, must exist 
at the time of their application for QS.
    (iii) A former partner of a dissolved partnership or a former 
shareholder of a dissolved corporation who would otherwise qualify as a 
person may apply for QS in proportion to his or her interest in the 
dissolved partnership or corporation.
    (iv) Sablefish harvested within Prince William Sound, or under a 
State of Alaska limited entry program, will not be considered in 
determining whether a person is a qualified person.
    (3) Qualification for QS--(i) Year. A QS qualifying year is 1988, 
1989, or 1990.
    (ii) Vessel ownership. Evidence of vessel ownership shall be limited 
to the following documents, in order of priority:
    (A) For vessels required to be documented under the laws of the 
United States, the USCG abstract of title issued in respect of that 
vessel.
    (B) A certificate of registration that is determinative as to vessel 
ownership.
    (C) A bill of sale.
    (iii) Vessel lease. Conclusive evidence of a vessel lease will 
include a written vessel lease agreement or a notarized statement from 
the vessel owner and lease holder attesting to the existence of a vessel 
lease agreement at any time during the QS qualifying years. Conclusive 
evidence of a vessel lease must identify the leased vessel and indicate 
the name of the lease holder and the period of time during which the 
lease was in effect. Other evidence, which may not be conclusive, but 
may tend to support a vessel lease, may also be submitted.
    (iv) Ownership interest. Evidence of ownership interest in a 
dissolved partnership or corporation shall be limited to corporate 
documents (e.g., articles

[[Page 755]]

of incorporation) or notarized statements signed by each former partner, 
shareholder or director, and specifying their proportions of interest.
    (v) Legal landing of halibut or sablefish--(A) Definition. As used 
in this section, a ``legal landing of halibut or sablefish'' means 
halibut or sablefish harvested with fixed gear and landed in compliance 
with state and Federal regulations in effect at the time of the landing.
    (B) Documentation. Evidence of legal landings shall be limited to 
documentation of state or Federal catch reports that indicate the amount 
of halibut or sablefish harvested, the IPHC regulatory area or 
groundfish reporting area in which it was caught, the vessel and gear 
type used to catch it, and the date of harvesting, landing, or 
reporting. State catch reports are Alaska, Washington, Oregon, or 
California fish tickets. Federal catch reports are production reports 
required under Sec. 679.5. Sablefish harvested within Prince William 
Sound or under a State of Alaska limited entry program will not be 
considered in determining qualification to receive QS, nor in 
calculating initial QS.
    (4) Calculation of initial QS--(i) Halibut QS. The Regional 
Administrator shall calculate the halibut QS for any qualified person in 
each IFQ regulatory area based on that person's highest total legal 
landings of halibut in each IPHC regulatory area for any 5 years of the 
7-year halibut QS base period 1984 through 1990. The sum of all halibut 
QS for an IFQ regulatory area will be the halibut QS pool for that area.
    (ii) Sablefish QS. The Regional Administrator shall calculate the 
sablefish QS for any qualified person in each IFQ regulatory area based 
on that person's highest total legal landings of sablefish in each 
groundfish reporting area for any 5 years of the 6-year sablefish QS 
base period 1985 through 1990. The sum of all sablefish QS for an IFQ 
regulatory area will be the sablefish QS pool for that area.
    (iii) CDQ program. Each initial QS calculation will be modified to 
accommodate the CDQ program prescribed at subpart C of this part.
    (5) Assignment of QS to vessel categories--(i) LOA. Each qualified 
person's QS will be assigned to a vessel category based on the LOA of 
vessel(s) from which that person made fixed gear legal landings of 
groundfish or halibut in the most recent year of participation and the 
product type landed. As used in this paragraph (a)(5), ``the most recent 
year of participation'' means the most recent of 4 calendar years in 
which any groundfish or halibut were harvested using fixed gear, as 
follows: 1988, 1989, or 1990; or calendar year 1991 prior to September 
26, 1991.
    (ii) Vessel categories. QS and its associated IFQ assigned to vessel 
categories include:
    (A) Category A QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ permit 
holder to harvest and process IFQ species on a vessel of any length;
    (B) Category B QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ permit 
holder to harvest IFQ species on a vessel of any length;
    (C) Category C QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ permit 
holder to harvest IFQ species on a vessel less than or equal to 60 ft 
(18.3 m) LOA:
    (D) Category D QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ permit 
holder to harvest IFQ halibut on a vessel less than or equal to 35 ft 
(10.7 m) LOA, except as provided in Sec. 679.42(a).
    (iii) QS assignment. A qualified person's QS will be assigned:
    (A) To vessel category A if, at any time during his/her most recent 
year of participation, that person's vessel processed any groundfish or 
halibut caught with fixed gear.
    (B) To vessel category B if, at any time during his/her most recent 
year of participation, that person's vessel was greater than 60 ft (18.3 
m) LOA and did not process any groundfish or halibut caught with fixed 
gear.
    (C) To each applicable vessel category in proportion to the landings 
of halibut or sablefish made by that person if, at any time during their 
most recent year of participation, that person used more than one vessel 
in different categories.
    (iv) Sablefish QS. A qualified person's sablefish QS will be 
assigned:
    (A) To vessel category C if, at any time during his/her most recent 
year of participation, that person's vessel was

[[Page 756]]

less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA and did not process any 
groundfish or halibut caught with fixed gear.
    (B) To the vessel category in which halibut and groundfish were 
landed, or vessel categories in proportion to the total fixed gear 
landings of halibut and groundfish, if, at any time during the most 
recent year of participation, that person's vessel(s) makes no 
landing(s) of sablefish.
    (v) Halibut QS. A qualified person's halibut QS will be assigned:
    (A) To vessel category C if, at any time during his/her most recent 
year of participation, that person's vessel was less than or equal to 60 
ft (18.3 m), but greater than 35 ft (10.7 m), LOA and did not process 
any groundfish or halibut caught with fixed gear.
    (B) To vessel category D if, at any time during his/her most recent 
year of participation, that person's vessel was less than or equal to 35 
ft (10.7 m) LOA and did not process any groundfish or halibut caught 
with fixed gear.
    (C) To the vessel category in which groundfish were landed, or 
vessel categories in proportion to the total fixed gear landings of 
groundfish, if, at any time during the most recent year of 
participation, that person's vessel(s) makes no landing(s) of halibut.
    (vi) Both species QS. A qualified person's QS for both species will 
be assigned to the vessel category in which groundfish were landed in 
the most recent year of participation if, at any time during that year, 
that person landed halibut in one vessel category and sablefish in a 
different vessel category.
    (6) Application for initial QS--(i) Application form. The 
Application period for QS ended on July 15, 1994. As of that date, the 
Request for QS Application form replaced the QS Application form as the 
means by which the Administrator, RAM, reviews and makes initial 
administrative determinations on requests for initial allocations of QS. 
A Request for QS Application must contain the following: information 
identifying the individual, representative of a deceased fisherman's 
estate, corporation, partnership, or other non-individual entity, or 
dissolved corporation, partnership, or other non-individual entity 
making the request; contact numbers; vessel identification, length 
overall, and purchase date; and information on any vessel leasing 
arrangement pertinent to the claim of eligibility.
    (ii) Application period. An application period of no less than 180 
days will be specified by notification in the Federal Register and other 
information sources that the Regional Administrator deems appropriate.
    (iii) Complete application. Complete applications received by the 
Regional Administrator will be acknowledged. An incomplete application 
will be returned to the applicant with specific kinds of information 
identified that are necessary to make it complete.
    (7) Insufficient documentation. Halibut and sablefish catch history, 
vessel ownership or lease data, and other information supplied by an 
applicant will be compared with data compiled by the Regional 
Administrator. If additional data presented in an application are not 
consistent with the data compiled by the Regional Administrator, the 
applicant will be notified of insufficient documentation. The applicant 
will have 90 days to submit corroborating documents (as specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section) in support of his/her application or to 
resubmit a revised application. All applicants will be limited to one 
opportunity to provide corroborating documentation or a revised 
application in response to notification of insufficient documentation.
    (8) Verified data. Uncontested data in applications will be approved 
by the Regional Administrator. Based on these data, the Regional 
Administrator will calculate each applicant's initial halibut and 
sablefish QS, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, for each IFQ 
regulatory area, respectively, and will add each applicant's halibut and 
sablefish QS for an IFQ regulatory area to the respective QS pool for 
that area.
    (9) Unverified data. Catch history, vessel ownership, or lease data 
that cannot be verified by the Regional Administrator, following the 
procedure described in paragraph (a)(7) of this section, will not 
qualify for QS. An initial determination denying QS on the grounds that 
claimed catch history, vessel ownership or lease data were not verified 
may be appealed following the

[[Page 757]]

procedure described in Sec. 679.43. Quota share reflecting catch 
history, vessel ownership, or lease data that are contested between two 
or more applicants, at least one of which is likely to qualify for QS 
when the dispute is resolved, will be assigned to a reserve that will be 
considered part of the QS pool for the appropriate IFQ regulatory area. 
Any QS and IFQ that results from agency action resolving the dispute 
will be assigned to the prevailing applicant(s) pursuant to paragraphs 
(a)(4), (a)(5), (b), and (c) of this section. If the assigned IFQ for 
the 1995 fishing season becomes moot by passage of time needed to 
resolve the dispute, the assignment of QS and IFQ for subsequent fishing 
seasons will be unaffected.
    (10) NMFS revokes inactive QS if the person holding inactive QS does 
not:
    (i) Respond in writing to NMFS, within 60 days after NMFS issues a 
Notice of Determination of Quota Share Inactivity (Inactive QS Notice) 
sent to the address of record as defined at Sec. 679.43(e) of this 
part, requesting that the inactive QS not be revoked. Responses must be 
received by NMFS no later than the date contained on the Inactive QS 
Notice
    (ii) For purposes of paragraph (a)(10) of this section, ``respond in 
writing'' means write a statement directing NMFS to change the status of 
QS to ``active'' and sign and date the statement or complete the form 
attached to the Inactive QS Notice and send by U.S. Mail, courier, hand 
delivery, or facsimile to the NMFS, Alaska Region as provided on the 
Inactive QS Notice and printed on the front side of the form. The 
written response must be received by NMFS no later than the date 
contained on the Inactive QS Notice or if sent by mail, postmarked by 
that date. If delivered by hand or courier, the receiving date is the 
date the notice is stamped received by NMFS.
    (iii) For purposes of paragraph (a)(10) of this section, the term 
``inactive QS'' means halibut QS or sablefish QS, held by a person who 
received an initial allocation of halibut QS or sablefish QS and has not 
taken any of the following actions:
    (A) Transferred any halibut QS or sablefish QS pursuant to Sec. 
679.41;
    (B) Transferred any halibut IFQ or sablefish IFQ pursuant to Sec. 
679.41;
    (C) Landed any halibut authorized by IFQ halibut permit(s) issued to 
that person; or
    (D) Landed any sablefish authorized by IFQ sablefish permit(s) 
issued to that person.
    (b) Annual allocation of IFQ and RFQ. The Regional Administrator 
shall assign halibut or sablefish IFQs to each person, except the RQE, 
holding unrestricted QS halibut or sablefish, respectively, up to the 
limits prescribed in Sec. 679.42(e) and (f). Each assigned IFQ will be 
specific to an IFQ regulatory area and vessel category, and will 
represent the maximum amount of halibut or sablefish that may be 
harvested from the specified IFQ regulatory area and by the person to 
whom it is assigned during the specified fishing year, unless the IFQ 
assignment is changed by the Regional Administrator within the fishing 
year because of an approved transfer or because all or part of the IFQ 
is sanctioned for violating rules of this part. The Regional 
Administrator shall assign RFQ to the RQE pursuant to paragraph (c)(4) 
of this section.
    (c) Calculation of annual IFQ and RFQ allocations--(1) General. (i) 
The annual allocation of halibut IFQ to any person (person p) in any IFQ 
regulatory area (area a) will be equal to the product of the annual 
commercial catch limit as defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title, after 
adjustment for purposes of the Western Alaska CDQ Program, and that 
person's QS divided by the QS pool for that area. Overage adjustments 
will be subtracted from a person's IFQ pursuant to paragraph (d) of this 
section; underage adjustments will be added to a person's IFQ pursuant 
to paragraph (e) of this section. Expressed algebraically, the annual 
halibut IFQ allocation formula is as follows:

IFQpa = [(fixed gear TACa- CDQ 
reservea) x (QSpa/QS poola)] - overage 
adjustment of IFQpa + underage adjustment of 
IFQpa.

    (ii) The annual allocation of sablefish IFQ to any person (person p) 
in any IFQ regulatory area (area a) will be equal to the product of the 
TAC of sablefish by fixed gear for that area

[[Page 758]]

(after adjustment for purposes of the Western Alaska CDQ Program) and 
that person's QS divided by the QS pool for that area. Overage 
adjustments will be subtracted from a person's IFQ pursuant to paragraph 
(d) of this section; underage adjustments will be added to a person's 
IFQ pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section. Expressed algebraically, 
the annual IFQ allocation formula is as follows:

IFQpa = [(fixed gear TACa - CDQ 
reservea) x (QSpa/QS poola)] - overage 
adjustment of IFQpa + underage adjustment of 
IFQpa.

    (2) QS amounts. For purposes of calculating IFQs and RFQ for any 
fishing year, the amount of a person's QS and the amount of the QS pool 
for any IFQ regulatory area will be the amounts on record with the 
Alaska Region, NMFS, on January 15 of that year.
    (3) IFQ permit. The Regional Administrator shall issue to each QS 
holder, pursuant to Sec. 679.4, an IFQ permit specifying the maximum 
amount of halibut and sablefish that may be harvested with fixed gear in 
a specified IFQ regulatory area and vessel category. Such IFQ permits 
will be sent to each QS holder at the address on record for that person 
prior to the start of the IFQ fishing season or to any IFQ holder(s) 
following transfers or penalties (15 CFR part 904).
    (4) RFQ allocation to RQE--(i) RQE QS amounts. For purposes of 
calculating RFQ for any fishing year, the amount of halibut QS held by 
the RQE for either IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A for the corresponding 
IFQ regulatory area will be the amounts on record with the Alaska 
Region, NMFS on October 1 of the year prior.
    (ii) Calculation of RFQ. The annual allocation of RFQ halibut to an 
RQE (person r) in IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A (area a) will be equal to 
the product of the annual commercial catch limit as defined in Sec. 
300.61 of this title, and the QS held by the RQE (specified in paragraph 
(c)(4)(i) of this section) divided by the QS pool for that area 
(specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section). No overage or underage 
adjustments will be applied to the RQE's annual RFQ. Expressed 
algebraically, the annual RFQ halibut allocation formula is as follows:

RFQra = [fixed gear TACa x (QSra/QS 
poola)]

    (iii) Excess RFQ. NMFS will not issue the RQE any excess RFQ. Excess 
RFQ is the difference between the amount of RFQ based on the QS held by 
the RQE and the amount of RFQ needed to provide charter fishery 
management measures that are equivalent to unguided recreational fishery 
management measures. If the annual management measures published 
pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of this title specify charter fishery 
management measures that are equivalent to the unguided recreational 
management measures, NMFS will:
    (A) Calculate the annual allocation of halibut RFQ to the RQE as 
specified in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section; and
    (B) Determine the amount of RFQ needed to supplement the annual 
guided sport catch limit from the CSP in Area 2C and Area 3A (described 
in Sec. 300.65(c) of this title) to account for charter fishery 
harvests under the charter fishery management measures specified in the 
annual management measures and issue that amount of RFQ to the RFQ 
permit account.
    (C) Calculate the amount of excess RFQ by subtracting the amount of 
RFQ issued as determined in paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B) of this section 
from the annual calculation of RFQ halibut to the RQE as calculated in 
paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(A) of this section.
    (iv) Redistribution of excess RFQ. Excess pounds of RFQ will be 
redistributed as IFQ as follows:
    (A) 50 percent to all catcher vessel QS holders in the applicable 
area who held not more than 32,333 QS units in Area 2C, and 47,469 QS 
units in Area 3A in the current calendar year and in the calendar year 
prior to the redistribution, in proportion to their QS holdings; and
    (B) 50 percent divided equally among all CQEs that held halibut QS 
in the applicable IFQ regulatory area (Area 2C or Area 3A) in the 
current calendar year and in the calendar year prior to the 
redistribution. If no CQE held QS in the applicable IFQ regulatory area 
(Area 2C and Area 3A) in the current

[[Page 759]]

calendar year and in the calendar year prior to the redistribution, that 
RFQ will not be redistributed as IFQ and will not be available for use 
by any CQE, IFQ permit holder, or RQE in that calendar year.
    (d) Ten-percent adjustment policy. A person's annual IFQ account 
will be adjusted in the year following a determination that the person 
harvested or landed IFQ species in an amount is greater than the amount 
available in the person's annual IFQ account and if the amount greater 
than the amount available does not exceed 10 percent of the amount 
available in the person's annual IFQ account at the time of landing. The 
adjustment would be a deduction of the amount of IFQ species harvested 
or landed that was determined to exceed the amount available in the 
person's annual IFQ account and will apply to any person to whom the 
affected IFQ is allocated in the year following the determination.
    (e) Underages. Underages of up to 10 percent of a person's total 
annual IFQ account for a current fishing year will be added to that 
person's annual IFQ account in the year following determination of the 
underage. This underage adjustment to the annual IFQ allocation will be 
specific to IFQ species, IFQ regulatory area, and vessel category for 
which an IFQ is calculated, and will apply to any person to whom the 
affected IFQ is allocated in the year following determination of an 
underage.
    (f) Harvesting privilege. Quota shares allocated or permits issued 
pursuant to this part do not represent either an absolute right to the 
resource or any interest that is subject to the ``takings'' provision of 
the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Rather, such quota shares 
or permits represent only a harvesting privilege that may be revoked or 
amended subject to the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
other applicable law.
    (g) External research tags for halibut and sablefish. (1) Nothing 
contained in this part 679 shall prohibit any person at any time from 
retaining and landing a Pacific halibut or sablefish that bears at the 
time of capture an external research tag from any state, Federal, or 
international agency, provided that the halibut or sablefish is one of 
the following:
    (i) A Pacific halibut landed pursuant to Sec. 300.62 of this title 
and to this part 679; or
    (ii) A sablefish landed in accordance with the Tagged Groundfish 
Research Program, and in compliance with all sablefish requirements of 
this part 679.
    (2) Halibut and sablefish bearing an external research tag from any 
state, Federal, or international agency, landed pursuant to paragraph 
(g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this section, and in accordance with Sec. 
679.5(l), shall be excluded from IFQ or CDQ deduction as follows:
    (i) The fish shall not be calculated as part of a person's IFQ 
harvest of halibut or sablefish and shall not be debited against a 
person's halibut IFQ or a person's sablefish IFQ; or
    (ii) The fish shall not be calculated as part of the CDQ harvest of 
halibut or sablefish and shall not be debited against a CDQ group's 
halibut CDQ or a CDQ group's sablefish CDQ.
    (iii) The fish will not be calculated as part of the recreational 
harvest of halibut and will not be debited against the RFQ permit 
account or the annual guided sport catch limit as defined in Sec. 
300.61 of this title.
    (h) Properly debited landing--(1) Permit holder's account. Except as 
provided in paragraph (g) of this section, all IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, 
and IFQ sablefish catch onboard a vessel must be weighed and debited 
from the IFQ permit holder's account or CDQ halibut permit holder's 
account under which the catch was harvested.
    (2) Properly debited account. A properly concluded sablefish/halibut 
IFQ landing receipt, crab IFQ landing receipt, or a manual IFQ landing 
report which is signed by the Registered Buyer and IFQ permit holder or 
IFQ hired master permit holder or CDQ hired master permit holder 
constitutes confirmation that the IFQ permit holder's or CDQ permit 
holder's account is properly debited.
    (3) Source of debit. NMFS will use the following sources (see 
paragraphs (h)(3)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this section) of information to 
debit a CDQ halibut, IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or RFQ permit account:

[[Page 760]]

    (i) Unprocessed landing. If offload of unprocessed IFQ halibut, CDQ 
halibut, or IFQ sablefish from a vessel, the scale weight (to the 
nearest pound) of the halibut or sablefish product actually measured at 
the time of offload, as required by Sec. 679.5(e)(7)(i)(E)(6) to be 
included in the IFQ Landing Report.
    (ii) Processed landing. If offload of processed IFQ halibut, CDQ 
halibut, or IFQ sablefish from a vessel, the scale weight (to the 
nearest pound) of the halibut or sablefish processed product actually 
measured at or before the time of offload. If the product scale weights 
are taken before the time of offload, then the species and actual 
product weight of each box or container must be visibly marked on the 
outside of each container to facilitate inspection by OLE or designees.
    (iii) Landed RFQ. All annual RFQ halibut issued to an RQE will be 
considered landed in the year for which it is issued.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 35579, July 5, 1996; 61 
FR 41525, Aug. 9, 1996; 61 FR 43314, Aug. 22, 1996; 62 FR 59299, Nov. 3, 
1997; 66 FR 27910, May 21, 2001; 67 FR 4133, Jan. 28, 2002; 71 FR 36492, 
June 27, 2006; 72 FR 44809, Aug. 9, 2007; 73 FR 76166, Dec. 15, 2008; 76 
FR 40633, July 11, 2011; 77 FR 29563, May 18, 2012; 78 FR 75893, Dec. 
12, 2013; 83 FR 47831, Sept. 21, 2018]



Sec. 679.41  Transfer of quota shares and IFQ.

    (a) General. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, transfer of QS or IFQ means any transaction requiring QS, or 
the use thereof in the form of IFQ, to pass from one person to another, 
permanently or for a fixed period of time.
    (2) Transactions requiring IFQ permits to be issued in the name of a 
hired master employed by an individual or a corporation are not 
transfers of QS or IFQ.
    (3) Any transaction involving a transfer between IFQ and guided 
angler fish (GAF), as defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title, is governed 
by regulations in Sec. 300.65(c) of this title.
    (b) Transfer procedure--(1) Application for transfer. An Application 
for Transfer of QS/IFQ (Application for Transfer) must be approved by 
the Regional Administrator before a person may use IFQ to harvest IFQ 
halibut or IFQ sablefish, whether the IFQ was the result of a direct 
transfer or the result of a QS transfer. An Application for Transfer 
will not be approved until the Regional Administrator has reviewed and 
approved the transfer agreement signed by the parties to the 
transaction. The Regional Administrator shall provide an Application for 
Transfer form to any person on request. Persons who submit an 
Application for Transfer to the Regional Administrator for approval will 
receive notification of the Regional Administrator's decision to approve 
or disapprove the Application for Transfer, and, if applicable, the 
reason(s) for disapproval, by mail posted on the date of that decision, 
unless another communication mode is requested on the Application for 
Transfer.
    (2) QS or IFQ accounts. QS or IFQ accounts affected by an 
Application for Transfer approved by the Regional Administrator will 
change on the date of approval. Any necessary IFQ permits will be sent 
with the notification of the Regional Administrator's decision.
    (c) Application for Transfer approval criteria. Except as provided 
in paragraph (f) of this section, an Application for Transfer will not 
be approved until the Regional Administrator has determined that:
    (1) The person applying for transfer received the QS or IFQ to be 
transferred:
    (i) By initial assignment by the Regional Administrator as provided 
in Sec. 679.40(a); or
    (ii) By approved transfer.
    (2) The person applying to receive the QS or IFQ meets the 
requirements of eligibility in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (3) The person applying for transfer and the person applying to 
receive the QS or IFQ have their signatures on the Application for 
Transfer.
    (4) There are no fines, civil penalties, or other payments due and 
owing, or outstanding permit sanctions, resulting from Federal fishery 
violations involving either person.
    (5) The person applying to receive the QS or IFQ currently exists.
    (6) The transfer would not cause the person applying to receive the 
QS or

[[Page 761]]

IFQ to exceed the use limits in Sec. 679.42 (e) or (f).
    (7) The transfer would not violate the provisions of paragraph (g) 
of this section.
    (8)(i) The person applying to make or receive the IFQ or QS transfer 
has paid all IFQ fees that have become due as a result of an initial 
administrative determination.
    (ii) The person applying to make or receive the IFQ or QS transfer 
who has not paid all IFQ fees that are due (as provided under Sec. 
679.45(a)) has timely appealed the administrative determination that IFQ 
fees have not been paid in full and has submitted to NMFS an amount 
sufficient to satisfy any disputed liability pending a final agency 
action.
    (9) Other pertinent information requested on the Application for 
Transfer has been supplied to the satisfaction of the Regional 
Administrator.
    (10) If the person applying to transfer or receive QS or IFQ is a 
CQE, the following determinations are required for each eligible 
community represented by that CQE:
    (i) An individual applying to receive IFQ from QS held by a CQE is 
an eligible community resident of the eligible community in whose name 
the CQE is holding QS;
    (ii) The CQE applying to receive or transfer QS, has submitted a 
complete annual report required by Sec. 679.5 (t);
    (iii) The CQE applying to transfer QS has provided information on 
the reasons for the transfer as described in paragraph (g)(7) of this 
section;
    (iv) The CQE applying to receive QS is eligible to hold QS on behalf 
of the eligible community in the halibut or sablefish regulatory area 
designated for that eligible community in Table 21 to this part; and
    (v) The CQE applying to receive QS has received notification of 
approval of eligibility to receive QS/IFQ for that community as 
described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (11) If the person applying to receive or transfer QS is an RQE, the 
following determinations are required:
    (i) The RQE applying to receive or transfer QS, has submitted the 
timely and complete annual report required by Sec. 679.5(v);
    (ii) The RQE applying to receive QS is eligible to hold QS on behalf 
of the charter halibut sector in IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A; and
    (iii) The RQE applying to receive QS has received notification of 
approval of eligibility to receive QS on behalf of the charter halibut 
sector in IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A as described in paragraph (d)(1) 
of this section.
    (12) The person applying to receive QS assigned to vessel category 
B, C, or D is not a corporation, partnership, association, or other non-
individual entity, except as specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this 
section.
    (13) If the person applying to receive halibut IFQ assigned to 
vessel categories B, C, or D in IFQ regulatory areas 4B, 4C, or 4D is a 
CDQ group, the following determinations are required:
    (i) The CDQ group applying to receive halibut IFQ for an IFQ 
regulatory area receives an annual allocation of halibut CDQ for that 
IFQ regulatory area pursuant to Sec. 679.31(b)(1);
    (ii) The QS holder applying to transfer halibut IFQ to a CDQ group 
has not transferred any halibut IFQ assigned to vessel categories B, C, 
or D for that IFQ regulatory area to a CDQ group during the last two 
consecutive fishing years;
    (iii) If the IFQ to be transferred to a CDQ group results from QS 
that was transferred to the QS holder after December 14, 2015, the QS 
holder applying to transfer halibut IFQ to a CDQ group has held the 
underlying QS for that IFQ for a minimum of 3 years from the date NMFS 
approved the transfer;
    (iv) If the IFQ to be transferred to a CDQ group is assigned to 
vessel categories B, C, or D in IFQ regulatory area 4B, the QS holder 
applying to transfer that halibut IFQ to a CDQ group holds fewer than 
76,355 halibut QS units in IFQ regulatory area 4B; and
    (v) The CDQ group applying to receive halibut IFQ has submitted a 
complete report if required to do so by Sec. 679.5(w).
    (d) Eligibility to receive QS or IFQ by transfer--(1) Application 
for Eligibility. All persons, except as provided in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) 
and (d)(1)(ii) of this section, applying to receive QS or IFQ

[[Page 762]]

must submit an Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ 
(Application for Eligibility) containing accurate information to the 
Regional Administrator. The Regional Administrator will not approve a 
transfer of IFQ or QS to a person until the Application for Eligibility 
for that person is approved by the Regional Administrator. The Regional 
Administrator shall provide an Application for Eligibility form to any 
person on request.
    (i) An Application for Eligibility is not required for a CQE if a 
complete application to become a CQE, as described in paragraph (l)(3) 
of this section, has been approved by the Regional Administrator on 
behalf of an eligible community.
    (ii) An Application for Eligibility is not required for a CDQ group.
    (2) Type of eligibility. A person must indicate on the Application 
for Eligibility whether the eligibility sought is as:
    (i) An individual; or
    (ii) A corporation, partnership, or other non-individual entity.
    (3) Application filing order. A person may submit the Application 
for Eligibility with the Application for Transfer or file the 
Application for Eligibility prior to submitting the Application for 
Transfer. If a person, as described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this 
section, files the Application for Eligibility prior to submitting the 
Application for Transfer, and that person's status subsequently changes, 
as described in Sec. 679.42(j), that person must resubmit an 
Application for Eligibility before submitting, or with, the Application 
for Transfer.
    (4) Notification of approval. Applicants will be notified by mail of 
the Regional Administrator's approval of an application for eligibility.
    (5) Notification of disapproval. The Regional Administrator will 
notify the applicant if an Application for Eligibility is disapproved. 
This notification of disapproval will include:
    (i) The disapproved Application for Eligibility.
    (ii) An explanation of why the Application for Eligibility was not 
approved.
    (6) Reasons for disapproval. Reasons for disapproval of an 
Application for Eligibility may include, but are not limited to:
    (i) Fewer than 150 days of experience working as an IFQ crew member, 
unless that person attests in the Application for Eligibility that he or 
she is an eligible community resident of Adak, AK, who will receive only 
halibut IFQ in regulatory area 4B or sablefish IFQ in the regulatory 
area of the Aleutian Islands subarea that is derived from QS held by a 
CQE on behalf of Adak, AK.
    (ii) Lack of compliance with the U.S. citizenship or corporate 
ownership requirements specified by the definition of ``person'' at 
Sec. 679.2.
    (iii) An incomplete Application for Eligibility.
    (iv) Fines, civil penalties, or other payments due and owing, or 
outstanding permit sanctions, resulting from Federal fishery violations.
    (e) Transfers of QS blocks--(1) General. A QS block must be 
transferred as an undivided whole, unless the size of the QS block 
exceeds the use limits specified at Sec. 679.42. If the QS block to be 
transferred exceeds the use limits specified at Sec. 679.42, the 
Regional Administrator will divide the block into two blocks, one block 
containing the maximum amount of QS allowable under the QS use limits 
and the other block containing the residual QS.
    (2) Sablefish. QS blocks for the same IFQ regulatory area and vessel 
category that represent less than 5,000 lb (2.3 mt) of sablefish IFQ, 
based on the 1996 TAC share for fixed gear sablefish in a specific IFQ 
regulatory area and the QS pool for that IFQ regulatory area on January 
31, 1996, may be consolidated into larger QS blocks provided that the 
consolidated blocks do not represent greater than 5,000 lbs (2.3 mt) of 
sablefish IFQ based on the preceding criteria. A consolidated block 
cannot be divided and is considered a single block for purposes of use 
and transferability. The maximum number of QS units that may be 
consolidated into a single QS block in each IFQ regulatory area is as 
follows:
    (i) Southeast Outside district: 33,270 QS.
    (ii) West Yakutat district: 43,390 QS.
    (iii) Central GOA regulatory area: 46,055 QS.

[[Page 763]]

    (iv) Western GOA regulatory area: 48,410 QS.
    (v) Aleutian Islands subarea: 99,210 QS.
    (vi) Bering Sea subarea: 91,275 QS.
    (3) Halibut. QS blocks for the same IFQ regulatory area and vessel 
category that represent less than 3,000 lb (1.4 mt) of halibut IFQ, 
based on the 1996 catch limit for halibut in a specific IFQ regulatory 
area and the QS pool for that IFQ regulatory area on January 31, 1996, 
may be consolidated into larger QS blocks provided that the consolidated 
blocks do not represent greater than 3,000 lb (1.4 mt) of halibut IFQ 
based on the preceding criteria. In Areas 2C and 3A, QS blocks for the 
same IFQ regulatory area and vessel category that represent less than 
5,000 lb (2.3 mt) of halibut IFQ, based on the 1996 catch limit for 
halibut in a specific IFQ regulatory area and the QS pool for that IFQ 
regulatory area on January 31, 1996, may be consolidated into larger QS 
blocks provided that the consolidated blocks do not represent greater 
than 5,000 lb (2.3 mt) of halibut IFQ based on the preceding criteria. A 
consolidated block cannot be divided and is considered a single block 
for purposes of use and transferability. The maximum number of QS units 
that may be consolidated into a single block in each IFQ regulatory area 
is as follows:
    (i) Area 2C: 33,320 QS.
    (ii) Area 3A: 46,520 QS.
    (iii) Area 3B: 44,193 QS.
    (iv) Subarea 4A: 22,947 QS.
    (v) Subarea 4B: 15,087 QS.
    (vi) Subarea 4C: 30,930 QS.
    (vii) Subarea 4D: 26,082 QS.
    (viii) Subarea 4E: 0 QS.
    (f) Transfer of QS or IFQ with restrictions. If QS or IFQ must be 
transferred as a result of a court order, operation of law, or as part 
of a security agreement, but the person receiving the QS or IFQ by 
transfer does not meet all of the eligibility requirements of this 
section, the Regional Administrator will approve the Application for 
Transfer with restrictions. The Regional Administrator will not assign 
IFQ resulting from the restricted QS to any person. IFQ with 
restrictions may not be used for harvesting halibut or sablefish with 
fixed gear. The QS or IFQ will remain restricted until:
    (1) The person who received the QS or IFQ with restrictions meets 
the eligibility requirements of this section and the Regional 
Administrator approves an Application for Eligibility for that person; 
or
    (2) The Regional Administrator approves the Application for Transfer 
from the person who received the QS or IFQ with restrictions to a person 
who meets the requirements of this section.
    (g) Transfer restrictions. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f), 
paragraph (g)(2), paragraph (l), paragraph (n) or paragraph (o) of this 
section, only persons who are IFQ crew members, or who were initially 
issued QS assigned to vessel categories B, C, or D, and meet the 
eligibility requirements in this section, may receive by transfer QS 
assigned to vessel categories B, C, or D, or the IFQ resulting from it.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, only 
persons who are IFQ crew members, and meet the other requirements in 
this section, may receive by transfer QS assigned to vessel categories 
B, C, or D, or the IFQ resulting from it, in IFQ regulatory area 2C for 
halibut or in the IFQ regulatory area east of 140[deg] W. long. for 
sablefish.
    (3) Individuals who were initially issued QS assigned to vessel 
categories B, C, or D may transfer that QS to a corporation that is 
solely owned by the same individual. Such transfers of QS assigned to 
vessel categories B, C, or D in IFQ regulatory area 2C for halibut or in 
the IFQ regulatory area east of 140[deg] W. long. for sablefish will be 
governed by the use provisions of Sec. 679.42(i); the use provisions 
pertaining to corporations at Sec. 679.42(j) shall not apply.
    (4) The Regional Administrator will not approve an Application for 
Transfer of QS assigned to vessel categories B, C, or D subject to a 
lease or any other condition of repossession or resale by the person 
transferring QS, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (m) of this 
section, or by court order, operation of law, or as part of a security 
agreement. The Regional Administrator may request a copy of the sales 
contract or other terms and conditions

[[Page 764]]

of transfer between two persons as supplementary information to the 
transfer application.
    (5) A CQE may not hold QS in halibut IFQ regulatory area 2C that is 
assigned to vessel category D.
    (i) A CQE may not hold QS in halibut IFQ regulatory area 3A that is 
assigned to vessel category D on behalf of a community that is located 
in halibut IFQ regulatory areas 2C or 3B as listed in Table 21 to part 
679.
    (ii) In aggregate, CQEs may not hold an amount of QS in halibut IFQ 
regulatory area 3A that is assigned to vessel category D in excess of 
1,233,740 QS units.
    (6) IFQ derived from QS held by a CQE on behalf of an eligible 
community:
    (i) In the GOA may be used only by an eligible community resident of 
that community.
    (ii) In the Aleutian Islands subarea may be used by any person who 
has received an approved Application for Eligibility as described in 
paragraph (d) of this section prior to February 28, 2028 and only by an 
eligible community resident of Adak, AK, after February 28, 2028.
    (7) A CQE may transfer QS:
    (i) To generate revenues to provide funds to meet administrative 
costs for managing the community QS holdings;
    (ii) To generate revenue to improve the ability of residents within 
the community to participate in the halibut and sablefish IFQ fisheries;
    (iii) To generate revenue to purchase QS to yield IFQ for use by 
community residents;
    (iv) To dissolve the CQE; or
    (v) As a result of a court order, operation of law, or as part of a 
security agreement.
    (8) If the Regional Administrator determines that a CQE transferred 
QS for purposes other than those specified in paragraph (g)(7) of this 
section, then:
    (i) The CQE must divest itself of any remaining QS holdings and will 
not be eligible to receive QS by transfer for a period of three years 
after the effective date of final agency action on the Regional 
Administrator's determination; and
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will not approve a CQE to represent 
the eligible community in whose name the CQE transferred quota for a 
period of three years after the effective date of final agency action on 
the Regional Administrator's determination.
    (9) For transfers of QS to an RQE, the RQE may only receive halibut 
QS that is assigned to IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A.
    (10) For transfers of QS from an RQE:
    (i) Quota category and block designations at time of purchase by an 
RQE are retained if QS is transferred to an eligible QS holder for use 
in the IFQ program.
    (ii) NMFS will not issue any IFQ from any QS transferred from an RQE 
to a QS holder for use in the IFQ program for a calendar year if that QS 
resulted in the issuance of RFQ to an RQE during that calendar year.
    (11)(i) To maintain eligibility as the RQE authorized by NMFS, the 
RQE must be a non-profit entity incorporated under the laws of the State 
of Alaska and recognized as exempt from Federal income tax by the 
Internal Revenue Service as required by paragraph (n)(1)(ii) of this 
section.
    (ii) If the Regional Administrator determines the RQE approved by 
NMFS does not meet the requirements specified in paragraph (n)(1) of 
this section, NMFS will notify the RQE of the Regional Administrator's 
determination and specify that the RQE has 60 days to meet the 
requirements in paragraph (n)(1) of this section to maintain eligibility 
as the RQE authorized by NMFS.
    (iii) If the RQE demonstrates to NMFS within 60 days of notification 
that it meets the requirements in paragraph (n)(1) of this section, NMFS 
will notify the RQE that it remains the authorized RQE.
    (iv) If the RQE does not demonstrate to NMFS within 60 days of 
notification that it meets the requirements in paragraph (n)(1) of this 
section, NMFS will issue an initial administrative determination (IAD):
    (A) Revoking authorization of the RQE;
    (B) Disallowing the RQE from receiving any QS by transfer;
    (C) Requiring the CQE to divest of any QS that it holds; and
    (D) Withholding the issuance of RFQ based on any QS that the RQE 
holds.

[[Page 765]]

    (v) The RQE will have the opportunity to appeal the IAD through the 
National Appeals Office under the provisions established at 15 CFR part 
906.
    (h) Transfer of IFQ. (1) Pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, 
an Application for Transfer must be approved by the Regional 
Administrator before a person may use any IFQ that results from a direct 
transfer to harvest halibut or sablefish. After approving the 
Application for Transfer, the Regional Administrator will change any IFQ 
accounts affected by the approved transfer and issue all necessary IFQ 
permits.
    (2) IFQ resulting from categories B, C, or D QS may not be 
transferred separately from its originating QS, except as provided in 
paragraph (d), (f), (k), (l), (m), or (o) of this section.
    (i) Transfer across catcher vessel categories--(1) CDQ compensation. 
Persons issued CDQ compensation QS in a catcher vessel category, 
pursuant to Sec. 679.41(j), and in an IFQ regulatory area in which they 
do not hold QS other than CDQ compensation QS, may use that CDQ 
compensation QS on any catcher vessel. This exemption from catcher 
vessel categories ends upon the first transfer of the CDQ compensation 
QS. CDQ compensation QS being transferred will be permanently assigned 
to a specific catcher vessel category as designated by the person 
receiving the transfer.
    (2) CDQ compensation QS definition. For purposes of this paragraph 
(i), CDQ compensation QS is QS issued as compensation for halibut and 
sablefish harvest privileges foregone due to the CDQ Program, as 
provided in paragraph (j) of this section.
    (j) Compensation for CDQ allocations. (1) The Regional Administrator 
will compensate persons that receive a reduced halibut QS in IPHC 
regulatory areas 4B, 4C, 4D, or 4E because of the halibut CDQ program by 
adding halibut QS from IPHC regulatory areas 2C, 3A, 3B, and 4A. This 
compensation of halibut QS from areas 2C, 3A, 3B, and 4A will be 
allocated in proportion to the amount of halibut QS foregone due to the 
CDQ allocation authorized by this section.
    (2) The Regional Administrator will compensate persons that receive 
a reduced sablefish QS in any BSAI IFQ regulatory area because of the 
sablefish CDQ program by taking sablefish QS from the IFQ regulatory 
areas of the GOA and allocating it in proportion to the loss suffered by 
persons in the BSAI area. Such additional compensation of sablefish QS 
will be allocated in proportion to the amount of sablefish QS foregone 
due to the CDQ allocation authorized by this section.
    (3) Persons initially issued QS for IFQ regulatory areas in which a 
portion of the TAC is allocated to the CDQ Program will be compensated 
for halibut and sablefish harvest privileges foregone due to the CDQ 
Program. If a person does not hold QS in an IFQ regulatory area on the 
date the compensation is issued, that person's compensation will be 
issued as unblocked. If a person does hold QS in an IFQ regulatory area 
on the date compensation is issued, that person's compensation will be 
added to their existing QS in that IFQ regulatory area. The resulting QS 
amount will be blocked or unblocked according to the criteria found at 
Sec. 679.40(a). Compensation will be calculated for each non-CDQ area 
using the following formula:

QN = (QC x QSPN x RATE)/
(SUMCDQ - [RATE x SUMTAC]) ([1 - RATE] x 
TACAVE)(QSPC x [CDQ PCT - RATE])

Where:

QN = quota share in non-CDQ area
QC = quota share in CDQ area
QSPN = quota share pool in non-CDQ area (as existing on 
          January 31, 1995)
RATE = SUMCDQ/average of the TAC (1988-1994) for all CDQ and 
          non-CDQ areas
TACAVE = average of the TAC (1988-1994) for CDQ area
QSPC = quota share pool in CDQ area (as existing on January 
          31, 1995)
CDQPCT = CDQ percentage for CDQ area
SUMCDQ = sum [TACAVE x CDQPCT]
SUMTAC = sum [TACAVE]

    (k) Survivorship transfer privileges--(1) On the death of an 
individual who holds QS or IFQ, the surviving spouse or, in the absence 
of a surviving spouse, a beneficiary designated pursuant to paragraph 
(k)(2) of this section or the estate representative, receives all QS and 
IFQ held by the decedent by right of survivorship, unless a contrary 
intent was expressed by the decedent in a will. The Regional 
Administrator will approve an Application for Transfer to

[[Page 766]]

the surviving spouse, designated beneficiary, or estate representative 
when sufficient evidence has been provided to verify the death of the 
individual.
    (2) QS holders may provide the Regional Administrator with the name 
of a designated beneficiary from the QS holder's immediate family to 
receive survivorship transfer privileges in the event of the QS holder's 
death and in the absence of a surviving spouse.
    (3) The Regional Administrator will approve an Application for 
Transfer of IFQ for a period of 3 calendar years following the date of 
death of an individual to a designated beneficiary. NMFS will allow the 
transfer of IFQ only resulting from the QS transferred to the surviving 
spouse or, in the absence of a surviving spouse, from a beneficiary from 
the QS holder's immediate family designated pursuant to paragraph (k)(2) 
of this section or from an estate representative to a person eligible to 
receive IFQ under the provisions of this section, notwithstanding the 
limitations on transfers of IFQ in paragraph (h)(2) of this section.
    (l) Transfer of QS to CQEs. (1) Each eligible community must 
designate a CQE to transfer and hold QS on behalf of that community.
    (2) Each eligible community may designate only one CQE to hold QS on 
behalf of that community at any one time.
    (3) Prior to initially receiving QS by transfer on behalf of a 
specific eligible community, a non-profit entity that intends to 
represent that eligible community as a CQE must have approval from the 
Regional Administrator. To receive that approval, the non-profit entity 
seeking to become a CQE must submit a complete application to become a 
CQE to the Regional Administrator. The Regional Administrator will 
provide a copy of the complete application to the Alaska Department of 
Community and Economic Development, Commissioner, P.O. Box 110809, 
Juneau, AK 99811-0809. NMFS will consider comments received from the 
Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development when reviewing 
applications for a non-profit entity to become a CQE. The Alaska 
Department of Community and Economic Development must submit comments on 
an application to the Regional Administrator within 30 days of receipt 
of the application in order for those comments to be considered by the 
Regional Administrator during the approval process. If an application is 
disapproved, than that determination may be appealed under the 
provisions established at 15 CFR part 906. A complete application to 
become a CQE consists of:
    (i) The articles of incorporation under the laws of the State of 
Alaska for that non-profit entity, except that a non-profit entity that 
is representing the Metlakatla Indian Village may provide articles of 
incorporation under Federal Law;
    (ii) A statement indicating the eligible community, or communities, 
represented by that non-profit entity for purposes of holding QS;
    (iii) Management organization information, including:
    (A) The bylaws of the non-profit entity;
    (B) A list of key personnel of the managing organization including, 
but not limited to, the board of directors, officers, representatives, 
and any managers;
    (C) A description of how the non-profit entity is qualified to 
manage QS on behalf of the eligible community, or communities, it is 
designated to represent, and a demonstration that the non-profit entity 
has the management, technical expertise, and ability to manage QS and 
IFQ; and
    (D) The name of the non-profit organization, taxpayer ID number, 
NMFS person number, permanent business mailing addresses, name of 
contact persons and additional contact information of the managing 
personnel for the non-profit entity, resumes of management personnel, 
name of community or communities represented by the CQE, name of contact 
for the governing body of each community represented, date, name and 
signature of applicant.
    (iv) A statement describing the procedures that will be used to 
determine the distribution of IFQ to eligible community residents and 
non-residents of the community represented by that CQE, including:

[[Page 767]]

    (A) Procedures used to solicit requests from eligible community 
residents and non-residents to lease IFQ; and
    (B) Criteria used to determine the distribution of IFQ leases among 
qualified community residents and non-residents and the relative 
weighting of those criteria.
    (v) A statement of support from the governing body of the eligible 
community as that governing body is identified in Table 21 to this part. 
That statement of support is:
    (A) A resolution from the City Council or other official governing 
body for those eligible communities incorporated as first or second 
class cities in the State of Alaska;
    (B) A resolution from the tribal government authority recognized by 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs for those eligible communities that are not 
incorporated as first or second class cities in the State of Alaska; but 
are represented by a tribal government authority recognized by the 
Secretary of the Interior; or
    (C) A resolution from a non-profit community association, homeowner 
association, community council, or other non-profit entity for those 
eligible communities that are not incorporated as first or second class 
cities in the State of Alaska, and is not represented by a tribal 
government authority recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The 
non-profit entity that provides a statement of support must:
    (1) Have articles of incorporation as a non-profit community 
association, homeowner association, community council, or other non-
profit entity; and
    (2) Have an established relationship with the State of Alaska 
Department of Community and Economic Development for purposes of 
representing that community for governmental functions.
    (D) If an eligible community is not incorporated as a first or 
second class city in the State of Alaska, is not represented by a tribal 
government authority recognized by the Secretary of the Interior, and 
does not have a non-profit community association, homeowner association, 
community council, or other non-profit entity within that community with 
an established relationship with the Alaska Department of Community and 
Economic Development for purposes of representing that community for 
purposes of governmental functions, then the Regional Administrator, 
NMFS, will not consider any statement from a non-profit entity 
representing that community until that community:
    (1) Is incorporated as a first or second class city in the State of 
Alaska;
    (2) Establishes a tribal government authority recognized by the 
Secretary of the Interior; or
    (3) Establishes a non-profit community association, homeowner 
association, community council, or other non-profit entity within that 
community that meets the requirements established in paragraph (E) of 
this section.
    (E) If a community described under paragraph (l)(3)(v)(D) of this 
section establishes a non-profit community association, homeowner 
association, community council, or other non-profit entity within that 
community, then the Regional Administrator, NMFS, will consider any 
recommendations from this entity to support a particular applicant after 
reviewing:
    (1) Petitions from residents affirming that the non-profit community 
association, homeowner association, community council, or other non-
profit entity within that community represents the residents within that 
community; and
    (2) Comments from the State of Alaska Department of Community and 
Economic Development on the articles of incorporation for that non-
profit entity and the ability of that non-profit entity to adequately 
represent the interests of that community for purposes of governmental 
functions.
    (3) If the Regional Administrator determines that this statement of 
support is not adequate, than that determination may be appealed under 
the provisions established at 15 CFR part 906.
    (4) The governing body of an eligible community as that governing 
body is identified in Table 21 to this part, must provide authorization 
for any transfer of QS by the CQE that holds QS on behalf of that 
eligible community prior to that transfer of QS being approved by NMFS. 
This authorization must be submitted as part of the Application

[[Page 768]]

for Transfer. That authorization consists of a signature on the 
Application for Transfer by a representative of the governing body that 
has been designated by that governing body to provide such authorization 
to approve the transfer of QS.
    (m) Temporary military transfers. In the event of a military 
mobilization or order to report for military service affecting a QS 
holder that prevents him or her from being able to participate in the 
halibut or sablefish IFQ fisheries, the Regional Administrator may 
approve a temporary military transfer for the IFQ derived from the QS 
held by a QS holder affected by the military mobilization.
    (1) General. A temporary military transfer will be approved if the 
QS holder demonstrates that he or she is unable to participate in the 
IFQ fishery for which he or she holds QS because of a military 
mobilization, order to report for military service, or active duty 
military service.
    (2) Eligibility. To be eligible to receive a temporary military 
transfer, a QS holder must meet all of the following requirements:
    (i) Be a member of a branch of the National Guard or a member of a 
reserve component;
    (ii) Possess one or more catcher vessel IFQ permits;
    (iii) Not qualify for a hired master exception under Sec. 
679.42(i)(1);
    (iv) Be in active duty military service as that term is defined at 
10 U.S.C. 101(d)(1), be under a call to active service authorized by the 
President or the Secretary for a period of more than 30 consecutive days 
under 32 U.S.C. 502(f), or in the case of a member of a reserve 
component, have been ordered to report for military service beginning on 
the date of the member's receipt of the order and ending on the date on 
which the member reports for active duty military service.
    (3) Application. A QS holder may apply for a temporary military 
transfer by submitting an application for temporary transfer of halibut/
sablefish IFQ to the Alaska Region, NMFS. NMFS will transfer, upon 
approval of the application, the applicable IFQ from the applicant 
(transferor) to the recipient (transferee). An application for temporary 
transfer of halibut/sablefish IFQ is available at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ region/alaska or by calling 1-800-304-4846. A 
complete application must include all of the following:
    (i) The transferor's identity including his or her full name, NMFS 
person ID, date of birth, permanent business mailing address, business 
telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if any). A temporary 
mailing address may be provided, if appropriate.
    (ii) The transferee's identity including his or her full name, NMFS 
person ID, date of birth, permanent business mailing address, business 
telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if any). A temporary 
mailing address may be provided, if appropriate.
    (iii) The identification characteristics of the IFQ including 
whether the transfer is for halibut or sablefish IFQ, IFQ regulatory 
area, actual number of IFQ pounds, transferor (seller) IFQ permit 
number, and fishing year.
    (iv) Documentation of active military mobilization or deployment. 
This documentation must include the following:
    (A) A copy of official documentation such as valid military orders 
or call that direct the transferor to report to active duty military 
service, to mobilize for a military deployment, or to report to active 
service.
    (B) A concise description of the nature of the military deployment 
or active duty military service, including verification that the 
applicant is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which he or 
she holds IFQ permits during the IFQ season because of his/her active 
duty military service.
    (v) The signatures and printed names of the transferor and 
transferee, and date.
    (4) Restrictions. (i) A temporary military transfer shall be valid 
only during the calendar year for which the associated IFQ is issued.
    (ii) A temporary military transfer will be issued only for the IFQ 
derived from the QS held by the applicant.
    (5) Temporary military transfer evaluations and appeals--(i) Initial 
evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate an application for 
a temporary

[[Page 769]]

military transfer submitted in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1) through 
(c)(9) of this section. An applicant who fails to submit the information 
specified in the application for a temporary military transfer will be 
provided a reasonable opportunity to submit the specified information or 
submit a revised application.
    (ii) Initial administrative determination (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the application provided by the 
applicant is deficient or if the applicant fails to submit the specified 
information or a revised application. The IAD will indicate the 
deficiencies in the application, including any deficiencies with the 
information on the revised application. An applicant who receives an IAD 
may appeal under the appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR part 906.
    (n) Transfer of halibut QS to an RQE--(1) RQE organizational 
structure. (i) The RQE must be a single entity representing IFQ 
regulatory Areas 2C and 3A.
    (ii) The RQE must be a non-profit entity incorporated under the laws 
of the State of Alaska and recognized as exempt from Federal income tax 
by the Internal Revenue Service; and
    (iii) The RQE must submit an annual report to NMFS and the Council 
detailing RQE activities during the prior year according to Sec. 
679.5(v).
    (2) Application for Eligibility. Prior to initially receiving QS by 
transfer, a non-profit entity that intends to participate in the Halibut 
IFQ Program and purchase and hold halibut QS in Area 2C and Area 3A as 
the RQE must have approval from the Regional Administrator. To receive 
that approval, the non-profit entity seeking to become an RQE must 
submit a complete ``Application for a Non-profit Entity to be Designated 
as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)'' (available on the NMFS Alaska 
Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/). NMFS will approve 
only one entity as the RQE. A complete application to become an RQE must 
include:
    (i) The articles of incorporation under the laws of the State of 
Alaska for that non-profit entity;
    (ii) Acknowledgement from the Internal Revenue Service that the non-
profit entity is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(a) of 
the Internal Revenue Code; and
    (iii) Management organization information, including:
    (A) The bylaws of the non-profit entity;
    (B) A list of key personnel of the managing organization including, 
but not limited to, the RQE board of directors, officers, 
representatives, and any managers;
    (C) A description of how the non-profit entity is qualified to 
manage QS on behalf of charter fishery participants and a demonstration 
that the non-profit entity has the management, technical expertise, and 
ability to manage QS and RFQ;
    (D) The name of the non-profit organization, taxpayer ID number, 
NMFS person number, permanent business mailing addresses, name of 
contact persons and additional contact information of the managing 
personnel for the non-profit entity, resumes of management personnel, 
name and signature of applicant; and
    (iv) A statement describing the procedures that will be used to 
determine the acquisition of funds to purchase QS.
    (3) Address for submittal of application. Regional Administrator, 
NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802.
    (4) Approval. NMFS will approve the first complete application 
received. If an application is approved, NMFS will notify the RQE by 
mail, unless another mode of communication is requested on the 
application.
    (5) Disapproval. If an application is disapproved, that 
determination may be appealed under the provisions established at 15 CFR 
part 906.
    (o) Transfer of IFQ to CDQ groups. (1) A QS holder who holds fewer 
than 76,355 units of halibut QS in IFQ regulatory area 4B may transfer 
halibut IFQ assigned to vessel categories B, C, or D in IFQ regulatory 
area 4B to a CDQ group that receives an allocation of IFQ regulatory 
area 4B halibut CDQ if the annual commercial halibut catch limit, as 
defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title, for Area 4B is less than 1 
million pounds in that calendar year.

[[Page 770]]

    (2) A QS holder in IFQ regulatory areas 4C or 4D may transfer 
halibut IFQ assigned to vessel categories B, C, or D in IFQ regulatory 
areas 4C or 4D to a CDQ group that receives an allocation of halibut CDQ 
in that IFQ regulatory area if the annual commercial halibut catch 
limit, as defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title, for Area 4CDE is less 
than 1.5 million pounds in that calendar year.
    (3) A QS holder must meet the requirements in paragraph (c)(13) of 
this section to transfer halibut IFQ assigned to vessel categories B, C, 
or D in IFQ regulatory areas 4B, 4C, or 4D to a CDQ group.
    (4) A CDQ group that receives halibut IFQ by transfer may not 
transfer that halibut IFQ to any other person.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.41, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 679.42  Limitations on use of QS and IFQ.

    (a) IFQ regulatory area and vessel category. (1) The QS or IFQ 
specified for one IFQ regulatory area must not be used in a different 
IFQ regulatory area, except for the following:
    (i) All or part of the QS and IFQ specified for regulatory area 4C 
may be harvested in either Area 4C or Area 4D.
    (ii) All or part of the halibut CDQ specified for regulatory area 4D 
may be harvested in either Area 4D or Area 4E.
    (iii) If a CDQ group is authorized to receive a transfer of halibut 
IFQ assigned to vessel categories B, C, or D in IFQ regulatory area 4D 
as specified in Sec. 679.41(o) of this part, all or part of the halibut 
IFQ specified for regulatory area 4D that is held by or transferred to a 
CDQ group may be harvested in either Area 4D or Area 4E.
    (2) The QS or IFQ assigned to one vessel category must not be used 
to harvest IFQ species on a vessel of a different vessel category, 
except:
    (i) As provided in Sec. 679.41(i)(1) of this part (CDQ compensation 
QS exemption);
    (ii) IFQ derived from QS held by a CQE may be used to harvest IFQ 
species from a vessel of any length, with the exception of IFQ derived 
from QS in IFQ regulatory areas 3A and 4B that are assigned to vessel 
category D.
    (A) Halibut IFQ derived from QS assigned to vessel category D in 
Area 3A that is held by a CQE located in Area 3A may be used to harvest 
IFQ halibut on a vessel less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA from 
August 15 to the end of the IFQ fishing season.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (iii) In IFQ regulatory areas 3B, 4B, and 4C, category D QS and 
associated IFQ authorizes an IFQ permit holder to harvest IFQ halibut on 
a vessel less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA.
    (iv) Halibut IFQ assigned to vessel category B, C, or D held by a 
CDQ group may not be used on a vessel over 51 feet LOA, irrespective of 
the vessel category assigned to the IFQ.
    (v) In IFQ regulatory areas 2C and 3A, RFQ held by an RQE may be 
harvested aboard charter vessels as defined at 50 CFR 300.61 of any 
size, regardless of the QS category from which that RFQ originated.
    (b) Gear--(1) IFQ Fisheries. Authorized fishing gear to harvest IFQ 
halibut and IFQ sablefish is defined in Sec. 679.2.
    (i) IFQ halibut. IFQ halibut must not be harvested with trawl gear 
in any IFQ regulatory area.
    (ii) IFQ sablefish. IFQ sablefish must not be harvested with trawl 
gear in any IFQ regulatory area, or with pot-and-line gear in the GOA. A 
vessel operator using longline pot gear in the GOA to fish for IFQ 
sablefish must comply with the GOA sablefish longline pot gear 
requirements in paragraph (l) of this section.
    (2) Seabird avoidance gear and methods. The operator of a vessel 
using hook-and-line gear authorized at Sec. 679.2 while fishing for IFQ 
halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish must comply with requirements for 
seabird avoidance gear and methods set forth at Sec. 679.24(e).
    (c) Permit holder aboard requirement. Any individual who harvests 
halibut or sablefish with fixed gear must have a valid IFQ permit, and 
if a hired master is conducting the harvest, a valid IFQ hired master 
permit, and must be aboard the vessel at all times during the fishing 
trip and be present during the landing.

[[Page 771]]

    (d) Emergency waivers and medical transfers. The person authorized 
to fish IFQ halibut or sablefish must be aboard the vessel during 
fishing operations and must sign the IFQ landing report except as 
provided in Sec. 679.41 and under the following circumstances:
    (1) Emergency waiver. In the event of extreme personal emergency 
during a fishing trip involving a person authorized to fish IFQ halibut 
or sablefish, the requirements or paragraph (c)(1) of this section may 
be waived. The waiving of these requirements under this provision shall 
apply to IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish retained on the fishing trip 
during which the emergency occurred.
    (2) Medical transfers. In the event of a medical condition affecting 
a QS holder or an immediate family member of a QS holder that prevents 
the QS holder from being able to participate in the halibut or sablefish 
IFQ fisheries, a medical transfer may be approved for the IFQ derived 
from the QS held by the person affected by the medical condition.
    (i) General. A medical transfer will be approved if the QS holder 
demonstrates that:
    (A) He or she is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which 
he or she holds QS because of a medical condition that precludes 
participation by the QS holder; or
    (B) He or she is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which 
he or she holds QS because of a medical condition involving an immediate 
family member that requires the QS holder's full time attendance.
    (ii) Eligibility. To be eligible to receive a medical transfer, a QS 
holder must:
    (A) Possess one or more catcher vessel IFQ permits; and
    (B) Not qualify for a hired master exception under paragraph (i)(1) 
of this section.
    (iii) Application. A QS holder may apply for a medical transfer by 
submitting a medical transfer application to the Alaska Region, NMFS. A 
QS holder who has received an approved medical transfer from RAM may 
transfer the IFQ derived from his or her own QS to an individual 
eligible to receive IFQ. A medical transfer application is available at 
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov /region/alaska or by calling 1-800-304-
4846. Completed applications must be mailed to: Restricted Access 
Management Program, NMFS, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 
99802-1668. A complete application must include:
    (A) The applicant's (transferor's) identity including his or her 
full name, NMFS person ID, date of birth, permanent business mailing 
address, business telephone and fax numbers, and email address (if any). 
A temporary mailing address may be provided, if appropriate;
    (B) The recipient's (transferee's) identity including his or her 
full name, NMFS person ID, date of birth, permanent business mailing 
address, business telephone and fax numbers, and email address (if any). 
A temporary mailing address may be provided, if appropriate;
    (C) The identification characteristics of the IFQ including whether 
the transfer is for halibut or sablefish IFQ, IFQ regulatory area, 
actual number of IFQ pounds, transferor (seller) IFQ permit number, and 
fishing year;
    (D) The price per pound (including leases), or other method of 
compensation, and total amount paid for the IFQ in the requested 
transaction, including all fees;
    (E) The primary source of financing for the transfer, how the IFQ 
was located, and the transferee's (buyer's) relationship to the 
transferor (seller);
    (F) A written declaration from a health care provider as defined in 
Sec. 679.2. The declaration must include:
    (1) The identity of the health care provider including his or her 
full name, business telephone, and permanent business mailing address 
(number and street, city and state, zip code);
    (2) A statement of the condition affecting the applicant or the 
applicant's immediate family member, that the applicant is unable to 
participate; and
    (3) The dated signature of the health care provider who conducted 
the medical examination; and
    (G) The signatures and printed names of the transferor and 
transferee, and date.

[[Page 772]]

    (iv) Restrictions. (A) A medical transfer shall be valid only during 
the calendar year for which the permit is issued;
    (B) A medical transfer will be issued only for the IFQ derived from 
the QS held by the applicant; and
    (C) Except as provided for in paragraph (d)(2)(iv)(C)(1) of this 
section, NMFS will not approve a medical transfer if the applicant has 
received a medical transfer in any 3 of the previous 7 calendar years 
for any medical reason.
    (1) Medical transfers approved in 2020, 2021, or 2022 do not count 
toward the restriction detailed in paragraph (d)(2)(iv)(C) of this 
section.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (v) Medical transfer evaluations and appeals--(A) Initial 
evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate an application for 
a medical transfer submitted in accordance with paragraphs (d)(2)(iii) 
and (d)(2)(iv) of this section. An applicant who fails to submit the 
information specified in the application for a medical transfer will be 
provided a reasonable opportunity to submit the specified information or 
submit a revised application.
    (B) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the application provided by the 
applicant is deficient or if the applicant fails to submit the specified 
information or a revised application. The IAD will indicate the 
deficiencies in the application, including any deficiencies with the 
information on the revised application. An applicant who receives an IAD 
may appeal under the appeals procedures set out at Sec. 679.43.
    (e) Sablefish QS Use. (1) No person other than a CQE representing 
the community of Adak, AK, individually or collectively, may use more 
than 3,229,721 units of sablefish QS, except if the amount of a person's 
initial allocation of sablefish QS is greater than 3,229,721 units, in 
which case that person may not use more than the amount of the initial 
allocation.
    (2) In the IFQ regulatory area east of 140[deg] W. long., no person, 
individually or collectively, may use more than 688,485 units of 
sablefish QS for this area, except if the amount of a person's initial 
allocation of sablefish QS is greater than 688,485 units, in which case 
that person may not use more than the amount of the initial allocation.
    (3) No CQE may hold sablefish QS in the IFQ regulatory area of the 
Bering Sea subarea.
    (4) No CQE may hold more than:
    (i) 3,229,721 units of sablefish QS on behalf of any single eligible 
community in the GOA; or
    (ii) 4,789,874 units of sablefish QS on behalf of any single 
eligible community in the Aleutian Islands subarea.
    (5) In the IFQ regulatory area east of 140[deg] W. long., no CQE may 
hold more than 688,485 units of sablefish QS for this area on behalf of 
any single eligible community.
    (6) In the aggregate, all CQEs are limited to holding a maximum of:
    (i) 21 percent of the total QS in each regulatory area specified in 
Sec. 679.41(e)(2)(i) through (e)(2)(iv) of this part for sablefish.
    (ii) 15 percent of the total QS specified in Sec. 679.41(e)(2)(v) 
of this part for sablefish.
    (7) No individual that receives IFQ derived from sablefish QS held 
by a CQE may hold, individually or collectively, more than 50,000 lb 
(22.7 mt) of IFQ sablefish derived from any sablefish QS source.
    (8) A CQE receiving category B or C sablefish QS through transfer 
and representing an eligible community:
    (i) In the GOA may lease the IFQ resulting from that QS only to an 
eligible community resident of the eligible community on whose behalf 
the QS is held; and
    (ii) In the Aleutian Islands subarea may lease the IFQ resulting 
from that QS to any person who has received an approved Application for 
Eligibility as described in Sec. 679.41(d) prior to February 28, 2028, 
but only to an eligible community resident of Adak, AK, after February 
28, 2028.
    (9) A CQE representing an eligible community in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea may receive by transfer or use sablefish QS only in the Aleutian 
Islands subarea.

[[Page 773]]

    (f) Halibut QS use. (1) Unless the amount in excess of the following 
limits was received in the initial allocation of halibut QS, no person 
other than a CQE representing the community of Adak, AK, individually or 
collectively, or an RQE, may use more than:
    (i) IFQ regulatory Area 2C. 599,799 units of halibut QS, including 
halibut QS issued as IFQ and transferred to GAF, as defined in Sec. 
300.61 of this title.
    (ii) IFQ regulatory area 2C, 3A, and 3B. 1,502,823 units of halibut 
QS, including halibut QS issued as IFQ and transferred to GAF, as 
defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title.
    (iii) IFQ regulatory area 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E. 495,044 units of 
halibut QS.
    (2) No CQE may receive an amount of halibut QS on behalf of any 
single eligible community which is more than:
    (i) IFQ regulatory area 2C. 599,799 units of halibut QS.
    (ii) IFQ regulatory area 2C, 3A, and 3B. 1,502,823 units of halibut 
QS.
    (iii) IFQ regulatory area 4B. 1,392,716 units of halibut QS.
    (3) No CQE may hold halibut QS in the IFQ regulatory areas 4A, 4C, 
4D, and 4E.
    (4) A CQE representing an eligible community may receive by transfer 
or use QS only in the IFQ regulatory areas designated for that species 
and for that eligible community as described in Table 21 to this part.
    (5) In the aggregate, all CQEs are limited to holding a maximum of:
    (i) 21 percent of the total QS in each regulatory area specified in 
Sec. 679.41(e)(3)(i) through (e)(3)(iii) of this part for halibut.
    (ii) 15 percent of the total QS specified in Sec. 679.41(e)(3)(v) 
of this part for halibut.
    (6) No individual that receives IFQ derived from halibut QS held by 
a CQE, including GAF as defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title, may hold, 
individually or collectively, more than 50,000 pounds (22.7 mt) of IFQ 
halibut, including IFQ halibut received as GAF, derived from any halibut 
QS source.
    (7) A CQE receiving category B, C, or D halibut QS through transfer:
    (i) In an IFQ regulatory area specified in Sec. 679.41(e)(3)(i) 
through (e)(3)(iii) of this part may lease the IFQ resulting from that 
QS only to an eligible community resident of the eligible community 
represented by the CQE.
    (ii) In IFQ regulatory Area 4B may lease the IFQ resulting from that 
QS to any person who has received an approved Application for 
Eligibility as described in Sec. 679.41(d) prior to February 28, 2028 
but only to an eligible community resident of Adak, AK, after February 
28, 2028.
    (8)(i) Annual transfer limits. The RQE may not receive by transfer 
more than 594,774 units of Area 2C halibut QS and more than 2,218,716 
units of Area 3A halibut QS in a year.
    (ii) Cumulative use limits. The RQE may not hold more than 5,947,740 
units of Area 2C halibut QS and more than 22,187,161 units of Area 3A 
halibut QS.
    (iii) Vessel category restrictions. (A) The RQE may not hold more 
than 889,548 units of halibut QS in IFQ regulatory area 2C that is 
assigned to vessel category D.
    (B) The RQE may not hold halibut QS in IFQ regulatory area 3A that 
is assigned to vessel category D.
    (C) The RQE may not hold more than 265,524 units of halibut QS that 
is assigned to vessel category B in IFQ regulatory area 2C.
    (g) Limitations on QS blocks--(1) Number of blocks per species. No 
person, individually or collectively, may hold more than two blocks of 
sablefish or three blocks of halibut in any IFQ regulatory area, except:
    (i) A person, individually or collectively, who holds unblocked QS 
for a species in an IFQ regulatory area, may hold only one QS block for 
that species in that regulatory area; and
    (ii) A CQE may hold no more than ten blocks of halibut QS in any IFQ 
regulatory area and no more than five blocks of sablefish QS in any IFQ 
regulatory area on behalf of any eligible community.
    (iii) The RQE may not receive:
    (A) Transfers of halibut QS blocks of less than or equal to 24,250 
quota share units in IFQ regulatory area 2C.
    (B) Transfers of halibut QS blocks of less than or equal to 35,620 
quota share units in IFQ regulatory area 3A.
    (2) Action by the Regional Administrator in Areas 3B and 4A. In 
Areas 3B

[[Page 774]]

and 4A, the Regional Administrator shall:
    (i) Identify any halibut blocks that result in an allocation of more 
than 20,000 lb (9.1) mt of halibut IFQ, based on the 2004 TAC for fixed 
gear halibut in those areas and the QS pools for those areas as of 
January 31, 2004; and
    (ii) Divide those halibut blocks into one block of 20,000 lb (9.1 
mt) and the remainder unblocked, based on the 2004 TAC for fixed gear 
halibut in those areas and the QS pools for those areas as of January 
31, 2004.
    (3) Transfer of QS blocks. Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(1)(i) of 
this section, a person who holds more than one block of halibut QS and 
unblocked halibut QS as a result of the Regional Administrator's action 
under paragraph (g)(2) of this section may transfer unblocked QS until 
such time as that person transfers a halibut QS block to another person.
    (4) Holding or to hold blocks of QS. For purposes of this section, 
``holding'' or ``to hold'' blocks of QS means being registered by NMFS 
as the person who received QS by initial assignment or approved 
transfer.
    (h) Vessel limitations--(1) Halibut. No vessel may be used, during 
any fishing year, to harvest more IFQ halibut than one-half percent of 
the combined total catch limits of halibut for IFQ regulatory areas 2C, 
3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, except that:
    (i) In IFQ regulatory area 2C, no vessel may be used to harvest more 
than 1 percent of the halibut catch limit for this area.
    (ii) No vessel may be used, during any fishing year, to harvest more 
than 50,000 lb (22.7 mt) of IFQ halibut derived from QS held by a CQE, 
and no vessel used to harvest IFQ halibut derived from QS held by a CQE 
may be used to harvest more IFQ halibut than the vessel use caps 
specified in paragraphs (h)(1) introductory text and (h)(1)(i) of this 
section.
    (iii) Notwithstanding the vessel use caps specified in paragraphs 
(h)(1) introductory text and (h)(1)(ii) of this section, vessel use caps 
do not apply to vessels harvesting IFQ halibut in IFQ regulatory Areas 
4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D during the 2023 through 2027 fishing years. IFQ 
halibut harvested in regulatory Areas 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D is excluded 
from the calculation of vessel use caps for IFQ regulatory Area 2C, 3A, 
or 3B during the 2023 through 2027 fishing years.
    (2) Sablefish. No vessel may be used, during any fishing year, to 
harvest more IFQ sablefish than one percent of the combined fixed gear 
TAC of sablefish for the GOA and BSAI IFQ regulatory areas, except that:
    (i) In the IFQ regulatory area east of 140 degrees W. long., no 
vessel may be used to harvest more than 1 percent of the fixed gear TAC 
of sablefish for this area.
    (ii) No vessel may be used, during any fishing year, to harvest more 
than 50,000 lb (22.7 mt) of IFQ sablefish derived from QS held by a CQE, 
and no vessel used to harvest IFQ sablefish derived from QS and held by 
a CQE may be used to harvest more IFQ sablefish than the vessel use caps 
specified in paragraphs (h)(2) introductory text and (h)(2)(i) of this 
section.
    (3) Excess. An IFQ permit holder who receives an approved IFQ 
allocation of halibut or sablefish in excess of these limitations may 
nevertheless catch and retain all that IFQ with a single vessel. 
However, two or more IFQ permit holders may not catch and retain their 
IFQs with one vessel in excess of these limitations.
    (4) Liability. Owners and operators of vessels exceeding these 
limitations are jointly and severally liable with IFQ permit holders and 
IFQ hired master permit holders whose harvesting causes the vessel to 
exceed these limitations.
    (i) Use of IFQ resulting from QS assigned to vessel category B, C, 
or D by individuals. In addition to the requirements of paragraph (c) of 
this section, IFQ permits issued for IFQ resulting from QS assigned to 
vessel category B, C, or D must be used only by the individual who holds 
the QS from which the associated IFQ is derived, except as provided in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this section.
    (1) An individual who received an initial allocation of QS assigned 
to category B, C, or D does not have to be aboard the vessel on which 
his or her IFQ is being fished or to sign IFQ landing reports if that 
individual:

[[Page 775]]

    (i) For a documented vessel, during the 12-month period previous to 
the application by the individual for a hired master permit, 
continuously owned a minimum 20-percent interest in the vessel as shown 
by the U.S. Abstract of Title issued by the U.S. Coast Guard that lists 
the individual as an owner and, if necessary to show 20-percent 
ownership for 12 months, additional written documentation; or
    (ii) For an undocumented vessel, during the 12-month period previous 
to the application by the individual for a hired master permit, 
continuously owned a minimum 20-percent interest in the vessel as shown 
by a State of Alaska license or registration that lists the individual 
as an owner and, if necessary to show the 20-percent ownership for 12 
months, additional written documentation; and
    (iii) Is represented on the vessel by a hired master employed by 
that individual and permitted in accordance with Sec. 679.4(d)(2).
    (iv) NMFS review of application for exemption--(A) Initial 
evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate an application for 
a hired master submitted in accordance with paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(6), 
and (i)(7) of this section. An applicant who fails to submit the 
information specified in the application for a hired master will be 
provided a reasonable opportunity to submit the specified information or 
submit a revised application.
    (B) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to an individual submitting 
an application for a hired master submitted in accordance with 
paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(6), and (i)(7) of this section if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the information required to be submitted 
to NMFS is deficient or if the applicant fails to submit the required 
information. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies with the information 
submitted. An applicant who receives an IAD may appeal under the appeals 
procedures set out at Sec. 679.43.
    (v) Upon request by the Regional Administrator or an authorized 
officer, a person must submit additional written documentation necessary 
to establish the required minimum 20-percent interest in the vessel 
during the 12-month period previous to the application by the individual 
for a hired master permit.
    (2) Paragraph (i)(1) of this section does not apply to any 
individual who received an initial allocation of QS assigned to category 
B, C, or D and who, prior to April 17, 1997, employed a master to fish 
any of the IFQ issued to that individual, provided the individual 
continues to own the vessel from which the IFQ is being fished at no 
lesser percentage of ownership interest than that held on April 17, 
1997, and provided that this individual has not acquired additional QS 
through transfer after September 23, 1997.
    (3) Paragraph (i)(1) of this section does not apply to individuals 
who received an initial allocation of QS assigned to vessel category B, 
C, or D for halibut in IFQ regulatory Area 2C or for sablefish QS in the 
IFQ regulatory area east of 140[deg] W. long., and this exemption is not 
transferable.
    (4) The exemption provided in paragraph (i)(1) of this section may 
be exercised by an individual on a vessel owned by a corporation, 
partnership, association or other non-individual entity in which the 
individual is a shareholder, partner, or member, provided that during 
the 12-month period previous to the application by the individual for a 
hired master permit, the individual continuously maintained a minimum 
20-percent ownership interest in the vessel owned by the corporation, 
partnership, association or other non-individual entity. For purposes of 
this paragraph, an individual's interest in a vessel is determined by 
the percentage ownership by the individual of a corporation, 
partnership, association or other non-individual entity that has an 
ownership interest in the vessel multiplied by the percentage of 
ownership of the vessel by the corporation, partnership, or other non-
individual entity.
    (5) IFQ derived from QS held by a CQE must be used only by the 
individual whose IFQ permit account contains the resulting IFQ.
    (6) In the event of the total loss or irreparable damage to a vessel 
owned by

[[Page 776]]

an individual who qualifies for the exemption in paragraph (i)(1) of 
this section, the individual may remain exempt under paragraph (i)(1) of 
this section until December 31 of the year following the year in which 
the vessel was lost or damaged, provided that the individual meets the 
following requirements:
    (i) The loss or irreparable damage to the vessel was caused by an 
act of God, an act of war, a collision, an act or omission of a party 
other than the individual or agent of the individual, or any other event 
not caused by the willful misconduct of the individual or agent of the 
individual.
    (ii) The lost or irreparably damaged vessel is a commercial fishing 
vessel that was previously used to harvest halibut IFQ or sablefish IFQ 
of the individual who qualifies for the exemption in paragraph (i)(1) of 
this section;
    (iii) As part of the application for exemption, the individual 
submits to NMFS a copy of the USCG Form 2692 submitted to the USCG as 
specified in 46 CFR 4.05; and
    (iv) The individual is applying to use a hired master on a vessel in 
which the individual has a minimum 20-percent ownership interest as of 
the date of the application by the individual for a hired master permit.
    (7) In the event of temporary disablement of a vessel owned by an 
individual who qualifies for the exemption in paragraph (i)(1) of this 
section, the individual may remain exempt under paragraph (i)(1) of this 
section until December 31 of the year following the year in which the 
vessel was disabled, provided that the individual meets the following 
requirements:
    (i) The temporary disablement of the vessel results from repairs 
required by an accident that materially and adversely affected the 
vessel's seaworthiness or fitness for service, such as from sinking, 
grounding, or fire;
    (ii) The repairs from the accident require at least 60 days to be 
completed;
    (iii) The disabled vessel is a commercial fishing vessel that was 
previously used to harvest halibut IFQ or sablefish IFQ of the 
individual who qualifies for the exemption in paragraph (i)(1) of this 
section;
    (iv) The individual submits to NMFS a copy of the USCG Form 2692 
submitted to the USCG as specified in 46 CFR 4.05; and
    (v) The individual is applying to use a hired master on a vessel in 
which the individual has a minimum 20-percent ownership interest as of 
the date of the application by the individual for a hired master permit.
    (8) Paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(4) of this section do not apply to any 
QS assigned to vessel category B, C, or D received by transfer by any 
person described in paragraph (i)(1) after February 12, 2010, except a 
hired master may be used to harvest IFQ derived from QS blocks that were 
consolidated under Sec. 679.41(e)(2) or (e)(3) after February 12, 2010, 
and before December 1, 2014.
    (j) Use of IFQ resulting from QS assigned to vessel category B, C, 
or D by corporations, partnerships, or other non-individual entities. 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (j)(7) of this section, a 
corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual entity 
that received an initial allocation of QS assigned to category B, C, or 
D may fish the IFQ resulting from that QS and any additional QS acquired 
within the limitations of this section from a vessel if that 
corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual entity:
    (i) For a documented vessel, owns a minimum 20-percent interest in 
the vessel as shown by the U.S. Abstract of Title issued by the U.S. 
Coast Guard that lists the corporation, partnership, association, or 
other non-individual entity as an owner and, if necessary to prove the 
required percentage ownership, other written documentation;
    (ii) For an undocumented vessel, owns a minimum 20-percent interest 
in the vessel as shown by a State of Alaska vessel license or 
registration that lists the corporation, partnership, association, or 
other non-individual entity as an owner and, if necessary to show the 
required percentage ownership interest, other written documentation; and
    (iii) Is represented on the vessel by a hired master employed by 
that individual and permitted in accordance with Sec. 679.4(d)(2).

[[Page 777]]

    (2) The provision of paragraph (j)(1) of this section is not 
transferable and does not apply to QS assigned to vessel category B, C, 
or D for halibut in IFQ regulatory Area 2C or for sablefish in the IFQ 
regulatory area east of 140[deg] W. long. that is transferred to a 
corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual entity. 
Such transfers of additional QS within these areas must be to an 
individual pursuant to Sec. 679.41(c) and be used pursuant to 
paragraphs (c) and (i) of this section.
    (3) A corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual 
entity, except for a publicly held corporation, that receives an initial 
allocation of QS assigned to vessel category B, C, or D loses the 
exemption provided under this paragraph (j) on the effective date of a 
change in the corporation, partnership, association, or other non-
individual entity from that which existed at the time of initial 
allocation.
    (4) For purposes of this paragraph (j), ``a change'' means:
    (i) For corporations and partnerships, the addition of any new 
shareholder(s) or partner(s), except that a court appointed trustee to 
act on behalf of a shareholder or partner who becomes incapacitated is 
not a change in the corporation, partnership, association, or other non-
individual entity; or
    (ii) For estates, the final or summary distribution of the estate.
    (5) The Regional Administrator must be notified of a change in the 
corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual entity as 
defined in this paragraph (j) within 15 days of the effective date of 
the change. The effective date of change, for purposes of this paragraph 
(j), is the date on which the new shareholder(s) or partner(s) may 
realize any corporate liabilities or benefits of the corporation, 
partnership, association, or other non-individual entity or, for 
estates, the date of the determination of a legal heir to the estate, or 
the date of the order for distribution of the estate.
    (6) QS assigned to vessel category B, C, or D and IFQ resulting from 
that QS held in the name of a corporation, partnership, association, or 
other non-individual entity that changes, as defined in this paragraph 
(j), must be transferred to an individual, as prescribed in Sec. 
679.41, before it may be used at any time after the effective date of 
the change.
    (7) A corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual 
entity that received an initial allocation of QS assigned to category B, 
C, or D and that, prior to April 17, 1997, employed a master to fish any 
of the IFQ issued to that corporation, partnership, association, or 
other non-individual entity may continue to employ a master to fish its 
IFQ on a vessel owned by the corporation, partnership, association, or 
other non-individual entity provided that the corporation, partnership, 
association, or other non-individual entity continues to own the vessel 
at no lesser percentage of ownership interest than that held on April 
17, 1997, and provided that corporation, partnership, association, or 
other non-individual entity did not acquire additional QS through 
transfer after September 23, 1997.
    (8) A corporation, partnership, or other non-individual entity, 
except for a publicly held corporation, that receives an allocation of 
QS must provide annual updates to the Regional Administrator identifying 
all current shareholders, partners, or members to the individual person 
level and affirming the entity's continuing existence as a corporation 
or partnership, or other non-individual entity.
    (9) The exemption provided in this paragraph (j) may be exercised by 
a corporation, partnership, association or other non-individual entity 
on a vessel owned by a person who is a shareholder in the corporation, 
partnership, association, or other non-individual entity, provided that 
the corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual 
entity maintains a minimum of 20-percent interest in the vessel. For 
purposes of this paragraph (j), interest in a vessel is determined as 
the percentage of ownership in the corporation, partnership, 
association, or other non-individual entity by that person who is a 
shareholder in the corporation, partnership, association, or other non-
individual entity, multiplied by the percentage of ownership in the 
vessel by that person who is a shareholder in the corporation, 
partnership, association, or other non-individual entity.

[[Page 778]]

    (10) Paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(9) of this section do not apply to 
any QS assigned to vessel category B, C, or D received by transfer after 
February 12, 2010, by an entity described in paragraph (j)(1) except a 
hired master may be used to harvest IFQ derived from QS that were 
consolidated under Sec. 679.41(e)(2) or (e)(3) after February 12, 2010, 
and before December 1, 2014.
    (k) Sablefish vessel clearance requirements--(1) Bering Sea or 
Aleutian Islands. Any vessel operator who fishes for IFQ sablefish in 
the Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands must possess a transmitting VMS 
transmitter while fishing for IFQ sablefish. The operator of the vessel 
must comply with VMS requirements at Sec. 679.28(f)(3) through (5).
    (2) Gulf of Alaska. A vessel operator using longline pot gear to 
fish for IFQ sablefish in the Gulf of Alaska must possess a transmitting 
VMS transmitter while fishing for sablefish. The operator of the vessel 
must comply with VMS requirements at Sec. 679.28(f)(3) through (5).
    (l) GOA sablefish longline pot gear requirements. Additional 
regulations that implement specific requirements for any vessel operator 
who fishes for IFQ sablefish in the GOA using longline pot gear are set 
out under: Sec. 300.61 Definitions, Sec. 679.2 Definitions, Sec. 
679.5 Recordkeeping and reporting (R&R), Sec. 679.7 Prohibitions, Sec. 
679.20 General limitations, Sec. 679.23 Seasons, Sec. 679.24 Gear 
limitations, and Sec. 679.51 Observer requirements for vessels and 
plants.
    (1) Applicability. Any vessel operator who fishes for IFQ sablefish 
with longline pot gear in the GOA must comply with the requirements of 
this paragraph (l). The IFQ regulatory areas in the GOA include the 
Southeast Outside District of the GOA, the West Yakutat District of the 
GOA, the Central GOA regulatory area, and the Western GOA regulatory 
area.
    (2) General. To use longline pot gear to fish for IFQ sablefish in 
the GOA, a vessel operator must:
    (i)-(ii) [Reserved]
    (iii) Deploy and retrieve longline pot gear as specified in 
paragraph (l)(5);
    (iv) Retain IFQ halibut caught in longline pot gear if sufficient 
halibut IFQ is held by persons on board the vessel as specified in 
paragraph (l)(6); and
    (v) Comply with other requirements as specified in paragraph (l)(7).
    (3)-(4) [Reserved]
    (5) Restrictions on GOA longline pot gear deployment and retrieval--
(i) General. (A) A vessel operator must mark longline pot gear used to 
fish IFQ sablefish in the GOA as specified in Sec. 679.24(a).
    (B) A vessel operator must deploy and retrieve longline pot gear to 
fish IFQ sablefish in the GOA only during the sablefish fishing period 
specified in Sec. 679.23(g)(1).
    (C) The gear retrieval and removal requirements in paragraphs 
(l)(5)(iii) and (iv) of this section apply to all longline pot gear that 
is assigned to the vessel and deployed to fish IFQ sablefish and to all 
other fishing equipment attached to longline pot gear that is deployed 
in the water by the vessel to fish IFQ sablefish. All other fishing 
equipment attached to longline pot gear includes, but is not limited to, 
equipment used to mark longline pot gear as required in Sec. 
679.24(a)(3).
    (ii) Pot limits. A vessel operator is limited to deploying a maximum 
number of pots to fish IFQ sablefish in each IFQ regulatory area in the 
GOA.
    (A) In the Southeast Outside District of the GOA, a vessel operator 
is limited to deploying a maximum of 120 pots.
    (B) In the West Yakutat District of the GOA, a vessel operator is 
limited to deploying a maximum of 200 pots.
    (C) In the Central GOA regulatory area, a vessel operator is limited 
to deploying a maximum of 300 pots.
    (D) In the Western GOA regulatory area, a vessel operator is limited 
to deploying a maximum of 300 pots.
    (iii) Gear retrieval. (A) In the Southeast Outside District of the 
GOA, a catcher vessel operator must redeploy or remove from the fishing 
grounds all longline pot gear that is assigned to the vessel and 
deployed to fish IFQ sablefish within five days of deploying the gear.
    (B) In the Southeast Outside District of the GOA, a catcher/
processor must redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all longline 
pot gear that is assigned to the vessel and deployed to

[[Page 779]]

fish IFQ sablefish within five days of deploying the gear.
    (C) In the West Yakutat District of the GOA, a vessel operator must 
redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all longline pot gear that 
is assigned to the vessel and deployed to fish IFQ sablefish within five 
days of deploying the gear.
    (D) In the Western GOA regulatory area, a vessel operator must 
redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all longline pot gear that 
is assigned to the vessel and deployed to fish IFQ sablefish within 
seven days of deploying the gear.
    (E) In the Central GOA regulatory area, a vessel operator must 
redeploy or remove from the fishing grounds all longline pot gear that 
is assigned to the vessel and deployed to fish IFQ sablefish within 
seven days of deploying the gear.
    (iv) Longline pot gear used on multiple vessels. Longline pot gear 
assigned to one vessel and deployed to fish IFQ sablefish in the GOA 
must be removed from the fishing grounds, and returned to port before 
being deployed by another vessel to fish IFQ sablefish in the GOA.
    (6) Retention of halibut. (i) A vessel operator who fishes for IFQ 
sablefish using longline pot gear must retain IFQ halibut if:
    (A) The IFQ halibut is caught in any GOA reporting area in 
accordance with paragraph (l) of this section; and
    (B) An IFQ permit holder on board the vessel has unused halibut IFQ 
for the IFQ regulatory area fished and IFQ vessel category.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (7) Other requirements. A vessel operator who fishes for IFQ 
sablefish using longline pot gear in the GOA must:
    (i) Complete a longline and pot gear Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL) or 
Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL) as specified in Sec. 
679.5(c); and
    (ii) Comply with Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements 
specified in paragraph (k)(2) of this section.
    (m) BSAI halibut and sablefish pot gear requirements. Additional 
regulations that implement specific requirements for any vessel operator 
who fishes for IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish in the BSAI 
using pot gear are set out under Sec. 300.61 of this title and 
Sec. Sec. 679.2, 679.5, 679.7, 679.20, 679.22, 679.24, 679.25, 679.28, 
679.42, and 679.51.
    (1) Applicability. Any vessel operator who fishes for IFQ or CDQ 
halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish with pot gear in the BSAI must comply 
with the requirements of paragraph (m) of this section. The IFQ 
regulatory areas in the BSAI include 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E and the portion 
of Area 4A in the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands west of 170[deg]00[min] W 
long.
    (2) General. To use pot gear to fish for IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ 
or CDQ sablefish in the BSAI, a vessel operator must:
    (i) Retain IFQ or CDQ halibut caught in pot gear if sufficient 
halibut IFQ or CDQ is held by persons on board the vessel as specified 
in paragraph (m)(3) of this section; and
    (ii) Comply with other requirements as specified in paragraph (m)(4) 
of this section.
    (3) Retention of halibut. A vessel operator who fishes for IFQ or 
CDQ halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish using pot gear must retain IFQ or 
CDQ halibut if:
    (i) The IFQ or CDQ halibut is caught in any IFQ regulatory area in 
the BSAI in accordance with paragraph (m) of this section; and
    (ii) An IFQ or CDQ permit holder on board the vessel has unused 
halibut IFQ or CDQ for the IFQ regulatory area fished and IFQ vessel 
category.
    (4) Other requirements. A vessel operator who fishes for IFQ or CDQ 
halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish using pot gear in the BSAI must:
    (i) Complete a longline and pot gear Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL) or 
Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL) as specified in Sec. 
679.5(c); and
    (ii) Possess a transmitting VMS transmitter and comply with the VMS 
requirements at Sec. 679.28(f)(3) through (5).
    (iii) Report pot gear information required when submitting a PNOL as 
described in Sec. 679.5.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
679.42, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

[[Page 780]]



Sec. 679.43  Determinations and appeals.

    (a) General. This section describes the procedure for appealing 
initial administrative determinations made in this title under parts 
300, 679, 680, and subpart E of part 300 of this chapter.
    (b) Who may appeal. Any person whose interest is directly and 
adversely affected by an initial administrative determination may file a 
written appeal. For purposes of this section, such persons will be 
referred to as ``applicant'' or ``appellant.''
    (c) Submission of appeals. An appeal to an initial administrative 
determination must be submitted under the appeals procedure set out at 
15 CFR part 906.
    (d) Timing of appeals. (1) If an applicant appeals an initial 
administrative determination, the appeal must be filed not later than 60 
days after the date the determination is issued.
    (2) The time period within which an appeal may be filed begins to 
run on the date the initial administrative determination is issued. If 
the last day of the time period is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal 
holiday, the time period will extend to the close of business on the 
next business day.
    (e) Address of record. General--NMFS will establish as the address 
of record the address used by the applicant in initial correspondence to 
NMFS concerning the application. Notifications of all actions affecting 
the applicant after establishing an address of record will be mailed to 
that address, unless the applicant provides NMFS, in writing, with any 
changes to that address. NMFS bears no responsibility if a notification 
is sent to the address of record and is not received because the 
applicant's actual address has changed without notification to NMFS.
    (f) Statement of reasons for appeals. Applicants must timely submit 
a full written statement in support of the appeal, including a concise 
statement of the reasons the initial administrative determination has a 
direct and adverse effect on the applicant and should be reversed or 
modified. If the applicant requests a hearing on any issue presented in 
the appeal, such request for hearing must be accompanied by a concise 
written statement raising genuine and substantial issues of adjudicative 
fact for resolution and a list of available and specifically identified 
reliable evidence upon which the factual issues can be resolved. The 
appellate officer will limit his/her review to the issues stated in the 
appeal; all issues not set out in the appeal will be waived.
    (g) Hearings. The appellate officer will review the applicant's 
appeal and request for hearing, and has discretion to proceed as 
follows:
    (1) Deny the appeal;
    (2) Issue a decision on the merits of the appeal, if the record 
contains sufficient information on which to reach final judgment; or
    (3) Order that a hearing be conducted. The appellate officer may so 
order only if the appeal demonstrates the following:
    (i) There is a genuine and substantial issue of adjudicative fact 
for resolution at a hearing. A hearing will not be ordered on issues of 
policy or law.
    (ii) The factual issue can be resolved by available and specifically 
identified reliable evidence. A hearing will not be ordered on the basis 
of mere allegations or denials or general descriptions of positions and 
contentions.
    (iii) The evidence described in the request for hearing, if 
established at hearing, would be adequate to justify resolution of the 
factual issue in the way sought by the applicant. A hearing will not be 
ordered if the evidence described is insufficient to justify the factual 
determination sought, even if accurate.
    (iv) Resolution of the factual issue in the way sought by the 
applicant is adequate to justify the action requested. A hearing will 
not be ordered on factual issues that are not determinative with respect 
to the action requested.
    (h) Types of hearings. If the appellate officer determines that a 
hearing should be held to resolve one or more genuine and substantial 
issues of adjudicative fact, he/she may order:
    (1) A written hearing, as provided in paragraph (m) of this section; 
or
    (2) An oral hearing, as provided in paragraph (n) of this section.
    (i) Authority of the appellate officer. The appellate officer is 
vested with general authority to conduct all hearings in an orderly 
manner, including the authority to:

[[Page 781]]

    (1) Administer oaths.
    (2) Call and question witnesses.
    (3) Issue a written decision based on the record.
    (j) Evidence. All evidence that is relevant, material, reliable, and 
probative may be included in the record. Formal rules of evidence do not 
apply to hearings conducted under this section.
    (k) Appellate officers' decisions. The appellate officer will close 
the record and issue a decision after determining there is sufficient 
information to render a decision on the record of the proceedings and 
that all procedural requirements have been met. The decision must be 
based solely on the record of the proceedings. Except as provided in 
paragraph (o) of this section, an appellate officer's decision takes 
effect 30 days after it is issued and, upon taking effect, is the final 
agency action for purposes of judicial review.
    (l) Disqualification of an appellate officer. (1) The appellate 
officer will withdraw from an appeal at any time he/she deems himself/
herself disqualified.
    (2) The appellate officer may withdraw from an appeal on an 
appellant's motion if:
    (i) The motion is entered prior to the appellate officer's issuance 
of a decision; and
    (ii) The appellant demonstrates that the appellate officer has a 
personal bias or any other basis for disqualification.
    (3) If the appellate officer denies a motion to withdraw, he/she 
will so rule on the record.
    (m) Written hearing. (1) An appellate officer may order a written 
hearing under paragraph (h)(1) of this section if he/she:
    (i) Orders a hearing as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this 
section; and
    (ii) Determines that the issues to be resolved at hearing can be 
resolved by allowing the appellant to present written materials to 
support his/her position.
    (2) After ordering a written hearing, the appellate officer will:
    (i) Provide the appellant with notification that a written hearing 
has been ordered.
    (ii) Provide the appellant with a statement of issues to be 
determined at hearing.
    (iii) Provide the appellant with 30 days to file a written response. 
The appellant may also provide documentary evidence to support his/her 
position. The period to file a written response may be extended at the 
sole discretion of the appellate officer, if the appellant shows good 
cause for the extension.
    (3) The appellate officer may, after reviewing the appellant's 
written response and documentary evidence:
    (i) Order that an oral hearing be held, as provided in paragraph 
(h)(2) of this section, to resolve issues that cannot be resolved 
through the written hearing process;
    (ii) Request supplementary evidence from the appellant before 
closing the record; or
    (iii) Close the record.
    (4) The appellate officer will close the record and issue a decision 
after determining that the information on the record is sufficient to 
render a decision.
    (n) Oral hearing. (1) The appellate officer may order an oral 
hearing under paragraphs (h)(2) and (m)(3)(i) of this section if he/she:
    (i) Orders a hearing as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this 
section; and
    (ii) Determines that the issues to be resolved at hearing can best 
be resolved through the oral hearing process.
    (2) After ordering an oral hearing, the appellate officer will:
    (i) Provide the appellant with notification that an oral hearing has 
been ordered.
    (ii) Provide the appellant with a statement of issues to be 
determined at hearing.
    (iii) Provide the appellant with notification, at least 30 days in 
advance, of the place, date, and time of the oral hearing. Oral hearings 
will be held in Juneau, AK, at the prescribed date and time, unless the 
appellate officer determines, based upon good cause shown, that a 
different place, date, or time will better serve the interests of 
justice. A continuance of the oral hearing may be ordered at the sole 
discretion of the appellate officer if the appellant shows good cause 
for the continuance.

[[Page 782]]

    (3) The appellate officer may, either at his/her own discretion or 
on the motion of the appellant, order a pre-hearing conference, either 
in person or telephonically, to consider:
    (i) The simplification of issues.
    (ii) The possibility of obtaining stipulations, admissions of facts, 
and agreements to the introduction of documents.
    (iii) The possibility of settlement or other means to facilitate 
resolution of the case.
    (iv) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the 
proceedings.
    (4) The appellate officer must provide the appellant with 
notification of a pre-hearing conference, if one is ordered, at least 30 
days in advance of the conference. All action taken at the pre-hearing 
conference will be made part of the record.
    (5) At the beginning of the oral hearing, the appellate officer may 
first seek to obtain stipulations as to material facts and the issues 
involved and may state any other issues on which he/she may wish to have 
evidence presented. Issues to be resolved at the hearing will be limited 
to those identified by the appellate officer as provided in paragraph 
(g)(3) of this section. The appellant will then be given an opportunity 
to present his/her case.
    (6) During the oral hearing, the appellant has the right to present 
reliable and material oral or documentary evidence and to conduct such 
cross-examination as may be required in the interests of justice.
    (7) After the conclusion of the oral hearing, the appellant may be 
given time by the appellate officer to submit any supplementary 
information that may assist in the resolution of the case.
    (8) The appellate officer will close the record and issue a decision 
after determining that the information on the record is sufficient to 
render a decision.
    (o) Review by the Regional Administrator. An appellate officer's 
decision is subject to review by the Regional Administrator, as provided 
in this paragraph (o).
    (1) The Regional Administrator may affirm, reverse, modify, or 
remand the appellate officer's decision before the 30-day effective date 
of the decision provided in paragraph (k) of this section.
    (2) The Regional Administrator may take any of these actions on or 
after the 30-day effective date by issuing a stay of the decision before 
the 30-day effective date. An action taken under paragraph (o)(1) of 
this section takes effect immediately.
    (3) The Regional Administrator must provide a written explanation 
why an appellate officer's decision has been reversed, modified, or 
remanded.
    (4) The Regional Administrator must promptly notify the appellant(s) 
of any action taken under this paragraph (o).
    (5) The Regional Administrator's decision to affirm, reverse, or 
modify an appellate officer's decision is a final agency action for 
purposes of judicial review.
    (p) Issuance of a non-transferable license. A non-transferable 
license will be issued to a person upon acceptance of his or her appeal 
of an initial administrative determination denying an application for a 
license for license limitation groundfish, crab species under Sec. 
679.4(k) or scallops under Sec. 679.4(g). This non-transferable license 
authorizes a person to conduct directed fishing for groundfish, crab 
species, or catch and retain scallops and will have specific 
endorsements and designations based on the person's claims in his or her 
application for a license. This non-transferable license expires upon 
the resolution of the appeal.

[61 FR 31230, June 19, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 17753, Apr. 11, 1997; 
63 FR 52657, Oct. 1, 1998; 63 FR 64879, Nov. 24, 1998; 65 FR 78118, Dec. 
14, 2000; 66 FR 27911, May 21, 2001; 67 FR 4148, Jan. 28, 2002; 67 FR 
64317, Oct. 18, 2002; 67 FR 72611, Dec. 6, 2002; 68 FR 44487, July 29, 
2003; 70 FR 10238, Mar. 2, 2005; 70 FR 16754, Apr. 1, 2005; 77 FR 6501, 
Feb. 8, 2012; 85 FR 8481, Feb. 14, 2020]



Sec. 679.44  Penalties.

    Any person committing, or a fishing vessel used in the commission 
of, a violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or Halibut Act, or any 
regulation issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act or Halibut Act, is 
subject to the civil and criminal penalty provisions and civil 
forfeiture provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or Halibut Act, to 
part 600 of this chapter, to 15 CFR part 904

[[Page 783]]

(Civil Procedures), and to other applicable law. Penalties include but 
are not limited to permanent or temporary sanctions to QS and associated 
IFQ.



Sec. 679.45  IFQ cost recovery program.

    (a) Cost recovery fees--(1) Responsibility. An IFQ permit holder is 
responsible for cost recovery fees for landings of his or her IFQ 
halibut and sablefish, including any halibut landed as guided angler 
fish (GAF), as defined in Sec. 300.61 of this title, derived from his 
or her IFQ accounts. An RQE is responsible for cost recovery fees for 
all RFQ issued to the RQE. An IFQ permit holder or RQE must comply with 
the requirements of this section.
    (2) IFQ Fee Liability Determination--(i) General. IFQ fee liability 
means a cost recovery liability based on either the value of all landed 
IFQ and GAF derived from the permit holder's IFQ permit(s), or the value 
of all RFQ issued to an RQE.
    (A) Each year, the Regional Administrator will issue each IFQ permit 
holder a summary of his or her IFQ equivalent pounds landed as IFQ and 
GAF and will issue an RQE a summary of its RFQ pounds issued as part of 
the IFQ Landing and Estimated Fee Liability page described at Sec. 
679.5(l)(7)(ii)(D).
    (B) The summary will include information on IFQ and GAF landings and 
an estimated IFQ fee liability using the IFQ standard ex-vessel value 
for IFQ and GAF landings. For fee purposes:
    (1) Landings of GAF in IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A are converted to 
IFQ equivalent pounds and assessed at the IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A 
IFQ standard ex-vessel value.
    (2) GAF that is returned to the IFQ permit holder's account pursuant 
to Sec. 300.65(c) of this title, and subsequently landed as IFQ during 
the IFQ fishing year, is included in the IFQ fee liability and subject 
to fee assessment as IFQ equivalent pounds.
    (3) All RFQ issued to an RQE in IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A will be 
assessed at the IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A IFQ standard ex-vessel 
value.
    (C) The IFQ permit holder must either accept NMFS' estimate of the 
IFQ fee liability or revise NMFS' estimate of the IFQ fee liability 
using the IFQ Permit Holder Fee Submission Form described at Sec. 
679.5(l)(7)(ii), except that the standard ex-vessel value used to 
determine the fee liability for GAF is not subject to challenge. If the 
IFQ permit holder revises NMFS' estimate of his or her IFQ fee 
liability, NMFS may request in writing that the permit holder submit 
documentation establishing the factual basis for the revised 
calculation. If the IFQ permit holder fails to provide adequate 
documentation on or by the 30th day after the date of such request, NMFS 
will determine the IFQ permit holder's IFQ fee liability based on 
standard ex-vessel values.
    (D) An RQE may not challenge the standard ex-vessel value used to 
determine the fee liability for all RFQ issued to the RQE.
    (ii) Value assigned to GAF. The IFQ fee liability is computed from 
all net pounds allocated to the IFQ permit holder that are landed, 
including IFQ landed as GAF.
    (A) NMFS will determine the IFQ equivalent pounds of GAF landed in 
IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A that are derived from the IFQ permit 
holder's account.
    (B) The IFQ equivalent pounds of GAF landed in IFQ regulatory area 
2C or 3A are multiplied by the standard ex-vessel value computed for 
that area to determine the value of IFQ landed as GAF.
    (iii) The value of IFQ landed as GAF is added to the value of the 
IFQ permit holder's landed IFQ, and the sum is multiplied by the annual 
IFQ fee percentage to estimate the IFQ permit holder's IFQ fee 
liability.
    (3) Fee collection. (i) An IFQ permit holder with IFQ and/or GAF 
landings is responsible for collecting his or her own fee during the 
calendar year in which the IFQ fish and/or GAF are landed.
    (ii) An RQE is responsible for collecting its own fees during the 
calendar year in which the RFQ is issued to the RQE.
    (4) Payment--(i) Payment due date. An IFQ permit holder or RQE must 
submit its IFQ fee liability payment(s) to NMFS as instructed at 
paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section not later than January 31 of the 
year following the calendar year in which the IFQ or GAF

[[Page 784]]

landings were made or the RFQ was issued to the RQE.
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments may be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the IFQ permit holder.
    (iv) Payment method--(A) Prior to December 1, 2019, payment must be 
made in U.S. dollars by personal check drawn on a U.S. bank account, 
money order, bank-certified check, or electronically by credit card.
    (B) On or after December 1, 2019, payment must be made 
electronically in U.S. dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, 
or electronic check drawn on a U.S. bank account.
    (b) IFQ ex-vessel value determination and use--(1) General. (i) An 
IFQ permit holder must use either the IFQ actual ex-vessel value or the 
IFQ standard ex-vessel value when determining the IFQ fee liability 
based on ex-vessel value, except that landed GAF are assessed at the 
standard ex-vessel values derived by NMFS. An IFQ permit holder must 
base all fee liability calculations on the ex-vessel value that 
correlates to landed IFQ in IFQ equivalent pounds.
    (ii) An RQE must use the IFQ standard ex-vessel value derived by 
NMFS for all RFQ issued to the RQE.
    (2) IFQ actual ex-vessel value. An IFQ permit holder that uses 
actual ex-vessel value, as defined in Sec. 679.2, to determine IFQ fee 
liability for landed IFQ must document actual ex-vessel value for each 
IFQ permit. The actual ex-vessel value cannot be used to assign value to 
halibut landed as GAF or issued as RFQ.
    (3) IFQ standard ex-vessel value--(i) Use of standard price. An IFQ 
permit holder that uses standard ex-vessel value to determine the IFQ 
fee liability, as part of a revised IFQ fee liability submission, must 
use the corresponding standard price(s) as published in the Federal 
Register.
    (ii) All landed GAF and RFQ issued to an RQE must be valued using 
the standard ex-vessel value for the year and for the IFQ regulatory 
area of harvest--Area 2C or Area 3A.
    (iii) Duty to publish list. Each year the Regional Administrator 
will publish a list of IFQ standard prices in the Federal Register 
during the last quarter of the calendar year. The IFQ standard prices 
will be described in U.S. dollars per IFQ equivalent pound, for IFQ 
halibut and sablefish landings made during the current calendar year.
    (iv) Effective duration. The IFQ standard prices will remain in 
effect until revised by the Regional Administrator by notification in 
the Federal Register based upon new information of the type set forth in 
this section. IFQ standard prices published in the Federal Register by 
NMFS shall apply to all landings made in the same calendar year as the 
IFQ standard price publication and shall replace any IFQ standard prices 
previously provided by NMFS that may have been in effect for that same 
calendar year.
    (v) Determination. NMFS will apply the standard price, aggregated by 
IFQ regulatory area 2C or 3A, to GAF landings and RFQ issued to an RQE. 
NMFS will calculate the IFQ standard prices to reflect, as closely as 
possible by month and port or port-group, the variations in the actual 
ex-vessel values of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings based on 
information provided in the IFQ Registered Buyer Ex-Vessel Value and 
Volume Report as described in Sec. 679.5(l)(7)(i). The Regional 
Administrator will base IFQ standard prices on the following types of 
information:
    (A) Landed net pounds by IFQ species, port-group, and month;
    (B) Total ex-vessel value by IFQ species, port-group, and month; and
    (C) Price adjustments, including IFQ retro-payments.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) IFQ fee percentage--(1) Established percentage. The annual IFQ 
fee percentage is the amount as determined by the factors and 
methodology described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. This amount 
will be announced by publication in the Federal Register in accordance 
with paragraph (d)(3) of this section. This amount must not exceed 3 
percent pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).

[[Page 785]]

    (2) Calculating the fee percentage. Each year NMFS shall calculate 
and publish the fee percentage according to the following factors and 
methodology:
    (i) Factors. NMFS must use the following factors to determine the 
fee percentage:
    (A) The IFQ, RFQ, and GAF landings to which the IFQ fee will apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that landed IFQ, RFQ, and GAF; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management and enforcement of 
the IFQ Program, which include RQE and GAF costs.
    (ii) Methodology. NMFS must use the following equation to determine 
the fee percentage:

100 x (DPC/V)

Where:

``DPC'' is the direct program costs for the IFQ fishery for the previous 
          fiscal year, and
``V'' is the ex-vessel value determined for IFQ landed as commercial 
          catch, RFQ, or GAF subject to the IFQ fee liability for the 
          current year.

    (3) Publication--(i) General. During or before the last quarter of 
each calendar year, NMFS shall publish the IFQ fee percentage in the 
Federal Register. NMFS shall base any IFQ fee liability calculations on 
the factors and methodology in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Effective period. The calculated IFQ fee percentage shall 
remain in effect through the end of the calendar year in which it was 
determined.
    (4) Applicable percentage. The IFQ permit holder must use the IFQ 
fee percentage in effect for the year in which the IFQ, RFQ, and GAF 
landings are made to calculate his or her fee liability for such landed 
IFQ, RFQ, and GAF. The IFQ permit holder or RQE must use the IFQ fee 
percentage in effect at the time an IFQ retro-payment is received by the 
IFQ permit holder to calculate his or her IFQ fee liability for the IFQ 
retro-payment.
    (e) Non-payment of fee. (1) If an IFQ permit holder or RQE does not 
submit a complete IFQ Permit Holder Fee Submission Form and 
corresponding payment by the due date described in Sec. 679.45(a)(4), 
the Regional Administrator will:
    (i) Send Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). Send an IAD to 
the IFQ permit holder or RQE stating that the estimated fee liability, 
as calculated by the Regional Administrator and sent to the IFQ permit 
holder or RQE pursuant to Sec. 679.45(a)(2), is the amount of IFQ fee 
liability due from the IFQ permit holder or RQE. An IFQ permit holder or 
RQE who receives an IAD may appeal the IAD, as described in paragraph 
(h) of this section.
    (ii) Disapprove transfer. Disapprove any transfer of GAF, IFQ, or QS 
to or from the IFQ permit holder or RQE in accordance with Sec. 
300.65(c) of this title and Sec. 679.41(c), until the IFQ fee liability 
is reconciled, except that NMFS may return unused GAF to the IFQ permit 
holder's account from which it was derived on or after the automatic GAF 
return date.
    (2) Upon final agency action determining that an IFQ permit holder 
has not paid his or her IFQ fee liability, as described in paragraph (f) 
of this section, any IFQ fishing permit or RFQ permit account held by 
the IFQ permit holder or RQE is not valid until all IFQ fee liabilities 
are paid.
    (3) If payment is not received on or before the 30th day after the 
final agency action, the matter will be referred to the appropriate 
authorities for purposes of collection.
    (f) Underpayment of IFQ fee. (1) When an IFQ permit holder or RQE 
has incurred a fee liability and made a timely payment to NMFS of an 
amount less than the NMFS estimated IFQ fee liability, the Regional 
Administrator will review the IFQ Permit Holder Fee Submission Form and 
related documentation submitted by the IFQ permit holder or RQE. If the 
Regional Administrator determines that the IFQ permit holder or RQE has 
not paid a sufficient amount, the Regional Administrator will:
    (i) Disapprove transfer. Disapprove any transfer of GAF, IFQ, or QS 
to or from the IFQ permit holder or RQE in accordance with Sec. 
300.65(c) of this title and Sec. 679.41(c), until the IFQ fee liability 
is reconciled, except that NMFS may return unused GAF to the IFQ permit 
holder's account from which it was derived 15 days prior to the closing

[[Page 786]]

of the commercial halibut fishing season each year.
    (ii) Notify permit holder. Notify the IFQ permit holder or RQE by 
letter that an insufficient amount has been paid and that the IFQ permit 
holder has 30 days from the date of the letter to either pay the amount 
determined to be due or provide additional documentation to prove that 
the amount paid was the correct amount.
    (2) After the expiration of the 30-day period, the Regional 
Administrator will evaluate any additional documentation submitted by an 
IFQ permit holder or RQE in support of its payment. If the Regional 
Administrator determines that the additional documentation does not meet 
the burden of proving the payment is correct, the Regional Administrator 
will send the IFQ permit holder or RQE an IAD indicating that the IFQ 
permit holder or RQE did not meet the burden of proof to change the IFQ 
fee liability as calculated by the Regional Administrator based upon the 
IFQ standard ex-vessel value. The IAD will set out the facts and 
indicate the deficiencies in the documentation submitted by the IFQ 
permit holder or RQE. An IFQ permit holder or RQE who receives an IAD 
may appeal the IAD, as described in paragraph (h) of this section.
    (3) If the permit holder fails to file an appeal of the IAD pursuant 
to 15 CFR part 906, the IAD will become the final agency action.
    (4) If the IAD is appealed and the final agency action is a 
determination that additional sums are due from the IFQ permit holder or 
RQE, the IFQ permit holder or RQE must pay any IFQ fee amount determined 
to be due not later than 30 days from the issuance of the final agency 
action.
    (5) Upon final agency action determining that an IFQ permit holder 
or RQE has not paid his or her IFQ fee liability, any IFQ fishing permit 
held by the IFQ permit holder or RQE is not valid until all IFQ fee 
liabilities are paid.
    (6) If payment is not received on or before the 30th day after the 
final agency action, the matter will be referred to the appropriate 
authorities for purposes of collection.
    (g) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, any amount 
submitted to NMFS in excess of the IFQ fee liability determined to be 
due by the final agency action will be returned to the IFQ permit holder 
or RQE unless the IFQ permit holder or RQE requests the agency to credit 
the excess amount against the IFQ permit holder's or RQE's future IFQ 
fee liability.
    (h) Appeals and requests for reconsideration. An IFQ permit holder 
who receives an IAD may either appeal the IAD pursuant to 15 CFR part 
906 or request reconsideration. Within 60 days from the date of issuance 
of the IAD, the Regional Administrator may undertake a reconsideration 
of the IAD on his or her own initiative. If a request for 
reconsideration is submitted or the Regional Administrator initiates a 
reconsideration, the 60-day period for appeal under 15 CFR part 906 will 
begin anew upon issuance of the Regional Administrator's reconsidered 
IAD. The Regional Administrator may undertake only one reconsideration 
of the IAD, if any. If an IFQ permit holder fails to file an appeal of 
the IAD pursuant to 15 CFR part 906, the IAD will become the final 
agency action. In any appeal or reconsideration of an IAD made under 
this section, an IFQ permit holder has the burden of proving his or her 
claim.
    (i) Annual report. NMFS will publish annually a report describing 
the status of the IFQ Cost Recovery Program.

[65 FR 14924, Mar. 20, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 4133, Jan. 28, 2002; 71 
FR 44232, Aug. 4, 2006; 76 FR 40633, July 11, 2011; 78 FR 75893, Dec. 
12, 2013; 81 FR 23649, Apr. 22, 2016; 83 FR 47833, Sept. 21, 2018]



                Subpart E_North Pacific Observer Program

    Source: 61 FR 56431, Nov. 1, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 679.50  Applicability.

    (a) General. (1) The operator of a vessel designated or required to 
be designated on a Federal fisheries permit (FFP) under Sec. 679.4(b); 
the operator of a processor designated or required to be designated on a 
Federal processor permit (FPP) under Sec. 679.4(f)(1) or a Registered 
Buyer permit under Sec. 679.4(d)(3);

[[Page 787]]

and the operator of a vessel used to harvest IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, 
or IFQ sablefish must comply with this subpart. The owner of a vessel or 
a shoreside processor must ensure that the operator or manager complies 
with this subpart.
    (2) Exceptions. A catcher vessel is not subject to the requirements 
of this subpart when delivering unsorted codends to a mothership.
    (3) For purposes of this subpart, halibut means CDQ and IFQ halibut.
    (b) [Reserved]

[77 FR 70091, Nov. 21, 2012, as amended at 83 FR 30532, June 29, 2018]



Sec. 679.51  Observer and Electronic Monitoring System requirements for vessels and plants.

    (a) Observer requirements for vessels--(1) Groundfish and halibut 
fishery partial coverage category--(i) Vessel classes in partial 
coverage category. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, the following catcher vessels and catcher/processors are 
in the partial coverage category when fishing for halibut or when 
directed fishing for groundfish in a federally managed or parallel 
groundfish fishery, as defined at Sec. 679.2:
    (A) A catcher vessel designated on an FFP under Sec. 679.4(b)(1);
    (B) A catcher vessel when fishing for halibut while carrying a 
person named on a permit issued under Sec. 679.4(d)(1)(i), (d)(2)(i), 
or (e)(2), or for IFQ sablefish, as defined at Sec. 679.2, while 
carrying a person named on a permit issued under Sec. 679.4(d)(1)(i) or 
(d)(2)(i); or
    (C) A catcher/processor placed in the partial coverage category 
under paragraph (a)(3) of this section; or
    (D) A catcher vessel less than or equal to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-
line gear when groundfish CDQ fishing under Sec. 679.32(c)(3)(iii).
    (ii) Registration and notification of observer deployment. The 
Observer Declare and Deploy System (ODDS) is the communication platform 
for the partial coverage category by which NMFS receives information 
about fishing plans subject to randomized observer deployment. Vessel 
operators provide fishing plan and contact information to NMFS and 
receive instructions through ODDS for coordinating with an observer 
provider for any required observer coverage. Access to ODDS is available 
through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (A) Registration. NMFS will enter information into ODDS about all 
partial coverage category vessels that are designated on an FFP and all 
catcher vessels that are not designated on an FFP but that landed 
sablefish IFQ or halibut IFQ or CDQ in the previous or current year. 
Owners or operators are not responsible for initial registration of 
their vessel in ODDS.
    (B) Notification. Upon entry into ODDS, NMFS will notify the owner 
or operator of his or her vessel's selection pool. Owners and operators 
must comply with all further instructions set forth by ODDS.
    (C) Trip selection pool. (1) A minimum of 72 hours prior to 
embarking on each fishing trip, the operator of a vessel in the trip 
selection pool must register the anticipated trip with ODDS.
    (2) When a fishing trip is registered with ODDS per paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii)(C)(1) of this section, the vessel operator will be notified 
by ODDS whether the trip is selected for observer coverage and a receipt 
number corresponding to this notification will be provided by ODDS. Trip 
registration is complete when the vessel operator receives a receipt 
number.
    (3) An operator may embark on a fishing trip registered with ODDS:
    (i) Not selected trip. At any time if ODDS indicates that the 
fishing trip is not selected for observer coverage.
    (ii) Selected trip. When an observer is aboard the vessel if ODDS 
indicates that the fishing trip is selected for observer coverage.
    (4) Delayed trip. A selected fishing trip not embarked upon within 
48 hours of the time specified in the registration with ODDS is 
invalidated. The operator must register any new trip in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(C)(1) of this section.
    (5) Observer coverage duration. If selected, a vessel is required to 
carry an observer for the entire fishing trip.
    (i) A fishing trip selected for observer coverage may not begin 
until all previously harvested fish has been offloaded and an observer 
is aboard the vessel.

[[Page 788]]

    (ii) An observer may not be transferred off a catcher vessel until 
the observer confirms that all fish from the observed fishing trip are 
offloaded.
    (iii) A vessel must make a minimum of one delivery to a tender 
vessel to be subject to paragraph (3)(ii) of the fishing trip definition 
at Sec. 679.2.
    (D) Vessel selection pool. A vessel selected for observer coverage 
is required to have an observer on board for all groundfish and halibut 
fishing trips specified at paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section for the 
time period indicated by ODDS.
    (iii) Release from observer coverage. The Observer Program may 
release a selected trip per paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(C) of this section or a 
selected vessel per paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(D) of this section, from 
observer coverage on a case-by-case basis.
    (2) Groundfish and halibut fishery full observer coverage category--
(i) Vessel classes in the full coverage category. The following classes 
of vessels are in the full observer coverage category when harvesting 
halibut or when harvesting, receiving, or processing groundfish in a 
federally managed or parallel groundfish fishery, as defined at Sec. 
679.2:
    (A) Catcher/processors, except a catcher/processor placed in the 
partial observer coverage category under paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section;
    (B) Motherships; and
    (C) Catcher vessels while:
    (1) Directed fishing for pollock in the BS;
    (2) Using trawl gear or hook-and-line gear when groundfish CDQ 
fishing (see Sec. 679.2), except for catcher vessels less than or equal 
to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-line gear when groundfish CDQ fishing under 
Sec. 679.32(c)(3)(iii);
    (3) Participating in the Rockfish Program; or
    (4) Using trawl gear in the BSAI if the vessel has been placed in 
the full observer coverage category under paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section; or
    (5) Participating in the PCTC Program.
    (ii) Observer coverage requirements. Unless subject to the partial 
observer coverage category per paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, a 
vessel listed in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(A) through (C) of this section 
must have at least one observer aboard the vessel at all times. Some 
fisheries require additional observer coverage in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(2)(vi) of this section.
    (iii) Observer workload. The time required for an observer to 
complete sampling, data recording, and data communication duties per 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section may not exceed 12 consecutive hours in 
each 24-hour period.
    (iv) Catcher/processor classification. (A) For purposes of this 
subpart, a vessel is classified as a catcher/processor according to the 
operation designation on its FFP. A vessel designated as a catcher/
processor at any time during the calendar year is classified as a 
catcher/processor for the remainder of the calendar year.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (v) [Reserved]
    (vi) Additional observer requirements--(A) CDQ fisheries. The owner 
or operator of a vessel must comply with the following requirements each 
day that the vessel is used to catch, process, deliver, or receive CDQ 
groundfish.
    (1) Catcher/processors using trawl gear and directed fishing for 
pollock CDQ in the BSAI and motherships taking deliveries from catcher 
vessels directed fishing for pollock CDQ in the BSAI. See paragraph 
(a)(2)(vi)(B)(2) of this section.
    (2) Catcher/processors using trawl gear and groundfish CDQ fishing. 
See paragraph (a)(2)(vi)(C) of this section.
    (3) Catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear and groundfish CDQ 
fishing. See paragraph (a)(2)(vi)(E) of this section.
    (4) Catcher/processors using pot gear for groundfish CDQ fishing. A 
catcher/processor using pot gear must have at least one lead level 2 
observer aboard the vessel. More than one observer must be aboard if the 
observer workload restriction would otherwise preclude sampling as 
required.
    (5) Motherships. A mothership that receives unsorted codends from 
catcher vessels groundfish CDQ fishing must have at least two observers 
aboard the mothership, at least one of whom must be endorsed as a lead 
level 2 observer. More than two observers must be aboard if the observer 
workload restriction would otherwise preclude sampling as required.

[[Page 789]]

    (B) BSAI pollock fisheries--(1) Listed AFA catcher/processors, 
catcher/processors designated on listed AFA catcher/processor permits, 
and AFA motherships. The owner or operator of a listed AFA catcher/
processor, a catcher/processor designated on a listed AFA catcher/
processor permit, or an AFA mothership must have aboard at least two 
observers, at least one of whom must be endorsed as a lead level 2 
observer, for each day that the vessel is used to catch, process, or 
receive groundfish. More than two observers must be aboard if the 
observer workload restriction would otherwise preclude sampling as 
required.
    (2) Pollock CDQ catcher/processors and motherships. The owner or 
operator of a catcher/processor or mothership used to catch, process, or 
receive pollock CDQ must comply with the observer coverage requirements 
in paragraph (a)(2)(vi)(B)(1) of this section for each day that the 
vessel is used to catch, process, or receive pollock CDQ.
    (3) Unlisted AFA catcher/processors and catcher/processors 
designated on unlisted AFA catcher/processor permits. The owner or 
operator of an unlisted AFA catcher/processor or a catcher/processor 
designated on an unlisted AFA catcher/processor permit must have aboard 
at least two observers for each day that the vessel is used to engage in 
directed fishing for pollock in the BSAI, or receive pollock harvested 
in the BSAI. At least one observer must be endorsed as a lead level 2 
observer. When a listed AFA catcher/processor is not engaged in directed 
fishing for BSAI pollock and is not receiving pollock harvested in the 
BSAI, the observer coverage requirements at paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this 
section apply.
    (4) AI directed pollock fishery catcher/processors and motherships. 
A catcher/processor participating in the AI directed pollock fishery or 
a mothership processing pollock harvested in the AI directed pollock 
fishery must have aboard at least two observers, at least one of which 
must be endorsed as a lead level 2 observer, for each day that the 
vessel is used to catch, process, or receive groundfish. More than two 
observers must be aboard if the observer workload restriction would 
otherwise preclude sampling as required.
    (C) Amendment 80 vessels and catcher/processors not listed in Sec. 
679.4(1)(2)(i) and using trawl gear in the BSAI. All Amendment 80 
vessels using any gear but dredge gear while directed fishing for 
scallops and catcher/processors not listed in Sec. 679.4(1)(2)(i) and 
using trawl gear in the BSAI must have aboard at least two observers for 
each day that the vessel is used to catch, process, or receive 
groundfish harvested in a federally managed or parallel groundfish 
fishery. At least one observer must be endorsed as a lead level 2 
observer. More than two observers are required if the observer workload 
restriction would otherwise preclude sampling as required.
    (D) Catcher/processors participating in the Rockfish Program--(1) 
Rockfish cooperative. A catcher/processor that is named on an LLP 
license that is assigned to a rockfish cooperative and is fishing under 
a CQ permit must have at least two observers aboard for each day that 
the vessel is used to catch or process fish in the Central GOA from May 
1 through the earlier of November 15 or the effective date and time of 
an approved rockfish cooperative termination of fishing declaration. At 
least one observer must be endorsed as a lead level 2 observer. More 
than two observers must be aboard if the observer workload restriction 
would otherwise preclude sampling as required.
    (2) Rockfish sideboard fishery for catcher/processors in a rockfish 
cooperative. A catcher/processor that is subject to a sideboard limit as 
described under Sec. 679.82(e) must have at least two observers aboard 
for each day that the vessel is used to harvest or process fish in the 
West Yakutat District, Central GOA, or Western GOA management areas from 
July 1 through July 31. At least one observer must be endorsed as a lead 
level 2 observer. More than two observers must be aboard if the observer 
workload restriction would otherwise preclude sampling as required.
    (E) Longline catcher/processor subsector. The owner and operator of 
a catcher/processor subject to Sec. 679.100(b) must comply with the 
following observer coverage requirements:
    (1) Increased observer coverage option. If the vessel owner selects 
the increased observer coverage option under

[[Page 790]]

Sec. 679.100(b)(1), at least two observers must be aboard the vessel at 
all times when the vessel is operating in either the BSAI or GOA 
groundfish fisheries when directed fishing for Pacific cod is open in 
the BSAI, or while the vessel is groundfish CDQ fishing. At least one of 
the observers must be endorsed as a lead level 2 observer. More than two 
observers are required if the observer workload restriction would 
otherwise preclude sampling as required.
    (2) Scales option. If the vessel owner selects the scales option 
under Sec. 679.100(b)(2), one lead level 2 observer must be aboard the 
vessel at all times when the vessel is operating in either the BSAI or 
GOA groundfish fisheries when directed fishing for Pacific cod is open 
in the BSAI, or while the vessel is groundfish CDQ fishing.
    (F) Halibut deck sorting. Vessels subject to Sec. 679.120 must have 
at least two observers aboard at all times when halibut deck sorting may 
occur; one observer must be endorsed as a lead level 2 observer. More 
than two observers are required if the observer workload restriction 
would otherwise preclude sampling as required.
    (G) PCTC Program motherships. A mothership that receives unsorted 
codends from catcher vessels harvesting Pacific cod under the PCTC 
Program must have at least two observers aboard the mothership, at least 
one of whom must be endorsed as a lead level 2 observer. More than two 
observers must be aboard if the observer workload restriction would 
otherwise preclude sampling as required.
    (3) Catcher/processor placement in the partial observer coverage 
category for a year--(i) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph 
(a)(3), these terms are defined as follows:
    (A) Average weekly groundfish production means the annual groundfish 
round weight production estimate for a catcher/processor, divided by the 
number of separate weeks during which production occurred, as determined 
by production reports, excluding any groundfish caught using trawl gear.
    (B) Fishing year means the year during which a catcher/processor 
might be placed in partial observer coverage.
    (C) Standard basis year means the fishing year minus two years.
    (D) Alternate basis year means the most recent year before the 
standard basis year in which a catcher/processor had any groundfish 
production but not earlier than 2009.
    (ii) Deadline for requesting partial observer coverage. For the 2017 
fishing year and every fishing year after 2017, the deadline for 
requesting partial observer coverage is July 1 of the year prior to the 
fishing year.
    (iii) Requirements for placing a catcher/processor in the partial 
observer coverage category. NMFS will place a catcher/processor in the 
partial observer coverage category for a fishing year if the owner of 
the catcher/processor requests placement in partial observer coverage by 
the deadline for requesting partial observer coverage for that fishing 
year and the catcher/processor meets the following requirements:
    (A) An average weekly groundfish production of:
    (1) 79,000 lb (35.8 mt) or less, but more than zero lb, in the 
standard basis year; or
    (2) Zero lb in the standard basis year and 79,000 lb (35.8 mt) or 
less, but more than zero lb, in the alternate basis year; or
    (3) Had no production from 2009 through the standard basis year; and
    (B) Is not a catcher/processor using trawl gear; and
    (C) Is not subject to additional observer coverage requirements in 
paragraph (a)(2)(vi) of this section.
    (iv) How to request placement of a catcher/processor in partial 
observer coverage. A vessel owner must submit a request form to NMFS. 
The request form must be completed with all required fields accurately 
completed. The request form is provided by NMFS and is available on the 
NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov). The 
submittal methods are described on the form.
    (v) Notification of placement in the partial observer coverage 
category. NMFS will notify the owner if the catcher/processor has been 
placed in the partial observer coverage category in writing. Until NMFS 
provides notification, the catcher/processor is in the full observer 
coverage category for that fishing year.

[[Page 791]]

    (vi) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). If NMFS denies a 
request to place a catcher/processor in the partial observer coverage 
category, NMFS will provide an IAD, which will explain the basis for the 
denial.
    (vii) Appeal. If the owner of a catcher/processor wishes to appeal 
NMFS' denial of a request to place a catcher/processor in the partial 
observer coverage category, the owner may appeal the determination under 
the appeals procedure set out at 15 CFR part 906.
    (4) BSAI trawl catcher vessel placement in the full observer 
coverage category for one year--(i) Applicability. The owner of a 
catcher vessel in the partial observer coverage category under paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section may request to be placed in the full observer 
coverage category for all directed fishing for groundfish using trawl 
gear in the BSAI for a calendar year.
    (ii) How to request full observer coverage for one year. A trawl 
catcher vessel owner must complete a full observer coverage request and 
submit it to NMFS using ODDS. ODDS is described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
of this section.
    (iii) Deadline to request full observer coverage. A full observer 
coverage request must be submitted by October 15 of the year prior to 
the calendar year in which the catcher vessel would be placed in the 
full observer coverage category.
    (iv) Notification. NMFS will notify the vessel owner through ODDS of 
approval or denial to place a trawl catcher vessel in the full observer 
coverage category. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, a trawl catcher vessel remains in the partial observer 
coverage category under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section until a 
request to place a trawl catcher vessel in the full observer coverage 
category has been approved by NMFS. Once placement in the full observer 
coverage category is approved by NMFS, a trawl catcher vessel cannot be 
placed in the partial observer coverage category until the following 
year.
    (v) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). If NMFS denies a 
request to place a trawl catcher vessel in the full observer coverage 
category, NMFS will provide an IAD, which will explain the basis for the 
denial.
    (vi) Appeal. If the owner of a trawl catcher vessel wishes to appeal 
NMFS' denial of a request to place a trawl catcher vessel in the full 
observer coverage category, the owner may appeal the determination under 
the appeals procedure set out at 15 CFR part 906.
    (b) Observer requirements for shoreside processors and stationary 
floating processors--(1) Shoreside processor and stationary floating 
processor partial observer coverage category. (i) Unless otherwise 
specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a shoreside processor or 
a stationary floating processor designated or required to be designated 
on an FPP under Sec. 679.4(f)(1) is in the partial observer coverage 
category when receiving or processing groundfish harvested in federally 
managed or parallel groundfish fisheries, as defined at Sec. 679.2.
    (ii) Coverage. The manager of a shoreside processor or stationary 
floating processor must provide observers access to unsorted and sorted 
catch any time an observer is present at the facility.
    (2) Shoreside processor and stationary floating processor full 
observer coverage category. An AFA inshore processor is in the full 
observer coverage category.
    (i) Coverage level. An AFA inshore processor must provide an 
observer for each 12 consecutive-hour period of each calendar day during 
which the processor takes delivery of, or processes, groundfish 
harvested by a vessel engaged in a directed pollock fishery in the BS. 
An AFA inshore processor that, for more than 12 consecutive hours in a 
calendar day, takes delivery of or processes pollock harvested in the BS 
directed pollock fishery must provide two observers for each such day.
    (ii) Multiple processors. An observer deployed to an AFA inshore 
processor may not be assigned to cover more than one processor during a 
calendar day in which the processor receives or processes pollock 
harvested in the BS directed pollock fishery.
    (iii) Observers transferring between vessels and processors. An 
observer transferring from an AFA catcher vessel to an AFA inshore 
processor may not be assigned to cover the AFA inshore

[[Page 792]]

processor until at least 12 hours after offload and sampling of the 
catcher vessel's delivery is completed.
    (c) NMFS employee observers. (1) Any vessel, shoreside processor, or 
stationary floating processor required to comply with observer coverage 
requirements under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section or under Sec. 
679.7(f)(4) must use, upon written notification by the Regional 
Administrator, a NMFS employee to satisfy observer coverage requirements 
as specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section or for other 
conservation and management purposes as specified by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (2) Prior to deployment of a NMFS employee, the agency will provide 
written notification to the owner or operator of a vessel, shoreside 
processor, or stationary floating processor whether observer coverage 
credit will be granted for that deployment.
    (3) Vessel, shoreside processor, and stationary floating processor 
owners and operators, as well as observers and observer providers, may 
contact NMFS in writing to request assistance in improving observer data 
quality and resolving observer sampling issues. Requests may be 
submitted to: NMFS Observer Program, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, 
WA 98115-0070 or transmitted by facsimile to 206-526-4066.
    (d) Procurement of observer services--(1) Full coverage category. 
(i) The owner of a vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating 
processor required to have full observer coverage under paragraphs 
(a)(2) and (b)(2) of this section must arrange and pay for observer 
services from a permitted observer provider.
    (ii) The owner of a vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary 
floating processor is required to arrange and pay for observer services 
directly from NMFS when the agency has determined and notified them 
under paragraph (c) of this section that the vessel, shoreside 
processor, or stationary floating processor shall use a NMFS employee or 
individual authorized by NMFS in lieu of, or in addition to, an observer 
provided through a permitted observer provider to satisfy requirements 
under paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(2) of this section or for other 
conservation and management purposes.
    (2) Partial coverage category. The owner of a vessel in the partial 
observer coverage category per paragraph (a)(1) of this section must 
comply with instructions provided by ODDS to procure observer coverage 
for the required duration.
    (e) Responsibilities--(1) Vessel responsibilities. An operator of a 
vessel required to carry one or more observers must:
    (i) Accommodations and food. Provide, at no cost to observers or the 
United States, accommodations and food on the vessel for the observer or 
observers that are equivalent to those provided for officers, engineers, 
foremen, deck-bosses, or other management level personnel of the vessel.
    (ii) Safe conditions. (A) Maintain safe conditions on the vessel for 
the protection of observers including adherence to all U.S. Coast Guard 
and other applicable rules, regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe 
operation of the vessel.
    (B) Have on board:
    (1) A valid Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal issued within the 
past 2 years that certifies compliance with regulations found in 33 CFR 
Chapter I and 46 CFR Chapter I;
    (2) A certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 28.710; or
    (3) A valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311.
    (iii) Communications and observer data entry--(A) Observer use of 
equipment. Allow an observer to use the vessel's communications 
equipment and personnel, on request, for the confidential entry, 
transmission, and receipt of work-related messages (including electronic 
transmission of data), at no cost to the observer or the United States.
    (B) Equipment, software, and data transmission requirements. The 
operator of a catcher/processor (except for a catcher/processor placed 
in the partial observer coverage category under paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section), mothership, catcher vessel 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer 
(except for a catcher vessel fishing for groundfish with pot gear), or a 
catcher vessel participating in the PCTC Program (except for paragraph 
(e)(1)(iii)(D) of this section) must

[[Page 793]]

provide the following equipment, software and data transmission 
capabilities:
    (1) Observer access to computer. Make a computer available for use 
by the observer.
    (2) NMFS-supplied software. Ensure that the most recent release of 
NMFS data entry software provided by the Regional Administrator or other 
approved software is installed on the computer described in paragraph 
(e)(1)(iii)(B)(1) of this section.
    (3) Data transmission. The computer and software described in 
paragraphs (e)(1)(iii)(B)(1) and (2) of this section must be connected 
to a communication device that provides a point-to-point connection to 
the NMFS host computer.
    (4) Functional and operational equipment. Ensure that the required 
equipment described in paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(B) of this section and that 
is used by an observer to enter or transmit data is fully functional and 
operational. ``Functional'' means that all the tasks and components of 
the NMFS-supplied, or other approved, software described in paragraph 
(e)(1)(iii)(B)(2) of this section and any required data transmissions to 
NMFS can be executed effectively aboard the vessel by the equipment.
    (C) The operator of a catcher vessel participating in the Rockfish 
Program or a catcher vessel less than 125 ft LOA directed fishing for 
pollock in the BS must comply with the computer and software 
requirements described in paragraphs (e)(1)(iii)(B)(1), (2), and (4) of 
this section.
    (D) PCTC Program. The operator of a non-AFA catcher vessel 
participating in the PCTC Program is not required to comply with 
paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(B)(3) of this section to provide data transmission 
capability until September 7, 2026. However, once any non-AFA catcher 
vessel in the PCTC Program is capable of at-sea data transmission, the 
operator must comply.
    (iv) Vessel position. Allow observers access to, and the use of, the 
vessel's navigation equipment and personnel, on request, to determine 
the vessel's position.
    (v) Access. Allow observers free and unobstructed access to the 
vessel's bridge, trawl or working decks, holding bins, processing areas, 
freezer spaces, weight scales, cargo holds, and any other space that may 
be used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any 
time.
    (vi) Prior notification. Notify observers at least 15 minutes before 
fish are brought on board, or fish and fish products are transferred 
from the vessel, to allow sampling the catch or observing the transfer, 
unless the observers specifically request not to be notified.
    (vii) Records. Allow observers to inspect and copy the vessel's DFL, 
DCPL, product transfer forms, any other logbook or document required by 
regulations, printouts or tallies of scale weights, scale calibration 
records, bin sensor readouts, and production records.
    (viii) Assistance. Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable 
observers to carry out their duties, including, but not limited to:
    (A) Measuring decks, codends, and holding bins.
    (B) Providing the observers with a safe work area adjacent to the 
sample collection site.
    (C) Collecting bycatch when requested by the observers.
    (D) Collecting and carrying baskets of fish when requested by 
observers.
    (E) Allowing observers to determine the sex of fish when this 
procedure will not decrease the value of a significant portion of the 
catch.
    (F) Collecting all seabirds that are incidentally taken on the 
observer-sampled portions of hauls using hook-and-line gear or as 
requested by an observer during non-sampled portions of hauls.
    (G) During halibut deck sorting, providing halibut to the observer 
on deck.
    (ix) Transfer at sea. (A) Ensure that transfers of observers at sea 
are carried out during daylight hours, under safe conditions, and with 
the agreement of observers involved.
    (B) Notify observers at least 3 hours before observers are 
transferred, such that the observers can collect personal belongings, 
equipment, and scientific samples.
    (C) Provide a safe pilot ladder and conduct the transfer to ensure 
the safety of observers during transfers.

[[Page 794]]

    (D) Provide an experienced crew member to assist observers in the 
small boat or raft in which any transfer is made.
    (2) Shoreside processor and stationary floating processor 
responsibilities. A manager of a shoreside processor or a stationary 
floating processor that is required to maintain observer coverage as 
specified under paragraph (b) of this section must:
    (i) Safe conditions. Maintain safe conditions at the shoreside 
processing facility for the protection of observers by adhering to all 
applicable rules, regulations, or statutes pertaining to safe operation 
and maintenance of the processing facility.
    (ii) Operations information. Notify the observers, as requested, of 
the planned facility operations and expected receipt of groundfish prior 
to receipt of those fish.
    (iii) Transmission of data. Facilitate transmission of observer data 
by:
    (A) Observer use of equipment. Allowing observers to use the 
shoreside processor's or stationary floating processor's communication 
equipment and personnel, on request, for the entry, transmission, and 
receipt of work-related messages, at no cost to the observers or the 
United States.
    (B) Communication equipment requirements--(1) Observer access to 
computer. Making a computer available for use by the observer. This 
computer must be connected to a communication device that provides a 
point-to-point connection to the NMFS host computer.
    (2) NMFS-supplied software. Ensuring that the shoreside or 
stationary floating processor specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section has installed the most recent release of NMFS data entry 
software provided by the Regional Administrator, or other approved 
software.
    (3) Functional and operational equipment. Ensuring that the 
communications equipment required under paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B) of this 
section that is used by observers to enter and transmit data is 
functional and operational. ``Functional'' means that all the tasks and 
components of the NMFS-supplied, or other approved, software described 
at paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B)(2) of this section and any data 
transmissions to NMFS can be executed effectively by the communications 
equipment.
    (iv) Access. Allow observers free and unobstructed access to the 
shoreside processor's or stationary floating processor's holding bins, 
processing areas, freezer spaces, weight scales, warehouses, and any 
other space that may be used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or 
fish products at any time.
    (v) Document access. Allow observers to inspect and copy the 
shoreside processor's or stationary floating processor's landing report, 
product transfer forms, any other logbook or document required by 
regulations; printouts or tallies of scale weights; scale calibration 
records; bin sensor readouts; and production records.
    (vi) Assistance. Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable 
the observer to carry out his or her duties, including, but not limited 
to:
    (A) Assisting the observer in moving and weighing totes of fish.
    (B) Providing a secure place to store sampling gear.
    (3) The owner of a vessel, shoreside processor, stationary floating 
processor, buying station, or tender vessel is responsible for 
compliance and must ensure that the operator or manager of a vessel, 
shoreside processor, or stationary floating processor required to 
maintain observer coverage under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section 
complies with the requirements given in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of 
this section.
    (f) Electronic monitoring system requirements for vessels that use 
nontrawl gear. Vessels that use nontrawl gear in the partial coverage 
category in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section may be eligible for EM 
coverage instead of observer coverage.
    (1) Vessel placement in the EM selection pool--(i) Applicability. 
The owner or operator of a vessel that uses nontrawl gear in the partial 
coverage category under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section may request 
to be placed in the EM selection pool.
    (ii) How to request placement in the EM selection pool. A vessel 
owner or operator must complete an EM request and submit it to NMFS 
using ODDS. Access to ODDS is available through the NMFS Alaska Region 
Web site at http://

[[Page 795]]

alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. ODDS is described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of 
this section.
    (iii) Deadline to submit an EM request. A vessel owner or operator 
must submit an EM request in ODDS by November 1 of the year prior to the 
calendar year in which the catcher vessel would be placed in the EM 
selection pool.
    (iv) Approval for placement in the EM selection pool. NMFS will 
approve a nontrawl gear vessel for placement in the EM selection pool 
based on criteria specified in NMFS' Annual Deployment Plan, available 
through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Criteria may include, but are not limited to, 
availability of EM systems, vessel gear type, vessel length, area 
fished, number of trips or total catch, sector, target fishery, and home 
or landing port.
    (v) Notification of approval for placement in the EM selection pool. 
(A) NMFS will notify the vessel owner or operator through ODDS of 
approval for the EM selection pool for the next calendar year. The 
vessel remains subject to observer coverage under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of 
this section unless NMFS approves the request for placement of the 
vessel in the EM selection pool.
    (B) Once the vessel owner or operator receives notification of 
approval from NMFS, the vessel owner or operator must comply with the 
vessel owner or operator responsibilities in paragraphs (f)(4) and (5) 
of this section and all further instructions set forth by ODDS.
    (vi) Initial Administrative Determination (IAD). If NMFS denies a 
request to place a vessel in the EM selection pool, NMFS will provide an 
IAD to the vessel owner, which will explain the basis for the denial.
    (vii) Appeal. If the vessel owner wishes to appeal NMFS' denial of a 
request to place the vessel in the EM selection pool, the owner may 
appeal the determination under the appeals procedure set out at 15 CFR 
part 906.
    (viii) Duration. Once NMFS approves a vessel for the EM selection 
pool, that vessel will remain in the EM selection pool until--
    (A) NMFS disapproves the VMP under paragraph (f)(4) of this section;
    (B) The vessel owner or operator notifies NMFS that the vessel 
intends to leave the EM selection pool in the following fishing year 
under paragraph (f)(1)(ix) of this section; or
    (C) The vessel no longer meets the EM selection pool criteria 
specified by NMFS.
    (ix) How to leave the EM selection pool. A vessel owner must 
complete a request to leave the EM selection pool and submit it to NMFS 
using ODDS. ODDS is described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (x) Deadline to submit a request to leave the EM selection pool. A 
vessel owner or operator must submit a request to leave the EM selection 
pool by November 1 of the year prior to the calendar year in which the 
vessel would be placed in observer coverage.
    (2) Notification of EM selection--(i) Prior to embarking on each 
fishing trip, the operator of a vessel in the EM selection pool with a 
NMFS-approved VMP must register the anticipated trip with ODDS.
    (ii) ODDS will notify the vessel operator whether the trip is 
selected for EM coverage and provide a receipt number corresponding to 
this notification. Trip registration is complete when the vessel 
operator receives the receipt number.
    (iii) An operator may embark on a fishing trip registered with ODDS:
    (A) Not selected trip. At any time if ODDS indicates that the 
fishing trip is not selected for EM coverage.
    (B) Selected trip. After the vessel operator follows the 
instructions in ODDS and complies with the responsibilities under 
paragraphs (f)(4) and (5) of this section, if ODDS indicates that the 
fishing trip is selected for EM coverage.
    (3) EM coverage duration. If selected, a vessel is required to use 
the EM system for the entire fishing trip.
    (i) A fishing trip selected for EM coverage may not begin until all 
previously harvested fish have been offloaded.
    (ii) At the end of the fishing trip selected for EM coverage, the 
vessel operator must use ODDS to close the fishing trip following the 
instructions in the VMP and submit the video data storage devices and 
associated documentation as outlined in paragraph (f)(5)(vii) of this 
section.

[[Page 796]]

    (4) Vessel Monitoring Plan (VMP). Once approved for the EM selection 
pool and prior to registering a fishing trip in ODDS under paragraph 
(f)(2) of this section, the vessel owner or operator must develop a VMP 
with the EM service provider following the VMP template available 
through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
    (i) The vessel owner or operator must sign and submit the VMP to 
NMFS each calendar year.
    (ii) NMFS will approve the VMP for the calendar year if it meets all 
the requirements specified in the VMP template available through the 
NMFS Alaska Region Web site https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
    (iii) If the VMP does not meet all the requirements specified in the 
VMP template, NMFS will provide the vessel owner or operator the 
opportunity to submit a revised VMP that meets all the requirements 
specified in the VMP template.
    (iv) If NMFS does not approve the revised VMP, NMFS will issue an 
IAD to the vessel owner or operator that will explain the basis for the 
disapproval. The vessel owner or operator may file an administrative 
appeal under the administrative appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR 
part 906.
    (v) If changes are required to the VMP to improve the data 
collection of the EM system or address fishing operation changes, the 
vessel owner or operator must work with NMFS and the EM service provider 
to alter the VMP. The vessel owner or operator must sign the updated VMP 
and submit these changes to the VMP to NMFS prior to departing on the 
next fishing trip selected for EM coverage.
    (5) Vessel owner or operator responsibilities. To use an EM system 
under this section, the vessel owner or operator must:
    (i) Make the vessel available for the installation of EM equipment 
by an EM service provider.
    (ii) Provide access to the vessel's systems and reasonable 
assistance to the EM service provider.
    (iii) Maintain a copy of a NMFS-approved VMP aboard the vessel at 
all times when the vessel is directed fishing in a fishery subject to EM 
coverage.
    (iv) Comply with all elements of the VMP when selected for EM 
coverage in ODDS.
    (v) Maintain the EM system, including the following:
    (A) Ensure power is maintained to the EM system at all times when 
the vessel is underway.
    (B) Ensure the system is functioning for the entire fishing trip, 
camera views are unobstructed and clear in quality, and catch and 
discards may be completely viewed, identified, and quantified.
    (C) Ensure EM system components are not tampered with, disabled, 
destroyed, or operated or maintained improperly.
    (vi) Complete pre-departure function test and daily verification of 
EM system.
    (A) Prior to departing port, the vessel operator must conduct a 
system function test following the instructions from the EM service 
provider. The vessel operator must verify that the EM system has 
adequate memory to record the entire fishing trip.
    (1) If the EM system function test detects a malfunction identified 
as a high priority in the vessel's VMP or does not allow the data 
collection objectives to be achieved, the vessel must remain in port for 
up to 72 hours to allow an EM service provider time to conduct repairs. 
If the repairs cannot be completed within the 72-hour time frame, the 
vessel is released from EM coverage for that fishing trip and may depart 
on the scheduled fishing trip. A malfunction must be repaired prior to 
departing on a subsequent fishing trip. The vessel will automatically be 
selected for EM coverage for the subsequent fishing trip after the 
malfunction has been repaired.
    (2) If the EM system function test detects a malfunction identified 
as a low priority in the vessel's VMP, the vessel operator may depart on 
the scheduled fishing trip following the procedures for low priority 
malfunctions described in the vessel's VMP. At the end of the trip the 
vessel operator must work with the EM service provider to repair the 
malfunction. The vessel operator may not depart on another fishing trip

[[Page 797]]

selected for EM coverage with this system malfunction unless the vessel 
operator has contacted the EM service provider.
    (B) During a fishing trip selected for EM coverage, before each set 
is retrieved the vessel operator must verify all cameras are recording 
and all sensors and other required EM system components are functioning 
as instructed in the vessel's VMP.
    (1) If a malfunction is detected, prior to retrieving the set the 
vessel operator must attempt to correct the problem using the 
instructions in the vessel's VMP.
    (2) If the malfunction cannot be repaired at sea, the vessel 
operator must notify the EM service provider of the malfunction at the 
end of the fishing trip. The malfunction must be repaired prior to 
departing on a subsequent fishing trip selected for EM coverage.
    (vii) At the end of a fishing trip selected for EM coverage, the 
vessel operator must submit the video data storage device and associated 
documentation identified in the vessel's VMP to NMFS using a method that 
requires a signature for delivery and provides a return receipt or 
delivery notification to the sender. The vessel operator must postmark 
the video data storage device and associated documentation no later than 
2 business days after the end of the fishing trip. If the fishing trip 
ends in a remote port with limited postal service or at a tender vessel, 
the vessel operator must ensure the video data storage device and 
associated documentation is postmarked as soon as possible but no later 
than two weeks after the end of the fishing trip.
    (viii) Make the EM system and associated equipment available for 
inspection upon request by OLE, a NMFS-authorized officer, or other 
NMFS-authorized personnel.
    (6) EM for fishing in multiple regulatory areas. If a vessel owner 
or operator intends to fish in multiple regulatory areas using an EM 
system under the exception provided at Sec. 679.7(f)(4), the vessel 
owner or operator must:
    (i) Meet the requirements described in paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (ii) Register in ODDS that he or she intends to fish in multiple 
regulatory areas using the exception in Sec. 679.7(f)(4).
    (iii) Ensure the EM system is powered continuously during the 
fishing trip. If the EM system is powered down during periods of non-
fishing, the VMP must describe alternate methods to ensure location 
information about the vessel is available for the entire fishing trip, 
as specified in the VMP template available through the NMFS Alaska 
Region Web site https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
    (iv) If an EM system malfunction occurs during a fishing trip that 
does not allow the recording of retrieval location information and 
imagery of catch as described in the vessel's VMP, the vessel operator 
must cease fishing and contact OLE immediately.

[77 FR 70091, Nov. 21, 2012, as amended at 79 FR 54601, Sept. 12, 2014; 
81 FR 26745, May 4, 2016; 81 FR 37556, June 10, 2016; 81 FR 67117, Sept. 
30, 2016; 81 FR 70607, Oct. 13, 2016; 81 FR 95457, Dec. 28, 2016; 82 FR 
37002, Aug. 8, 2017; 83 FR 30532, 30533, June 29, 2018; 84 FR 55053, 
Oct. 15, 2019; 85 FR 850, Jan. 8, 2020; 88 FR 53734, Aug. 8, 2023]



Sec. 679.52  Observer provider permitting and responsibilities.

    (a) Observer provider permit--(1) Permit. The Regional Administrator 
may issue a permit authorizing a person's participation as an observer 
provider for operations requiring full observer coverage per Sec. 
679.51(a)(2) and (b)(2). Persons seeking to provide observer services 
under this section must obtain an observer provider permit from NMFS.
    (2) New observer provider. An applicant seeking an observer provider 
permit must submit a completed application by fax or mail to the 
Observer Program at the address listed at Sec. 679.51(c)(3).
    (3) Contents of application. An application for an observer provider 
permit shall consist of a narrative that contains the following:
    (i) Identification of the management, organizational structure, and 
ownership structure of the applicant's business, including 
identification by name and general function of all controlling 
management interests in the company, including but not limited to 
owners, board members, officers, authorized

[[Page 798]]

agents, and other employees. If the applicant is a corporation, the 
articles of incorporation must be provided. If the applicant is a 
partnership, the partnership agreement must be provided.
    (ii) Contact information--(A) Owner(s) information. The permanent 
mailing address, phone and fax numbers where the owner(s) can be 
contacted for official correspondence.
    (B) Business information. Current physical location, business 
mailing address, business telephone and fax numbers, and business email 
address for each office.
    (C) Authorized agent. For an observer provider with ownership based 
outside the United States, identify an authorized agent and provide 
contact information for that agent including mailing address and phone 
and fax numbers where the agent can be contacted for official 
correspondence. An authorized agent means a person appointed and 
maintained within the United States who is authorized to receive and 
respond to any legal process issued in the United States to an owner or 
employee of an observer provider. Any diplomatic official accepting such 
an appointment as designated agent waives diplomatic or other immunity 
in connection with the process.
    (iii) A statement signed under penalty of perjury from each owner, 
or owners, board members, and officers if a corporation, that they have 
no conflict of interest as described in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (iv) A statement signed under penalty of perjury from each owner, or 
owners, board members, and officers if a corporation, describing any 
criminal convictions, Federal contracts they have had and the 
performance rating they received on the contract, and previous 
decertification action while working as an observer or observer 
provider.
    (v) A description of any prior experience the applicant may have in 
placing individuals in remote field and/or marine work environments. 
This includes, but is not limited to, recruiting, hiring, deployment, 
and personnel administration.
    (vi) A description of the applicant's ability to carry out the 
responsibilities and duties of an observer provider as set out under 
paragraph (b) of this section, and the arrangements to be used.
    (4) Application evaluation. (i) The Regional Administrator will 
establish an observer provider permit application review board, 
comprised of NMFS employees, to review and evaluate an application 
submitted under paragraph (a) of this section. The review board will 
evaluate the completeness of the application, the application's 
consistency with needs and objectives of the observer program, or other 
relevant factors. If the applicant is a corporation, the review board 
also will evaluate the following criteria for each owner, or owners, 
board members, and officers:
    (A) Absence of conflict of interest as defined under paragraph (c) 
of this section;
    (B) Absence of criminal convictions related to:
    (1) Embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or 
destruction of records, making false statements or receiving stolen 
property, or
    (2) The commission of any other crimes of dishonesty, as defined by 
Alaska State law or Federal law, that would seriously and directly 
affect the fitness of an applicant in providing observer services under 
this section;
    (C) Satisfactory performance ratings on any Federal contracts held 
by the applicant; and
    (D) Absence of any history of decertification as either an observer 
or observer provider;
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) Agency determination on an application. NMFS will send a written 
determination to the applicant. If an application is approved, NMFS will 
issue an observer provider permit to the applicant. If an application is 
denied, the reason for denial will be explained in the written 
determination.
    (6) Transferability. An observer provider permit is not 
transferable. An observer provider that experiences a change in 
ownership that involves a new person must submit a new permit 
application and cannot continue to operate until a new permit is issued 
under this paragraph (a).
    (7) Expiration of observer provider permit. (i) An observer provider 
permit

[[Page 799]]

will expire after a period of 12 continuous months during which no 
observers are deployed by the provider under this section to the North 
Pacific groundfish or halibut industry.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will provide a written initial 
administrative determination (IAD) of permit expiration to an observer 
provider if NMFS' deployment records indicate that the observer provider 
has not deployed an observer during a period of 12 continuous months. An 
observer provider who receives an IAD of permit expiration may appeal 
under Sec. 679.43. An observer provider that appeals an IAD will be 
issued an extension of the expiration date of the permit until after the 
final resolution of the appeal.
    (8) Sanctions. Procedures governing sanctions of permits are found 
at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (b) Responsibilities of observer providers. An observer provider 
that supplies observers for operations requiring full observer coverage 
per Sec. 679.51(a)(2) and (b)(2) must:
    (1) Provide qualified candidates to serve as observers. (i) To be a 
qualified candidate an individual must have:
    (A) A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or 
university with a major in one of the natural sciences;
    (B) Successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester hours or 
equivalent in applicable biological sciences with extensive use of 
dichotomous keys in at least one course;
    (C) Successfully completed at least one undergraduate course each in 
math and statistics with a minimum of 5 semester hours total for both; 
and
    (D) Computer skills that enable the candidate to work competently 
with standard database software and computer hardware.
    (ii) Prior to hiring an observer candidate, the observer provider 
must provide to the candidate copies of NMFS-prepared pamphlets and 
other information describing observer duties.
    (iii) For each observer employed by an observer provider, either a 
written contract or a written contract addendum must exist that is 
signed by the observer and observer provider prior to the observer's 
deployment and that includes the following conditions for continued 
employment:
    (A) That all the observer's in-season catch messages between the 
observer and NMFS are delivered to the Observer Program at least every 7 
days, unless otherwise specified by the Observer Program;
    (B) That the observer completes in-person mid-deployment data 
reviews, unless:
    (1) The observer is specifically exempted by the Observer Program, 
or
    (2) The observer does not at any time during his or her deployment 
travel through a location where an Observer Program employee is 
available for an in-person data review and the observer completes a 
phone or fax mid-deployment data review as described in the Observer 
Sampling Manual; and
    (C) The observer informs the observer provider prior to the time of 
embarkation if he or she is experiencing any new mental illness or 
physical ailments or injury since submission of the physician's 
statement as required in paragraph (b)(11)(iii) of this section that 
would prevent him or her from performing his or her assigned duties;
    (2) Ensure an observer completes duties in a timely manner. An 
observer provider must ensure that an observer employed by that observer 
provider performs the following in a complete and timely manner:
    (i) When an observer is scheduled for a final deployment debriefing 
under paragraph (b)(11)(v) of this section, submit to NMFS all data, 
reports required by the Observer Sampling Manual, and biological samples 
from the observer's deployment by the completion of the electronic 
vessel and/or processor survey(s);
    (ii) Complete NMFS electronic vessel and/or processor surveys before 
performing other jobs or duties that are not part of NMFS groundfish 
observer requirements;
    (iii) Report for his or her scheduled debriefing and complete all 
debriefing responsibilities; and
    (iv) Return all sampling and safety gear to the Observer Program.
    (3) Observer conduct. (i) An observer provider must develop, 
maintain, and implement a policy addressing observer

[[Page 800]]

conduct and behavior for their employees that serve as observers. The 
policy shall address the following behavior and conduct regarding:
    (A) Observer use of alcohol;
    (B) Observer use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs; and
    (C) Sexual contact with personnel of the vessel or processing 
facility to which the observer is assigned, or with any vessel or 
processing plant personnel who may be substantially affected by the 
performance or non-performance of the observer's official duties.
    (ii) An observer provider shall provide a copy of its conduct and 
behavior policy:
    (A) To observers, observer candidates; and
    (B) By February 1 of each year to the Observer Program.
    (4) Assign observer to vessels and processors. An observer provider 
must assign to vessels or shoreside or floating processors only 
observers:
    (i) With valid North Pacific groundfish and halibut observer 
certifications and endorsements to provide observer services;
    (ii) Who have not informed the provider prior to the time of 
embarkation that he or she is experiencing a mental illness or a 
physical ailment or injury developed since submission of the physician's 
statement, as required in paragraph (b)(11)(iii) of this section that 
would prevent him or her from performing his or her assigned duties; and
    (iii) Who have successfully completed all NMFS required training and 
briefing before deployment.
    (5) Respond to industry requests for observers. An observer provider 
must provide an observer for deployment as requested by vessels and 
processors to fulfill vessel and processor requirements for observer 
coverage under Sec. 679.51(a) and (b). An alternate observer must be 
supplied in each case where injury or illness prevents the observer from 
performing his or her duties or where the observer resigns prior to 
completion of his or her duties.
    (6) Provide observer salaries and benefits. An observer provider 
must provide to its observer employees, salaries and any other benefits 
and personnel services in accordance with the terms of each observer's 
contract.
    (7) Provide observer deployment logistics. (i) An observer provider 
must provide to each observer it employs:
    (A) All necessary transportation, including arrangements and 
logistics, to the initial location of deployment, to all subsequent 
vessel and shoreside or stationary floating processor assignments during 
that deployment, and to the debriefing location when a deployment ends 
for any reason; and
    (B) Lodging, per diem, and any other necessary services necessary to 
observers assigned to fishing vessels or shoreside processing or 
stationary floating processing facilities.
    (ii) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(7)(iii) of this section, an 
observer provider must provide to each observer deployed to a shoreside 
processing facility or stationary floating processor, and each observer 
between vessel, stationary floating processor, or shoreside assignments 
while still under contract with an observer provider, shall be provided 
with accommodations at a licensed hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, 
stationary floating processor, or other shoreside accommodations for the 
duration of each shoreside assignment or period between vessel or 
shoreside assignments. Such accommodations must include an assigned bed 
for each observer and no other person may be assigned that bed for the 
duration of that observer's stay. Additionally, no more than four beds 
may be in any room housing observers at accommodations meeting the 
requirements of this section.
    (iii) An observer under contract may be housed on a vessel to which 
the observer is assigned:
    (A) Prior to the vessel's initial departure from port;
    (B) For a period not to exceed 24 hours following completion of an 
offload for which the observer has duties and is scheduled to disembark; 
or
    (C) For a period not to exceed 24 hours following the vessel's 
arrival in port when the observer is scheduled to disembark.

[[Page 801]]

    (iv) During all periods an observer is housed on a vessel, the 
observer provider must ensure that the vessel operator or at least one 
crew member is aboard.
    (v) Each observer deployed to a shoreside processing facility must 
be provided with individually assigned communication equipment in 
working order, such as a cell phone or pager, for notification of 
upcoming deliveries or other necessary communication. Each observer 
assigned to a shoreside processing facility located more than 1 mile 
from the observer's local accommodations shall be provided with 
motorized transportation that will ensure the observer's arrival at the 
processing facility in a timely manner such that the observer can 
complete his or her assigned duties.
    (8) Limit observer deployment. Unless alternative arrangements are 
approved by the Observer Program, an observer provider must not:
    (i) Deploy an observer on the same vessel or at the same shoreside 
or stationary floating processor for more than 90 days in a 12-month 
period;
    (ii) Deploy an observer for more than 90 days in a single 
deployment;
    (iii) Include in a single deployment of an observer, assignments to 
more than four vessels, including groundfish and all other vessels, and/
or shoreside processors; or
    (iv) Move an observer from a vessel or stationary floating processor 
or shoreside processor before that observer has completed his or her 
sampling or data transmission duties.
    (9) Verify vessel USCG Safety Decal. An observer provider must 
verify that a vessel has a valid USCG Safety Decal as required under 
Sec. 679.51(e)(1)(ii)(B)(1) before the vessel with an observer aboard 
may depart. One of the following acceptable means of verification must 
be used to verify the decal validity:
    (i) An employee of the observer provider, including the observer, 
visually inspects the decal aboard the vessel and confirms that the 
decal is valid according to the decal date of issuance; or
    (ii) The observer provider receives a hard copy of the USCG 
documentation of the decal issuance from the vessel owner or operator.
    (10) Provide 24 hours a day communications with observers. An 
observer provider must have an employee responsible for observer 
activities on call 24 hours a day to handle emergencies involving an 
observer or problems concerning observer logistics, whenever an observer 
is at sea, stationed at a shoreside processor or stationary floating 
processor, in transit, or in port awaiting vessel or processor 
(re)assignment.
    (11) Provide information to the Observer Program. An observer 
provider must provide all the following information to the Observer 
Program by electronic transmission (email), fax, or other method 
specified by NMFS within the specified timeframes.
    (i) Registration materials. Observer training and briefing 
registration materials must be submitted to the Observer Program at 
least 5 business days prior to the beginning of a scheduled observer 
certification training or briefing session. Registration materials 
consist of the following:
    (A) Observer training registration, including:
    (1) Date of requested training;
    (2) A list of observer candidates. The list must include each 
candidate's full name (i.e., first, middle, and last names), date of 
birth, and gender;
    (3) A copy of each candidate's academic transcripts and resume; and
    (4) A statement signed by the candidate under penalty of perjury 
that discloses any criminal convictions of the candidate.
    (B) Observer briefing registration, including:
    (1) Date and type of requested briefing session and briefing 
location; and
    (2) List of observers to attend the briefing session. Each 
observer's full name (first, middle, and last names) must be included.
    (ii) Statement of projected observer assignments. Prior to the 
observer or observer candidate's completion of the training or briefing 
session, the observer provider must submit to the Observer Program a 
statement of projected observer assignments that includes the observer's 
name; vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating processor 
assignment, gear

[[Page 802]]

type, and vessel/processor code; port of embarkation; target species; 
and area of fishing.
    (iii) Physician's statement. A signed and dated statement from a 
licensed physician that he or she has physically examined an observer or 
observer candidate. The statement must confirm that, based on the 
physical examination, the observer or observer candidate does not have 
any health problems or conditions that would jeopardize their individual 
safety or the safety of others while the observer or observer candidate 
is deployed, or prevent the observer or observer candidate from 
performing his or her duties satisfactorily. The statement must declare 
that, prior to the examination, the physician read the NMFS-prepared 
pamphlet provided to the candidate by the observer provider as specified 
in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section and was made aware of the duties 
of the observer as well as the dangerous, remote, and rigorous nature of 
the work. The physician's statement must be submitted to the Observer 
Program prior to certification of an observer. The physical exam must 
have occurred during the 12 months prior to the observer's or observer 
candidate's deployment. The physician's statement will expire 12 months 
after the physical exam occurred. A new physical exam must be performed, 
and accompanying statement submitted, prior to any deployment occurring 
after the expiration of the statement.
    (iv) Observer deployment/logistics report. A deployment/logistics 
report must be submitted by Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., Pacific local time, of 
each week with regard to each observer deployed by the observer provider 
during that week. The deployment/logistics report must include the 
observer's name, cruise number, current vessel, shoreside processor, or 
stationary floating processor assignment and vessel/processor code, 
embarkation date, and estimated or actual disembarkation dates. The 
report must include the location of any observer employed by the 
observer provider who is not assigned to a vessel, shoreside processor, 
or stationary floating processor.
    (v) Observer debriefing registration. The observer provider must 
contact the Observer Program within 5 business days after the completion 
of an observer's deployment to schedule a date, time, and location for 
debriefing. Observer debriefing registration information must be 
provided at the time the debriefing is scheduled and must include the 
observer's name, cruise number, vessel, or shoreside or stationary 
floating processor assignment name(s) and code(s), and requested 
debriefing date.
    (vi) Certificates of insurance. Copies of ``certificates of 
insurance'' that name the NMFS Observer Program leader as the 
``certificate holder'' must be submitted to the Observer Program by 
February 1 of each year. The certificates of insurance shall verify all 
coverage provisions specified at Sec. 600.748(b) and (c) of this 
chapter and state that the insurance company will notify the certificate 
holder if insurance coverage is changed or canceled.
    (vii) Observer provider contracts. Observer providers must submit to 
the Observer Program a completed and unaltered copy of each type of 
signed and valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, 
addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the contract) between the 
observer provider and those entities requiring observer services under 
Sec. 679.51(a)(2) and (b)(2), by February 1 of each year. Observer 
providers must also submit to the Observer Program upon request, a 
completed and unaltered copy of the current or most recent signed and 
valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and 
exhibits incorporated into the contract and any agreements or policies 
with regard to observer compensation or salary levels) between the 
observer provider and the particular entity identified by the Observer 
Program or with specific observers. Said copies must be submitted to the 
Observer Program via fax or mail within 5 business days of the request 
for the contract at the address or fax number listed in Sec. 
679.51(c)(3). Signed and valid contracts include the contracts an 
observer provider has with:
    (A) Vessels required to have observer coverage as specified at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2);
    (B) Shoreside processors or stationary floating processors required 
to have observer coverage as specified at Sec. 679.51(b)(2); and

[[Page 803]]

    (C) Observers.
    (viii) Observer provider invoices. A certified observer provider 
must submit to the Observer Program a copy of all invoices for observer 
coverage required or provided pursuant to Sec. 679.51(a)(2) and Sec. 
679.51(b)(2).
    (A) A copy of the invoices must be received by the Observer Program 
within 45 days of the date on the invoice and must include all 
reconciled and final charges.
    (B) Invoices must contain the following information:
    (1) Name of each catcher/processor, catcher vessel, mothership, 
stationary floating processor, or shoreside processing plant to which 
the invoice applies;
    (2) Dates of service for each observer on each catcher/processor, 
catcher vessel, mothership, stationary floating processor, or shoreside 
processing plant. Dates billed that are not observer coverage days must 
be identified on the invoice;
    (3) Rate charged in dollars per day (daily rate) for observer 
services;
    (4) Total charge for observer services (number of days multiplied by 
daily rate);
    (5) Amount charged for air transportation; and
    (6) Amount charged by the provider for any other observer expenses, 
including but not limited to: Ground transportation, excess baggage, and 
lodging. Charges for these expenses must be separated and identified.
    (ix) Change in observer provider management and contact information. 
Except for changes in ownership addressed under paragraph (a)(6) of this 
section, an observer provider must submit notification of any other 
change to the information submitted on the provider's permit application 
under paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section. Within 30 days 
of the effective date of such change, the information must be submitted 
by fax or mail to the Observer Program at the address listed in Sec. 
679.51(c)(3). Any information submitted under paragraphs (a)(3)(iii) or 
(a)(3)(iv) of this section will be subject to NMFS review and 
determinations under paragraphs (a)(4) through (7) of this section.
    (x) Other reports. Reports of the following must be submitted in 
writing to the Observer Program by the observer provider via fax or 
email:
    (A) Within 24 hours after the observer provider becomes aware of the 
following information:
    (1) Any information regarding possible observer harassment;
    (2) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec. 
679.7(g) or Sec. 600.725(o), (t), and (u) of this chapter;
    (3) Any concerns about vessel safety or marine casualty under 46 CFR 
4.05-1(a)(1) through (7), or processor safety;
    (4) Any observer illness or injury that prevents the observer from 
completing any of his or her duties described in the Observer Sampling 
Manual; and
    (5) Any information, allegations or reports regarding observer 
conflict of interest or failure to abide by the standards of behavior 
described in Sec. 679.53(b)(1) through (b)(2), or;
    (B) Within 72 hours after the observer provider determines that an 
observer violated the observer provider's conduct and behavior policy 
described at paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section; these reports shall 
include the underlying facts and circumstances of the violation.
    (12) Replace lost or damaged gear. An observer provider must replace 
all lost or damaged gear and equipment issued by NMFS to an observer 
under contract to that provider. All replacements must be in accordance 
with requirements and procedures identified in writing by the Observer 
Program.
    (13) Maintain confidentiality of information. An observer provider 
must ensure that all records on individual observer performance received 
from NMFS under the routine use provision of the Privacy Act remain 
confidential and are not further released to anyone outside the employ 
of the observer provider company to whom the observer was contracted 
except with written permission of the observer.
    (c) Limitations on conflict of interest. Observer providers:
    (1) Are authorized to provide observer services under an FMP or the 
Halibut Act for the waters off Alaska as required in Sec. 679.51(a)(2) 
or (b)(2), or scientific data collector and observer

[[Page 804]]

services to support NMFS-approved scientific research activities, 
exempted educational activities, or exempted or experimental fishing as 
defined in Sec. 600.10 of this chapter.
    (2) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer or scientific data collector services, in a North 
Pacific fishery managed under an FMP or the Halibut Act for the waters 
off Alaska, including, but not limited to:
    (i) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, shoreside processor or stationary floating processor facility 
involved in the catching or processing of fish,
    (ii) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating processor 
participating in a fishery managed pursuant to an FMP or the Halibut Act 
in the waters off Alaska, or
    (iii) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed 
products from any vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating 
processor participating in a fishery managed pursuant to an FMP or the 
Halibut Act in the waters off Alaska.
    (3) Must assign observers without regard to any preference by 
representatives of vessels, shoreside processors, or stationary floating 
processors other than when an observer will be deployed.
    (4) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value from anyone who conducts fishing or fish processing activities 
that are regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may be 
substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the 
official duties of the observer provider.

[77 FR 70096, Nov. 21, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 67118, Sept. 30, 2016; 
83 FR 30533, June 29, 2018; 87 FR 54910, Sept. 8, 2022]



Sec. 679.53  Observer certification and responsibilities.

    (a) Observer certification--(1) Applicability. Observer 
certification authorizes an individual to fulfill duties for operations 
requiring full observer coverage per Sec. 679.51(a)(2) and (b)(2) as 
specified in writing by the NMFS Observer Program while under the employ 
of an observer provider permitted under Sec. 679.52(a) and according to 
certification endorsements as designated under paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section.
    (2) Observer certification official. The Regional Administrator will 
designate a NMFS observer certification official who will make decisions 
for the Observer Program on whether to issue or deny observer 
certification.
    (3) Certification requirements. NMFS may certify an individual who, 
in addition to any other relevant considerations:
    (i) Is employed by a permitted observer provider company at the time 
of the issuance of the certification;
    (ii) Has provided, through their observer provider:
    (A) Information identified by NMFS at Sec. 679.52(b)(11)(i)(A)(3) 
and (4) and in writing from the Observer Program; and
    (B) Information identified by NMFS at Sec. 679.52(b)(11)(iii) 
regarding the observer candidate's health and physical fitness for the 
job;
    (iii) Meet all education and health standards as specified in Sec. 
679.52(b)(1)(i) and Sec. 679.52(b)(11)(iii), respectively;
    (iv) Has successfully completed a NMFS-approved training as 
prescribed by the Observer Program.
    (A) Successful completion of training by an observer applicant 
consists of meeting all attendance and conduct standards issued in 
writing at the start of training; meeting all performance standards 
issued in writing at the start of training for assignments, tests, and 
other evaluation tools; and completing all other training requirements 
established by the Observer Program.
    (B) If a candidate fails training, he or she will be orally notified 
of the unsatisfactory status of his or her training on or before the 
last day of training. Within 10 business days of the oral notification, 
the Observer Program will notify the observer candidate in writing. The 
written notification will specify why the candidate failed the training 
and whether the candidate may retake the training. If a determination is 
made that the candidate may not pursue further training, notification 
will be in the form of a written determination denying certification, as

[[Page 805]]

specified under paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section.
    (v) Have not been decertified under paragraph (c) of this section.
    (4) Agency determinations on observer certification--(i) Denial of 
certification. The NMFS observer certification official will issue a 
written determination denying observer certification if the candidate 
fails to successfully complete training, or does not meet the 
qualifications for certification for any other relevant reason.
    (ii) Issuance of an observer certification. An observer 
certification will be issued upon determination by the NMFS observer 
certification official that the candidate has successfully met all 
requirements for certification as specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section.
    (5) Endorsements. The following endorsements must be obtained, in 
addition to observer certification, in order for an observer to deploy 
as indicated.
    (i) Certification training endorsement. A certification training 
endorsement signifies the successful completion of the training course 
required to obtain this endorsement. A certification training 
endorsement is required for any deployment as an observer in the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish fisheries and the Gulf of Alaska 
groundfish fisheries or Halibut Act fisheries and will be granted with 
the initial issuance of an observer certification. This endorsement 
expires when the observer has not been deployed and performed sampling 
duties as required by the Observer Program for a period of time 
specified by the Observer Program after his or her most recent 
debriefing. In order to renew the endorsement, the observer must 
successfully retake the certification training. Observers will be 
notified of any changes to the endorsement expiration period prior to 
the effective date of the change.
    (ii) Annual general endorsement. Each observer must obtain an annual 
general endorsement to their certification prior to his or her initial 
deployment within any calendar year subsequent to a calendar year in 
which a certification training endorsement is obtained. To obtain an 
annual general endorsement, an observer must successfully complete the 
annual briefing, as specified by the Observer Program. All briefing 
attendance, performance, and conduct standards required by the Observer 
Program must be met.
    (iii) Deployment endorsements. Each observer who has completed an 
initial deployment after certification or annual briefing must receive a 
deployment endorsement to their certification prior to any subsequent 
deployments for the remainder of that year. An observer may obtain a 
deployment endorsement by successfully completing all pre-cruise 
briefing requirements. The type of briefing the observer must attend and 
successfully complete will be specified in writing by the Observer 
Program during the observer's most recent debriefing.
    (iv) Level 2 endorsements. A certified observer may obtain a level 2 
endorsement to their certification. A level 2 endorsement is required 
for purposes of performing observer duties aboard vessels or stationary 
floating processors or at shoreside processors participating in 
fisheries as prescribed in Sec. 679.51(a)(2)(vi)(A) through (E). A 
level 2 endorsement to an observer's certification may be obtained if 
the observer meets the following requirements:
    (A) Previously served as an observer in the groundfish or halibut 
fisheries off Alaska and has completed at least 60 days of observer data 
collection;
    (B) Received an evaluation by NMFS for his or her most recent 
deployment that indicated the observer's performance met Observer 
Program expectations standards for that deployment; and
    (C) Complies with all the other requirements of this section.
    (v) An observer who has obtained a level 2 endorsement to his or her 
observer certification as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(iv) of this 
section may additionally receive a lead level 2 observer endorsement if 
the observer meets the following requirements:
    (A) A lead level 2 observer on a catcher/processor using trawl gear 
or a mothership must have completed two observer cruises (contracts) and 
sampled at least 100 hauls on a catcher/processor using trawl gear or on 
a mothership.
    (B) [Reserved]

[[Page 806]]

    (C) A lead level 2 observer on a vessel using nontrawl gear must 
have completed the following:
    (1) Two observer cruises (contracts) of at least 10 days each;
    (2) Successfully completed training or briefing as prescribed by the 
Observer Program; and
    (3) Either sampled at least 30 sets on a vessel using nontrawl gear 
or sampled at least 100 hauls on a catcher/processor using trawl gear or 
on a mothership.
    (b) Standards of observer conduct--(1) Limitations on conflict of 
interest. (i) An observer fulfilling duties for operations in the full 
observer coverage category per Sec. 679.51(a)(2) or (b)(2):
    (A) Must not have a direct financial interest, other than the 
provision of observer services, in a North Pacific fishery, including, 
but not limited to:
    (1) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a 
vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating processor facility 
involved in the catching or processing of fish,
    (2) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any 
vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating processor 
participating in a North Pacific fishery, or
    (3) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products 
from any vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating processor 
participating in a North Pacific fishery.
    (B) May not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gratuity, 
gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary value from 
anyone who either conducts activities that are regulated by NMFS or has 
interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or 
nonperformance of the observer's official duties.
    (C) May not serve as an observer on any vessel or at any shoreside 
or stationary floating processing facility owned or operated by a person 
who previously employed the observer.
    (D) May not solicit or accept employment as a crew member or an 
employee of a vessel, shoreside processor, or stationary floating 
processor in a North Pacific fishery while employed by an observer 
provider.
    (ii) Provisions for remuneration of observers under this section do 
not constitute a conflict of interest.
    (2) Standards of behavior. An observer fulfilling duties for 
operations in the full observer coverage category per Sec. 679.51(a)(2) 
or (b)(2) must:
    (i) Perform assigned duties as described in the Observer Sampling 
Manual or other written instructions from the Observer Program;
    (ii) Accurately record their sampling data, write complete reports, 
and report accurately any observations of suspected violations of 
regulations relevant to conservation of marine resources or their 
environment; and
    (iii) Not disclose collected data and observations made aboard the 
vessel or in the processing facility to any person except the owner or 
operator of the observed vessel or processing facility, an authorized 
officer, or NMFS.
    (c) Suspension and decertification--(1) Suspension and 
decertification review official. The Regional Administrator will 
establish an observer suspension and decertification review official(s), 
who will have the authority to review observer certifications issued 
under paragraph (a) of this section and issue initial administrative 
determinations of observer certification suspension and/or 
decertification.
    (2) Causes for suspension or decertification. The suspension/
decertification official may initiate suspension or decertification 
proceedings against an observer:
    (i) When it is alleged that the observer has committed any acts or 
omissions of any of the following:
    (A) Failed to satisfactorily perform the duties of an observer as 
specified in writing by the Observer Program; or
    (B) Failed to abide by the standards of conduct for an observer as 
prescribed under paragraph (b) of this section;
    (ii) Upon conviction of a crime or upon entry of a civil judgment 
for:
    (A) Commission of fraud or other violation in connection with 
obtaining or attempting to obtain certification, or in performing the 
duties as specified in writing by the Observer Program;
    (B) Commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, 
falsification or destruction of records, making false

[[Page 807]]

statements, or receiving stolen property;
    (C) Commission of any other offense indicating a lack of integrity 
or honesty that seriously and directly affects the fitness of observers.
    (3) Issuance of initial administrative determination. Upon 
determination that suspension or decertification is warranted under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the suspension/decertification 
official will issue a written initial administrative determination (IAD) 
to the observer via certified mail at the observer's most current 
address provided to NMFS under Sec. 679.43(e). The IAD will identify 
whether a certification is suspended or revoked and will identify the 
specific reasons for the action taken. If the IAD issues a suspension 
for an observer certification, the terms of the suspension will be 
specified. Suspension or decertification can be made effective upon 
issuance of the IAD in cases of willfulness or in cases in which public 
health, interest, or safety require such action. In such cases, the 
suspension/decertification official will state in the IAD that 
suspension or decertification is effective at time of issuance and the 
reason for the action.
    (4) Appeals. A certified observer who receives an IAD that suspends 
or revokes his or her observer certification may appeal pursuant to 
Sec. 679.43.

[77 FR 70099, Nov. 21, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 67118, Sept. 30, 2016; 
83 FR 30532, 30533, June 29, 2018]



Sec. 679.54  Release of observer data to the public.

    (a) Summary of weekly data. The following information collected by 
observers for each catcher/processor and catcher vessel during any 
weekly reporting period may be made available to the public:
    (1) Vessel name and Federal permit number.
    (2) Number of Chinook salmon and ``other salmon'' observed.
    (3) The ratio of total round weight of incidentally caught halibut 
or Pacific herring to the total round weight of groundfish in sampled 
catch.
    (4) The ratio of number of king crab or C. bairdi Tanner crab to the 
total round weight of groundfish in sampled hauls.
    (5) The number of observed trawl hauls or fixed gear sets.
    (6) The number of trawl hauls that were basket sampled.
    (7) The total weight of basket samples taken from sampled trawl 
hauls.
    (b) Haul-specific data. (1) The information listed in paragraphs 
(b)(1)(i) through (xiii) of this section and collected by observers from 
observed hauls on board vessels using trawl gear to participate in a 
directed fishery for groundfish other than rockfish, Greenland turbot, 
or Atka mackerel may be made available to the public:
    (i) Date.
    (ii) Time of day gear is deployed.
    (iii) Latitude and longitude at beginning of haul.
    (iv) Bottom depth.
    (v) Fishing depth of trawl.
    (vi) The ratio of the number of Chinook salmon to the total round 
weight of groundfish.
    (vii) The ratio of the number of other salmon to the total round 
weight of groundfish.
    (viii) The ratio of total round weight of incidentally caught 
halibut to the total round weight of groundfish.
    (ix) The ratio of total round weight of herring to the total round 
weight of groundfish.
    (x) The ratio of the number of king crab to the total round weight 
of groundfish.
    (xi) The ratio of the number of C. bairdi Tanner crab to the total 
round weight of groundfish.
    (xii) Sea surface temperature (where available).
    (xiii) Sea temperature at fishing depth of trawl (where available).
    (2) The identity of the vessels from which the data in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section are collected will not be released.
    (c) Competitive harm. In exceptional circumstances, the owners and 
operators of vessels may provide to the Regional Administrator written 
justification at the time observer data are submitted, or within a 
reasonable time thereafter, that disclosure of the information listed in 
paragraphs (a) and (b)

[[Page 808]]

of this section could reasonably be expected to cause substantial 
competitive harm. The determination whether to disclose the information 
will be made pursuant to 15 CFR 4.7.

[77 FR 70101, Nov. 21, 2012]



Sec. 679.55  Observer fees.

    (a) Responsibility. The owner of a shoreside processor or stationary 
floating processor named on a Federal Processing Permit (FPP), a 
catcher/processor named on a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP), or a person 
named on a Registered Buyer permit at the time of the landing subject to 
the observer fee as specified at Sec. 679.55(c) must comply with the 
requirements of this section. Subsequent non-renewal of an FPP, FFP, or 
a Registered Buyer permit does not affect the permit holder's liability 
for noncompliance with this section.
    (b) Observer fee liability determination. After each fishing year, 
the Regional Administrator will mail an observer fee liability invoice 
to each permit holder specified in paragraph (a) of this section for 
landings of groundfish and halibut subject to the observer fee. The 
observer fee liability invoice will provide a summary of the round 
pounds of groundfish and headed-and-gutted weight for halibut landed 
during the previous fishing year for each permit by species, landing 
port or port-group, and gear category. The total fee liability for each 
permit holder will be determined by applying the observer fee percentage 
in paragraph (f) of this section to the ex-vessel value of the 
groundfish and halibut landings subject to the observer fee. The method 
for determining the ex-vessel value of the groundfish and halibut 
landings subject to the observer fee is provided in paragraph (e) of 
this section. The fee liability will be assessed on the groundfish round 
weight and the headed-and-gutted weight for halibut.
    (c) Landings subject to the observer fee. The observer fee is 
assessed on landings by vessels not in the full observer coverage 
category described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2) according to the following 
table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Is fish from the landing subject to
                                             the observer fee?
   If fish in the landing by a   ---------------------------------------
 catcher vessel or production by   If the vessel is    If the vessel is
 a catcher/processor is from the   not designated on   designated on an
  following fishery or species:   an FFP or required  FFP or required to
                                   to be designated    be designated on
                                      on an FFP:            an FFP:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Groundfish listed in Table    Not applicable, an  Yes.
 2a to this part that are          FFP is required
 harvested in the EEZ and          to harvest these
 subtracted from a total           groundfish in the
 allowable catch limit specified   EEZ.
 under Sec. 679.20(a).
(2) Groundfish listed in Table    No................  Yes.
 2a to this part that are
 harvested in Alaska State
 waters, including in a parallel
 groundfish fishery, and
 subtracted from a total
 allowable catch limit specified
 under Sec. 679.20(a).
(3) Sablefish IFQ, regardless of  Yes...............  Yes.
 where harvested.
(4) Halibut IFQ or halibut CDQ,   Yes...............  Yes.
 regardless of where harvested.
(5) Groundfish listed in Table    No................  No.
 2a to this part that are
 harvested in Alaska State
 waters, but are not subtracted
 from a total allowable catch
 limit under Sec. 679.20(a).
(6) Any groundfish or other       No................  No.
 species not listed in Table 2a
 to part 679, except halibut IFQ
 or CDQ halibut, regardless of
 where harvested.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Standard ex-vessel prices--(1) General. NMFS will publish the 
standard ex-vessel prices used to determine the observer fee in the 
upcoming year in the Federal Register during the last quarter of each 
calendar year. The standard ex-vessel prices will be described in U.S. 
dollars per equivalent round pound for groundfish and per equivalent 
headed-and-gutted weight for halibut.
    (2) Effective duration. The standard ex-vessel prices will remain in 
effect until revised by subsequent publication in the Federal Register.
    (3) Standard ex-vessel price determination and use--(i) Groundfish 
standard ex-vessel prices. Except as described in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) 
of this section,

[[Page 809]]

NMFS will calculate groundfish standard ex-vessel prices based on 
standardized ex-vessel nominal prices calculated using information 
submitted in the Commercial Operator's Annual Report described at Sec. 
679.5(p) and the shoreside processor or stationary floating processor 
landing report described at Sec. 679.5(e)(5), as well as methods 
established by the State of Alaska's Commercial Fisheries Entry 
Commission.
    (A) Groundfish standard ex-vessel prices will be calculated as a 3-
year rolling average of standard prices for each species, port or port-
group, and gear.
    (B) Gear categories for groundfish standard ex-vessel prices are: 
Pelagic trawl gear, non-pelagic trawl gear, and non-trawl gear.
    (ii) Halibut and fixed gear sablefish standard ex-vessel prices. 
NMFS will use data submitted to NMFS on the IFQ Registered Buyer report 
under Sec. 679.5(l)(7) to calculate the standard ex-vessel prices for 
each year for halibut and fixed gear sablefish, by port or port group. 
These standard ex-vessel prices will be applied to landings of:
    (A) Halibut;
    (B) IFQ sablefish; and
    (C) Sablefish accruing against the fixed-gear sablefish CDQ 
allocation.
    (iii) Confidentiality. Standard ex-vessel prices will be aggregated 
among ports if fewer than four processors participate in a price 
category for any species and gear combination.
    (e) Determining the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut. The 
ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut subject to the observer fee 
will be determined by applying the standard ex-vessel price published in 
the Federal Register in the year prior to the year in which the landing 
was made to the round weight of groundfish and the headed-and-gutted 
weight of halibut landings subject to the observer fee.
    (f) Observer fee percentage. The observer fee percentage is 1.25 
percent through December 31, 2020. Beginning January 1, 2021, the 
observer fee percentage is 1.65 percent.
    (g) Fee collection. A permit holder specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section, receiving a groundfish or halibut landing subject to the 
observer fee under paragraph (c) of this section, is responsible for 
collecting fees during the calendar year in which the groundfish or 
halibut is received.
    (h) Payment--(1) Payment due date. A permit holder specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section must submit his or her observer fee 
liability payment(s) to NMFS no later than February 15 of the year 
following the calendar year in which the groundfish or halibut landings 
subject to the observer fee were made.
    (2) Payment recipient. Make electronic payment payable to NMFS.
    (3) Payment address. Payments must be made electronically through 
the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. 
Instructions for electronic payment will be provided on the payment Web 
site and on the observer fee liability invoice to be mailed to each 
permit holder.
    (4) Payment method. Payment must be made electronically in U.S. 
dollars by automated clearinghouse, credit card, or electronic check 
drawn on a U.S. bank account.
    (5) Underpayment of fee liability. (i) Under Sec. 679.4, an 
applicant will not receive a new or amended FPP or Registered Buyer 
permit until he or she submits a complete permit application. For the 
application to be considered complete, all fees required by NMFS must be 
paid.
    (ii) If a permit holder fails to submit full payment for the 
observer fee liability by the date described in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
section, the Regional Administrator may:
    (A) At any time thereafter send an initial administrative 
determination to the liable permit holder stating that the permit 
holder's estimated fee liability, as calculated by the Regional 
Administrator and sent to the permit holder pursuant to paragraph (b) of 
this section, is the amount of observer fee due from the permit holder.
    (B) Disapprove any issuance of an FPP or Registered Buyer permit to 
the applicant in accordance with Sec. 679.4.
    (iii) If payment is not received by the 30th day after the final 
agency action, the agency may pursue collection of the unpaid fees.
    (i) Overpayment of fee. Upon issuance of final agency action, any 
amount

[[Page 810]]

submitted to NMFS in excess of the observer fee liability determined to 
be due by the final agency action will be returned to the permit holder 
unless the permit holder requests the agency to credit the excess amount 
against the permit holder's future observer fee liability.
    (j) Appeals. A permit holder who receives an IAD may either pay the 
fee liability or appeal the IAD pursuant to Sec. 679.43. In any appeal 
of an IAD made under this section, a permit holder specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section has the burden of proving his or her 
claim.

[77 FR 70102, Nov. 21, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 17411, Mar. 29, 2016; 
85 FR 41427, July 10, 2020]



 Subpart F_American Fisheries Act and Aleutian Island Directed Pollock 
                       Fishery Management Measures

    Source: 67 FR 79734, Dec. 30, 2002, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 679.60  Authority and related regulations.

    (a) Regulations under this subpart were developed by the National 
Marine Fisheries Service and the North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council to implement the American Fisheries Act (AFA) (Div. C, Title II, 
Subtitle II, Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998)) and the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-199, Sec. 803). 
Additional regulations in this part that implement specific provisions 
of the AFA and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 are set out at 
Sec. Sec. 679.2 Definitions, 679.4 Permits, 679.5 Recordkeeping and 
reporting (R &R), 679.7 Prohibitions, 679.20 General limitations, 679.21 
Prohibited species bycatch management, 679.28 Equipment and operational 
requirements, 679.31 CDQ reserves, and 679.50 Groundfish Observer 
Program.
    (b) Regulations developed by the Department of Transportation to 
implement provisions of the AFA are found at 46 CFR part 356.

[70 FR 9867, Mar. 1, 2005]



Sec. 679.61  Formation and operation of fishery cooperatives.

    (a) Who is liable for violations by a fishery cooperative and 
cooperative members? A fishery cooperative must comply with the 
provisions of this section. The owners and operators of vessels that are 
members of a fishery cooperative, including vessels under contract to a 
cooperative, are responsible for ensuring that the fishery cooperative 
complies with the directed fishing, sideboard closures, PSC limits and 
other allocations and restrictions that are applicable to the fishery 
cooperative. The owners and operators of vessels that are members of a 
fishery cooperative, including vessels under contract to a cooperative, 
are responsible for ensuring that all fishery cooperative members comply 
with the directed fishing, sideboard closures, PSC limits and other 
allocations and restrictions that are applicable to the fishery 
cooperative.
    (b) Who must comply this section? Any fishery cooperative formed 
under section 1 of the Fisherman's Collective Marketing Act 1934 (15 
U.S.C. 521) for the purpose of cooperatively managing directed fishing 
for BS subarea pollock must comply with the provisions of this section. 
The owners and operators of all the member vessels that are signatories 
to a fishery cooperative are jointly and severally responsible for 
compliance with the requirements of this section.
    (c) Designated representative and agent for service of process. Each 
cooperative must appoint a designated representative and agent for 
service of process and must ensure that the cooperative's designated 
representative and agent for service of process comply with the 
regulations in this part.
    (1) What is a designated representative? The designated 
representative is the primary contact person for NMFS on issues relating 
to the operation of the cooperative. Any cooperative formed under this 
section must appoint a designated representative to fulfill regulatory 
requirements on behalf of the cooperative including, but not limited to, 
filing of cooperative contracts, filing of annual reports, submitting 
all cost recovery fees, and in the case of

[[Page 811]]

inshore sector catcher vessel cooperatives, signing cooperative fishing 
permit applications and completing and submitting inshore catcher vessel 
pollock cooperative catch reports.
    (2) What is an agent for service of process? Any cooperative formed 
under this section must appoint an agent who is authorized to receive 
and respond to any legal process issued in the United States with 
respect to all owners and operators of vessels that are members of the 
cooperative. The cooperative must provide the Regional Administrator 
with the name, address and telephone number of the appointed agent. 
Service on or notice to the cooperative's appointed agent constitutes 
service on or notice to all members of the cooperative.
    (3) What is the term of service and process for replacing the agent 
for service of process? The agent for service of process must be capable 
of accepting service on behalf of the cooperative until December 31 of 
the year 5 years after the calendar year for which the fishery 
cooperative has filed its intent to operate. The owners and operators of 
all member vessels of a cooperative are responsible for ensuring that a 
substitute agent is designated and the Agency is notified of the name, 
address and telephone number of the substitute agent in the event the 
previously designated agent is no longer capable of accepting service on 
behalf of the cooperative or the cooperative members within that 5-year 
period.
    (d) Annual filing requirements. You must file on an annual basis, 
with the Council and NMFS, a signed copy of your fishery cooperative 
contract, and any material modifications to any such contract, together 
with a copy of a letter from a party to the contract requesting a 
business review letter on the fishery cooperative from the Department of 
Justice and any response to such request. The Council and NMFS will make 
this information available to the public upon request.
    (1) Must multi-year contracts be re-filed annually? If your 
cooperative contract was previously filed with NMFS and the Council 
under this paragraph (d), then you may submit a renewal letter to NMFS 
and the Council by the filing deadline in lieu of the cooperative 
contract and business review letter. The renewal letter must provide 
notice that the previously filed cooperative contract will remain in 
effect for the subsequent fishing year. The renewal letter also must 
detail any material modifications to the cooperative contract that have 
been made since the last filing including, but not limited to, any 
changes in cooperative membership.
    (2) Where must contracts or renewal letters be filed? You must send 
a signed copy of your cooperative contract or renewal letter and the 
required supporting materials to the North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council, 605 West 4th Ave, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501; and to the 
NMFS Alaska Region. The mailing address for the NMFS Alaska Region is 
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802. The street address for delivery by 
private courier is 709 West 9th St., Suite 401, Juneau, AK 99801.
    (3) What is the deadline for filing? The contract or renewal letter 
and supporting materials must be received by NMFS and by the Council at 
least 30 days prior to the start of any fishing activity conducted under 
the terms of the contract. In addition, an inshore cooperative that is 
also applying for an allocation of BS subarea pollock under Sec. 679.62 
must file its contract, any amendments hereto, and supporting materials 
no later than December 1 of the year prior to the year in which fishing 
under the contract will occur.
    (e) What are the required elements in a cooperative contract?--(1) 
Requirements for all fishery cooperatives. Any cooperative contract 
filed under this paragraph (e) must:
    (i) List parties to the contract.
    (ii) List all vessels and processors that will harvest and process 
pollock harvested under the cooperative.
    (iii) Specify the amount or percentage of pollock allocated to each 
party to the contract.
    (iv) Specify a designated representative and agent for service of 
process.
    (v) Include a contract clause under which the parties to the 
contract agree to make payments to the State of Alaska for any pollock 
harvested in the directed pollock fishery that are not landed in the 
State of Alaska, in amounts which would otherwise accrue had the pollock 
been landed in the

[[Page 812]]

State of Alaska subject to any landing taxes established under Alaska 
law. Failure to include such a contract clause or for such amounts to be 
paid will result in a revocation of the authority to form fishery 
cooperatives under section 1 of the Act of June 25, 1934 (15 U.S.C. 521 
et seq.).
    (vi) List the obligations of members of a cooperative, governed by 
this section, to ensure the full payment of all AFA fee liabilities that 
may be due.
    (2) Additional required elements in all fishery cooperatives that 
include AFA catcher vessels. A cooperative contract that includes 
catcher vessels must include adequate provisions to prevent each non-
exempt member catcher vessel from exceeding an individual vessel 
sideboard limit for each BSAI or GOA sideboard species or species group 
that is issued to the vessel by the cooperative in accordance with the 
following formula:
    (i) The aggregate individual vessel sideboard limits issued to all 
member vessels in a cooperative must not exceed the aggregate 
contributions of each member vessel towards the overall groundfish 
sideboard amount as calculated by NMFS under Sec. 679.64(b) and as 
announced to the cooperative by the Regional Administrator, or
    (ii) In the case of two or more cooperatives that have entered into 
an inter-cooperative agreement, the aggregate individual vessel 
sideboard limits issued to all member vessels subject to the inter-
cooperative agreement must not exceed the aggregate contributions of 
each member vessel towards the overall groundfish sideboard amount as 
calculated by NMFS under Sec. 679.64(b) and as announced by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (f) Annual reporting requirement. Any fishery cooperative governed 
by this section must submit an annual written report on fishing activity 
to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Avenue, 
Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501. The Council will make copies of each 
report available to the public upon request.
    (1) What is the submission deadline? The cooperative must submit the 
annual report by April 1 of each year. Annual reports must be postmarked 
by the submission deadline or received by a private courier service by 
the submission deadline.
    (2) What information must be included? The annual report must 
contain, at a minimum:
    (i) The cooperative's allocated catch of pollock and sideboard 
species, and any sub-allocations of pollock and sideboard species made 
by the cooperative to individual vessels on a vessel-by-vessel basis;
    (ii) The cooperative's actual retained and discarded catch of 
pollock, sideboard species, and PSC on an area-by-area and vessel-by-
vessel basis;
    (iii) A description of the method used by the cooperative to monitor 
fisheries in which cooperative vessels participated;
    (iv) A description of any actions taken by the cooperative in 
response to any vessels that exceed their allowed catch and bycatch in 
pollock and all sideboard fisheries; and
    (v) The total weight of pollock landed outside the State of Alaska 
on a vessel-by-vessel basis.
    (vi) The number of salmon taken by species and season, and list each 
vessel's number of appearances on the weekly ``dirty 20'' lists for non-
Chinook salmon.
    (3) What is the required format? You must submit at least one copy 
of each annual report ready for duplication on unbound single-sided 8.5- 
by-11-inch paper, or in an alternative format approved in advance by the 
Council.
    (g) Landing tax payment deadline. You must pay any landing tax owed 
to the State of Alaska under section 210(f) of the AFA and paragraph 
(e)(1)(v) of this section before April 1 of the following year, or the 
last day of the month following the date of publication of statewide 
average prices by the Alaska State Department of Revenue, whichever is 
later. All members of the cooperative are prohibited from harvesting 
pollock in the BS subarea directed pollock fishery after the payment 
deadline if any member vessel has failed to pay all required landing 
taxes from any landings made outside the State of

[[Page 813]]

Alaska by the landing deadline. Members of the cooperative may resume 
directed fishing for pollock once all overdue landing taxes are paid.

[67 FR 79734, Dec. 30, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 6836, Feb. 11, 2003; 70 
FR 9868, Mar. 1, 2005; 72 FR 61076, Oct. 29, 2007; 73 FR 76166, Dec. 15, 
2008; 75 FR 53069, Aug. 30, 2010; 76 FR 12886, Mar. 9, 2011; 81 FR 168, 
Jan. 5, 2016]



Sec. 679.62  Inshore sector cooperative allocation program.

    (a) How will inshore sector cooperative allocations be made? An 
inshore catcher vessel cooperative that applies for and receives an AFA 
inshore cooperative fishing permit under Sec. 679.4(l)(6) will receive 
a sub-allocation of the annual BS subarea inshore sector directed 
fishing allowance. Each inshore cooperative's annual allocation 
amount(s) will be determined using the following procedure:
    (1) Determination of individual vessel catch histories. The Regional 
Administrator will calculate an official AFA inshore cooperative catch 
history for every inshore-sector endorsed AFA catcher vessel according 
to the following steps:
    (i) Determination of annual landings. For each year from 1995 
through 1997 the Regional Administrator will determine each vessel's 
total non-CDQ inshore pollock landings from the Bering Sea Subarea and 
Aleutian Islands Subarea separately, except for the F/V PROVIDIAN (USCG 
documentation number 1062183).
    (ii) Determination of annual landings for the F/V PROVIDIAN. For the 
F/V PROVIDIAN, pursuant to Public Law 106-562, the Regional 
Administrator will substitute the 1992 through 1994 total Bering Sea 
subarea and Aleutian Islands subarea pollock non-CDQ inshore landings 
made by the F/V OCEAN SPRAY (USCG documentation number 517100 for the 
purpose of determining annual cooperative quota share percentage.
    (iii) Offshore compensation. If a catcher vessel made a total of 500 
or more mt of landings of non-CDQ Bering Sea Subarea pollock or Aleutian 
Islands Subarea pollock to catcher/processors or offshore motherships 
other than the EXCELLENCE (USCG documentation number 967502); GOLDEN 
ALASKA (USCG documentation number 651041); or OCEAN PHOENIX (USCG 
documentation number 296779) over the 3-year period from 1995 through 
1997, then all non-CDQ offshore pollock landings made by that vessel 
during from 1995 through 1997 will be added to the vessel's inshore 
catch history by year and subarea.
    (iv) Best two out of three years. After steps (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of 
this section are completed, the 2 years with the highest landings will 
be selected for each subarea and added together to generate the vessel's 
official AFA inshore cooperative catch history for each subarea. A 
vessel's best 2 years may be different for the Bering Sea subarea and 
the Aleutian Islands Subarea.
    (2) Determination of individual vessel catch histories after 
approval of replacement of catcher vessel and approval of removal of 
catcher vessel from the AFA directed pollock fishery. (i) If NMFS 
approves the application of an owner of a catcher vessel that is a 
member of an inshore vessel cooperative to replace a catcher vessel 
pursuant to Sec. 679.4(l)(7), NMFS will assign the AFA inshore pollock 
catch history of the replaced vessel to the replacement vessel.
    (ii) If NMFS approves the application of an owner of a catcher 
vessel that is a member of an inshore vessel cooperative to remove a 
catcher vessel from the AFA directed pollock fishery pursuant to Sec. 
679.4(l)(7), NMFS will assign the AFA inshore pollock catch history of 
the removed vessel to one or more vessels in the inshore vessel 
cooperative to which the removed vessel belonged as required by Sec. 
679.4(l)(7); NMFS will not assign the catch history for any non-pollock 
species of the removed vessel to any other vessel, and NMFS will 
permanently extinguish any exemptions from sideboards that were 
specified on the AFA permit of the removed vessel.
    (3) Conversion of individual vessel catch histories to annual 
cooperative quota share percentages. Each inshore pollock cooperative 
that applies for and receives an AFA inshore pollock cooperative fishing 
permit will receive an annual quota share percentage of pollock for the 
BS subarea that is equal to the sum of each member vessel's official AFA 
inshore cooperative catch history

[[Page 814]]

for the BS subarea divided by the sum of the official AFA inshore 
cooperative catch histories of all inshore-sector endorsed AFA catcher 
vessels. The cooperative's quota share percentage will be listed on the 
cooperative's AFA pollock cooperative permit.
    (4) Conversion of quota share percentage to TAC allocations. 
(Effective April 1, 2005) Each inshore pollock cooperative that receives 
a quota share percentage for a fishing year will receive an annual 
allocation of Bering Sea and/or Aleutian Islands pollock that is equal 
to the cooperative's quota share percentage for that subarea multiplied 
by the annual inshore pollock allocation for that subarea. Each 
cooperative's annual pollock TAC allocation may be published in the 
proposed and final BSAI harvest specifications notice.
    (b) What are the restrictions on fishing under a cooperative fishing 
permit? A cooperative that receives a cooperative fishing permit under 
Sec. 679.4(l)(6) must comply with all of the fishing restrictions set 
out in this subpart. The owners and operators of all the member vessels 
that are named on an inshore cooperative fishing permit and the owners 
and operators of any vessels under contract to the cooperative under 
paragraph (c) of this section are jointly and severally responsible for 
compliance with all of the requirements of a cooperative fishing permit 
pursuant to Sec. 679.4(l)(6).
    (1) What vessels are eligible to fish under an inshore cooperative 
fishing permit? Only catcher vessels listed on a cooperative's AFA 
inshore cooperative fishing permit or vessels under contract to the 
cooperative under paragraph (c) of this section are permitted to harvest 
any portion of an inshore cooperative's annual pollock allocation.
    (2) What harvests accrue against an inshore cooperative's annual 
pollock allocation? The following catches will accrue against a 
cooperative's annual pollock allocation regardless of whether the 
pollock was retained or discarded:
    (i) Member vessels. All pollock caught by a member vessel while 
engaged in directed fishing for pollock in the BS subarea unless the 
vessel is under contract to another cooperative and the pollock is 
assigned to another cooperative.
    (ii) Contract vessels. All pollock contracted for harvest and caught 
by a vessel under contract to the cooperative under paragraph (c) of 
this section while the vessel was engaged in directed fishing for 
pollock in the BS subarea.
    (c) Contract fishing by non-member vessels. A cooperative that 
wishes to contract with a non-member vessel to harvest a portion of the 
cooperative's annual pollock allocation must comply with the following 
procedures.
    (1) How does a cooperative contract with a non-member vessel? A 
cooperative that wishes to contract with a non-member vessel must submit 
a completed contract fishing application to the Alaska Region, NMFS, in 
accordance with the contract fishing application instructions.
    (2) What information must be included on a contract fishing 
application? The following information must be included on a contract 
fishing application:
    (i) Co-op name(s). The names of the cooperative or cooperatives that 
wish to contract with a non-member vessel.
    (ii) Designated representative(s). The names and signatures of the 
designated representatives for the cooperatives that wish to contract 
with a non-member vessel and the vessel's home cooperative.
    (iii) Vessel name. The name and AFA permit number of the contracted 
vessel.
    (iv) Vessel owner. The name and signature of the owner of the 
contracted vessel.
    (v) Harvest schedule. A completed harvest schedule showing how all 
catch and any overages by the contracted vessel will be allocated 
between the contracting cooperative (or cooperatives) and the contract 
vessel's home cooperative. In the event that multiple cooperatives are 
jointly contracting with a non-member vessel, the harvest schedule must 
clearly specify how all catch and any overages will be allocated among 
the various cooperatives.
    (3) What vessels are eligible to conduct contract fishing on behalf 
of an inshore cooperative? Only AFA catcher vessels with an inshore 
fishing endorsement

[[Page 815]]

that are members of an inshore cooperative may conduct contract fishing 
on behalf of another inshore cooperative.
    (4) Who must be informed? A cooperative that has contracted with a 
non-member vessel to harvest a portion of its inshore pollock allocation 
must inform any AFA inshore processors to whom the vessel will deliver 
pollock while under contract to the cooperative prior to the start of 
fishing under the contract.
    (5) How must contract fishing be reported to NMFS? An AFA inshore 
processor that receives pollock harvested by a vessel under contract to 
a cooperative must report the delivery to NMFS on the electronic 
delivery report by using the co-op code for the contracting cooperative 
rather than the co-op code of the vessel's home cooperative.

[67 FR 79734, Dec. 30, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 6836, Feb. 11, 2003; 69 
FR 64688, Nov. 8, 2004; 70 FR 9868, Mar. 1, 2005; 79 FR 54602, Sept. 12, 
2014; 84 FR 2728, Feb. 8, 2019]



Sec. 679.63  Catch weighing requirements for vessels and processors.

    (a) What are the requirements for listed AFA catcher/processors and 
AFA motherships?--(1) Catch weighing. All groundfish landed by listed 
AFA catcher/processors or received by AFA motherships must be weighed on 
a NMFS-certified scale and made available for sampling by a NMFS 
certified observer. The owner and operator of a listed AFA catcher/
processor or an AFA mothership must ensure that the vessel is in 
compliance with the scale requirements described at Sec. 679.28(b), 
that each groundfish haul is weighed separately, and that no sorting of 
catch, except halibut sorted on deck by vessels participating in the 
halibut deck sorting described at Sec. 679.120, takes place prior to 
weighing.
    (2) Observer sampling station. The owner and operator of a listed 
AFA catcher/processor or AFA mothership must provide an observer 
sampling station as described at Sec. 679.28(d) and must ensure that 
the vessel operator complies with the observer sampling station 
requirements described at Sec. 679.28(d) at all times that the vessel 
harvests groundfish or receives deliveries of groundfish harvested in 
the BSAI or GOA.
    (b) What are the requirements for unlisted AFA catcher/processors? 
The owner or operator of an unlisted AFA catcher/processor must comply 
with the catch weighing and observer sampling station requirements set 
out in paragraph (a) of this section at all times the vessel is engaged 
in directed fishing for pollock in the BSAI.
    (c) What are the requirements for AFA replacement vessels? The owner 
and operator of an AFA replacement vessel are subject to the catch 
weighing requirements and the observer sampling station requirements in 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section that applied to the owner and 
operator of the replaced vessel.
    (d) What are the requirements for AFA inshore processors?--(1) Catch 
weighing. All groundfish landed by AFA catcher vessels engaged in 
directed fishing for pollock in the BSAI must be sorted and weighed on a 
scale approved by the State of Alaska as described in Sec. 679.28(c), 
and be made available for sampling by a NMFS certified observer. The 
observer must be allowed to test any scale used to weigh groundfish in 
order to determine its accuracy.
    (2) The plant manager or plant liaison must notify the observer of 
the offloading schedule for each delivery of BSAI pollock by an AFA 
catcher vessel at least 1 hour prior to offloading. An observer must 
monitor each delivery of BSAI pollock from an AFA catcher vessel and be 
on site the entire time the delivery is being weighed or sorted.

[67 FR 79734, Dec. 30, 2002, as amended at 79 FR 54602, Sept. 12, 2014; 
84 FR 55053, Oct. 15, 2019]



Sec. 679.64  Harvesting sideboard limits in other fisheries.

    (a) Harvesting sideboards for listed AFA catcher/processors and 
catcher/processors designated on listed AFA catcher/processor permits. 
The Regional Administrator will restrict the ability of listed AFA 
catcher/processors and a catcher/processor designated on a listed AFA 
catcher/processor permit to engage in directed fishing for non-pollock 
groundfish species to protect participants in other groundfish fisheries 
from adverse effects resulting from the

[[Page 816]]

AFA and from fishery cooperatives in the BS subarea directed pollock 
fishery.
    (1) How will groundfish sideboard limits for AFA listed catcher/
processors and catcher/processors designated on listed AFA catcher/
processor permits be calculated? Except for Aleutian Islands pollock and 
BSAI Pacific cod, the Regional Administrator will establish annual AFA 
catcher/processor harvest limits for each groundfish species or species 
group in which a TAC is specified for an area or subarea of the BSAI as 
follows:
    (i) Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch. (A) The Aleutian Islands 
Pacific ocean perch harvest limit will be equal to the 1996 through 1997 
aggregate retained catch of Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch by 
catcher/processors listed in Sections 208(e)(1) through (20) and 209 of 
the AFA in non-pollock target fisheries divided by the sum of the 
Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch catch in 1996 and 1997 multiplied 
by the remainder of the Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch TAC after 
the subtraction of the CDQ reserve under Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) in 
the year in which the harvest limit will be in effect.
    (B) If the amount of Pacific ocean perch calculated under paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(A) of this section is determined by the Regional Administrator 
to be insufficient to meet bycatch needs of AFA catcher/processors in 
other directed fisheries for groundfish, the Regional Administrator will 
prohibit directed fishing for Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch by 
AFA catcher/processors and establish the sideboard amount equal to the 
amount of Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch caught by AFA catcher/
processors incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species.
    (ii) Atka mackerel. The Atka mackerel harvest limit for each area 
and season will be equal to:
    (A) Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian Islands, zero; and
    (B) Western Aleutian Islands, 20 percent of the annual TAC specified 
for Atka mackerel.
    (iii) Flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. The harvest 
limit for flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole will be equal to 
the 1995 through 1997 aggregate retained catch of that species by 
catcher/processors listed in Sections 208(e)(1) through (e)(20) and 209 
of the AFA in non-pollock target fisheries divided by the sum of the 
catch of that species in 1995 through 1997 multiplied by the remainder 
of the TAC of that species after the subtraction of the CDQ reserve 
under Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) in the year in which the harvest limit 
will be in effect.
    (iv) Remaining groundfish species. (A) Except as provided for in 
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iii) of this section, the harvest 
limit for each BSAI groundfish species or species group will be equal to 
the 1995 through 1997 aggregate retained catch of that species by 
catcher/processors listed in Sections 208 (e)(1) through (e)(20) and 209 
of the AFA in non-pollock target fisheries divided by the sum of the 
catch of that species in 1995 through 1997 multiplied by the TAC of that 
species available for harvest by catcher/processors in the year in which 
the harvest limit will be in effect.
    (B) If the amount of a species calculated under paragraph 
(a)(1)(iv)(A) of this section is determined by the Regional 
Administrator to be insufficient to meet bycatch needs for AFA catcher/
processors in other directed fisheries for groundfish, the Regional 
Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for that species by AFA 
catcher/processors and establish the sideboard amount equal to the 
amount of that species caught by AFA catcher/processors incidental to 
directed fishing for other groundfish species.
    (v) Yellowfin sole sideboard limit exemption. AFA catcher/processors 
will not be subject to a harvest limit for yellowfin sole in the BSAI 
during a calendar year if the aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned 
to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector is 
greater than or equal to 125,000 metric tons.
    (2) What are the halibut and crab PSC sideboard limits? The halibut 
and crab PSC bycatch limits specified for catcher/processors in the BSAI 
are listed in Tables 40 and 41 to this part.
    (3) How will AFA catcher/processor sideboard limits be managed? (i) 
The Regional Administrator will manage

[[Page 817]]

groundfish harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits for AFA catcher/
processors through directed fishing closures in fisheries established 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section in accordance with the procedures 
set out in Sec. Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv) and 679.21(b)(4)(iii).
    (ii) Directed fishing for the BSAI groundfish that have sideboard 
limits listed in Table 54 of this part is prohibited.
    (b) Harvesting sideboards for AFA catcher vessels. The Regional 
Administrator will restrict the ability of AFA catcher vessels to engage 
in directed fishing for other groundfish species to protect participants 
in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects resulting from the 
AFA and from fishery cooperatives in the BS subarea directed pollock 
fishery.
    (1) To whom do the catcher vessel sideboard limits apply? Catcher 
vessel harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits apply to all AFA catcher 
vessels participating in all GOA groundfish fisheries and all non-
pollock groundfish fisheries in the BSAI except vessels qualifying for 
sideboard exemptions in the specific fisheries identified in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Who is exempt from catcher vessel sideboards? (i) BSAI Pacific 
cod sideboard exemptions--(A) AFA catcher vessels less than 125 ft (38.1 
m) LOA that are determined by the Regional Administrator to have 
harvested a combined total of less than 5,100 mt of BSAI pollock, and to 
have made 30 or more legal landings of Pacific cod in the BSAI directed 
fishery for Pacific cod from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from sideboard 
closures for BSAI Pacific cod.
    (B) AFA catcher vessels with mothership endorsements are exempt from 
BSAI Pacific cod catcher vessel sideboard directed fishing closures 
after March 1 of each fishing year.
    (ii) GOA groundfish sideboard exemptions. AFA catcher vessels less 
than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA that are determined by the Regional 
Administrator to have harvested less than 5,100 mt of BSAI pollock and 
to have made 40 or more landings of GOA groundfish from 1995 through 
1997 are exempt from GOA groundfish catcher vessel sideboard directed 
fishing closures.
    (iii) An AFA rebuilt catcher vessel will have the same sideboard 
exemptions, if any, as the vessel before rebuilding, irrespective of the 
length of the AFA rebuilt catcher vessel.
    (iv) An AFA replacement vessel for an AFA catcher vessel will have 
the same sideboard exemptions, if any, as the replaced AFA catcher 
vessel, irrespective of the length of the AFA replacement vessel, except 
that if the replacement vessel was already designated on an AFA permit 
as exempt from sideboard limits, the replacement vessel will maintain 
the exemption even if the replaced vessel was not exempt from sideboard 
limits.
    (3) How will groundfish sideboard limits be calculated? Except for 
Aleutian Islands pollock, the Regional Administrator will establish 
annual AFA catcher vessel harvest limits for each groundfish species or 
species group in which a TAC is specified for an area or subarea of the 
GOA and BSAI as follows:
    (i) BSAI groundfish other than Amendment 80 species. The AFA catcher 
vessel groundfish harvest limit for each BSAI groundfish species or 
species group other than BSAI Pacific cod will be equal to the aggregate 
retained catch of that groundfish species or species group from 1995 
through 1997 by all AFA catcher vessels; divided by the sum of the TACs 
available to catcher vessels for that species or species group from 1995 
through 1997; multiplied by the TAC available to catcher vessels in the 
year or season in which the harvest limit will be in effect.
    (ii) BSAI Pacific cod. The AFA catcher vessel groundfish harvest 
limit for BSAI Pacific cod will be equal to the retained catch of BSAI 
Pacific cod in 1997 by AFA catcher vessels not exempted under paragraph 
(b)(2)(i)(A) of this section divided by the BSAI Pacific cod TAC 
available to catcher vessels in 1997; multiplied by the BSAI Pacific cod 
TAC available to catcher vessels in the year or season in which the 
harvest limit will be in effect. This limit is in effect only for C 
season.
    (iii) Amendment 80 species other than Pacific cod. The AFA catcher 
vessel groundfish harvest limit for each Amendment 80 species other than 
BSAI

[[Page 818]]

Pacific cod will be equal to the aggregate retained catch of that 
Amendment 80 species from 1995 through 1997 by all AFA catcher vessels, 
divided by the sum of the TAC available to catcher vessels for that 
species or species group from 1995 through 1997, and multiplied by the 
remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of the CDQ reserve under 
Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) in the year or season in which the harvest 
limit will be in effect.
    (iv) GOA groundfish. The non-exempt AFA catcher vessels and the 
associated LLP licenses groundfish harvest limit for each GOA groundfish 
species or species group will be equal to the aggregate retained catch 
of that groundfish species or species group from 2009 through 2019 by 
AFA catcher vessels not exempted under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section; divided by the sum of the TACs of that species or species group 
available to catcher vessels from 2009 through 2019; multiplied by the 
TAC available to catcher vessels in the year or season in which the 
harvest limit will be in effect.
    (4) How will halibut and crab PSC limits be calculated?--(i) 
[Reserved]
    (ii) The non-exempt AFA catcher vessels and the associated LLP 
licenses PSC bycatch limit for halibut in the GOA will be an annual 
amount based on a static ratio of 0.072 derived from the aggregate 
retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA CVs in each PSC target 
category from 2009 through 2019.
    (5) How will catcher vessel sideboard limits be managed? (i) The 
Regional Administrator will manage groundfish harvest limits and PSC 
bycatch limits for AFA catcher vessels using directed fishing closures 
according to the procedures set out at Sec. Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv) and 
679.21(d)(7) and (e)(3)(v).
    (ii) Directed fishing for the BSAI groundfish that have sideboard 
limits listed in Table 55 of this part and the GOA groundfish that have 
sideboard limits listed in Table 56 of this part is prohibited.
    (6) Yellowfin sole sideboard limit exemption. AFA catcher vessels 
will not be subject to a harvest limit for yellowfin sole in the BSAI 
during a calendar year if the aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned 
to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector is 
greater than or equal to 125,000 metric tons.

[67 FR 79734, Dec. 30, 2002, as amended at 70 FR 9868, Mar. 1, 2005; 72 
FR 52725, Sept. 14, 2007; 72 FR 50818, Sept. 4, 2007; 73 FR 27770, May 
14, 2008; 79 FR 54602, Sept. 12, 2014; 81 FR 24733, Apr. 27, 2016; 84 FR 
2728, Feb. 8, 2019; 88 FR 53735, Aug. 8, 2023]



Sec. 679.65  Bering Sea Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management Program 
Economic Data Report (Chinook salmon EDR program).

    (a) Requirements. NMFS developed the regulations under this section 
to implement the Chinook salmon EDR program. Additional regulations that 
implement specific portions of the Chinook salmon EDR program are set 
out under paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section:
    (1) Daily fishing logbook (DFL), catcher vessel trawl gear. See 
Sec. 679.5(c)(4).
    (2) Electronic logbook (ELB), AFA and CDQ trawl catcher/processors. 
See Sec. 679.5(f) in combination with eLandings pursuant to Sec. 
679.5(e).
    (3) IPA Annual Report. See Sec. 679.21(f)(13).
    (4) AFA cooperative annual reporting requirement. See Sec. 
679.61(f)(2).
    (b) Chinook salmon PSC Compensated Transfer Report (CTR). (1) An 
owner or leaseholder of an AFA-permitted vessel and the representative 
of any entity that received an allocation of Chinook salmon PSC from 
NMFS must submit a CTR, Part 1, each calendar year, for the previous 
calendar year.
    (2) Any person who transferred Chinook salmon PSC allocation after 
January 20, and paid or received money for the transfer, must submit a 
completed CTR (Part 1 and Part 2) for the previous calendar year.
    (3) The CTR is available through the Internet on the NMFS Alaska 
Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting 
NMFS at (206) 526-6414.
    (4) Beginning in 2013, and each year thereafter, the completed CTR 
must be submitted electronically on or before 1700, A.l.t., on June 1, 
following the instructions on the form.
    (c) Vessel Fuel Survey. (1) An owner or leaseholder of an AFA-
permitted vessel must submit all completed Vessel Fuel Surveys for each 
vessel used to harvest

[[Page 819]]

pollock in the Bering Sea in a given year.
    (2) The Vessel Fuel Survey is available through the Internet on the 
NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by 
contacting NMFS at (206) 526-6414.
    (3) The owner or leaseholder annually must submit a completed Vessel 
Fuel Survey, electronically on or before 1700, A.l.t., on June 1, 2013, 
and each year thereafter, following the instructions on the form.
    (d) Vessel Master Survey. (1) For any AFA-permitted vessel used to 
harvest pollock in the Bering Sea in the previous year:
    (i) The vessel master must complete the Vessel Master Survey, and 
the Vessel Master certification following the instructions on the form.
    (ii) An owner or leaseholder must complete the Vessel owner 
certification following instructions on the form.
    (iii) An owner or leaseholder must submit all Vessel Master Surveys, 
and each Vessel owner certification electronically on or before 1700, 
A.l.t., on June 1, 2013, and each year thereafter, following the 
instructions on the form.
    (2) The Vessel Master Survey is available through the Internet on 
the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or 
by contacting NMFS at (206) 526-6414.
    (e) Chinook salmon EDR verification procedures. NMFS or the data 
collection agent (DCA) will conduct verification of Chinook salmon EDR 
information with the persons identified at Sec. 679.65(b)(1), (b)(2), 
(c)(1), (d)(1)(i), and (d)(1)(ii).
    (1) The persons identified at Sec. 679.65(b)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1), 
(d)(1)(i), and (d)(1)(ii) must respond to inquiries by NMFS and its DCA 
for purposes of the CTR, within 20 days of the date of issuance of the 
inquiry.
    (2) [Reserved].

[77 FR 5395, Feb. 3, 2012, as amended at 88 FR 7591, Feb. 6, 2023]



Sec. 679.66  AFA cost recovery.

    (a) Cost recovery fee program for AFA--(1) Who is responsible for 
submitting the fee? (i) The person designated on the AFA inshore 
cooperative permit as the designated representative at the time of a 
Bering Sea pollock landing.
    (ii) The person designated as the representative of the entity 
representing the AFA catcher/processor sector under Sec. 
679.21(f)(8)(i)(C) at the time of a Bering Sea pollock landing.
    (iii) The person designated as the representative of the AFA 
mothership cooperative at the time of a Bering Sea pollock landing.
    (2) Responsibility. (i) Subsequent transfer of AFA permits held by 
cooperative members does not affect the designated representative's 
liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (ii) Changes in the membership in a cooperative, such as members 
joining or departing during the relevant year, or changes in the 
holdings of AFA permits of those members do not affect the designated 
representative's liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (3) Fee collection. Each designated representative (as identified 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) is responsible for submitting 
the cost recovery payment for all Bering Sea pollock landings debited 
against the AFA cooperative's or AFA sector's AFA pollock fishery 
allocation.
    (4) Payment--(i) Payment due date. The designated representative (as 
identified under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) must submit all AFA 
fee payment(s) to NMFS at the address provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) 
of this section no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which 
the Bering Sea pollock landings were made.
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make electronic payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments must be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to each designated representative.
    (iv) Payment method. Payment must be made electronically in U.S. 
dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic check 
drawn on a U.S. bank account.

[[Page 820]]

    (b) AFA standard ex-vessel value determination and use--(1) General. 
A designated representative must use the AFA standard price determined 
by NMFS under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) AFA standard price--(i) General. Each year the Regional 
Administrator will publish the AFA standard price in the Federal 
Register by December 1 of the year in which the landings were made. The 
AFA standard price will be described in U.S. dollars per AFA pollock 
equivalent pound for Bering Sea pollock landings made by AFA cooperative 
or AFA sector members during the current calendar year.
    (ii) Effective duration. The AFA standard price published by NMFS 
shall apply to all Bering Sea pollock landings made by an AFA 
cooperative or AFA sector member during the current calendar year.
    (iii) Determination. NMFS will calculate the AFA standard price to 
reflect, as closely as possible, the standard price of Bering Sea 
pollock landings based on information provided in the COAR for the 
previous year, as described in Sec. 679.5(p). The Regional 
Administrator will base the AFA standard price on the following 
information:
    (A) Landed pounds of Bering Sea pollock;
    (B) Total ex-vessel value of Bering Sea pollock; and
    (C) Price adjustments, including retroactive payments.
    (c) AFA fee percentages--(1) Established percentages. The AFA fee 
percentages are the amounts as determined by the factors and methodology 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. These amounts will be 
announced by publication in the Federal Register in accordance with 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section. These amounts must not exceed 3.0 
percent pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).
    (2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS will calculate 
and publish AFA fee percentages for AFA inshore cooperatives, the AFA 
catcher/processor sector, and the AFA mothership cooperative according 
to the following factors and methodology:
    (i) Factors. NMFS will use the following factors to determine the 
fee percentages:
    (A) The catch to which the AFA pollock cost recovery fee will apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management, data collection, 
and enforcement of the AFA directed pollock fisheries.
    (ii) Methodology. NMFS will use the following equations to determine 
the AFA fee percentage: 100 x DPC/V, where:
    (A) DPC = the direct program costs for the directed AFA pollock 
fisheries for the most recent fiscal year (October 1 through September 
30) with any adjustments to the account from payments received in the 
previous year.
    (B) V = total of the standard ex-vessel value of the catch subject 
to the AFA fee liability for the current year.
    (iii) Direct program costs will be calculated separately for:
    (A) AFA inshore cooperatives;
    (B) The AFA catcher/processor sector; and
    (C) The AFA mothership cooperative.
    (3) Publication--(i) General. NMFS will calculate and announce the 
AFA fee percentages in a Federal Register notice by December 1 of the 
year in which the Bering Sea pollock landings were made. AFA fee 
percentages will be calculated separately for the AFA inshore 
cooperatives, the AFA catcher/processor sector, and the AFA mothership 
cooperative. NMFS will calculate the AFA fee percentages based on the 
calculations described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Effective period. NMFS will apply the calculated AFA fee 
percentages to all Bering Sea directed pollock landings made between 
January 1 and December 31 of the current year.
    (4) Applicable percentage. A designated representative must use the 
AFA fee percentage applicable at the time a Bering Sea directed pollock 
landing is debited from an AFA pollock fishery allocation to calculate 
the AFA fee liability for any retroactive payments for that landing.
    (5) Fee liability determination. (i) Each AFA inshore cooperative, 
the AFA mothership cooperative, and the AFA catcher/processor sector 
will be subject to an AFA fee liability for any Bering

[[Page 821]]

Sea pollock debited from its AFA pollock fishery allocation during a 
calendar year.
    (ii) The AFA fee liability assessed to an AFA inshore cooperative 
will be based on the proportion of the AFA fee liability of Bering Sea 
pollock debited from that AFA inshore cooperative's AFA pollock fishery 
allocation relative to all AFA inshore cooperatives during a calendar 
year as determined by NMFS.
    (iii) The AFA fee liability assessed to the AFA catcher/processor 
sector will be based on the standard ex-vessel value of Bering Sea 
pollock debited from the sector's AFA pollock fishery allocation during 
a calendar year as determined by NMFS.
    (iv) The AFA fee liability assessed to the AFA mothership 
cooperative will be based on the proportion of the standard ex-vessel 
value of Bering Sea pollock debited from the cooperative's AFA pollock 
fishery allocation during a calendar year as determined by NMFS.
    (v) NMFS will provide a fee liability summary letter to each 
designated representative by December 1 of each year. The summary will 
explain the AFA fee liability determination including the current fee 
percentage and details of Bering Sea pollock pounds debited from the AFA 
pollock fishery allocation by permit, species, date, and prices.
    (d) Underpayment of fee liability--(1) No AFA inshore cooperative 
will receive its AFA pollock fishery allocation until the cooperative's 
designated representative submits full payment of the cooperative's AFA 
fee liability.
    (2) The AFA mothership cooperative will not receive its AFA pollock 
fishery allocation until the cooperative's designated representative 
submits full payment of that cooperative's AFA fee liability.
    (3) The AFA catcher/processor sector will not receive its Bering Sea 
pollock allocation until the entity's designated representative defined 
at Sec. 679.21(f)(8)(i)(C) submits full payment of the AFA fee 
liability at the time of a Bering Sea pollock landing, except the 
Regional Administrator may release to the AFA catcher/processor sector a 
portion of the AFA catcher/processor sector's Bering Sea pollock 
allocation that is equal to the portion of the fee liability submitted 
by the entity's designated representative.
    (4) If the designated representative fails to submit full payment 
for the AFA fee liability by the date described in paragraph (a)(4) of 
this section, the Regional Administrator, at any time thereafter, may 
send an IAD to the designated representative stating that the estimated 
fee liability, based on the information submitted by the designated 
representative, is the AFA fee liability due from the designated 
representative.
    (5) If the designated representative fails to submit full payment 
for the AFA fee liability by the date described at paragraph (a)(4) of 
this section, the Regional Administrator will not issue a Bering Sea 
pollock allocation to that AFA cooperative or AFA sector for the 
following calendar year, except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section.
    (6) Upon final agency action determining that the designated 
representative has not submitted the AFA fee liability payment, the 
Regional Administrator may continue to not issue a Bering Sea pollock 
allocation for that AFA cooperative or AFA sector for any subsequent 
calendar years until NMFS receives the unpaid fees. If payment is not 
received by the 30th day after the final agency action, the agency may 
pursue collection of the unpaid fees.
    (e) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, payment 
submitted to NMFS in excess of the AFA fee liability determined to be 
due by the final agency action will be returned to the designated 
representative unless the designated representative requests the agency 
to credit the excess amount against a cooperative's or sector's future 
AFA fee liability.
    (f) Appeals. The designated representative who receives an IAD for 
incomplete payment of an AFA fee liability may appeal under the appeals 
procedures set out at 15 CFR part 906.
    (g) Annual report. Each year, NMFS will publish a report describing 
the AFA Cost Recovery Fee Program.

[81 FR 168, Jan. 5, 2016]

[[Page 822]]



Sec. 679.67  Aleutian Islands pollock cost recovery.

    (a) Cost recovery fee program for Aleutian Islands pollock--(1) 
Representative. The person identified as the representative, designated 
by the Aleut Corporation, at the time of an Aleutian Islands pollock 
landing is responsible for submitting all cost recovery fees.
    (2) Fee collection. The designated representative (as identified 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) is responsible for submitting 
the cost recovery payment for all Aleutian Islands pollock landings made 
under the authority of Aleut Corporation.
    (3) Payment--(i) Payment due date. The designated representative (as 
identified under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) must submit all cost 
recovery fee payment(s) to NMFS at the address provided in paragraph 
(a)(3)(iii) of this section no later than December 31 of the calendar 
year in which the Aleutian Islands pollock landings were made.
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make electronic payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments must be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the designated representative of the Aleut Corporation.
    (iv) Payment method. Payment must be made electronically in U.S. 
dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic check 
drawn on a U.S. bank account.
    (b) Aleutian Islands pollock standard ex-vessel value determination 
and use--(1) General. The designated representative of the Aleut 
Corporation must use the Aleutian Islands pollock standard price 
determined by NMFS under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Aleutian Islands pollock standard price--(i) General. Each year 
the Regional Administrator will publish the Aleutian Islands pollock 
standard price in the Federal Register by December 1 of the year in 
which the landings were made. The Aleutian Islands pollock standard 
price will be described in U.S. dollars per Aleutian Islands pollock 
equivalent pound for Aleutian Islands pollock landings during the 
current calendar year.
    (ii) Effective duration. The Aleutian Islands pollock standard price 
published by NMFS shall apply to all Aleutian Islands pollock landings 
during the current calendar year.
    (iii) Determination. NMFS will calculate the Aleutian Islands 
pollock standard price to reflect, as closely as possible, the standard 
price of Aleutian Islands pollock landings based on information provided 
in the COAR for the previous year, as described in Sec. 679.5(p). The 
Regional Administrator will base Aleutian Islands pollock standard price 
on the following information:
    (A) Landed pounds of Aleutian Islands pollock;
    (B) Total ex-vessel value of Aleutian Islands pollock; and
    (C) Price adjustments, including retroactive payments.
    (c) Aleutian Islands pollock fee percentage--(1) Established 
percentage. The Aleutian Islands pollock fee percentage is the amount as 
determined by the factors and methodology described in paragraph (c)(2) 
of this section. This amount will be announced by publication in the 
Federal Register in accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this section. 
This amount must not exceed 3.0 percent pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 
1854(d)(2)(B).
    (2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS will calculate 
and publish the fee percentage according to the following factors and 
methodology:
    (i) Factors. NMFS will use the following factors to determine the 
fee percentage:
    (A) The catch to which the Aleutian Islands pollock cost recovery 
fee will apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management, data collection, 
and enforcement of the Aleutian Islands directed pollock fishery.
    (ii) Methodology. NMFS will use the following equations to determine 
the fee percentage: 100 x DPC/V, where:
    (A) DPC = the direct program costs for the Aleutian Islands directed 
pollock fishery for the most recent fiscal

[[Page 823]]

year (October 1 through September 30) with any adjustments to the 
account from payments received in the previous year.
    (B) V = total of the standard ex-vessel value of the catch subject 
to the Aleutian Islands pollock fee liability for the current year.
    (3) Publication--(i) General. NMFS will calculate and announce the 
fee percentage in a Federal Register notice by December 1 of the year in 
which the Aleutian Islands pollock landings were made. NMFS will 
calculate the Aleutian Islands pollock fee percentage based on the 
calculations described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Effective period. NMFS will apply the calculated Aleutian 
Islands pollock fee percentage to all Aleutian Islands pollock landings 
made between January 1 and December 31 of the current year.
    (4) Applicable percentage. The designated representative must use 
the Aleutian Islands pollock fee percentage applicable at the time an 
Aleutian Islands pollock landing is debited from the Aleutian Islands 
directed pollock fishery allocation to calculate the Aleutian Islands 
pollock fee liability for any retroactive payments for that pollock.
    (5) Fee liability determination. (i) The Aleut Corporation will be 
subject to a fee for any Aleutian Islands pollock debited from the 
Aleutian Islands directed pollock fishery allocation during a calendar 
year.
    (ii) NMFS will provide a fee liability summary letter to the Aleut 
Corporation by December 1 of each year. The summary will explain the fee 
liability determination including the current fee percentage, and 
details of Aleutian Islands pollock pounds debited from the Aleutian 
Islands directed pollock fishery allocation by permit, species, date, 
and prices.
    (d) Underpayment of fee liability--(1) The Aleut Corporation will 
not receive its Aleutian Islands directed pollock fishery allocation 
until the Aleut Corporation's designated representative submits full 
payment of the Aleut Corporation's cost recovery fee liability.
    (2) If the Aleut Corporation's designated representative fails to 
submit full payment for Aleutian Islands pollock fee liability by the 
date described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the Regional 
Administrator may at any time thereafter send an IAD to the Aleut 
Corporation's designated representative stating that the estimated fee 
liability, based on the information submitted by the designated 
representative, is the Aleutian Islands pollock fee liability due from 
the Aleut Corporation.
    (3) If the Aleut Corporation's designated representative fails to 
submit full payment by the Aleutian Islands pollock fee liability 
payment deadline described at paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the 
Regional Administrator will not issue the Aleutian Islands directed 
pollock fishery allocation to the Aleut Corporation for that calendar 
year.
    (4) Upon final agency action determining that the Aleut Corporation 
has not paid its Aleutian Islands pollock fee liability, the Regional 
Administrator may continue to not issue the Aleutian Islands directed 
pollock fishery allocation for any subsequent calendar years until NMFS 
receives the unpaid fees. If payment is not received by the 30th day 
after the final agency action, the agency may pursue collection of the 
unpaid fees.
    (e) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, payment 
submitted to NMFS in excess of the Aleutian Islands pollock fee 
liability determined to be due by the final agency action will be 
returned to the Aleut Corporation unless its designated representative 
requests the agency to credit the excess amount against the 
cooperative's future Aleutian Islands pollock fee liability.
    (f) Appeals. A representative of the Aleut Corporation who receives 
an IAD for incomplete payment of an Aleutian Islands pollock fee may 
appeal under the appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR part 906.
    (g) Annual report. Each year, NMFS will publish a report describing 
the Aleutian Islands Pollock Cost Recovery Fee Program.

[81 FR 170, Jan. 5, 2016]

[[Page 824]]



                       Subpart G_Rockfish Program

    Source: 76 FR 81277, Dec. 27, 2011, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 679.80  Allocation and transfer of rockfish QS.

    Additional regulations that implement specific portions of the 
Rockfish Program are set out under: Sec. 679.2 Definitions, Sec. 679.4 
Permits, Sec. 679.5 Recordkeeping and reporting, Sec. 679.7 
Prohibitions, Sec. 679.20 General limitations, Sec. 679.21 Prohibited 
species bycatch management, Sec. 679.28 Equipment and operational 
requirements, and Sec. 679.50 Groundfish Observer Program.
    (a) Applicable areas and seasons--(1) Applicable areas. The Rockfish 
Program applies to Rockfish Program fisheries in the Central GOA 
Regulatory Area.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) Seasons. The following fishing seasons apply to fishing under 
this subpart subject to other provisions of this part:
    (i) Rockfish entry level longline fishery. Fishing by vessels 
participating in the rockfish entry level longline fishery is authorized 
from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 
15.
    (ii) Rockfish cooperative. Fishing by vessels participating in a 
rockfish cooperative is authorized from 1200 hours, A.l.t., May 1 
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 15.
    (b) Rockfish legal landings--(1) Eligible LLP licenses. NMFS will 
assign rockfish legal landings to an LLP license only if a vessel made 
those landings:
    (i) Under the authority of a permanent fully transferable LLP 
license endorsed for Central GOA groundfish with a trawl gear 
designation during the season dates for a rockfish primary species as 
established in Table 28a to this part;
    (ii) Under the authority of an interim LLP license endorsed for 
Central GOA groundfish with a trawl gear designation during the season 
dates for that rockfish primary species as established in Table 28a to 
this part; provided that:
    (A) NMFS has determined that an interim LLP license is ineligible to 
receive a designation as a permanent LLP license endorsed for Central 
GOA groundfish with a trawl gear designation; and
    (B) A permanent fully transferable LLP license endorsed for Central 
GOA groundfish with a trawl gear designation was assigned to the vessel 
that made legal rockfish landings under the authority of an interim LLP 
license endorsed for Central GOA groundfish prior to December 31, 2003, 
and was continuously assigned to that vessel through June 14, 2010; or
    (iii) Under the authority of a permanent fully transferable LLP 
license endorsed for Central GOA groundfish with a trawl gear 
designation during the season dates for the entry level trawl fishery in 
2007, 2008, or 2009 for a rockfish primary species as established in 
Table 28b to this part.
    (2) Assigning rockfish legal landings to an LLP license. (i) NMFS 
will assign rockfish legal landings to an LLP license only if the holder 
of the LLP license with those landings submits a timely application for 
Rockfish QS, in paragraph (d) of this section, that is approved by NMFS.
    (ii) NMFS will assign rockfish legal landings made under the 
authority of an interim LLP license that meets the requirements in 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, to the permanent fully 
transferable LLP license specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this 
section. NMFS will not assign any legal rockfish landings made under the 
authority of the permanent fully transferable LLP license specified in 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this section prior to the date that permanent 
fully transferable LLP license was assigned to the vessel that made 
legal rockfish landings under the authority of an interim LLP license 
specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section.
    (3) Rockfish landings assigned to the catcher/processor sector. A 
rockfish legal landing for a rockfish primary species is assigned to the 
catcher/processor sector if:
    (i) The rockfish legal landings of that rockfish primary species 
were harvested and processed onboard a vessel during the season dates 
for that rockfish primary species as established in Table 28a to this 
part; and
    (ii) The rockfish legal landings were made under the authority of an 
eligible LLP license that is endorsed for Central GOA groundfish 
fisheries with

[[Page 825]]

trawl gear with a catcher/processor designation.
    (4) Rockfish legal landings assigned to the catcher vessel sector. A 
rockfish legal landing for a rockfish primary species is assigned to the 
catcher vessel sector if:
    (i) The rockfish legal landings of that rockfish primary species 
were harvested and not processed onboard a vessel during the season 
dates for that rockfish primary species as established under Table 28a 
or 28b to this part; and
    (ii) The rockfish legal landings were made under the authority of an 
eligible LLP license that is endorsed for Central GOA groundfish 
fisheries with trawl gear.
    (c) Rockfish Program official record --(1) Use of the Rockfish 
Program official record. The Rockfish Program official record will 
contain information used by the Regional Administrator to determine:
    (i) The amount of rockfish legal landings assigned to an LLP 
license;
    (ii) The amount of rockfish QS resulting from rockfish legal 
landings assigned to an LLP license held by a rockfish eligible 
harvester;
    (iii) Rockfish sideboard ratios assigned to an LLP license;
    (iv) Eligibility to participate in the Rockfish Program and assign 
specific harvest privileges to Rockfish Program participants.
    (2) Presumption of correctness. The Rockfish Program official record 
is presumed to be correct. An applicant to participate in the Rockfish 
Program has the burden to prove otherwise. For the purposes of creating 
the Rockfish Program official record, the Regional Administrator will 
presume the following:
    (i) An LLP license has been used onboard the same vessel from which 
that LLP license was derived during the calendar years 2000 and 2001, 
unless clear and unambiguous written documentation is provided that 
establishes otherwise.
    (ii) If more than one person is claiming the same rockfish legal 
landing, then each LLP license for which the rockfish legal landing is 
being claimed will receive an equal division of credit for the landing 
unless the applicants can provide written documentation that establishes 
an alternative means for distributing the catch history to the LLP 
licenses.
    (3) Documentation. Only rockfish legal landings, as defined in Sec. 
679.2, shall be used to establish an allocation of rockfish QS.
    (4) Non-severability of rockfish legal landings. Rockfish legal 
landings are non-severable from the LLP license to which those rockfish 
legal landings are assigned according to the Rockfish Program official 
record.
    (d) Application for rockfish QS--(1) Submission of application for 
rockfish QS. A person who wishes to receive rockfish QS to participate 
in the Rockfish Program as a rockfish eligible harvester must submit a 
timely and complete Application for Rockfish Quota Share. This 
application may only be submitted to NMFS using the methods described on 
the application.
    (2) Forms. Forms are available through the Internet on the NMFS 
Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by 
contacting NMFS at (800) 304-4846, Option 2.
    (3) Deadline. (i) A completed Application for Rockfish Quota Share 
must be received by NMFS no later than 1700 hours, A.l.t., on January 
17, 2012, or if sent by U.S. mail, postmarked by that time. For 
applications delivered by hand delivery or carrier only, the receiving 
date of signature by NMFS staff is the date the application was 
received. If the application is submitted by facsimile, the receiving 
date of the application is the date stamped received by NMFS.
    (ii) Objective written evidence of timely application will be 
considered proof of a timely application.
    (4) Contents of application. A completed application must contain 
the information specified on the Application for Rockfish Quota Share 
identifying the applicant and LLP license numbers, with all applicable 
fields accurately filled-in and all required documentation attached.
    (i) Additional documentation. (A) Vessel names, ADF&G vessel 
registration numbers, and USCG documentation numbers of all vessels that 
fished under the authority of each LLP license, including dates when 
landings were made

[[Page 826]]

under the authority of an LLP license for 2000 and 2001;
    (B) Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is applying to participate 
in the Rockfish Program based on rockfish legal landings made during the 
rockfish entry level trawl fishery in 2007, 2008, or 2009; and,
    (C) For an applicant who holds an LLP license that made rockfish 
legal landings during the fishery seasons established in Table 28a to 
this part and during the entry level trawl fishery during 2007, 2008, or 
2009 established in Table 28b to this part, indicate whether you wish to 
receive rockfish QS based on rockfish legal landings during the fishery 
seasons established in Table 28a or Table 28b to this part.
    (ii) Exclusion from Rockfish Program for LLP licenses with rockfish 
legal landings. A person who holds an LLP license that made rockfish 
legal landings during the fishery seasons established in Table 28a to 
this part and during the entry level trawl fishery during 2007, 2008, or 
2009 established in Table 28b to this part may choose to be excluded 
from the Rockfish Program and not receive rockfish QS. A person must 
submit an Application for Rockfish QS affirming exclusion from the 
Rockfish Program and forgo all rockfish QS.
    (iii) Applicant signature and certification. The applicant must sign 
and date the application certifying that all information is true, 
correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. If 
the application is completed by a designated representative, then 
explicit authorization signed by the applicant must accompany the 
application.
    (5) Application evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate 
applications received as specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this section 
and compare all claims in an application with the information in the 
Rockfish Program official record. Application claims that are consistent 
with information in the Rockfish Program official record will be 
approved by the Regional Administrator. Application claims that are 
inconsistent with the Rockfish Program official record, unless verified 
by sufficient documentation, will not be approved. An applicant who 
submits inconsistent claims, or an applicant who fails to submit the 
information specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, will be 
provided a single 30-day evidentiary period to submit the specified 
information, submit evidence to verify his or her inconsistent claims, 
or submit a revised application with claims consistent with information 
in the Rockfish Program official record. An applicant who submits claims 
that are inconsistent with information in the Rockfish Program official 
record has the burden of proving that the submitted claims are correct. 
Any claims that remain inconsistent or that are not accepted after the 
30-day evidentiary period will be denied, and the applicant will be 
notified by an initial administrative determination (IAD) of his or her 
appeal rights under Sec. 679.43.
    (6) Appeals. If an applicant is notified by an IAD that claims made 
by the applicant have been denied, that applicant may appeal that IAD 
under the provisions in Sec. 679.43.
    (e) Assigning rockfish QS--(1) General. The Regional Administrator 
will assign rockfish QS only to a person who submits a timely 
application for rockfish QS that is approved by NMFS based on:
    (i) The amount of rockfish legal landings assigned to an LLP license 
as established in paragraph (e)(2) of this section; or
    (ii) The number of years during which a person made a rockfish legal 
landing to an entry level processor under the authority of an LLP 
license in the entry level trawl fishery during 2007, 2008, or 2009 as 
established in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (2) Calculation of rockfish QS allocation for LLP licenses. Based on 
the Rockfish Program official record, the Regional Administrator shall 
determine the initial allocation of rockfish QS for each rockfish 
primary species assigned to each LLP license indicated on a timely and 
complete Application for Rockfish QS that is approved by NMFS, and that 
qualifies for an allocation of QS based on rockfish legal landings from 
2000 to 2006 (and that is not assigned rockfish QS under the entry level 
trawl fishery transition allocation under the provisions in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section), according to the following procedure:

[[Page 827]]

    (i) Sum the rockfish legal landings for each rockfish primary 
species ``s'' for each eligible LLP license ``l'' for each year during 
the fishery seasons established in Table 28a to this part. For purposes 
of this calculation, the Regional Administrator will not assign any 
amount of rockfish legal landings to an LLP license that is assigned 
rockfish QS under the provisions in paragraph (e)(3) of this section. 
This yields the Rockfish Total Catch for each rockfish primary species 
for each year.
    (ii) For each rockfish primary species, sum the highest 5 years of 
Rockfish Total Catch for each eligible LLP license described under 
paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section. This yields the Highest 5 
Yearsls. This amount is equal to the number of rockfish QS 
units for that LLP license for that rockfish primary species.
    (iii) Sum the Highest 5 Yearsls in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) 
of this section of all eligible LLP licenses for each rockfish primary 
species. The result is the [sum]Highest 5 Yearsls (or All 
Highest 5 Yearss).
    (3) Calculation of rockfish QS allocation for LLP licenses that 
receive rockfish QS under the entry level trawl fishery transition 
allocation. Based on the Rockfish Program official record, the Regional 
Administrator shall determine the initial allocation of rockfish QS for 
each rockfish primary species assigned to each LLP license indicated on 
a timely and complete Application for Rockfish QS that is approved by 
NMFS, that qualifies for an allocation of QS based on rockfish legal 
landings from 2007, 2008, or 2009 under the entry level trawl fishery 
transition allocation (and that is not assigned rockfish QS under the 
provisions in paragraph (e)(2) of this section), according to the 
following procedure:
    (i) Assign one Rockfish Landing Unit to an LLP license for each year 
a rockfish legal landing of any rockfish primary species was made to an 
entry level processor under the authority of an LLP license during the 
season dates for the entry level trawl fishery in 2007, 2008, or 2009 as 
established in Table 28b to this part. This yields the Rockfish Landing 
Units.l For purposes of this calculation, the Regional 
Administrator will not assign any Rockfish Landing Units to an LLP 
license that is assigned rockfish QS under the provisions in paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Sum the Rockfish Landing Units of all eligible LLP licenses.
    (iii) Divide the Rockfish Landing Unitsl in paragraph 
(e)(3)(i) of this section for an LLP license by the sum of all Rockfish 
Landing Unitsl of all eligible LLP licenses in paragraph 
(e)(3)(ii) of this section. The result is the Percentage of the Total 
Entry Level Trawl Fishery Transition Rockfish QS Pooll as 
presented in the following equation:

Rockfish Landing Unitsl/[Sigma] Rockfish Landing 
Unitsl = Percentage of the Total Entry Level Trawl Fishery 
Transition Rockfish QS pooll.

    (iv) Determine the Total Entry Level Trawl Fishery Transition 
Rockfish QS pool for each rockfish primary species ``s'' as presented in 
the following equation:

([Sigma] All Highest 5 Yearss/0.975) -[Sigma] All Highest 5 
Yearss (as calculated in paragraph (e)(2)(iii) of this 
section) = Total Entry Level Trawl Fishery Transition Rockfish QS 
pools.

    (v) Multiply the Percentage of the Total Entry Level Trawl Fishery 
Transition Rockfish QS pool for each LLP license, as calculated in 
paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this section, by the Total Entry Level Trawl 
Fishery Transition Rockfish QS pool for each rockfish primary species, 
as calculated in paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this section. This yields the 
number of rockfish QS units for that LLP license for that rockfish 
primary species.
    (vi) All rockfish QS units calculated in paragraph (e)(3)(v) of this 
section are assigned to the catcher vessel sector.
    (4) Rockfish initial QS pool. The rockfish initial QS pool for each 
rockfish primary species, and for each sector, is equal to the sum of 
all QS units assigned to LLP licenses, and in each sector, as calculated 
under paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(3) of this section as of February 14, 
2012.
    (5) Non-severability of rockfish QS from an LLP license. Rockfish QS 
assigned to an LLP license is non-severable from

[[Page 828]]

that LLP license, except as provided for under Sec. 679.80(f)(2).
    (f) Transfer of rockfish QS--(1) Transfer of rockfish QS. A person 
may transfer an LLP license, and any rockfish QS assigned to that LLP 
license under the provisions in Sec. 679.4(k)(7), provided that the LLP 
license is not assigned rockfish QS in excess of the use cap specified 
in Sec. 679.82(a)(2) at the time of transfer.
    (2) Transfer of rockfish QS assigned to LLP licenses that exceeds 
rockfish QS use caps. (i) If an LLP license is assigned an initial 
allocation of aggregate rockfish QS that exceeds a use cap specified in 
Sec. 679.82(a)(2), the LLP license holder may transfer rockfish QS in 
excess of the use cap specified in Sec. 679.82(a)(2) separate from that 
LLP license and assign it to one or more LLP licenses. However, a 
transfer may not be approved by NMFS if that transfer would cause the 
receiving LLP license to exceed a use cap specified in Sec. 
679.82(a)(2).
    (ii) Prior to the transfer of an LLP license that is assigned an 
initial allocation of aggregate rockfish QS that exceeds a use cap 
specified in Sec. 679.82(a)(2), the LLP license holder must transfer 
the rockfish QS that is in excess of the use cap specified in Sec. 
679.82(a)(2), separate from that LLP license, and assign it to one or 
more LLP licenses under paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section. On 
completion of the transfer of QS, the LLP license that was initially 
allocated an amount of aggregate rockfish QS in excess of the use cap 
may not exceed the use cap specified in Sec. 679.82(a)(2).
    (iii) Any rockfish QS associated with the LLP license that is in 
excess of the use cap may be transferred only if Block C of the 
Application for Transfer License Limitation Program Groundfish/Crab 
License is filled out entirely.
    (iv) Rockfish QS may only be transferred to an LLP license that has 
been assigned rockfish QS with the same sector designation as the 
rockfish QS to be transferred.
    (v) Rockfish QS that is transferred from an LLP license that was 
initially allocated an amount of aggregate rockfish QS in excess of the 
use cap specified in Sec. 679.82(a)(2) and assigned to another LLP 
license may not be severed from the receiving LLP license.

[76 FR 81277, Dec. 27, 2011; 77 FR 38014, June 26, 2012, as amended at 
86 FR 11904, Mar. 1, 2021; 86 FR 14855, Mar. 19, 2021]



Sec. 679.81  Rockfish Program annual harvester privileges.

    (a) Sector and LLP license allocations of rockfish primary species--
(1) General. Each calendar year, the Regional Administrator will 
determine the tonnage of rockfish primary species that will be assigned 
to participants in a rockfish cooperative. This amount will be assigned 
to rockfish cooperatives as described in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (2) Calculation. (i) The amount of rockfish primary species ``s'' 
allocated to the Rockfish Program is calculated by deducting the 
incidental catch allowance the Regional Administrator determines is 
required on an annual basis in other non-target fisheries from the TAC. 
The remaining TAC for that rockfish primary species (TACs) is 
assigned for use by the rockfish entry level longline fishery and 
rockfish cooperatives.
    (ii) The allocation of TACs for each rockfish primary 
species to the rockfish entry level longline fishery is established in 
Table 28e to this part.
    (iii) The allocation of TACs to rockfish cooperatives is 
equal to the amount remaining after allocation to the rockfish entry 
level longline fishery (cooperative TACs).
    (b) Allocations of rockfish primary species CQ to rockfish 
cooperatives--(1) Rockfish primary species TACs assigned to 
the catcher/processor and catcher vessel sector. Cooperative 
TACs assigned for a rockfish primary species will be divided 
between the catcher/processor sector and the catcher vessel sector. Each 
sector will receive a percentage of cooperative TACs for each 
rockfish primary species equal to the sum of the rockfish QS units 
assigned to all LLP licenses that receive rockfish QS in that sector 
divided by the rockfish QS pool for that rockfish primary species. 
Expressed algebraically for each rockfish primary species ``s'' in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section:
    (i) Catcher/Processor Sector TACs = [(Cooperative 
TACs) x (Rockfish QS

[[Page 829]]

Units in the Catcher/Processor Sectors/Rockfish QS 
Pools)].
    (ii) Catcher Vessel Sector TACs = [(Cooperative 
TACs) x (Rockfish QS Units in the Catcher Vessel 
Sectors/Rockfish QS Pools)].
    (2) Allocations of rockfish primary species to rockfish 
cooperatives. TAC is assigned to each rockfish cooperative based on the 
rockfish QS assigned to that fishery in each sector according to the 
following procedures:
    (i) Catcher vessel sector rockfish cooperatives. The amount of 
TACs for each rockfish primary species assigned to a catcher 
vessel rockfish cooperative is equal to the amount of rockfish QS units 
assigned to that rockfish cooperative divided by the total rockfish QS 
assigned to rockfish cooperatives in the catcher vessel sector 
multiplied by the catcher vessel TACs. Once TACs 
for a rockfish primary species is assigned to a catcher vessel rockfish 
cooperative, it is issued as CQ specific to that rockfish cooperative. 
The amount of CQ for each rockfish primary species that is assigned to a 
rockfish cooperative is expressed algebraically as follows:

CQs = [(Catcher Vessel Sector TACs) x (Rockfish QS 
assigned to that rockfish cooperatives/Rockfish QS Units 
assigned to all rockfish cooperatives in the Catcher Vessel 
Sectors)].

    (ii) Catcher/processor sector rockfish cooperatives. The amount of 
TACs for each rockfish primary species assigned to a catcher/
processor rockfish cooperative is equal to the amount of rockfish QS 
units assigned to that rockfish cooperative divided by the sum of the 
rockfish QS units assigned to rockfish cooperatives in the catcher/
processor sector multiplied by the catcher/processor TACs. 
Once TAC for a rockfish primary species is assigned to a catcher/
processor rockfish cooperative, it is issued as CQ specific to that 
rockfish cooperative.
    The amount of CQ for each rockfish primary species that is assigned 
to a rockfish cooperative is expressed algebraically as follows:

CQ = [(Catcher/Processor Sector TACs) x (Rockfish QS Units 
assigned to that rockfish cooperative/Rockfish QS Units assigned to all 
rockfish cooperatives in the Catcher/Processor Sector)].

    (c) Allocations of rockfish secondary species CQ to rockfish 
cooperatives--(1) General. Each calendar year, the Regional 
Administrator will determine the tonnage of rockfish secondary species 
that may be assigned to the rockfish cooperatives as rockfish CQ. This 
amount will be assigned to the rockfish cooperatives in the catcher/
processor sector and the catcher vessel sector.
    (2) Amount of rockfish secondary species tonnage assigned. The 
amount of rockfish secondary species tonnage that may be assigned to the 
catcher/processor sector and the catcher vessel sector is specified in 
Table 28c to this part.
    (3) Assignment of rockfish secondary species. Rockfish secondary 
species will be assigned only to rockfish cooperatives.
    (4) Determining the amount of rockfish secondary species CQ assigned 
to a rockfish cooperative. The amount of CQ for each rockfish secondary 
species that is assigned to each rockfish cooperative is determined 
according to the following procedures:
    (i) CQ assigned to rockfish cooperatives in the catcher/processor 
sector. The CQ for a rockfish secondary species that is assigned to a 
catcher/processor rockfish cooperative is equal to the amount of that 
rockfish secondary species allocated to the catcher/processor sector in 
the Rockfish Program as specified in Table 28c to this part, multiplied 
by the sum of the rockfish QS units for all rockfish primary species 
assigned to that catcher/processor rockfish cooperative divided by the 
sum of the rockfish QS units assigned to rockfish cooperatives for all 
rockfish primary species in the catcher/processor sector. Expressed 
algebraically in the following equation:

CQ for that Secondary Species = Amount of that rockfish secondary 
          species allocated to the catcher/processor sector in the 
          Rockfish Program x ([Sigma] Rockfish QS units for all rockfish 
          primary species assigned to that rockfish cooperative/[Sigma] 
          Rockfish QS units for all rockfish primary species assigned to 
          all rockfish cooperatives in the catcher/processor sector).

    (ii) CQ assigned to rockfish cooperatives in the catcher vessel 
sector. The CQ for a

[[Page 830]]

rockfish secondary species that is assigned to a catcher vessel rockfish 
cooperative is equal to the amount of that rockfish secondary species 
allocated to the catcher vessel sector in the Rockfish Program as 
specified in Table 28c to this part, multiplied by the sum of the 
rockfish QS units for all rockfish primary species assigned to that 
catcher vessel rockfish cooperative divided by the sum of the rockfish 
QS units assigned to rockfish cooperatives for all rockfish primary 
species in the catcher vessel sector. Expressed algebraically in the 
following equation:

CQ for that Secondary Species = Amount of that rockfish secondary 
          species allocated to the catcher vessel sector in the Rockfish 
          Program x ([Sigma] Rockfish QS units for all rockfish primary 
          species assigned to that rockfish cooperative/[Sigma] Rockfish 
          QS units assigned to all rockfish cooperatives for all 
          rockfish primary species in the catcher vessel sector).

    (d) Allocations of rockfish halibut PSC CQ to rockfish 
cooperatives--(1) General. Each calendar year, the Regional 
Administrator will determine the tonnage of rockfish halibut PSC that 
will be assigned to the Rockfish Program. This amount will be allocated 
appropriately to the catcher/processor sector and the catcher vessel 
sector. The tonnage of rockfish halibut PSC assigned to a sector will be 
further assigned as CQ only to rockfish cooperative(s) within that 
sector.
    (2) Amount of halibut PSC that may be assigned. (i) The amount of 
halibut PSC that may be assigned to the catcher vessel and catcher/
processor sectors is specified in Table 28d to this part.
    (ii) The amount of halibut PSC that is not assigned to the catcher 
vessel and catcher/processor sectors as specified in Table 28d to this 
part will not be assigned for use as halibut PSC or as halibut IFQ.
    (3) Use of rockfish halibut PSC by a rockfish eligible harvester. 
(i) Rockfish halibut PSC assigned to a sector will be assigned only to 
rockfish cooperatives within that sector.
    (ii) Rockfish halibut PSC specified in Table 28d is not assigned to 
rockfish opt-out vessels.
    (iii) Rockfish halibut PSC specified in Table 28d is not assigned to 
the rockfish entry level longline fishery.
    (4) Determining the amount of rockfish halibut PSC CQ assigned to a 
rockfish cooperative. The amount of rockfish halibut PSC CQ that is 
assigned to each rockfish cooperative is determined according to the 
following procedures:
    (i) CQ assigned to rockfish cooperatives in the catcher/processor 
sector. The CQ for halibut PSC that is assigned to a catcher/processor 
rockfish cooperative is equal to the amount of halibut PSC allocated to 
the catcher/processor sector in the Rockfish Program as specified in 
Table 28d to this part, multiplied by the sum of the rockfish QS units 
for all rockfish primary species assigned to that catcher/processor 
rockfish cooperative divided by the sum of the rockfish QS units 
assigned to rockfish cooperatives for all rockfish primary species in 
the catcher/processor sector. This is expressed algebraically in the 
following equation:

CQ for rockfish halibut PSC = Amount halibut PSC allocated to the 
          catcher/processor sector in the Rockfish Program x ([Sigma] 
          Rockfish QS units assigned to that rockfish cooperative/
          [Sigma] Rockfish QS units assigned to all rockfish 
          cooperatives in the catcher/processor sector).

    (ii) CQ assigned to rockfish cooperatives in the catcher vessel 
sector. The CQ for halibut PSC that is assigned to a catcher vessel 
rockfish cooperative is equal to the amount of halibut PSC allocated to 
the catcher vessel sector in the Rockfish Program as specified in Table 
28d to this part, multiplied by the sum of the rockfish QS units for all 
rockfish primary species assigned to that catcher vessel rockfish 
cooperative divided by the sum of the rockfish QS units assigned to 
rockfish cooperatives for all rockfish primary species in the catcher 
vessel sector. This is expressed algebraically in the following 
equation:

CQ for rockfish halibut PSC = Amount halibut PSC allocated to the 
          catcher vessel sector in the Rockfish Program x ([Sigma] 
          Rockfish QS units assigned to that rockfish cooperative/
          [Sigma] Rockfish QS units assigned to all rockfish 
          cooperatives in the catcher vessel sector).

    (e) Assigning rockfish QS to a rockfish cooperative--(1) General. 
Each calendar year, a person that is participating in the Rockfish 
Program may assign an

[[Page 831]]

LLP license and the rockfish QS assigned to that LLP license to a 
Rockfish cooperative. A rockfish eligible harvester assigns rockfish QS 
to a rockfish cooperative on a complete application for CQ that is 
approved by NMFS and that meets the requirements of paragraph (f) of 
this section.
    (i) An LLP license and rockfish QS may be assigned to a catcher 
vessel cooperative if that rockfish QS is derived from legal rockfish 
landings assigned to the catcher vessel sector.
    (ii) An LLP license and rockfish QS may be assigned to a catcher/
processor cooperative if that rockfish QS is derived from rockfish legal 
landings assigned to the catcher/processor sector.
    (2) Catcher/Processor opt-out. Each calendar year, a person holding 
an LLP license assigned rockfish QS in the catcher/processor sector may 
opt-out of participating in a rockfish cooperative. NMFS will presume a 
person has opted-out of participating in a rockfish cooperative if that 
person and LLP license with rockfish QS is not named on a timely 
submitted Annual Application for Cooperative Fishing Quota. A person may 
not assign an LLP license assigned rockfish QS in the catcher/processor 
sector to both a rockfish cooperative and opt-out of participating in a 
rockfish cooperative.
    (f) Annual Application for the Rockfish Program--(1) Application for 
Rockfish Cooperative Fishing Quota (CQ). If a designated rockfish 
cooperative representative submits a complete and timely application 
that is approved by NMFS, the cooperative will receive a CQ permit. The 
CQ permit will list the amount of CQ, by rockfish primary species, 
rockfish secondary species, and halibut PSC held by the rockfish 
cooperative, the members of the rockfish cooperative, LLP licenses 
assigned to that rockfish cooperative, and the vessels that are 
authorized to harvest fish under that CQ permit. This application may 
only be submitted to NMFS using the methods described on the 
application.
    (2) Application forms. Application forms are available on the NMFS 
Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by 
contacting NMFS at (800) 304-4846, Option 2.
    (3) Deadline. (i) A completed application must be received by NMFS 
no later than 1700 hours, A.l.t., on March 15, 2012, for the first year 
of the program and March 1 for all subsequent years, or if sent by U.S. 
mail, the application must be postmarked by that time. For applications 
delivered by hand delivery or carrier only, the receiving date of 
signature by NMFS staff is the date the application was received. If the 
application is submitted by facsimile, the receiving date of the 
application is the date stamped received by NMFS.
    (ii) Objective written evidence of timely application will be 
considered as proof of a timely application.
    (4) Contents of the Application. A completed application must 
contain the information specified on the Application for Rockfish 
Cooperative Fishing Quota identifying the rockfish cooperative, members 
of the cooperative, and processor associate of a catcher vessel rockfish 
cooperative, with all applicable fields accurately filled-in and all 
required documentation attached.
    (i) Additional documentation. For the cooperative application to be 
considered complete, the following documents must be attached to the 
application:
    (A) A copy of the business license issued by the state in which the 
rockfish cooperative is registered as a business entity;
    (B) A copy of the articles of incorporation or partnership agreement 
of the rockfish cooperative;
    (C) Provide the names of all persons, to the individual level, 
holding an ownership interest in the LLP license and the percentage 
ownership each person and individual holds in the LLP license;
    (D) A copy of the rockfish cooperative agreement signed by the 
members of the rockfish cooperative (if different from the articles of 
incorporation or partnership agreement of the rockfish cooperative) that 
includes terms that specify that:
    (1) Rockfish QS holders affiliated with rockfish processors cannot 
participate in price setting negotiations except as permitted by general 
antitrust law;

[[Page 832]]

    (2) The rockfish cooperative must establish a monitoring program 
sufficient to ensure compliance with the Rockfish Program;
    (3) [Reserved]
    (4) Terms and conditions to specify the obligations of rockfish QS 
holders who are members of the rockfish cooperative to ensure the full 
payment of rockfish cost recovery fees that may be due.
    (ii) Applicant signature and certification. The applicant, including 
the processor associate of the rockfish cooperative, must sign and date 
the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. If the 
application is completed by a designated representative, then explicit 
authorization signed by the applicant must accompany the application.
    (5) Issuance of CQ. NMFS will not issue a CQ permit if an 
application is not complete and approved by NMFS. Issuance by NMFS of a 
CQ permit is not a determination that the rockfish cooperative is formed 
or is operating in compliance with antitrust law.
    (6) LLP licenses and rockfish QS not designated on a timely and 
complete application for rockfish CQ. NMFS will prohibit any LLP 
licenses with rockfish QS assigned to that LLP license from fishing in 
the directed rockfish primary fisheries in the Central GOA for a 
calendar year if that LLP license is not designated on a timely and 
complete application for CQ for that calendar year that is approved by 
NMFS. Rockfish sideboard provisions described in Sec. 679.82 shall 
apply to that LLP license, as applicable.
    (g) Application for inter-cooperative transfer of cooperative quota 
(CQ)--(1) Completed application. NMFS will process an application for 
inter-cooperative transfer of CQ provided that an electronic online 
transfer application is completed by the transferor and transferee, with 
all applicable fields accurately filled-in.
    (2) Certification of transferor. (i) The transferor's designated 
representative must log into NMFS' online system and create a transfer 
request as indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferor's 
NMFS ID, password, and Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, 
the designated representative certifies that all information is true, 
correct, and complete.
    (ii) The transferee's designated representative must log into the 
online system and accept the transfer request. By using the transferee's 
NMFS ID, password, and Transfer Key, the designated representative 
certifies that all information is true, correct, and complete.
    (h) Maximum retainable amount (MRA) limits--(1) Rockfish 
cooperative. A vessel assigned to a rockfish cooperative and fishing 
under a CQ permit may harvest groundfish species not allocated as CQ up 
to the amounts of the MRAs for those species as established in Table 30 
to this part.
    (2) Opt-out vessels. A rockfish eligible harvester who opted-out of 
participating in a rockfish cooperative is subject to MRAs for rockfish 
primary species and rockfish secondary species as established in Table 
10 to this part.
    (3) Rockfish entry level longline fishery. A person directed fishing 
in the rockfish entry level longline fishery may harvest groundfish 
species other than rockfish primary species up to amounts of the MRAs 
for those species as established in Table 10 to this part.
    (4) Maximum retainable amount (MRA) calculation and limits--catcher 
vessels. (i) The MRA for groundfish species not allocated as CQ 
(incidental catch species) for vessels fishing under the authority of a 
CQ permit is calculated as a proportion of the total allocated rockfish 
primary species and rockfish secondary species on board the vessel in 
round weight equivalents using the retainable percentage in Table 30 to 
this part; except that--
    (ii) Once the amount of shortraker rockfish harvested in the catcher 
vessel sector is equal to 9.72 percent of the shortraker rockfish TAC in 
the Central GOA regulatory area, then shortraker rockfish may not be 
retained by any participant in the catcher vessel sector while fishing 
under the authority of a CQ permit.
    (5) Maximum retainable amount (MRA) calculation and limits--catcher/
processor vessels. The MRA for groundfish species not allocated as CQ 
(incidental catch species) for vessels fishing under the

[[Page 833]]

authority of a CQ permit is calculated as a proportion of the total 
allocated rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species on 
board the vessel in round weight equivalents using the retainable 
percentage in Table 30 to this part as determined under Sec. 
679.20(e)(3)(iv).
    (i) Rockfish cooperative--(1) General. This section governs the 
formation and operation of rockfish cooperatives. The regulations in 
this section apply only to rockfish cooperatives that have formed for 
the purpose of fishing with CQ issued annually by NMFS.
    (i) Members of rockfish cooperatives should consult legal counsel 
before commencing any activity if the members are uncertain about the 
legality under the antitrust laws of the rockfish cooperative's proposed 
conduct.
    (ii) Membership in a rockfish cooperative is voluntary. No person 
may be required to join a rockfish cooperative.
    (iii) Members may leave a rockfish cooperative, but any CQ 
contributed by the rockfish QS held by that member remains assigned to 
that rockfish cooperative for the remainder of the calendar year.
    (iv) An LLP license or vessel that has been assigned to a rockfish 
cooperative and that leaves the rockfish cooperative continues to be 
subject to the sideboard provisions established for that rockfish 
cooperative under Sec. 679.82(d) and (e), as applicable, for that 
calendar year.
    (v) If a person becomes the holder of an LLP license that had been 
previously assigned to a rockfish cooperative, then that person may join 
that rockfish cooperative upon receipt of that LLP license, but may not 
assign that LLP license to another rockfish cooperative during that 
calendar year.
    (2) Legal and organizational requirements. A rockfish cooperative 
must meet the following legal and organizational requirements before it 
is eligible to receive CQ:
    (i) Each rockfish cooperative must be formed as a partnership, 
corporation, or other legal business entity that is registered under the 
laws of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia;
    (ii) Each rockfish cooperative must appoint an individual as 
designated representative to act on the rockfish cooperative's behalf 
and serve as contact point for NMFS for questions regarding the 
operation of the rockfish cooperative. The designated representative 
must be an individual, and may be a member of the rockfish cooperative, 
or some other individual designated by the rockfish cooperative;
    (iii) Each rockfish cooperative must submit a complete and timely 
application for CQ.
    (3) General requirements. The following table describes the 
requirements to form a rockfish cooperative in the catcher vessel or 
catcher/processor sector.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Catcher vessel       Catcher/processor
         Requirement                 sector                sector
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Who may join a rockfish   Only persons who hold rockfish QS may join
 cooperative?.                 a rockfish cooperative.
(ii) What is the minimum      No minimum requirement.
 number of LLP licenses that
 must be assigned to form a
 rockfish cooperative?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) Is an association with  Yes, a rockfish QS    No.
 a rockfish processor          holder may only be
 required?                     a member of a
                               rockfish
                               cooperative formed
                               in association with
                               a rockfish
                               processor. The
                               rockfish
                               cooperative may not
                               receive rockfish CQ
                               unless a shoreside
                               processor eligible
                               to receive rockfish
                               CQ has indicated
                               that it may be
                               willing to receive
                               rockfish CQ from
                               that cooperative in
                               the application for
                               CQ, as described
                               under Sec.
                               679.81, that is
                               submitted by that
                               cooperative.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) Is a rockfish            No..................  N/A.
 cooperative member required
 to deliver catch to the
 rockfish processor with
 whom the rockfish
 cooperative is associated?
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 834]]

 
(v) Is there a minimum        No..................  No.
 amount of rockfish QS that
 must be assigned to a
 rockfish cooperative for it
 to be allowed to form?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) What is allocated to     CQ for rockfish primary species, rockfish
 the rockfish cooperative?     secondary species, and rockfish halibut
                               PSC, based on the rockfish QS assigned to
                               all of the LLP licenses that are assigned
                               to the cooperative.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vii) Is this CQ an           Yes, the members of the rockfish
 exclusive harvest             cooperative have an exclusive harvest
 privilege?.                   privilege to collectively catch this CQ,
                               or a cooperative may transfer all or a
                               portion of this CQ to another rockfish
                               cooperative.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(viii) Is there a season      Yes, any vessel designated to catch CQ for
 during which designated       a rockfish cooperative is limited to
 vessels may catch CQ?         catching CQ during the season beginning
                               on 1200 hours, A.l.t., on May 1 through
                               1200 hours, A.l.t., on November 15.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ix) Can any vessel catch a   No, only vessels that are named on the
 rockfish cooperative's CQ?    application for CQ for that rockfish
                               cooperative may catch the CQ assigned to
                               that rockfish cooperative. A vessel may
                               be assigned to only one rockfish
                               cooperative in a calendar year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) Can a member of a         No, only the rockfish cooperative's
 rockfish cooperative          designated representative, and not
 transfer CQ individually to   individual members, may transfer its CQ
 another rockfish              to another rockfish cooperative. Any such
 cooperative without the       transfer must be approved by NMFS as
 approval of the other         established under paragraph (i)(4)(ii) of
 members of the rockfish       this section.
 cooperative?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xi) Can a rockfish           N/A.................  No, a sideboard
 cooperative in the catcher/                         limit assigned to a
 processor sector transfer                           rockfish
 its sideboard limit?                                cooperative in the
                                                     catcher/processor
                                                     sector is a limit
                                                     applicable to a
                                                     specific rockfish
                                                     cooperative, and
                                                     may not be
                                                     transferred between
                                                     rockfish
                                                     cooperatives.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xii) Is there a hired        No, there is no hired master requirement.
 master requirement?.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xiii) Can an LLP license be  No, an LLP license may only be assigned to
 assigned to more than one     one rockfish cooperative in a calendar
 rockfish cooperative in a     year. A person holding multiple LLP
 calendar year?                licenses with associated rockfish QS may
                               assign different LLP licenses to
                               different rockfish cooperatives subject
                               to any other restrictions that may apply.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xiv) Can a rockfish          Yes.................  N/A.
 processor be associated
 with more than one rockfish
 cooperative?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xv) Can an LLP license be    N/A.................  No, each calendar
 assigned to a rockfish                              year an LLP license
 cooperative and opt-out of                          must either be
 participating in a rockfish                         assigned to a
 cooperative?                                        rockfish
                                                     cooperative or opt-
                                                     out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xvi) Which members may       That is determined by the rockfish
 harvest the rockfish          cooperative contract signed by its
 cooperative's CQ?             members. Any violations of this contract
                               by one cooperative member may be subject
                               to civil claims by other members of the
                               rockfish cooperative.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xvii) Does a rockfish        Yes, a rockfish cooperative must have a
 cooperative need a            membership agreement or contract that
 contract?                     specifies how the rockfish cooperative
                               intends to harvest its CQ. A copy of this
                               agreement or contract must be submitted
                               to NMFS with the cooperative's
                               application for CQ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xviii) What happens if the   A rockfish cooperative is not authorized
 rockfish cooperative          to catch fish in excess of its CQ and
 exceeds its CQ amount?        must not exceed its CQ amount at the end
                               of the calendar year. Exceeding a CQ is a
                               violation of the Rockfish Program
                               regulations. Each member of the rockfish
                               cooperative is jointly and severally
                               liable for any violations of the Rockfish
                               Program regulations while fishing under
                               authority of a CQ permit. This liability
                               extends to any persons who are hired to
                               catch or receive CQ assigned to a
                               rockfish cooperative. Each member of a
                               rockfish cooperative is responsible for
                               ensuring that all members of the rockfish
                               cooperative comply with all regulations
                               applicable to fishing under the Rockfish
                               Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xix) Is there a limit on     Yes, see Sec. 679.82(a) for the
 how much CQ a rockfish        provisions that apply.
 cooperative may hold or
 use?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xx) Is there a limit on how  Yes, see Sec. 679.82(a) for the
 much CQ a vessel may          provisions that apply.
 harvest?
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 835]]

 
(xxi) Is there a requirement  Yes, see Sec. 679.85 for the provisions
 that a rockfish cooperative   that apply.
 pay rockfish cost recovery
 fees?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xxii) When does catch count  Any vessel fishing checked-in (and
 against my CQ permit?         therefore fishing under the authority of
                               a CQ permit must count any catch of
                               rockfish primary species, rockfish
                               secondary species, or rockfish halibut
                               PSC against that rockfish cooperative's
                               CQ from May 1 until November 15, or until
                               the effective date of a rockfish
                               cooperative termination of fishing
                               declaration that has been approved by
                               NMFS).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xxiii) If my vessel is       No. If you are fishing in a directed
 checked-out and fishing in    flatfish fishery and checked-out of the
 a directed flatfish fishery   Rockfish Program fisheries, you are not
 in the Central GOA and I      fishing under the authority of a CQ
 catch groundfish and          permit. Groundfish harvests would not be
 halibut PSC, does that        debited against the rockfish
 count against the rockfish    cooperative's CQ permit. In this case,
 cooperative's CQ?             any catch of halibut would be attributed
                               to the halibut PSC limit for that
                               directed target fishery and gear type and
                               any applicable sideboard limit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xxiv) Can my rockfish        The rockfish cooperatives formed under the
 cooperative negotiate         Rockfish Program are intended to conduct
 prices for me?                and coordinate harvest activities for
                               their members. Rockfish cooperatives
                               formed under the Rockfish Program are
                               subject to existing antitrust laws.
                               Collective price negotiation by a
                               rockfish cooperative must be conducted in
                               accordance with existing antitrust laws.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Additional requirements--(i) Restrictions on fishing CQ assigned 
to a rockfish cooperative. A person fishing CQ assigned to a rockfish 
cooperative must maintain a copy of the CQ permit onboard any vessel 
that is being used to harvest any rockfish primary species, or rockfish 
secondary species, or that uses any rockfish halibut PSC CQ.
    (ii) Transfer of CQ between rockfish cooperatives. Rockfish 
cooperatives may transfer CQ during a calendar year with the following 
restrictions:
    (A) A rockfish cooperative may only transfer CQ to another rockfish 
cooperative;
    (B) A rockfish cooperative may only receive CQ from another rockfish 
cooperative;
    (C) A rockfish cooperative may transfer or receive rockfish CQ only 
if that cooperative has been assigned at least two LLP licenses with 
rockfish QS assigned to those LLP licenses;
    (D) A rockfish cooperative in the catcher vessel sector may not 
transfer any CQ to a rockfish cooperative in the catcher/processor 
sector;
    (E) A rockfish cooperative in the catcher/processor sector may not 
transfer any rougheye rockfish CQ or shortraker rockfish CQ to a 
rockfish cooperative in the catcher vessel sector.
    (F) A rockfish cooperative receiving rockfish primary species CQ by 
transfer must assign that rockfish primary species CQ to a member(s) of 
the rockfish cooperative for the purposes of applying the use caps 
established under Sec. 679.82(a). NMFS will not approve a transfer if 
that member would exceed the use cap as a result of the transfer. 
Rockfish secondary species or halibut PSC CQ is not assigned to a 
specific member of a rockfish cooperative;
    (G) A rockfish cooperative in the catcher/processor sector may not 
transfer any sideboard limit assigned to it; and
    (H) After November 15 of the year for which the CQ permit is issued, 
or upon approval of a rockfish cooperative termination of fishing 
declaration described in Sec. 679.4(n)(2):
    (1) A cooperative may only use rockfish primary species and rockfish 
secondary species CQ for transfer;
    (2) A cooperative may not transfer halibut PSC CQ;
    (5) Use of CQ. (i) A rockfish cooperative in the catcher vessel 
sector may not use a rockfish primary species CQ in excess of the 
amounts specified in Sec. 679.82(a).
    (ii) For purposes of CQ use cap calculation, the total amount of CQ 
held or used by a person is equal to all tons of CQ derived from the 
rockfish QS held by that person and assigned to the rockfish cooperative 
and all tons of CQ assigned to that person by the rockfish cooperative 
from approved transfers.
    (iii) The amount of rockfish QS held by a person, and CQ derived 
from that rockfish QS is calculated using the individual and collective 
use cap rule established in Sec. 679.82(a).

[[Page 836]]

    (6) Successors-in-interest. If a member of a rockfish cooperative 
dies (in the case of an individual) or dissolves (in the case of a 
business entity), the LLP license(s) and associated rockfish QS held by 
that person will be transferred to the legal successor-in-interest under 
the procedures described in Sec. 679.4(k)(6)(iv)(A). However, the CQ 
derived from that rockfish QS and assigned to the rockfish cooperative 
for that year from that person remains under the control of the rockfish 
cooperative for the duration of that calendar year. Each rockfish 
cooperative is free to establish its own internal procedures for 
admitting a successor-in-interest during the fishing season to reflect 
the transfer of an LLP license and associated rockfish QS.
    (j) Reallocations. Annual reallocation of Central Gulf of Alaska 
rockfish species--
    (1) Pacific cod. After the Rockfish Program fisheries close on 
November 15, the Regional Administrator may reallocate any unused amount 
of Pacific cod from the Rockfish Program to other sectors through 
notification in the Federal Register consistent with regulations at 
Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii).
    (2) Rockfish ICAs--(i) General. The Regional Administrator may 
reallocate a portion of a Central GOA rockfish ICAs to rockfish 
cooperatives if the amounts assigned to the Central GOA rockfish ICAs 
are projected not to be harvested or used. The timing of a reallocation 
will be at the discretion of the Regional Administrator.
    (ii) Reallocation of Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish ICA species. 
If, during a fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines that a 
reallocation of a portion of the ICAs of Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish 
species to rockfish cooperatives is appropriate, the Regional 
Administrator will issue a revised CQ permit to reallocate that amount 
of Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish species to rockfish cooperatives 
according to the following:
    (A) Catcher vessel rockfish cooperatives will be given priority for 
reallocation; and
    (B) The amount of additional CQ issued to each rockfish cooperative 
= Amount of Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish species available for 
reallocation to rockfish cooperatives x (Amount of CQ for that Central 
Gulf of Alaska rockfish species initially assigned to that rockfish 
cooperative/[Sigma] CQ for that Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish species 
initially assigned to all rockfish cooperatives in the respective 
sector).

[76 FR 81277, Dec. 27, 2011; 77 FR 2478, Jan. 18, 2012, as amended at 80 
FR 80703, Dec. 28, 2015; 86 FR 11904, Mar. 1, 2021]



Sec. 679.82  Rockfish Program use caps and sideboard limits.

    (a) Use caps--(1) General. (i) Use caps limit the amount of rockfish 
QS that may be held or used by a rockfish eligible harvester and the 
amount of CQ that may be held or used by a rockfish cooperative, 
harvested by a vessel, or received or processed by a rockfish processor.
    (ii) Use caps do not apply to halibut PSC CQ.
    (iii) Use caps may not be exceeded unless the entity subject to the 
use cap is specifically allowed to exceed a cap according to the 
criteria established under this paragraph (a), or by an operation of 
law.
    (iv) All rockfish QS use caps are based on the aggregate rockfish 
primary species initial rockfish QS pool established by NMFS in Table 29 
to this part.
    (v) Sablefish and Pacific cod CQ processing use caps are based on 
the amount of CQ assigned to the catcher vessel sector during a calendar 
year.
    (vi) Any transfer of reallocated rockfish ICA (as authorized under 
Sec. 679.81(j)(2)) or catcher/processor CQ to a catcher vessel 
cooperative does not apply to catcher vessel ownership, cooperative, 
harvester CQ, or shoreside processor CQ use caps.
    (2) Rockfish QS use cap. A person may not individually or 
collectively hold or use more than:
    (i) Four (4.0) percent of the aggregate rockfish primary species QS 
initially assigned to the catcher vessel sector and resulting CQ unless 
that rockfish eligible harvester qualifies for an exemption to this use 
cap under paragraph (a)(6) of this section;
    (ii) Forty (40.0) percent of the aggregate rockfish primary species 
QS initially assigned to the catcher/processor

[[Page 837]]

sector and resulting CQ unless that rockfish eligible harvester 
qualifies for an exemption to this use cap under paragraph (a)(6) of 
this section.
    (3) Catcher vessel cooperative rockfish CQ use cap. A catcher vessel 
rockfish cooperative may not hold or use an amount of rockfish primary 
species CQ during a calendar year that is greater than an amount 
resulting from 30.0 percent of the aggregate rockfish primary species QS 
initially assigned to the catcher vessel sector.
    (4) Vessel use cap. (i) A catcher vessel may not harvest an amount 
of rockfish primary species CQ greater than 8.0 percent of the aggregate 
rockfish primary species CQ issued to the catcher vessel sector during a 
calendar year.
    (ii) A catcher/processor vessel may not harvest an amount of 
rockfish primary species CQ greater than 60.0 percent of the aggregate 
rockfish primary species CQ issued to the catcher/processor sector 
during a calendar year.
    (5) Use cap for rockfish processors. (i) A rockfish processor may 
not receive or process an amount of rockfish primary species harvested 
with CQ assigned to the catcher vessel sector greater than 30.0 percent 
of the aggregate rockfish primary species CQ assigned to the catcher 
vessel sector during a calendar year.
    (ii) A rockfish processor may not receive or process an amount of 
Pacific cod harvested with CQ assigned to the catcher vessel sector 
greater than 30.0 percent of Pacific cod CQ issued to the catcher vessel 
sector during a calendar year.
    (iii) A rockfish processor may not receive or process an amount of 
sablefish harvested with CQ assigned to the catcher vessel sector 
greater than 30.0 percent of sablefish CQ issued to the catcher vessel 
sector during a calendar year.
    (iv) The amount of aggregate rockfish primary species, Pacific cod, 
or sablefish CQ assigned to the catcher vessel sector that is received 
by a rockfish processor is calculated based on the sum of all landings 
made with CQ received or processed by that rockfish processor and the CQ 
received or processed by any person affiliated with that rockfish 
processor as that term is defined in Sec. 679.2.
    (6) Use cap exemptions--(i) Rockfish QS. A rockfish QS holder may 
receive an initial allocation of aggregate rockfish QS in excess of the 
use cap in that sector only if that rockfish QS is assigned to LLP 
license(s) held by that rockfish eligible harvester prior to June 14, 
2010, and continuously through the time of application for rockfish QS.
    (ii) Transfer limitations. A rockfish eligible harvester that 
receives an initial allocation of aggregate rockfish QS that exceeds the 
use cap listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall not receive any 
rockfish QS by transfer (except by operation of law) unless and until 
that harvester's holdings of aggregate rockfish QS in that sector are 
reduced to an amount below the use cap specified in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section.
    (b) Opt-out. Any vessel named on an LLP license that is not named on 
an approved Annual Application for Cooperative Fishing Quota, may not 
fish with any vessel named on the opted-out LLP license during that 
fishing year in any directed fishery for any rockfish primary species in 
the Central GOA and waters adjacent to the Central GOA when the rockfish 
primary species caught by that vessel is deducted from the Federal TAC 
specified under Sec. 679.20.
    (c) Sideboard limitations--General. The regulations in this section 
restrict the vessels and holders of LLP licenses with rockfish legal 
landings that could generate rockfish QS from using the increased 
flexibility provided by the Rockfish Program to expand their level of 
participation in other GOA groundfish fisheries. These limitations are 
commonly known as ``sideboards.''
    (1) Classes of sideboard restrictions. Three types of sideboard 
restrictions apply under the Rockfish Program:
    (i) Catcher vessel sideboard restrictions as described under 
paragraph (d) of this section;
    (ii) Catcher/processor rockfish sideboard restrictions as described 
under paragraph (e) of this section; and,
    (iii) Opt-out sideboard restrictions as described under paragraphs 
(e) and (f) of this section.

[[Page 838]]

    (2) Notification of affected vessel owners and LLP license holders. 
After NMFS determines which vessels and LLP licenses may be subject to 
sideboard limitations as described in paragraphs (d) through (f) of this 
section, NMFS will inform each vessel owner and LLP license holder in 
writing of the type of rockfish sideboard limitation and issue a revised 
Federal Fisheries Permit and/or LLP license that displays the sideboard 
limitation(s) that may apply to that FFP or LLP on its face.
    (3) Appeals. A vessel owner or LLP license holder who believes that 
NMFS has incorrectly identified his or her vessel or LLP license as 
meeting the criteria for a sideboard limitation, or who disagrees with 
the specific sideboard ratio assigned to that LLP license, may make a 
contrary claim and provide evidence to NMFS. All claims must be 
submitted in writing with any documentation or evidence supporting the 
request within 30 days of being notified by NMFS of the sideboard 
limitation. NMFS will provide instructions for submitting such claims 
with the sideboard notification. An applicant must submit any 
documentation or evidence supporting a claim within 30 days of being 
notified by NMFS of the sideboard limitation. If NMFS finds the claim is 
unsupported, the claim will be denied in an Initial Administrative 
Determination (IAD). The affected persons may appeal this IAD using the 
procedures described in Sec. 679.43.
    (4) Duration of sideboard limits. Unless otherwise specified, all 
sideboard limitations established under paragraph (e) of this section 
only apply from July 1 through July 31 of each year.
    (d) Sideboard provisions for catcher vessels--(1) Vessels subject to 
catcher vessel sideboard limits. Any vessel not specified in paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section that NMFS has determined meets any of the 
following criteria is subject to the provisions under this paragraph 
(d):
    (i) Any vessel whose rockfish legal landings could be used to 
generate rockfish QS for the catcher vessel sector; and,
    (ii) Any vessel named on an LLP license under whose authority 
rockfish legal landings were made that could be used to generate 
rockfish QS for the catcher vessel sector.
    (2) Applicability of sideboard provisions for specific catcher 
vessels. The following vessels are exempt from the sideboard limits in 
paragraph (d) of this section:
    (i) Any AFA catcher vessel that is not exempt from GOA groundfish 
sideboards under the AFA as specified under Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii);
    (ii) Any vessel that made rockfish legal landings during the fishery 
seasons established in Table 28a to this part and during the entry level 
trawl fishery during 2007, 2008, or 2009 established in Table 28b to 
this part and that is designated on an approved application for rockfish 
QS as being excluded from the Rockfish Program as specified under Sec. 
679.80(d)(4)(ii); and
    (iii) Any vessel named on an LLP license under whose authority 
rockfish legal landings were made during the fishery seasons established 
in Table 28a to this part and during the entry level trawl fishery 
during 2007, 2008, or 2009 established in Table 28b to this part if that 
LLP license is designated on an approved application for rockfish QS as 
being excluded from the Rockfish Program as specified under Sec. 
679.80(d)(4)(ii).
    (3) Prohibition for directed fishing in the Western GOA and West 
Yakutat District rockfish fishery during July. Vessels subject to the 
provisions in this paragraph (d) may not participate in directed fishing 
in the Western GOA and West Yakutat District for northern rockfish, 
Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish (or in waters adjacent to the 
Western GOA and West Yakutat District when northern rockfish, Pacific 
ocean perch, and dusky rockfish by that vessel is deducted from the 
Federal TAC as specified under Sec. 679.20) from July 1 through July 
31.
    (4) Prohibition for directed fishing in the specific GOA flatfish 
fisheries during July. Vessels subject to the provisions in this 
paragraph (d) may not participate in directed fishing for arrowtooth 
flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA (or in waters 
adjacent to the GOA when arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and 
rex sole caught by that vessel is deducted from the Federal TAC as 
specified under Sec. 679.20) from July 1 through July 31.

[[Page 839]]

    (e) Rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard provisions for catcher/
processor vessels--(1) Vessels subject to catcher/processor sideboard 
limits. Any vessel that NMFS has determined meets any of the following 
criteria is subject to the provisions under this paragraph (e):
    (i) Any vessel whose rockfish legal landings could be used to 
generate rockfish QS for the catcher/processor sector in the Rockfish 
Program; or
    (ii) Any vessel named on an LLP license under whose authority 
rockfish legal landings were made that could be used to generate 
rockfish QS for the catcher/processor sector in the Rockfish Program.
    (2) Prohibition for directed rockfish fishing in the Western GOA and 
West Yakutat District by non-Amendment 80 vessels assigned to the 
catcher/processor sector. Any vessel that meets the criteria established 
in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and that is not an Amendment 80 
vessel is prohibited from directed fishing for northern rockfish, 
Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish in the Western GOA and West 
Yakutat District (or in waters adjacent to the Western GOA and West 
Yakutat District when northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and dusky 
rockfish by that vessel is deducted from the Federal TAC as specified 
under Sec. 679.20) from July 1 through July 31.
    (3) Calculation of rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits 
assigned to each LLP license in the catcher/processor sector. NMFS will 
determine specific rockfish sideboard ratios for each LLP license 
assigned to the catcher/processor sector that could generate rockfish 
QS. These rockfish sideboard ratios will be noted on the face of an LLP 
license and will be calculated as follows:
    (i) For each rockfish sideboard fishery, divide the retained catch 
of that rockfish sideboard fishery from July 1 through July 31 in each 
year from 2000 through 2006 made under the authority of that LLP 
license, by the total retained catch of that rockfish sideboard fishery 
from July 1 through July 31 in each year from 2000 through 2006 by 
vessels operating under the authority of all eligible LLP licenses in 
the catcher/processor sector.
    (ii) For the deep-water halibut PSC sideboard limit, divide the 
halibut PSC used in the deep-water complex, except in the Central GOA 
rockfish fisheries, from July 1 through July 31 in each year from 2000 
through 2006 under the authority of that LLP license, by the total deep-
water halibut PSC used from July 1 through July 31 in each year from 
2000 through 2006 by vessels operating under the authority of all LLP 
licenses in the catcher/processor sector.
    (iii) For the shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit, divide the 
halibut PSC used in the shallow-water complex from July 1 through July 
31 in each year from 2000 through 2006 under the authority of that LLP 
license, by the total shallow-water halibut PSC used from July 1 through 
July 31 in each year from 2000 through 2006 by vessels operating under 
the authority of all LLP licenses in the catcher/processor sector.
    (4) West Yakutat District rockfish sideboard ratios. The rockfish 
sideboard ratio for each rockfish fishery in the West Yakutat District 
is an established percentage of the TAC for catcher/processors in the 
directed fishery for dusky rockfish and Pacific ocean perch. These 
percentages are confidential.
    (5) GOA halibut PSC sideboard ratios. (i) The annual deep-water 
complex halibut PSC sideboard limit in the GOA is 2.5 percent of the 
annual halibut mortality limit.
    (ii) The annual shallow-water complex halibut PSC sideboard limit in 
the GOA is 0.1 percent of the annual halibut mortality limit.
    (6) Assigning a rockfish sideboard limit to a rockfish cooperative. 
Each rockfish cooperative in the catcher/processor sector will be 
assigned a portion of the rockfish sideboard limit for each rockfish 
species established in paragraph (e)(4) of this section according to the 
following formula.
    (i) For each rockfish sideboard fishery specified in paragraph 
(e)(4) of this section, sum the rockfish sideboard ratios of all LLP 
licenses as calculated under paragraph (e)(3) of this section assigned 
to that rockfish cooperative and multiply this result by the amount of 
TAC (in metric tons) assigned to that rockfish sideboard fishery.

[[Page 840]]

    (ii) Once assigned, a catcher/processor rockfish cooperative may not 
exceed any rockfish sideboard limit assigned to that cooperative from 
July 1 through July 31.
    (7) Assigning a rockfish sideboard limit to catcher/processors that 
opt-out of participating in rockfish cooperatives. Holders of catcher/
processor designated LLP licenses that opt-out of participating in a 
rockfish cooperative will receive the portion of each rockfish sideboard 
limit established in paragraph (e)(3) of this section not assigned to 
rockfish cooperatives.
    (8) Management of a rockfish opt-out sideboard limit. (i) If the 
Regional Administrator determines that an annual rockfish sideboard 
limit for opt-out vessels is sufficient to support directed fishing for 
that rockfish sideboard fishery, the Regional Administrator may 
establish a directed fishing allowance applicable to holders of catcher/
processor designated LLPs that have opted-out of participating in a 
rockfish cooperative.
    (ii) If the Regional Administrator determines that a sideboard limit 
is insufficient to support a directed fishing allowance for that 
rockfish sideboard fishery, then the Regional Administrator may not 
allow directed fishing and set the allowance to zero for catcher/
processor opt-out vessels from July 1 through July 31.
    (iii) Upon determining that a halibut PSC sideboard limit is or will 
be reached, the Regional Administrator will publish notification in the 
Federal Register prohibiting directed fishing for the rockfish sideboard 
fishery in the regulatory area or district for catcher/processor opt-out 
vessels that will be effective from July 1 through July 31.
    (9) Assigning deep-water and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard 
limits to a rockfish cooperative. Each rockfish cooperative in the 
catcher/processor sector will be assigned a percentage of the deep-water 
and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limits based on the following 
calculation:
    (i) Sum the deep-water ratios of all LLP licenses assigned to that 
rockfish cooperative and multiply this result by the amount set out in 
paragraph (e)(5)(i) of this section; and
    (ii) Sum the shallow-water ratios of all LLP licenses assigned to 
that rockfish cooperative and multiply this result by the amount set out 
in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this section; and
    (iii) A rockfish cooperative may not exceed any deep-water or 
shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limits assigned to that cooperative 
when directed fishing for species other than rockfish.
    (10) Assigning a halibut PSC limit to catcher/processor opt-out 
vessels. Catcher/processor opt-out vessels will receive the portion of 
the deep-water and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit not 
assigned to catcher/processor rockfish cooperatives.
    (11) Management of halibut PSC limits assigned to catcher/processor 
opt-out vessels. (i) If the Regional Administrator determines that a 
halibut PSC sideboard limit for opt-out vessels is sufficient to support 
a directed fishing allowance for groundfish in the deep-water or 
shallow-water halibut PSC complex, then the Regional Administrator may 
establish a directed fishing allowance for that species or species group 
applicable to catcher/processor opt-out vessels.
    (ii) If the Regional Administrator determines that a sideboard limit 
is insufficient to support a directed fishing allowance for groundfish 
in the deep-water or shallow-water halibut PSC complex, then the 
Regional Administrator may not allow directed fishing and set the 
allowance to zero for the deep-water or shallow-water halibut PSC 
complex for catcher/processor opt-out vessels from July 1 through July 
31.
    (iii) Upon determining that a halibut PSC sideboard limit is or will 
be reached, the Regional Administrator will publish notification in the 
Federal Register prohibiting directed fishing for the species or species 
in that complex for catcher/processors opt-out vessels that will be 
effective from July 1 through July 31. The following specific directed 
fishing closures will be implemented if a halibut PSC sideboard limit is 
reached:
    (A) If the shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit for catcher/
processor opt-out vessels is or will be reached,

[[Page 841]]

then NMFS will close directed fishing in the GOA for:
    (1) Flathead sole; and
    (2) Shallow-water flatfish.
    (B) If the deep-water halibut PSC sideboard limit is or will be 
reached for catcher/processor opt-out vessels, then NMFS will close 
directed fishing in the GOA for:
    (1) Rex sole;
    (2) Deep-water flatfish; and
    (3) Arrowtooth flounder.
    (iv) Halibut PSC accounting. Any halibut mortality occurring under a 
CQ permit from July 1 through July 31 will not apply against the halibut 
PSC sideboard limits established in paragraph (e)(5) of this section.
    (f) Sideboard provisions--catcher/processor opt-out provisions--(1) 
Vessels subject to opt-out sideboard provisions. In addition to the 
sideboards for opt-out vessels in paragraphs (e)(7) and (e)(10) of this 
section, any catcher/processor opt-out vessel that NMFS has determined 
meets any of the following criteria is subject to the provisions under 
this paragraph (f):
    (i) Any vessel whose legal rockfish landings could be used to 
generate rockfish QS for the catcher/processor sector that is not 
assigned to a rockfish cooperative; or,
    (ii) Any vessel named on an LLP license under whose authority legal 
rockfish landings were made that could be used to generate rockfish QS 
for the catcher/processor sector and that is not assigned to a rockfish 
cooperative.
    (2) Prohibitions on directed fishing in GOA groundfish fisheries 
without previous participation. (i) Any vessel that is subject to the 
opt-out sideboard restriction under paragraph (f) of this section is 
prohibited from directed fishing in any groundfish fishery in the GOA 
and waters adjacent to the GOA when groundfish caught by that vessel is 
deducted from the Federal TAC specified under Sec. 679.20 (except 
sablefish harvested under the IFQ Program) from July 1 through July 14 
of each year if that vessel has not participated in that directed 
groundfish fishery in any 2 years from 2000 through 2006 during the 
following time periods:
    (A) July 9, 2000, through July 15, 2000;
    (B) July 1, 2001, through July 7, 2001;
    (C) June 30, 2002, through July 6, 2002;
    (D) June 29, 2003, through July 5, 2003;
    (E) July 4, 2004, through July 10, 2004;
    (F) July 3, 2005, through July 9, 2005; and
    (G) July 2, 2006, through July 8, 2006.
    (ii) For purposes of determining participation in a directed 
groundfish fishery for paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section, a vessel may 
participate:
    (A) In the flathead sole and shallow-water flatfish fisheries if 
that vessel participated in a directed groundfish fishery for either of 
these two fisheries during any 2 years during the 2000 through 2006 
qualifying period defined in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section; and
    (B) In the arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole 
fisheries if that vessel participated in a directed groundfish fishery 
for any of these three fisheries during any 2 years during the 2000 
through 2006 qualifying period defined in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this 
section.

[76 FR 81277, Dec. 27, 2011, as amended at 86 FR 11904, Mar. 1, 2021]



Sec. 679.83  Rockfish Program entry level longline fishery.

    (a) Rockfish entry level longline fishery--(1) Rockfish primary 
species allocations. Vessels participating in the rockfish entry level 
longline fishery may collectively harvest an amount not greater than the 
total allocation to the rockfish entry level longline fishery as 
described in Table 28e to this part.
    (2) Participation. Catcher vessels fishing under a CQ permit must 
first be checked-out of the Rockfish Program by the catcher vessel 
cooperative's designated representative to participate in the entry 
level longline fishery (see Sec. 679.5(r)(8)(i)(B) for check-out 
procedures).
    (3) Rockfish secondary species allocations. Rockfish secondary 
species shall not be allocated to the rockfish entry level longline 
fishery. Rockfish secondary species shall be managed based on an MRA for 
the target species as described in Table 10 to this part.
    (4) Opening of the rockfish entry level longline fishery. The 
Regional Administrator maintains the authority to not open the rockfish 
entry level longline

[[Page 842]]

fishery if he or she deems it appropriate for conservation or other 
management measures. Factors such as the total allocation, anticipated 
harvest rates, and number of participants will be considered in making 
any such decision.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 679.84  Rockfish Program recordkeeping, permits,
monitoring, and catch accounting.

    (a) Recordkeeping and reporting. See Sec. 679.5(r).
    (b) Permits. See Sec. 679.4(n).
    (c) Catch monitoring requirements for catcher/processors assigned to 
a rockfish cooperative. The requirements under paragraphs (c)(1) through 
(10) of this section apply to any catcher/processor vessel assigned to a 
rockfish cooperative at all times when that vessel has groundfish 
onboard that were harvested under a CQ permit, or that were harvested by 
a vessel subject to a rockfish sideboard limit as described under Sec. 
679.82(c) through (f), as applicable. The vessel owner or operator must 
ensure that:
    (1) Catch weighing. All catch, except halibut sorted on deck by 
vessels participating in the halibut deck sorting described at Sec. 
679.120, is weighed on a NMFS-approved scale in compliance with the 
scale requirements at Sec. 679.28(b). Each haul must be weighed 
separately and all catch must be made available for sampling by an 
observer.
    (2) Observer sampling station. An observer sampling station meeting 
the requirements at Sec. 679.28(d) is available at all times.
    (3) Observer coverage requirements. The vessel is in compliance with 
the observer coverage requirements described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2).
    (4) Operational line. The vessel has no more than one operational 
line or other conveyance for the mechanized movement of catch between 
the scale used to weigh total catch and the location where the observer 
collects species composition samples.
    (5) Fish on deck. No fish are allowed to remain on deck unless an 
observer is present, except for fish inside the codend and fish spilled 
from the codend during hauling and dumping. Fish spilled from the codend 
must be moved to the fish bin.
    (6) Sample storage. The vessel owner or operator provides sufficient 
space to accommodate a minimum of 10 observer sampling baskets. This 
space must be within or adjacent to the observer sample station.
    (7) Pre-cruise meeting. The Observer Program is notified by phone at 
1 (907) 481-1770 (Kodiak, AK) at least 24 hours prior to departure when 
the vessel will be carrying an observer who has not previously been 
deployed on that vessel within the last 12 months. Subsequent to the 
vessel's departure notification, but prior to departure, NMFS may 
contact the vessel to arrange for a pre-cruise meeting. The pre-cruise 
meeting must minimally include the vessel operator or manager and any 
observers assigned to the vessel.
    (8) Belt and flow operations. The vessel operator stops the flow of 
fish and clears all belts between the bin doors and the area where the 
observer collects samples of unsorted catch when requested to do so by 
the observer.
    (9) Vessel crew in tanks or bins. The vessel owner or operator must 
comply with the bin monitoring standards specified in Sec. 679.28(i).
    (10) Mixing of hauls. Catch from an individual haul is not mixed 
with catch from another haul prior to sampling by a NMFS-certified 
observer;
    (d) Catch monitoring requirements for catcher/processors opt-out 
vessels. The requirements under paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) of this 
section apply to any catcher/processor opt-out vessels at all times when 
that vessel has groundfish onboard that were harvested by a vessel 
subject to a sideboard limit as described under Sec. 679.82(f), as 
applicable. The vessel owner or operator must ensure that:
    (1) Catch from an individual haul is not mixed with catch from 
another haul prior to sampling by an observer;
    (2) All catch be made available for sampling by an observer; and
    (3) The requirements in paragraphs (c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(5), (c)(8), 
and (c)(9) of this section are met.
    (e) Catch monitoring requirements for catcher vessels. The owner or 
operator

[[Page 843]]

of a catcher vessel must ensure the vessel complies with the observer 
coverage requirements described in Sec. 679.51(a)(2) at all times the 
vessel is participating in a rockfish cooperative.
    (f) Catch monitoring requirements for shoreside processors--(1) 
Catch monitoring and control plan (CMCP). The owner or operator of a 
shoreside processor receiving deliveries from a catcher vessel described 
in Sec. 679.51(a)(2) must ensure the shoreside processor complies with 
the CMCP requirements described in Sec. 679.28(g) except the 
requirements for an observer workstation and communication with observer 
as specified in Sec. 679.28(g)(7)(vii) and (viii).
    (2) Catch weighing. All groundfish landed by catcher vessels 
described in Sec. 679.51(a)(2) must be sorted, weighed on a scale 
approved by the State of Alaska as described in Sec. 679.28(c), and be 
made available for sampling by an observer, NMFS staff, or any 
individual authorized by NMFS. Any of these persons must be allowed to 
test any scale used to weigh groundfish to determine its accuracy.
    (g) Catch accounting--(1) Rockfish primary species and rockfish 
secondary species. All rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary 
species harvests (including harvests of those species in waters adjacent 
to the Central GOA that are deducted from the Federal TAC as specified 
under Sec. 679.20) of a vessel, that is named on an LLP license that is 
assigned to a rockfish cooperative and fishing under a CQ permit, will 
be debited against the CQ for that rockfish cooperative from May 1:
    (i) Until November 15; or
    (ii) Until that rockfish cooperative has submitted a rockfish 
cooperative termination of fishing declaration that has been approved by 
NMFS.
    (2) Rockfish halibut PSC. All halibut PSC in the Central GOA 
(including halibut PSC in the waters adjacent to the Central GOA when 
rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species caught by that 
vessel are deducted from the Federal TAC specified under Sec. 679.20) 
used by a vessel, that is named on an LLP license that is assigned to a 
rockfish cooperative and fishing under a CQ permit, will be debited 
against the CQ for that rockfish cooperative from May 1,
    (i) Until November 15; or
    (ii) Until the designated representative of that rockfish 
cooperative has submitted a rockfish cooperative termination of fishing 
declaration that has been approved by NMFS.
    (3) Groundfish sideboard limits. All groundfish harvests (including 
harvests of those species in waters adjacent to the Central GOA that are 
deducted from the Federal TAC as specified under Sec. 679.20) of a 
catcher/processor vessel that is subject to a sideboard limit for that 
groundfish species as described under Sec. 679.82(e), except groundfish 
harvested by a vessel fishing under a CQ permit in the Central GOA, will 
be debited against the sideboard limit established for that sector or 
rockfish cooperative, as applicable.
    (4) Halibut sideboard limits. All halibut PSC in the GOA (including 
halibut PSC in the waters adjacent to the GOA when rockfish primary 
species and rockfish secondary species caught by that vessel are 
deducted from the Federal TAC specified under Sec. 679.20) used by a 
catcher/processor vessel, except halibut PSC used by a vessel fishing 
under a CQ permit in the Central GOA, will be debited against the 
sideboard limit established for the rockfish cooperative or catcher/
processor opt-out vessel, as applicable from July 1 until July 31.

[67 FR 79734, Dec. 30, 2002, as amended at 77 FR 6502, Feb. 8, 2012; 81 
FR 67118, Sept. 30, 2016; 83 FR 30533, June 29, 2018; 84 FR 55053, Oct. 
15, 2019; 86 FR 11904, Mar. 1, 2021]



Sec. 679.85  Cost recovery.

    (a) Cost recovery fees--(1) Responsibility. The person documented on 
the rockfish CQ permit as the permit holder at the time of a rockfish CQ 
landing must comply with the requirements of this section.
    (i) Subsequent transfer of rockfish CQ or rockfish QS held by 
rockfish cooperative members does not affect the rockfish CQ permit 
holder's liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (ii) Non-renewal of a rockfish CQ permit does not affect the CQ 
permit holder's liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (iii) Changes in the membership in a rockfish cooperative, such as 
members

[[Page 844]]

joining or departing during the relevant year, or changes in the amount 
of rockfish QS holdings of those members does not affect the rockfish CQ 
permit holder's liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (2) Fee collection. All rockfish CQ holders who receive rockfish CQ 
are responsible for submitting the cost recovery payment for all 
rockfish CQ landings made under the authority of their rockfish CQ 
permit.
    (3) Payment--(i) Payment due date. A rockfish CQ permit holder must 
submit any rockfish cost recovery fee liability payment(s) to NMFS at 
the address provided in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section no later 
than February 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the 
rockfish CQ landings were made.
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make electronic payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments must be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the CQ permit holder.
    (iv) Payment method. Payment must be made electronically in U.S. 
dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic check 
drawn on a U.S. bank account.
    (b) Rockfish standard ex-vessel value determination and use--(1) 
General. A CQ permit holder must use the rockfish standard ex-vessel 
value determined by NMFS under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Rockfish standard ex-vessel value--(i) General. Each year the 
Regional Administrator will publish rockfish standard ex-vessel values 
in the Federal Register during the first quarter of each calendar year. 
The standard prices will be described in U.S. dollars per equivalent 
pound, for rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species 
landings made by rockfish CQ holders during the previous calendar year.
    (ii) Effective duration. The rockfish standard ex-vessel value 
published by NMFS shall apply to all rockfish primary species and 
rockfish secondary species landings made by a rockfish CQ holder during 
the previous calendar year.
    (iii) Determination. NMFS will calculate the rockfish standard ex-
vessel value to reflect, as closely as possible by month, the variations 
in the actual ex-vessel values of landings based on information provided 
in the Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report as described in Sec. 
679.5(r)(10). The Regional Administrator will base rockfish standard ex-
vessel values on the following types of information:
    (A) Landed pounds by rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary 
species landings and month;
    (B) Total ex-vessel value by rockfish primary species and rockfish 
secondary species landings and month; and
    (C) Price adjustments, including retroactive payments.
    (c) Rockfish fee percentage--(1) Established percentage. The 
rockfish fee percentage is the amount as determined by the factors and 
methodology described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. This amount 
will be announced by publication in the Federal Register in accordance 
with paragraph (c)(3) of this section. This amount must not exceed 3.0 
percent pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).
    (2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS shall calculate 
and publish the fee percentage according to the following factors and 
methodology:
    (i) Factors. NMFS must use the following factors to determine the 
fee percentage:
    (A) The catch to which the rockfish cost recovery fee will apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management, data collection, 
and enforcement of the Rockfish Program.
    (ii) Methodology. NMFS must use the following equations to determine 
the fee percentage:

100 x DPC/V

where:
DPC = the direct program costs for the Rockfish Program for the previous 
          calendar year with any adjustments to the account from 
          payments received in the previous year.

[[Page 845]]

V = total of the standard ex-vessel value of the catch subject to the 
          rockfish cost recovery fee liability for the current year.

    (3) Publication--(i) General. During the first quarter of the year 
following the calendar year in which the rockfish CQ landings were made, 
NMFS shall calculate the rockfish fee percentage based on the 
calculations described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Effective period. The calculated rockfish fee percentage is 
applied to rockfish CQ landings made in the previous calendar year.
    (4) Applicable percentage. The CQ permit holder must use the 
rockfish fee percentage applicable at the time a rockfish primary 
species and rockfish secondary species landing is debited from a 
rockfish CQ allocation to calculate the rockfish cost recovery fee 
liability for any retroactive payments for that rockfish primary species 
and rockfish secondary species.
    (5) Fee liability determination for a rockfish CQ holder. (i) All 
rockfish CQ holders will be subject to a fee liability for any rockfish 
primary species and rockfish secondary species CQ debited from a 
rockfish CQ allocation during a calendar year.
    (ii) The rockfish fee liability assessed to a rockfish CQ holder 
will be based on the proportion of the standard ex-vessel value of 
rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species debited from a 
rockfish CQ holder relative to all rockfish CQ holders during a calendar 
year as determined by NMFS.
    (iii) NMFS will provide a fee liability summary letter to all CQ 
permit holders during the first quarter of the year following the 
calendar year in which the rockfish CQ landings were made. The summary 
will explain the fee liability determination including the current fee 
percentage, details of rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary 
species CQ pounds debited from rockfish CQ allocations by permit, 
species, date, and prices.
    (d) Underpayment of fee liability. (1) Pursuant to Sec. 679.81(f), 
no rockfish CQ holder will receive any rockfish CQ until the rockfish CQ 
holder submits a complete application. A complete application shall 
include full payment of an applicant's complete rockfish cost recovery 
fee liability.
    (2) If a rockfish CQ holder fails to submit full payment for 
rockfish cost recovery fee liability by the date described in paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section, the Regional Administrator may:
    (i) At any time thereafter send an IAD to the CQ permit holder 
stating that the CQ permit holder's estimated fee liability, as 
indicated by his or her own submitted information, is the rockfish cost 
recovery fee liability due from the CQ permit holder.
    (ii) Disapprove any application to transfer rockfish CQ to or from 
the CQ permit holder in accordance with Sec. 679.81(g).
    (3) If a rockfish CQ holder fails to submit full payment by the 
rockfish cost recovery fee liability payment deadline described at 
paragraph (a)(3) of this section:
    (i) No CQ permit will be issued to that rockfish CQ holder for that 
calendar year; and
    (ii) No rockfish CQ will be issued based on the rockfish QS held by 
the members of that rockfish cooperative to any other CQ permit for that 
calendar year.
    (4) Upon final agency action determining that a CQ permit holder has 
not paid his or her rockfish cost recovery fee liability, the Regional 
Administrator may continue to prohibit issuance of a CQ permit for any 
subsequent calendar years until NMFS receives the unpaid fees. If 
payment is not received by the 30th day after the final agency action, 
the agency may pursue collection of the unpaid fees.
    (e) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, payment 
submitted to NMFS in excess of the rockfish cost recovery fee liability 
determined to be due by the final agency action will be returned to the 
CQ permit holder unless the permit holder requests the agency to credit 
the excess amount against the permit holder's future rockfish cost 
recovery fee liability. Payment processing fees may be deducted from any 
fees returned to the CQ permit holder.
    (f) Appeals. A CQ permit holder who receives an IAD for incomplete 
payment of a rockfish fee liability may appeal the IAD pursuant to 50 
CFR 679.43.
    (g) Annual report. Each year, NMFS will publish a report describing 
the

[[Page 846]]

rockfish program cost recovery fee program.

[76 FR 81277, Dec. 27, 2011, as amended at 86 FR 11904, Mar. 1, 2021]



                     Subpart H_Amendment 80 Program

    Source: 72 FR 52726, Sept. 14, 2007, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 679.90  Allocation, use, and transfer of Amendment 80 QS permits.

    Regulations under this subpart were developed by NMFS to implement 
the Amendment 80 Program. Additional regulations that implement specific 
portions of the Amendment 80 Program are set out at Sec. 679.2 
Definitions, Sec. 679.4 Permits, Sec. 679.5 Recordkeeping and 
reporting (R&R), Sec. 679.7 Prohibitions, Sec. 679.20 General 
limitations, Sec. 679.21 Prohibited species bycatch management, Sec. 
679.27 Improved Retention/Improved Utilization Program, Sec. 679.28 
Equipment and operational requirements, Sec. 679.31 CDQ and PSQ 
reserves, Sec. 679.50 Groundfish Observer Program applicable through 
December 31, 2007, and Sec. 679.64 Harvesting sideboard limits in other 
fisheries.
    (a) Issuance of Amendment 80 QS permits--(1) General. NMFS will 
issue an Amendment 80 QS permit to a person who is eligible to receive 
Amendment 80 QS units as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section 
and based on:
    (i) The information contained in an approved application for 
Amendment 80 QS as described in paragraph (b) of this section;
    (ii) The information contained in the Amendment 80 official record 
as described in paragraph (c) of this section;
    (iii) The Amendment 80 QS permit allocation procedures as described 
in paragraph (d) of this section; and
    (iv) In consideration of any use caps as described in Sec. 
679.92(a).
    (2) Eligibility to receive an Amendment 80 QS permit--(i) Owner of 
an Amendment 80 vessel. A person may receive an Amendment 80 QS permit 
based on the legal landings of an Amendment 80 vessel if:
    (A) That person owns that Amendment 80 vessel at the time of 
application for Amendment 80 QS as demonstrated on an abstract of title 
or USCG documentation;
    (B) That person holds an Amendment 80 LLP license at the time of 
application for Amendment 80 QS;
    (C) That person is a U.S. citizen;
    (D) That person submits a timely application for Amendment 80 QS 
that is approved by NMFS as described in paragraph (b) of this section; 
and
    (E) A person is not eligible to receive an Amendment 80 QS permit 
based on the legal landings of that Amendment 80 vessel under the 
provisions of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) Holder of an Amendment 80 LLP license. A person may receive an 
Amendment 80 QS permit based on the legal landings of an Amendment 80 
vessel if:
    (A) At the time of application for Amendment 80 QS that person holds 
the LLP license originally assigned to that Amendment 80 vessel and that 
Amendment 80 vessel has suffered an actual total loss, constructive 
total loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a fishery 
endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108;
    (B) The actual total loss, constructive total loss, or permanent 
ineligibility of that Amendment 80 vessel to receive a fishery 
endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108 has been clearly and unambiguously 
established and documented in written form in the application for 
Amendment 80 QS and that documentation is accepted by NMFS;
    (C) The express terms of a written contract clearly and 
unambiguously provide that the owner(s) of that Amendment 80 vessel 
transferred all rights and privileges to use the Amendment 80 legal 
landings from that Amendment 80 vessel to the person holding the LLP 
license originally assigned to that Amendment 80 vessel;
    (D) That person is a U.S. citizen; and
    (E) That person has submitted a timely application for Amendment 80 
QS that is approved by NMFS as described in paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (b) Application for Amendment 80 QS--(1) Submission. A person who 
wishes to receive an Amendment 80 QS permit must submit a timely and 
complete application for Amendment 80 QS. Once a person submits a timely 
and complete application for Amendment 80 QS that is approved by NMFS, 
an application

[[Page 847]]

for Amendment 80 QS is not required to be resubmitted. An application 
for Amendment 80 QS may only be submitted to NMFS using any one of the 
following methods:
    (i) Mail: Regional Administrator, c/o Restricted Access Management 
Program, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668;
    (ii) Fax: 907-586-7354; or
    (iii) Hand delivery or carrier: NMFS, Room 713, 709 West 9th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99801.
    (2) Application forms. Application forms are available through the 
internet on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting NMFS at 800-304-4846, Option 
2.
    (3) Deadline. A completed application for Amendment 80 QS must be 
received by NMFS no later than 1700 hours A.l.t. on October 15 of the 
year prior to the fishing year for which the applicant is applying, or 
if sent by U.S. mail, postmarked by that time. Applications received or 
postmarked after the deadline will not be eligible to receive an 
Amendment 80 QS permit for the upcoming fishing year.
    (4) Contents of application. A completed application must contain 
the following information:
    (i) Applicant identification. (A) The applicant's name, NMFS person 
ID (if applicable), tax ID number, permanent business mailing address, 
business telephone number, business fax number, and e-mail (if 
available);
    (B) Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a U.S. citizen; if YES, 
enter his or her date of birth;
    (C) Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a U.S. corporation, 
partnership, association, or other business entity; if YES, enter the 
date of incorporation;
    (D) Indicate (YES or NO) if the applicant is a successor-in-interest 
to a deceased individual or to a non-individual no longer in existence, 
if YES attach evidence of death or dissolution;
    (E) Indicate whether the applicant is applying as the owner of an 
Amendment 80 vessel or the holder of an LLP license originally assigned 
to an Amendment 80 vessel;
    (F) For an applicant claiming Amendment 80 legal landings associated 
with an Amendment 80 vessel, enter the following information for each 
Amendment 80 vessel: USCG documentation number of vessel on which 
Amendment 80 legal landings were caught and processed, vessel name, 
ADF&G vessel registration number, and LLP license held by that person at 
the time of application;
    (G) If an Amendment 80 vessel has suffered an actual total loss, 
constructive total loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a 
fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108, provide clear and unambiguous 
documentation in written form that the Amendment 80 vessel has suffered 
an actual total loss, constructive total loss, or is permanently 
ineligible to receive a fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108; and
    (H) If applicable, a copy of the express terms of a written contract 
held by the applicant that clearly and unambiguously indicates that the 
owner of the Amendment 80 vessel that has suffered has an actual total 
loss, constructive total loss, or is permanently ineligible to receive a 
fishery endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12108 has transferred all rights and 
privileges to use Amendment 80 legal landings and any resulting 
Amendment 80 QS or exclusive harvest privilege from that Amendment 80 
vessel to the person holding the LLP license originally assigned to that 
Amendment 80 vessel.
    (ii) Applicant signature and certification. The applicant must sign 
and date the application certifying that all information is true, 
correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. If 
the application is completed by a designated representative, then 
explicit authorization for the designated representative signed by the 
applicant must accompany the application.
    (5) Application evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate 
applications received as specified in this paragraph (b)(5) of this 
section and compare all claims in an application with the information in 
the Amendment 80 official record. Application claims that are consistent 
with information in the Amendment 80 official record will be approved by 
the Regional Administrator. Application claims that are inconsistent 
with the Amendment 80 official record, unless verified by

[[Page 848]]

documentation, will not be approved. An applicant who submits 
inconsistent claims, or an applicant who fails to submit the information 
specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, will be provided a single 
30-day evidentiary period in which to submit the specified information, 
submit evidence to verify his or her inconsistent claims, or submit a 
revised application with claims consistent with information in the 
Amendment 80 official record. An applicant who submits claims that are 
inconsistent with information in the Amendment 80 official record has 
the burden of proving that the submitted claims are correct. Any claims 
that remain inconsistent or that are not accepted after the 30-day 
evidentiary period will be denied, and the applicant will be notified by 
an IAD of his or her appeal rights under Sec. 679.43.
    (6) Appeals. If an applicant is notified by an IAD that inconsistent 
claims made by the applicant have been denied, that applicant may appeal 
that IAD under the provisions described at Sec. 679.43.
    (c) Amendment 80 official record--(1) Use of the Amendment 80 
official record. The Amendment 80 official record will contain all 
information used by the Regional Administrator to determine eligibility 
to participate in the Amendment 80 Program, assign QS, and any other 
privileges or limits for the Amendment 80 Program.
    (2) Amendment 80 official record presumed to be correct. The 
Amendment 80 official record is presumed to be correct. An applicant to 
participate in the Amendment 80 Program has the burden to prove 
otherwise.
    (3) Documentation is used to establish the amount of Amendment 80 
legal landings. Only Amendment 80 legal landings as defined in Sec. 
679.2 will be used to assign Amendment 80 QS units to an Amendment 80 QS 
permit unless an Amendment 80 vessel has no Amendment 80 legal landings, 
in which case Amendment 80 QS units will be allocated to the Amendment 
80 QS permit derived from that Amendment 80 vessel according to the 
procedures established under paragraphs (d)(1)(iii) and (iv) of this 
section.
    (4) Assignment of Amendment 80 legal landings. An Amendment 80 legal 
landing is assigned only to the Amendment 80 vessel that was used to 
make that Amendment 80 legal landing.
    (d) Assigning an Amendment 80 QS permit to an Amendment 80 QS 
holder--(1) Amendment 80 QS units derived from an Amendment 80 vessel 
and issued to an Amendment 80 QS holder. NMFS will assign a specific 
amount of Amendment 80 QS units to each Amendment 80 QS permit based on 
the Amendment 80 legal landings of each Amendment 80 vessel for each 
Amendment 80 species in each management area for that Amendment 80 
species as listed in Table 32 to this part, using information from the 
Amendment 80 official record according to the following procedures:
    (i) All Amendment 80 species. (A) For each Amendment 80 species, sum 
the Amendment 80 legal landings for each Amendment 80 vessel in all 
management areas for that Amendment 80 species listed in Table 32 to 
this part for each calendar year from 1998 through 2004.
    (B) Select the five calendar years that yield the highest amount of 
Amendment 80 legal landings of that Amendment 80 species in all 
management areas for that Amendment 80 species listed in Table 32 to 
this part, including zero metric tons if necessary.
    (C) Sum the Amendment 80 legal landings of the highest five years 
for an Amendment 80 species. This yields the Highest Five Years for that 
Amendment 80 species.
    (D) Divide the Highest Five Years for an Amendment 80 species in 
paragraph (d)(1)(i)(C) of this section for an Amendment 80 vessel by the 
sum of all Highest Five Years for all Amendment 80 vessels for that 
Amendment 80 species based on the Amendment 80 official record for that 
Amendment 80 species as presented in the following equation:

Highest Five Years/[Sigma] All Highest Five Years x 100 = Percentage of 
the Total.


The result (quotient) of this equation is the Percentage of the Total 
for that Amendment 80 vessel for that Amendment 80 species.
    (ii) Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch and BSAI Pacific cod. 
Multiply

[[Page 849]]

the Percentage of the Total for that Amendment 80 vessel for Aleutian 
Islands Pacific ocean perch and BSAI Pacific cod as calculated in 
paragraph (d)(1)(i)(D) of this section by the Amendment 80 initial QS 
pool for Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch and BSAI Pacific cod as 
set forth in Table 32 to this part. This yields the number of Amendment 
80 QS units for that Amendment 80 vessel for Aleutian Islands Pacific 
ocean perch and BSAI Pacific cod Pacific cod.
    (iii) BSAI rock sole and BSAI yellowfin sole. (A) If an Amendment 80 
vessel did not have any Amendment 80 legal landings during 1998 through 
2004, that Amendment 80 vessel will receive 0.5 percent of the 
Percentage of the Total for BSAI rock sole and BSAI yellowfin sole as 
calculated in paragraph (d)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (B) All Amendment 80 vessels that did have Amendment 80 legal 
landings will have the Percentage of the Total assigned to that 
Amendment 80 vessel as calculated in paragraph (d)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section adjusted to account for the assignment of the Percentage of the 
Total to Amendment 80 vessels under paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(A) of this 
section for BSAI rock sole and BSAI yellowfin sole as presented in the 
following equation:

Percentage of the Total for that Amendment 80 vessel x (100-[Sigma] 
Percentage of the Total assigned to all Amendment 80 vessels under 
paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(A) of this section) = Adjusted Percentage of the 
Total for that Amendment 80 vessel.

    (C) Multiply the Adjusted Percentage of the Total for that Amendment 
80 vessel by the Amendment 80 initial QS pool for BSAI rock sole and 
BSAI yellowfin sole as set forth in Table 32 to this part. This yields 
the number of Amendment 80 QS units for that Amendment 80 vessel for 
BSAI rock sole or BSAI yellowfin sole.
    (iv) BSAI flathead sole. (A) If an Amendment 80 vessel did not have 
any Amendment 80 legal landings during 1998 through 2004, that Amendment 
80 vessel will receive 0.1 percent of the Percentage of the Total for 
BSAI flathead sole as calculated in paragraph (d)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (B) All Amendment 80 vessels that did have Amendment 80 legal 
landings during 1998 through 2004 will have the Percentage of the Total 
assigned to that Amendment 80 vessel as calculated in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i)(D) of this section adjusted to account for the assignment of 
the Percentage of the Total to Amendment 80 vessels under paragraph 
(d)(1)(iv)(A) of this section for BSAI flathead sole as presented in the 
following equation:

Percentage of the Total for that Amendment 80 vessel x (100-[Sigma] 
Percentage of the Total assigned to all Amendment 80 vessels under 
paragraph (d)(1)(iv)(A) of this section) = Adjusted Percentage of the 
Total for that Amendment 80 vessel.

    (C) Multiply the Adjusted Percentage of the Total for that Amendment 
80 vessel by the Amendment 80 initial QS pool for BSAI flathead sole as 
set forth in Table 32 to this part. This yields the number of Amendment 
80 QS units for that Amendment 80 vessel for BSAI flathead sole.
    (v) BSAI Atka mackerel. (A) Multiply the Percentage of the Total for 
that Amendment 80 vessel as calculated in paragraph (d)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section by the Amendment 80 initial QS pool for BSAI Atka mackerel as 
set forth in Table 32 to this part. This yields the number of Amendment 
80 QS units for that Amendment 80 vessel for BSAI Atka mackerel.
    (B) If an Amendment 80 vessel is an Amendment 80 non-mackerel 
vessel, determine the percentage of the Amendment 80 QS pool that is 
assigned to each Atka mackerel management area listed in Table 32 to 
this part in each year from 1998 through 2004 for that Amendment 80 non-
mackerel vessel based on the percentage of Amendment 80 legal landings 
in that Atka mackerel management area from 1998 through 2004 for that 
Amendment 80 non-mackerel vessel.
    (C) The sum of the Amendment 80 QS units allocated to all Amendment 
80 non-mackerel vessels is the Total Amendment 80 non-mackerel QS pool.
    (D) The sum of the Amendment 80 QS units allocated to all Amendment 
80 mackerel vessels is the Total Amendment 80 mackerel QS pool.

[[Page 850]]

    (2) Assigning Amendment 80 QS units to an Amendment 80 permit. Once 
the Regional Administrator determines the amount of Amendment 80 QS 
units to be issued for an Amendment 80 species derived from an Amendment 
80 vessel based on the criteria described in paragraphs (b) through (d) 
of this section, NMFS will assign that amount of Amendment 80 QS units 
for each Amendment 80 species as an Amendment 80 QS permit to the 
Amendment 80 QS holder as follows:
    (i) Amendment 80 vessel owner. NMFS will issue an Amendment 80 QS 
permit for each Amendment 80 vessel to the owner of that Amendment 80 
vessel if that person submitted a timely and complete Application for 
Amendment 80 QS that was approved by NMFS under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of 
this section; or
    (ii) Amendment 80 LLP/QS license. NMFS will issue an Amendment 80 QS 
permit as an endorsement on an Amendment 80 LLP license to the holder of 
an LLP license originally assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel listed in 
Column A of Table 31 to this part, under the provisions of Sec. 
679.4(k)(7), if that person submitted a timely and complete Application 
for Amendment 80 QS that was approved by NMFS under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) 
of this section.
    (e) Transfers of Amendment 80 QS permits--(1) Non-severability of 
Amendment 80 QS permits. (i) An Amendment 80 QS holder may not transfer 
an Amendment 80 QS permit to another person unless all Amendment 80 QS 
units for all Amendment 80 species on that Amendment 80 QS permit are 
transferred in their entirety to the same person at the same time; and
    (ii) If an Amendment 80 QS permit is assigned to an Amendment 80 LLP 
license originally assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel, that Amendment 80 
LLP license is designated as an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license. A person 
may not separate the Amendment 80 QS permit from that Amendment 80 LLP/
QS license.
    (2) Transfer of an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license. A person holding an 
Amendment 80 LLP/QS license may transfer that Amendment 80 LLP/QS 
license to another person only under the provisions of Sec. 
679.4(k)(7).
    (3) Transfers of Amendment 80 QS permits. (i) A person holding an 
Amendment 80 QS permit assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel may transfer 
that Amendment 80 QS permit to another person, to the LLP license 
originally assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel, or to a vessel approved 
by NMFS as an Amendment 80 replacement vessel in accordance with Sec. 
679.4(o)(4) by submitting an Application to Transfer an Amendment 80 QS 
permit that is approved by NMFS under the provisions of paragraph (f) of 
this section.
    (ii) A person holding an Amendment 80 LLP license that is designated 
as an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license may designate a vessel approved as an 
Amendment 80 replacement vessel by submitting an Application For 
Transfer License Limitation Program Groundfish/Crab License that is 
approved by NMFS under the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section.
    (4) Assigning an Amendment 80 QS permit to an Amendment 80 LLP 
license. An Amendment 80 vessel owner holding an Amendment 80 QS permit 
assigned to an Amendment 80 vessel may transfer that Amendment 80 QS 
permit to the LLP license originally assigned to that Amendment 80 
vessel only by submitting an application to transfer an Amendment 80 QS 
permit that is approved by NMFS under the provisions of paragraph (f) of 
this section.
    (f) Application to Transfer Amendment 80 QS. A person holding an 
Amendment 80 QS permit who wishes to transfer the Amendment 80 QS permit 
to the LLP license originally assigned to the Amendment 80 vessel, or 
transfer the Amendment 80 QS permit to another person, or transfer the 
Amendment 80 QS permit to an Amendment 80 replacement vessel must submit 
to NMFS a complete Application to Transfer an Amendment 80 QS permit. 
The holder of an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license may designate the 
replacement vessel on the LLP license by using the Application for 
Transfer License Limitation Program Groundfish/Crab License. An 
application must contain the information specified on the

[[Page 851]]

form, with all required fields accurately completed and all required 
documentation attached. This application must be submitted to NMFS using 
the methods described on the application.

[72 FR 52726, Sept. 14, 2007, as amended at 76 FR 40633, July 11, 2011; 
77 FR 59871, Oct. 1, 2012]



Sec. 679.91  Amendment 80 Program annual harvester privileges.

    (a) Assigning an Amendment 80 QS permit to an Amendment 80 
cooperative or Amendment 80 limited access fishery--(1) General. (i) 
Each calendar year, each Amendment 80 QS permit, associated Amendment 80 
vessel, and Amendment 80 LLP license must be assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative or the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in order to use 
that Amendment 80 QS permit, associated Amendment 80 vessel, and 
Amendment 80 LLP license to catch, process, or receive Amendment 80 
species, crab PSC, or halibut PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 sector.
    (ii) NMFS will assign an Amendment 80 QS permit(s), associated 
Amendment 80 vessel(s), and Amendment 80 LLP license(s) held by an 
Amendment 80 QS holder to an Amendment 80 cooperative if that Amendment 
80 QS permit(s), associated Amendment 80 vessel(s), and Amendment 80 LLP 
license(s) is designated on an application for CQ that is approved by 
the Regional Administrator as described under paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (iii) NMFS will assign an Amendment 80 QS permit(s), associated 
Amendment 80 vessel(s), and Amendment 80 LLP license(s) held by an 
Amendment 80 QS holder to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery if 
that Amendment 80 QS permit(s), associated Amendment 80 vessel(s), and 
Amendment 80 LLP license(s) is assigned to the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery.
    (2) Amendment 80 QS permits issued after issuance of CQ or ITAC. Any 
Amendment 80 QS permits, or Amendment 80 QS units on an Amendment 80 QS 
permit, assigned to an Amendment 80 QS holder after NMFS has issued CQ 
or ITAC to the Amendment 80 sector for a calendar year will not result 
in any additional:
    (i) CQ being issued to an Amendment 80 cooperative if that Amendment 
80 QS holder has assigned his Amendment 80 QS permit(s) to an Amendment 
80 cooperative for that calendar year; or
    (ii) ITAC being issued to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery if 
that Amendment 80 QS holder has assigned his Amendment 80 QS permit(s) 
to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery for that calendar year.
    (3) Failure to submit an application for an Amendment 80 fishery. 
(i) If an Amendment 80 QS permit is not designated on a timely and 
complete application for CQ that is approved by the Regional 
Administrator as described under paragraph (b) of this section, the 
Regional Administrator will not assign that Amendment 80 QS permit, 
associated Amendment 80 vessel, or Amendment 80 LLP license to an 
Amendment 80 cooperative for the applicable calendar year.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will assign an Amendment 80 QS 
permit, associated Amendment 80 vessel, or Amendment 80 LLP license to 
the Amendment 80 limited access fishery for the applicable calendar year 
if that Amendment 80 QS permit, associated Amendment 80 vessel, or 
Amendment 80 LLP license is designated on a timely and complete 
application for an Amendment 80 limited access fishery, or if that 
Amendment 80 QS permit, associated Amendment 80 vessel, or Amendment 80 
LLP license is not designated on a timely and complete application for 
CQ that is approved by the Regional Administrator as described under 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) Application for CQ and Application for the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery--(1) General. An application for CQ or an application for 
the Amendment 80 limited access fishery may only be submitted to NMFS 
using any one of the following methods:
    (i) Mail: Regional Administrator, c/o Restricted Access Management 
Program, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668;
    (ii) Fax: 907-586-7354; or
    (iii) Hand delivery or carrier: NMFS, Room 713, 709 West 9th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99801.

[[Page 852]]

    (iv) Electronic: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (2) Application forms. Application forms are available on the NMFS 
Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by 
contacting NMFS at 800-304-4846, Option 2.
    (3) Deadline. A completed application must be received by NMFS no 
later than 1700 hours A.l.t. on November 1 of the year prior to the 
calendar year for which the applicant is applying, or if sent by U.S. 
mail, the application must be postmarked by that time.
    (4) Application for CQ--(i) Amendment 80 cooperative identification. 
The Amendment 80 cooperative's legal name; tax ID number, the type of 
business entity under which the Amendment 80 cooperative is organized; 
the state in which the Amendment 80 cooperative is legally registered as 
a business entity; permanent business address; business telephone 
number; business fax number; e-mail address (if available); and printed 
name of the Amendment 80 cooperative's designated representative.
    (ii) Identification of Amendment 80 QS permit holders and ownership 
documentation. Full name of each Amendment 80 cooperative member; NMFS 
person ID of each member; Amendment 80 QS permit number(s), the names of 
all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in 
the Amendment 80 QS permit(s) assigned to the Amendment 80 cooperative 
and the percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the 
Amendment 80 QS permit(s).
    (iii) Identification of Amendment 80 cooperative member vessels and 
Amendment 80 LLP licenses. Vessel name; ADF&G vessel registration 
number; USCG documentation number; and Amendment 80 LLP license number.
    (iv) Identification of vessels on which the CQ issued to the 
Amendment 80 cooperative will be used. Vessel name, ADF&G vessel 
registration number, and USCG documentation number.
    (v) EDR submission. For 2009 and thereafter, indicate (YES or NO) 
whether each member of the Amendment 80 cooperative has submitted a 
timely and complete EDR for each Amendment 80 QS permit held by that 
person as required under Sec. 679.94.
    (vi) Certification of cooperative authorized representative. The 
cooperative's authorized representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. Explicit 
authorization to complete the application on behalf of the members of 
the cooperative must accompany the application.
    (vii) Copy of membership agreement or contract. Attach a copy of the 
membership agreement or contract that includes terms that list:
    (A) How the Amendment 80 cooperative intends to catch its CQ; and
    (B) The obligations of Amendment 80 QS holders who are members of an 
Amendment 80 cooperative to ensure the full payment of Amendment 80 fee 
liabilities that may be due.
    (5) Application for the Amendment 80 limited access fishery--(i) 
Applicant identification. The applicant's name, NMFS Person ID (if 
applicable), tax ID number (required), permanent business mailing 
address, business telephone number, fax number, and e-mail (if 
available).
    (ii) Amendment 80 vessel identification. The name, ADF&G vessel 
registration number(s), and USCG documentation number(s) of the 
Amendment 80 vessel(s) owned by the applicant.
    (iii) Amendment 80 LLP identification. The Amendment 80 LLP license 
number(s) held by the applicant.
    (iv) Amendment 80 QS permit information. The Amendment 80 QS permit 
number(s) held by the applicant.
    (v) Amendment 80 QS ownership documentation. The names of all 
persons, to the individual person level, holding an ownership interest 
in the Amendment 80 QS permit(s) held by the applicant and the 
percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the Amendment 
80 QS permit(s).
    (vi) EDR submission. For 2009 and thereafter, indicate (YES or NO) 
whether the applicant has submitted a timely and complete EDR for each 
Amendment 80 QS permit held by that person as required under Sec. 
679.94.
    (vii) Applicant signature and certification. The applicant must sign 
and date the application certifying that all

[[Page 853]]

information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her 
knowledge and belief. If the application is completed by a designated 
representative, then explicit authorization signed by the applicant must 
accompany the application.
    (c) Allocations of Amendment 80 species--(1) General. Each calendar 
year, the Regional Administrator will determine the tonnage of Amendment 
80 species that will be assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector 
and the Amendment 80 sector. For participants in the Amendment 80 
sector, the tonnage of fish will be further assigned between Amendment 
80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access fishery.
    (2) Calculation--(i) Determination of TAC and ITAC. NMFS will 
determine the TAC and ITAC for each Amendment 80 species in a calendar 
year in the annual harvest specification process in Sec. 679.20.
    (ii) Annual apportionment of ITAC. The annual apportionment of ITAC 
for each Amendment 80 species between the Amendment 80 sector and the 
BSAI trawl limited access sector in a given calendar year is established 
in Tables 33 and 34 to this part.
    (3) Allocation of CQ to Amendment 80 cooperatives--(i) General. The 
amount of ITAC for each Amendment 80 species assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative is equal to the amount of Amendment 80 QS units assigned to 
that Amendment 80 cooperative by Amendment 80 QS holders divided by the 
total Amendment 80 QS pool multiplied by the Amendment 80 sector ITAC 
for that Amendment 80 species in that management area. Once ITAC for an 
Amendment 80 species in a management area is assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative, it is issued as CQ specific to that Amendment 80 
cooperative.
    (ii) CQ allocation for Amendment 80 species except BSAI Atka 
mackerel. The amount of CQ for each Amendment 80 species except BSAI 
Atka mackerel that is assigned to a Amendment 80 cooperative is 
expressed algebraically as follows:

CQ in a management area = [(Amendment 80 sector ITAC in a management 
area) x (Amendment 80 QS units assigned to that Amendment 80 
cooperative/Amendment 80 QS pool)].

    (iii) CQ allocation for BSAI Atka mackerel. The amount of CQ for 
BSAI Atka mackerel that is assigned to each Amendment 80 cooperative in 
each management area is determined by the following procedure:
    (A) Determine the amount of non-mackerel ITAC in each management 
area using the following equation:

Non-mackerel ITAC in a management area = (Amendment 80 non-mackerel QS 
units designated for that management area/Total Atka mackerel QS pool) x 
Amendment 80 sector ITAC in all management areas.

    (B) Determine the amount of mackerel ITAC in each management area 
using the following equation:

Mackerel ITAC in a management area = Amendment 80 sector ITAC in that 
management area - Non-mackerel ITAC in that management area.

    (C) Determine the amount of non-mackerel CQ assigned to the 
Amendment 80 cooperative using the following equation:

Non-mackerel CQ assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative = (Amendment 
80 non-mackerel QS units designated for that management area assigned to 
that Amendment 80 cooperative/Amendment 80 non-mackerel QS pool in that 
management area) x Non-mackerel ITAC for that management area.

    (D) Determine the amount of mackerel CQ assigned to the Amendment 80 
cooperative using the following equation:

Mackerel CQ in a management area = (Mackerel QS units assigned to that 
Amendment 80 cooperative/Mackerel QS pool) x Mackerel ITAC in that 
management area.

    (E) The total amount of Atka mackerel CQ assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative for a management area is equal to the sum of paragraphs 
(c)(3)(iii)(C) and (D) of this section.
    (4) Amendment 80 limited access fishery. The amount of ITAC in a 
management

[[Page 854]]

area for each Amendment 80 species assigned to the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery is equal to the Amendment 80 sector ITAC remaining after 
subtracting all CQ issued to all Amendment 80 cooperatives for that 
Amendment 80 species in that management area.
    (d) Allocations of halibut PSC--(1) Amount of Amendment 80 halibut 
PSC for the Amendment 80 sector. The amount of halibut PSC limit for the 
Amendment 80 sector for each calendar year is specified in Table 35 to 
this part. That halibut PSC is then assigned to Amendment 80 
cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access fishery pursuant to 
paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section. If one or more Amendment 80 
vessels participate in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery, the 
halibut PSC limit assigned to the Amendment 80 sector will be reduced 
pursuant to paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
    (2) Amount of Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative. For each calendar year, the amount of Amendment 80 halibut 
PSC assigned as CQ to an Amendment 80 cooperative is determined by the 
following procedure:
    (i) Multiply the amount of halibut PSC established in Table 35 to 
this part by the percentage of the Amendment 80 halibut PSC apportioned 
to each Amendment 80 species as established in Table 36 to this part. 
This yields the halibut PSC apportionment for that Amendment 80 species.
    (ii) For each Amendment 80 species, divide the amount of Amendment 
80 QS units assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative by the Amendment 80 
QS pool. This yields the percentage of Amendment 80 QS units held by 
that Amendment 80 cooperative.
    (iii) For each Amendment 80 species, multiply the halibut PSC 
apportionment for that Amendment 80 species established in paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) of this section by the percentage of the Amendment 80 QS pool 
assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative for that Amendment 80 species 
established in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section. This yields the 
amount of halibut PSC apportioned to that cooperative for that Amendment 
80 species.
    (iv) For each Amendment 80 cooperative, sum the results of paragraph 
(d)(2)(iii) of this section for all Amendment 80 species. This yields 
the amount of Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned to that Amendment 80 
cooperative as CQ.
    (3) Amount of Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 
limited access fishery. The amount of Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned 
to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery is equal to the amount of 
halibut PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 sector, as specified in Table 
35 to this part, subtracting the amount of Amendment 80 halibut PSC 
assigned as CQ to all Amendment 80 cooperatives as determined in 
paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section, multiplied by 80 percent.
    (4) Use of Amendment 80 halibut PSC in the Amendment 80 sector--(i) 
Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned to a Amendment 80 cooperative. An 
amount of Amendment 80 halibut PSC is assigned to the CQ permit issued 
to an Amendment 80 cooperative for use while fishing for all groundfish 
species in the BSAI or adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for 
which it adopts a Federal fishing season. Any halibut PSC used by an 
Amendment 80 cooperative must be deducted from the amount of halibut PSC 
CQ on its CQ permit. Amendment 80 halibut PSC on a CQ permit may only be 
used by the members of the Amendment 80 cooperative to which it is 
assigned. Halibut PSC assigned as CQ is not subject to seasonal 
apportionment under Sec. 679.21.
    (ii) Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery. An amount of Amendment 80 halibut PSC is assigned to the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery for use by all Amendment 80 vessels 
in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery while fishing for all 
groundfish species in the BSAI or adjacent waters open by the State of 
Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season. Any halibut PSC 
used by Amendment 80 vessels assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access 
fishery must be deducted from the amount of halibut PSC assigned to the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery. Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned 
to the Amendment 80 limited

[[Page 855]]

access fishery is subject to seasonal apportionment under Sec. 679.21.
    (5) Halibut PSC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector. 
Halibut PSC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector for 
groundfish fishing in the BSAI may only be used by the members of the 
BSAI trawl limited access sector unless modified by reallocation to 
Amendment 80 cooperatives according to the procedures in paragraph (f) 
of this section. Halibut PSC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access 
sector is subject to seasonal apportionment under Sec. 679.21.
    (e) Allocations of crab PSC--(1) Amount of Amendment 80 crab PSC 
assigned to the Amendment 80 sector. The amount of Amendment 80 crab PSC 
assigned to the Amendment 80 sector for each Amendment 80 crab PSC in a 
calendar year is specified in Table 35 to this part. That amount of 
Amendment 80 crab PSC is then assigned to Amendment 80 cooperatives and 
the Amendment 80 limited access fishery.
    (2) Amount of Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative. For each calendar year, for each Amendment 80 crab PSC, the 
amount assigned as CQ to an Amendment 80 cooperative is determined by 
the following procedure:
    (i) Multiply the amount of an Amendment 80 crab PSC established in 
Table 35 to this part by the percentage of the Amendment 80 crab PSC 
apportioned to each Amendment 80 species as established in Table 36 to 
this part. This yields the Amendment 80 crab PSC apportionment for that 
Amendment 80 species.
    (ii) For each Amendment 80 species, divide the amount of Amendment 
80 QS units assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative by the Amendment 80 
QS pool. This yields the percentage of Amendment 80 QS units held by 
that Amendment 80 cooperative.
    (iii) For each Amendment 80 species, multiply the Amendment 80 crab 
PSC apportionment to that Amendment 80 species established in paragraph 
(e)(2)(i) of this section by the percentage of the Amendment 80 QS pool 
held by an Amendment 80 cooperative as established in paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii) of this section. This yields the amount of Amendment 80 crab 
PSC apportioned to that Amendment 80 cooperative for that Amendment 80 
species.
    (iv) For each Amendment 80 crab PSC, sum the results of paragraph 
(e)(2)(iii) for all Amendment 80 species. This yields the amount of that 
Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative.
    (3) Amount of Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 
limited access fishery. The amount of each Amendment 80 crab PSC 
assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery is equal to the 
amount of that Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 sector 
specified in Table 35 to this part subtracting the amount of that crab 
PSC that has been assigned as CQ to all Amendment 80 cooperatives as 
determined in paragraph (e)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (4) Use of Amendment 80 crab PSC in the Amendment 80 sector--(i) 
Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative. An amount 
of Amendment 80 crab PSC is assigned to the CQ permit issued to an 
Amendment 80 cooperative for use while fishing for all groundfish 
species in the BSAI or adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for 
which it adopts a Federal fishing season. Any Amendment 80 crab PSC used 
by an Amendment 80 cooperative must be deducted from the amount of 
Amendment 80 crab PSC CQ on its CQ permit. Amendment 80 crab PSC on a CQ 
permit may only be used by the members of the Amendment 80 cooperative 
to which it is assigned. Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned as CQ is not 
subject to seasonal apportionment under Sec. 679.21.
    (ii) Amendment 80 halibut PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery. An amount of Amendment 80 crab PSC is assigned to the 
Amendment 80 limited access fishery for use by all Amendment 80 vessels 
in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery while fishing for all 
groundfish species in the BSAI or adjacent waters open by the State of 
Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season. Any Amendment 80 
crab PSC used by Amendment 80 vessels assigned to the Amendment 80 
limited access fishery must be deducted from the amount of Amendment

[[Page 856]]

80 crab PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery. 
Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access 
fishery is subject to seasonal apportionment under Sec. 679.21.
    (5) Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access 
sector. Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access 
sector for groundfish fishing in the BSAI may only be used by the 
members of the BSAI trawl limited access sector unless modified by 
reallocation to Amendment 80 cooperatives according to the procedures in 
paragraph (f) of this section. Amendment 80 crab PSC assigned to the 
BSAI trawl limited access sector is subject to seasonal apportionment 
under Sec. 679.21.
    (f) Rollover--Annual reallocation of an Amendment 80 species ICA or 
ITAC, crab PSC, and halibut PSC from the BSAI trawl limited access 
sector to Amendment 80 cooperatives--(1) General. The Regional 
Administrator may reallocate a portion of an ICA or ITAC of an Amendment 
80 species, crab PSC, or halibut PSC amount assigned to the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector to Amendment 80 cooperatives if the amount 
assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector is projected not to be 
harvested or used. Any reallocation will result in an amended CQ permit 
for each Amendment 80 cooperative. The timing of a reallocation will be 
at the discretion of the Regional Administrator.
    (2) Factors considered. The Regional Administrator may consider the 
following factors when reallocating an ICA, a directed fishing allowance 
of an Amendment 80 species, or crab PSC, or halibut PSC amounts from the 
BSAI trawl limited access sector to Amendment 80 cooperatives:
    (i) The risk of biological harm to a groundfish species or species 
group;
    (ii) The risk of socioeconomic harm to other domestic fishery 
participants;
    (iii) The impact that the allocation might have on the socioeconomic 
well-being of Amendment 80 cooperatives;
    (iv) Current catch and PSC use in the BSAI trawl limited access 
sector;
    (v) Historic catch and PSC use in the BSAI trawl limited access 
sector;
    (vi) Harvest capacity and any stated intent on the future harvesting 
patterns of vessels in the BSAI trawl limited access sector;
    (vii) Administrative requirements to reissue CQ permits; and
    (viii) Any other relevant biological, socioeconomic, or 
administrative factors.
    (3) Rollover of Amendment 80 species. If, during a fishing year, the 
Regional Administrator determines that a reallocation of a portion of 
the ITAC or ICA of an Amendment 80 species assigned to the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector to Amendment 80 cooperatives is appropriate, the 
Regional Administrator will issue a revised CQ permit to reallocate that 
amount of Amendment 80 species to each Amendment 80 cooperative 
according to the following formula:

Amount of additional CQ issued to an Amendment 80 cooperative = Amount 
of Amendment 80 species available for reallocation to Amendment 80 
cooperatives x (Amount of CQ for that Amendment 80 species initially 
assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative / [Sigma] CQ for that 
Amendment 80 species initially assigned to all Amendment 80 
cooperatives).

    (4) Rollover of halibut PSC. If, during a fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator determines that a reallocation of a portion of the halibut 
PSC assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector to Amendment 80 
cooperatives is appropriate, the Regional Administrator will issue a 
revised CQ permit to reallocate that amount of halibut PSC to each 
Amendment 80 cooperative according to the following procedure:
    (i) Multiply the amount of the halibut PSC limit to be reallocated 
by 95 percent (0.95). This yields the maximum amount of halibut PSC 
available for allocation to Amendment 80 cooperatives; and
    (ii) Determine the halibut PSC CQ issued to each Amendment 80 
cooperative according to the following formula:

Amount of additional CQ issued to an Amendment 80 cooperative = Maximum 
amount of halibut PSC available for reallocation to Amendment

[[Page 857]]

80 cooperatives x (Amount of halibut PSC CQ initially assigned to that 
Amendment 80 cooperative / [Sigma] halibut PSC CQ initially assigned to 
all Amendment 80 cooperatives).

    (5) Rollover of crab PSC. If, during a fishing year, the Regional 
Administrator determines that a reallocation of a portion of a crab PSC 
assigned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector to Amendment 80 
cooperatives is appropriate, the Regional Administrator will issue a 
revised CQ permit to reallocate that amount of crab PSC to each 
Amendment 80 cooperative according to the following formula:

Amount of CQ issued to an Amendment 80 cooperative = Amount of that crab 
PSC available for allocation to Amendment 80 cooperatives x (Amount of 
that crab PSC CQ initially assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative / 
[Sigma] that crab PSC CQ initially assigned to all Amendment 80 
cooperatives).

    (g) Application for inter-cooperative transfer of Amendment 80 CQ--
(1) Completed application. NMFS will process an application for inter-
cooperative transfer of Amendment 80 cooperative quota (CQ) provided 
that a paper or electronic application is completed by the transferor 
and transferee, with all applicable fields accurately filled in, and all 
required additional documentation is attached.
    (2) Amendment 80 species CQ assignment. Amendment 80 species CQ must 
be assigned to a member of the Amendment 80 cooperative receiving the CQ 
for purposes of use cap calculations. No member of an Amendment 80 
cooperative may exceed the CQ use cap applicable to that member.
    (3) Total amount of Amendment 80 species CQ. For purposes of 
Amendment 80 species CQ use cap calculations, the total amount of 
Amendment 80 species CQ held or used by a person is equal to all metric 
tons of Amendment 80 species CQ derived from all Amendment 80 QS units 
on all Amendment 80 QS permits held by that person and assigned to the 
Amendment 80 cooperative and all metric tons of Amendment 80 species CQ 
assigned to that person by the Amendment 80 cooperative from approved 
transfers.
    (4) Amendment 80 QS units. The amount of Amendment 80 QS units held 
by a person, and CQ derived from those Amendment 80 QS units, is 
calculated using the individual and collective use cap rule established 
in Sec. 679.92(a).
    (5) Certification of transferor--(i) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferor's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete. The transferor's designated representative must submit the 
paper application as indicated on the application.
    (ii) Electronic submittal. The transferor's designated 
representative must log into the system and create a transfer request as 
indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferor's NMFS ID, 
password, and Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the 
designated representative certifies that all information is true, 
correct, and complete.
    (6) Certification of transferee--(i) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferee's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (ii) Electronic submittal. The transferee's designated 
representative must log into the system and accept the transfer request 
as indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferee's NMFS ID, 
password and Transfer Key, the designated representative certifies that 
all information is true, correct, and complete.
    (h) Amendment 80 cooperative--(1) General. This section governs the 
formation and operation of Amendment 80 cooperatives. The regulations in 
this section apply only to Amendment 80 cooperatives that have formed 
for the purpose of applying for and fishing with CQ issued annually by 
NMFS. Members of Amendment 80 cooperatives should consult legal counsel 
before commencing any activity if the members are uncertain about the 
legality under the antitrust laws of the Amendment 80 cooperative's 
proposed conduct. Membership in an Amendment 80 cooperative is 
voluntary. No person may be required to join an Amendment 80 
cooperative. If a person becomes the owner of an Amendment

[[Page 858]]

80 vessel or a holder of an Amendment 80 LLP/QS license that has been 
assigned to an Amendment 80 cooperative, then that person may join that 
Amendment 80 cooperative as a member upon receipt of that Amendment 80 
vessel or Amendment 80 LLP/QS license. Members may leave an Amendment 80 
cooperative, but any CQ contributed by the Amendment 80 QS permit(s) 
held by that member will remain with that Amendment 80 cooperative for 
the duration of the calendar year.
    (2) Legal and organizational requirements. An Amendment 80 
cooperative must meet the following legal and organizational 
requirements before it is eligible to receive CQ:
    (i) Each Amendment 80 cooperative must be formed as a partnership, 
corporation, or other legal business entity that is registered under the 
laws of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia;
    (ii) Each Amendment 80 cooperative must appoint an individual as the 
designated representative to act on the Amendment 80 cooperative's 
behalf and to serve as a contact point for NMFS for questions regarding 
the operation of the Amendment 80 cooperative. The designated 
representative may be a member of the Amendment 80 cooperative, or some 
other individual designated by the Amendment 80 cooperative to act on 
its behalf;
    (iii) Each Amendment 80 cooperative must submit a timely and 
complete application for CQ; and
    (iv) Each Amendment 80 cooperative must meet the mandatory 
requirements established in paragraphs (h)(3) and (4) of this section 
applicable to that Amendment 80 cooperative.
    (3) Mandatory requirements. The following table describes the 
requirements to form an Amendment 80 cooperative:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Who may join an Amendment 80         Any Amendment 80 QS holder
 cooperative?.                            named on a timely and complete
                                          application for CQ for that
                                          calendar year that is approved
                                          by NMFS. Individuals who are
                                          not Amendment 80 QS holders
                                          may be employed by, or serve
                                          as the designated
                                          representative of an Amendment
                                          80 cooperative, but are not
                                          members of the Amendment 80
                                          cooperative.
(ii) What is the minimum number of       Any combination of at least
 Amendment 80 QS permits that must be     seven Amendment 80 QS permits
 assigned to an Amendment 80              which would include Amendment
 cooperative to allow it to form?         80 LLP/QS licenses.
(iii) How many Amendment 80 QS holders   At least two Amendment 80 QS
 are required to form an Amendment 80     holders each of whom may not
 cooperative?                             have a ten percent or greater
                                          direct or indirect ownership
                                          interest in any of the other
                                          Amendment 80 QS holders.
(iv) Is there a minimum amount of        No.
 Amendment 80 QS units that must be
 assigned to an Amendment 80
 cooperative for it to be allowed to
 form?
(v) What is allocated to the Amendment   CQ for each Amendment 80
 80 cooperative?                          species, crab PSC, and halibut
                                          PSC, based on the amount of
                                          Amendment 80 QS units assigned
                                          to the cooperative.
(vi) Is this CQ an exclusive catch and   Yes, the members of the
 use privilege?                           Amendment 80 cooperative have
                                          an exclusive privilege to
                                          collectively catch and use
                                          this CQ, or an Amendment 80
                                          cooperative can transfer all
                                          or a portion of this CQ to
                                          another Amendment 80
                                          cooperative.
(vii) Is there a period in a calendar    Yes, any Amendment 80 vessel
 year during which designated vessels     designated to catch CQ for an
 must catch CQ?                           Amendment 80 cooperative is
                                          prohibited from catching CQ
                                          during the season closure for
                                          trawl gear in the BSAI
                                          specified at Sec. 679.23(c)
                                          unless regulations at Sec.
                                          679.23 applicable to an
                                          Amendment 80 species in the
                                          BSAI are more restrictive than
                                          those established in Sec.
                                          679.23(c), in which case the
                                          more restrictive regulations
                                          will apply.
(viii) Can any vessel catch an           No, only Amendment 80 vessels
 Amendment 80 cooperative's CQ?.          that are assigned to that
                                          Amendment 80 cooperative for
                                          that calendar year in the
                                          application for CQ may catch
                                          and process the CQ assigned to
                                          that Amendment 80 cooperative.
(ix) Can a member of an Amendment 80     No, only the designated
 cooperative transfer CQ individually     representative of the
 without the approval of the other        Amendment 80 cooperative, and
 members of the Amendment 80              not individual members, may
 cooperative?                             transfer its CQ to another
                                          Amendment 80 cooperative; and
                                          only if that transfer is
                                          approved by NMFS as
                                          established under paragraph
                                          (g) of this section.
(x) Are GOA sideboard limits assigned    No, GOA sideboard limits are
 to specific persons or Amendment 80      not assigned to specific
 cooperatives?                            persons or Amendment 80
                                          cooperatives. GOA sideboard
                                          limits are assigned to the
                                          Amendment 80 sector.

[[Page 859]]

 
(xi) Can an Amendment 80 QS permit,      No, an Amendment 80 QS permit,
 Amendment 80 LLP license, or Amendment   Amendment 80 LLP license, or
 80 vessel be assigned to more than one   Amendment 80 vessel may be
 Amendment 80 cooperative in a calendar   assigned to only one Amendment
 year?                                    80 cooperative in a calendar
                                          year. A person holding
                                          multiple Amendment 80 QS
                                          permits, Amendment 80 LLP
                                          licenses, or owning multiple
                                          Amendment 80 vessels is not
                                          required to assign all
                                          Amendment 80 QS permits,
                                          Amendment 80 LLP licenses, or
                                          Amendment 80 vessels to the
                                          same Amendment 80 cooperative
                                          or the Amendment 80 limited
                                          access fishery.
(xii) Can an Amendment 80 QS permit,     No, an Amendment 80 QS permit,
 Amendment 80 LLP license, or Amendment   Amendment 80 LLP license, or
 80 vessel be assigned to an Amendment    Amendment 80 vessel assigned
 80 cooperative and the Amendment 80      to an Amendment 80 cooperative
 limited access fishery?.                 may not be assigned to the
                                          Amendment 80 limited access
                                          fishery for that calendar
                                          year. Prior to the 2014
                                          fishing year, a person holding
                                          multiple Amendment 80 QS
                                          permits, Amendment 80 LLP
                                          licenses, or owning multiple
                                          Amendment 80 vessels is not
                                          required to assign all
                                          Amendment 80 QS permits,
                                          Amendment 80 LLP licenses, or
                                          Amendment 80 vessels to the
                                          same Amendment 80 cooperative
                                          or the Amendment 80 limited
                                          access fishery. Starting with
                                          the 2014 fishing year and
                                          thereafter, a person holding
                                          multiple Amendment 80 QS
                                          permits, Amendment 80 LLP
                                          licenses, or owning multiple
                                          Amendment 80 vessels must
                                          assign all Amendment 80 QS
                                          permits, Amendment 80 LLP
                                          licenses, or Amendment 80
                                          vessels to either one or more
                                          Amendment 80 cooperatives, or
                                          the Amendment 80 limited
                                          access fishery.
(xiii) Which members may catch the       Use of a cooperative's CQ
 Amendment 80 cooperative's CQ?           permit is determined by the
                                          Amendment 80 cooperative
                                          contract signed by its
                                          members. Any violations of
                                          this contract by a cooperative
                                          member may be subject to civil
                                          claims by other members of the
                                          Amendment 80 cooperative.
(xiv) Does an Amendment 80 cooperative   Yes, an Amendment 80
 need a membership agreement or           cooperative must have a
 contract?                                membership agreement or
                                          contract. A copy of this
                                          agreement or contract must be
                                          submitted to NMFS with the
                                          application for CQ. The
                                          membership agreement or
                                          contract must specify:
                                         (A) How the Amendment 80
                                          cooperative intends to catch
                                          its CQ; and
                                         (B) The obligations of
                                          Amendment 80 QS holders, who
                                          are members of an Amendment 80
                                          cooperative, to ensure the
                                          full payment of Amendment 80
                                          fee liabilities that may be
                                          due.
(xv) What happens if the Amendment 80    A copy of the amended Amendment
 cooperative membership agreement or      80 membership agreement or
 contract is modified during the          contract must be sent to NMFS
 fishing year?                            in accordance with Sec.
                                          679.4(a)(4).
(xvi) What happens if the Amendment 80   An Amendment 80 cooperative is
 cooperative exceeds its CQ amount?       not authorized to catch
                                          Amendment 80 species or use
                                          crab PSC or halibut PSC in
                                          excess of the amount on its CQ
                                          permit. Exceeding a CQ permit
                                          is a violation of the
                                          regulations. Each member of
                                          the Amendment 80 cooperative
                                          is jointly and severally
                                          liable for any violations of
                                          the Amendment 80 Program
                                          regulations while fishing
                                          under the authority of a CQ
                                          permit. This liability extends
                                          to any persons who are hired
                                          to catch or receive CQ
                                          assigned to an Amendment 80
                                          cooperative. Each member of an
                                          Amendment 80 cooperative is
                                          responsible for ensuring that
                                          all members of the cooperative
                                          comply with all regulations
                                          applicable to fishing under
                                          the Amendment 80 Program.
(xvii) Is there a limit on how much CQ   No, but each Amendment 80 QS
 an Amendment 80 cooperative may hold     holder is subject to use caps,
 or use?                                  and an Amendment 80 vessel may
                                          be subject to vessel use caps.
                                          See Sec. 679.92(a).
(xviii) Is there a limit on how much CQ  Yes, an Amendment 80 vessel may
 a vessel may catch?.                     not catch more than 20 percent
                                          of the aggregate Amendment 80
                                          species ITAC assigned to the
                                          Amendment 80 sector for that
                                          calendar year. See Sec.
                                          679.92(a) for use cap
                                          provisions.
(xix) Are there any special reporting    Yes, the designated
 requirements?.                           representative of the
                                          Amendment 80 cooperative must
                                          submit an annual Amendment 80
                                          cooperative report as
                                          described under Sec.
                                          679.5(s). In addition, each
                                          member of an Amendment 80
                                          cooperative must submit a
                                          timely and complete EDR as
                                          described under Sec. 679.94.
(xx) Is there a requirement that an      Yes, see Sec. 679.95 for the
 Amendment 80 cooperative pay Amendment   provisions that apply.
 80 cost recovery fees?.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 860]]

    (4) Successors-in-interest. If a member of an Amendment 80 
cooperative dies (in the case of an individual) or dissolves (in the 
case of a business entity), the CQ derived from the Amendment 80 QS 
permits assigned to the Amendment 80 cooperative for that year from that 
person remains under the control of the Amendment 80 cooperative for the 
duration of that calendar year as specified in the Amendment 80 
cooperative contract. Each Amendment 80 cooperative is free to establish 
its own internal procedures for admitting a successor-in-interest during 
the fishing season due to the death or dissolution of an Amendment 80 
cooperative member.
    (i) Amendment 80 ABC reserves--(1) General. The Regional 
Administrator will determine the Amendment 80 ABC reserves for flathead 
sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole that will be assigned to the 
Amendment 80 sector as part of the annual harvest specifications 
described at Sec. 679.20(c). Amendment 80 ABC reserves will be further 
allocated to Amendment 80 cooperative(s), as described in paragraph 
(i)(2) of this section.
    (2) Allocation of Amendment 80 ABC reserves to Amendment 80 
cooperatives. The amount of Amendment 80 ABC reserve for each species of 
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole assigned to an Amendment 80 
cooperative is equal to the amount of Amendment 80 QS units of that 
species assigned to that Amendment 80 cooperative by Amendment 80 QS 
holders divided by the total Amendment 80 QS pool for that species 
multiplied by the Amendment 80 ABC reserve for that species.
    (3) Accessing Amendment 80 ABC reserves. An Amendment 80 cooperative 
may request that NMFS approve a Flatfish Exchange to add flathead sole, 
rock sole, or yellowfin sole CQ to its Amendment 80 CQ account in 
exchange for reducing its Amendment 80 CQ by an equal amount of flathead 
sole, rock sole, or yellowfin sole. An Amendment 80 cooperative may 
request Flatfish Exchanges by submitting a completed Flatfish Exchange 
Application as described in Sec. 679.4(p).

[72 FR 52726, Sept. 14, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 51518, Oct. 7, 2009; 
76 FR 68357, Nov. 4, 2011; 79 FR 56681, Sept. 23, 2014; 81 FR 171, Jan. 
5, 2016; 81 FR 24733, Apr. 27, 2016]



Sec. 679.92  Amendment 80 Program use caps and sideboard limits.

    (a) Use caps--(1) General. Use caps limit the amount of Amendment 80 
QS units and Amendment 80 species CQ that may be held or used by an 
Amendment 80 QS holder or Amendment 80 vessel. Use caps may not be 
exceeded unless the Amendment 80 QS holder or Amendment 80 vessel 
subject to the use cap is specifically allowed to exceed a cap according 
to the criteria established under this paragraph (a) or by an operation 
of law. There are two types of use caps: Person use caps and vessel use 
caps. All Amendment 80 QS unit use caps are based on the aggregate 
Amendment 80 species Amendment 80 initial QS pool set forth in Table 32 
to this part. The use caps apply as follows:
    (2) Amendment 80 QS holder use cap--(i) QS and CQ use cap. A person 
may not individually or collectively hold or use more than thirty (30.0) 
percent of the aggregate Amendment 80 QS units initially assigned to the 
Amendment 80 sector and resulting CQ unless that person receives those 
Amendment 80 QS units on an Amendment 80 permit(s) based on Amendment 80 
legal landings assigned to Amendment 80 vessel(s) or Amendment 80 LLP 
license(s) held by that Amendment 80 QS holder:
    (A) Prior to June 9, 2006; and
    (B) At the time of application for Amendment 80 QS.
    (ii) CQ use cap calculation. For purposes of calculating and 
applying the CQ use cap, a person is assigned CQ based on:
    (A) The amount of CQ derived from the Amendment 80 QS units held by 
that person; and
    (B) Any CQ assigned to that person in an Application for CQ 
transfer.
    (iii) Transfer limitations. (A) An Amendment 80 QS holder that 
receives an initial allocation of aggregate Amendment 80 QS units that 
exceeds the use cap listed in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section cannot 
receive any Amendment 80 QS permit by transfer unless and until that 
person's holdings of aggregate Amendment 80 QS units are reduced to an 
amount below the use cap specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this 
section.

[[Page 861]]

    (B) If an Amendment 80 QS holder that received an initial allocation 
of aggregate Amendment 80 QS units on his or her Amendment 80 QS permits 
that exceeds the use cap listed in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section 
transfers an Amendment 80 QS permit to another person, the transferor 
may not hold more than the greater of either the amount of Amendment 80 
QS units held by the transferor after the transfer if the amount of 
aggregate Amendment 80 QS units continues to exceed the use cap, or the 
amount equal to the Amendment 80 QS unit use cap established in 
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.
    (C) An Amendment 80 QS holder that receives an initial allocation of 
aggregate Amendment 80 QS units on his or her Amendment 80 QS permits 
that exceeds the use cap listed in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section 
is prohibited from having any CQ assigned to that Amendment 80 QS holder 
in an application for CQ transfer unless and until that Amendment 80 QS 
holder's holdings of aggregate Amendment 80 QS units are reduced to an 
amount below the use cap specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this 
section.
    (3) ITAC use cap for an Amendment 80 vessel. An Amendment 80 vessel 
may not be used to catch an amount of Amendment 80 species greater than 
twenty (20.0) percent of the aggregate Amendment 80 species ITACs 
assigned to the Amendment 80 sector. This amount includes ITAC that is 
assigned as CQ or to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery.
    (b) GOA sideboard limits--(1) GOA groundfish sideboard limits. 
Amendment 80 vessels may not be used to catch more than the amounts of 
groundfish in the management areas specified in Table 37 to this part 
from January 1 through December 31 of each year, except that GOA 
groundfish sideboard limits specified in Table 37 to this part do not 
apply when an Amendment 80 vessel is using dredge gear while directed 
fishing for scallops in the GOA.
    (2) GOA halibut PSC sideboard limits. All Amendment 80 vessels, 
other than the fishing vessel GOLDEN FLEECE as specified in paragraph 
(d) of this section, may not use halibut PSC in the fishery categories 
and management areas, greater than the amounts specified in Table 38 to 
this part during January 1 through December 31 of each year. Any 
residual amount of a seasonal sideboard halibut PSC limit may carry 
forward to the next season limit. This restriction on halibut PSC usage 
does not apply to the following two exceptions:
    (i) An Amendment 80 vessel that uses halibut PSC CQ in the Central 
GOA subject to the regulations established in the Rockfish Program under 
subpart G to this part is not subject to the halibut PSC sideboard 
limits in Table 38 to this part while fishing under a Rockfish CQ 
permit; and
    (ii) Halibut PSC sideboard limits in Table 38 to this part do not 
apply when an Amendment 80 vessel is using dredge gear while directed 
fishing for scallops in the GOA.
    (c) Sideboard restrictions applicable to Amendment 80 vessels 
directed fishing for flatfish in the GOA--(1) Originally Qualifying 
Amendment 80 Vessels. An Amendment 80 vessel listed in column A of Table 
39 to this part may be used to fish in the directed arrowtooth flounder, 
deep-water flatfish, flathead sole, rex sole, and shallow-water flatfish 
fisheries in the GOA and in adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska 
for which it adopts a Federal fishing season.
    (2) Amendment 80 Replacement Vessels. (i) Any vessel that NMFS 
approves to replace an Amendment 80 vessel listed in column A of Table 
39 to this part may be used to fish in the directed arrowtooth flounder, 
deep-water flatfish, flathead sole, rex sole, and shallow-water flatfish 
fisheries in the GOA and in adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska 
for which it adopts a Federal fishing season.
    (ii) Any vessel that NMFS subsequently approves to replace an 
Amendment 80 replacement vessel that replaced an Amendment 80 vessel 
listed in column A of Table 39 to this part may be used to fish in the 
directed arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, flathead sole, rex 
sole, and shallow-water flatfish fisheries in the GOA and in adjacent 
waters open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing 
season.

[[Page 862]]

    (d) Sideboard restrictions applicable to the fishing vessel GOLDEN 
FLEECE. (1) The fishing vessel GOLDEN FLEECE (USCG documentation number 
609951):
    (i) May not be used for directed groundfish fishing for northern 
rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish, pollock, Pacific cod, or Pacific ocean 
perch in the GOA and in adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for 
which it adopts a Federal fishing season; and
    (ii) Is not subject to halibut PSC sideboard limits as described in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section in the GOA or adjacent waters open by 
the State of Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season.
    (2) Sideboard restrictions applicable to any vessel replacing the 
GOLDEN FLEECE. (i) If the vessel replacing the GOLDEN FLEECE is of an 
LOA less than or equal to 124 ft. (38.1 m) (the MLOA of the LLP license 
that was originally assigned to the GOLDEN FLEECE, LLG 2524), then the 
sideboard provisions at Sec. 679.92(c) and (d)(1) apply.
    (ii) If the vessel replacing the GOLDEN FLEECE is greater than 124 
ft. (38.1 m) (the MLOA of the LLP license that was originally assigned 
to the GOLDEN FLEECE, LLG 2524), then the sideboard provisions at Sec. 
679.92(b) and (c) apply.
    (e) Sideboard restrictions applicable to Amendment 80 vessel not 
assigned an Amendment 80 QS permit, Amendment 80 LLP license, or 
Amendment 80 LLP/QS license. All Amendment 80 vessels not designated on:
    (1) An Amendment 80 QS permit and an Amendment 80 LLP license; or
    (2) An Amendment 80 LLP/QS license will be allocated a catch limit 
of 0 mt in the BSAI and GOA.

[72 FR 52726, Sept. 14, 2007, as amended at 77 FR 59871, Oct. 1, 2012; 
79 FR 9641, Feb. 20, 2014]



Sec. 679.93  Amendment 80 Program recordkeeping, permits, monitoring, and catch accounting.

    (a) Recordkeeping and reporting. See Sec. 679.5(s).
    (b) Permits. See Sec. 679.4(o).
    (c) Catch monitoring requirements for Amendment 80 vessels and 
catcher/processors not listed in Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(i) using trawl gear 
and fishing in the BSAI. The requirements under paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (9) of this section apply to all Amendment 80 vessels except 
Amendment 80 vessels using dredge gear while directed fishing for 
scallops, and any other catcher/processor not listed in Sec. 
679.4(l)(2)(i) using trawl gear and fishing or receiving fish in the 
BSAI and in adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it 
adopts a Federal fishing season. Except when using dredge gear while 
directed fishing for scallops, at all times when an Amendment 80 vessel 
or a catcher/processor not listed in Sec. 679.4(l)(2)(i) using trawl 
gear has BSAI groundfish onboard the vessel, the vessel owner or 
operator must ensure that:
    (1) Catch weighing. All catch, except halibut sorted on deck by 
vessels participating in halibut deck sorting described at Sec. 
679.120, are weighed on a NMFS-approved scale in compliance with the 
scale requirements at Sec. 679.28(b). Each haul must be weighed 
separately, all catch must be made available for sampling by a NMFS-
certified observer, and no sorting of catch, except halibut sorted on 
deck by vessels participating in halibut deck sorting described at Sec. 
679.120, may take place prior to weighing.
    (2) Observer sampling station. An observer sampling station meeting 
the requirements at Sec. 679.28(d) is available at all times.
    (3) Observer coverage requirements. The vessel is in compliance with 
the observer coverage requirements described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2).
    (4) Operational line. The vessel has no more than one operational 
line or other conveyance for the mechanized movement of catch between 
the scale used to weigh total catch and the location where the observer 
collects species composition samples.
    (5) Fish on deck. No fish are allowed to remain on deck unless an 
observer is present, except for fish inside the codend and fish 
accidentally spilled from the codend during hauling and dumping. Fish 
accidentally spilled from the codend must be moved to the fish bin.
    (6) Sample storage. There is sufficient space to accommodate a 
minimum of 10 observer sampling baskets. This space must be within or 
adjacent to the observer sampling station.

[[Page 863]]

    (7) Pre-cruise meeting. The Observer Program is notified by phone at 
1 (907) 581-2060 (Dutch Harbor, AK) or 1 (907) 481-1770 (Kodiak, AK) at 
least 24 hours prior to departure when the vessel will be carrying an 
observer who has not previously been deployed on that vessel within the 
last 12 months. Subsequent to the vessel's departure notification, but 
prior to departure, NMFS may contact the vessel to arrange for a pre-
cruise meeting. The pre-cruise meeting must minimally include the vessel 
operator or manager and any observers assigned to the vessel.
    (8) Belt and flow operations. The vessel operator stops the flow of 
fish and clears all belts between the bin doors and the area where the 
observer collects samples of unsorted catch when requested to do so by 
the observer.
    (9) Vessel crew in tanks or bins. The vessel owner or operator must 
comply with the bin monitoring standards specified in Sec. 
679.28(i)(1).
    (d) Catch monitoring requirements for Amendment 80 vessels fishing 
in the GOA. The requirements under this section apply to any Amendment 
80 vessel fishing in the GOA and in adjacent waters open by the State of 
Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season except Amendment 80 
vessels using dredge gear while directed fishing for scallops. At all 
times when an Amendment 80 vessel is not using dredge gear while 
directed fishing for scallops and has GOA groundfish onboard the vessel 
owner or operator must ensure that:
    (1) Catch from an individual haul is not mixed with catch from 
another haul prior to sampling by an observer, and all catch is made 
available for sampling by an observer;
    (2) The vessel is in compliance with the observer coverage 
requirements described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2);
    (3) Operational Line. The vessel has no more than one operational 
line or other conveyance for the mechanized movement of catch at the 
location where the observer collects species composition samples; and
    (4) The requirements in Sec. 679.93(c)(5), (8), and (9) are met.
    (e) Catch accounting--(1) Amendment 80 species--(i) Amendment 80 
cooperative. All Amendment 80 species caught in the BSAI, including 
catch in adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts 
a Federal fishing season, by an Amendment 80 vessel assigned to an 
Amendment 80 cooperative will be debited from the CQ permit for that 
Amendment 80 cooperative for that calendar year unless that Amendment 80 
vessel is using dredge gear while directed fishing for scallops.
    (ii) Amendment 80 limited access fishery. All Amendment 80 species 
caught in the BSAI, including catch in adjacent waters open by the State 
of Alaska for which it adopts a Federal fishing season, by an Amendment 
80 vessel assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery will be 
debited against the ITAC for that Amendment 80 species in the Amendment 
80 limited access fishery for that calendar year unless that Amendment 
80 vessel is using dredge gear while directed fishing for scallops.
    (2) Crab PSC and halibut PSC--(i) Amendment 80 cooperative. All crab 
PSC or halibut PSC used by an Amendment 80 vessel assigned to an 
Amendment 80 cooperative in the BSAI, including crab PSC or halibut PSC 
used in the adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it 
adopts a Federal fishing season, will be debited against the CQ permit 
for that Amendment 80 cooperative for that calendar year unless that 
Amendment 80 vessel is using dredge gear while directed fishing for 
scallops.
    (ii) Amendment 80 limited access fishery. All crab PSC or halibut 
PSC used by an Amendment 80 vessel assigned to the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery in the BSAI, including crab PSC or halibut PSC used in 
the adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts a 
Federal fishing season, will be debited against the crab PSC or halibut 
PSC limit assigned to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery for that 
calendar year, unless that Amendment 80 vessels is using dredge gear 
while directed fishing for scallops.
    (3) GOA groundfish sideboard limits. All Amendment 80 sideboard 
species defined in Table 37 to this part caught in the GOA, including 
catch in adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts 
a Federal fishing season, by an Amendment 80 vessel will be debited 
against the Amendment 80 sideboard limit for that Amendment 80

[[Page 864]]

sideboard species for that calendar year except Amendment 80 sideboard 
species caught by Amendment 80 vessel using dredge gear while directed 
fishing for scallops.
    (4) GOA halibut sideboard limits. All halibut PSC used by all 
Amendment 80 vessels in the GOA, including halibut PSC used in the 
adjacent waters open by the State of Alaska for which it adopts a 
Federal fishing season, will be debited against the sideboard limit 
established for the Amendment 80 sector, except:
    (i) Halibut PSC CQ used by the catcher/processor sector in the 
Rockfish Program in the Central GOA;
    (ii) Halibut PSC used by the fishing vessel GOLDEN FLEECE (USCG 
Documentation number 609951); and
    (iii) Halibut PSC used by an Amendment 80 vessel using dredge gear 
while directed fishing for scallops.

[72 FR 52726, Sept. 14, 2007, as amended at 75 FR 53069, Aug. 30, 2010; 
78 FR 12632, Feb. 25, 2013; 81 FR 67118, Sept. 30, 2016; 83 FR 30533, 
June 29, 2018; 84 FR 55053, Oct. 15, 2019]



Sec. 679.94  Economic data report (EDR) for 
the Amendment 80 sector.

    (a) Annual Trawl Catcher/Processor Economic Data Report (EDR)--(1) 
Requirement to submit an EDR. A person who held an Amendment 80 QS 
permit during a calendar year must submit a complete Annual Trawl 
Catcher/Processor EDR for that calendar year by following the 
instructions on the Annual Trawl Catcher/Processor EDR form.
    (2) Deadline. A completed EDR or EDR certification pages must be 
submitted as required on the form to NMFS for each calendar year on or 
before 1700 hours, A.l.t., June 1 of the following year.
    (3) Information required. The Annual Trawl Catcher/Processor EDR 
form is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at 
www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting NMFS at 1-800-304-4846.
    (4) EDR certification pages. Any person required to submit an EDR 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or their designated 
representative, if applicable, must submit the EDR certification 
statement as either:
    (i) Part of the entire EDR. A person submitting the completed EDR 
must attest to the accuracy and completion of the EDR by signing and 
dating the certification portion of the EDR form; or
    (ii) EDR certification only. A person submitting a completed EDR 
certification only must attest that they meet the conditions exempting 
them from submitting the entire EDR as described in the certification 
portion of the Annual Trawl Catcher/Processor EDR form and sign and date 
the certification portion of the EDR form.
    (b) Verification of EDR data. (1) NMFS or the DCA will conduct 
verification of information with a person required to submit the Annual 
Trawl Catcher/Processor EDR, or if applicable, that person's designated 
representative.
    (2) A person required to submit the Annual Trawl Catcher/Processor 
EDR or designated representative, if applicable, must respond to 
inquiries by NMFS, the DCA within 20 days of the date of issuance of the 
inquiry.

[79 FR 71318, Dec. 2, 2014, as amended at 88 FR 7591, Feb. 6, 2023]



Sec. 679.95  Amendment 80 Program cost recovery.

    (a) Cost recovery fee program for Amendment 80--(1) Who is 
responsible? The person designated as the Amendment 80 cooperative 
representative at the time of an Amendment 80 CQ landing must comply 
with the requirements of this section, notwithstanding:
    (i) Subsequent transfer of Amendment 80 CQ or Amendment 80 QS held 
by Amendment 80 cooperative members;
    (ii) Non-renewal of an Amendment 80 CQ permit; or
    (iii) Changes in the membership in an Amendment 80 cooperative, such 
as members joining or departing during the relevant year, or changes in 
the amount of Amendment 80 QS holdings of those members.
    (2) Fee collection. Each Amendment 80 cooperative representative is 
responsible for submitting the cost recovery payment for Amendment 80 CQ 
landings made under the authority of its Amendment 80 CQ permit.

[[Page 865]]

    (3) Payment--(i) Payment due date. An Amendment 80 cooperative 
representative must submit all Amendment 80 fee liability payment(s) to 
NMFS at the address provided in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section no 
later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Amendment 80 CQ 
landings were made.
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make electronic payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments must be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the Amendment 80 CQ permit holder.
    (iv) Payment method. Payment must be made electronically in U.S. 
dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic check 
drawn on a U.S. bank account.
    (b) Amendment 80 standard ex-vessel value determination and use--(1) 
General. An Amendment 80 cooperative representative must use the 
Amendment 80 standard prices determined by NMFS under paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section.
    (2) Amendment 80 standard prices--(i) General. Each year the 
Regional Administrator will publish Amendment 80 standard prices in the 
Federal Register by December 1 of the year in which the Amendment 80 
species landings were made. The standard prices will be described in 
U.S. dollars per Amendment 80 equivalent pound for Amendment 80 species 
landings made by Amendment 80 CQ permit holders during the current 
calendar year.
    (ii) Effective duration. The Amendment 80 standard prices published 
by NMFS will apply to all Amendment 80 species landings made by an 
Amendment 80 CQ permit holder during that calendar year.
    (iii) Determination. NMFS will calculate the Amendment 80 standard 
prices for Amendment 80 species based on the following information:
    (A) Pacific cod. NMFS will use the standard prices calculated for 
Pacific cod based on information provided in the Pacific Cod Ex-vessel 
Volume and Value Report described at Sec. 679.5(u)(1).
    (B) Amendment 80 species other than Pacific cod. (1) The Regional 
Administrator will base Amendment 80 standard prices for all Amendment 
80 species other than Pacific cod on the First Wholesale Volume and 
Value reports specified in Sec. 679.5(u)(2).
    (2) The Regional Administrator will establish Amendment 80 standard 
prices for all Amendment 80 species other than Pacific cod on an annual 
basis; except the Regional Administrator will establish a first 
Amendment 80 standard price for rock sole for all landings from January 
1 through March 31, and a second Amendment 80 standard price for rock 
sole for all landings from April 1 through December 31.
    (3) The average first wholesale product prices reported on the First 
Wholesale Volume and Value reports, specified in Sec. 679.5(u)(2), will 
be multiplied by 0.4 to obtain a proxy for the ex-vessel prices of 
Amendment 80 species other than Pacific cod.
    (c) Amendment 80 fee percentage--(1) Established percentage. The 
Amendment 80 fee percentage is the amount as determined by the factors 
and methodology described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. This 
amount will be announced by publication in the Federal Register in 
accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this section. This amount must not 
exceed 3.0 percent pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).
    (2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS will calculate 
and publish the fee percentage according to the following factors and 
methodology:
    (i) Factors. NMFS will use the following factors to determine the 
fee percentage:
    (A) The catch to which the Amendment 80 cost recovery fee will 
apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management, data collection, 
and enforcement of the Amendment 80 Program.
    (ii) Methodology. NMFS will use the following equations to determine 
the fee percentage: 100 x DPC/V, where:
    (A) DPC = the direct program costs for the Amendment 80 Program for 
the

[[Page 866]]

most recent fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) with any 
adjustments to the account from payments received in the previous year.
    (B) V = total of the standard ex-vessel value of the landings 
subject to the Amendment 80 fee liability for the current year.
    (3) Publication--(i) General. NMFS will calculate and announce the 
Amendment 80 fee percentage in a Federal Register notice by December 1 
of the year in which the Amendment 80 landings were made. NMFS will 
calculate the Amendment 80 fee percentage based on the calculations 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Effective period. NMFS will apply the calculated Amendment 80 
fee percentage to Amendment 80 CQ landings made between January 1 and 
December 31 of the same year.
    (4) Applicable percentage. The Amendment 80 CQ permit holder must 
use the Amendment 80 fee percentage applicable at the time an Amendment 
80 species landing is debited from an Amendment 80 CQ allocation to 
calculate the Amendment 80 fee liability for any retroactive payments 
for that Amendment 80 species.
    (5) Fee liability determination for an Amendment 80 CQ permit 
holder. (i) Each Amendment 80 CQ permit holder will be subject to a fee 
liability for any Amendment 80 species CQ debited from an Amendment 80 
CQ allocation between January 1 and December 31 of the current year.
    (ii) The Amendment 80 fee liability assessed to an Amendment 80 CQ 
permit holder will be based on the proportion of the standard ex-vessel 
value of Amendment 80 species debited from an Amendment 80 CQ permit 
holder relative to all Amendment 80 CQ permit holders during a calendar 
year as determined by NMFS.
    (iii) NMFS will provide a fee liability summary letter to each 
Amendment 80 CQ permit holder by December 1 of each year. The summary 
will explain the fee liability determination including the current fee 
percentage, and details of Amendment 80 species CQ pounds debited from 
Amendment 80 CQ allocations by permit, species, date, and prices.
    (d) Underpayment of fee liability--(1) No Amendment 80 cooperative 
will receive its Amendment 80 CQ until the Amendment 80 CQ permit holder 
submits full payment of an applicant's complete Amendment 80 fee 
liability.
    (2) If an Amendment 80 CQ permit holder fails to submit full payment 
for its Amendment 80 fee by the date described in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section, the Regional Administrator may:
    (i) At any time thereafter send an IAD to the Amendment 80 
cooperative's representative stating that the Amendment 80 CQ permit 
holder's estimated fee liability, based on information submitted by the 
Amendment 80 cooperative's representative, is the Amendment 80 fee 
liability due from the Amendment 80 CQ permit holder.
    (ii) Disapprove any application to transfer Amendment 80 CQ to or 
from the Amendment 80 CQ permit holder in accordance with Sec. 
679.91(g).
    (3) If an Amendment 80 cooperative representative fails to submit 
full payment by the Amendment 80 fee payment deadline described at 
paragraph (a)(3) of this section:
    (i) The Regional Administrator will not issue a Amendment 80 CQ 
permit to that Amendment 80 cooperative for the following calendar year; 
and
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will not issue Amendment 80 CQ based 
on the Amendment 80 QS held by the members of that Amendment 80 
cooperative to any other CQ permit for that calendar year.
    (4) Upon final agency action determining that an Amendment 80 CQ 
permit holder has not paid his or her Amendment 80 fee, the Regional 
Administrator may continue to not issue an Amendment 80 CQ permit for 
any subsequent calendar years until NMFS receives the unpaid fees. If 
payment is not received by the 30th day after the final agency action, 
the agency may pursue collection of the unpaid fees.
    (e) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, payment 
submitted to NMFS in excess of the Amendment 80 fee determined to be due 
by the final agency action will be returned to the Amendment 80 
cooperative unless the Amendment 80 cooperative's representative 
requests the agency to credit the excess amount against

[[Page 867]]

the Amendment 80 CQ permit holder's future Amendment 80 fee.
    (f) Appeals. An Amendment 80 cooperative representative who receives 
an IAD for incomplete payment of an Amendment 80 fee may appeal under 
the appeals procedures set out a 15 CFR part 906.
    (g) Annual report. Each year, NMFS will publish a report describing 
the Amendment 80 Cost Recovery Fee Program.

[81 FR 171, Jan. 5, 2016]



   Subpart I_Equipment and Operational Requirements for the Longline 
                       Catcher/Processor Subsector



Sec. 679.100  Applicability.

    The owner and operator of a vessel named on an LLP license with a 
Pacific cod catcher-processor hook-and-line endorsement for the Bering 
Sea, Aleutian Islands or both the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands must 
comply with the requirements of this subpart.
    (a) Opt out selection. Each year, the owner of a vessel subject to 
this subpart who does not intend to directed fish for Pacific cod in the 
BSAI or conduct groundfish CDQ fishing at any time during a year may, by 
November 1 of the year prior to fishing, submit to NMFS a completed 
notification form to opt out of directed fishing for Pacific cod in the 
BSAI and groundfish CDQ fishing in the upcoming year. The notification 
form is available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/). Once the vessel owner has selected to opt 
out, the owner must ensure that the vessel is not used as a catcher/
processor to conduct directed fishing for Pacific cod with hook-and-line 
gear in the BSAI or to conduct groundfish CDQ fishing during the 
specified year.
    (b) Monitoring option selection. The owner of a vessel subject to 
this subpart that does not opt out under paragraph (a) of this section 
must submit a completed notification form for one of two monitoring 
options to NMFS. The notification form is available on the NMFS Alaska 
Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/). The vessel owner 
must comply with the selected monitoring option at all times when the 
vessel is operating in either the BSAI or GOA groundfish fisheries when 
directed fishing for Pacific cod is open in the BSAI, or while the 
vessel is groundfish CDQ fishing. If NMFS does not receive a 
notification to opt out or a notification for one of the two monitoring 
options, NMFS will assign that vessel to the increased observer coverage 
option under paragraph (b)(1) of this section until the notification 
form has been received by NMFS.
    (1) Increased observer coverage option. Under this option, the 
vessel owner and operator must ensure that--
    (i) The vessel is in compliance with observer coverage requirements 
described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2)(vi)(E)(1).
    (ii) The vessel is in compliance with observer workload requirements 
described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2)(iii).
    (iii) An observer sampling station meeting the requirements at Sec. 
679.28(d) is available at all times, unless otherwise approved by NMFS.
    (iv) All sets are made available for sampling by an observer.
    (v) The Observer Program is notified by phone at 1 (907) 581-2060 
(Dutch Harbor, AK) or 1 (907) 481-1770 (Kodiak, AK) at least 24 hours 
prior to departure when the vessel will be carrying an observer who has 
not previously been deployed on that vessel within the last 12 months. 
Subsequent to the vessel's departure notification, but prior to 
departure, NMFS may contact the vessel to arrange for a pre-cruise 
meeting. The pre-cruise meeting must minimally include the vessel 
operator or manager and any observers assigned to the vessel.
    (2) Scales option. Under this option--
    (i) The vessel owner and operator must ensure that--
    (A) The vessel is in compliance with observer coverage requirements 
described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2)(vi)(E)(2).
    (B) All Pacific cod brought onboard the vessel is weighed on a NMFS-
approved scale in compliance with the scale requirements at Sec. 
679.28(b), and that each set is weighed and recorded separately.
    (C) An observer sampling station meeting the requirements at Sec. 
679.28(d) is available at all times, unless otherwise approved by NMFS.

[[Page 868]]

    (D) The vessel is in compliance with the video monitoring 
requirements described at Sec. 679.28(k).
    (E) The Observer Program is notified by phone at 1 (907) 581-2060 
(Dutch Harbor, AK) or 1 (907) 481-1770 (Kodiak, AK) at least 24 hours 
prior to departure when the vessel will be carrying an observer who has 
not previously been deployed on that vessel within the last 12 months. 
Subsequent to the vessel's departure notification, but prior to 
departure, NMFS may contact the vessel to arrange for a pre-cruise 
meeting. The pre-cruise meeting must minimally include the vessel 
operator or manager and any observers assigned to the vessel.
    (ii) NMFS will use the weight of all catch that passes over the 
scale for the purposes of accounting for Pacific cod catch.
    (iii) At the time NMFS approves the scale used to weigh Pacific cod, 
NMFS will provide the vessel owner or operator with one of the following 
designations on the scale inspection report that will be used for catch 
accounting of Pacific cod for the duration of the approval period:
    (A) Scale prior to bleeding. If the scale is located before the 
location where Pacific cod are bled, a PRR of 1.00 will be applied to 
all catch weighed on the motion-compensated scale.
    (B) Scale between bleeding and holding area. If Pacific cod are bled 
before being weighed and prior to the bleeding holding area, a PRR of 
0.99 will be applied to all catch weighed on the scale.
    (C) Scale after holding area. If Pacific cod are bled and placed in 
a bleeding holding area before being weighed, a PRR of 0.98 will be 
applied to all catch weighed on the scale.
    (c) Electronic logbooks. The operator of a vessel subject to 
paragraph (b) of this section at any time during a year must comply with 
the requirements for electronic logbooks at Sec. 679.5(f) at all times 
during that year.

[77 FR 59061, Sept. 26, 2012, as amended at 77 FR 70103, Nov. 21, 2012; 
79 FR 68616, Nov. 18, 2014; 83 FR 30533, June 29, 2018]

Subpart J [Reserved]



                     Subpart K_Halibut Deck Sorting

    Source: 84 FR 55054, Oct. 15, 2019, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 679.120  Halibut deck sorting.

    (a) Applicability. The owner and operator of a mothership or 
catcher/processor using trawl gear in the non-pollock groundfish 
fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area must comply with the requirements of this section when 
participating in halibut deck sorting as defined at Sec. 679.2.
    (b) Catch monitoring requirements--(1) Catch weighing. When halibut 
deck sorting, all catch, except halibut sorted on deck, must be weighed 
on a NMFS-approved scale in compliance with the scale requirements at 
Sec. 679.28(b). Each haul must be weighed separately, all catch must be 
made available for sampling by a NMFS-certified observer, and no sorting 
of catch, except halibut sorted on deck, may take place prior to 
weighing. When halibut deck sorting, no fish may be weighed on a NMFS-
approved scale used to weigh catch at sea unless two observers are 
available to complete data collection duties, one on deck and one in the 
factory. A visual signal, specified in paragraph (e)(8) of this section, 
must be used to indicate when catch may not be weighed.
    (2) Observer sampling station. An observer sampling station meeting 
the requirements at Sec. 679.28(d) must be available at all times.
    (3) Observer coverage requirements. Comply with the observer 
coverage requirements at Sec. 679.51(a)(2).
    (4) Sample storage. Provide a storage space sufficient to 
accommodate a minimum of 10 observer sampling baskets. This space must 
be within or adjacent to the observer sampling station.
    (5) Vessel crew in tanks or bins. Comply with the bin monitoring 
standards at Sec. 679.28(i)(1).
    (6) Observer deck sampling station. An observer deck sampling 
station meeting the requirements at Sec. 679.28(d)(9) must be available 
at all times.
    (7) Video monitoring. Comply with the video monitoring standards 
specified at Sec. 679.28(l).

[[Page 869]]

    (c) Pre-cruise meeting. Notify the Observer Program by phone at 1 
(907) 581-2060 (Dutch Harbor, AK) or 1 (907) 481-1770 (Kodiak, AK) at 
least 24 hours prior to departure when the vessel will be carrying an 
observer who has not previously been deployed on that vessel within the 
last 12 months. Subsequent to the vessel's departure notification, but 
prior to departure, NMFS may contact the vessel to arrange for a pre-
cruise meeting. The pre-cruise meeting must minimally include the vessel 
operator or manager and any observers assigned to the vessel.
    (d) Deck Safety Plan. Annually submit and have an approved Deck 
Safety Plan prior to participating in halibut deck sorting. The owner 
and operator must comply with all the requirements described in the 
NMFS-approved Deck Safety Plan.
    (1) Deck Safety Plan requirements. A Deck Safety Plan must:
    (i) Describe the route for observers to safely access and leave the 
deck sampling station and specify locations where observers may shelter 
during gear retrieval and movement.
    (ii) Describe hazardous areas and potentially hazardous conditions 
that could be encountered on deck.
    (iii) Describe communication procedures to inform the observer when 
it is safe to access the deck. These procedures must identify who will 
tell the observer it is safe to access the deck, how that communication 
will happen, and how they will communicate with the observer if a new 
safety hazard arises while on deck.
    (iv) List personal protective equipment that must be worn by the 
observer while on deck.
    (v) List all personnel the observer may contact to report safety 
issues, including safety hazards identified by the observer that are not 
covered by the Deck Safety Plan, deviations from the Deck Safety Plan, 
and any conditions that would require the suspension of halibut deck 
sorting.
    (vi) Provide procedures to ensure the observer's safety while 
working in the deck sampling station.
    (vii) Include a scale drawing showing the deck sampling station, the 
routes to access and exit the deck sampling station, emergency muster 
location, and safety hazards that could be encountered on deck.
    (2) Approval. NMFS will approve a Deck Safety Plan if it meets the 
requirements specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. The vessel 
must be inspected by NMFS prior to approval of the Deck Safety Plan to 
ensure that the vessel conforms to the elements addressed in the Deck 
Safety Plan. NMFS will normally complete its review of the Deck Safety 
Plan within 14 working days of receiving a complete Deck Safety Plan and 
conducting a Deck Safety Plan inspection. If NMFS disapproves a Deck 
Safety Plan, the vessel owner and operator may resubmit a revised Deck 
Safety Plan or file an administrative appeal as set forth under the 
administrative appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR part 906.
    (3) Deck Safety Plan inspection. The vessel owner and operator must 
submit a complete Deck Safety Plan to NMFS by fax (206-526-4066) or 
email ([email protected]) at least 10 working days in advance 
of the requested date of inspection.
    (4) Location. Deck Safety Plan inspections will be conducted on 
vessels tied up at docks in Kodiak, Alaska, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and in 
the Puget Sound area of Washington State.
    (5) Changes to the Deck Safety Plan. The vessel owner and operator 
may propose a change to the Deck Safety Plan by submitting a Deck Safety 
Plan addendum to NMFS. NMFS may require a Deck Safety Plan inspection 
described at paragraph (d)(3) of this section before approving the 
addendum.
    (e) Vessel operator responsibilities. The operator of a vessel 
subject to this section must comply with the following:
    (1) Deck sorting safety meeting. Provide the observer with a copy of 
the NMFS-approved Deck Safety Plan and make available all other 
applicable inspection reports described at Sec. 679.28. The deck 
sorting safety meeting must be conducted prior to departing port and 
must include the observer, vessel operator, and key crew member who will 
be responsible for providing notification or reasonable assistance 
during halibut

[[Page 870]]

deck sorting. All elements of the vessel's Deck Safety Plan must be 
reviewed with the observer during this meeting.
    (2) Observer notification. Before halibut deck sorting, notify the 
observer at least 15 minutes prior to bringing fish on board.
    (3) Observer present. Conduct halibut deck sorting only when an 
observer is present in the deck sampling station.
    (4) Time limit. Conduct halibut deck sorting only within the time 
limit indicated on the Observer Sampling Station Inspection Report. The 
time limit begins when the codend is opened on deck. When the time limit 
is reached, all halibut deck sorting must stop.
    (5) Single sorting pathway. Convey all halibut sorted on deck to the 
observer deck sampling station via a single pathway.
    (6) Careful handling. Handle all halibut sorted on deck with a 
minimum of injury.
    (7) Sorting pace. Do not pressure or rush the observer to move 
halibut through the sampling process faster than the observer can 
handle.
    (8) Visual signal. Use a visual signal to indicate to vessel crew 
when catch may not to be weighed on a NMFS-approved scale specified in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The visual signal must be on the 
conveyor belt adjacent to the flow scale and visible in the view of a 
camera required at Sec. 679.28(b)(8).



Sec. 679.121  [Reserved]



             Subpart L_Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program

    Source: 88 FR 53735, Aug. 8, 2023, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 679.130  Allocation, use, and transfer of PCTC Program QS permits.

    (a) Applicable areas and seasons. (1) The PCTC Program applies to 
the Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel sector in the BSAI as defined at 
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A).
    (2) The following fishing seasons apply to fishing under this 
subpart subject to other provisions of this part:
    (i) Fishing by vessels participating in a cooperative is authorized 
for the PCTC Program A season from 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 1.
    (ii) Fishing by vessels participating in a cooperative is authorized 
for the PCTC Program B season from 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 1 through 
1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10.
    (iii) The PCTC Program does not apply to the Pacific cod trawl 
catcher vessel C season, as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(5)(ii)(C)(1).
    (b) Pacific cod legal landings. Pacific cod legal landings means the 
retained catch of Pacific cod caught using trawl gear in a management 
area in the BSAI by a catcher vessel during the directed fishing season 
for Pacific cod that:
    (1) Was made in compliance with State and Federal regulations in 
effect at that time; and
    (2) Was recorded on a State of Alaska fish ticket for shoreside 
deliveries or in observer data for mothership deliveries; and
    (3) Was the predominately retained species on the fishing trip; and
    (4) Was authorized by:
    (i) An LLP license and caught in the A or B season of a Federal or 
parallel groundfish fishery during the qualifying years 2009 through 
2019; or
    (ii) An LLP license with a transferable AI endorsement prior to 
receiving the AI endorsement and was caught in a parallel fishery 
between January 20, 2004, and September 13, 2009; and
    (5) Was not made in a CDQ fishery; and
    (6) Was not made in a State of Alaska GHL fishery.
    (c) Eligible PCTC Program harvesters. NMFS will assign Pacific cod 
legal landings to an LLP license only if the qualifying Pacific cod 
legal landings of BSAI trawl catcher vessel Pacific cod were made under 
the authority of a fully transferable LLP license endorsed for BS or AI 
Pacific cod with a trawl gear designation from 2009 through 2019 or 
under the authority of an LLP license endorsed for Pacific cod with a 
trawl gear designation prior to earning a transferable AI endorsement 
from 2004 through September 13, 2009;
    (d) Assigning trawl catcher vessel Pacific cod legal landings to an 
LLP license. (1) NMFS will assign Pacific cod legal landings to an LLP 
license in the form of PCTC Program QS only if the holder

[[Page 871]]

of the LLP license that authorized those landings submits a timely and 
complete application for PCTC Program QS under paragraph (h) of this 
section that is approved by NMFS.
    (2) NMFS will assign Pacific cod legal landings to an LLP license 
that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.
    (3) NMFS will reissue LLP licenses to eligible harvesters that 
specify the number of PCTC Program QS units assigned to their LLP 
licenses.
    (e) Eligible PCTC Program processors. NMFS will assign legal 
landings to an eligible PCTC Program processor if the processor operates 
under the authority of either a valid FPP or FFP and holds an LLP 
license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement, and 
received deliveries of legal landings of Pacific cod from the trawl 
catcher vessel sector from 2009 through 2019. A processor is ineligible 
to receive PCTC Program QS if it does not hold an active FFP or FPP as 
of September 7, 2023.
    (f) Assigning Pacific cod processing history to an eligible 
processor. (1) NMFS will assign Pacific cod processing history to a 
processor in the form of PCTC Program QS only if the FFP or FPP holder 
submits a timely and complete application for PCTC Program QS that is 
approved by NMFS pursuant to paragraph (h) of this section.
    (2) NMFS will assign Pacific cod processing history based on legal 
landings delivered to a processor authorized by an FPP or FFP that meets 
the requirements of this section.
    (3) For the initial allocation of PCTC Program QS, qualifying 
processing history is attached to the processor at the time legal 
landings were received.
    (4) An eligible processor will be issued a PCTC Program QS permit 
that specifies the number of QS units assigned to that processor.
    (g) PCTC Program official record. (1) The PCTC Program official 
record will contain information used by the Regional Administrator to 
determine:
    (i) The amount of Pacific cod legal landings as defined at in this 
section assigned to an LLP license;
    (ii) The amount of Pacific cod processing history of legal landings 
as defined at Sec. 679.130 assigned to an FPP or FFP;
    (iii) The amount of PCTC Program QS resulting from Pacific cod legal 
landings assigned to an LLP license held by an eligible harvester, or QS 
resulting from Pacific cod processing history assigned to an FPP or FFP 
held by an eligible processor;
    (iv) The amount of Pacific cod sideboard ratios assigned to LLP 
licenses;
    (v) Eligibility to participate in the PCTC Program; and
    (vi) QS assigned to PCTC Program participants.
    (2) The PCTC Program official record is presumed to be correct. An 
applicant participating in the PCTC Program has the burden to prove 
otherwise.
    (3) Only Pacific cod legal landings and processing history of legal 
landings, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, shall be used 
to establish an allocation of PCTC Program QS. Evidence of legal 
landings shall be limited to documentation of state or Federal catch 
reports that indicate the amount of Pacific cod harvested, the 
groundfish reporting area in which it was caught, the vessel and gear 
type used to catch it, and the date of harvesting, landing, or 
reporting.
    (h) Application for PCTC Program quota share--(1) Submission of an 
application for PCTC Program quota share. A person who wishes to receive 
QS to participate in the PCTC Program as an eligible harvester or an 
eligible processor must submit a timely and complete application for 
PCTC Program QS. An application form will be provided by NMFS or 
available from NMFS Alaska Region website as defined at Sec. 679.2. The 
acceptable submittal methods will be described on the application form.
    (2) Deadline. A completed application for PCTC Program QS must be 
received by NMFS no later than 1700 hours, A.l.t., on October 10, 2023, 
or if sent by U.S. mail, postmarked by that time. Objective written 
evidence of timely application will be considered proof of a timely 
application.
    (3) Contents of application. A timely and complete application must 
contain the information specified on the application for PCTC Program QS 
with all required documentation attached.

[[Page 872]]

    (i) Additional required documentation for LLP license holders. 
Vessel names, ADF&G vessel registration numbers, and USCG documentation 
numbers of all vessels that fished under the authority of each LLP 
license, including dates when landings were made under the authority of 
an LLP license from 2009 through 2019 or under the authority of an LLP 
license prior to earning a transferable AI endorsement from 2004-2019;
    (ii) Additional required documentation for processors. Processor 
name, FFP or FPP number, and location of processing plant, including 
dates when landings were made under the authority of an LLP license from 
2009 through 2019;
    (iii) The applicant must sign and date the application certifying 
under penalty of perjury that all information is true and correct. If 
the application is completed by a designated representative, then 
explicit authorization signed by the applicant must accompany the 
application.
    (4) Application evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate 
applications and compare all claims of catch history or processing 
history in an application with the information in the PCTC Program 
official record. Application claims that are consistent with information 
in the PCTC Program official record will be approved by the Regional 
Administrator. Application claims that are inconsistent with the PCTC 
Program official record will not be approved unless supported by 
documentation sufficient to substantiate such claims. An applicant who 
submits claims of catch history or processing history that are 
inconsistent with the official record without sufficient evidence, or an 
applicant who fails to submit the information specified in paragraph (d) 
of this section, will be provided a single 30-day evidentiary period to 
submit the specified information, submit evidence to verify their claims 
of catch or processing history, or submit a revised application 
consistent with information in the PCTC Program official record. An 
applicant who claims catch or processing history that is inconsistent 
with information in the PCTC Program official record has the burden of 
proving that the submitted claims are correct. Any claims that remain 
unsubstantiated after the 30-day evidentiary period will be denied. All 
applicants will be notified of NMFS's final application determinations 
by an initial administrative determination (IAD), which will inform 
applicants of their appeal rights under 15 CFR part 906.
    (5) Appeals. An applicant may appeal an IAD under the provisions in 
15 CFR part 906.
    (i) Assigning PCTC Program QS to Harvesters and Processors. The 
Regional Administrator will assign PCTC Program QS only to an eligible 
harvester or eligible processor who submits a timely application for 
PCTC Program QS that is approved by NMFS.
    (1) Calculation of PCTC Program QS allocation to LLP licenses 
without a transferable AI endorsement. NMFS will assign a specific 
amount of PCTC Program QS units to each LLP license based on the Pacific 
cod legal landings of each LLP license using information from the PCTC 
Program official record according to the following procedures:
    (i) Determine the Pacific cod legal landings for each LLP license 
for each calendar year from 2009 through 2019.
    (ii) Select the 10 calendar years from the qualifying time period 
with the highest amount of legal landings for each LLP license, 
including years with zero metric tons if necessary.
    (iii) Sum the Pacific cod legal landings of the highest 10 years for 
each LLP license. This yields the PCTC Program QS units (in metric tons) 
for each LLP license.
    (2) Calculation of PCTC Program QS allocation to LLP licenses with a 
transferable AI endorsement. NMFS will assign a specific amount of PCTC 
Program QS units to each LLP license with a transferable AI endorsement 
based on the Pacific cod legal landings of each using information from 
the PCTC Program official record according to the following procedures:
    (i) Determine the Pacific cod legal landings for each LLP license 
with a transferable AI endorsement for each calendar year from 2004 
through 2019.
    (ii) Select the fifteen calendar years that yield the highest amount 
of legal

[[Page 873]]

landings for each LLP license, including years with zero metric tons if 
necessary.
    (iii) Sum the Pacific cod legal landings of the highest fifteen 
years for each LLP license with transferable AI endorsement. This yields 
the PCTC Program QS units (in metric tons) for each LLP license with a 
transferable AI endorsement.
    (3) Official record date. The initial PCTC Program QS pool for all 
LLP licenses, with and without a transferable AI endorsement, is the sum 
of the sum of the PCTC Program QS units assigned to all LLP licenses in 
metric tons based on the PCTC Program official record as of December 31, 
2022.
    (4) Calculation of PCTC Program QS allocation to processors. NMFS 
will assign a specific amount of PCTC Program QS units to each eligible 
processor based on the Pacific cod legal landings delivered to each FPP 
or FFP using information from the PCTC Program official record according 
to the following procedures:
    (i) Sum the Pacific cod legal landings delivered to each FPP or FFP 
for each calendar year from 2009 through 2019;
    (ii) Select the ten calendar years that yield the highest amount of 
legal landings delivered to each FPP or FFP, including years with zero 
metric tons if necessary;
    (iii) Sum the Pacific cod legal landings of the highest 10 years for 
each FPP or FFP. This yields the QS units for each eligible processor, 
which will be specified on a PCTC Program QS permit for that processor;
    (iv) The PCTC Program QS pool for processors is the sum of all QS 
units assigned to processors in metric tons based on the PCTC official 
record as of December 31, 2022.
    (5) Non-severability and exceptions. Pacific cod legal landings are 
non-severable from the LLP license, transferable AI endorsement, or FPP 
to which those Pacific cod legal landings are assigned in the PCTC 
Program official record except under the following provisions:
    (i) If multiple LLP licenses authorized catch by a vessel, the LLP 
license holders must submit to NMFS an agreement specifying the amount 
of shared catch history to assign to each LLP license with the 
application for PCTC Program QS. In the absence of an agreement, the 
owner of the vessel that made the catch will assign qualifying catch 
history to each LLP license.
    (ii) For the LLP licenses associated with non-exempt AFA catcher 
vessels, within 90 days of initial issuance of PCTC Program QS, the 
owners of the LLP licenses that are associated with AFA non-exempt 
catcher vessels that engaged in fish transfer agreements during the 
qualifying periods may transfer PCTC Program QS to other LLP licenses 
associated with AFA non-exempt vessels, subject to the ownership cap at 
Sec. 679.133.
    (A) NMFS will execute permanent transfers of PCTC Program QS between 
eligible LLP licenses during the 90-day transfer provision upon request. 
The transferor and transferee must show they agree to the one-time 
permanent transfer of PCTC Program QS, or show a transfer is authorized 
by an operation of law (e.g., a court order). Requests to transfer PCTC 
Program QS must specify which LLP license is transferring PCTC Program 
QS, which LLP license is receiving PCTC Program QS, and the amount of 
PCTC Program QS to be transferred.
    (B) After the expiration of the 90-day transfer provision, PCTC 
Program QS will no longer be severable from the LLP license to which it 
is assigned unless authorized by the transfer rules specified in 
paragraph (j) or modification is supported by an operation of law.
    (j) Transfer of PCTC Program QS. (1) Transfer of an LLP license with 
PCTC Program QS. A person may transfer an LLP license and the PCTC 
Program QS assigned to that LLP license under the provisions at Sec. 
679.4(k)(7), provided that the LLP license is not assigned PCTC Program 
QS in excess of the ownership cap specified at Sec. 679.133 at the time 
of transfer.
    (2) Transfer of PCTC Program QS assigned to LLP licenses that 
exceeds PCTC Program QS ownership caps.
    (i) If an LLP license receives an initial allocation of PCTC Program 
QS that exceeds an ownership cap specified at Sec. 679.133(a), upon 
transfer of the LLP license, the LLP license holder may transfer the 
amount of PCTC Program

[[Page 874]]

QS in excess of the ownership cap separately from the LLP license and 
assign it to one or more LLP licenses. However, a transfer will not be 
approved by NMFS if that transfer would cause the receiving LLP license 
to exceed an ownership cap specified at Sec. 679.133(a).
    (ii) Prior to the transfer of an LLP license that received an 
initial allocation of PCTC Program QS that exceeds an ownership cap 
specified at Sec. 679.133(a), the LLP license holder must transfer the 
PCTC Program QS that is in excess of the ownership cap separately from 
that LLP license and assign it to one or more LLP licenses. On 
completion of the transfer of PCTC Program QS, the LLP license that was 
initially allocated an amount of PCTC Program QS in excess of the 
ownership cap may not exceed any ownership cap specified at Sec. 
679.133(a).
    (iii) Any PCTC Program QS associated with the LLP license that is in 
excess of the ownership cap may be assigned to another LLP license 
through the application used to transfer LLP licenses, and only if the 
application is approved as specified at Sec. 679.4(k)(7).
    (iv) PCTC Program QS that is transferred from an LLP license that 
was initially allocated an amount of PCTC Program QS in excess of the 
ownership cap specified at Sec. 679.133(a) and assigned to another LLP 
license may not be severed from the receiving LLP license.
    (3) Transfer of processor PCTC Program QS Permits. A person may 
transfer a PCTC Program QS permit to another processor with an active 
FPP issued under Sec. 679.4. A transfer of processor-held PCTC Program 
QS may not cause the receiver of the permit to exceed the ownership cap 
specified at Sec. 679.133(a) at the time of transfer. A PCTC Program QS 
permit held by a processor and associated QS may be transferred only if 
the application for transfer of PCTC Program QS permit is filled out 
entirely. A PCTC Program QS permit initially issued to an FFP holder may 
be transferred to a processor with an active FPP issued under Sec. 
679.4 or to a processor with an active FFP that authorizes a vessel 
named on an LLP license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership 
endorsement.
    (4) Transfer of PCTC Program QS assigned to a processor-held PCTC 
Program QS permit that exceeds PCTC Program ownership caps.
    (i) If a PCTC Program QS permit receives an initial allocation of QS 
that exceeds an ownership cap specified at Sec. 679.133(a), the 
processor may transfer QS in excess of the ownership cap separately from 
that PCTC Program QS permit and assign it to the PCTC Program QS permit 
of one or more processors with an active FPP or FFP. However, a transfer 
will not be approved by NMFS if that transfer would cause the receiving 
processor to exceed an ownership cap specified at Sec. 679.133(a).
    (ii) Prior to the transfer of a PCTC Program QS permit that received 
an initial allocation of QS that exceeds an ownership cap specified at 
Sec. 679.133(a), the permit holder must transfer the QS that is in 
excess of the ownership cap separately from that PCTC Program QS permit 
and assign it to one or more PCTC Program QS permits. On completion of 
the transfer of QS, the PCTC Program QS permit that was initially 
allocated an amount of QS in excess of the ownership cap may not exceed 
any ownership cap specified at Sec. 679.133(a).
    (iii) Any QS associated with the PCTC Program QS permit held by a 
processor that is in excess of an ownership cap may be transferred only 
if the application for transfer of PCTC Program QS permit is filled out 
entirely.



Sec. 679.131  PCTC Program annual harvester privileges.

    (a) Assigning CQ to a PCTC Program cooperative--(1) General. (See 
also Sec. 679.4(q)). (i) Every calendar year, PCTC Program QS assigned 
to LLP licenses and PCTC Program QS permits held by a PCTC Program 
processor must be assigned to a PCTC Program cooperative through a CQ 
permit to use the CQ derived from that PCTC Program QS to catch Pacific 
cod, crab PSC, or halibut PSC assigned to the PCTC Program.
    (ii) NMFS will issue a CQ permit to a PCTC Program cooperative based 
on the aggregate PCTC Program QS of all LLP licenses and associated 
processors designated on an application for CQ that is approved by the 
Regional Administrator as described under paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section.

[[Page 875]]

    (iii) Processors must associate with a PCTC Program cooperative for 
the PCTC Program QS assigned to that processor's PCTC Program QS permit 
to be issued to a PCTC Program cooperative as CQ.
    (2) PCTC Program QS issued after issuance of CQ or Pacific cod trawl 
catcher vessel sector TAC. Any PCTC Program QS assigned to an LLP 
license or PCTC Program QS permit after NMFS has issued CQ for a 
calendar year will not result in any additional CQ being issued to a 
PCTC Program cooperative even if that QS holder has assigned their LLP 
license or PCTC Program QS permit to a PCTC Program cooperative for that 
calendar year.
    (3) Failure to designate QS to a PCTC Program cooperative. Failure 
to designate an LLP license with PCTC Program QS or a PCTC Program QS 
permit on a timely and complete application for CQ that is approved by 
the Regional Administrator as described under paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section, will result in the Regional Administrator not assigning that QS 
to a PCTC Program cooperative for the applicable calendar year.
    (4) Application for PCTC Program CQ. PCTC Program cooperatives must 
submit a complete application by November 1 to receive CQ that includes 
the following:
    (i) PCTC Program cooperative identification, including but not 
limited to the name of the cooperative and the taxpayer identification 
number;
    (ii) PCTC Program QS holders and ownership documentation;
    (iii) PCTC Program cooperative member vessels and LLP licenses;
    (iv) PCTC Program cooperative associated processors;
    (v) Vessels with FFPs on which the CQ issued to the PCTC Program 
cooperative will be used;
    (vi) Certification of cooperative representative;
    (vii) An attached copy of the membership agreement or contract that 
includes the following terms:
    (A) How the cooperative intends to harvest its CQ;
    (B) The obligations of QS holders who are members of a PCTC Program 
cooperative to ensure the full payment of PCTC Program fee liabilities 
that may be due;
    (C) How cooperatives monitor and report leasing activity in GOA 
fisheries; and
    (D) For a cooperative intending to harvest any amount of the CQ set-
aside, the cooperative's plan for coordinating harvest and delivery of 
the CQ set-aside with an Aleutian Islands shoreplant as defined Sec. 
679.2.
    (viii) Each year, all cooperatives must establish an inter-
cooperative agreement. This inter-cooperative agreement must be included 
as part of each annual cooperative application and is required before 
NMFS will issue CQ. The inter-cooperative agreement must establish how 
the cooperatives intend to harvest the CQ set-aside in years when it 
applies and ensure harvests in the BS do not exceed the minimum set-
aside as specified at Sec. 679.132(a)(4)(i). For the calendar year 
2023, NMFS will allow each cooperative to submit the inter-cooperative 
agreement prior to December 31, 2023.
    (b) Allocations of Pacific cod to the PCTC Program--(1) General. 
Each calendar year, the Regional Administrator will determine the amount 
of the BSAI trawl catcher vessel sector's Pacific cod A and B season 
allocations that will be assigned to the PCTC Program as follows:
    (i) Incidental catch allowance (ICA). For the A and B seasons, the 
Regional Administrator will establish an ICA to account for projected 
incidental catch of Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels engaged in 
directed fishing for groundfish other than PCTC Program Pacific cod.
    (ii) Directed fishing allowance (DFA). The remaining trawl catcher 
vessel sector's Pacific cod A and B season allocations are established 
as a DFA for the PCTC Program.
    (2) Calculation--(i) Determination of Pacific cod trawl catcher 
vessel TAC allocated to the PCTC Program. NMFS will determine the 
Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel TAC in a calendar year in the annual 
harvest specification process at Sec. 679.20.
    (ii) Annual apportionment of Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel TAC. 
The annual apportionment of Pacific cod in the A

[[Page 876]]

and B seasons between the PCTC Program DFA and the ICA in a given 
calendar year is established in the annual harvest specifications.
    (3) Allocations of Pacific Cod DFA to PCTC Program--(i) Harvester 
percentage of DFA. NMFS will assign 77.5 percent of the PCTC Program DFA 
to the QS attached to LLP licenses assigned to PCTC Program 
cooperatives. Each LLP license's QS units will correspond to a portion 
of the DFA according to the following equation: (LLP license QS units/
(sum of all LLP license QS units)) x (.775 x DFA).
    (ii) Processor percentage of DFA. NMFS will assign 22.5 percent of 
the PCTC Program DFA to the QS attached to PCTC Program QS permits 
assigned to PCTC Program cooperatives. Each QS permit's QS units will 
correspond to a portion of the DFA according to the following equation: 
(PCTC Program QS permit QS units/(sum of all PCTC Program QS permit QS 
units)) x (.225 x DFA).
    (4) Allocation of CQ to PCTC Program cooperatives--(i) General. 
Annual CQ will be issued to each PCTC Program cooperative by NMFS based 
on the aggregate QS attached to LLP licenses and PCTC Program QS permits 
that are assigned to the cooperative. NMFS will issue CQ by A and B 
season and cooperatives will ensure the seasonal limits are not 
exceeded. Unused A season CQ may be rolled over to the B season. Annual 
CQ may be harvested from either BS or AI subareas subject to any 
limitations on BS harvest when the AI set-aside is in effect.
    (ii) CQ allocation to PCTC Program cooperatives. The amount of CQ 
that is issued to a PCTC Program cooperative is calculated according to 
the following formula:

CQ derived from QS assigned to LLP holders = [(.775 x DFA)
x (Total LLP license QS units assigned to that cooperative/sum of all 
          LLP license QS units)]
CQ derived from QS assigned to PCTC Program QS permit holders = [(.225 x 
          DFA)
x (Total PCTC Program Permit QS units assigned to that cooperative/sum 
          of all PCTC Program QS permit QS units)]
The total CQ issued to that cooperative =
CQ derived from LLP license holders +
CQ derived from PCTC Program QS permit holders

    (iii) Issuance of CQ. A and B season trawl catcher vessel Pacific 
cod sector DFAs will be issued to PCTC Program cooperatives as CQ. 
Annual CQ for each PCTC cooperative will include separate A and B season 
CQ.
    (iv) AI set-aside. When in effect, the AI set-aside will be 
established annually as specified further at Sec. 679.132.
    (c) Allocations of halibut PSC--(1) Halibut PSC limit for the PCTC 
Program. NMFS specifies the overall halibut PSC limit for the PCTC 
Program for each calendar year in the harvest specifications pursuant to 
the procedures specified at Sec. 679.21(b). NMFS calculates the halibut 
PSC limit according to the formula described in this paragraph. NMFS 
assigns that halibut PSC limit to PCTC Program cooperatives pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.
    (i) Multiply the halibut PSC limit apportioned to the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector's Pacific cod fishery category by 98 percent, 
which yields the halibut PSC apportioned to the trawl catcher vessel 
sector. The remaining 2 percent is apportioned to the AFA catcher/
processor sector as specified at Sec. 679.21(b)(4).
    (ii) Assign 95 percent of the trawl catcher vessel sector's halibut 
PSC limit to the A and B seasons and 5 percent to the C season.
    (iii) Each year after apportioning halibut PSC to the trawl catcher 
vessel sector for the A and B season, apply one of the following 
reductions to the A and B season trawl catcher vessel halibut PSC limit 
to determine the overall PCTC Program halibut PSC limit:
    (A) In the first year of the PCTC Program, reduce the A and B season 
halibut PSC limit by 12.5 percent.
    (B) In the second year, and each year thereafter, reduce the A and B 
season halibut PSC limit by 25 percent.
    (2) Halibut PSC assigned to each PCTC Program cooperative. For each 
calendar year, the amount of halibut PSC assigned to a cooperative is 
determined by the following procedure and the amount will be specified 
on the CQ permit:
    (i) Divide the amount of CQ units assigned to each PCTC Program 
cooperative by the amount of CQ allocated to

[[Page 877]]

all cooperatives. This yields the percentage of CQ units held by each 
cooperative.
    (ii) Multiply the overall PCTC Program halibut PSC limit by the 
percentage of the CQ assigned to a cooperative. This yields the amount 
of halibut PSC issued to that cooperative as CQ.
    (3) Use of halibut PSC in the PCTC Program. Halibut PSC limits 
assigned to the CQ permit issued to a PCTC Program cooperative may only 
be used by the members of that PCTC Program cooperative while harvesting 
CQ in the BSAI. Any halibut PSC used by a cooperative must be deducted 
from the amount of halibut PSC on its CQ permit. Halibut PSC limits for 
cooperatives are not subject to seasonal apportionment under Sec. 
679.21. Halibut PSC limits are issued to the PCTC Program for the 
duration of the A and B seasons. Unused halibut PSC limits may be 
reapportioned to the C season.
    (d) Allocations of crab PSC--(1) Crab PSC limits for the PCTC 
Program. NMFS specifies the overall crab PSC limit for the PCTC Program 
for each calendar year in the harvest specifications pursuant to the 
procedures specified at Sec. 679.21(e). NMFS calculates the crab PSC 
limit according to the formula described in this paragraph. NMFS then 
assigns that crab PSC limit to PCTC Program cooperatives with CQ 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.
    (i) Multiply the crab PSC limit apportioned to the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector's Pacific cod fishery category by 90.6 percent, 
which yields the percentage of crab PSC apportioned to the trawl catcher 
vessel sector. The remaining 9.4 percent goes to the AFA catcher/
processor sector as specified at Sec. 679.21(b)(4).
    (ii) Assign 95 percent of the trawl catcher vessel sector's crab PSC 
limit to the A and B seasons and 5 percent to the C season.
    (iii) Reduce the A and B season trawl catcher vessel crab PSC limit 
by 35 percent to determine the overall PCTC Program crab PSC limit.
    (2) Crab PSC assigned to each PCTC Program cooperative. For each 
calendar year, the amount of crab PSC limit assigned to a cooperative is 
determined by the following procedure and the amount will be specified 
on the CQ permit:
    (i) Divide the amount of CQ assigned to each PCTC Program 
cooperative by the total CQ assigned to all cooperatives. This yields 
the percentage of CQ held by that cooperative.
    (ii) Multiply the overall PCTC Program crab PSC limit by the 
percentage of the CQ pool assigned to a cooperative. This yields the 
crab PSC limit issued to that cooperative as CQ.
    (3) Use of crab PSC in the PCTC Program. Crab PSC limits assigned to 
the CQ permit issued to a PCTC Program cooperative may only be used by 
the members of that PCTC Program cooperative while harvesting CQ in the 
BSAI. Any crab PSC used by a cooperative must be deducted from the 
amount of crab PSC limit on its CQ permit. Crab PSC limits for 
cooperatives are not subject to seasonal apportionment under Sec. 
679.21. Crab PSC limits are issued to the PCTC Program for the duration 
of the A and B seasons. Unused crab PSC limits may be reapportioned to 
the C season.
    (e) Transfer of PSC limits. Halibut and crab PSC limits are 
transferable between cooperatives according to the same rules 
established for CQ in paragraph (i) of this section.
    (f) Non-allocated Groundfish species. The PCTC Program allocations 
are for directed fishing for Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels. All 
groundfish species not allocated to PCTC Program cooperatives are 
managed to the maximum retainable amounts (MRAs), as described under 
Sec. 679.20(e).
    (g) Rollover of Pacific cod. If, after June 10, the Regional 
Administrator determines that reallocating a portion of the Pacific cod 
ICA or DFA from the PCTC Program to the BSAI trawl limited access sector 
C season is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may do so through 
notification in the Federal Register consistent with regulations at 
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii).
    (h) Rollover of PSC to the C Season. If, after June 10, the Regional 
Administrator determines that reallocating a portion of the halibut or 
crab PSC limits from the PCTC Program to the

[[Page 878]]

BSAI trawl limited access sector C season is appropriate, the Regional 
Administrator may do so through notification in the Federal Register 
consistent with regulations at Sec. 679.91(f)(4) and (5).
    (i) Process for inter-cooperative transfer of CQ. NMFS will process 
an application through the NMFS online system for an inter-cooperative 
transfer of CQ, including PSC, provided that all information is 
completed by the transferor and transferee, with all applicable fields 
accurately filled in, and all required documentation is provided.
    (j) PCTC Program cooperatives--(1) General. This section governs the 
formation and operation of PCTC Program cooperatives. The regulations in 
this section apply only to PCTC Program cooperatives that have formed 
for the purpose of applying for and fishing with CQ issued annually by 
NMFS. PCTC Program cooperatives and cooperative members are responsible 
for ensuring the conduct of cooperatives is consistent with any relevant 
State or Federal antitrust laws. Membership in a cooperative is 
voluntary. No person may be required to join a cooperative. Any LLP 
license holder with PCTC Program QS may join a PCTC Program cooperative 
and assign their QS to that cooperative. Members may leave a 
cooperative, but any CQ derived from the QS held by that member will 
remain with that cooperative for the duration of the calendar year.
    (2) Legal and organizational requirements. A PCTC Program 
cooperative must meet the following legal and organizational 
requirements before it is eligible to receive CQ:
    (i) Each PCTC Program cooperative must be formed as a partnership, 
corporation, or other legal business entity that is registered under the 
laws of one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia;
    (ii) Each PCTC Program cooperative must appoint an individual as the 
designated representative to act on the cooperative's behalf and to 
serve as a contact point for NMFS for questions regarding the operation 
of the cooperative. The designated representative may be a member of the 
cooperative, or some other individual designated by the cooperative to 
act on its behalf;
    (iii) Each PCTC Program cooperative must submit a timely and 
complete application for CQ; and
    (iv) Each PCTC Program cooperative must meet the mandatory 
requirements established in paragraph (j)(3) of this section.
    (3) Elements of PCTC Program cooperatives. The following table 
describes the necessary elements to form and operate a PCTC Program 
cooperative:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Who may join or associate with a     Any PCTC Program QS holder
 PCTC Program cooperative?.               named on a timely and complete
                                          application for CQ for that
                                          calendar year that is approved
                                          by NMFS. Individuals who are
                                          not QS holders may be employed
                                          by, or serve as the designated
                                          representative of, a
                                          cooperative, but cannot be
                                          members of the cooperative.
                                          Any processor with an FPP may
                                          associate with a cooperative.
                                          A processor with an FFP must
                                          be named on an LLP license
                                          with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl
                                          mothership endorsement.
(ii) What is the minimum number of LLP   A minimum of three LLP licenses
 licenses required to form a              are needed to form a
 cooperative?                             cooperative.
(iii) How many unique LLP license        There is no minimum number of
 holders are required to form a           unique LLP license holders
 cooperative?                             required to form a
                                          cooperative.
(iv) Is there a minimum amount of PCTC   No.
 Program QS units that must be assigned
 to a PCTC Program cooperative?

[[Page 879]]

 
(v) What is allocated to the PCTC        A and B season CQ for Pacific
 Program cooperatives?.                   cod, halibut PSC limits, and
                                          crab PSC limits, based on the
                                          total QS units assigned to the
                                          cooperative by its members.
(vi) Is this CQ an exclusive catch and   Yes, the cooperative has an
 use privilege?                           exclusive privilege to
                                          collectively catch and use
                                          this CQ. A cooperative can
                                          transfer all or a portion of
                                          this CQ to another
                                          cooperative.
(vii) Is there a period in a calendar    Yes, any cooperative vessel may
 year during which PCTC Program           harvest CQ during the during
 cooperative vessels may catch Pacific    the A and B seasons specified
 cod?                                     at Sec. 679.130(a)(2).
(viii) Can any vessel catch a PCTC       No, only vessels that are
 Program cooperative's Pacific cod?       listed on the cooperative's
                                          Application for PCTC Program
                                          CQ may catch Pacific cod
                                          assigned to that cooperative.
(ix) Can a member of a PCTC Program      No, only the designated
 cooperative transfer CQ individually     representative of the
 without the approval of the other        cooperative, and not
 members of the cooperative?              individual members, may
                                          transfer CQ to another
                                          cooperative, and only if that
                                          transferis approved by NMFS.
(x) Are GOA sideboard limits assigned    Existing sideboard limits apply
 to specific persons or PCTC Program      to individual vessels or LLP
 cooperatives?                            license holders, not
                                          cooperatives.
(xi) Can PCTC Program QS assigned to an  QS assigned to an LLP license
 LLP license or QS held by processors     may be assigned to only one
 be assigned to more than one PCTC        cooperative in a calendar
 Program cooperative in a calendar        year. Multiple QS permits or
 year?                                    LLP licenses held by a single
                                          person are not required to be
                                          assigned to the same
                                          cooperative. A processor may
                                          associate with more than one
                                          cooperative and any QS held by
                                          the processor would be divided
                                          between the associated
                                          cooperatives in the same
                                          proportion as the CQ derived
                                          from the LLP licenses.
(xii) Which members may catch the PCTC   Use of a cooperative's CQ is
 Program cooperative's CQ?                determined by the cooperative
                                          contract signed by its
                                          members. Any violations of
                                          this contract by a cooperative
                                          member may be subject to civil
                                          claims by other members of the
                                          cooperative.
(xiii) Does a PCTC Program cooperative   Yes, a cooperative must have a
 need a membership agreement or           membership agreement or
 contract?                                contract. A copy of this
                                          agreement or contract must be
                                          submitted to NMFS with the
                                          application for CQ. The
                                          membership agreement or
                                          contract must specify: (A) How
                                          the cooperative intends to
                                          harvest its CQ; and (B) The
                                          obligations of QS holders, who
                                          are members of a cooperative,
                                          to ensure the full payment of
                                          fee liabilities that may be
                                          due.
(xiv) What happens if the PCTC Program   A copy of the amended
 cooperative membership agreement or      membership agreement or
 contract is modified during the          contract must be sent to NMFS
 fishing year?                            in accordance with Sec.
                                          679.131.
(xv) What happens if the cooperative     A cooperative is not authorized
 exceeds its CQ amount?.                  to catch Pacific cod or use
                                          halibut or crab PSC limits in
                                          excess of the amount on its CQ
                                          permit. Exceeding a CQ permit
                                          is a violation of the
                                          regulations.

[[Page 880]]

 
(xvi) Is there a limit on how much CQ a  No, but each QS holder is
 PCTC Program cooperative may hold?       subject to ownership caps, and
                                          a vessel may be subject to
                                          vessel use caps. See Sec.
                                          679.133.
(xvii) Is there a limit on how much      Yes, generally a vessel may not
 Pacific cod a vessel may catch?.         catch more than 5 percent of
                                          the Pacific cod assigned to
                                          the PCTC Program for that
                                          calendar year. See Sec.
                                          679.133 for use cap
                                          provisions.
(xviii) Are there any special reporting  The designated representative
 requirements?.                           of the cooperative may submit
                                          an annual PCTC Program
                                          cooperative report to the
                                          North Pacific Fishery
                                          Management Council.
(xix) Is there a requirement that a      Yes, see Sec. 679.135 for the
 PCTC Program cooperative pay PCTC        provisions that apply. PCTC
 Program cost recovery fees?              Program cooperatives are
                                          responsible for paying cost
                                          recovery fees.
(xx) Is there any restriction on         Sometimes, if the AI CQ set-
 deliveries of CQ?.                       aside is in effect for the
                                          fishing year as specified at
                                          Sec. 679.132. Cooperatives
                                          must establish, through an
                                          inter-cooperative agreement,
                                          how 12 percent of the BSAI A
                                          season CQ will be set aside
                                          for delivery to an Aleutian
                                          Islands shoreplant.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Successors-in-interest. If a member of a PCTC Program 
cooperative dies (in the case of an individual) or dissolves (in the 
case of a business entity), the CQ derived from the QS assigned to the 
cooperative for that year from that person remains under the control of 
the cooperative for the duration of that calendar year as specified in 
the cooperative contract. Each cooperative is free to establish its own 
internal procedures for admitting a successor-in-interest during the 
fishing season due to the death or dissolution of a cooperative member.



Sec. 679.132  Aleutian Islands CQ set-aside provisions in the PCTC Program.

    (a) Aleutian Islands CQ set-aside provisions in the PCTC Program--
(1) Calculation of the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod non-CDQ ICA and DFA. 
Each year, during the annual harvest specifications process set forth at 
Sec. 679.20(c), the Regional Administrator will specify the AI Pacific 
cod non-CDQ ICA, the DFA from the AI Pacific cod non-CDQ TAC, and the AI 
set-aside as follows:
    (2) Aleutian Islands Pacific cod non-CDQ ICA. The AI Pacific cod 
non-CDQ ICA will be deducted from the aggregate portion of the AI 
Pacific cod non-CDQ TAC annually allocated to the non-CDQ sectors 
identified at Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A).
    (3) Aleutian Islands Pacific cod non-CDQ DFA. The AI Pacific cod 
non-CDQ DFA will be the amount of the AI Pacific cod TAC remaining after 
subtraction of the AI Pacific cod CDQ reserve and the AI Pacific cod 
non-CDQ ICA.
    (4) Calculation of the Aleutian Islands CQ set-aside. The Regional 
Administrator will specify the AI set-aside in either of the following 
ways:
    (i) When the AI DFA exceeds 12 percent of A season CQ, the AI set-
aside is 12 percent of the PCTC Program A season CQ and is in effect 
during the A and B seasons.
    (ii) If the AI non-CDQ DFA is below 12 percent of the PCTC Program A 
season CQ, then the AI set-aside will be set equal to the AI non-CDQ DFA 
and is in effect during the A and B seasons. When the AI set-aside is in 
effect and set equal to the AI non-CDQ DFA, directed fishing for Pacific 
cod in the AI may only be conducted by PCTC Program vessels that deliver 
their catch of AI Pacific cod to an Aleutian Islands shoreplant. After 
June 10, the Regional Administrator may open directed fishing for AI 
non-CDQ Pacific cod for other sectors.
    (b) Annual notice of intent to process Aleutian Islands Pacific 
cod--(1) Submission of notice. The provisions of this section will apply 
if a representative of either the City of Adak or the City of

[[Page 881]]

Atka submits to the Regional Administrator a timely and complete notice 
of its intent to process PCTC Program Pacific cod during the upcoming 
fishing year.
    (2) Submission method and deadline. The notice of intent to process 
PCTC Program Pacific cod for the upcoming fishing year must be submitted 
in writing to the Regional Administrator by a representative of the City 
of Adak or the City of Atka no later than October 15 of each year in 
order for the provisions of this section to apply during the upcoming 
fishing year. Notices of intent to process received later than October 
15 may not be accepted by the Regional Administrator.
    (3) Contents of notice. A notice of intent to process PCTC Program 
Pacific cod for the upcoming fishing year must contain the following 
information:
    (i) Date of submission,
    (ii) Name of city,
    (iii) Statement of intent to process PCTC Program Pacific cod,
    (iv) Identification of the fishing year during which the city 
intends to process PCTC Program Pacific cod,
    (v) Contact information for the representative of the city, and
    (vi) Documentation of authority to represent the City of Adak or the 
City of Atka.
    (4) NMFS confirmation and notice. On or before November 30, the 
Regional Administrator will notify the representative of the City of 
Adak or the City of Atka, confirming receipt of their official notice of 
intent to process PCTC Program Pacific cod. Then, NMFS will announce 
through notification in the Federal Register whether the AI set-aside 
will be in effect for the upcoming fishing year.
    (5) AI CQ set-aside PCTC Program cooperative provisions. If the 
representative of the City of Adak or the City of Atka submits a timely 
and complete notice of intent to process in accordance of this section, 
then the following provisions will apply for the fishing year following 
the notice:
    (i) The PCTC Program cooperative(s) are required to set-aside an 
amount of CQ calculated by the Regional Administrator pursuant to (a)(4) 
of this section for delivery to an Aleutian Islands shoreplant as 
defined at Sec. 679.2.
    (ii) All cooperatives must enter into an inter-cooperative agreement 
that describes how the AI set-aside will be administered by the 
cooperatives to ensure that the PCTC Program harvests from the BS do not 
exceed the minimum set-aside. This inter-cooperative agreement must 
establish how the cooperatives intend to harvest the AI set-aside when 
it applies. This inter-cooperative agreement must be provided as part of 
the annual PCTC Program cooperative application as specified at Sec. 
679.131(a)(4) and is required before NMFS can issue CQ.
    (iii) The inter-cooperative agreement must establish how 
cooperatives would ensure that trawl catcher vessels less than 60 ft 
(18.3 m) LOA assigned to an LLP license with a transferable AI trawl 
endorsement have the opportunity to harvest 10 percent of the AI set-
aside for delivery to an Aleutian Islands shoreplant.
    (c) PCTC Program A season CQ set-aside limitations. (1) If the 
Regional Administrator has approved a notice of intent to process, 
vessels authorized under the PCTC Program shall not harvest the amount 
of the AI set-aside in the BS subarea.
    (2) PCTC Program cooperatives may not deliver more than the PCTC A 
season CQ minus the AI set-aside established under this section to 
processors in the BS subarea when the AI CQ set-aside is in effect.
    (3) The City of Adak or the City of Atka may withdraw their annual 
notice of intent to process prior to the end of B season.
    (4) The Regional Administrator may remove the delivery requirement 
for some or all of the projected unused AI CQ set-aside if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the Aleutian Islands shoreplants will not 
process the entire AI CQ set-aside.
    (5) In the event all notices of intent to process are withdrawn, the 
Regional Administrator will remove the delivery requirement for CQ that 
was set-aside for that calendar year.
    (6) To remove the AI CQ set-aside delivery requirement for that 
calendar year, the Regional Administrator will publish a document in the 
Federal Register.

[[Page 882]]



Sec. 679.133  PCTC Program ownership caps, use caps, and sideboard limits.

    (a) Ownership and use caps--(1) General. (i) Ownership caps limit 
the amount of PCTC Program QS that may be owned by a harvester or 
processor and their affiliates. Use caps limit the amount of CQ that may 
be harvested by a vessel or received and processed by a processor.
    (ii) Use caps do not apply to halibut or crab PSC CQ.
    (iii) Ownership and use caps may not be exceeded except as provided 
under paragraph (a)(6) of this section.
    (iv) All QS ownership caps are a percentage of the initial PCTC 
Program QS pool established by NMFS at Sec. 679.130(e).
    (v) The CQ processing use cap is a percentage of the total amount of 
CQ issued to cooperatives during a calendar year.
    (vi) The vessel use cap is a percentage of the amount of CQ assigned 
to the PCTC Program during a calendar year.
    (2) Harvester PCTC Program QS ownership cap. A person may not 
individually or collectively own more than 5 percent of the PCTC Program 
QS initially assigned to harvesters unless that person qualifies for an 
exemption to this ownership cap under paragraph (a)(6) of this section 
based on their qualifying catch history. Processor-issued QS does not 
count toward this ownership cap.
    (3) Vessel use cap. A catcher vessel may not harvest an amount of CQ 
greater than 5 percent of the CQ issued to the PCTC Program during a 
calendar year unless that vessel qualifies for an exemption to this use 
cap under paragraph (a)(6) of this section based on their qualifying 
catch history.
    (4) Processor ownership cap. A person may not individually or 
collectively own more than 20 percent of the PCTC Program QS initially 
assigned to processors unless that person qualifies for an exemption to 
this ownership cap under paragraph (a)(6) of this section based on their 
qualifying processing history.
    (5) Processing use cap. A processor, at the firm or company level, 
may not process more than 20 percent of the CQ assigned to the PCTC 
Program during a calendar year unless that processor qualifies for an 
exemption to this use cap under paragraph (a)(6) of this section based 
on their qualifying processing history. The amount of CQ that is 
received by a PCTC Program processor is calculated based on the sum of 
all landings made with CQ received or processed by that processor and 
the CQ received or processed by any person affiliated with that 
processor as that term is defined at Sec. 679.2.
    (6) Cap exemptions. (i) A person may receive an initial allocation 
of PCTC Program QS in excess of the harvester ownership cap. This 
exemption is non-transferable.
    (ii) A person may receive an initial allocation of PCTC Program QS 
in excess of the processor ownership cap. This exemption is non-
transferable.
    (iii) A vessel designated on an LLP license that received an initial 
allocation of PCTC Program QS in excess of the harvester ownership cap 
may harvest CQ in excess of the vessel use cap up to the amount of CQ 
resulting from QS assigned to the LLP license. This exemption is non-
transferable.
    (iv) Processor use cap exemptions. A processor that received an 
initial allocation of PCTC Program QS in excess of the processor 
ownership cap may process more than 20 percent of CQ during a calendar 
year up to an amount of CQ proportional to the ratio of QS held by the 
processor to the total amount of QS held by processors. This exemption 
is non-transferable. An Aleutian Islands shoreplant is not subject to 
this processor use cap.
    (7) Transfer limitations. An eligible harvester that receives an 
initial allocation of PCTC Program QS that exceeds the ownership cap 
listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall not receive any PCTC 
Program QS by transfer unless and until the eligible harvester's 
holdings of PCTC Program QS in the PCTC Program are reduced to an amount 
below the use cap specified in this paragraph (a).
    (b) Sideboard limits--general. The regulations in this section 
restrict the holders of LLP licenses issued PCTC Program QS from using 
the increased flexibility provided by the PCTC Program to expand their 
level of participation in GOA groundfish fisheries.

[[Page 883]]

    (1) Sideboard limit restrictions for LLP licenses authorizing AFA 
non-exempt catcher vessels. LLP licenses that authorize AFA non-exempt 
catcher vessels will be subject to the sideboard limitations specified 
at Sec. 679.64(b)(4)(i).
    (2) At-Sea Processing Sideboard Limit. A sideboard limit will be 
specified on each LLP license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership 
endorsement. Each LLP license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership 
endorsement may receive CQ deliveries from a catcher vessel not to 
exceed 125 percent of a catcher/processor's processing history as 
defined at Sec. 679.130 and subject to eligibility requirements under 
BSAI FMP Amendment 120 to limit CPs acting as motherships.



Sec. 679.134  PCTC Program permits, catch monitoring, catch
accounting, and recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Permits. For permit information, please see Sec. 679.4(q).
    (b) Catch monitoring requirements for PCTC Program catcher vessels. 
The owner and operator of a catcher vessel must ensure the vessel 
complies with the observer coverage requirements described at Sec. 
679.51(a)(2) at all times the vessel is participating in a PCTC Program 
cooperative.
    (c) Catch monitoring requirements for motherships receiving unsorted 
codends from a PCTC Program catcher vessel--(1) Catch weighing. All 
catch, except halibut sorted on deck by vessels participating in the 
halibut deck sorting described at Sec. 679.120, must be weighed on a 
NMFS-approved scale in compliance with the scale requirements at Sec. 
679.28(b). Each haul must be weighed separately and all catch must be 
made available for sampling by an observer.
    (2) Additional catch monitoring requirements. Comply with catch 
monitoring requirements specified at Sec. 679.93(c).
    (d) Catch monitoring requirements for shoreside processors. All 
groundfish landed by catcher vessels described at Sec. 679.51(a)(2) 
must be sorted, weighed on a scale approved by the State of Alaska as 
described at Sec. 679.28(c), and be made available for sampling by an 
observer, NMFS staff, or any individual authorized by NMFS. Any of these 
persons must be allowed to test any scale used to weigh groundfish to 
determine its accuracy.
    (e) Catch accounting--(1) Pacific cod. All Pacific cod harvests by a 
vessel that is named on a PCTC Program CQ application and fishing under 
a CQ permit will be debited against the CQ for that cooperative during 
the fishing seasons as defined at Sec. 679.130(a)(2).
    (2) PCTC Program halibut and crab PSC. All halibut and crab PSC used 
by a vessel that is named on an Application PCTC Program CQ and fishing 
under a CQ permit will be debited against the CQ for that cooperative 
during the fishing seasons as defined at Sec. 679.130(a)(2).
    (3) Groundfish sideboard limits. All groundfish harvests in the BSAI 
and GOA that are subject to a sideboard limit for that groundfish 
species as described under Sec. 679.133(b), except groundfish harvested 
by a vessel when participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program, will 
be debited against the applicable sideboard limit.
    (f) Recordkeeping and reporting. The owners and operators of catcher 
vessels and processors authorized as participants in the PCTC Program 
must comply with the applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
of this section and must assign all catch to a PCTC Program cooperative 
as applicable at the time of catch or receipt of Pacific cod. All owners 
of catcher vessels and processors authorized as participants in the PCTC 
Program must ensure that their designated representatives or employees 
comply with all applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
    (1) Logbook--(i) DFL. Operators of catcher vessels participating in 
the PCTC Program fishery must maintain a daily fishing logbook for trawl 
gear as described at Sec. 679.5.
    (ii) ELB. Operators of a catcher/processor designated on an LLP 
license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement or a 
mothership receiving CQ must use a combination of NMFS-approved catcher/
processor trawl gear ELB and eLandings to record and report groundfish 
and PSC information as described at Sec. 679.5 to record PCTC Program 
landings and production.

[[Page 884]]

    (2) eLandings. Managers of shoreside processors that receive Pacific 
cod in the PCTC Program must use eLandings or NMFS-approved software as 
described at Sec. 679.5(e) to record PCTC Program landings and 
production.
    (3) Production reports. Operators of a catcher/processor designated 
on an LLP license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement 
that receives and purchases landings of CQ must submit a production 
report as described at Sec. 679.5(e)(10).
    (4) Product transfer report (PTR), processors. Operators of a 
catcher/processor designated on an LLP license with a BSAI Pacific cod 
trawl mothership endorsement and managers of shoreside processors that 
receive and purchase landings of CQ must submit a PTR as described at 
Sec. 679.5(g).
    (5) Vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirements. Operators of 
catcher vessels assigned to a PCTC Program cooperative or that are 
subject to sideboard limits detailed at Sec. 679.133 must use 
functioning VMS equipment as described at Sec. 679.28(f) at all times 
when operating in a reporting area off Alaska during the A and B season.
    (6) PCTC Program cost recovery fee submission (See Sec. 679.135).
    (7) Pacific cod Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report. A processor that 
receives and purchases landings of CQ must submit annually to NMFS a 
complete Pacific cod Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report, as described at 
Sec. 679.5(u) for each reporting period for which the PCTC processor 
receives CQ.

[88 FR 53735, Aug. 8, 2023; 88 FR 57009, Aug. 22, 2023]



Sec. 679.135  PCTC Program cost recovery.

    (a) Cost recovery fees--(1) Responsibility. Each PCTC Program 
cooperative must comply with the requirements of this section.
    (i) Subsequent transfer of CQ or QS held by PCTC Program cooperative 
members does not affect the cooperative's liability for noncompliance 
with this section.
    (ii) Non-renewal of a CQ permit does not affect the cooperative's 
liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (iii) Changes in the membership in a PCTC Program cooperative, such 
as members joining or departing during the relevant year, or changes in 
the amount of QS holdings of those members does not affect the 
cooperative's liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (2) Fee collection. PCTC Program cooperatives that receive CQ are 
responsible for submitting the cost recovery payment for all CQ landings 
made under the authority of their CQ permit.
    (3) Payment. (i) A cooperative must submit any cost recovery fee 
liability payment(s) no later than August 31 following the calendar year 
in which the CQ landings were made.
    (ii) Make electronic payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Submit payment and related documents as instructed on the NMFS 
Alaska Region website as defined at Sec. 679.2.
    (iv) Payment must be made electronically in U.S. dollars using an 
approved payment method available on the payment website.
    (b) Pacific cod standard ex-vessel value determination and use. NMFS 
will use the standard prices calculated for Pacific cod based on 
information provided in the Pacific Cod Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report described at Sec. 679.5(u)(1) from the previous calendar year.
    (c) PCTC Program fee percentage--(1) Fee percentage. The fee 
percentage is the amount as determined by the factors and methodology 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. This amount will be 
announced by publication in the Federal Register. This amount must not 
exceed 3.0 percent of the gross ex-vessel value pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 
1854(d)(2)(B).
    (2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS shall calculate 
and publish the fee percentage following the fishing season in which the 
CQ landings were made, according to the following factors and 
methodology:
    (i) NMFS must use the following factors to determine the fee 
percentage:
    (A) The catch to which the PCTC Program cost recovery fee will 
apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management, data collection, 
and enforcement of the PCTC Program.

[[Page 885]]

    (ii) NMFS must use the following equations to determine the fee 
percentage:

100 x DPC/V

where:

DPC = the direct program costs for the PCTC Program for the previous 
          calendar year with any adjustments to the account from 
          payments received in the previous year.
V = total of the standard ex-vessel value of the catch subject to the 
          PCTC cost recovery fee liability for the current year.

    (iii) The calculated fee percentage is applied to the ex-vessel 
value of CQ landings made in the previous calendar year.
    (3) Applicable fee percentage. The cooperative must use the fee 
percentage applicable at the time a PCTC landing is debited from a CQ 
allocation to calculate the cost recovery fee liability for any 
retroactive payments for CQ landed.
    (4) Fee liability determination for a cooperative. (i) All 
cooperatives are subject to a fee liability for any CQ debited from a CQ 
allocation during a calendar year.
    (ii) The PCTC Program fee liability assessed to a PCTC Program 
cooperative is based on the proportion of the standard ex-vessel value 
of Pacific cod debited from the cooperative's CQ relative to all 
cooperatives during a calendar year as determined by NMFS.
    (iii) NMFS will provide a fee liability summary letter to all 
cooperatives by no later than August 1 of each year. The summary will 
explain the fee liability determination including the current fee 
percentage, details of CQ pounds debited from CQ allocations by permit, 
species, date, and prices.
    (d) Underpayment of fee liability. (1) Pursuant to Sec. 679.131, no 
cooperative will receive any CQ unless that cooperative has made full 
payment of cost recovery liability at the time it applies for CQ.
    (2) If a cooperative fails to submit full payment for PCTC Program 
cost recovery fee liability by the date described in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section:
    (i) At any time thereafter the Regional Administrator may send an 
IAD to the cooperative stating the amount of the cooperative's estimated 
fee liability that is past due and requesting payment. If payment is not 
received by the 30th day after the date on the IAD, the agency may 
pursue collection of the unpaid fees.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator may disapprove any application to 
transfer CQ to or from the cooperative in accordance with Sec. 679.130.
    (iii) No CQ permit will be issued to that cooperative for that 
following calendar year and the Regional Administrator may continue to 
prohibit issuance of a CQ permit for any subsequent calendar years until 
NMFS receives the unpaid fees.
    (iv) No CQ will be issued based on the QS held by the members of 
that PCTC Program cooperative to any other CQ permit for any subsequent 
calendar years until NMFS receives the unpaid fees.
    (e) Over payment. Payment submitted to NMFS in excess of the annual 
PCTC Program cost recovery fee liability for a cooperative will be 
credited against the cooperative's future cost recovery fee liability 
unless the cooperative requests the agency refund the over payment. 
Payment processing fees may be deducted from any fees returned to the 
cooperative.
    (f) Appeals. A cooperative that receives an IAD for incomplete 
payment of a fee liability may appeal the IAD pursuant to 15 CFR part 
906.
    (g) Annual report. Each year, NMFS will publish a report describing 
the PCTC Program cost recovery fee program.



Sec. Appendix A to Part 679--Performance and Technical Requirements for 
Scales Used To Weigh Catch at Sea in the Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska

                            Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Belt Scales
    2.1 Applicability
    2.2 Performance Requirements
    2.2.1 Maximum Permissible Errors
    2.2.1.1 Laboratory Tests
    2.2.1.2 Zero Load Tests
    2.2.1.3 Material Tests
    2.2.2 Minimum Flow Rate ([Sigma]min)
    2.2.3 Minimum Totalized Load ([Sigma]min)
    2.2.4 Influence Quantities
    2.2.4.1 Temperature
    2.2.4.2 Power Supply

[[Page 886]]

    2.3 Technical Requirements
    2.3.1 Indicators and Printers
    2.3.1.1 General
    2.3.1.2 Values Defined
    2.3.1.3 Units
    2.3.1.4 Value of the Scale Division
    2.3.1.5 Range of Indication
    2.3.1.6 Resettable and Non-resettable Values
    2.3.1.7 Rate of Flow Indicator
    2.3.1.8 Printed Information
    2.3.1.9 Permanence of Markings
    2.3.1.10 Power Loss
    2.3.1.11 Adjustable Components
    2.3.1.12 Audit Trail
    2.3.1.13 Adjustments to Scale Weights
    2.3.2 Weighing Elements
    2.3.2.1 Speed Measurement
    2.3.2.2 Conveyer Belt
    2.3.2.3 Overload Protection
    2.3.2.4 Speed Control
    2.3.2.5 Adjustable Components
    2.3.2.6 Motion Compensation
    2.3.3 Installation Conditions
    2.3.4 Marking
    2.3.4.1 Presentation
    2.4 Tests
    2.4.1 Minimum Test Load
    2.4.2 Laboratory Tests
    2.4.2.1 Influence Quantity and Disturbance Tests
    2.4.2.2 Zero-Load Tests
    2.4.2.3 Material Tests
    2.4.3 Annual Scale Inspections
    2.4.3.1 Zero-Load Tests
    2.4.3.2 Material Tests
3. Automatic Hopper Scales
    3.1 Applicability
    3.2 Performance Requirements
    3.2.1 Maximum Permissible Errors
    3.2.1.1 Laboratory Tests
    3.2.1.2 Increasing and Decreasing Load Tests
    3.2.2 Minimum Weighment ([Sigma]min)
    3.2.3 Minimum Totalized Load (Lot)
    3.2.4 Influence Quantities
    3.2.4.1 Temperature
    3.2.4.1.1 Operating Temperature
    3.2.4.2 Power Supply
    3.3 Technical Requirements
    3.3.1 Indicators and Printers
    3.3.1.1 General
    3.3.1.2 Values Defined
    3.3.1.3 Units
    3.3.1.4 Value of the Scale Division
    3.3.1.5 Weighing Sequence
    3.3.1.6 Printing Sequence
    3.3.1.7 Printed Information
    3.3.1.8 Permanence of Markings
    3.3.1.9 Range of Indication
    3.3.1.10 Non-resettable Values
    3.3.1.11 Power Loss
    3.3.1.12 Adjustable Components
    3.3.1.13 Audit Trail
    3.3.1.14 Zero-Load Adjustment
    3.3.1.14.1 Manual
    3.3.1.14.2 Semi-automatic
    3.3.1.15 Damping Means
    3.3.1.16 Adjustments to Scale Weights
    3.3.2 Interlocks and Gate Control
    3.3.3 Overfill Sensor
    3.3.4 Weighing Elements
    3.3.4.1 Overload Protection
    3.3.4.2 Adjustable Components
    3.3.4.3 Motion Compensation
    3.3.5 Installation Conditions
    3.3.6 Marking
    3.3.6.1 Presentation
    3.4 Tests
    3.4.1 Standards
    3.4.2 Laboratory Tests
    3.4.2.1 Influence Quantity and Disturbance Tests
    3.4.2.2 Performance Tests
    3.4.3 Annual Scale Inspections
4. Platform Scales and Hanging Scales
    4.1 Applicability
    4.2 Performance Requirements
    4.2.1 Maximum Permissible Errors
    4.2.1.1 Laboratory Tests
    4.2.1.2 Increasing and Decreasing Load and Shift Tests
    4.2.2 Accuracy Classes
    4.2.3 Minimum Load
    4.2.4 Influence Quantities
    4.2.4.1 Temperature
    4.2.4.1.1 Operating Temperature
    4.2.4.2 Power Supply
    4.3 Technical Requirements
    4.3.1 Indicators and Printers
    4.3.1.1 General
    4.3.1.2 Values Defined
    4.3.1.3 Units
    4.3.1.4 Value of the Scale Division
    4.3.1.5 Printed Information
    4.3.1.6 Permanence of Markings
    4.3.1.7 Power Loss
    4.3.1.8 Adjustable Components
    4.3.1.9 Zero-Load Adjustment
    4.3.1.9.1 Manual
    4.3.1.9.2 Semi-automatic
    4.3.1.10 Damping Means
    4.3.2 Weighing Elements
    4.3.2.1 Overload Protection
    4.3.2.2 Adjustable Components
    4.3.2.3 Motion Compensation
    4.3.3 Installation Conditions
    4.3.4 Marking
    4.3.4.1 Presentation
    4.4 Tests
    4.4.1 Standards
    4.4.2 Laboratory Tests
    4.4.2.1 Influence Quantities and Disturbance Tests
    4.4.2.2 Performance Tests
    4.4.3 Annual Scale Inspections
5. Definitions

 Annex A of Appendix A to Part 679--Influence Quantity and Disturbance 
                                  Tests

A.1 General
A.2 Test considerations
A.3 Tests
    A.3.1 Static Temperatures

[[Page 887]]

    A.3.2 Damp Heat, Steady State
    A.3.3 Power Voltage Variation
    A.3.4 Short Time Power Reduction
    A.3.5 Bursts
    A.3.6 Electrostatic Discharge
    A.3.7 Electromagnetic Susceptibility
A.4 Bibliography

                             1. Introduction

    (a) This appendix to part 679 contains the performance and technical 
requirements for scales to be approved by NMFS for use to weigh, at sea, 
catch from the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. The performance and 
technical requirements in this document have not been reviewed or 
endorsed by the National Conference on Weights and Measures. Regulations 
implementing the requirements of this appendix and additional 
requirements for and with respect to scales used to weigh catch at sea 
are found at 50 CFR 679.28(b).
    (b) Revisions, amendments, or additions to this appendix may be made 
after notice and opportunity for public comments. Send requests for 
revisions, amendments, or additions to the Sustainable Fisheries 
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802.
    (c) Types of Scales Covered by Appendix--This appendix contains 
performance and technical requirements for belt, automatic hopper, 
platform, and hanging scales.
    (d) Testing and Approval of Scales Used to Weigh Catch at Sea--
Scales used to weigh catch at sea are required to comply with four 
categories of performance and technical requirements: (1) Type 
evaluation; (2) initial inspection after installation while the vessel 
is tied up at a dock and is not under power at sea; (3) annual 
reinspection while the vessel is tied up at a dock and is not under 
power at sea; and (4) daily at-sea tests of the scale's accuracy. This 
appendix contains only the performance and technical requirements for 
type evaluation and initial and annual reinspections by an authorized 
scale inspector.

                             2. Belt Scales

    2.1 Applicability. The requirements in this section apply to a scale 
or scale system that employs a conveyor belt in contact with a weighing 
element to determine the weight of a bulk commodity being conveyed 
across the scale.
    2.2 Performance Requirements--2.2.1 Maximum Permissible Errors. For 
laboratory tests of a scale and initial inspections and annual 
reinspections of an installed scale when the vessel is tied up at a dock 
and is not under power at sea, the following maximum permissible errors 
(MPEs) are specified:
    2.2.1.1 Laboratory Tests. See annex A to this appendix A for 
procedures for disturbance tests and influence factors.
    a. Disturbances. 0.18 percent of the weight of 
the load totalized.
    b. Influence Factors. 0.25 percent of the 
weight of the load totalized.
    c. Temperature Effect at Zero Flow Rate. The difference between the 
values obtained at zero flow rate taken at temperatures that differ by 
10 [deg]C 0.2 [deg]C must not be greater than 
0.035 percent of the weight of the load totalized at the maximum flow-
rate for the time of the test.
    2.2.1.2 Zero Load Tests. For zero load tests conducted in a 
laboratory or on a scale installed on a vessel and conducted when the 
vessel is tied up at a dock and not under power at sea, 0.1 percent of the value of the minimum totalized load 
or 1 scale division (d), whichever is greater.
    2.2.1.3 Material Tests. For material tests conducted in a laboratory 
or on a scale installed on a vessel and conducted when the vessel is 
tied up at a dock and not under power at sea, 1.0 
percent of the known weight of the test material.
    2.2.2 Minimum Flow Rate (Qmin). The minimum flow rate must be 
specified by the manufacturer and must not be greater than 35 percent of 
the rated capacity of the scale in kilograms per hour (kg/hr) or metric 
tons per hour (mt/hr).
    2.2.3 Minimum Totalized Load ([Sigma]min). The minimum totalized 
load must not be less than the greater of--
    a. Two percent of the load totalized in 1 hour at the maximum flow 
rate;
    b. The load obtained at the maximum flow rate in 1 revolution of the 
belt; or
    c. A load equal to 800 scale divisions (d).
    2.2.4 Influence Quantities. The following requirements apply to 
influence factor tests conducted in the laboratory.
    2.2.4.1 Temperature. A belt scale must comply with the performance 
and technical requirements at a range of temperatures from -10 [deg]C to 
+ 40 [deg]C. However, for special applications the temperature range may 
be different, but the range must not be less than 30 [deg]C and must be 
so specified on the scale's descriptive markings.
    2.2.4.2 Power Supply. A belt scale must comply with the performance 
and technical requirements when operated within a range of -15 percent 
to + 10 percent of the power supply specified on the scale's descriptive 
markings.
    2.3.1 Technical Requirements.
    2.3.1 Indicators and Printers.
    2.3.1.1 General. A belt scale must be equipped with an indicator 
capable of displaying both the weight of fish in each haul or set and 
the cumulative weight of all fish or other material weighed on the scale 
between annual inspections (``the cumulative weight''), a rate of flow 
indicator, and a

[[Page 888]]

printer. The indications and printed representations must be clear, 
definite, accurate, and easily read under all conditions of normal 
operation of the belt scale.
    2.3.1.2 Values Defined. If indications or printed representations 
are intended to have specific values, these must be defined by a 
sufficient number of figures, words, or symbols, uniformly placed with 
reference to the indications or printed representations and as close as 
practicable to the indications or printed representations but not so 
positioned as to interfere with the accuracy of reading.
    2.3.1.3 Units. The weight of each haul or set must be indicated in 
kilograms, and the cumulative weight must be indicated in either 
kilograms or metric tons and decimal subdivisions.
    2.3.1.4 Value of the Scale Division. The value of the scale division 
(d) expressed in a unit of weight must be equal to 1, 2, or 5, or a 
decimal multiple or sub-multiple of 1, 2, or 5.
    2.3.1.5 Range of Indication. The range of the weight indications and 
printed values for each haul or set must be from 0 kg to 999,999 kg and 
for the cumulative weight must be from 0 to 99,999 metric tons.
    2.3.1.6 Resettable and Non-resettable Values. The means to indicate 
the weight of fish in each haul or set must be resettable to zero. The 
means to indicate the cumulative weight must not be resettable to zero 
without breaking a security means and must be reset only upon direction 
of NMFS or an authorized scale inspector.
    2.3.1.7 Rate of Flow Indicator. Permanent means must be provided to 
produce an audio or visual signal when the rate of flow is less than the 
minimum flow rate or greater than 98 percent of the maximum flow rate.
    2.3.1.8 Printed Information. The information printed must include--
    a. For catch weight:
    i. The vessel name;
    ii. The Federal fisheries or processor permit number of the vessel;
    iii. The haul or set number;
    iv. The total weight of catch in each haul or set;
    v. The total cumulative weight of all fish or other material weighed 
on the scale; and
    vi. The date and time the information is printed.
    b. For the audit trail:
    i. The vessel name;
    ii. The Federal fisheries or processor permit number of the vessel;
    iii. The date and time (to the nearest minute) that the adjustment 
was made;
    iv. The name or type of adjustment being made; and
    v. The initial and final values of the parameter being changed.
    2.3.1.9 Permanence of Markings. All required indications, markings, 
and instructions must be distinct and easily readable and must be of 
such character that they will not tend to become obliterated or 
illegible.
    2.3.1.10 Power Loss. In the event of a power failure, means must be 
provided to retain in a memory the weight of fish in each haul or set 
for which a printed record has not yet been made, the cumulative weight, 
and the information on the audit trail.
    2.3.1.11 Adjustable Components. An adjustable component that when 
adjusted affects the performance or accuracy of the scale must be held 
securely in position and must not be capable of adjustment without 
breaking a security means unless a record of the adjustment is made on 
the audit trail described in 2.3.1.12.
    2.3.1.12 Audit Trail. An audit trail in the form of an event logger 
must be provided to document changes made using adjustable components. 
The following information must be provided in an electronic form that 
cannot be changed or erased by the scale operator, can be printed at any 
time, and can be cleared by the scale manufacturer's representative upon 
direction by NMFS or by an authorized scale inspector:
    a. The date and time (to the nearest minute) of the change;
    b. The name or type of adjustment being made; and
    c. The initial and final values of the parameter being changed.
    2.3.1.13 Adjustments to Scale Weights. The indicators and printer 
must be designed so that the scale operator cannot change or adjust the 
indicated and printed weight values.
    2.3.2 Weighing Elements.
    2.3.2.1 Speed Measurement. A belt scale must be equipped with means 
to accurately sense the belt travel and/or speed whether the belt is 
loaded or empty.
    2.3.2.2 Conveyer Belt. The weight per unit length of the conveyor 
belt must be practically constant. Belt joints must be such that there 
are no significant effects on the weighing results.
    2.3.2.3 Overload Protection. The load receiver must be equipped with 
means so that an overload of 150 percent or more of the capacity does 
not affect the metrological characteristics of the scale.
    2.3.2.4 Speed Control. The speed of the belt must not vary by more 
than 5 percent of the nominal speed.
    2.3.2.5 Adjustable Components. An adjustable component that can 
affect the performance of the belt scale must be held securely in 
position and must not be capable of adjustment without breaking a 
security means.
    2.3.2.6 Motion Compensation. A belt scale must be equipped with 
automatic means to compensate for the motion of a vessel at sea so that 
the weight values indicated are within the MPEs. Such means shall be a 
reference load cell and a reference mass weight or other equally 
effective means. When

[[Page 889]]

equivalent means are utilized, the manufacturer must provide NMFS with 
information demonstrating that the scale can weigh accurately at sea.
    2.3.3 Installation Conditions. A belt scale must be rigidly 
installed in a level condition.
    2.3.4 Marking. A belt scale must be marked with the--
    a. Name, initials, or trademark of the manufacturer or distributer;
    b. Model designation;
    c. Non-repetitive serial number;
    d. Maximum flow rate (Qmax);
    e. Minimum flow rate (Qmin);
    f. Minimum totalized load ([Sigma]min);

    g. Value of a scale division (d);
    h. Belt speed;
    i. Weigh length;
    j. Maximum capacity (Max);
    k. Temperature range (if applicable); and
    l. Mains voltage.
    2.3.4.1 Presentation. The markings must be reasonably permanent and 
of such size, shape, and clarity to provide easy reading in normal 
conditions of use. They must be grouped together in a place visible to 
the operator.
    2.4 Tests.
    2.4.1 Minimum Test Load. The minimum test load must be the greater 
of--
    a. 2 percent of the load totalized in 1 hour at the maximum flow 
rate;
    b. The load obtained at maximum flow rate in one revolution of the 
belt; or
    c. A load equal to 800 scale divisions.
    2.4.2 Laboratory Tests.
    2.4.2.1 Influence Quantity and Disturbance Tests. Tests must be 
conducted according to annex A and the results of these tests must be 
within the values specified in section 2.2.1.1.
    2.4.2.2 Zero-Load Tests. A zero-load test must be conducted for a 
time equal to that required to deliver the minimum totalized load 
(``min). At least two zero-load tests must be conducted prior to a 
material test. The results of these tests must be within the values 
specified in section 2.2.1.2.
    2.4.2.3 Material Tests. At least one material test must be conducted 
with the weight of the material or simulated material equal to or 
greater than the minimum test load. The results of these tests must be 
within the values specified in section 2.2.1.3.
    2.4.3 Annual Inspections.
    2.4.3.1 Zero-Load Tests. A zero-load test must be conducted for a 
time equal to that required to deliver the minimum totalized load 
([Sigma]min). At least one zero-load test must be conducted prior to 
each material test. The results of this test must be within the values 
specified in section 2.2.1.2.
    2.4.3.2 Material Tests. At least one material or simulated material 
test must be conducted with the weight of the material or simulated 
material equal to or greater than the minimum test load. The results of 
these tests must be within the values specified in section 2.2.1.3.

                       3. Automatic Hopper Scales

    3.1 Applicability. The requirements in this section apply to a scale 
or scale system that is designed for automatic weighing of a bulk 
commodity in predetermined amounts.
    3.2 Performance Requirements.
    3.2.1 Maximum Permissible Errors. For laboratory tests of a scale 
and initial inspection and annual reinspections of an installed scale 
when the vessel is tied up at a dock and is not under power at sea, the 
following MPEs are specified:
    3.2.1.1 Laboratory Tests. See annex A to appendix A for procedures 
for disturbance test and influence factors.
    a. Disturbances. Significant fault (sf) (scale 
division).
    b. Influence Factors. 1 percent of test load.
    3.2.1.2 Increasing and Decreasing Load Tests. For increasing and 
decreasing load tests conducted in a laboratory or on a scale installed 
on a vessel tied up at a dock and not under power at sea, 1.0 percent of the test load.
    3.2.2 Minimum Weighment ([Sigma]min). The minimum weighment must not 
be less than 20 percent of the weighing capacity, or a load equal to 100 
scale intervals (d), except for the final weighment of a lot.
    3.2.3 Minimum Totalized Load (Lot). The minimum totalized load must 
not be less than 4 weighments.
    3.2.4 Influence Quantities. The following requirements apply to 
influence factor tests conducted in the laboratory:
    3.2.4.1 Temperature. A hopper scale must comply with the 
metrological and technical requirements at temperatures from -10 [deg]C 
to + 40 [deg]C. However, for special applications the temperature range 
may be different, but the range must not be less than 30 [deg]C and must 
be so specified on the scale's descriptive markings.
    3.2.4.1.1 Operating Temperature. A hopper scale must not display or 
print any usable weight values until the operating temperature necessary 
for accurate weighing and a stable zero-balance condition have been 
attained.
    3.2.4.2 Power Supply. A hopper scale must comply with the 
performance and technical requirements when operated within -15 percent 
to + 10 percent of the power supply specified on the scale's descriptive 
markings.
    3.3 Technical Requirements.
    3.3.1 Indicators and Printers.
    3.3.1.1 General. a. A hopper scale must be equipped with an 
indicator and printer that indicates and prints the weight of each load 
and a no-load reference value; and a printer that prints the total 
weight of fish in each haul or set and the total cumulative weight of 
all fish and other material weighed on the

[[Page 890]]

scale between annual inspections (``the cumulative weight''). The 
indications and printed information must be clear, definite, accurate, 
and easily read under all conditions of normal operation of the hopper 
scale.
    b. A no-load reference value may be a positive or negative value in 
terms of scale divisions or zero. When the no-load reference value is 
zero, the scale must return to a zero indication (within 0.5 scale division) when the load receptor (hopper) is 
empty following the discharge of all loads, without the intervention of 
either automatic or manual means.
    3.3.1.2 Values Defined. If indications or printed representations 
are intended to have specific values, these must be defined by a 
sufficient number of figures, words, or symbols, uniformly placed with 
reference to the indications or printed representations and as close as 
practicable to the indications or printed representations but not so 
positioned as to interfere with the accuracy of reading.
    3.3.1.3 Units. The weight of each haul or set must be indicated in 
kilograms, and the cumulative weight must be indicated in either 
kilograms or metric tons and decimal subdivisions.
    3.3.1.4 Value of the Scale Division. The value of the scale division 
(d) expressed in a unit of weight must be equal to 1, 2, or 5, or a 
decimal multiple or sub-multiple of 1, 2, or 5.
    3.3.1.5 Weighing Sequence. For hopper scales used to receive (weigh 
in), the no-load reference value must be determined and printed only at 
the beginning of each weighing cycle. For hopper scales used to deliver 
(weigh out), the no-load reference value must be determined and printed 
only after the gross-load weight value for each weighing cycle has been 
indicated and printed.
    3.3.1.6 Printing Sequence. Provision must be made so that all weight 
values are indicated until the completion of the printing of the 
indicated values.
    3.3.1.7 Printed Information. The information printed must include--
    a. For catch weight:
    i. The vessel name;
    ii. The Federal fisheries or processor permit number of the vessel;
    iii. The haul or set number;
    iv. The total weight of catch in each haul or set;
    v. The total cumulative weight of all fish or other material weighed 
on the scale; and
    vi. The date and time the information is printed.
    b. For the audit trail:
    i. The vessel name;
    ii. The Federal fisheries or processor permit number of the vessel;
    iii. The date and time (to the nearest minute) of the change;
    iv. The name or type of adjustment being made; and
    v. The initial and final values of the parameter being changed.
    3.3.1.8 Permanence of Markings. All required indications, markings, 
and instructions must be distinct and easily readable and must be of 
such character that they will not tend to become obliterated or 
illegible.
    3.3.1.9 Range of Indication. The range of the weight indications and 
printed values for each haul or set must be from 0 kg to 999,999 kg and 
for the cumulative weight must be from 0 to 99,999 metric tons.
    3.3.1.10 Non-Resettable Values. The cumulative weight must not be 
resettable to zero without breaking a security means and must be reset 
only upon direction by NMFS or by an authorized scale inspector.
    3.3.1.11 Power Loss. In the event of a power failure, means must be 
provided to retain in a memory the weight of fish in each haul or set 
for which a printed record has not yet been made, the cumulative weight, 
and the information on the audit trail described in 3.3.1.13.
    3.3.1.12 Adjustable Components. An adjustable component that, when 
adjusted, affects the performance or accuracy of the scale must not be 
capable of adjustment without breaking a security means, unless a record 
of the adjustment is made on the audit trail described in 3.3.1.13.
    3.3.1.13 Audit Trail. An audit trail in the form of an event logger 
must be provided to document changes made using adjustable components. 
The following information must be provided in an electronic form that 
cannot be changed or erased by the scale operator, can be printed at any 
time, and can be cleared by the scale manufacturer's representative upon 
direction of NMFS or by an authorized scale inspector:
    a. The date and time (to the nearest minute) of the change;
    b. The name or type of adjustment being made; and
    c. The initial and final values of the parameter being changed.
    3.3.1.14 Zero-Load Adjustment. A hopper scale must be equipped with 
a manual or semi-automatic means that can be used to adjust the zero-
load balance or no-load reference value.
    3.3.1.14.1 Manual. A manual means must be operable or accessible 
only by a tool outside of, or entirely separate from, this mechanism or 
enclosed in a cabinet.
    3.3.1.14.2 Semi-Automatic. A semi-automatic means must be operable 
only when the indication is stable within 1 scale 
division and cannot be operated during a weighing cycle (operation).
    3.3.1.15 Damping Means. A hopper scale must be equipped with 
effective automatic means to bring the indications quickly to a

[[Page 891]]

readable stable equilibrium. Effective automatic means must also be 
provided to permit the recording of weight values only when the 
indication is stable within plus or minus one scale division.
    3.3.1.16 Adjustments to Scale Weights. The indicators and printer 
must be designed so that the scale operator cannot change or adjust the 
indicated and printed weight values.
    3.3.2 Interlocks and Gate Control. A hopper scale must have 
operating interlocks so that--
    a. Product cannot be weighed if the printer is disconnected or 
subject to a power loss;
    b. The printer cannot print a weight if either of the gates leading 
to or from the weigh hopper is open;
    c. The low paper sensor of the printer is activated;
    d. The system will operate only in the sequence intended; and
    e. If the overfill sensor is activated, this condition is indicated 
to the operator and is printed.
    3.3.3 Overfill Sensor. The weigh hopper must be equipped with an 
overfill sensor that will cause the feed gate to close, activate an 
alarm, and stop the weighing operation until the overfill condition has 
been corrected.
    3.3.4 Weighing Elements.
    3.3.4.1 Overload Protection. The weigh hopper must be equipped with 
means so that an overload of 150 percent or more of the capacity of the 
hopper does not affect the metrological characteristics of the scale.
    3.3.4.2 Adjustable Components. An adjustable component that can 
affect the performance of the hopper scale must be held securely in 
position and must not be capable of adjustment without breaking a 
security means.
    3.3.4.3 Motion Compensation. A hopper scale must be equipped with 
automatic means to compensate for the motion of a vessel at sea so that 
the weight values indicated are within the MPEs. Such means shall be a 
reference load cell and a reference mass weight or other equally 
effective means. When equivalent means are utilized, the manufacturer 
must provide NMFS with information demonstrating that the scale can 
weigh accurately at sea.
    3.3.5 Installation Conditions. A hopper scale must be rigidly 
installed in a level condition.
    3.3.6 Marking. A hopper scale must be marked with the following:
    a. Name, initials, or trademark of the manufacturer or distributer;
    b. Model designation;
    c. Non-repetitive serial number;
    d. Maximum capacity (Max);
    e. Minimum capacity (min);
    f. Minimum totalized load ([Sigma]min);
    g. Minimum weighment;
    h. Value of the scale division (d);
    i. Temperature range (if applicable); and
    j. Mains voltage.
    3.3.6.1 Presentation. Descriptive markings must be reasonably 
permanent and grouped together in a place visible to the operator.
    3.4 Tests.
    3.4.1 Standards. The error of the standards used must not exceed 25 
percent of the MPE to be applied.
    3.4.2 Laboratory Tests.
    3.4.2.1 Influence Quantity and Disturbance Tests. Tests must be 
conducted according to annex A and the results of these tests must be 
within the values specified in section 3.2.1.1.
    3.4.2.2 Performance Tests. Performance tests must be conducted as 
follows:
    a. Increasing load test. At least five increasing load tests must be 
conducted with test loads at the minimum load, at a load near capacity, 
and at 2 or more critical points in between; and
    b. Decreasing load test. A decreasing load test must be conducted 
with a test load approximately equal to one-half capacity when removing 
the test loads of an increasing load test.
    3.4.3 Annual Inspections.
    At least two increasing load tests and two decreasing load tests 
must be conducted as specified in 3.4.2.2. Additionally, tests must be 
conducted with test loads approximately equal to the weight of loads at 
which the scale is normally used.

                  4. Platform Scales and Hanging Scales

    4.1 Applicability. The requirements in this section apply to 
platform and hanging scales used to weigh total catch. Platform scales 
used only as observer sampling scales or to determine the known weight 
of fish for a material test of another scale are not required to have a 
printer under sections 4.3.1 and 4.3.1.5 or an audit trail under section 
4.3.1.8.
    4.2 Performance Requirements.
    4.2.1 Maximum Permissible Errors. For laboratory tests of a scale 
and initial inspection and annual reinspections of an installed scale 
while the vessel is tied up at a dock and is not under power at sea, the 
following MPEs are specified:
    4.2.1.1 Laboratory Tests. See annex A to this appendix A for 
procedures for disturbance tests and influence factors.
    a. Disturbances. Significant fault (1 scale 
division); and
    b. Influence Factors. See Table 1 in section 4.2.1.2.
    4.2.1.2 Increasing and Decreasing Load and Shift Tests. Increasing 
and decreasing load and shift tests conducted in a laboratory or on a 
scale installed on a vessel while the vessel is tied up at a dock and is 
not under power at sea, see Table 1 as follows:

[[Page 892]]



                       Table 1--Influence Factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Test load in scale divisions (d)                 Maximum
------------------------------------------------------------ permissible
           Class III \1\                   Class IIII         error (d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 1 scale division and cannot be 
operated during a weighing cycle (operation).
    4.3.1.10 Damping Means. A scale must be equipped with effective 
automatic means to bring the indications quickly to a readable stable 
equilibrium. Effective automatic means must also be provided to permit 
the recording of weight values only when the indication is stable within 
plus or minus one scale division.
    4.3.2 Weighing Elements.
    4.3.2.1 Overload Protection. The scale must be so designed that an 
overload of 150 percent or more of the capacity does not affect the 
metrological characteristics of the scale.
    4.3.2.2 Adjustable Components. An adjustable component that can 
affect the performance of the scale must be held securely in position 
and must not be capable of adjustment without breaking a security means.
    4.3.2.3 Motion Compensation. A platform scale must be equipped with 
automatic means to compensate for the motion of a vessel at sea so that 
the weight values indicated are within the MPEs. Such means shall be a 
reference load cell and a reference mass weight or other equally 
effective means. When equivalent means are utilized, the manufacturer 
must provide NMFS with information demonstrating that the scale can 
weigh accurately at sea.
    4.3.3 Installation Conditions. A platform scale must be rigidly 
installed in a level condition. When in use, a hanging scale must be 
freely suspended from a fixed support or a crane.
    4.3.4 Marking. A scale must be marked with the following:
    a. Name, initials, or trademark of the manufacturer or distributor;
    b. Model designation;
    c. Non-repetitive serial number;
    d. Accuracy class (III or IIII);
    e. Maximum capacity (Max);
    f. Minimum capacity (min);
    g. Value of a scale division (d);
    h. Temperature range (if applicable); and
    i. Mains voltage.
    4.3.4.1 Presentation. Descriptive markings must be reasonably 
permanent and grouped together in a place visible to the operator.
    4.4 Tests.
    4.4.1 Standards. The error of the standards used must not exceed 25 
percent of the MPE applied.
    4.4.2 Laboratory Tests.
    4.4.2.1 Influence Quantities and Disturbance Tests. Tests must be 
conducted according to annex A to this appendix A, and the results of 
these tests must be within the values specified in section 4.2.1.1.
    4.4.2.2 Performance Tests. Performance tests must be conducted as 
follows:
    a. Increasing load test. At least five increasing load tests must be 
conducted with test loads at the minimum load, at a load near capacity, 
and at 2 or more critical points in between.
    b. Shift test (platform scales only). A shift test must be conducted 
during the increasing load test at one-third capacity test load centered 
in each quadrant of the platform.
    c. Decreasing load test. A decreasing load test must be conducted 
with a test load approximately equal to one-half capacity when removing 
the test loads of an increasing load test.
    4.4.3 Annual Scale Inspections.
    At least two increasing load tests, shift tests, and decreasing load 
tests must be conducted as specified in section 4.4.2.2. Additionally 
tests must be conducted with test loads approximately equal to the 
weight of loads at which the scale is normally used. The results of all 
tests must be as specified in Table 1 in section 4.2.1.2.

                             5. Definitions

    Adjustable component--Any component that, when adjusted, affects the 
performance or accuracy of the scale, e.g., span adjustment or automatic 
zero-setting means. Manual or semi-automatic zero-setting means are not 
considered adjustable components.
    Audit trail--An electronic count and/or information record of the 
changes to the values of the calibration or configuration parameters of 
a scale.
    Automatic hopper scale--A hopper scale adapted to the automatic 
weighing of a bulk commodity (fish) in predetermined amounts. Capacities 
vary from 20 kg to 50 mt. It is generally equipped with a control panel, 
with functions to be set by an operator, including the start of an 
automatic operation. (See definition of hopper scale).
    Belt scale--A scale that employs a conveyor belt in contact with a 
weighing element to determine the weight of a bulk commodity being 
conveyed. It is generally a part of a system consisting of an input 
conveyor, the flow scale, and an output conveyor. The conveyor belt may 
be constructed of various materials, including vulcanized rubber, 
canvas, and plastic. The capacity is generally specified in terms of the 
amount of weight that can be determined in a specified time, and can 
vary from, for example, 1 ton per hour to 100 or more tons per hour. An 
operator generally directs the flow of product onto the input conveyor.
    Calibration mode--A means by which the span of a scale can be 
adjusted by placing a known ``test weight'' on the scale and manually 
operating a key on a key board.
    Disturbances--An influence that may occur during the use of a scale 
but is not within the rated operating conditions of the scale.
    Event logger--A form of audit trail containing a series of records 
where each record

[[Page 894]]

contains the identification of the parameter that was changed, the time 
and date when the parameter was changed, and the new value of the 
parameter.
    Final weighment--The last partial load weighed on a hopper scale 
that is part of the weight of many loads.
    Hanging scale--A scale that is designed to weigh a load that is 
freely suspended from an overhead crane or it may be permanently 
installed in an overhead position. The load receiver may be a part of 
the scale such as a pan suspended on chains, or simply a hook that is 
used to ``pick-up'' the container of the commodity to be weighed. The 
technology employed may be mechanical, electro-mechanical, or 
electronic. The loads can be applied either manually or by such means as 
a crane.
    Hopper scale--A scale designed for weighing individual loads of a 
bulk commodity (fish). The load receiver is a cylindrical or rectangular 
container mounted on a weighing element. The weighing element may be 
mechanical levers, a combination of levers and a load cell, or all load 
cells. The capacity can vary from less than 20 kg to greater than 50 mt. 
The loads are applied from a bulk source by such means as a conveyor or 
storage hopper. Each step of the weighing process, that is the loading 
and unloading of the weigh hopper, is controlled by an operator.
    Indicator--That part of a scale that indicates the quantity that is 
being weighed.
    Influence factor--A value of an influence quantity, e.g., 10[deg], 
that specifies the limits of the rated operating conditions of the 
scale.
    Influence quantity--A quantity that is not the subject of the 
measurement but which influences the measurement obtained within the 
rated operating conditions of the scale.
    Influence quantity and disturbance tests--Tests conducted in a 
laboratory to determine the capability of the scale under test to 
perform correctly in the environmental influences in which they are used 
and when subjected to certain disturbances that may occur during the use 
of the scale.
    Initial verification--The first evaluation (inspection and test) of 
a production model of a weighing instrument that has been type evaluated 
to determine that the production model is consistent with the model that 
had been submitted for type evaluation.
    Known weight test--A test in which the load applied is a test weight 
with a known value simulating the weight of the material that is usually 
weighed.
    Load receiver--That part of the scale in which the quantity is 
placed when being weighed.
    Material test--A test using a material that is the same or similar 
to the material that is usually weighed, the weight of which has been 
determined by a scale other than the scale under test.
    Maximum flow-rate--The maximum flow-rate of material specified by 
the manufacturer at which a belt scale can perform correctly.
    Minimum flow-rate--The minimum flow-rate specified by the 
manufacturer at which a belt scale can perform correctly.
    Minimum load--The smallest weight load that can be determined by the 
scale that is considered to be metrologically acceptable.
    Minimum totalized load--The smallest weight load that can be 
determined by a belt scale that is considered to be metrologically 
acceptable.
    Minimum weighment--The smallest weight that can be determined by a 
hopper scale that is considered to be metrologically acceptable.
    Motion compensation--The means used to compensate for the motion of 
the vessel at sea.
    No-load reference value--A weight value obtained by a hopper scale 
when the load receiver (hopper) is empty of the product that was or is 
to be weighed.
    Non-repeatable weighment--A process where the product after being 
weighed is disposed of in such a manner that it cannot be retrieved to 
be reweighed.
    Number of scale divisions (n)--The number of scale divisions of a 
scale in normal operation. It is the quotient of the scale capacity 
divided by the value of the scale division. n = Max/d
    Performance requirements--A part of the regulations or standards 
that applies to the weighing performance of a scale, e.g., MPEs.
    Performance test--A test conducted to determine that the scale is 
performing within the MPE applicable.
    Periodic verification--A verification of a weighing instrument at an 
interval that is specified by regulation or administrative ruling.
    Platform scale--A scale by the nature of its physical size, 
arrangement of parts, and relatively small capacity (generally 220 kg or 
less) that is adapted for use on a bench or counter or on the floor. A 
platform scale can be self contained, that is, the indicator and load 
receiver and weighing elements are all comprised of a single unit, or 
the indicator can be connected by cable to a separate load receiver and 
weighing element. The technology used may be mechanical, electro-
mechanical, or electronic. Loads are applied manually.
    Rated capacity--The maximum flow-rate in terms of weight per unit 
time specified by the manufacturer at which a belt scale can perform 
correctly.
    Scale division (d)--The smallest digital subdivision in units of 
mass that is indicated by the weighing instrument in normal operation.

[[Page 895]]

    Sealing--A method used to prevent the adjustment of certain 
operational characteristics or to indicate that adjustments have been 
made to those operational characteristics.
    Security seals or means--A physical seal such as a lead and wire 
seal that must be broken in order to change the operating or performance 
characteristics of the scale, or a number generated by the scale 
whenever a change is made to an adjustable component. The number must be 
sequential and it must not be possible for the scale operator to alter 
it. The number must be displayed whenever the scale is turned on.
    Significant fault--An error greater than the value specified for a 
particular scale. For a belt scale: A fault greater than 0.18 percent of 
the weight value equal to the minimum totalized load. For all other 
scales: 1 scale division (d). A significant fault does not include 
faults that result from simultaneous and mutually independent causes in 
the belt scale; faults that imply the impossibility of performing any 
measurement; transitory faults that are momentary variations in the 
indications that cannot be interpreted, memorized, or transmitted as a 
measurement result; faults so serious that they will inevitably be 
noticed by those interested in the measurement.
    Simulated material test--A test in which the load applied is test 
material simulating the weight of the material that is usually weighed.
    Simulated test--A test in which the weight indications are developed 
by means other than weight, e.g., a load cell simulator.
    Stationary installation--An installation of a scale in a facility on 
land or a vessel that is tied-up to a dock or in dry dock.
    Subsequent verification--Any evaluation of a weighing instrument 
following the initial verification.
    Suitability for use--A judgement that must be made that certain 
scales by nature of their design are appropriate for given weighing 
applications.
    Technical requirements--A part of the regulations or standards that 
applies to the operational functions and characteristics of a scale, 
e.g., capacity, scale division, tare.
    Testing laboratory--A facility for conducting type evaluation 
examinations of a scale that can establish its competency and 
proficiency by such means as ISO Guide 25, ISO 9000, EN 45011, NVLAP, 
NTEP.
    Type evaluation--A process for evaluating the compliance of a 
weighing instrument with the appropriate standard or regulation.
    User requirements--A part of the regulations or standards that 
applies to the operator/owner of the scale.
    Weighment--A single complete weighing operation.

 Annex A of Appendix A to Part 679--Influence Quantity and Disturbance 
                                  Tests

    A.1 General--Included in this annex are tests that are intended to 
ensure that electronic scales can perform and function as intended in 
the environment and under the conditions specified. Each test indicates, 
where appropriate, the reference condition under which the intrinsic 
error is determined.
    A.2 Test Considerations
    A.2.1 All electronic scales of the same category must be subjected 
to the same performance test program.
    A.2.2 Tests must be carried out on fully operational equipment in 
its normal operational state. When equipment is connected in other than 
a normal configuration, the procedure must be mutually agreed to by NMFS 
and the applicant.
    A.2.3 When the effect of one factor is being evaluated, all other 
factors must be held relatively constant, at a value close to normal. 
The temperature is deemed to be relatively constant when the difference 
between the extreme temperatures noted during the test does not exceed 5 
[deg]C and the variation over time does not exceed 5 [deg]C per hour.
    A.2.4 Before the start of a test, the equipment under test (EUT) 
must be energized for a period of time at least equal to the warm-up 
time specified by the manufacturer. The EUT must remain energized 
throughout the duration of the test.
    A.3 Tests

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Characteristics       Conditions
               Test                     under test           applied
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.3.1 Static temperatures........  Influence factor....  MPE
A.3.2 Damp heat, steady state....  Influence factor....  MPE
A.3.3 Power voltage variation....  Influence factor....  MPE
A.3.4 Short time power reduction.  Disturbance.........  sf
A.3.5 Bursts.....................  Disturbance.........  sf
A.3.6 Electrostatic discharge....  Disturbance.........  sf
A.3.7 Electromagnetic              Disturbance.........  sf
 susceptibility.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                A.3 Tests

    A.3.1 Static Temperatures
    Test method: Dry heat (non condensing) and cold.
    Object of the test: To verify compliance with the applicable MPE 
under conditions of high and low temperature.
    Reference to standard: See Bibliography (1).
    Test procedure in brief: The test consists of exposure of the EUT to 
the high and low temperatures specified in section 2.2.4.1 for belt 
scales, section 3.2.4.1 for automatic hopper scales, and section 4.2.3.1 
for platform scales and hanging scales, under ``free air'' condition for 
a 2-hour period after the EUT has reached temperature stability. The EUT 
must be tested during a weighing operation consisting of:

[[Page 896]]

    For belt scales--the totalization of the [Sigma]min, 2 
times each at approximately the minimum flow rate, an intermediate flow 
rate, and the maximum flow rate.
    For platform, hanging, and automatic hopper scales--tested with at 
least five different test loads or simulated loads under the following 
conditions:
    a. At a reference temperature of 20 [deg]C following conditioning.
    b. At the specified high temperature, 2 hours after achieving 
temperature stabilization.
    c. At the specified low temperature, 2 hours after achieving 
temperature stabilization.
    d. At a temperature of 5 [deg]C, 2 hours after achieving temperature 
stabilization.
    e. After recovery of the EUT at the reference temperature of 20 
[deg]C.
    Test severities: Duration: 2 hours.
    Number of test cycles: At least one cycle.
    Maximum allowable variations:
    a. All functions must operate as designed.
    b. All indications must be within the applicable MPEs.
    Conduct of test: Refer to the International Electrotechnical 
Commission (IEC) Publications mentioned in section A.4 Bibliography (a) 
for detailed test procedures.
    Supplementary information to the IEC test procedures.
    Preconditioning: 16 hours.
    Condition of EUT: Normal power supplied and ``on'' for a time period 
equal to or greater than the warm-up time specified by the manufacturer. 
Power is to be ``on'' for the duration of the test. Adjust the EUT as 
close to a zero indication as practicable prior to the test.

                             Test Sequence:

    a. Stabilize the EUT in the chamber at a reference temperature of 20 
[deg]C. Conduct the tests as specified in the test procedure in brief 
and record the following data:
    i. Date and time,
    ii. Temperature,
    iii. Relative humidity,
    iv. Test load,
    v. Indication,
    vi. Errors, and
    vii. Functions performance.
    b. Increase the temperature in the chamber to the high temperature 
specified. Check by measurement that the EUT has reached temperature 
stability and maintain the temperature for 2 hours. Following the 2 
hours, repeat the tests and record the test data indicated in this A.3.1 
Test Sequence section.
    c. Reduce the temperature in the chamber as per the IEC procedures 
to the specified low temperature. After temperature stabilization, allow 
the EUT to soak for 2 hours. Following the 2 hours, repeat the tests and 
record the test data as indicated in this A.3.1 Test Sequence section.
    d. Raise the temperature in the chamber as per the IEC procedures to 
5 [deg]C. After temperature stabilization, allow the EUT to soak for 2 
hours. Following the 2 hours, repeat the tests and record the test data 
as indicated in this A.3.1 Test Sequence section.

    Note: This test relates to a -10 [deg]C to + 40 [deg]C range. For 
special ranges, it may not be necessary.

    e. Raise the temperature in the chamber as per the IEC procedures 
and to the 20 [deg]C reference temperature. After recovery, repeat the 
tests and record the test data as indicated in this A.3.1 Test Sequence 
section.
    A.3.2 Damp Heat, Steady State
    Test method: Damp heat, steady state.
    Object of the test: To verify compliance with the applicable MPE 
under conditions of high humidity and constant temperature.
    Reference to standard: See section A.4 Bibliography (b)
    Test procedure in brief: The test consists of exposure of the EUT to 
a constant temperature at the upper limit of the temperature range and 
of a constant relative humidity of 85 percent for a 2-day period. The 
EUT must be tested during a weighing operation consisting of the 
following:
    For belt scales--the totalization of the [Sigma]min, 2 
times each at approximately the minimum flow rate, an intermediate flow 
rate, and the maximum flow rate.
    For platform, hanging, and automatic hopper scales--tested with at 
least five different test loads or simulated loads at a reference 
temperature of 20 [deg]C and a relative humidity of 50 percent following 
conditioning, and at the upper limit temperature and a relative humidity 
of 85 percent 2 days following temperature and humidity stabilization.

                            Test severities:

    Temperature: upper limit.
    Humidity: 85 percent (non-condensing).
    Duration: 2 days.
    Number of test cycles: At least one test.

                      Maximum Allowable Variations:

    a. All functions must operate as designed.
    b. All indications must be within the applicable MPE.
    Conduct of the test: Refer to the IEC Publications mentioned in 
section A.4 Bibliography (b) for detailed test procedures.
    Supplementary information to the IEC test procedures.
    Preconditioning: None required.

                            Condition of EUT:

    a. Normal power supplied and ``on'' for a time period equal to or 
greater than the warm-up time specified by the manufacturer. Power is to 
be ``on'' for the duration of the test.

[[Page 897]]

    b. The handling of the EUT must be such that no condensation of 
water occurs on the EUT.
    c. Adjust the EUT as close to a zero indication as practicable prior 
to the test.

                             Test Sequence:

    a. Allow 3 hours for stabilization of the EUT at a reference 
temperature of 20 [deg]C and a relative humidity of 50 percent. 
Following stabilization, conduct the tests as specified in the test 
procedures in brief and record the following data:
    i. Date and time,
    ii. Temperature,
    iii. Relative humidity,
    iv. Test load,
    v. Indication,
    vi. Errors, and
    vii. Functions performance.
    b. Increase the temperature in the chamber to the specified high 
temperature and a relative humidity of 85 percent. Maintain the EUT at 
no load for a period of 2 days. Following the 2 days, repeat the tests 
and record the test data as indicated in this A.3.2 Test Sequence 
section.
    c. Allow full recovery of the EUT before any other tests are 
performed.
    A.3.3 Power Voltage Variation
    A.3.3.1 AC Power Supply
    Test method: Variation in AC mains power supply (single phase).
    Object of the test: To verify compliance with the applicable MPEs 
under conditions of varying AC mains power supply.
    Reference to standard: See section A.4 Bibliography (c).
    Test procedure in brief: The test consists of subjecting the EUT to 
AC mains power during a weighing operation consisting of the following:
    For belt scales--while totalizing the [Sigma]min at the 
maximum flow rate.
    For platform, hanging, and automatic hopper scales--at no load and a 
test load between 50 percent and 100 percent of weighing capacity.
    Test severities: Mains voltage:
    Upper limit U (nom) + 10 percent.
    Lower limit U (nom) -15 percent.
    Number of test cycles: At least one cycle.
    Maximum allowable variations:
    a. All functions must operate correctly.
    b. All indications must be within MPEs specified in sections 2, 3, 
or 4 of this appendix to part 679.

                          Conduct of the test:

    Preconditioning: None required.

                             Test equipment:

    a. Variable power source,
    b. Calibrated voltmeter, and
    c. Load cell simulator, if applicable.

                            Condition of EUT:

    a. Normal power supplied and ``on'' for a time period equal to or 
greater than the warm-up time specified by the manufacturer.
    b. Adjust the EUT as close to a zero indication as practicable prior 
to the test.

                             Test sequence:

    a. Stabilize the power supply at nominal voltage 2 percent.
    b. Conduct the tests specified in the test procedure in brief and 
record the following data:
    i. Date and time,
    ii. Temperature,
    iii. Relative humidity,
    iv. Power supply voltage,
    v. Test load,
    vi. Indications,
    vii. Errors, and
    viii. Functions performance.
    c. Reduce the power supply to -15 percent nominal.
    d. Repeat the test and record the test data as indicated in this 
A.3.3 Test Sequence section.
    e. Increase the power supply to + 10 percent nominal.
    f. Repeat the test and record the test data as indicated in this 
A.3.3 Test Sequence section.
    g. Unload the EUT and decrease the power supply to nominal power 
2 percent.
    h. Repeat the test and record the test data as indicated in this 
A.3.3 Test Sequence section.

    Note: In case of three-phase power supply, the voltage variation 
must apply for each phase successively. Frequency variation applies to 
all phases simultaneously.

    A.3.3.2 DC Power Supply
    Under consideration.
    A.3.4 Short Time Power Reduction
    Test method: Short time interruptions and reductions in mains 
voltage.
    Object of the test: To verify compliance with the applicable 
significant fault under conditions of short time mains voltage 
interruptions and reductions.
    Reference to standard: See section A.4 Bibliography (d) IEC 
Publication 1000-4-11 (1994).
    Test procedure in brief: The test consists of subjecting the EUT to 
voltage interruptions from nominal voltage to zero voltage for a period 
equal to 8-10 ms, and from nominal voltage to 50 percent of nominal for 
a period equal to 16-20 ms. The mains voltage interruptions and 
reductions must be repeated ten times with a time interval of at least 
10 seconds. This test is conducted during a weighing operation 
consisting of the following:
    For belt scales--while totalizing at the maximum flow rate at least 
the [Sigma]min (or a time sufficient to complete the test).

[[Page 898]]

    For platform, hanging, and automatic hopper scales--tested with one 
small test load or simulated load.
    Test severities: One hundred percent voltage interruption for a 
period equal to 8-10 ms. Fifty percent voltage reduction for a period 
equal to 16-20 ms.
    Number of test cycles: Ten tests with a minimum of 10 seconds 
between tests.
    Maximum allowable variations: The difference between the weight 
indication due to the disturbance and the indication without the 
disturbance either must not exceed 1d or the EUT must detect and act 
upon a significant fault.

                          Conduct of the Test:

    Preconditioning: None required.

                             Test equipment:

    a. A test generator suitable to reduce the amplitude of the AC 
voltage from the mains. The test generator must be adjusted before 
connecting the EUT.
    b. Load cell simulator, if applicable.

                            Condition of EUT:

    a. Normal power supplied and ``on'' for a time period equal to or 
greater than the warm-up time specified by the manufacturer.
    b. Adjust the EUT as close to zero indication as practicable prior 
to the test.

                             Test sequence:

    a. Stabilize all factors at nominal reference conditions.
    b. Totalize as indicated in this A.3.4 Test Sequence section and 
record the--
    i. Date and time,
    ii. Temperature,
    iii. Relative humidity,
    iv. Power supply voltage,
    v. Test load,
    vi. Indications,
    vii. Errors, and
    viii. Functions performance.
    c. Interrupt the power supply to zero voltage for a period equal to 
8-10 ms. During interruption observe the effect on the EUT and record, 
as appropriate.
    d. Repeat the steps four times in this A.3.4 Test Sequence section, 
making sure that there is a 10 second interval between repetitions. 
Observe the effect on the EUT.
    e. Reduce the power supply to 50 percent of nominal voltage for a 
period equal to 16-20 ms. During reduction observe the effect on the EUT 
and record, as appropriate.
    f. Repeat the steps four times in this A.3.4 Test Sequence section, 
making sure that there is a 10 second interval between repetitions. 
Observe the effect on the EUT.
    A.3.5 Bursts
    Test method: Electrical bursts.
    Object of the test: To verify compliance with the provisions in this 
manual under conditions where electrical bursts are superimposed on the 
mains voltage.
    Reference to standard: See section A.4 Bibliography (e)

                        Test Procedure in brief:

    The test consists of subjecting the EUT to bursts of double 
exponential wave-form transient voltages. Each spike must have a rise in 
time of 5 ns and a half amplitude duration of 50 ns. The burst length 
must be 15 ms, the burst period (repetition time interval) must be 300 
ms. This test is conducted during a weighing operation consisting of the 
following:
    For belt scales--while totalizing at the maximum flow rate at least 
the [Sigma]min (or a time sufficient to complete the test).
    For platform, hanging, and automatic hopper scales--tested with one 
small test load or simulated load.
    Test severities: Amplitude (peak value) 1000 V.
    Number of test cycles: At least 10 positive and 10 negative randomly 
phased bursts must be applied at 1000 V.
    Maximum allowable variations: The difference between the indication 
due to the disturbance and the indication without the disturbance either 
must not exceed the values given in sections 2.2.1.1b., 3.2.1.1b., and 
4.2.1.1b, of this appendix, or the EUT must detect and act upon a 
significant fault.
    Conduct of the test: Refer to the IEC Publication referenced in 
section A.4 Bibliography (e) for detailed test procedures.
    Supplementary information to the IEC test procedures:

                             Test equipment:

    A burst generator having an output impedance of 50 ohms.

                            Test conditions:

    The burst generator must be adjusted before connecting the EUT. The 
bursts must be coupled to the EUT both on common mode and differential 
mode interference.

                            Condition of EUT:

    a. Normal power supplied and ``on'' for a time period equal to or 
greater than the warm-up time specified by the manufacturer.
    b. Adjust the EUT as close to a zero indication as practicable prior 
to the test.

                             Test Sequence:

    a. Stabilize all factors at nominal reference conditions.
    b. Conduct the test as indicated in this A.3.5 Test Sequence section 
and record the--
    i. Date and time,
    ii. Temperature,
    iii. Relative humidity,
    iv. Test load,
    v. Indication,

[[Page 899]]

    vi. Errors, and
    vii. Functions performance.
    c. Subject the EUT to at least 10 positive and 10 negative randomly 
phased bursts at the 1000 V mode. Observe the effect on the EUT and 
record, as appropriate.
    d. Stabilize all factors at nominal reference conditions.
    e. Repeat the test and record the test data as indicated in this 
A.3.5 Test Sequence section.
    A.3.6 Electrostatic Discharge
    Test method: Electrostatic discharge (ESD).
    Object of the test: To verify compliance with the provisions of this 
manual under conditions of electrostatic discharges.
    Reference to standard: See section A.4 Bibliography (f)

                        Test procedure in brief:

    A capacitor of 150 pF is charged by a suitable DC voltage source. 
The capacitor is then discharged through the EUT by connecting one 
terminal to ground (chassis) and the other via 150 ohms to surfaces 
which are normally accessible to the operator. This test is conducted 
during a weighing operation consisting of the following:
    For belt scales--while totalizing at the maximum flow rate at least 
the [Sigma]min (or a time sufficient to complete the test).
    For platform, hanging, and automatic hopper scales--test with one 
small test load or simulated load.

                             Test severities

    Air Discharge: up to and including 8 kV.
    Contact Discharge: up to and including 6 kV.
    Number of test cycles: At least 10 discharges must be applied at 
intervals of at least 10 seconds between discharges.

                      Maximum allowable variations:

    The difference between the indication due to the disturbance and the 
indication without the disturbance either must not exceed the values 
indicated in sections 2.2.1.1 b., 3.2.1.1 b., and 4.2.1.1 b. of this 
appendix, or the EUT must detect and act upon a significant fault.
    Conduct of the test: Refer to the IEC Publication mentioned in 
section A.4 Bibliography (d) for detailed test procedures.
    Supplementary information to the IEC test procedures.
    Preconditioning: None required.

                            Condition of EUT:

    a. The EUT without a ground terminal must be placed on a grounded 
plate which projects beyond the EUT by at least 0.1 m on all sides. The 
ground connection to the capacitor must be as short as possible.
    b. Normal power supplied and ``on'' for a time period equal to or 
greater than the warm-up time specified by the manufacturer. Power is to 
be ``on'' for the duration of the test.
    c. The EUT must be operating under standard atmospheric conditions 
for testing.
    d. Adjust the EUT as close to a zero indication as practicable prior 
to the test.

                             Test sequence:

    a. Stabilize all factors at nominal reference conditions.
    b. Conduct test as indicated in this A.3.6 Test Sequence section and 
record the--
    i. Date and time,
    ii. Temperature,
    iii. Relative humidity,
    iv. Power supply voltage,
    v. Test load,
    vi. Indication,
    vii. Errors, and
    viii. Functions performance.
    c. Approach the EUT with the discharge electrode until discharge 
occurs and then remove it before the next discharge. Observe the effect 
of the discharge on the EUT and record, as appropriate.
    d. Repeat the above step at least nine times, making sure to wait at 
least 10 seconds between successive discharges. Observe the effect on 
the EUT and record as appropriate.
    e. Stabilize all factors at nominal reference conditions.
    f. Repeat the test and record the test data as indicated in this 
A.3.6 Test Sequence section.
    A.3.7 Electromagnetic Susceptibility
    Test method: Electromagnetic fields (radiated).

                           Object of the Test:

    To verify compliance with the provisions in this manual under 
conditions of electromagnetic fields.
    Reference to standard: See section A.4 Bibliography (g).

                        Test procedure in brief:

    a. The EUT is placed in an EMI chamber and tested under normal 
atmospheric conditions. This test is first conducted at one load in a 
static mode, and the frequencies at which susceptibility is evident are 
noted. Then tests are conducted at the problem frequencies, if any, 
during a weighing operation consisting of the following:
    For belt scales--while totalizing at the maximum flow rate at least 
the [Sigma]min (or a time sufficient to complete the test). 
It is then exposed to electromagnetic field strengths as specified in 
the Test severities in this section A.3.7 of this annex to appendix A of 
this part.
    For platform, hanging, and automatic hopper scales--tested with one 
small test load.

[[Page 900]]

    b. The field strength can be generated in various ways:
    i. The strip line is used at low frequencies (below 30 MHz or in 
some cases 150 MHz) for small EUT's;
    ii. The long wire is used at low frequencies (below 30 MHz) for 
larger EUT's;
    iii. Dipole antennas or antennas with circular polarization placed 1 
m from the EUT are used at high frequencies.
    c. Under exposure to electromagnetic fields the EUT is again tested 
as indicated above.
    Test severities: Frequency range: 26-1000 MHz.
    Field strength: 3 V/m.
    Modulation: 80 percent AM, 1 kHz sine wave.
    Number of test cycles: Conduct test by continuously scanning the 
specified frequency range while maintaining the field strength.
    Maximum allowable variations: The difference between the indication 
due to the disturbance and the indication without the disturbance either 
must not exceed the values given in this manual, or the EUT must detect 
and act upon a significant fault.
    Conduct of the test: Refer to the IEC Publication referenced in 
section A.4 Bibliography (g) for detailed information on test 
procedures.
    Supplementary information to the IEC test procedures.

                            Test conditions:

    a. The specified field strength must be established prior to the 
actual testing (without the EUT in the field). At least 1 m of all 
external cables must be included in the exposure by stretching them 
horizontally from the EUT.
    b. The field strength must be generated in two orthogonal 
polarizations and the frequency range scanned slowly. If antennas with 
circular polarization, i.e., log-spiral or helical antennas, are used to 
generate the electromagnetic field, a change in the position of the 
antennas is not required. When the test is carried out in a shielded 
enclosure to comply with international laws prohibiting interference to 
radio communications, care needs to be taken to handle reflections from 
the walls. Anechoic shielding might be necessary.

                            Condition of EUT:

    a. Normal power supplied and ``on'' for a time period equal to or 
greater than the warm-up time specified by the manufacturer. Power is to 
be ``on'' for the duration of the test. The EUT must be operating under 
standard atmospheric conditions for testing.
    b. Adjust the EUT as close to a zero indication as practicable prior 
to the test.

                             Test sequence:

    a. Stabilize all factors at nominal reference conditions.
    b. Conduct the test as indicated in this A.3.7 Test Sequence section 
and record the--
    i. Date and time,
    ii. Temperature,
    iii. Relative humidity,
    iv. Test load,
    v. Indication,
    vi. Errors, and
    vii. Functions performance.
    c. Following the IEC test procedures, expose the EUT at zero load to 
the specified field strengths while slowly scanning the three indicated 
frequency ranges.
    d. Observe and record the effect on the EUT.
    e. Repeat the test and observe and record the effect.
    f. Stabilize all factors at nominal reference conditions.
    g. Repeat the test and record the test data.
    A.4 Bibliography
    Below are references to Publications of the International 
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), where mention is made in the tests in 
annex A to appendix A of this part.
    a. IEC Publication 68-2-1 (1974): Basic environmental testing 
procedures. Part 2: Tests, Test Ad: Cold, for heat dissipating equipment 
under test (EUT), with gradual change of temperature.
    IEC Publication 68-2-2 (1974): Basic environmental testing 
procedures, Part 2: Tests, Test Bd: Dry heat, for heat dissipating 
equipment under test (EUT) with gradual change of temperature.
    IEC Publication 68-3-1 (1974): Background information, Section 1: 
Cold and dry heat tests.
    b. IEC Publication 68-2-56 (1988): Environmental testing, Part 2: 
Tests, Test Cb: Damp heat, steady state. Primarily for equipment.
    IEC Publication 68-2-28 (1980): Guidance for damp heat tests.
    c. IEC Publication 1000-4-11 (1994): Electromagnetic compatibility 
(EMC) Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques, Section 11. Voltage 
dips, short interruptions and voltage variations immunity tests. Section 
5.2 (Test levels--Voltage variation). Section 8.2.2 (Execution of the 
test-voltage variation).
    d. IEC Publication 1000-4-11 (1994): Electromagnetic compatibility 
(EMC) Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques, Section 11: Voltage 
dips, short interruptions and voltage variations immunity tests. Section 
5.1 (Test levels--Voltage dips and short interruptions. Section 8.2.1 
(Execution of the test-voltage dips and short interruptions) of the 
maximum transit speed and the range of operating speeds.
    e. IEC Publication 1000-4-4 (1995): Electromagnetic compatibility 
(EMC) Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques--Section 4:

[[Page 901]]

Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test. Basic EMC publication.
    f. IEC Publication 1000-4-2 (1995): Electromagnetic compatibility 
(EMC) Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques--Section 2: 
Electrostatic discharge immunity test. Basic EMC Publication.
    g. IEC Publication 1000-4-3 (1995): Electromagnetic compatibility 
(EMC) Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques--Section 3: Radiated, 
radio-frequency electromagnetic field immunity test.

[63 FR 5845, Feb. 4, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 33783, May 25, 2000]

[[Page 902]]

 Figure 1 to Part 679--Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Statistical and 
                             Reporting Areas
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.000


[[Page 903]]



                             b. Coordinates

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Code                              Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
300                 Russian waters. Those waters inside the Russian 200
                     mile limit as described in the current editions of
                     NOAA chart INT 813 Bering Sea (Southern Part) and
                     NOAA chart INT 814 Bering Sea (Northern Part).
400                 Chukchi Sea. North of a diagonal line between
                     66[deg]00[min] N, 169[deg]42.5[min] W (Cape
                     Dezhneva, Russia); and 65[deg]37.5[min] N,
                     168[deg]7.5[min] W (Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska)
                     and to the limits of the U.S. EEZ as described in
                     the current edition of NOAA chart INT 814 Bering
                     Sea (Northern Part).
508                 South of 58[deg]00[min] N between the intersection
                     of 58[deg]00[min] N lat with the Alaska Peninsula
                     and 160[deg]00[min] W long.
509                 South of 58[deg]00[min] N lat between
                     163[deg]00[min] W long and 165[deg]00[min] W long.
512                 South of 58[deg]00[min] N lat, north of the Alaska
                     Peninsula between 160[deg]00[min] W long and
                     162[deg]00[min] W long.
513                 Between 58[deg]00[min] N lat and 56[deg]30[min] N
                     lat, and between 165[deg]00[min] W long and
                     170[deg]00[min] W long.
514                 North of 58[deg]00[min] N to the southern boundary
                     of the Chukchi Sea, area 400, and east of
                     170[deg]00[min] W long.
516                 South of 58[deg]00[min] N lat, north of the Alaska
                     Peninsula, and between 162[deg]00[min] and
                     163[deg]00[min] W long.
517                 South of 56[deg]30[min] N lat, between
                     165[deg]00[min] W long and 170[deg]00[min] W long;
                     and north of straight lines between
                     54[deg]30[min] N lat, 165[deg]00[min] W long,
                     54[deg]30[min] N lat, 167[deg]00[min] W long, and
                     55[deg]46[min] N lat, 170[deg]00[min] W long.
518                 Bogoslof District: South of a straight line between
                     55[deg]46[min] N lat, 170[deg]00[min] W long and
                     54[deg]30[min] N lat, 167[deg]00[min] W long, and
                     between 167[deg]00[min] W long and 170[deg]00[min]
                     W long, and north of the Aleutian Islands and
                     straight lines between the islands connecting the
                     following coordinates in the order listed:
                     52[deg]49.18[min] N, 169[deg]40.47[min] W,
                     52[deg]49.24[min] N, 169[deg]07.10[min] W,
                     53[deg]23.13[min] N, 167[deg]50.50[min] W,
                     53[deg]18.95[min] N, 167[deg]51.06[min] W.
519                 South of a straight line between 54[deg]30[min] N
                     lat, 167[deg]00[min] W long and 54[deg]30[min] N
                     lat, 164[deg]54[min] W long; east of
                     167[deg]00[min] W long; west of Unimak Island; and
                     north of the Aleutian Islands and straight lines
                     between the islands connecting the following
                     coordinates in the order listed:
                     53[deg]58.97[min] N, 166[deg]16.50[min] W,
                     54[deg]02.69[min] N, 166[deg]02.93[min] W,
                     54[deg]07.69[min] N, 165[deg]39.74[min] W,
                     54[deg]08.40[min] N, 165[deg]38.29[min] W,
                     54[deg]11.71[min] N, 165[deg]23.09[min] W,
                     54[deg]23.74[min] N, 164[deg]44.73[min] W.
521                 The area bounded by straight lines connecting the
                     following coordinates in the order listed:
                     55[deg]46[min] N, 170[deg]00[min] W,
                     59[deg]25[min] N, 179[deg]20[min] W,
                     60[deg]00[min] N, 179[deg]20[min] W,
                     60[deg]00[min] N, 171[deg]00[min] W,
                     58[deg]00[min] N, 171[deg]00[min] W,
                     58[deg]00[min] N, 170[deg]00[min] W,
                     55[deg]46[min] N, 170[deg]00[min] W.
523                 The area bounded by straight lines connecting the
                     following coordinates in the order listed:
                     59[deg]25[min] N, 179[deg]20[min] W,
                     55[deg]46[min] N, 170[deg]00[min] W,
                     55[deg]00[min] N, 170[deg]00[min] W,
                     55[deg]00[min] N, 180[deg]00[min] W,
                    and north to the limits of the US EEZ as described
                     in the current edition of NOAA chart INT 813 Bering
                     Sea (Southern Part).
524                 The area west of 170[deg]00[min] W bounded south by
                     straight lines connecting the following coordinates
                     in the order listed:
                     58[deg]00[min] N, 170[deg]00[min] W,
                     58[deg]00[min] N, 171[deg]00[min] W,
                     60[deg]00[min] N, 171[deg]00[min] W,
                     60[deg]00[min] N, 179[deg]20[min] W,
                     59[deg]25[min] N, 179[deg]20[min] W,
                    and to the limits of the US EEZ as described in the
                     current edition of NOAA chart INT 813 Bering Sea
                     (Southern Part).
530                 The area north of 55[deg]00 N lat and west of
                     180[deg]00 W long to the limits of the US EEZ as
                     described in the current edition of NOAA chart INT
                     813 Bering Sea (Southern Part).
541                 Eastern Aleutian District. The area south of
                     55[deg]00[min] N lat, west of 170[deg]00[min] W
                     long, and east of 177[deg]00[min] W long and
                     bounded on the south by the limits of the US EEZ as
                     described in the current editions of NOAA chart INT
                     813 Bering Sea (Southern Part) and NOAA chart 530
                     (San Diego to Aleutian Islands and Hawaiian
                     Islands).
542                 Central Aleutian District. The area south of
                     55[deg]00[min] N lat, west of 177[deg]00[min] W
                     long, and east of 177[deg]00[min] E long and
                     bounded on the south by the limits of the US EEZ as
                     described in the current editions of NOAA chart INT
                     813 Bering Sea (Southern Part) and NOAA chart 530
                     (San Diego to Aleutian Islands and Hawaiian
                     Islands).
543                 Western Aleutian District. The area south of
                     55[deg]00[min] N lat and west of 177[deg]00[min] E
                     long, and bounded on the south and west by the
                     limits of the US EEZ as described in the current
                     editions of NOAA chart INT 813 Bering Sea (Southern
                     Part) and NOAA chart 530 (San Diego to Aleutian
                     Islands and Hawaiian Islands).
550                 Donut Hole. International waters of the Bering Sea
                     outside the limits of the EEZ and Russian economic
                     zone as depicted on the current edition of NOAA
                     chart INT 813 Bering Sea (Southern Part).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: A statistical area is the part of a reporting area contained in
  the EEZ.


[64 FR 61983, Nov. 15, 1999; 65 FR 25290, May 1, 2000]

[[Page 904]]



     Sec. Figure 2 to Part 679--BSAI Catcher Vessel Operational Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.001


[64 FR 61985, Nov. 15, 1999]

[[Page 905]]



        Sec. Figure 3 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Reporting Areas
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21AP09.000


[[Page 906]]



                             b. Coordinates

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Code                                                 Description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
610                                              Western GOA Regulatory Area, Shumagin District. Along the south
                                                  side of the Aleutian Islands, including those waters south of
                                                  Nichols Point (54[deg]51[min]30[sec] N lat) near False Pass,
                                                  and straight lines between the islands and the Alaska
                                                  Peninsula connecting the following coordinates in the order
                                                  listed:
                                                  52[deg]49.18[min] N, 169[deg]40.47[min] W;
                                                  52[deg]49.24[min] N, 169[deg]07.10[min] W;
                                                  53[deg]23.13[min] N, 167[deg]50.50[min] W;
                                                  53[deg]18.95[min] N, 167[deg]51.06[min] W;
                                                  53[deg]58.97[min] N, 166[deg]16.50[min] W;
                                                  54[deg]02.69[min] N, 166[deg]02.93[min] W;
                                                  54[deg]07.69[min] N, 165[deg]39.74[min] W;
                                                  54[deg]08.40[min] N, 165[deg]38.29[min] W;
                                                  54[deg]11.71[min] N, 165[deg]23.09[min] W;
                                                  54[deg]23.74[min] N, 164[deg]44.73[min] W; and
                                                 southward to the limits of the US EEZ as described in the
                                                  current editions of NOAA chart INT 813 (Bering Sea, Southern
                                                  Part) and NOAA chart 500 (West Coast of North America, Dixon
                                                  Entrance to Unimak Pass), between 170[deg]00[min] W long and
                                                  159[deg]00[min] W long.
620                                              Central GOA Regulatory Area, Chirikof District. Along the south
                                                  side of the Alaska Peninsula, between 159[deg]00[min] W long
                                                  and 154[deg]00[min] W long, and southward to the limits of the
                                                  US EEZ as described in the current edition of NOAA chart 500
                                                  (West Coast of North America, Dixon Entrance to Unimak Pass)
                                                  except that all waters of the Alitak/Olga/Deadman's/Portage
                                                  Bay complex of Kodiak Island are included in this area.
630                                              Central GOA Regulatory Area, Kodiak District. Along the south
                                                  side of continental Alaska, between 154[deg]00[min] W long and
                                                  147[deg]00[min] W long, and southward to the limits of the US
                                                  EEZ as described in the current edition of NOAA chart 500
                                                  (West Coast of North America, Dixon Entrance to Unimak Pass)
                                                  excluding all waters of the Alitak/Olga/Deadman's/Portage Bay
                                                  complex of Kodiak Island and Area 649.
640                                              Eastern GOA Regulatory Area West Yakutat District. Along the
                                                  south side of continental Alaska, between 147[deg]00[min] W
                                                  long and 140[deg]00[min] W long, and southward to the limits
                                                  of the US EEZ, as described in the current edition of NOAA
                                                  chart 500 (West Coast of North America, Dixon Entrance to
                                                  Unimak Pass), excluding area 649.
649                                              Prince William Sound. Includes those waters of the State of
                                                  Alaska inside the base line as specified in Alaska State
                                                  regulations at 5 AAC 28.200.
650                                              Eastern GOA Regulatory Area, Southeast Outside District. East
                                                  of 140[deg]00[min] W long and southward to the limits of the
                                                  US EEZ as described in the current edition of NOAA chart 500
                                                  (West Coast of North America, Dixon Entrance to Unimak Pass),
                                                  excluding area 659.
659                                              Eastern GOA Regulatory Area, Southeast Inside District. As
                                                  specified in Alaska State regulations at 5 AAC 28.105 (a)(1)
                                                  and (2).
690                                              GOA Outside the U.S. EEZ. As described in the current editions
                                                  of NOAA chart INT 813 (Bering Sea, Southern Part) and NOAA
                                                  chart 500 (West Coast of North America, Dixon Entrance to
                                                  Unimak Pass).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: A statistical area is the part of a reporting area contained in the EEZ.


[64 FR 61987, Nov. 15, 1999; 65 FR 25291, May 1, 2000, as amended at 67 
FR 4134, Jan. 28, 2002; 69 FR 21977, Apr. 23, 2004; 73 FR 76168, Dec. 
15, 2008; 74 FR 18158, Apr. 21, 2009]

[[Page 907]]



          Sec. Figure 4 to Part 679--BSAI Herring Savings Areas
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.003


[[Page 908]]



                             b. Coordinates

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                    Description and effective date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Herring Savings Area 1.....  That part of the Bering Sea subarea
                                     that is south of 57[deg] N lat and
                                     between 162[deg] and 164[deg] W
                                     long from 1200 hours, A.l.t., June
                                     15 through 1200 hours, A.l.t. July
                                     1 of a fishing year.
Summer Herring Savings Area 2.....  That part of the Bering Sea subarea
                                     that is south of
                                     56[deg]30[min][min] N lat and
                                     between 164[deg] and 167[deg] W
                                     long from 1200 hours, A.l.t., July
                                     1 through 1200 hours, A.l.t. August
                                     15 of a fishing year.
Winter Herring Savings Area.......  That part of the Bering Sea subarea
                                     that is between 58[deg] and 60[deg]
                                     N lat and between 172[deg] and
                                     175[deg] W long from 1200 hours,
                                     A.l.t. September 1 of the current
                                     fishing year through 1200 hours,
                                     A.l.t. March 1 of the succeeding
                                     fishing year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[64 FR 61989, Nov. 15, 1999]

[[Page 909]]



  Sec. Figure 5 to Part 679--Kodiak Island Type 1, 2, and 3 Nonpelagic 
     Trawl Closure Status and Marmot Bay Tanner Crab Protection Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16JA14.004


[[Page 910]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16JA14.005


[79 FR 2801, Jan. 16, 2014]

[[Page 911]]



           Sec. Figure 6 to Part 679--Length Overall of Vessel
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR06MY03.091


[68 FR 23925, May 6, 2003]

[[Page 912]]



Sec. Figure 7 to Part 679--Location of Trawl Gear Test Areas in the GOA 
                              and the BSAI
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE08.002


[73 FR 76170, Dec. 15, 2008]

[[Page 913]]



 Sec. Figure 8 to Part 679--Aleutian Islands Chinook Salmon Savings Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30AU10.000


[75 FR 53069, Aug. 30, 2010]

[[Page 914]]



     Sec. Figure 9 to Part 679--Chum Savings Area (CSSA) of the CVOA
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.007


[[Page 915]]



                             b. Coordinates

    The CSSA is an area defined as that portion of the Bering Sea 
Subarea described by straight lines connecting the following coordinates 
in the order listed:

56[deg]00[min] N. lat. 167[deg]00[min] W. long.
56[deg]00[min] N. lat. 165[deg]00[min] W. long.
55[deg]30[min] N. lat. 165[deg]00[min] W. long.
55[deg]30[min] N. lat. 164[deg]00[min] W. long.
55[deg]00[min] N. lat. 164[deg]00[min] W. long.
55[deg]00[min] N. lat. 167[deg]00[min] W. long.
56[deg]00[min] N. lat. 167[deg]00[min] W. long.

[64 FR 61995, Nov. 15, 1999]



 Sec. Figure 10 to Part 679--Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Zone 
                        (PIHCZ) in the Bering Sea
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR02DE14.000


[79 FR 71348, Dec. 2, 2014]

[[Page 916]]



     Sec. Figure 11 to Part 679--Red King Crab Savings Area (RKCSA)
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.009


[64 FR 61998, Nov. 15, 1999]

[[Page 917]]



       Sec. Figure 12 to Part 679--Bristol Bay Trawl Closure Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30NO09.000


[74 FR 62509, Nov. 30, 2009]

[[Page 918]]



     Sec. Figure 13 to Part 679--BSAI C. Opilio Tanner Crab Bycatch 
                            Limitations Zone
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.011


[[Page 919]]



                             b. Coordinates

    The COBLZ is an area defined as that portion of the Bering Sea 
Subarea north of 56[deg]30[min] N. lat. that is west of a line 
connecting the following coordinates in the order listed:

56[deg]30[min] N. lat., 165[deg]00[min] W. long.
58[deg]00[min] N. lat., 165[deg]00[min] W. long.
59[deg]30[min] N. lat., 170[deg]00[min] W. long.

and north along 170[deg]00[min] W. long. to its intersection with the 
U.S.-Russia Boundary.

[64 FR 62000, Nov. 15, 2000]

[[Page 920]]



         Sec. Figure 14 to Part 679--Sablefish Regulatory Areas
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.012


[64 FR 62002, Nov. 15, 2000]

[[Page 921]]



  Sec. Figure 15 to Part 679--Regulatory Areas for the Pacific Halibut 
                                 Fishery
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15NO99.013

                             b. Coordinates

    Area 2A includes all waters off the states of California, Oregon, 
and Washington;
    Area 2B includes all waters off British Columbia;
    Area 2C includes all waters off Alaska that are east of a line 
running 340[deg] true from Cape

[[Page 922]]

Spencer Light (58[deg]11[min]57[sec] N. lat., 136[deg]38[min]18[sec] W. 
long.) and south and east of a line running 205[deg] true from said 
light;
    Area 3A includes all waters between Area 2C and a line extending 
from the most northerly point on Cape Aklek (57[deg]41[min]15[sec] N. 
lat., 155[deg]35[min]00[sec] W. long.) to Cape Ikolik 
(57[deg]17[min]17[sec] N. lat., 154[deg]47[min]18[sec] W. long.), then 
along the Kodiak Island coastline to Cape Trinity (56[deg]44[min]50[sec] 
N. lat., 154[deg]08[min]44[sec] W. long.), then 140[deg] true;
    Area 3B includes all waters between Area 3A and a line extending 
150[deg] true from Cape Lutke (54[deg]29[min]00[sec] N. lat., 
164[deg]20[min]00[sec] W. long.) and south of 54[deg]49[min]00[sec] N. 
lat. in Isanotski Strait;
    Area 4A includes all waters in the GOA west of Area 3B and in the 
Bering Sea west of the closed area defined below that are east of 
172[deg]00[min]00[sec] W. long. and south of 56[deg]20[min]00[sec] N. 
lat.;
    Area 4B includes all waters in the Bering Sea and the GOA west of 
Area 4A and south of 56[deg]20[min]00[sec] N. lat.;
    Area 4C includes all waters in the Bering Sea north of Area 4A and 
north of the closed area defined below which are east of 
171[deg]00[min]00[sec] W. long., south of 58[deg]00[min]00[sec] N. lat., 
and west of 168[deg]00[min]00[sec] W. long.;
    Area 4D includes all waters in the Bering Sea north of Areas 4A and 
4B, north and west of Area 4C, and west of 168[deg]00[min]00[sec] W. 
long.;
    Area 4E includes all waters in the Bering Sea north and east of the 
closed area defined below, east of 168[deg]00[min]00[sec] W. long., and 
south of 65[deg]34[min]00[sec] N. lat.

                              Closed areas

    All waters in the Bering Sea north of 54[deg]49[min]00[sec] N. lat. 
in Isanotski Strait that are enclosed by a line from Cape Sarichef Light 
(54[deg]36[min]00[sec] N. lat., 164[deg]55[min]42[sec] W. long.) to a 
point at 56[deg]20[min]00[sec] N. lat., 168[deg]30[min]00 W. long.; 
thence to a point at 58[deg]21[min]25[sec] N. lat., 
163[deg]00[min]00[sec] W. long.; thence to Strogonof Point 
(56[deg]53[min]18[sec] N. lat., 158[deg]50[min]37[sec] W. long.); and 
then along the northern coasts of the Alaska Peninsula and Unimak Island 
to the point of origin at Cape Sarichef Light.
    In Area 2A, all waters north of Point Chehalis, WA 
(46[deg]53[min]18[sec] N. lat.).

[64 FR 62003, Nov. 15, 1999]

[[Page 923]]



    Sec. Figure 16 to Part 679--Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY08.010


[73 FR 43371, July 25, 2008]

[[Page 924]]



Sec. Figure 17 to Part 679--Northern Bering Sea Research Area and Saint 
             Lawrence Island Habitat Conservation Area (HCA)
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR06OC10.048


[75 FR 61648, Oct. 6, 2010]

[[Page 925]]



       Sec. Figure 18 to Part 679--Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09NO00.011

                             b. Coordinates

    An area totaling 2.5 square nm off Cape Edgecumbe, defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in a counterclockwise 
manner:
    56[deg]55.5[min] N lat., 135[deg]54.0[min] W long;

[[Page 926]]

    56[deg]57.0[min] N lat., 135[deg]54.0[min] W long;
    56[deg]57.0[min] N lat., 135[deg]57.0[min] W long;
    56[deg]55.5[min] N lat., 135[deg]57.0[min] W long.

[65 FR 67308, Nov. 9, 2000]

[[Page 927]]



      Sec. Figure 19 to Part 679--Shelikof Strait Conservation Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30NO09.001


[74 FR 62511, Nov. 30, 2009]

[[Page 928]]



Sec. Figure 20 to Part 679--Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA) of 
                             the Bering Sea
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28JA02.073


[67 FR 4134, Jan. 28, 2002]

[[Page 929]]



Sec. Figure 21 to Part 679--Nunivak Island, Etolin Strait, and Kuskokwim 
                      Bay Habitat Conservation Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY08.012


[73 FR 43372, July 25, 2008]

[[Page 930]]



                  Sec. Figure 22 to Part 679 [Reserved]



  Sec. Figure 23 to Part 679--Salmon Management Area (see Sec. 679.2)
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03NO21.009


[86 FR 60587, Nov. 3, 2021]

[[Page 931]]



           Sec. Figure 24 to Part 679--Arctic Management Area
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03NO09.035


[74 FR 56746, Nov. 3, 2009]

[[Page 932]]



   Sec. Figure 25 to Part 679--Elevating Device Clearance Measurement 
              Locations for Modified Nonpelagic Trawl Gear
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR06OC10.049


[75 FR 61649, Oct. 6, 2010]

[[Page 933]]



       Sec. Figure 26 to Part 679--Modified Nonpelagic Trawl Gear

    This figure shows the location of elevating devices in the elevated 
section of modified nonpelagic trawl gear, as specified under Sec. 
679.24(f). The top image shows the location of the end elevating devices 
in the elevated section for gear with net bridles no greater than 185 
feet in length. The bottom image shows the location of the beginning 
elevating devices near the doors and the end elevating devices near the 
net for gear with net bridles no greater than 185 feet in length.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16JA14.006


[79 FR 2803, Jan. 16, 2014]



   Sec. Figure 27 to Part 679--Locations for Measuring Maximum Cross 
Sections of Line Material (shown as A) and Supporting Material (shown as 
                  B) for Modified Nonpelagic Trawl Gear
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR06OC10.051

    Note: The location for measurement of maximum line material cross 
section does not include any devices or braided or doubled material used 
for section termination.

[75 FR 61651, Oct. 6, 2010]

[[Page 934]]



    Sec. Table 1a to Part 679--Delivery Condition* and Product Codes

                           [General Use Codes]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Description                              Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belly flaps. Flesh in region of pelvic and pectoral fins              19
 and behind head (ancillary only)..........................
Bled only. Throat, or isthmus, slit to allow blood to drain           03
Bled fish destined for fish meal (includes offsite                    42
 production) DO NOT RECORD ON PTR..........................
Bones (if meal, report as 32) (ancillary only).............           39
Butterfly, no backbone. Head removed, belly slit, viscera             37
 and most of backbone removed; fillets attached............
Cheeks. Muscles on sides of head (ancillary only)..........           17
Chins. Lower jaw (mandible), muscles, and flesh (ancillary            18
 only).....................................................
Fillets, deep-skin. Meat with skin, adjacent meat with                24
 silver lining, and ribs removed from sides of body behind
 head and in front of tail, resulting in thin fillets......
Fillets, skinless/boneless. Meat with both skin and ribs              23
 removed, from sides of body behind head and in front of
 tail......................................................
Fillets with ribs, no skin. Meat with ribs with skin                  22
 removed, from sides of body behind head and in front of
 tail......................................................
Fillets with skin and ribs. Meat and skin with ribs                   20
 attached, from sides of body behind head and in front of
 tail......................................................
Fillets with skin, no ribs. Meat and skin with ribs                   21
 removed, from sides of body behind head and in front of
 tail......................................................
Fish meal. Meal from whole fish or fish parts; includes               32
 bone meal.................................................
Fish oil. Rendered oil from whole fish or fish parts.                 33
 Record only oil destined for sale and not oil stored or
 burned for fuel onboard...................................
Gutted, head on. Belly slit and viscera removed............           04
Gutted, head off. Belly slit and viscera removed (May be              05
 used for halibut personal use)............................
Head and gutted, with roe..................................           06
Headed and gutted, Western cut. Head removed just in front            07
 of the collar bone, and viscera removed...................
Headed and gutted, Eastern cut. Head removed just behind              08
 the collar bone, and viscera removed......................
Headed and gutted, tail removed. Head removed usually in              10
 front of collar bone, and viscera and tail removed........
Heads. Heads only, regardless where severed from body                 16
 (ancillary only)..........................................
Kirimi (Steak). Head removed either in front or behind the            11
 collar bone, viscera removed, and tail removed by cuts
 perpendicular to the spine, resulting in a steak..........
Mantles, octopus or squid. Flesh after removal of viscera             36
 and arms..................................................
Milt. In sacs, or testes (ancillary only)..................           34
Minced. Ground flesh.......................................           31
Other retained product. If product is not listed on this              97
 table, enter code 97 and write a description with product
 recovery rate next to it in parentheses...................
Pectoral girdle. Collar bone and associated bones,                    15
 cartilage and flesh.......................................
Roe. Eggs, either loose or in sacs, or skeins (ancillary              14
 only).....................................................
Salted and split. Head removed, belly slit, viscera                   12
 removed, fillets cut from head to tail but remaining
 attached near tail. Product salted........................
Stomachs. Includes all internal organs (ancillary only)....           35
Surimi. Paste from fish flesh and additives................           30
Whole fish/ or shellfish/food fish.........................           01
Wings. On skates, side fins are cut off next to body.......           13
SHELLFISH ONLY
    Soft shell crab........................................           75
    Bitter crab............................................           76
    Deadloss...............................................           79
    Sections...............................................           80
    Meat...................................................           81
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: When using whole fish code, record round weights rather than
  product weights, even if the whole fish is not used.
* Delivery condition code: Condition of the fish or shellfish at the
  point it is weighed and recorded on the ADF&G fish ticket.


[76 FR 40634, July 11, 2011]



       Sec. Table 1b to Part 679--Discard and Disposition Codes\1\

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Description                              Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confiscation or seized.....................................           63
Deadloss (crab only).......................................           79
Overage....................................................           62
Retained for future sale...................................           87
Tagged IFQ Fish (Exempt from debit)........................           64
Whole fish/bait, not sold. Used as bait onboard vessel.....           92
Whole fish/bait, sold......................................           61
Whole fish/discard at sea. Whole groundfish and prohibited            98
 species discarded by catcher vessels, catcher/processors,
 motherships, or tenders. DO NOT RECORD ON PTR.............
Whole fish/discard, damaged. Whole fish damaged by                    93
 observer's sampling procedures............................
Whole fish/discard, decomposed. Decomposed or previously              89
 discarded fish............................................
Whole fish/discard, infested. Flea-infested fish, parasite-           88
 infested fish.............................................
Whole fish/discard, onshore. Discard after delivery and               99
 before processing by shoreside processors, stationary
 floating processors, buying stations, and tender vessels
 and in-plant discard of whole groundfish and prohibited
 species during processing. DO NOT RECORD ON PTR...........
Whole fish/donated prohibited species. Number of Pacific              86
 salmon or Pacific halibut, otherwise required to be
 discarded, that is donated to charity under a NMFS-
 authorized program........................................

[[Page 935]]

 
Whole fish/fish meal. Whole fish destined for meal                    41
 (includes offsite production.) DO NOT RECORD ON PTR.......
Whole fish/personal use, consumption. Fish or fish products           95
 eaten on board or taken off the vessel for personal use.
 Not sold or utilized as bait..............................
Whole fish/sold, for human consumption.....................           60
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: When using whole fish codes, record round weights rather than
  product weights, even if the whole fish is not used.
\1\ Disposition Code: The intended use or disposal of the fish or
  shellfish.


[76 FR 40634, July 11, 2011, as amended at 81 FR 70607, Oct. 13, 2016]



              Sec. Table 1c to Part 679--Product Type Codes

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Description                             Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ancillary product.                                A
A product, such as meal, heads, internal organs,
 pectoral girdles, or any other product that may
 be made from the same fish as the primary
 product.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary product.                                  P
A product, such as fillets, made from each fish,
 with the highest recovery rate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reprocessed or rehandled product.                 R
A product, such as meal, that results from
 processing a previously reported product or
 from rehandling a previously reported product.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[73 FR 76172, Dec. 15, 2008]



        Sec. Table 2a to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Groundfish

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Species description                         Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel (greenling)...............................             193
Flatfish, miscellaneous (flatfish species without                    120
 separate codes)........................................
FLOUNDER:
    Alaska plaice.......................................             133
    Arrowtooth..........................................             121
    Bering..............................................             116
    Kamchatka...........................................             117
    Starry..............................................             129
Octopuses...............................................             870
Pacific cod.............................................             110
Pollock.................................................             270
ROCKFISH:
    Aurora (Sebastes aurora)............................             185
    Black (BSAI) (S. melanops)..........................             142
    Blackgill (S. melanostomus).........................             177
    Blue (BSAI) (S. mystinus)...........................             167
    Bocaccio (S. paucispinis)...........................             137
    Canary (S. pinniger)................................             146
    Chilipepper (S. goodei).............................             178
    China (S. nebulosus)................................             149
    Copper (S. caurinus)................................             138
    Darkblotched (S. crameri)...........................             159
    Dusky (S. variabilis)...............................             172
    Greenstriped (S. elongatus).........................             135
    Harlequin (S. variegatus)...........................             176
    Northern (S. polyspinis)............................             136
    Pacific Ocean Perch (S. alutus).....................             141
    Pygmy (S. wilsoni)..................................             179
    Quillback (S. maliger)..............................             147
    Redbanded (S. babcocki).............................             153
    Redstripe (S. proriger).............................             158
    Rosethorn (S. helvomaculatus).......................             150
    Rougheye (S. aleutianus)............................             151
    Sharpchin (S. zacentrus)............................             166
    Shortbelly (S. jordani).............................             181
    Shortraker (S. borealis)............................             152
    Silvergray (S. brevispinis).........................             157
    Splitnose (S. diploproa)............................             182
    Stripetail (S. saxicola)............................             183
    Thornyhead (all Sebastolobus species)...............             143
    Tiger (S. nigrocinctus).............................             148
    Vermilion (S. miniatus).............................             184

[[Page 936]]

 
    Widow (S. entomelas)................................             156
    Yelloweye (S. ruberrimus)...........................             145
    Yellowmouth (S. reedi)..............................             175
    Yellowtail (S. flavidus)............................             155
Sablefish (blackcod)....................................             710
SHARKS:
    Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific sleeper               689
     shark--use specific species code)..................
    Pacific sleeper.....................................             692
    Salmon..............................................             690
    Spiny dogfish.......................................             691
SKATES:
    Alaska (Bathyraja parmifera)........................             703
    Aleutian (B. aleutica)..............................             704
    Whiteblotched (B. maculate).........................             705
    Big (Raja binoculata)...............................             702
    Longnose (R. rhina).................................             701
    Other (if Alaska, Aleutian, whiteblotched, big, or               700
     longnose skate--use specific species code).........
SOLE:
    Butter..............................................             126
    Dover...............................................             124
    English.............................................             128
    Flathead............................................             122
    Petrale.............................................             131
    Rex.................................................             125
    Rock................................................             123
    Sand................................................             132
    Yellowfin...........................................             127
    Turbot, Greenland...................................             134
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[85 FR 41431, July 10, 2020]



Sec. Table 2b to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Prohibited Species and CR 
                                  Crab

Species Description                                                             Code           CR Groundfish PSC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRAB
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Box                           Lopholithod900man.............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dungeness            Cancer magister           910   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             King, blue      Paralithodes platypus           922        [check]         [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   King, golden (brown)                           Lithodes ae923spinus  [check]         [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              King, red   Paralithodes camtshaticus          921        [check]         [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                King, scarlet (deepsea)                           Lithodes co924i  .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Korean horsehair crab       Erimacrus isenbeckii           940   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Multispinus crab      Paralomis multispinus           951   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Tanner, Bairdi        Chionoecetes bairdi           931        [check]         [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Tanner, grooved       Chionoecetes tanneri           933   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Tanner, snow        Chionoecetes opilio           932        [check]         [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Tanner, triangle     Chionoecetes angulatus           934   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Verrilli crab         Paralomis verrilli           953   .............        [check]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PACIFIC HALIBUT                            Hippoglossus stenolepis           200   .............        [check]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PACIFIC HERRING                                   Family Clupeidae           235   .............        [check]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALMON
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 937]]

 
                         Chinook (king)   Oncorhynchus tshawytscha           410   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Chum (dog)          Oncorhynchus keta           450   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Coho (silver)       Oncorhynchus kisutch           430   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Pink (humpback)     Oncorhynchus gorbuscha           440   .............        [check]
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Sockeye (red)         Oncorhynchus nerka           420   .............        [check]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEELHEAD TROUT                                Oncorhynchus mykiss           540   .............        [check]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[73 FR 76172, Dec. 15, 2008]



 Sec. Table 2c to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Forage Fish Species (All 
   Species of the Following Families), Grenadier Species, Squids, and 
                                Sculpins

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Species identification                        Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORAGE FISH:
    Bristlemouths, lightfishes, and anglemouths (family              209
     Gonostomatidae)....................................
    Capelin smelt (family Osmeridae)....................             516
    Deep-sea smelts (family Bathylagidae)...............             773
    Eulachon smelt (family Osmeridae)...................             511
    Gunnels (family Pholidae)...........................             207
    Krill (order Euphausiacea)..........................             800
    Lanternfishes (family Myctophidae)..................             772
    Pacific Sand fish (family Trichodontidae)...........             206
    Pacific Sand lance (family Ammodytidae).............             774
    Pricklebacks, war-bonnets, eelblennys, cockscombs                208
     and Shannys (family Stichaeidae)...................
    Surf smelt (family Osmeridae).......................             515
GRENADIERS:
    Giant Grenadiers (Albatrossia pectoralis)...........             214
    Other Grenadiers....................................             213
SQUID:
    Squids..............................................             875
SCULPINS:
    Sculpins............................................             160
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[85 FR 41433, July 10, 2020]



        Sec. Table 2d to Part 679--Species Codes: Non-FMP Species

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Species description                          Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               GENERAL USE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arctic char, anadromous....................................          521
Dolly varden, anadromous...................................          531
Eels or eel-like fish......................................          210
Eel, wolf..................................................          217
GREENLING:
    Kelp...................................................          194
    Rock...................................................          191
    Whitespot..............................................          192
Jellyfish (unspecified)....................................          625
Lamprey, pacific...........................................          600
Lingcod....................................................          130
Lumpsucker.................................................          216
Pacific flatnose...........................................          260
Pacific hagfish............................................          212
Pacific hake...............................................          112
Pacific lamprey............................................          600
Pacific saury..............................................          220
Pacific tomcod.............................................          250
Poacher (Family Algonidae).................................          219
Prowfish...................................................          215
Ratfish....................................................          714
Rockfish, black (GOA)......................................          142
Rockfish, blue (GOA).......................................          167
Rockfish, dark.............................................          173
Sardine, Pacific (pilchard)................................          170
Sea cucumber, red..........................................          895
Shad.......................................................          180

[[Page 938]]

 
Skilfish...................................................          715
Snailfish, general (genus Liparis and genus Careproctus)...          218
Sturgeon, general..........................................          680
Wrymouths..................................................          211
Shellfish:
    Abalone, northern (pinto)..............................          860
Clams:
    Arctic surf............................................          812
    Cockle.................................................          820
    Eastern softshell......................................          842
    Pacific geoduck........................................          815
    Pacific littleneck.....................................          840
    Pacific razor..........................................          830
    Washington butter......................................          810
Coral......................................................          899
Mussel, blue...............................................          855
Oyster, Pacific............................................          880
Scallop, weathervane.......................................          850
Scallop, pink (or calico)..................................          851
SHRIMP:
    Coonstripe.............................................          864
    Humpy..................................................          963
    Northern (pink)........................................          961
    Sidestripe.............................................          962
    Spot...................................................          965
Snails.....................................................          890
Urchin, green sea..........................................          893
Urchin, red sea............................................          892
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[80 FR 11909, Mar. 5, 2015]

[[Page 939]]



Sec. Table 3 to Part 679--Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish Species 
                and Conversion Rates for Pacific Halibut
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05MR15.000


[[Page 940]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05MR15.001


[[Page 941]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05MR15.002


[80 FR 11910, Mar. 5, 2015]

[[Page 942]]



  Sec. Table 4 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Pollock 
                         Fisheries Restrictions
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.000


[[Page 943]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.001


[[Page 944]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.002


[[Page 945]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.003


[[Page 946]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.004


[[Page 947]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.005


[[Page 948]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.006


[[Page 949]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.007


[[Page 950]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.008


[[Page 951]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.009


[79 FR 70312, Nov. 25, 2014]

[[Page 952]]



Sec. Table 5 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Pacific Cod 
                         Fisheries Restrictions
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.010


[[Page 953]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.011


[[Page 954]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.012


[[Page 955]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.013


[[Page 956]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.014


[[Page 957]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.015


[[Page 958]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.016


[[Page 959]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.017


[[Page 960]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.018


[[Page 961]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.019


[[Page 962]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.020


[[Page 963]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.021


[79 FR 70322, Nov. 25, 2014]

[[Page 964]]



    Sec. Table 6 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Atka 
                     Mackerel Fisheries Restrictions
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.022


[[Page 965]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.023


[[Page 966]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.024


[[Page 967]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO14.025


[79 FR 70334, Nov. 25, 2014]

[[Page 968]]



    Sec. Table 7 to Part 679--Community Development Quota Groups and 
         Communities Eligible To Participate in the CDQ Program

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association:
  Akutan
  Atka
  False Pass
  Nelson Lagoon
  Nikolski
  Saint George
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation:
  Aleknagik
  Clark's Point
  Dillingham
  Egegik
  Ekuk
  Ekwok
  King Salmon/Savonoski
  Levelock
  Manokotak
  Naknek
  Pilot Point
  Port Heiden
  Portage Creek
  South Naknek
  Togiak
  Twin Hills
  Ugashik
Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association:
  Saint Paul
Coastal Villages Region Fund:
  Chefornak
  Chevak
  Eek
  Goodnews Bay
  Hooper Bay
  Kipnuk
  Kongiganak
  Kwigillingok
  Mekoryuk
  Napakiak
  Napaskiak
  Newtok
  Nightmute
  Oscarville
  Platinum
  Quinhagak
  Scammon Bay
  Toksook Bay
  Tuntutuliak
  Tununak
Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation:
  Brevig Mission
  Diomede
  Elim
  Gambell
  Golovin
  Koyuk
  Nome
  Saint Michael
  Savoonga
  Shaktoolik
  Stebbins
  Teller
  Unalakleet
  Wales
  White Mountain
Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association:
  Alakanuk
  Emmonak
  Grayling
  Kotlik
  Mountain Village
  Nunam Iqua
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[77 FR 6502, Feb. 8, 2012]



    Sec. Table 8 to Part 679--Harvest Zone Codes for Use With Vessel 
                            Activity Reports

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Harvest Zone                         Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1                               BSAI EEZ off Alaska
A2                               GOA EEZ off Alaska
B                                State waters of Alaska
C                                State waters other than Alaska
D                                Donut Hole
F                                Foreign Waters Other than Russia
I                                International Waters other than Donut
                                  Hole and Seamounts
R                                Russian waters
S                                Seamounts in International waters
U                                U.S. EEZ other than Alaska
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[67 FR 4137, Jan. 28, 2002]



 Sec. Table 9 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses Eligible for Use in 
  the BSAI Longline Catcher/Processor Subsector, Column A. X Indicates 
                  Whether Column B or Column C Applies.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Column A                  Column B              Column C
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Is eligible to
                              Is eligible under 50    request that NMFS
                                       CFR          permanently assign a
  The Holder of Groundfish    679.4(k)(3)(i)(D)(1)  220-foot (67 m) MLOA
    License Number . . .      to be assigned a 220-  on that LLP License
                               foot (67 m) MLOA on      under 50 CFR
                                that LLP license    679.4(k)(3)(i)(D)(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LLG 4508....................                  X
LLG 1785....................                  X
LLG 3681....................                  X
LLG 3676....................                  X
LLG 3609....................                  X
LLG 1400....................                  X
LLG 1401....................                  X
LLG 3617....................                  X
LLG 1916....................                  X
LLG 1917....................                  X
LLG 1989....................                  X
LLG 1127....................                  X
LLG 1128....................                  X
LLG 1125....................                  X
LLG 4823....................                  X
LLG 2783....................                  X
LLG 1988....................                  X
LLG 2238....................                  X
LLG 2958....................                  X

[[Page 969]]

 
LLG 3973....................                  X
LLG 3637....................                  X
LLG 2421....................                  X
LLG 1713....................                  X
LLG 3616....................                  X
LLG 2892....................                  X
LLG 2112....................                  X
LLG 5222....................                  X
LLG 1578....................                  X
LLG 2026....................                  X
LLG 3847....................                  X
LLG 3602....................                  X
LLG 2081....................                  X
LLG 4008....................                  X
LLG 3090....................                                        X
LLG 1576....................                                        X
LLG 2959....................                                        X
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[78 FR 607, Jan. 6, 2014]



     Sec. Table 10 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Retainable Percentage
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30DE21.009


[[Page 970]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30DE21.010

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30DE21.011


[86 FR 74387, Dec. 30, 2021]


[[Page 971]]



          Sec. Table 11 to Part 679--BSAI Retainable Percentage
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30DE21.012


[86 FR 74389, Dec. 30, 2021; 87 FR 412, Jan. 5, 2022]


[[Page 972]]



  Sec. Table 12 to Part 679--Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas, 3nm No 
                        Groundfish Fishing Sites
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29DE10.022


[[Page 973]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29DE10.023


[[Page 974]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29DE10.024


[75 FR 81922, Dec. 29, 2010]

[[Page 975]]



            Sec. Table 13 to Part 679--Transfer Form Summary

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                     Dockside
                                           And has . . . Fish      And is involved in this                    Transship  Departure    sales     Landing
     If participant type is . . .            product onboard              activity          VAR \1\  PTR \2\     \3\       report    receipt    receipt
                                                                                                                            \4\        \5\        \6\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel greater than 60 ft LOA,  Only non-IFQ groundfish.  Vessel leaving or              X
 mothership, or catcher/processor.                                 entering Alaska.
Catcher vessel greater than 60 ft LOA,  Only IFQ sablefish, IFQ   Vessel leaving Alaska...  .......  .......  .........         X
 mothership, or catcher/processor.       halibut, CDQ halibut,
                                         or CR crab.
Catcher vessel greater than 60 ft LOA,  Combination of IFQ        Vessel leaving Alaska...       X   .......  .........         X
 mothership, or catcher/processor.       sablefish, IFQ halibut,
                                         CDQ halibut, or CR crab
                                         and non-IFQ groundfish.
Mothership, catcher/processor,          Non-IFQ groundfish......  Shipment of groundfish    .......       X
 shoreside processor, or SFP.                                      product.
Mothership, catcher/processor,          Donated PSC.............  Shipment of donated PSC.  .......       X
 shoreside processor, or SFP.
Registered Buyer......................  IFQ sablefish, IFQ        Transfer of product.....  .......       X
                                         halibut, or CDQ halibut.
A person holding a valid IFQ permit,    IFQ sablefish, IFQ        Transfer of product.....  .......  .......  .........  .........       XXX
 IFQ hired master permit, or             halibut, or CDQ halibut.
 Registered Buyer permit.
Registered Buyer......................  IFQ sablefish, IFQ        Transfer from landing     .......  .......  .........  .........  .........        XX
                                         halibut, or CDQ halibut.  site to Registered
                                                                   Buyer's processing
                                                                   facility.
Vessel operator.......................  Processed IFQ sablefish,  Transshipment between     .......  .......      XXXX
                                         IFQ halibut, CDQ          vessels.
                                         halibut, or CR crab.
Registered Crab Receiver..............  CR crab.................  Transfer of product.....  .......       X
Registered Crab Receiver..............  CR crab.................  Transfer from landing     .......  .......  .........  .........  .........        XX
                                                                   site to RCR's
                                                                   processing facility.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A vessel activity report (VAR) is described at Sec. 679.5(k).
\2\ A product transfer report (PTR) is described at Sec. 679.5(g).
\3\ An IFQ transshipment authorization is described at Sec. 679.5(l)(3).
\4\ An IFQ departure report is described at Sec. 679.5(l)(4).
\5\ An IFQ dockside sales receipt is described at Sec. 679.5(g)(2)(iv).
\6\ A landing receipt is described at Sec. 679.5(e)(8)(vii).
X indicates under what circumstances each report is submitted.
XX indicates that the document must accompany the transfer of IFQ species from landing site to processor.
XXX indicates receipt must be issued to each receiver in a dockside sale.
XXXX indicates authorization must be obtained 24 hours in advance.


[81 FR 70606, Oct. 13, 2016]



      Sec. Table 14a to Part 679--Port of Landing Codes \1\, Alaska

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Port Name                NMFS Code               ADF&G Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adak                     186                      ADA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akutan, Akutan Bay       101                      AKU
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alitak                   103                      ALI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anchorage                105                      ANC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angoon                   106                      ANG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aniak                    300                      ANI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anvik                    301                      ANV
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 976]]

 
Atka                     107                      ATK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auke Bay                 136                      JNU
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beaver Inlet             119                      DUT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bethel                   302                      BET
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captains Bay             119                      DUT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chefornak                189                      CHF
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chignik                  113                      CHG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cordova                  115                      COR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Craig                    116                      CRG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dillingham               117                      DIL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Douglas                  136                      JNU
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dutch Harbor/Unalaska    119                      DUT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Egegik                   122                      EGE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ekuk                     303                      EKU
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elfin Cove               123                      ELF
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emmonak                  304                      EMM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excursion Inlet          124                      XIP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
False Pass               125                      FSP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fairbanks                305                      FBK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Galena                   306                      GAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glacier Bay              307                      GLB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glennallen               308                      GLN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gustavus                 127                      GUS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haines                   128                      HNS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homer                    132                      HOM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hoonah                   133                      HNH
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydaburg                 309                      HYD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyder                    134                      HDR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Juneau                   136                      JNU
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kake                     137                      KAK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaltag                   310                      KAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kasilof                  138                      KAS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenai                    139                      KEN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenai River              139                      KEN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ketchikan                141                      KTN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Cove                142                      KCO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Salmon              143                      KNG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kipnuk                   144                      KIP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Klawock                  145                      KLA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kodiak                   146                      KOD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kotzebue                 311                      KOT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larsen Bay               327                      LRB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mekoryuk                 147                      MEK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metlakatla               148                      MET
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moser Bay                312                      MOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naknek                   149                      NAK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nenana                   313                      NEN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikiski (or Nikishka)    150                      NIK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ninilchik                151                      NIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nome                     152                      NOM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nunivak Island           314                      NUN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Old Harbor               153                      OLD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Alaska \1\         499                      OAK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelican                  155                      PEL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petersburg               156                      PBG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Alexander           158                      PAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Armstrong           315                      PTA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Bailey              159                      PTB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Graham              160                      GRM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Lions               316                      LIO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Moller              317                      MOL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Protection          161                      PRO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quinhagak                187                      QUK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sand Point               164                      SPT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Savoonga                 165                      SAV
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selawik                  326                      SWK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seldovia                 166                      SEL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seward                   167                      SEW
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sitka                    168                      SIT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skagway                  169                      SKG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soldotna                 318                      SOL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. George               170                      STG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Mary                 319                      STM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Paul                 172                      STP
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 977]]

 
Tee Harbor               136                      JNU
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tenakee Springs          174                      TEN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Togiak                   176                      TOG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toksook Bay              177                      TOB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tununak                  178                      TUN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ugashik                  320                      UGA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unalakleet               321                      UNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valdez                   181                      VAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wasilla                  322                      WAS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whittier                 183                      WHT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wrangell                 184                      WRN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yakutat                  185                      YAK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ To report a landing at an Alaska location not currently assigned a
  location code number, use ``Other Alaska'' code ``499'' or ``OAK.''


[73 FR 76186, Dec. 15, 2008]

        Table 14b to Part 679--Port of Landing Codes: Non-Alaska

              (California, Canada, Oregon, and Washington)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Port State or
     Country           Port Name          NMFS Code        ADF&G Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALIFORNIA         Eureka             500               EUR
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Other California   599               OCA
                    \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CANADA             Other Canada \1\   899               OCN
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Port Edward, B.C.  802               PRU
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Prince Rupert,     802               PRU
                    B.C.
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Vancouver, B.C.    803               VAN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OREGON             Astoria            600               AST
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Newport            603               NPT
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Other Oregon \1\   699               OOR
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Portland           323               POR
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Warrenton          604               WAR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON         Anacortes          700               ANA
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Bellingham         702               BEL
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Blaine             717               BLA
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Everett            704               EVT
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   La Conner          708               LAC
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Olympia            324               OLY
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Other Washington   799               OWA
                    \1\
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Seattle            715               SEA
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Tacoma             325               TAC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ To report a landing at a location not currently assigned a location
  code number, use the code for ``Other California'', ``Other Oregon'',
  ``Other Washington'', or ``Other Canada'' at which the landing occurs.


[73 FR 76186, Dec. 15, 2008]



 Sec. Table 14c to Part 679--At-sea Operation Type Codes To Be Used as 
         Port Codes for Vessels Matching This Type of Operation

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Description of code
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Code                         NMFS Alaska region                        ADF&G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FCP......................................  Catcher/processor...........  Floating catcher processor.

[[Page 978]]

 
FLD......................................  Mothership..................  Floating domestic mothership.
IFP......................................  Stationary Floating           Inshore floating processor--processing
                                            Processor.                    in State of Alaska waters only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[70 FR 10238, Mar. 2, 2005]



      Sec. Table 15 to Part 679--Gear Codes, Descriptions, and Use

                                        Gear Codes, Descriptions, and Use
                                      (X indicates where this code is used)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Use alphabetic code to complete the following:  Use numeric code to complete the following:
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Name of gear      Alpha gear                   Electronic check-  Numeric gear
                         code       NMFS logbooks    in/ check-out        code       IERS eLandings   ADF&G COAR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NMFS AND ADF&G GEAR CODES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line        HAL           X               X                 61             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jig, mechanical      JIG           X               X                 26             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pot (includes        POT           X               X                 91             X                X
 longline pot and
 pot-and-line)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl, nonpelagic/   NPT           X               X                 07             X                X
 bottom
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl, pelagic/      PTR           X               X                 47             X                X
 midwater
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Troll, dinglebar     TROLL         X               X                 25             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Troll, hand          TROLL         X               X                 05             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Troll, power gurdy   TROLL         X               X                 15             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All other gear       OTH           X               X
 types
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADF&G GEAR CODES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diving                                                               11             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dredge                                                               22             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dredge, hydro/                                                       23             X                X
 mechanical
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish ladder/raceway                                                  77             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish wheel                                                           08             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet, drift                                                       03             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet, herring                                                     34             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet, set                                                         04             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet, sunken                                                      41             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Handpicked                                                           12             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net, dip                                                             13             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net, ring                                                            10             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other/specify                                                        99             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pound                                                                21             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 979]]

 
Seine, purse                                                         01             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seine, beach                                                         02             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shovel                                                               18             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trap                                                                 90             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl, beam                                                          17             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl, double otter                                                  27             X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl, pair                                                          37             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weir                                                                 14             X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED GEAR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorized gear for  All longline gear (hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline) and longline pot gear. For
 sablefish            purposes of determining initial IFQ allocation, all pot gear used to make a legal landing.
 harvested from any
 GOA reporting area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorized gear for                            All hook-and-line gear and all pot gear.
 sablefish
 harvested from any
 BSAI reporting
 area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorized gear for  All fishing gear composed of lines with hooks attached, including one or more stationary,
 halibut harvested    buoyed, and anchored lines with hooks attached and longline pot gear.
 from any IFQ
 regulatory area in
 the GOA
Authorized gear for  All fishing gear composed of lines with hooks attached, including one or more stationary,
 halibut harvested    buoyed, and anchored lines with hooks attached.
 from any IFQ
 regulatory area in
 the BSAI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[73 FR 76187, Dec. 15, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 95457, Dec. 28, 2016]



  Sec. Table 16 to Part 679--Area Codes and Descriptions for Use With 
    State of Alaska ADF&G Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     ADF&G
                                                                                   Fisheries    Area Description
                COAR: Name (Code)                             Species              Management       in ADF&G
                                                                                     Areas        Regulations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Peninsula                                  King Crab:....................            M       5 AAC 34.500
South Peninsula (MS)                              AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands             M       5 AAC 12.100
North Peninsula (MN)                               Salmon.                                  M        (Aleutians)
                                                                                                5 AAC 09.100 (AK
                                                                                                      Peninsula)
                                                  Herring.......................            M       5 AAC 27.600
Bering Sea:                                       Bering Sea King Crab..........            Q       5 AAC 34.900
Pribilof Island (Q1)                              Bering Sea/Kotzebue Herring...            Q       5 AAC 27.900
St. Matthew Island Q2)
St. Lawrence Island (Q4)
Bristol Bay (T)                                   King Crab.....................            T       5 AAC 34.800
                                                  Salmon........................            T       5 AAC 06.100
                                                  Herring.......................            T       5 AAC 27.800
Chignik (L)                                       Groundfish....................            L       5 AAC 28.500
                                                  Herring.......................            L       5 AAC 27.550
                                                  Salmon........................            L       5 AAC 15.100

[[Page 980]]

 
Cook Inlet:                                       Groundfish....................            H       5 AAC 28.300
Lower Cook Inlet (HL)                             Herring.......................            H        5 AA 27.400
Upper Cook Inlet (HU)                             Cook Inlet Shrimp.............            H       5 AAC 31.300
                                                  Outer Cook Inlet Shrimp.......            H        5 AA 31.400
                                                  Dungeness Crab................            H        5 AA 32.300
                                                  King Crab.....................            H        5 AA 34.300
                                                  Tanner Crab...................            H        5 AA 35.400
                                                  Miscellaneous Shellfish.......            H        5 AA 38.300
                                                  Salmon........................            H        5 AA 21.100
Dutch Harbor (O)                                  Aleutian Islands King Crab....            O        5 AA 34.600
EEZ (Federal waters of BSAI (FB)                  Groundfish....................          n/a                n/a
GOA (FG)                                          Atka-Amlia Islands Salmon.....          n/a      5 AAC 11.1010
Kodiak (western GOA) (K)                          Groundfish....................            K       5 AAC 28.400
                                                  Herring.......................            K       5 AAC 27.500
                                                  King Crab.....................            K       5 AAC 34.400
                                                  Salmon........................            K       5 AAC 18.100
                                                  Shrimp........................            J       5 AAC 31.500
                                                  Dungeness Crab................            J       5 AAC 32.400
                                                  Tanner Crab...................            J       5 AAC 35.500
                                                  Miscellaneous Shellfish.......            J       5 AAC 38.400
Kotzebue (X)                                      Salmon........................            X       5 AAC 03.100
Kuskokwim:                                        Salmon........................            W       5 AAC 07.100
Kuskokwim River/Bay (W1)                          Herring.......................            W        5AAC 27.870
Security Cove (W2)
Goodnews Bay (W3)
Nelson Island (W4)
Ninivak Island (W5)
Cape Avinof (W6)
Norton Sound (Z)                                  Norton Sound-Port Clarence                Z       5 AAC 04.100
                                                   Salmon.
                                                  Norton Sound-Port Clarence
                                                   King Crab.
Prince William Sound (E)                          Groundfish....................            E       5 AAC 28.200
                                                  Herring.......................            E       5 AAC 27.300
                                                  Shrimp........................            E       5 AAC 31.200
                                                  Dungeness Crab................            E       5 AAC 32.200
                                                  King Crab.....................            E       5 AAC 34.200
                                                  Tanner Crab...................            E       5 AAC 35.300
                                                  Miscellaneous Shellfish.......            E       5 AAC 38.200
                                                  Salmon........................            E       5 AAC 24.100
Southeast:                                        Groundfish....................            A       5 AAC 28.100
Juneau/Haines (A1)                                Southeast (w/o Yakutat)                   A       5 AAC 27.100
Yakutat (A2)                                       Herring.                                 D       5 AAC 27.200
Ketchikan/Craig (B)                               Yakutat Herring...............            A       5 AAC 31.100
Petersburg/Wrangell (C)                           Southeast (w/o Yakutat) Shrimp            D       5 AAC 31.150
Sitka/Pelican (D)                                 Yakutat Shrimp................            A       5 AAC 32.100
                                                  Southeast (w/o Yakutat)                   D       5 AAC 32.155
                                                   Dungeness Crab.                          A       5 AAC 34.100
                                                  Yakutat Dungeness Crab........            D       5 AAC 34.160
                                                  Southeast (w/o Yakutat)                   A       5 AAC 35.100
                                                   Dungeness, King Crab.                    D       5 AAC 35.160
                                                  Yakutat King Crab.............            A       5 AAC 38.100
                                                  Southeast (w/o Yakutat) Tanner            D       5 AAC 38.160
                                                   Crab.                                    A       5 AAC 33.100
                                                  Yakutat Tanner Crab...........            D       5 AAC 29.010
                                                  Southeast (w/o Yakutat)                           5 AAC 30.100
                                                   Miscellaneous Shellfish.
                                                  Yakutat Miscellaneous
                                                   Shellfish.
                                                  Southeast (w/o Yakutat) Salmon
                                                  Yakutat Salmon................
Yukon River:                                      Yukon-Northern Salmon.........            Y       5 AAC 05.100
Lower Yukon (YL)
Upper Yukon (YU)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[66 FR 55126, Nov. 1, 2001]



 Sec. Table 17 to Part 679--Process Codes for Use With State of Alaska 
               Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Process Codes and
                   Codes                             Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prefix Codes                                1-Fresh
                                            2-Frozen
                                            3-Salted/brined
                                            4-Smoked
                                            5-Canned

[[Page 981]]

 
                                            6-Cooked
                                            7-Live
                                            8-Dry
                                            9-Pickled
                                            11-Minced
Suffix Codes                                0-General
                                            1-Canned Conv.
                                            2-Canned smoked
                                            8-Vacuum packed
                                            B-Block
                                            I-Individual quick frozen
                                             (IQF) pack
                                            S-Shatter pack
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[66 FR 43527, Aug. 20, 2001]



Sec. Table 18 to Part 679--Required Buying and Production Forms for use 
     With State of Alaska Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Fishery                       Form Number and Name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salmon                                Salmon Buying
                                      (A)(1) Seine gear
                                      (A)(1) Gillnet gear
                                      (A)(2) Troll gear
                                      (A)(2) Hatchery
                                      (A)(3) Miscellaneous gear
                                      King Salmon Production
                                      (B)(1) Production
                                      (B)(1) Canned Production
                                      Sockeye Salmon Production:
                                      (B)(2)(i) Production
                                      (B)(2)(ii) Canned Production
                                      Coho Salmon Production
                                      (B)(3)(i) Production
                                      (B)(3)(ii) Canned Production
                                      Pink Salmon Production
                                      (B)(4)(i) Production
                                      (B)(4)(ii) Canned Production
                                      Chum Salmon Production
                                      (B)(5)(i) Production
                                      (B)(5)(ii) Canned Production
                                      Salmon Roe & Byproduct Production
                                      (B)(6)(i) Roe
                                      (B)(6)(ii) Byproduct Production
Herring                               Herring Buying
                                      (C)(1)(i) Seine gear
                                      (C)(1)(ii) Gillnet gear
                                      (C)(2)(i) Gillnet gear
                                      (C)(2)(ii) Pound gear
                                      (C)(2)(iii) Hand-pick gear
                                      Herring Production
                                      (D)(1)(i) Production
                                      (D)(1)(ii) Byproduct Production
Crab                                  (E)Crab Buying
                                      (F) Crab Production
Shrimp/Miscellaneous Shellfish        (G)Shrimp/Misc.Shellfish Buying
                                      (G)(1)(i) Trawl gear
                                      (G)(1)(ii) Pot gear
                                      (G)(1)(iii) Diving/picked gear
                                      (G)(1)(iv) Other gear (specify)
                                      (H) Shrimp/Misc. Shellfish/Finfish
                                       Production
Groundfish                            (I)(1) Groundfish Buying
                                      (I)(2) Groundfish Buying
                                      (J)(1) Groundfish Production
                                      (J)(2) Groundfish Production
Halibut                               (K) Halibut Buying & Production
Custom Production                     Custom Production
                                      (L)(1) Associated Processors
                                      (L)(1)(i) Custom Fresh/Frozen
                                      (L)(1)(ii) Misc. production
                                      (L)(1)(iii) Custom Canned
                                       Production
                                      (L)(2) (additional sheet)

[[Page 982]]

 
PRICES NOT FINAL                      (M)(1) Fish Buying Retro Payments
                                      (M)(2) Post-season Adjustments
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[66 FR 55128, Nov. 1, 2001]



         Sec. Table 19 to Part 679--Seabird Avoidance Gear Codes

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VESSEL LOGBOOK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    CODE                                      SEABIRD AVOIDANCE GEAR OR METHOD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1                                            Paired Streamer Lines: Used during deployment of hook-and-line gear
                                              to prevent birds from taking hooks. Two streamer lines used, one
                                              on each side of the main groundline. Each streamer line consists
                                              of three components: a length of line, streamers attached along a
                                              portion of the length and one or more float devices at the
                                              terminal end. See performance and material standards at Sec.
                                              679.24(e)(4)(iii).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2                                            Single Streamer Line: Used during deployment of hook-and-line gear
                                              to prevent birds from taking hooks. The streamer line consists of
                                              three components: a length of line, streamers attached along a
                                              portion of the length and one or more float devices at the
                                              terminal end. See performance and material standards at Sec.
                                              679.24(e)(4)(ii).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3                                            Single Streamer Line, used with Snap Gear: Used during the
                                              deployment of snap gear to prevent birds from taking hooks. The
                                              streamer line consists of three components: a length of line,
                                              streamers attached along a portion of the length and one or more
                                              float devices at the terminal end. See performance and material
                                              standards at Sec. 679.24(e)(4)(iv).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4                                            Buoy Bag Line: Used during the deployment of hook-and-line gear to
                                              prevent birds from taking hooks. A buoy bag line consists of two
                                              components: a length of line (without streamers attached) and one
                                              or more float devices at the terminal end. See performance and
                                              material standards at Sec. 679.24(e)(4)(i).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Device used in conjunction with Single Streamer Line or Buoy Bag Line
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5                                            Add weights to groundline: Applying weights to the groundline for
                                              the purpose of sinking the hook-and-line gear more quickly and
                                              preventing seabirds from accessing the baited hooks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6                                            Additional Buoy Bag Line or Single Streamer Line: Using a second
                                              buoy bag line or streamer line for the purpose of enhancing the
                                              effectiveness of these deterrent devices at preventing seabirds
                                              from accessing baited hooks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7                                            Strategic Offal Discharge: Discharging fish, fish parts (i.e.,
                                              offal) or spent bait for the purpose of distracting seabirds away
                                              from the main groundline while setting gear.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Device Used
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8                                            Night Fishing: Setting hook-and-line gear during dark (night time
                                              hours).
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Line Shooter: A hydraulic device designed to deploy hook-and-line
                                              gear at a speed slightly faster than the vessel's speed during
                                              setting.
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Lining Tube: A device used to deploy hook-and-line gear through an
                                              underwater-setting device.
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Other (Describe)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9                                            No Deterrent Used Due to Weather. [See weather exceptions at Sec.
                                              679.24(e)(4)(i), (e)(4)(ii)(B), (e)(4)(iii)(B), (e)(4)(iv)(B), and
                                              (e)(4)(v).]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0                                            No Deterrent Used.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[74 FR 13358, Mar. 27, 2009]



   Sec. Table 20 to Part 679--Seabird Avoidance Gear Requirements for 
Vessels, based on Area, Gear, and Vessel Type. (See Sec. 679.24(e) for 
 complete seabird avoidance program requirements; see 679.24(e)(1) for 
                          applicable fisheries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you operate a vessel deploying hook-  then you must use this seabird
 and-line gear, other than snap gear,     avoidance gear in conjunction
 in waters specified at Sec. with requirements at Sec.
 679.24(e)(3), and your vessel is...      679.24(e)...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 ft to 55 ft LOA and        minimum of one buoy bag line
 without masts, poles, or rigging
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 ft to 55 ft LOA and with   minimum of a single streamer
 masts, poles, or rigging                 line of a standard specified
                                          at Sec. 679.24(e)(4)(ii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 983]]

 
55 ft LOA                     minimum of paired streamer
                                          lines of a standard specified
                                          at Sec. 679.24(e)(4)(iii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you operate a vessel deploying hook-  then you must use this seabird
 and-line gear and use snap gear in       avoidance gear in conjunction
 waters specified at Sec. with requirements at Sec.
 679.24(e)(3), and your vessel is...      679.24(e)...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 ft to 55 ft LOA and        minimum of one buoy bag line
 without masts, poles, or rigging
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 ft to 55 ft LOA and with   minimum of a single streamer
 masts, poles, or rigging                 line of a standard specified
                                          at Sec. 679.24(e)(4)(iv)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
55 ft LOA                     minimum of a single streamer
                                          line of a standard specified
                                          at Sec. 679.24(e)(4)(iv)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you operate any of the following      then...
 hook-and-line vessels...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<32 ft LOA in the State waters of IPHC   you are exempt from seabird
 Area 4E                                  avoidance measures.
----------------------------------------
in NMFS Reporting Area 649 (Prince       ...............................
 William Sound)
----------------------------------------
in State waters of Cook Inlet            ...............................
----------------------------------------
in NMFS Reporting Area 659 (Eastern GOA  ...............................
 Regulatory Area, Southeast Inside
 District), but not including waters in
 the areas south of a straight line at
 56[deg]17.25 N. lat. between Point
 Harris and Port Armstrong in Chatham
 Strait, State statistical areas 325431
 and 325401, and west of a straight
 line at 136[deg]21.17 E. long. from
 Point Wimbledon extending south
 through the Inian Islands to Point
 Lavinia
----------------------------------------
<=55 ft LOA in IPHC Area 4E but not      ...............................
 including waters south of 60[deg]00.00
 N. lat. and west of 160[deg]00.00 W.
 long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[74 FR 13358, Mar. 27, 2009]

[[Page 984]]



Sec. Table 21 to Part 679--Eligible Communities, Halibut IFQ Regulatory 
Area Location, Community Governing Body That Recommends the CQE, and the 
   Fishing Programs and Associated Areas Where a CQE Representing an 
           Eligible Community May Be Permitted To Participate
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[79 FR 66332, Nov. 7, 2014]



  Sec. Table 22 to Part 679-- Alaska Seamount Habitat Protection Areas

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Area No.                           Name                    Latitude                Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................  Dickins Seamount...........  54 39.00 N              136 48.00 W

[[Page 989]]

 
                                                                  54 39.00 N              137 9.00 W
                                                                  54 27.00 N              137 9.00 W
                                                                  54 27.00 N              136 48.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2..................................  Denson Seamount............  54 13.20 N              137 6.00 W
                                                                  54 13.20 N              137 36.00 W
                                                                  53 57.00 N              137 36.00 W
                                                                  53 57.00 N              137 6.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3..................................  Brown Seamount.............  55 0.00 N               138 24.00 W
                                                                  55 0.00 N               138 48.00 W
                                                                  54 48.00 N              138 48.00 W
                                                                  54 48.00 N              138 24.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4..................................  Welker Seamount............  55 13.80 N              140 9.60 W
                                                                  55 13.80 N              140 33.00 W
                                                                  55 1.80 N               140 33.00 W
                                                                  55 1.80 N               140 9.60 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5..................................  Dall Seamount..............  58 18.00 N              144 54.00 W
                                                                  58 18.00 N              145 48.00 W
                                                                  57 45.00 N              145 48.00 W
                                                                  57 45.00 N              144 54.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6..................................  Quinn Seamount.............  56 27.00 N              145 0.00 W
                                                                  56 27.00 N              145 24.00 W
                                                                  56 12.00 N              145 24.00 W
                                                                  56 12.00 N              145 0.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7..................................  Giacomini Seamount.........  56 37.20 N              146 7.20 W
                                                                  56 37.20 N              146 31.80 W
                                                                  56 25.20 N              146 31.80 W
                                                                  56 25.20 N              146 7.20 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8..................................  Kodiak Seamount............  57 0.00 N               149 6.00 W
                                                                  57 0.00 N               149 30.00 W
                                                                  56 48.00 N              149 30.00 W
                                                                  56 48.00 N              149 6.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9..................................  Odessey Seamount...........  54 42.00 N              149 30.00 W
                                                                  54 42.00 N              150 0.00 W
                                                                  54 30.00 N              150 0.00 W
                                                                  54 30.00 N              149 30.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.................................  Patton Seamount............  54 43.20 N              150 18.00 W
                                                                  54 43.20 N              150 36.00 W
                                                                  54 34.20 N              150 36.00 W
                                                                  54 34.20 N              150 18.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.................................  Chirikof & Marchand          55 6.00 N               151 0.00 W
                                      Seamounts.
                                                                  55 6.00 N               153 42.00 W
                                                                  54 42.00 N              153 42.00 W
                                                                  54 42.00 N              151 0.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.................................  Sirius Seamount............  52 6.00 N               160 36.00 W
                                                                  52 6.00 N               161 6.00 W
                                                                  51 57.00 N              161 6.00 W
                                                                  51 57.00 N              160 36.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.................................  Derickson Seamount.........  53 0.00 N               161 0.00 W
                                                                  53 0.00 N               161 30.00 W
                                                                  52 48.00 N              161 30.00 W
                                                                  52 48.00 N              161 0.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.................................  Unimak Seamount............  53 48.00 N              162 18.00 W
                                                                  53 48.00 N              162 42.00 W
                                                                  53 39.00 N              162 42.00 W
                                                                  53 39.00 N              162 18.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.................................  Bowers Seamount............  54 9.00 N               174 52.20 E
                                                                  54 9.00 N               174 42.00 E
                                                                  54 4.20 N               174 42.00 E

[[Page 990]]

 
                                                                  54 4.20 N               174 52.20 E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order listed by straight lines. The last set
  of coordinates for each area is connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight line.
  Projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983, Albers.


[71 FR 36703, June 28, 2006]



  Sec. Table 23 to Part 679--Aleutian Islands Coral Habitat Protection 
                                  Areas

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Area No.                           Name                    Latitude                Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................  Great Sitkin I.............  52 9.56 N               176 6.14 W
                                                                  52 9.56 N               176 12.44 W
                                                                  52 4.69 N               176 12.44 W
                                                                  52 6.59 N               176 6.12 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2..................................  Cape Moffett I.............  52 0.11 N               176 46.65 W
                                                                  52 0.10 N               176 53.00 W
                                                                  51 55.69 N              176 53.00 W
                                                                  51 55.69 N              176 48.59 W
                                                                  51 57.96 N              176 46.52 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3..................................  Adak Canyon................  51 39.00 N              177 0.00 W
                                                                  51 39.00 N              177 3.00 W
                                                                  51 30.00 N              177 3.00 W
                                                                  51 30.00 N              177 0.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4..................................  Bobrof I...................  51 57.35 N              177 19.94 W
                                                                  51 57.36 N              177 29.11 W
                                                                  51 51.65 N              177 29.11 W
                                                                  51 51.71 N              177 19.93 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5..................................  Ulak I.....................  51 25.85 N              178 59.00 W
                                                                  51 25.69 N              179 6.00 W
                                                                  51 22.28 N              179 6.00 W
                                                                  51 22.28 N              178 58.95 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6..................................  Semisopochnoi I............  51 53.10 N              179 53.11 E
                                                                  51 53.10 N              179 46.55 E
                                                                  51 48.84 N              179 46.55 E
                                                                  51 48.89 N              179 53.11 E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order listed by straight lines. The last set
  of coordinates for each area is connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight line.
  Projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983, Albers.


[71 FR 36703, June 28, 2006]

[[Page 991]]



 Sec. Table 24 to Part 679--Except as Noted, Locations in the Aleutian 
   Islands Habitat Conservation Area Open to Nonpelagic Trawl Fishing
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[73 FR9037, Feb. 19, 2008]



    Sec. Table 25 to Part 679--Bowers Ridge Habitat Conservation Zone

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Area number                          Name                    Latitude                Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................  Bowers Ridge...............  55 10.50 N              178 27.25 E
                                                                  54 54.50 N              177 55.75 E
                                                                  54 5.83 N               179 20.75 E
                                                                  52 40.50 N              179 55.00 W
                                                                  52 44.50 N              179 26.50 W
                                                                  54 15.50 N              179 54.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2..................................  Ulm Plateau................  55 5.00 N               177 15.00 E
                                                                  55 5.00 N               175 60.00 E
                                                                  54 34.00 N              175 60.00 E
                                                                  54 34.00 N              177 15.00 E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order listed by straight lines. The last set
  of coordinates for each area is connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight line.
  Projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983, Albers.


[[Page 1006]]


[71 FR 36703, June 28, 2006]



Sec. Table 26 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Coral Habitat Protection Areas

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Area number                          Name                    Latitude                Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................  Cape Ommaney 1.............  56 10.85 N              135 5.83 W
                                                                  56 11.18 N              135 7.17 W
                                                                  56 9.53 N               135 7.68 W
                                                                  56 9.52 N               135 7.20 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2..................................  Fairweather FS2............  58 15.00 N              138 52.58 W
                                                                  58 15.00 N              138 54.08 W
                                                                  58 13.92 N              138 54.08 W
                                                                  58 13.92 N              138 52.58 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3..................................  Fairweather FS1............  58 16.00 N              138 59.25 W
                                                                  58 16.00 N              139 9.75 W
                                                                  58 13.17 N              138 59.25 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4..................................  Fairweather FN2............  58 24.10 N              139 14.58 W
                                                                  58 24.10 N              139 18.50 W
                                                                  58 22.55 N              139 18.50 W
                                                                  58 22.55 N              139 14.58 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5..................................  Fairweather FN1............  58 27.42 N              139 17.75 W
                                                                  58 27.42 N              139 19.08 W
                                                                  58 26.32 N              139 19.08 W
                                                                  58 26.32 N              139 17.75 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order listed by straight lines. The last set
  of coordinates for each area is connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight line.
  Projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983, Albers.


[71 FR 36703, June 28, 2006]



  Sec. Table 27 to Part 679--Gulf of Alaska Slope Habitat Conservation 
                                  Areas

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Area number                          Name                    Latitude                Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................  Yakutat....................  58 47.00 N              139 55.00 W
                                                                  58 47.00 N              140 32.00 W
                                                                  58 37.00 N              140 32.00 W
                                                                  58 36.97 N              139 54.99 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2..................................  Cape Suckling..............  59 50.00 N              143 20.00 W
                                                                  59 50.00 N              143 30.00 W
                                                                  59 40.00 N              143 30.00 W
                                                                  59 40.00 N              143 20.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3..................................  Kayak I....................  59 35.00 N              144 0.00 W
                                                                  59 40.00 N              144 25.00 W
                                                                  59 30.00 N              144 50.00 W
                                                                  59 25.00 N              144 50.00 W
                                                                  59 25.00 N              144 2.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4..................................  Middleton I. east..........  59 32.31 N              145 29.09 W
                                                                  59 32.13 N              145 51.14 W
                                                                  59 20.00 N              145 51.00 W
                                                                  59 18.85 N              145 29.39 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5..................................  Middleton I. west..........  59 14.64 N              146 29.63 W
                                                                  59 15.00 N              147 0.00 W
                                                                  59 10.00 N              147 0.00 W
                                                                  59 8.74 N               146 30.16 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6..................................  Cable......................  58 40.00 N              148 0.00 W
                                                                  59 6.28 N               149 0.28 W
                                                                  59 0.00 N               149 0.00 W
                                                                  58 34.91 N              147 59.85 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7..................................  Albatross Bank.............  56 16.00 N              152 40.00 W
                                                                  56 16.00 N              153 20.00 W
                                                                  56 11.00 N              153 20.00 W
                                                                  56 10.00 N              152 40.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8..................................  Shumagin I.................  54 51.49 N              157 42.52 W

[[Page 1007]]

 
                                                                  54 40.00 N              158 10.00 W
                                                                  54 35.00 N              158 10.00 W
                                                                  54 36.00 N              157 42.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9..................................  Sanak I....................  54 12.86 N              162 13.54 W
                                                                  54 0.00 N               163 15.00 W
                                                                  53 53.00 N              163 15.00 W
                                                                  54 5.00 N               162 12.00 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.................................  Unalaska I.................  53 26.05 N              165 55.55 W
                                                                  53 6.92 N               167 19.40 W
                                                                  52 55.71 N              167 18.20 W
                                                                  53 13.05 N              165 55.55 W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order listed by straight lines. The last set
  of coordinates for each area is connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight line.
  Projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983, Albers.


[71 FR 36703, June 28, 2006]



  Sec. Table 28a to Part 679--Qualifying Season Dates for Central GOA 
                        Rockfish Primary Species

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Year
   A Legal Rockfish Landing   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           includes                  2000              2001              2002              2003              2004             2005             2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish that were    July 4-July 26..  July 1-July 23..  June 30-July 21.  June 29-July 29.  July 4-July 25.  July 5-July 24.  July 1-July 21.
 harvested in the Central GOA                    and Oct. 1-Oct.
 between. . .                                     21.
and landed by................  Aug. 2..........  July 30 and Oct.  July 28.........  Aug. 5..........  Aug. 1.........  July 31........  July 28.
                                                  28,
                                                  respectively.
Pelagic shelf rockfish that    July 4-July 26..  July 1-July 23    June 30-July 21.  June 29-July 31.  July 4-July 25.  July 5-July 24,  July 1-July 21
 were harvested in the                            and Oct. 1-Oct.                                                        Sept. 1-Sept     and Oct. 2-
 Central GOA between. . .                         21.                                                                    4, and Sept. 8-  Oct. 8.
                                                                                                                         Sept. 10.
and landed by................  Aug. 2..........  July 30 and Oct.  July 28.........  Aug. 7..........  Aug. 1.........  July 31, Sept.   July 28 and
                                                  28,                                                                    11, and Sept.    Oct. 15,
                                                  respectively.                                                          17,              respectively.
                                                                                                                         respectively.
Pacific ocean perch that were  July 4-July 15..  July 1-July 12..  June 30-July 8..  June 29-July 8..  July 4-July 12.  July 5-July 14.  July 1-July 6.
 harvested in the Central GOA
 between. . .
and landed by................  July 22.........  July 19.........  July 15.........  July 15.........  July 19........  July 21........  July 13.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[76 FR 81290, Dec. 27, 2011]



  Sec. Table 28b to Part 679--Qualifying Season Dates for Central GOA 
                        Rockfish Primary Species

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Rockfish Legal Landing includes
              . . .                           2007                      2008                      2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish that were        Sept. 1-Nov. 8...........  Sept. 1-Nov. 15.........  Sept. 1-Nov. 15.
 harvested by vessels authorized
 to fish in the rockfish entry
 level trawl fishery between. . .
and landed by....................  Nov. 15..................  Nov. 22.................  Nov. 22.
Pelagic shelf rockfish that were   Sept. 1-Nov. 15..........  Sept. 1-Nov. 15.........  Sept. 1-Nov. 15.
 harvested by vessels authorized
 to fish in the rockfish entry
 level trawl fishery between. . .
and landed by....................  Nov. 22..................  Nov. 22.................  Nov. 22.
Pacific ocean perch that were      May 1-May 17; July 1-Aug.  July 1-July 27..........  July 1-Nov. 15.
 harvested by vessels authorized    1.
 to fish in the rockfish entry
 level trawl fishery between. . .
and landed by....................  Aug. 8...................  Aug. 3..................  Nov. 22.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1008]]


[76 FR 81290, Dec. 27, 2011]



  Sec. Table 28c to Part 679--Allocation of Rockfish Secondary Species

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      The following percentage of the Central GOA TAC is allocated to rockfish
                                                              cooperatives as CQ . . .
    For the following rockfish    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     secondary species . . .                                                For the catcher/processor sector . .
                                     For the catcher vessel sector . . .                     .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod......................  3.81%.................................  N/A
Sablefish........................  6.78%.................................  3.51%
Rougheye rockfish................  N/A...................................  58.87%
Shortraker rockfish..............  N/A...................................  40.00%
Thornyhead rockfish..............  7.84%.................................  26.50%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[76 FR 81290, Dec. 27, 2011]



Sec. Table 28d to Part 679--Allocation of Halibut PSC under the Central 
                          GOA Rockfish Program

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           The following amount
                                                                         To yield the        of halibut is not
   For the following rockfish       The following      Is multiplied   following amount    assigned as rockfish
         sectors . . .           amount of halibut .     by . . .       of halibut PSC      CQ, halibut PSC, or
                                         . .                              assigned as     halibut IFQ for use by
                                                                       rockfish CQ . . .     any person . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel sector..........  134.1 mt...........           0.875  117.3 mt..........  27.4 mt (16.8 mt from
                                                                                           the catcher vessel
                                                                                           sector and 10.6 mt
                                                                                           from the catcher/
                                                                                           processor sector).
Catcher/processor sector.......  84.7 mt............  ..............  74.1 mt...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[76 FR 81290, Dec. 27, 2011]



   Sec. Table 28e to Part 679--Rockfish Entry Level Longline Fishery 
                               Allocations

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     If the catch of a
                                                                     rockfish primary         Except that the
                                                                     species during a      maximum amount of the
                                                                   calendar year exceeds    TAC assigned to the
                                                                     90 percent of the       Rockfish Program
   The allocation to the rockfish                                   allocation for that    (after deducting the
  entry level longline fishery for                                   rockfish primary        incidental catch
   the following rockfish primary       For 2012 will be . . .       species then the     allowance) that may be
           species . . .                                            allocation of that       allocated to the
                                                                     rockfish primary      rockfish entry level
                                                                      species in the       non-trawl fishery for
                                                                    following calendar     each rockfish primary
                                                                   year will increase by     species is . . .
                                                                           . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish..................  5 mt.......................  5 mt..................  2 percent.
Pacific ocean perch................  5 mt.......................  5 mt..................  1 percent.
Pelagic shelf rockfish.............  30 mt......................  20 mt.................  5 percent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[76 FR 81290, Dec. 27, 2011]



          Sec. Table 29 to Part 679--Initial Rockfish QS Pools

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Aggregate Primary
    Initial Rockfish QS Pool       Northern Rockfish     Pelagic Shelf       Pacific Ocean      Species Initial
                                                           Rockfish              Perch         Rockfish QS Pool
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Rockfish QS Pool........        Based on the Rockfish Program official record on February 14, 2012.
Initial Rockfish QS Pool for the
 Catcher/Processor Sector..
Initial Rockfish QS Pool for the
 Catcher Vessel Sector..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[76 FR 81292, Dec. 27, 2011]



[[Page 1009]]



   Sec. Table 30 to Part 679--Rockfish Program Retainable Percentages

                                            [In round wt. equivalent]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    MRA as a
                                                                                                  percentage of
                                                                                                 total retained
                                       Incidental catch species                                 rockfish primary
               Fishery                            \1\                        Sector                species and
                                                                                                    rockfish
                                                                                                    secondary
                                                                                                     species
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish Cooperative Vessels fishing   Pacific cod.............  Catcher/Processor............               4.0
 under a CQ permit.                    Shortraker/Rougheye       Catcher Vessel...............               2.0
                                        aggregate catch.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                See rockfish non-allocated species for ``other species''
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish non-allocated Species for     Pollock.................  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
 Rockfish Cooperative vessels fishing  Deep-water flatfish.....   Vessel.                                   20.0
 under a Rockfish CQ permit.           Rex sole................  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                       Flathead sole...........   Vessel.                                   20.0
                                                                 Catcher/Processor and Catcher
                                                                  Vessel.
                                                                 Catcher/Processor and Catcher
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Shallow-water flatfish..  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Arrowtooth flounder.....  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              35.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Other rockfish..........  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              15.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Atka mackerel...........  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Aggregated forage fish..  Catcher/Processor and Catcher               2.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Skates..................  Catcher/Processor and Catcher               5.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Other species...........  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Grenadiers..............  Catcher/Processor and Catcher               8.0
                                                                  Vessel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longline gear Rockfish Entry Level                             Use Table 10 to this part.
 Fishery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opt-out vessels......................                          Use Table 10 to this part.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish Cooperative Vessels not                               Use Table 10 to this part.
 fishing under a CQ permit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Notes to Table 10 to Part 679 for descriptions of species groups.


[80 FR 80708, Dec. 28, 2015]



    Sec. Table 31 to Part 679-- List of Amendment 80 Vessels and LLP 
         Licenses Originally Assigned to an Amendment 80 Vessel

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Column C: LLP
                                                         license number
  Column A: Name of amendment 80      Column B: USCG       originally
              vessel                Documentation No.   assigned to the
                                                          Amendment 80
                                                             vessel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALASKA JURIS......................             569276           LLG 2082
ALASKA RANGER.....................             550138           LLG 2118
ALASKA SPIRIT.....................             554913           LLG 3043
ALASKA VOYAGER....................             536484           LLG 2084
ALASKA VICTORY....................             569752           LLG 2080
ALASKA WARRIOR....................             590350           LLG 2083
ALLIANCE..........................             622750           LLG 2905
AMERICAN NO I.....................             610654           LLG 2028
ARCTIC ROSE.......................             931446           LLG 3895
ARICA.............................             550139           LLG 2429
BERING ENTERPRISE.................             610869           LLG 3744
CAPE HORN.........................             653806           LLG 2432
CONSTELLATION.....................             640364           LLG 1147
DEFENDER..........................             665983           LLG 3217
ENTERPRISE........................             657383       \1\ LLG 4831
GOLDEN FLEECE.....................             609951           LLG 2524
HARVESTER ENTERPRISE..............             584902           LLG 3741
LEGACY............................             664882           LLG 3714
OCEAN ALASKA......................             623210           LLG 4360
OCEAN PEACE.......................             677399           LLG 2138
PROSPERITY........................             615485           LLG 1802
REBECCA IRENE.....................             697637           LLG 3958
SEAFISHER.........................             575587           LLG 2014

[[Page 1010]]

 
SEAFREEZE ALASKA..................             517242           LLG 4692
TREMONT...........................             529154           LLG 2785
U.S. INTREPID.....................             604439           LLG 3662
UNIMAK............................             637693           LLG 3957
VAERDAL...........................             611225          LLG 1402
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ LLG 4831 is the LLP license originally assigned to the F/V
  ENTERPRISE, USCG Documentation Number 657383 for all relevant purposes
  of this part.


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007]



        Sec. Table 32 to Part 679-- Amendment 80 Initial QS Pool

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Amendment 80
      Amendment 80 species          Management area   initial QS pool in
                                                             units
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel...................  BS/541............  [Sigma] Highest
                                  542...............   Five Years in
                                  543...............   metric tons in
                                                       the Amendment 80
                                                       official record
                                                       as of December
                                                       31, 2007, for
                                                       that Amendment 80
                                                       species in that
                                                       management area.
-----------------------------------------------------
AI Pacific ocean perch..........  541...............
                                  542...............
                                  543...............
-----------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole...................  BSAI..............
Pacific cod.....................  BSAI..............
Rock sole.......................  BSAI..............
Yellowfin sole..................  BSAI..............
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007]



  Sec. Table 33 to Part 679-- Annual Apportion of Amendment 80 Species 
  ITAC Between the Amendment 80 and BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors 
                         (Except Yellowfin Sole)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Percentage of
                                                                            ITAC allocated   Percentage of ITAC
             Fishery                Management area           Year              to the        allocated to the
                                                                             Amendment 80    BSAI trawl limited
                                                                                sector          access sector
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka Mackerel...................  543................  All years.........              100                     0
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  542................  2008..............               98                     2
                                                       2009..............               96                     4
                                                       2010..............               94                     6
                                                       2011..............               93                     8
                                                       2012 and all                     90                    10
                                                        future years.
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  541/EBS............  2008..............               98                     2
                                                       2009..............               96                     4
                                                       2010..............               94                     6
                                                       2011..............               92                     8
                                                       2012 and all                     90                    10
                                                        future years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean    543................  All years.........               98                     2
 perch.
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  542................  2008..............               95                     5
                                                       2009 and all                     90                    10
                                                        future years.
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  541................  2008..............               95                     5
                                                       2009 and all                     90                    10
                                                        future years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.....................  BSAI...............  All years.........             13.4                   N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rock sole.......................  BSAI...............  All years.........              100                     0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole...................  BSAI...............  All years.........              100                     0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1011]]


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007; 72 FR 61214, Oct. 29, 2007]



Sec. Table 34 to Part 679-- Annual Apportionment of BSAI Yellowfin Sole 
     Between the Amendment 80 and BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     then the
                                                                    yellowfin    and the amount   and the amount
                               If the yellowfin                     sole ITAC     of yellowfin     of yellowfin
                                 sole ITAC is                        rate for      sole ITAC        sole ITAC
           Row No.               between . . .       and . . .         the        allocated to     allocated to
                                                                    Amendment     Amendment 80    the BSAI trawl
                                                                    80 sector   Sector is . . .   limited access
                                                                     is . . .                    sector is . . .
 
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Column A........  Column B........  Column C     Column D.......  Column E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row 1........................  0 mt............  87,499 mt.......        0.93   ITAC x Row 1,    ITAC--Row 1,
                                                                                 Column C.        Column E.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row 2........................  87,500 mt.......  94,999 mt.......        0.875  (Amount of ITAC  ITAC--Row 2,
                                                                                 greater than     Column D.
                                                                                 87,499 mt and
                                                                                 less than
                                                                                 95,000 mt x
                                                                                 Row 2, Column
                                                                                 C) + Row 1,
                                                                                 Column D.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row 3........................  95,000 mt.......  102,499 mt......        0.82   (Amount of ITAC  ITAC--Row 3,
                                                                                 greater than     Column D.
                                                                                 94,999 mt and
                                                                                 less than
                                                                                 102,500 mt x
                                                                                 Row 3, Column
                                                                                 C) + Column D,
                                                                                 Row 2.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row 4........................  102,500 mt......  109,999 mt......        0.765  (Amount of ITAC  ITAC--Row 4,
                                                                                 greater than     Column D.
                                                                                 102,499 mt and
                                                                                 less than
                                                                                 110,000 mt x
                                                                                 Row 4, Column
                                                                                 C) + Column D,
                                                                                 Row 3.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row 5........................  110,000 mt......  117,499 mt......        0.71   (Amount of ITAC  ITAC--Row 5,
                                                                                 greater than     Column D.
                                                                                 109,999 mt and
                                                                                 less than
                                                                                 117,500 mt x
                                                                                 Row 5, Column
                                                                                 C) + Column D,
                                                                                 Row 4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row 6........................  117,500 mt......  124,999 mt......        0.655  (Amount of ITAC  ITAC--Row 6,
                                                                                 greater than     Column D.
                                                                                 117,499 mt and
                                                                                 less than
                                                                                 125,000 mt x
                                                                                 Row 6, Column
                                                                                 C) + Column D,
                                                                                 Row 5).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row 7........................        125,000 mt and greater              0.6    (Amount of ITAC  ITAC--Row 7,
                                                                                 greater than     Column D.
                                                                                 124,999 mt x
                                                                                 Row 7, Column
                                                                                 C) + Column D,
                                                                                 Row 6.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007]



  Sec. Table 35 to Part 679--Apportionment of Crab PSC and Halibut PSC 
     Between the Amendment 80 and BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Halibut PSC   Zone 1 Red king   C. opilio crab     Zone 1 C.        Zone 2 C.
           Fishery             limit in the    crab PSC limit     PSC limit     bairdi crab PSC  bairdi crab PSC
                                 BSAI (mt)         . . .        (COBLZ) . . .     limit . . .      limit . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              as a percentage of the total BSAI trawl PSC limit after allocation
                                                                            as PSQ.
                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment 80 sector.........           1,745  49.98..........  49.15..........  42.11..........  23.67
BSAI trawl limited access...             745  30.58..........  32.14..........  46.99..........  46.81
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[81 FR 24733, Apr. 27, 2016]

[[Page 1012]]



  Sec. Table 36 to Part 679-- Percentage of Crab and Halibut PSC Limit 
                  Assigned to Each Amendment 80 Species

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     The percentage of the Amendment 80 sector PSC limit assigned to each Amendment 80
                                                                                                     species is . . .
               For the following PSC species . . .               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   AI Pacific
                                                                   Atka mackerel   ocean perch  Pacific cod   Flathead sole   Rock sole   Yellowfin sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut.........................................................            3.96          1.87        24.79           13.47        24.19           31.72
Zone 1 Red king crab............................................           0.14%         0.56%        6.88%           0.48%       61.79%          30.16%
C. opilio crab (COBLZ)..........................................              0%         0.06%        6.28%          17.91%        9.84%          65.91%
Zone 1 C. bairdi crab...........................................              0%            0%       17.01%           3.13%       56.15%          23.71%
Zone 2 C. bairdi crab...........................................           0.01%         0.03%        7.92%          37.31%        7.03%          47.70%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007]



    Sec. Table 37 to Part 679-- GOA Amendment 80 Sideboard Limit for 
                 Groundfish for the Amendment 80 Sector

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  In the following management
    areas in the GOA and in
  adjacent waters open by the       The sideboard
  State of Alaska for which it     limit for . . .         Is . . .
adopts a Federal fishing season
             . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 610.......................  Pollock...........  0.3% of the TAC.
................................----------------------------------------
Area 620.......................  Pollock...........  0.2% of the TAC.
................................----------------------------------------
Area 630.......................  Pollock...........  0.2% of the TAC.
................................----------------------------------------
Area 640.......................  Pollock...........  0.2% of the TAC.
.................................----------------------------------------
West Yakutat District..........  Pacific cod.......  3.4% of the TAC.
.................................
                                 Pacific ocean       96.1% of the TAC.
                                  perch.
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
                                 Pelagic shelf       89.6% of the TAC.
                                  rockfish.
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr----------------------------------------
Central GOA....................  Pacific cod.......  4.4% of the TAC.
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
                                 Pacific ocean       Subject to
                                  perch.              regulations in
                                                      subpart G to this
                                                      part.

                                 Pelagic shelf       Subject to
                                  rockfish.           regulations in
                                                      subpart G to this
                                                      part.
                                 Northern rockfish.  Subject to
                                                      regulations in
                                                      subpart G to this
                                                      part.
...............................----------------------------------------
Western GOA.....................  Pacific cod.......  2.0% of the TAC.

                                 Pacific ocean       99.4% of the TAC.
                                  perch.

                                 Pelagic shelf       76.4% of the TAC.
                                  rockfish.

                                 Northern rockfish.  100% of the TAC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007]



Sec. Table 38 to Part 679-- GOA Amendment 80 Sideboard Limit for Halibut 
                     PSC for the Amendment 80 Sector

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   The maximum percentage of the total GOA halibut PSC limit that may be used by
                                   all Amendment 80 qualified vessels subject to the halibut PSC sideboard limit
                                   as those seasons\1\ are established in the annual harvest specifications is .
          In the . . .                                                  . .
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Season 1        Season 2        Season 3        Season 4        Season 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water species fishery as            0.48            1.89            1.46            0.74            2.27
 defined in Sec.
 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(A) in the GOA
 or adjacent waters open by the
 State of Alaska for which it
 adopts a Federal fishing
 season.........................

[[Page 1013]]

 
Deep-water species fishery as               1.15           10.72            5.21            0.14            3.71
 defined in Sec.
 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B) in the GOA
 or adjacent waters open by the
 State of Alaska for which it
 adopts a Federal fishing
 season.........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Any residual amount of a seasonal sideboard halibut PSC limit may carry forward to the next season limit
  (see Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).


[79 FR 9641, Feb. 20, 2014]



  Sec. Table 39 to Part 679-- Amendment 80 Vessels That May Be Used to 
                  Directed Fish for Flatfish in the GOA

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Column B: USCG
    Column A: Name of Amendment 80 vessel          Documentation No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE.....................................                     622750
AMERICAN NO I................................                     610654
DEFENDER.....................................                     665983
GOLDEN FLEECE................................                     609951
LEGACY.......................................                     664882
OCEAN ALASKA.................................                     623210
OCEAN PEACE..................................                     677399
SEAFREEZE ALASKA.............................                     517242
U.S. INTREPID................................                     604439
UNIMAK.......................................                     637693
VAERDAL......................................                     611225
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007]



  Sec. Table 40 to Part 679--BSAI Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for AFA 
               Catcher/Processors and AFA Catcher Vessels

Table 40 to Part 679--BSAI Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for AFA Catcher/
                   Processors and AFA Catcher Vessels
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   The AFA catcher/     The AFA catcher
 In the following target species   processor halibut  vessel halibut PSC
 categories as  defined at Sec. PSC sideboard    sideboard limit in
679.21(b)(1)(iii) and (e)(3)(iv)    limit in metric   metric tons is . .
              . . .                  tons is . . .             .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All target species categories...  286...............  N/A
Pacific cod trawl...............  N/A...............  N/A
Pacific cod hook-and-line or pot  N/A...............  2
Yellowfin sole..................  N/A...............  101
Rock sole/flathead sole/``other   N/A...............  228
 flatfish'' \1\.
Turbot/Arrowtooth/Sablefish.....  N/A...............  0
Rockfish \2\....................  N/A...............  2
Pollock/Atka mackerel/``other     N/A...............  5
 species''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species,
  except for halibut (a prohibited species), Greenland turbot, rock
  sole, flathead sole, yellowfin sole, and arrowtooth flounder.
\2\ Applicable from July 1 through December 31.


[81 FR 24734, Apr. 27, 2016, as amended at 88 FR 53744, Aug. 8, 2023; 88 
FR 57010, Aug. 22, 2023]

[[Page 1014]]



   Sec. Table 41 to Part 679--BSAI Crab PSC Sideboard Limits for AFA 
               Catcher/Processors and AFA Catcher Vessels

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    The AFA catcher/processor
 For the following crab species    crab PSC sideboard limit is   The AFA catcher vessel crab   Multiplied by . .
  in the following areas . . .    equal to the following ratio  PSC sideboard limit is equal           .
                                              . . .             to the following ratio . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red king crab Zone 1............                         0.007                         0.299  The PSC amount in
                                                                                               number of animals
                                                                                               available to
                                                                                               trawl vessels in
                                                                                               the BSAI after
                                                                                               allocation of PSQ
                                                                                               established in
                                                                                               the annual
                                                                                               harvest
                                                                                               specifications
                                                                                               for that calendar
                                                                                               year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. opilio crab (COBLZ)..........                         0.153                         0.168
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone 1C. bairdi crab............                          0.14                          0.33
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone 2C. bairdi crab............                          0.05                         0.186
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[72 FR 52739, Sept. 14, 2007]



     Sec. Table 42 to Part 679--Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Area

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Longitude                            Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
179 19.95W                                    59 25.15N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
177 51.76W                                    58 28.85N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
175 36.52W                                    58 11.78N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
174 32.36W                                    58 8.37N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
174 26.33W                                    57 31.31N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
174 0.82W                                     56 52.83N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
173 0.71W                                     56 24.05N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
170 40.32W                                    56 1.97N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168 56.63W                                    55 19.30N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168 0.08W                                     54 5.95N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
170 0.00W                                     53 18.24N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
170 0.00W                                     55 0.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
178 46.69E                                    55 0.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
178 27.25E                                    55 10.50N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
178 6.48E                                     55 0.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
177 15.00E                                    55 0.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
177 15.00E                                    55 5.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
176 0.00E                                     55 5.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
176 0.00E                                     55 0.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
172 6.35E                                     55 0.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
173 59.70E                                    56 16.96N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order
  listed by straight lines. The last set of coordinates for each area is
  connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight
  line. The projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983,
  Albers.


[73 FR 43370, July 25, 2008]



      Sec. Table 43 to Part 679--Northern Bering Sea Research Area

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Longitude                 Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168............................     7.41 W  65...............   *37.91 N
165............................     1.54 W  60...............    45.54 N
167............................    59.98 W  60...............    45.55 N
169............................    00.00 W  60...............    35.50 N
169............................    00.00 W  61...............    00.00 N
171............................    45.00 W  61...............    00.00 N
171............................    45.00 W  60...............    54.00 N
174............................     1.24 W  60...............    54.00 N
176............................    13.51 W  62...............     6.56 N
172............................    24.00 W  63...............    57.03 N
172............................    24.00 W  62...............    42.00 N
168............................    24.00 W  62...............    42.00 N
168............................    24.00 W  64...............     0.00 N
172............................    17.42 W  64...............     0.01 N
168............................    58.62 W  65...............    30.00 N
168............................    58.62 W  65...............  **49.81 N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order
  listed by straight lines except as noted by * below. The last set of
  coordinates for the area is connected to the first set of coordinates
  for the area by a straight line. The projected coordinate system is
  North American Datum 1983, Albers.
* This boundary extends in a clockwise direction from this set of
  geographic coordinates along the shoreline at mean lower-low tide line
  to the next set of coordinates.
** Intersection of the 1990 United States/Russia maritime boundary line
  and a line from Cape Prince of Wales to Cape Dezhneva (Russia) that
  defines the boundary between the Chukchi and Bering Seas, Area 400 and
  Area 514, respectively.


[[Page 1015]]


[75 FR 61652, Oct. 6, 2010]



Sec. Table 44 to Part 679--Nunivak Island, Etolin Strait, and Kuskokwim 
                      Bay Habitat Conservation Area

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Longitude                            Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165 1.54W                                     60 45.54N*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 7.01W                                     58 38.27N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 10.51W                                    58 38.35N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 34.31W                                    58 38.36N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 34.32W                                    58 39.16N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 34.23W                                    58 40.48N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 34.09W                                    58 41.79N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 33.91W                                    58 43.08N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 33.63W                                    58 44.41N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 33.32W                                    58 45.62N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 32.93W                                    58 46.80N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 32.44W                                    58 48.11N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 31.95W                                    58 49.22N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 31.33W                                    58 50.43N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 30.83W                                    58 51.42N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162 30.57W                                    58 51.97N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
163 17.72W                                    59 20.16N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
164 11.01W                                    59 34.15N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
164 42.00W                                    59 41.80N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165 0.00W                                     59 42.60N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165 1.45W                                     59 37.39N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
167 40.20W                                    59 24.47N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168 0.00W                                     59 49.13N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
167 59.98W                                    60 45.55N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order
  listed by straight lines, except as noted by * below. The last set of
  coordinates for each area is connected to the first set of coordinates
  for the area by a straight line. The projected coordinate system is
  North American Datum 1983, Albers.
* This boundary extends in a clockwise direction from this set of
  geographic coordinates along the shoreline at mean lower-low tide line
  to the next set of coordinates.


[73 FR 43370, July 25, 2008]



Sec. Table 45 to Part 679--St. Lawrence Island Habitat Conservation Area

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Longitude                            Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168 24.00W                                    64 0.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168 24.00W                                    62 42.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
172 24.00W                                    62 42.00N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
172 24.00W                                    63 57.03N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
172 17.42W                                    64 0.01N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order
  listed by straight lines. The last set of coordinates for each area is
  connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight
  line. The projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983,
  Albers.


[73 FR 43370, July 25, 2008]



 Sec. Table 46 to Part 679--St. Matthew Island Habitat Conservation Area

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Longitude                 Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
171............................    45.00 W  60...............    54.00 N
171............................    45.00 W  60...............     6.15 N
174............................     0.50 W  59...............    42.26 N
174............................    24.98 W  60...............     9.98 N
174............................     1.24 W  60...............    54.00 N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order
  listed by straight lines. The last set of coordinates for the area is
  connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight
  line. The projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983,
  Albers.


[75 FR 61652, Oct. 6, 2010]



                Sec. Tables 47-48 to Part 679 [Reserved]



 Sec. Table 49 to Part 679--Groundfish Licenses Qualifying for Hook-and-
              Line Catcher/Processor Endorsement Exemption

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Shall receive a Pacific cod
                                   endorsement with a catcher/processor
    Groundfish license * * *      and a hook-and-line designation in the
                                    following regulatory area(s) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LLG 1400........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 1713........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 1785........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 1916........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 2112........................  Central Gulf of Alaska and Western
                                   Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 2783........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 2892........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 2958........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 3616........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 3617........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 3676........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 4823........................  Central Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 2081........................  Western Gulf of Alaska.
LLG 3090........................  Western Gulf of Alaska.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[76 FR 15840, Mar. 22, 2011]

[[Page 1016]]



                  Sec. Table 50 to Part 679 [Reserved]



           Sec. Table 51 to Part 679--Modified Gear Trawl Zone

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Longitude                 Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
171............................    45.00 W  61...............    00.00 N
169............................    00.00 W  61...............    00.00 N
169............................    00.00 W  60...............    35.48 N
171............................    45.00 W  60...............    06.15 N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The area is delineated by connecting the coordinates in the order
  listed by straight lines. The last set of coordinates for the area is
  connected to the first set of coordinates for the area by a straight
  line. The projected coordinate system is North American Datum 1983,
  Albers.


[75 FR 61652, Oct. 6, 2010]



 Sec. Table 52 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses Eligible for a BSAI 
 Trawl Limited Access Sector Yellowfin Sole Directed Fishery Endorsement

                   [X indicates that Column A applies]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Column A                             Column B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Holder of Groundfish License Number .   Is eligible under 50 CFR
 . .                                         679.4(k)(14)(ii) to be
                                             assigned an Endorsement for
                                             the BSAI Trawl Limited
                                             Access Sector Yellowfin
                                             Sole Fishery.
    LLG 3944..............................  X.
    LLG 2913..............................  X.
    LLG 1667..............................  X.
    LLG 3714..............................  X.
    LLG 1820..............................  X.
    LLG 3741..............................  X.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[83 FR 50002, Oct. 4, 2018]



    Sec. Table 53 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses That Require 
 Qualified Landings Assignment To Be Eligible for a BSAI Trawl Limited 
        Access Sector Yellowfin Sole Directed Fishery Endorsement

                   [X indicates that Column A applies]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Column A                             Column B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A single vessel was designated on the       The owner of the vessel
 following pairs of groundfish LLP           designated on the pair of
 licenses during the qualifying period       LLP licenses in Column A
 identified in 50 CFR                        must notify NMFS which LLP
 679.4(k)(14)(ii)(A)(1) . . .                license from each pair in
                                             Column A is to be credited
                                             with qualifying landing(s)
                                             under 50 CFR
                                             679.4(k)(14)(vi)(B)(2).
    LLG 3838 and LLG 2702.................  X.
    LLG 3902 and LLG 3826.................  X.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[83 FR 50002, Oct. 4, 2018]



  Sec. Table 54 to Part 679--BSAI Species and Species Groups for Which 
 Directed Fishing for Sideboard Limits by Listed AFA Catcher/Processors 
   and Catcher/Processors Designated on Listed AFA Catcher/Processor 
                          Permits is Prohibited

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Species or species group            Management area or subarea
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish, trawl gear.....................  Bering Sea (BS) subarea of
                                             the BSAI.
                                            Aleutian Islands (AI).
Atka mackerel.............................  BS/Eastern Aleutian
                                             District.
                                            Western Aleutian District.
Rock sole.................................  BSAI.
Greenland turbot..........................  Bering Sea subarea of the
                                             BSAI.
                                            AI.
Arrowtooth flounder.......................  BSAI.
Kamchatka flounder........................  BSAI.
Flathead sole.............................  BSAI.
Alaska plaice.............................  BSAI.
Other flatfish............................  BSAI.
Pacific ocean perch.......................  Bering Sea subarea of the
                                             BSAI.
                                            Eastern Aleutian District.
                                            Central Aleutian District.
                                            Western Aleutian District.
Northern rockfish.........................  BSAI.
Shortraker rockfish.......................  BSAI.
Blackspotted and Rougheye rockfish........  Bering Sea subarea of the
                                             BSAI/Eastern Aleutian
                                             District.
                                            Central Aleutian District/
                                             Western Aleutian District.
Other rockfish............................  BS.
                                            AI.
Skates....................................  BSAI.
Sculpins..................................  BSAI.
Sharks....................................  BSAI.
Octopuses.................................  BSAI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[84 FR 2729, Feb. 8, 2019]



  Sec. Table 55 to Part 679--BSAI Species and Species Groups for Which 
Directed Fishing for Sideboard Limits by Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessels 
                              is Prohibited

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Management area or
    Species or species group            subarea            Gear type
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.....................  BSAI..............  Jig.
                                  ..................  Hook-and-line
                                                       catcher vessel
                                                       = 60
                                                       ft.
                                  ..................  Hook-and-line
                                                       catcher vessel <=
                                                       60 ft.
                                  ..................  Pot.
Sablefish, trawl gear...........  Bering Sea subarea  All.
                                   of the BSAI.
                                  AI................  All.
Atka mackerel...................  BSAI..............  All.
Rock sole.......................  BSAI..............  All.
Greenland turbot................  BS................  All.
                                  AI................  All.
Arrowtooth flounder.............  BSAI..............  All.

[[Page 1017]]

 
Kamchatka flounder..............  BSAI..............  All.
Alaska plaice...................  BSAI..............  All.
Other flatfish..................  BSAI..............  All.
Flathead sole...................  BSAI..............  All.
Pacific ocean perch.............  BS................  All.
                                  Eastern Aleutian    All.
                                   District.
                                  Central Aleutian    All.
                                   District.
                                  Western Aleutian    All.
                                   District.
Northern rockfish...............  BSAI..............  All.
Shortraker rockfish.............  BSAI..............  All.
Blackspotted and Rougheye         Bering Sea subarea  All.
 rockfish.                         of the BSAI/
                                   Eastern Aleutian
                                   District.
                                  Central Aleutian    All.
                                   District/Western
                                   Aleutian District.
Other rockfish..................  Bering Sea subarea  All.
                                   of the BSAI.
                                  AI................  All.
Skates..........................  BSAI..............  All.
Sculpins........................  BSAI..............  All.
Sharks..........................  BSAI..............  All.
Octopuses.......................  BSAI..............  All.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[84 FR 2729, Feb. 8, 2019]



  Sec. Table 56 to Part 679--GOA Species and Species Groups for Which 
Directed Fishing for Sideboard Limits by Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessels 
                              is Prohibited

 Table 56 to Part 679--GOA Species and Species Groups for Which Directed
    Fishing for Sideboard Limits by Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessels is
                               Prohibited
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Management or regulatory
         Species or species group                area and processing
                                              component (if applicable)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................................  Southeast Outside District,
                                             Eastern GOA.
Pacific cod...............................  Eastern GOA, inshore
                                             component.
                                            Eastern GOA, offshore
                                             component.
Sablefish.................................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Shallow-water flatfish....................  Western GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Deep-water flatfish.......................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Rex sole..................................  Western GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Arrowtooth flounder.......................  Western GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Flathead sole.............................  Western GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Pacific ocean perch.......................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Northern rockfish.........................  Western GOA.
Shortraker rockfish.......................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Dusky rockfish............................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Rougheye rockfish.........................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Demersal shelf rockfish...................  Southeast Outside District.
Thornyhead rockfish.......................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Other rockfish............................  Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Atka mackerel.............................  GOA.
Big skates................................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Longnose skates...........................  Western GOA.
                                            Central GOA.
                                            Eastern GOA.
Other skates..............................  GOA.
Sculpins..................................  GOA.
Sharks....................................  GOA.
Octopuses.................................  GOA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[84 FR 2730, Feb. 8, 2019, as amended at 88 FR 53744, Aug. 8, 2023]



 Sec. Table 57 to Part 679--Groundfish LLP Licenses With Bering Sea or 
   Aleutian Islands Area and Catcher/Processor Operation Endorsements 
      Eligible for a BSAI Pacific Cod Trawl Mothership Endorsement

                   [X indicates that Column A applies]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Column A                             Column B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Is eligible under 50 CFR
The Holder of Groundfish License Number  679.4(k)(15)(ii) to be assigned
                 . . .                       a BSAI Pacific Cod Trawl
                                             Mothership Endorsement.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LLG 5009...............................                 X
LLG 4692...............................                 X
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1018]]


[84 FR 70071, Dec. 20, 2019]



PART 680_SHELLFISH FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC
ZONE OFF ALASKA--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
680.1 Purpose and scope.
680.2 Definitions.
680.3 Relation to other laws.
680.4 Permits.
680.5 Recordkeeping and reporting (R&R).
680.6 Crab economic data report (EDR).
680.7 Prohibitions.
680.8 Facilitation of enforcement.
680.9 Penalties.

                      Subpart B_Management Measures

680.20 Arbitration System.
680.21 Crab harvesting cooperatives.
680.22 Sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries.
680.23 Equipment and operational requirements.
680.30 [Reserved]

                   Subpart C_Quota Management Measures

680.40 Crab Quota Share (QS), Processor QS (PQS), Individual Fishing 
          Quota (IFQ), and Individual Processor Quota (IPQ) Issuance.
680.41 Transfer of QS, PQS, IFQ and IPQ.
680.42 Limitations on use of QS, PQS, IFQ, and IPQ.
680.43 Revocation of CVC and CPC QS.
680.44 Cost recovery.

Table 1 to Part 680--Crab Rationalization (CR) Fisheries
Table 3a to Part 680--Crab Delivery Condition Codes
Table 3b to Part 680--Crab Disposition or Product Codes
Table 7 to Part 680--Initial Issuance of Crab QS by Crab QS Fishery
Table 8 to Part 680--Initial QS and PQS Pool for Each Crab QS Fishery
Table 9 to Part 680--Initial Issuance of Crab PQS by Crab QS Fishery
Table 10 to Part 680--License Limitation Program License Numbers That 
          Authorize the Owners and Operators of Catcher/Processors to 
          Directed Fish for Pacific Cod With Hook-and-Line Gear in the 
          Central Gulf of Alaska Regulatory Area (Column A) and in the 
          Western Gulf of Alaska Regulatory Area (Column B)

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 109-479.

    Source: 70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 680.1  Purpose and scope.

    Regulations in this part implement policies developed by the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council and approved by the Secretary of 
Commerce in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act. In addition to part 600 of this chapter, these 
regulations implement the following:
    (a) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands King and Tanner Crabs. Regulations in this part govern 
commercial fishing for, and processing of, king and Tanner crabs in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area pursuant to section 313(j) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, including regulations implementing the Crab 
Rationalization Program for crab fisheries in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Area, and supersede State of Alaska regulations 
applicable to the commercial king and Tanner crab fisheries in the 
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area that are determined to be inconsistent with the FMP.
    (b) License Limitation Program. Commercial fishing for crab species 
not included in the Crab Rationalization Program for crab fisheries of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area remains subject to the License 
Limitation Program for the commercial crab fisheries in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Area under part 679 of this chapter.



Sec. 680.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, in 50 
CFR part 600, and Sec. 679.2 of this chapter, the terms used in this 
part have the following meanings:
    Adak community entity means the non-profit entity incorporated under 
the laws of the state of Alaska that represents the community of Adak 
and has a board of directors elected by the residents of Adak.
    Affiliation means a relationship between two or more entities, 
except for CDQ groups, in which one directly or indirectly owns or 
controls a 10 percent or greater interest in, or otherwise controls, 
another, or a third entity directly or indirectly owns or controls a

[[Page 1019]]

10 percent or greater interest in, or otherwise controls, both. For the 
purpose of this definition, the following terms are further defined:
    (1) Entity. An entity may be an individual, corporation, 
association, partnership, joint-stock company, trust, or any other type 
of legal entity, except for a CDQ group, any receiver, trustee in 
bankruptcy or similar official or liquidating agent, or any organized 
group of persons whether incorporated or not, that holds direct or 
indirect interest in:
    (i) Quota share (QS), processor quota share (PQS), individual 
fishing quota (IFQ), or individual processing quota (IPQ); or,
    (ii) For purposes of the economic data report (EDR), a vessel or 
processing plant operating in CR fisheries.
    (2) Indirect interest. An indirect interest is one that passes 
through one or more intermediate entities. An entity's percentage of 
indirect interest in a second entity is equal to the entity's percentage 
of direct interest in an intermediate entity multiplied by the 
intermediate entity's direct or indirect interest in the second entity.
    (3) Controls a 10 percent or greater interest. An entity controls a 
10 percent or greater interest in a second entity if the first entity:
    (i) Controls a 10 percent ownership share of the second entity, or
    (ii) Controls 10 percent or more of the voting stock of the second 
entity.
    (4) Otherwise controls. (i) A PQS or IPQ holder otherwise controls 
QS or IFQ, or a QS or IPQ holder, if it has:
    (A) The right to direct, or does direct, the business of the entity 
which holds the QS or IFQ;
    (B) The right in the ordinary course of business to limit the 
actions of or replace, or does limit or replace, the chief executive 
officer, a majority of the board of directors, any general partner or 
any person serving in a management capacity of the entity which holds 
the QS or IFQ;
    (C) The right to direct, or does direct, the transfer of QS or IFQ;
    (D) The right to restrict, or does restrict, the day-to-day business 
activities and management policies of the entity holding the QS or IFQ 
through loan covenants;
    (E) The right to derive, or does derive, either directly, or through 
a minority shareholder or partner, and in favor of a PQS or IPQ holder, 
a significantly disproportionate amount of the economic benefit from the 
holding of QS or IFQ;
    (F) The right to control, or does control, the management of, or to 
be a controlling factor in, the entity holding QS or IFQ;
    (G) The right to cause, or does cause, the sale of QS or IFQ;
    (H) Absorbs all of the costs and normal business risks associated 
with ownership and operation of the entity holding QS or IFQ; and
    (I) Has the ability through any other means whatsoever to control 
the entity that holds QS or IFQ.
    (ii) Other factors that may be indica of control include, but are 
not limited to the following:
    (A) If a PQS or IPQ holder or employee takes the leading role in 
establishing an entity that will hold QS or IFQ;
    (B) If a PQS or IPQ holder has the right to preclude the holder of 
QS or IFQ from engaging in other business activities;
    (C) If a PQS or IPQ holder and QS or IFQ holder use the same law 
firm, accounting firm, etc.;
    (D) If a PQS or IPQ holder and QS or IFQ holder share the same 
office space, phones, administrative support, etc.;
    (E) If a PQS or IPQ holder absorbs considerable costs and normal 
business risks associated with ownership and operation of the QS or IFQ 
holdings;
    (F) If a PQS or IPQ holder provides the start up capital for the QS 
or IFQ holder on less than an arm's-length basis;
    (G) If a PQS or IPQ holder has the general right to inspect the 
books and records of the QS or IFQ holder; and
    (H) If the PQS or IPQ holder and QS or IFQ holder use the same 
insurance agent, law firm, accounting firm, or broker of any PQS or IPQ 
holder with whom the QS or IFQ holder has entered into a mortgage, long-
term or exclusive sales or marketing agreement, unsecured loan 
agreement, or management agreement.
    Arbitration IFQ means:

[[Page 1020]]

    (1) Class A catcher vessel owner (CVO) IFQ held by a person who is 
not a holder of PQS or IPQ and who is not affiliated with any holder of 
PQS or IPQ, and
    (2) IFQ held by an FCMA cooperative.
    Arbitration QS means CVO QS held by a person who is not a holder of 
PQS or IPQ and is not affiliated with any holder of PQS or IPQ.
    Arbitration System means the system established by the contracts 
required by Sec. 680.20, including the process by which the Market 
Report and Non-Binding Price Formula are produced, the negotiation 
approaches, the Binding Arbitration process, and fee collection.
    Assessed value means the most recent value for a vessel and gear 
provided in a marine survey.
    Box size means the capacity of a crab-packing container in kilograms 
or pounds.
    BSAI crab means those crab species governed under the Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner 
Crabs.
    BSAI Crab Capacity Reduction Program means the program authorized by 
Public Law 106-554, as Amended by Public Law 107-20 and Public Law 107-
117.
    BSAI crab fisheries means those crab fisheries governed under the 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and 
Tanner Crabs.
    Captain means, for the purposes of the EDR, a vessel operator.
    Catcher/processor (CP) means a vessel that is used for catching crab 
and processing that crab.
    Catcher vessel means a vessel that is used for catching crab and 
that does not process crab on board.
    CDQ community means a community identified as eligible for the CDQ 
Program under 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(A). CDQ communities are listed in 
Table 7 to 50 CFR part 679.
    CDQ group means an entity identified as eligible for the CDQ Program 
under 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(A). CDQ groups are listed in Table 7 to 50 
CFR part 679.
    Committed IFQ means:
    (1) Any Arbitration IFQ for which the holder of such IFQ has agreed 
or committed to delivery of crab harvested with the IFQ to the holder of 
previously uncommitted IPQ and for which the holder of the IPQ has 
agreed to accept delivery of that crab, regardless of whether such 
agreement specifies the price or other terms for delivery, or
    (2) Any Arbitration IFQ for which, on or after the date which is 25 
days prior to the opening of the first crab fishing season in the crab 
QS fishery for such IFQ, the holder of the IFQ has unilaterally 
committed to delivery of crab harvested with the IFQ to the holder of 
previously uncommitted IPQ, regardless of whether the IFQ and IPQ 
holders have reached an agreement that specifies the price or other 
terms for delivery.
    Committed IPQ means any IPQ for which the holder of such IPQ has 
received a commitment of delivery from a holder of Arbitration IFQ such 
that the Arbitration IFQ is committed IFQ, regardless of whether the 
Arbitration IFQ and IPQ holders have reached an agreement that specifies 
the price or other terms for delivery.
    Converted CPO QS means CPO QS for the BBR and BSS crab QS fisheries 
that is issued to the entities defined in Sec. 680.40(c)(5)(ii), 
(c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv) based on the procedures established in Sec. 
680.40(c)(5).
    CP standard price means price, expressed in U.S. dollars per raw 
crab pound, for all CR crab landed by a CP as determined for each crab 
fishing year by the Regional Administrator and documented in a CP 
standard price list published by NMFS.
    Crab cost recovery fee liability means that amount of money, in U.S. 
dollars, owed to NMFS by a CR allocation holder or RCR as determined by 
multiplying the appropriate ex-vessel value of the amount of CR crab 
debited from a CR allocation by the appropriate crab fee percentage.
    Crab fee percentage means that positive number no greater than 3 
percent determined for each crab fishing year by the Regional 
Administrator and used to calculate the crab cost recovery fee liability 
for a CR allocation holder or RCR under the Crab Rationalization 
Program.
    Crab fishing year means the period from July 1 of one calendar year

[[Page 1021]]

through June 30 of the following calendar year.
    Crab grade means a grading system to describe the quality of crab.
    (1) Grade 1 means standard or premium quality crab, and
    (2) Grade 2 means below standard quality crab.
    Crab harvesting cooperative, for the purposes of this part 680, 
means a group of crab QS holders who have chosen to form a crab 
harvesting cooperative, under the requirements of Sec. 680.21, in order 
to combine and collectively harvest their crab IFQ through a crab 
harvesting cooperative IFQ permit issued by NMFS.
    Crab harvesting cooperative IFQ means the annual catch limit of IFQ 
crab that may be harvested by a crab harvesting cooperative that is 
lawfully allocated a harvest privilege for a specific portion of the TAC 
of a crab QS fishery.
    Crab individual fishing quota (crab IFQ) means the annual catch 
limit of a crab QS fishery that may be harvested by a person who is 
lawfully allocated a harvest privilege for a specific portion of the TAC 
of a crab QS fishery with the following designations or with the 
designation as a crab IFQ hired master:
    (1) Catcher vessel crew (CVC) IFQ means crab IFQ derived from QS 
initially issued to persons who historically held CFEC crab permits and 
signed fish tickets for qualifying landings based on pounds delivered 
raw; to annually harvest, but not process, CR crab onboard the vessel 
used to harvest that crab.
    (2) Catcher vessel owner (CVO) IFQ means crab IFQ derived from QS 
initially issued to persons who held LLP crab permits and had qualifying 
landings based on pounds delivered raw; to annually harvest, but not 
process, CR crab onboard the vessel used to harvest that crab.
    (i) Class A IFQ means IFQ that is required to be delivered to a 
processor holding unused IPQ.
    (ii) Class B IFQ means IFQ that is not required to be delivered to a 
processor holding unused IPQ.
    (3) Catcher/processor owner (CPO) IFQ means crab IFQ derived from QS 
initially issued to persons who held LLP crab permits and had qualifying 
landings derived from landings processed at sea, to annually harvest and 
process CR crab.
    (4) Catcher/processor crew (CPC) IFQ means crab IFQ derived from QS 
initially issued to persons who historically held CFEC crab permits and 
signed fish tickets for qualifying landings based on landings processed 
at sea, to annually harvest and process CR crab.
    Crab IFQ hired master means a person who holds a crab IFQ hired 
master permit issued under Sec. 680.4.
    Crab IFQ permit holder means the person identified on an IFQ permit.
    Crab LLP license history means, for any particular crab LLP license, 
the legal landings made on the vessel(s) that was used to qualify for 
that LLP license and any legal landings made under the authority of that 
LLP license.
    Crab quota share (crab QS) means a permit the face amount of which 
is used as the basis for the annual calculation and allocation of a 
person's crab IFQ with the following designations:
    (1) Catcher vessel crew (CVC) QS means a permit that yields CVC IFQ.
    (2) Catcher vessel owner (CVO) QS means a permit that yields CVO 
IFQ.
    (3) Catcher/processor owner (CPO) QS means a permit that yields CPO 
IFQ.
    (4) Catcher/processor crew (CPC) QS means a permit that yields CPC 
IFQ.
    Crab QS fishery means those CR fisheries under Table 1 to this part 
that require the use of QS and PQS, and their resulting IFQ and IPQ, to 
harvest and receive IFQ crab.
    Crab QS program means the program that allocates QS and PQS, and 
their resulting IFQ and IPQ, for CR crab of the BSAI off Alaska and 
governed by regulations under this part.
    Crab QS regional designation means the designation of QS or PQS and 
their resulting IFQ and IPQ subject to regional delivery requirements in 
this part.
    Crab Rationalization (CR) allocation means any allocation of CR crab 
authorized under the CR Program.
    Crab Rationalization (CR) crab means those crab species in the crab 
fisheries subject to management under the Crab Rationalization Program 
described in Table 1 to this part.

[[Page 1022]]

    Crab Rationalization (CR) fisheries means those fisheries defined in 
Table 1 to part 680.
    Crab Rationalization (CR) Program means the crab QS program plus the 
CDQ and the Adak community allocation programs, including all 
management, monitoring, and enforcement components, for BSAI king and 
Tanner crabs governed by the regulations of this part.
    Crew means:
    (1) Any individual, other than the fisheries observers, working on a 
vessel that is engaged in fishing.
    (2) For the purposes of the EDR, each employee on a vessel, 
excluding the captain and fisheries observers, that participated in any 
CR fishery.
    Custom processing means processing of crab by a person undertaken on 
behalf of another person.
    Data collection agent (DCA) means the entity selected by the 
Regional Administrator to distribute an EDR to a person required to 
complete it, to receive the completed EDR, to review and verify the 
accuracy of the data in the EDR, and to provide those data to authorized 
recipients.
    Days at sea means, for the purposes of the EDR, the number of days 
spent at sea while fishing for crab, including travel time to and from 
fishing grounds.
    Economic data report (EDR) means the report of cost, labor, 
earnings, and revenue data for catcher vessels, catcher/processors, 
shoreside crab processors, and stationary floating crab processors 
participating in CR fisheries.
    Eligible community resident means, for purposes of the Crab QS 
program, any individual who:
    (1) Is a citizen of the United States;
    (2) Has maintained a domicile in the ECC, from which the individual 
requests to lease crab IFQ, for at least 12 consecutive months 
immediately preceding the time when the assertion of residence is made 
and who is not claiming residency in another community, state, 
territory, or country; and
    (3) Is otherwise eligible to receive crab QS or IFQ by transfer.
    Eligible crab community (ECC) means a community in which at least 3 
percent of the initial allocation of processor quota share of any crab 
fishery is allocated. The specific communities are:
    (1) CDQ Communities.
    (i) Akutan;
    (ii) False Pass;
    (iii) St. George; and
    (iv) St. Paul.
    (2) Non-CDQ Communities.
    (i) Unalaska/Dutch Harbor;
    (ii) Kodiak;
    (iii) King Cove;
    (iv) Port Moller; and
    (v) Adak.
    Eligible crab community (ECC) entity means a non-profit organization 
specified under Sec. 680.41(j)(2) that is designated by the governing 
body of an ECC, other than Adak, to represent it for the purposes of 
engaging in the right of first refusal of transfer of crab PQS or IPQ 
outside the ECC under contract provisions set forth under section 313(j) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. For those ECCs that also are CDQ 
communities, the ECC entity is the CDQ group to which the ECC is a 
member.
    Eligible crab community organization (ECCO) means a non-profit 
organization that represents at least one ECC, as defined in this part, 
and that has been approved by the Regional Administrator to obtain by 
transfer and hold crab QS and to lease the resulting IFQ on behalf of an 
ECC.
    Ex-vessel value means:
    (1) For the shoreside processing sector. The total U.S. dollar 
amount of all compensation, monetary and non-monetary, including any 
retroactive payments, received by a CR allocation holder for the 
purchase of any CR crab debited from the CR allocation described in 
terms of raw crab pounds.
    (2) For the catcher/processor sector. The total U.S. dollar amount 
of CR crab landings as calculated by multiplying the number of raw crab 
pounds debited from the CR allocation by the appropriate CP standard 
price determined by the Regional Administrator.
    FCMA cooperative, for the purposes of this part 680, means a 
cooperative formed in accordance with the Fishermen's Collective 
Marketing Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 521).
    Finished pounds means the total weight, in pounds, of processed 
product, not including the container.

[[Page 1023]]

    Fishing trip for purposes of Sec. 680.7(e)(2) means the period 
beginning when a vessel operator commences harvesting crab in a crab QS 
fishery and ending when the vessel operator offloads or transfers any 
processed or unprocessed crab in that crab QS fishery from that vessel.
    IFQ account means the amount of crab IFQ in raw crab pounds that is 
held by a person at any particular time for a crab QS fishery, sector, 
region, and class.
    IFQ crab means crab species listed in Table 1 to this part subject 
to management under the crab QS program.
    Individual processor quota (IPQ) means the annual amount of crab, in 
pounds, representing a specific portion of the TAC for a crab QS 
fishery, that may be received for processing by a person who is lawfully 
allocated PQS or IPQ.
    Initial processor quota share (PQS) pool means the total number of 
PQS units for each crab QS fishery which is the basis of initial PQS 
allocations.
    Initial quota share (QS) pool means the total number of non-
processor QS units for each crab QS fishery which is the basis of 
initial QS allocations.
    IPQ account means the amount of crab IPQ in raw crab pounds that is 
held by a person at any particular time for a crab QS fishery and 
region.
    Landing means the transfer of raw crab harvested by a vessel prior 
to that crab being reported on a CR crab landing report.
    (1) For catcher/processors, the amount of crab retained during a 
reporting period constitutes a landing.
    (2) For catcher vessels, the amount of crab removed from the boat at 
a single location/time constitutes a landing.
    Lease of QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ means a temporary, annual transfer of 
crab IFQ or IPQ without the underlying QS or PQS.
    Leaseholder means, for purposes of the EDR, a person who:
    (1) Is identified as the leaseholder in a written lease of a catcher 
vessel, catcher/processor, shoreside crab processor, or stationary 
floating crab processor, or
    (2) Pays the expenses of a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, 
shoreside crab processor, or stationary floating crab processor, or
    (3) Claims expenses for the catcher vessel, catcher/processor, 
shoreside crab processor, or stationary floating crab processor as a 
business expense on schedule C of his/her Federal income tax return or 
on a state income tax return.
    Magnuson-Stevens Act means the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
    Mutual Agreement means, for purposes of the Arbitration System, the 
consent and agreement of Arbitration Organizations that represent an 
amount of Arbitration QS equal to more than 50 percent of all the 
Arbitration QS in a fishery, and an amount of PQS equal to more than 50 
percent of all the PQS in a fishery based upon the Annual Arbitration 
Organization Reports.
    Newly constructed vessel means, for the purposes of initial QS 
issuance, a vessel on which the keel was laid by June 10, 2002.
    Official crab rationalization record means the information prepared 
by the Regional Administrator about the legal landings and legal 
processing by vessels and persons in the BSAI crab fisheries during the 
qualifying periods specified at Sec. 680.40.
    Processing, or to process means the preparation of, or to prepare, 
crab to render it suitable for human consumption or storage. This 
includes, but is not limited to: Cooking, canning, butchering, 
sectioning, freezing or icing.
    Processor quota share (PQS) means a permit the face amount of which 
is used as the basis for the annual calculation and allocation of IPQ.
    Raw crab pounds means the weight of raw crab in pounds when landed.
    Registered crab receiver (RCR) means a person holding an RCR Permit 
issued by the Regional Administrator.
    Retain means to fail to return crab to the sea after a reasonable 
opportunity to sort the catch.
    Right of First Refusal (ROFR) means the civil contract provisions 
set forth under section 313(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act between the 
holders of PQS and IPQ and ECC entities, other than Adak, for the 
opportunity of ECCs to exercise the right to purchase or

[[Page 1024]]

lease PQS or IPQ proposed to be transferred by a holder of PQS or IPQ in 
an ECC.
    Seafood Marketing Association Assessment (SMAA) means the seafood 
processing assessment collected by processing firms and buyers from 
fishery harvesters for the State of Alaska.
    Share payment means an amount of monetary compensation (not salary 
or wages) based on gross or net earnings of a BSAI crab fishing vessel.
    Shoreside crab processor means any person or vessel that receives, 
purchases, or arranges to purchase unprocessed crab, except a catcher/
processor or a stationary floating crab processor.
    Sideboards (see Sec. 680.22).
    Stationary floating crab processor (SFCP) means a vessel of the 
United States that remains anchored or otherwise remains stationary 
while receiving or processing crab in the waters of the State of Alaska.
    Uncommitted IFQ means any Arbitration IFQ that is not Committed IFQ.
    Uncommitted IPQ means any IPQ that is not Committed IPQ.
    U.S. Citizen means:
    (1) Any individual who is a citizen of the United States; or
    (2) Any corporation, partnership, association, or other entity that 
is organized under Federal, state, or local laws of the United States or 
that may legally operate in the United States.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 73 FR 29982, May 23, 2008; 73 
FR 35088, June 20, 2008; 73 FR 76189, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 41095, Aug. 
14, 2009; 77 FR 6503, Feb. 8, 2012; 82 FR 52014, Nov. 9, 2017; 88 FR 
7591, Feb. 6, 2023]



Sec. 680.3  Relation to other laws.

    (a) King and Tanner crab. (1) Additional laws and regulations 
governing the conservation and management of king crab and Tanner crab 
in the BSAI area are contained in 50 CFR part 679, Alaska Statutes at 
A.S. 16, and Alaska Administrative Code at 5 AAC Chapters 34, 35, and 
39.
    (2) The Alaska Administrative Code (at 5 AAC 39.130) governs 
reporting and permitting requirements using the ADF&G ``Intent to 
Operate'' registration form and ``Fish Tickets.''
    (b) Sport, personal use, and subsistence. (1) For State of Alaska 
statutes and regulations governing sport and personal use crab fishing 
other than subsistence fishing, see Alaska Statutes, Title 16--Fish and 
Game; 5 AAC Chapters 47 through 77.
    (2) For State of Alaska statutes and regulations governing 
subsistence fishing for crab, see Alaska Statutes, Title 16--Fish and 
Game; 5 AAC 02.001 through 02.625.



Sec. 680.4  Permits.

    (a) General information. Persons participating in the CR fisheries 
are required to possess the permits described in this section.
    (1) Approval. Approval of applications under this part may be 
conditioned on the payment of fees under Sec. 680.44 or the submission 
of an EDR as described under Sec. 680.6.
    (2) Issuance. The Regional Administrator may issue or amend any 
permits under this section or under Sec. 680.21 annually or at other 
times as needed under this part.
    (3) Transfer. Crab QS and PQS permits issued under Sec. 680.40 and 
Crab IFQ and IPQ permits issued under this section are transferable, as 
provided under Sec. 680.41. Crab IFQ hired master permits, Federal crab 
vessel permits, and RCR permits issued under this section are not 
transferable.
    (4) Inspection. The holder of a Federal crab vessel permit, crab IFQ 
permit, crab IPQ permit, or crab IFQ hired master permit, must present a 
legible copy of the permit on request of any authorized officer or RCR 
receiving a crab IFQ landing. A legible copy of the RCR permit must be 
present at the location of a crab IFQ landing and an individual 
representing the RCR must make the RCR permit available for inspection 
on request of any authorized officer.
    (b) Crab QS permit. (1) Crab QS is issued by the Regional 
Administrator to persons who qualify for an initial allocation under 
Sec. 680.40 or receive QS by transfer under Sec. 680.41. Once issued, 
a crab QS permit is valid until modified under paragraph (b)(2) or 
(b)(3) of this section, or by transfer under Sec. 680.41; or until the 
permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to Sec. 679.43 of 
this chapter or under 15 CFR part 904. To qualify for a crab QS permit, 
the applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

[[Page 1025]]

    (2) Each unit of Crab QS initially issued under Sec. 680.40 for the 
Bering Sea Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) CR fishery shall be 
reissued as one unit of Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab (EBT) QS and one 
unit of Western Bering Sea Tanner crab (WBT) QS.
    (3) A converted CPO QS permit is valid until the end of the crab 
fishing year for which the permit is issued.
    (c) Crab PQS permit. (1) Crab PQS is issued by the Regional 
Administrator to persons who successfully apply for an initial 
allocation under Sec. 680.40 or receive PQS by transfer under Sec. 
680.41. Once issued, a crab PQS permit is valid until modified under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or by transfer under Sec. 680.41; or 
until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to Sec. 
679.43 of this chapter or under 15 CFR part 904.
    (2) Each unit of Crab PQS initially issued under Sec. 680.40 for 
the Bering Sea Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) CR fishery shall be 
reissued as one unit of Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab (EBT) PQS and one 
unit of Western Bering Sea Tanner crab (WBT) PQS.
    (d) Crab IFQ permit. (1) A crab IFQ permit authorizes the person 
identified on the permit to harvest crab in the fishery identified on 
the permit at any time the fishery is open during the crab fishing year 
for which the permit is issued, subject to conditions of the permit. A 
crab IFQ permit is valid under the following circumstances:
    (i) Until the end of the crab fishing year for which the permit is 
issued;
    (ii) Until the amount harvested is equal to the amount specified on 
the permit;
    (iii) Until the permit is modified by transfers under Sec. 680.41; 
or
    (iv) Until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to 
Sec. 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.
    (2) A legible copy of the crab IFQ permit must be carried on board 
the vessel used by the permitted person at all times that IFQ crab are 
retained on board.
    (3) On an annual basis, the Regional Administrator will issue a crab 
IFQ permit to a person who submits a complete Application for Annual 
Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Permit, described at paragraph (f) 
of this section, that is subsequently approved by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (4) To qualify for a crab IFQ permit, the applicant must be a U.S. 
Citizen.
    (e) Crab IPQ permit. (1) A crab IPQ permit authorizes the person 
identified on the permit to receive/process the IPQ crab identified on 
the permit during the crab fishing year for which the permit is issued, 
subject to conditions of the permit. A crab IPQ permit is valid under 
the following circumstances:
    (i) Until the end of the crab fishing year for which the permit is 
issued;
    (ii) Until the amount received/processed is equal to the amount 
specified on the permit;
    (iii) Until the permit is modified by transfers under Sec. 680.41; 
or
    (iv) Until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to 
Sec. 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.
    (2) A legible copy of the crab IPQ permit authorizing receiving/
processing of IFQ crab must be retained on the premises or vessel used 
by the permitted person to process the IFQ crab at all times that IFQ 
crab are retained on the premises or vessel.
    (3) On an annual basis, the Regional Administrator will issue a crab 
IPQ permit to a person who submits a complete Application for Annual 
Crab Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) Permit, described at paragraph 
(f) of this section, that is subsequently approved by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (f) Contents of annual applications for crab IFQ and IPQ permits. 
(1) A complete application must be received by NMFS no later than June 
15 (or postmarked by this date, if sent via U.S. mail or a commercial 
carrier) for the upcoming crab fishing year for which a person is 
applying to receive IFQ or IPQ. If a complete application is not 
received by NMFS by this date, or postmarked by this date, the person 
will not receive IFQ or IPQ for the upcoming crab fishing year. In the 
event that NMFS has not received a complete and timely application by 
June 15, NMFS will presume that the application was timely filed if the 
applicant can provide NMFS with proof of timely filing.
    (2) For the application to be considered complete, all fees required 
by

[[Page 1026]]

NMFS must be paid, and any EDR required under Sec. 680.6 must be 
submitted to the DCA. In addition, the applicant must include the 
following information:
    (i) Applicant information. Enter applicant's name and NMFS Person 
ID; applicant's date of birth or, if a non-individual, date of 
incorporation; applicant's social security number (optional) or tax 
identification number; applicant's permanent business mailing address 
and any temporary mailing address the applicant wishes to use; and 
applicant's business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail 
address.
    (ii) Crab IFQ or IPQ permit identification. Indicate the type of 
crab IFQ or IPQ permit for which applicant is applying by QS 
fishery(ies) and indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant has joined a 
crab harvesting cooperative. If YES, enter the name of the crab 
harvesting cooperative(s) the applicant has joined for each crab 
fishery.
    (iii) Identification of ownership interests. If the applicant is not 
an individual, provide the names of all persons, to the individual 
level, holding an ownership interest in the entity and the percentage 
ownership each person and individual holds in the applicant.
    (iv) Certification of ROFR contract for crab IPQ permit. Indicate 
(YES or NO) whether any of the IPQ for which the applicant is applying 
to receive is subject to right of first refusal (ROFR). If YES certify 
(YES or NO) whether there is a ROFR contract currently in place between 
the applicant and the ECC entity holding the ROFR for the IPQ that 
includes the required ROFR contract terms specified in Chapter 11 
section 3.4.4.1.2 of the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian 
Islands King and Tanner Crabs.
    (v) Documentation of affiliation. Complete a documentation of 
affiliation declaring any and all affiliations, as the term 
``affiliation'' is defined at Sec. 680.2. A documentation of 
affiliation includes affirmations by the applicant pertaining to 
relationships that may involve direct or indirect ownership or control 
of the delivery of IFQ crab and any supplemental documentation deemed 
necessary by NMFS to determine whether an affiliation exists. Indicate 
whether any entity that holds PQS or IPQ is affiliated with the 
applicant, as affiliation is defined in Sec. 680.2. If the applicant is 
considered affiliated, the applicant must provide a list of all PQS or 
IPQ holders with which he/she is affiliated, including full name, 
business mailing address, and business telephone number.
    (vi) Certification of applicant. The applicant must sign and date 
the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. Print the name of 
the applicant. If the application is completed by an authorized 
representative, proof of authorization must accompany the application.
    (g) Crab IFQ hired master permit. (1) A crab IFQ hired master permit 
is issued on an annual basis and authorizes the individual identified on 
the permit to harvest and land IFQ crab for debit against the specified 
crab IFQ permit until the crab IFQ hired master permit expires or is 
revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to Sec. 679.43 or under 15 CFR 
part 904, or on request of the crab IFQ permit holder.
    (2) A legible copy of the crab IFQ hired master permit must be on 
board the vessel used by the hired master to harvest IFQ crab at all 
times IFQ crab are retained on board. Except as specified in Sec. 
680.42, an individual who is issued a crab IFQ hired master permit must 
remain aboard the vessel used to harvest IFQ crab, specified under that 
permit, during the crab fishing trip and at the landing site until all 
crab harvested under that permit are offloaded and the landing report 
for IFQ crab is completed.
    (h) Contents of application for crab IFQ hired master permit. In 
order for the application to be considered complete, a copy of the USCG 
Abstract Of Title or Certificate Of Documentation must be included with 
this application to demonstrate percent of vessel ownership by the IFQ 
permit holder. A complete application for a crab IFQ hired master permit 
must include the following information:
    (1) Purpose of application. Indicate whether the application is to 
add or to delete a hired master and identification of crab IFQ permit(s) 
for which this application is submitted.

[[Page 1027]]

    (2) IFQ permit holder information. Enter permit holder's name, NMFS 
Person ID, and social security number (optional) or tax identification 
number; permit holder's permanent or temporary business mailing address; 
and permit holder's business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-
mail address (if available).
    (3) Identification of vessel upon which crab IFQ will be harvested. 
Enter the vessel's name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG 
documentation number. Indicate whether (YES or NO) the permit holder has 
at least a 10 percent ownership interest in the vessel the crab IFQ 
hired master will use to fish permit holder's IFQ crab. If YES, provide 
documentation of IFQ permit holder's 10 percent ownership interest.
    (4) IFQ hired master permit holder information. Complete a separate 
section for each crab IFQ hired master. Enter the hired master's name, 
NMFS Person ID, social security number (optional) or tax identification 
number, and date of birth; hired master's permanent or temporary 
business mailing address; and hired master's business telephone number, 
facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).
    (5) Applicant certification. The applicant must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If the application 
is completed by an authorized representative, then authorization must 
accompany the application.
    (i) RCR permit. (1) An RCR permit is issued on an annual basis. An 
RCR permit is valid during the crab fishing year for which it is issued 
until the RCR permit expires or is revoked, suspended, or modified 
pursuant to Sec. 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.
    (2) An RCR permit is required for any person who receives 
unprocessed CR crab from the person(s) who harvested the crab, the owner 
or operator of a vessel that processes CR crab at sea, any person 
holding IPQ, and any person required to submit a Departure Report under 
50 CFR 679.5(l)(4).
    (j) Contents of application for RCR permit. For the application to 
be considered complete, all fees required by NMFS must be paid, and any 
EDR required under Sec. 680.6 must be submitted to the DCA. In 
addition, the applicant must include the following information:
    (1) Purpose of application. Indicate whether the application is a 
request for a new RCR permit, a renewal of an existing RCR permit, or an 
amendment to an existing RCR permit. If a renewal of or amendment to an 
existing RCR permit, include the applicant's RCR permit number.
    (2) Applicant identification. Enter applicant's name and NMFS Person 
ID; applicant's social security number or tax ID number (required); name 
of contact person for the applicant, if applicant is not an individual; 
applicant's permanent business mailing address; and business telephone 
number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).
    (3) Type of activity. Select type of receiving or processing 
activity and whether catcher/processor or shoreside processor.
    (4) Individual responsible for submission of EDR. Enter the name of 
the designated representative submitting the EDR on behalf of the RCR, 
if an EDR is required at Sec. 680.6. If different from the RCR's 
contact information, also enter the designated representative's business 
mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address 
(if available).
    (5) Application certification. The applicant must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If the application 
is completed by an authorized representative, then proof of 
authorization must accompany the application.
    (k) Federal crab vessel permit. The owner of a vessel must have a 
Federal crab vessel permit on board that vessel when used to fish for CR 
crab.
    (1) A Federal crab vessel permit is issued on an annual basis to the 
owner of the vessel and is in effect from the date of issuance through 
the end of the crab fishing year for which the permit was issued, unless 
it is revoked, suspended, or modified under Sec. 600.735 or Sec. 
600.740.
    (2) A Federal crab vessel permit may not be surrendered at any time 
during

[[Page 1028]]

the crab fishing year for which it was issued.
    (3) A Federal crab vessel permit issued under this paragraph is not 
transferable or assignable and is valid only for the vessel for which it 
is issued.
    (4) To qualify for a Federal crab vessel permit, the applicant must 
be a U.S. Citizen.
    (5) The holder of a Federal crab vessel permit must submit an 
amended application for a Federal crab vessel permit within 10 days of 
the date of change in: the ownership of the vessel (a copy of the 
current USCG documentation for the vessel showing the change in 
ownership must accompany the amended application), or the individual 
responsible for submission of the EDR on behalf of the vessel's 
owner(s).
    (l) Contents of application for federal crab vessel permit. For the 
application to be considered complete, all fees required by NMFS must be 
paid, and any EDR required under Sec. 680.6 must be submitted to the 
DCA. Also, if ownership of the vessel has changed or if the permit 
application for a vessel to which a Federal crab vessel permit has never 
been issued, a copy of the USCG Abstract Of Title or Certificate Of 
Documentation. In addition the applicant must include the following 
information:
    (1) Purpose of application. Indicate whether the application is a 
request for a new permit, a renewal of an existing permit, or an 
amendment to an existing permit. If a renewal of or amendment to an 
existing permit, include the current Federal crab vessel permit number.
    (2) Contact owner information. The name(s), permanent business 
mailing address, social security number (voluntary) or tax ID number, 
business telephone number, business facsimile number, business e-mail 
address (if available) of all vessel owners, and the name of any person 
or company (other than the owner) that manages the operation of the 
vessel.
    (3) Vessel information. Enter the vessel's name and home port (city 
and state); ADF&G processor code, if vessel is a catcher/processor or 
stationary floating crab processor; whether a vessel of the United 
States; USCG documentation number; ADF&G vessel registration number; and 
vessel's LOA (in feet), registered length (in feet), gross tonnage, net 
tonnage, and shaft horsepower. Indicate all types of operations the 
vessel may conduct during a crab fishing year.
    (4) Designated representative for EDR. Enter the name of the 
designated representative who is responsible for completion and 
submission of the EDR, and the representative's business mailing 
address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if 
available).
    (5) Applicant certification. The applicant must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. Print the 
applicant name. If the application is completed by an authorized 
representative, then authorization must accompany the application.
    (m) Annual crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit. See Sec. 680.21.
    (n) Contents of annual application for converted CPO QS/IFQ permit. 
(1)(i) A complete application must be received by NMFS no later than 
June 15 (or postmarked by this date, if sent via U.S. mail or a 
commercial carrier) for the upcoming crab fishing year for which a 
person or crab harvesting cooperative is applying to receive converted 
CPO QS and the IFQ derived from that converted CPO QS. If a complete 
application is not received by NMFS by this date, or postmarked by this 
date, the person or crab harvesting cooperative will not receive 
converted CPO QS and the IFQ derived from that converted CPO QS for the 
upcoming crab fishing year. In the event that NMFS has not received a 
complete and timely application by June 15, NMFS will presume that the 
application was timely filed if the applicant can provide NMFS with 
proof of timely filing.
    (ii) To receive converted CPO QS/IFQ this application must be 
accompanied by a timely and complete application for crab IFQ/IPQ 
described at paragraph (f) of this section or a timely and complete 
application for a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit described at 
paragraph (m) of this section.

[[Page 1029]]

    (2) For the application to be considered complete, all fees required 
by NMFS must be paid, and any EDR required under Sec. 680.6 must be 
submitted to the DCA. In addition, the applicant must include the 
following information (see paragraphs (n)(2)(i) through (v) of this 
section):
    (i) Entity identification. Indicate the entity (Entity A, B, or C) 
described in Sec. 680.40(c)(5)(ii) through (c)(5)(iv) for which you are 
applying to receive converted CPO QS.
    (ii) Applicant information. Enter applicant's name and NMFS Person 
ID; applicant's permanent business mailing address and any temporary 
mailing address the applicant wishes to use; and applicant's business 
telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address.
    (A) For Entity A or B:
    (1) Identify the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO 
QS; and
    (2) Identify the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery initially issued to you by NMFS with a North Region designation 
for issuance as converted CPO QS.
    (B) For Entity C:
    (1) Identify the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery initially issued to you by NMFS with a North Region designation 
for issuance as converted CPO QS; and
    (2) Identify the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO 
QS.
    (iii) Affiliate information for Entities A and B. (A) For Entities A 
and B described in Sec. 680.40(c)(5)(ii) and (c)(5)(iii), indicate the 
permanent business mailing address and any temporary mailing address, 
business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address of any 
person who is affiliated with you based on information provided in an 
annual application for IFQ/IPQ that is approved by the Regional 
Administrator for that crab fishing year
    (B) Indicate the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery initially issued to that person with a North Region designation 
for issuance as converted CPO QS.
    (C) Indicate the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery with a North Region designation held by the affiliate for 
issuance as converted CPO QS.
    (iv) Affiliate information for Entity C. (A) For Entity C described 
in Sec. 680.40(c)(5)(iv), indicate the permanent business mailing 
address and any temporary mailing address, business telephone number, 
facsimile number, and e-mail address of any person who is affiliated 
with you based on information provided in an annual application for IFQ/
IPQ that is approved by the Regional Administrator for that crab fishing 
year.
    (B) Indicate the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO 
QS.
    (C) Indicate the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS 
fishery initially issued to the affiliate with a North Region 
designation for issuance as converted CPO QS.
    (v) Certification of applicant and affiliates. The applicant and any 
persons who are affiliated with the applicant and named on the 
application must sign and date the application certifying that all 
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his/her 
knowledge and belief. If the application is completed by an authorized 
representative, proof of authorization must accompany the application.
    (o) Exemption from Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab West 
regional delivery requirements--(1) Request for an Annual Exemption from 
Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab West regional delivery 
requirements. The eligible contract signatories (see qualifications at 
Sec. 680.4(o)(2)(i)) may submit an application to NMFS to request that 
NMFS exempt West designated IFQ and West designated IPQ for the Western 
Aleutian Islands golden king crab (WAG) fishery from the West regional 
delivery requirements at Sec. 680.7(a)(2) and (a)(4). All eligible 
contract signatories must submit one completed copy of the application 
form. The application must be submitted to NMFS using one of the 
following methods:
    (i) Mail: Regional Administrator, c/o Restricted Access Management 
Program, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; or
    (ii) Fax: 907-586-7354; or

[[Page 1030]]

    (iii) Hand delivery or carrier: NMFS, Room 713, 709 West 9th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99801.
    (2) Application form. The application form is available on the NMFS 
Alaska region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov) or from NMFS at 
the address in paragraph (o)(1)(i) of this section. All information 
fields on the application form must be accurately completed, including--
    (i) Identification of eligible contract signatories. Full name of 
each eligible contract signatory; NMFS person ID; and appropriate 
information that documents the signatories meet the requirements. If the 
application is completed by an individual who is the authorized 
representative, then documentation demonstrating the authorization must 
accompany the application. Eligible contract signatories are--
    (A) QS holders: Any person that holds in excess of 20 percent of the 
West designated WAG QS at the time the contract was signed, or their 
authorized representative.
    (B) PQS holders: Any person that holds in excess of 20 percent of 
the West designated WAG PQS at the time the contract was signed, or 
their authorized representative.
    (C) Municipalities: designated officials from both the City of Adak 
and the City of Atka or an authorized representative.
    (ii) Affidavit affirming master contract has been signed. Each 
eligible contract signatory, as described in paragraph (o)(2)(i) of this 
section, must sign and date an Affidavit affirming that a master 
contract has been signed to authorize the completion of the application 
to request that NMFS exempt West designated IFQ and West designated IPQ 
for the WAG fishery from the West regional delivery requirements. The 
eligible contract signatories must affirm on the Affidavit that all 
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her 
knowledge and belief.
    (3) Effective date. A completed application must be approved by NMFS 
before any person may use WAG IFQ or IPQ with a West regional 
designation outside of the West region during a crab fishing year. If 
approved, the effective date of the exemption is the date the 
application was approved by NMFS. Any delivery of WAG IFQ or IPQ with a 
West regional designation outside of the West region prior to the 
effective date of the exemption is prohibited under Sec. 680.7(a)(2) 
and (a)(4).
    (4) Duration. An exemption from West regional delivery requirements 
is only valid for the remainder of the crab fishing year during which 
the application was approved by NMFS. The exemption expires at the end 
of the crab fishing year (June 30).
    (5) Approval. (i) NMFS will approve a completed application for the 
exemption from Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab West regional 
delivery requirements if all eligible contract signatories meet the 
requirements specified in paragraph (o)(2)(i) of this section.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will not consider an application to 
have been received if the applicant cannot provide objective written 
evidence that NMFS Alaska Region received it.
    (iii) NMFS approval of an annual exemption from the Western Aleutian 
Islands golden king crab West regional delivery requirements will be 
made publicly available at the NMFS Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (p) Exemption from regional delivery requirements for the Bristol 
Bay red king crab, Bering Sea snow crab, St. Matthew blue king crab, 
Eastern Aleutian Islands golden king crab, Western Aleutian Islands red 
king crab, and Pribilof red king and blue king crab fisheries--(1) Apply 
for an Exemption. Eligible applicants may submit an application to 
exempt North Region IFQ and IPQ or South Region IFQ and IPQ from the 
prohibitions at Sec. Sec. 680.7(a)(2) and (a)(4).
    (2) Identification of eligible applicants. Eligible applicants are:
    (i) IFQ holders. Any person holding regionally designated IFQ for 
Bristol Bay red king crab, Bering Sea snow crab, St. Matthew blue king 
crab, Eastern Aleutian Islands golden king crab, Western Aleutian 
Islands red king crab, or Pribilof red king and blue king crab, or their 
authorized representative.
    (ii) IPQ holders. Any person holding regionally designated IPQ for 
Bristol Bay red king crab, Bering Sea snow

[[Page 1031]]

crab, St. Matthew blue king crab, Eastern Aleutian Islands golden king 
crab, Western Aleutian Islands red king crab, or Pribilof red king and 
blue king crab, or their authorized representative.
    (iii) Community representatives. (A) For communities that hold or 
formerly held the ROFR pursuant to Sec. 679.41(l), the community 
representative that signs the preseason application, the framework 
agreement, the inseason notice, and the exemption contract is the ECC 
entity, as defined at Sec. 680.2.
    (B) For North Region St. Matthew blue king crab PQS and North Region 
Bering Sea snow crab PQS that was issued without a ROFR, the community 
representative that signs the preseason application, the framework 
agreement, the inseason notice, and the exemption contract for Saint 
Paul and Saint George shall be either:
    (1) Both Aleutian Pribilof Islands Community Development Association 
(APICDA) and the Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association (CBSFA), or
    (2) the community representative that APICDA and CBSFA designate in 
writing to NMFS by December 9, 2013.
    (i) Either APICDA or CBSFA may revoke the designated community 
representative by providing written notice to the other entity and to 
NMFS.
    (ii) If either APICDA or CBSFA revokes its designation of a 
community representative after October 15 of a crab fishing year, the 
revocation will not affect the validity of any action taken by the 
designated community representative pursuant to paragraph (p) for that 
crab fishing year, including signing the preseason application, the 
framework agreement, the inseason notice, and the exemption contract.
    (3) Required Applicants. Multiple parties may apply for an 
exemption; however, a complete preseason application and a complete 
inseason notice must be submitted by a minimum of one Class A IFQ 
holder, one IPQ holder, and one community representative.
    (4) Application for an Exemption from the CR Program Regional 
Delivery Requirements--(i) Application Form. The application form 
consists of two parts: a preseason application for exemption and an 
inseason notice of exemption. The application form is available on the 
NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov) or from 
NMFS at the address below. NMFS must receive both parts of the 
application form by one of the following methods:
    (A) Mail: NMFS Regional Administrator, c/o Restricted Access 
Management Program, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; or
    (B) Fax: 907-586-7354; or
    (C) Hand delivery or carrier: NMFS, Room 713, 709 West 9th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99801.
    (ii) Part I: Preseason Application. (A) A complete preseason 
application must be signed by the required applicants specified in 
paragraph (p)(3), contain the information specified on the form, have 
all applicable fields accurately completed, and have all required 
documentation attached.
    (B) Each applicant must certify, through an affidavit, that the 
applicant has entered into a framework agreement that--
    (1) Specifies the CR crab fisheries that are the subject of the 
framework agreement;
    (2) Specifies the actions that the parties will take to reduce the 
need for, and amount of, an exemption;
    (3) Specifies the circumstances that could be an obstacle to 
delivery or processing under which the parties would execute an 
exemption contract and receive an exemption;
    (4) Specifies the actions that the parties would take to mitigate 
the effects of an exemption;
    (5) Specifies the compensation, if any, that any party would provide 
to any other party;
    (6) Specifies any arrangements for compensatory deliveries in that 
crab fishing year or the following crab fishing year and;
    (7) Is signed by the holders of the IFQ and IPQ that are the subject 
of the framework agreement and by the community representative that is 
authorized to sign the framework agreement.
    (C) Each applicant must sign and date the affidavit and affirm that, 
under penalty of perjury, the information and the claims provided on the 
application are true, correct, and complete.

[[Page 1032]]

    (D) NMFS must receive the preseason application on or before October 
15 of the crab fishing year for which the applicants are applying for an 
exemption.
    (1) If a preseason application is submitted by mail, the date of 
receipt of the preseason application by NMFS will be the postmark date 
of the application;
    (2) If an applicant disputes whether NMFS received a preseason 
application on or before October 15, the applicant must provide written 
documentation that was contemporaneous with NMFS' receipt of the 
application demonstrating that NMFS received the application by October 
15.
    (E) If NMFS does not receive a timely and complete preseason 
application on or before October 15 of a crab fishing year, NMFS will 
deny the preseason application; those applicants will not be able to 
receive an exemption for that crab fishing year.
    (F) If a preseason application is timely and complete, NMFS will 
approve the application. If NMFS approves a preseason application for an 
exemption, the applicants will be able to receive an exemption during 
the crab fishing year if the applicants comply with the requirements for 
an inseason notice of exemption specified below at paragraph 
(p)(4)(iii).
    (G) If NMFS denies a preseason application for any reason, the 
applicants may appeal the denial pursuant to 50 CFR 679.43.
    (H) NMFS will notify all of the applicants whether NMFS has approved 
or denied the preseason application.
    (iii) Part II: Inseason Notice of Exemption. (A) A complete inseason 
notice must:
    (1) Identify the IFQ amount and IPQ amount, by CR crab fishery, 
subject to the exemption;
    (2) Contain the information specified on the form, have all 
applicable fields accurately completed, and have all required 
documentation attached; and
    (3) Be signed by the required applicants specified in paragraph 
(p)(3) of this section that also signed the preseason application.
    (B) Each applicant must certify, through an affidavit, that the 
applicants have entered into an exemption contract that--
    (1) Identifies the IFQ amount and IPQ amount, by CR crab fishery, 
that is subject to the exemption contract;
    (2) Describes the circumstances under which the exemption is being 
exercised;
    (3) Specifies the action that the parties must take to mitigate the 
effects of the exemption;
    (4) Specifies the compensation, if any, that any party must make to 
any other party;
    (5) Specifies any arrangements for compensatory deliveries in that 
crab fishing year or the following crab fishing year; and
    (6) Is signed by the holders of the IFQ and IPQ that are the subject 
of the exemption contract and by the community representative that is 
authorized to sign the exemption contract.
    (C) Each applicant must sign and date the affidavit and affirm that, 
under penalty of perjury, the information and the claims provided on the 
notice are true, correct, and complete.
    (D) NMFS must receive the inseason notice at least one day prior to 
the day on which the applicants want the exemption to take effect. If an 
inseason notice is submitted by mail, the date that NMFS receives the 
inseason notice is not the postmark date of the notice.
    (E) The effective date of the exemption is the day after NMFS 
receives a complete inseason notice. Any delivery of North Region IFQ or 
South Region IFQ outside the designated region prior to the effective 
date of the exemption is prohibited under Sec. 680.7(a)(2) and (4). Any 
processing of North Region IPQ or South Region IPQ outside the 
designated region prior to the effective date of the exemption is 
prohibited under Sec. 680.7(a)(2) and (4).
    (F) An exemption is effective for the remainder of the crab fishing 
year, unless the inseason notice of exemption specifies that 
compensatory deliveries will occur in the following crab fishing year 
and then the exemption will remain in effect for the IFQ and IPQ 
specified for compensatory delivery in the following crab fishing year.
    (5) Regional Delivery Exemption Report. (i) Each IFQ holder that 
signs a preseason application, described in paragraph (p)(4)(ii) of this 
section, must

[[Page 1033]]

submit a Regional Delivery Exemption Report to NMFS that includes an 
explanation of--
    (A) The amount of IFQ, if any, set aside to reduce the need for, and 
the amount of, an exemption;
    (B) The mitigation measures employed before submitting an inseason 
notice;
    (C) The number of times an exemption was requested and used;
    (D) The arrangements for any compensatory deliveries, including all 
compensatory deliveries made during the crab fishing year and any 
outstanding compensatory delivery obligations for the following crab 
fishing year;
    (E) Whether the exemption was necessary; and
    (F) Any impacts resulting from the exemption on the fishery 
participants and communities that signed the preseason application.
    (ii) On or before July 15, IFQ holders must submit a copy of the 
Regional Delivery Exemption Report to the IPQ holders and community 
representatives that also signed the preseason application.
    (iii) On or before July 30, IFQ holders must submit the Regional 
Delivery Exemption Report to NMFS at the address in paragraph (p)(4)(i) 
of this section.
    (6) Public Notice of the Exemption. NMFS will post the effective 
date of an exemption and the Regional Delivery Exemption Reports on the 
NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov).
    (q) Initial administrative determination (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant following 
the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by 
the applicant fails to support the applicant's claims and is 
insufficient to establish that the applicant meets the requirements, or 
if the additional information, evidence, or revised application is not 
provided within the time period specified in the letter that notifies 
the applicant of his or her 30-day evidentiary period. The IAD will 
indicate the deficiencies in the application, including any deficiencies 
with the information, the evidence submitted in support of the 
information, or the revised application. The IAD will also indicate 
which claims cannot be approved based on the available information or 
evidence. An applicant who receives an IAD may appeal under the appeals 
procedures set forth at 15 CFR part 906. If an applicant appeals an IAD 
denying an Application for Annual Crab IFQ, IPQ, or harvesting 
Cooperative IFQ Permit because the application was not timely filed, the 
appeal must be filed within 30 days after the date the IAD is issued. An 
applicant who avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an 
IAD will not receive crab IFQ or IPQ until after the final resolution of 
that appeal in the applicant's favor.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 32864, June 7, 2006; 73 
FR 29982, May 23, 2008; 73 FR 76189, Dec. 15, 2008; 76 FR 35785, June 
20, 2011; 78 FR 28529, May 15, 2013; 80 FR 15896, Mar. 26, 2015; 81 FR 
1561, Jan. 13, 2016]



Sec. 680.5  Recordkeeping and reporting (R&R).

    (a) General requirements--(1) Recording and reporting crab. Any CR 
crab harvested that is retained must be recorded and reported.
    (2) Responsibility. (i) The participants in the CR fisheries are 
responsible for complying with the following R&R requirements:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Recordkeeping and reporting
             report              Person responsible       Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Longline and pot gear        Owner and operator  Sec. 679.5(c)(1).
 catcher vessel daily fishing     of vessel.
 logbook.
(B) Longline and pot gear        Owner and operator  Sec. 679.5(c)(1).
 catcher/processor daily          of vessel.
 cumulative production logbook.
(C) Product Transfer Report      Owner and operator  Sec. 679.5(g).
 (PTR).                           of catcher/
                                  processor; Owner
                                  and manager of
                                  shoreside
                                  processor or
                                  SFCP; RCR.
(D) U.S. Vessel Activity Report  Owner and operator  Sec. 679.5(k).
 (VAR).                           of vessel.
(E) Transhipment Authorization.  Owner and operator  Sec. 679.5(l)(3).
                                  of a catcher/
                                  processor; RCR.
(F) IFQ Departure Report.......  Owner and operator  Sec. 679.5(l)(4).
                                  of vessel.
(G) CR Crab Landing Report.....  RCR...............  Sec. 679.5(e)
(H) [Reserved].................  ..................  ...................

[[Page 1034]]

 
(I) Eligible Crab Community      ECCO..............  Sec. 680.5(f).
 Organization (ECCO) Annual
 Report for an Eligible Crab
 Community (ECC).
(J) RCR Fee Submission Form....  RCR...............  Sec. 680.5(g).
(K) Crab Economic Data Report    Owners or           Sec. 680.6.
 (EDR).                           leaseholders of a
                                  catcher vessel,
                                  catcher/
                                  processor,
                                  shoreside
                                  processor, or
                                  SFCP.
(L) CR RCR Ex vessel Volume and  RCR...............  Sec. 680.5(m)
 Value Report.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Representative. Designation of a representative to complete R&R 
requirements does not relieve the person(s) responsible for compliance 
from ensuring compliance with this section.
    (4) Submittal of information. A person must submit to NMFS all 
information, records, and reports required in this section in English 
and in a legible, timely, and accurate manner, based on A.l.t.; if 
handwritten or typed, in indelible ink.
    (5) Alteration of records. A person may not alter or change any 
entry or record submitted to NMFS, except that an inaccurate, 
incomplete, or incorrect entry or record may be corrected after 
notifying the Regional Administrator at the address and facsimile number 
listed on each form, or as provided the opportunity on the Internet.
    (6) Inspection of records. A person responsible for R&R under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section must make available for inspection all 
reports, forms, scale receipts, and CR crab landing report receipts upon 
the request of an authorized officer for the time periods indicated in 
paragraph (a)(7) of this section.
    (7) Retention of records. A person responsible for R&R under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section must retain all reports and receipts as 
follows:
    (i) On site. Until the end of the crab fishing year during which the 
records were made and for as long thereafter as crab or crab products 
recorded in the records are retained onboard the vessel or on site at 
the facility; and
    (ii) For 3 years. For 3 years after the end of the crab fishing year 
during which the records were made.
    (8) Landing verification and inspection. Each CR crab landing and 
all crab retained on board the vessel making a CR crab landing are 
subject to verification and inspection by authorized officers.
    (9) Sampling. Each CR crab landing and all crab retained onboard a 
vessel making a CR crab landing are subject to sampling by authorized 
officers and observers.
    (b) IFQ crab landings--(1) Landing reports. See Sec. 679.5(e) of 
this chapter.
    (2) Properly debited landing. All landed crab catch must be weighed, 
reported, and debited from the appropriate IFQ account under which the 
catch was harvested, and IPQ account under which it was received, as 
appropriate (see Sec. 679.5(e) of this chapter).
    (c)-(e) [Reserved]
    (f) ECCO Annual Report. (1) Annually by June 30, each ECCO must 
submit a complete annual report on its crab QS activity for the prior 
crab fishing year for each ECC represented by the ECCO. The ECCO must 
submit a copy of the annual report to the governing body of each 
community represented by the ECCO and to the Regional Administrator, 
NMFS, Alaska Region; P.O. Box 21668; Juneau, AK 99802.
    (2) Contents of ECCO Annual Report. A complete annual report must 
include the following information for the crab IFQ derived from the QS 
held by the ECCO:
    (i) Name, ADF&G vessel registration number, USCG documentation 
number, and Federal crab vessel permit of each vessel from which the 
crab IFQ was harvested;
    (ii) Name and business addresses of individuals employed as crew 
members when fishing the crab IFQ;
    (iii) Criteria used by the ECCO to distribute crab IFQ leases among 
eligible community residents;
    (iv) Description of efforts made to ensure that crab IFQ lessees 
employ crew members who are eligible community residents of the ECC 
aboard vessels on which crab IFQ derived from QS held by a ECCO is being 
fished;
    (v) Description of the process used to solicit lease applications 
from eligible community residents of the ECC on whose behalf the ECCO is 
holding QS;

[[Page 1035]]

    (vi) Names and business addresses and amount of crab IFQ requested 
by each individual applying to receive crab IFQ from the ECCO;
    (vii) Any changes in the bylaws of the ECCO, board of directors, or 
other key management personnel;
    (viii) Copies of minutes, bylaw changes, motions, and other relevant 
decision making documents from ECCO board meetings.
    (g) RCR fee submission form (See Sec. 680.44). (1) Applicability. 
An RCR or the RCR's authorized representative, who receives any CR crab 
pursuant to Sec. 680.44 must submit to NMFS online a complete RCR fee 
form as instructed on the form at NMFS Alaska Region website at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    (2) Due date and submittal. The reporting period of the RCR fee 
submission shall be the crab fishing year. An RCR must submit any crab 
cost recovery fee liability payment(s) and the RCR fee submission form 
to NMFS online not later than July 31 following the crab fishing year in 
which the CR crab landings were made.
    (3) Required information. An RCR must accurately record on the RCR 
fee submission form the following information:
    (i) Identification of the RCR. Enter the printed full name, NMFS 
person ID, RCR permit number, social security number or Federal tax 
identification number of the RCR. Enter the permanent or temporary 
business mailing address (indicate whether permanent or temporary), and 
the business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if 
available).
    (ii) Signature of applicant. Enter printed name and signature of 
applicant and date signed. If authorized representative, attach 
authorization to application.
    (h) Product transfer report. (See Sec. 679.5(g).)
    (i) U.S. Vessel activity report (VAR). (See Sec. 679.5(k).)
    (j) Transshipment authorization. (See Sec. 679.5(l)(3).)
    (k) IFQ departure report. (See Sec. 679.5(l)(4).)
    (l) Catcher vessel longline and pot daily fishing logbook (DFL) and 
catcher/processor daily cumulative production logbook (DCPL). (See Sec. 
679.5 (c)).
    (m) CR Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report--(1) Applicability. An RCR that also operates as a shoreside 
processor or stationary floating crab processor and receives and 
purchases landings of CR crab must submit annually to NMFS a complete CR 
RCR Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report, as described in this paragraph 
(m), for each reporting period in which the RCR receives CR crab.
    (2) Reporting period. The reporting period of the CR RCR Ex-vessel 
Volume and Value Report shall extend from August 1 through May 31 of the 
following year, inclusive.
    (3) Due date. A complete CR RCR Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report 
must be received by the Regional Administrator no later than May 31 of 
the reporting period in which the RCR received CR crab.
    (4) Information required. The RCR must log in to http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov using the RCR's password and NMFS person ID to 
submit a CR RCR Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report. The NMFS software 
autofills the RCR name. The User must review the autofilled cells to 
ensure that they are accurate. The RCR must enter the information in 
paragraphs (m)(4)(i) through (iv) of this section for a complete CR RCR 
Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report for priced crab delivered raw:
    (i) RCR identification. (A) RCR permit number.
    (B) Landing month.
    (C) Port (location of facility or vessel).
    (ii) CR crab program (e.g., IFQ, CDQ, ADAK).
    (iii) CR crab pounds purchased and ex-vessel value. Enter for each 
program, fishery, species, and month.
    (A) Pounds purchased. The total CR crab pounds purchased by fishery 
and species for each month.
    (B) Ex-vessel value paid. The total gross ex-vessel value paid for 
raw CR crab pounds before any deductions are made for goods and services 
provided to the CR crab harvesters. The gross value includes all value 
paid in any form (e.g., dollars, goods, services, bait,

[[Page 1036]]

ice, fuel, repairs, machinery replacement, etc.), and any retro payments 
paid for crab in paragraph (m)(4)(iii)(A) of this section.
    (iv) Certification. By using the RCR NMFS ID and password and 
submitting the report, the RCR certifies that all information is true, 
correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief.
    (5) Submittal. The RCR must complete and submit online by electronic 
submission to NMFS the CR Registered Crab Receiver Ex-vessel Volume and 
Value Report available at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 70 
FR 75421, Dec. 20, 2005; 73 FR 76189, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 51519, Oct. 
7, 2009; 75 FR 56486, Sept. 16, 2010; 80 FR 15897, Mar. 26, 2015; 81 FR 
23649, Apr. 22, 2016]



Sec. 680.6  Crab economic data report (EDR).

    (a) Requirements. (1) Any owner or leaseholder of a vessel or 
processing plant, or a holder of a registered crab receiver permit that 
harvested, processed, custom processed, or obtained custom processing 
for CR crab, during a calendar year, must submit a complete Economic 
Data Report (EDR) by following the instructions on the applicable EDR 
form.
    (2) A completed EDR or EDR certification pages must be submitted to 
NMFS, in the manner specified on the NMFS-issued EDR form, for each 
calendar year on or before 1700 hours, A.l.t., July 31 of the following 
year.
    (3) Annual EDR forms for catcher vessels, catcher/processors, 
shoreside crab processors, and stationary floating crab processors are 
available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov or by contacting NMFS at 1-800-304-4846.
    (b) EDR certification pages. Any person required to submit an annual 
EDR under paragraph (a) of this section must submit the EDR 
certification pages as either:
    (1) Part of the entire EDR. Persons submitting the completed EDR 
certification pages as part of the entire EDR must attest to the 
accuracy and completion of the EDR by signing and dating the 
certification pages; or
    (2) A separate document. Persons submitting the completed EDR 
certification pages only must attest that they meet the conditions 
exempting them from submitting the entire EDR, by signing and dating the 
certification pages.
    (c) Annual catcher vessel crab EDR. Any owner or leaseholder of a 
catcher vessel that landed CR crab in the previous calendar year must 
submit to NMFS, in the manner specified on the NMFS-issued EDR form, a 
completed catcher vessel EDR for annual data for the previous calendar 
year.
    (d) Annual catcher/processor crab EDR. Any owner or leaseholder of a 
catcher/processor that harvested or processed CR crab in the previous 
calendar year must submit to NMFS, in the manner specified on the NMFS-
issued EDR form, a completed catcher/processor EDR for annual data for 
the previous calendar year.
    (e) Annual stationary floating crab processor (SFCP) and shoreside 
crab processor EDR--(1) Any owner or leaseholder of an SFCP or a 
shoreside crab processor that processed CR crab, including custom 
processing of CR crab performed for other crab buyers, in the previous 
calendar year must submit to NMFS, in the manner specified on the NMFS-
issued EDR form, a completed processor EDR for annual data for the 
previous calendar year.
    (2) Any holder of a registered crab receiver (RCR) permit that 
obtained custom processing for CR Program crab in the previous calendar 
year must submit to NMFS, in the manner specified on the NMFS-issued EDR 
form, a completed processor EDR for annual data for the previous 
calendar year.
    (f) Verification of data. (1) The DCA shall conduct verification of 
information with the owner or leaseholder.
    (2) The owner or leaseholder must respond to inquiries by the DCA 
within 20 days of the date of issuance of the inquiry.
    (g) DCA authorization. The DCA is authorized to request voluntary 
submission of economic data specified in this section from persons who 
are not required to submit an EDR under this section.

[78 FR 36127, June 17, 2013, as amended at 88 FR 7591, Feb. 6, 2023]

[[Page 1037]]



Sec. 680.7  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 
of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the 
following:
    (a) Receiving and processing CR crab. (1) Process any CR crab that 
has not been weighed by an RCR on:
    (i) A scale approved by the State in which the RCR is located and 
that meets the requirements described in Sec. 680.23(f); or
    (ii) Onboard a catcher/processor RCR on a scale approved by NMFS as 
described in Sec. 680.23(e).
    (2) Receive CR crab harvested under an IFQ permit in any region 
other than the region for which the IFQ permit is designated, unless:
    (i) Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab are received following 
the effective date of a NMFS-approved exemption pursuant to Sec. 
680.4(o), or
    (ii) The IFQ permit and IFQ amount are subject to an exemption 
pursuant to Sec. 680.4(p).
    (3) Use IPQ on board a vessel outside of the territorial sea or 
internal waters of the State of Alaska.
    (4) Use IPQ in any region other than the region for which the IPQ 
permit is designated, unless:
    (i) Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab IPQ is used following 
the effective date of a NMFS-approved exemption pursuant to Sec. 
680.4(o), or
    (ii) The IPQ permit and IPQ amount are subject to an exemption 
pursuant to Sec. 680.4(p).
    (5) Receive any crab harvested under a Class A IFQ permit in excess 
of the total amount of unused IPQ held by the RCR in a crab QS fishery 
unless that RCR subsequently receives unused IPQ by transfer as 
described under Sec. 680.41 that is at least equal to the amount of all 
Class A IFQ received by that RCR in that crab QS fishery before the end 
of the crab fishing year for which an IPQ permit was issued.
    (6) Receive crab harvested under a Class B IFQ permit on a vessel if 
that vessel was used to harvest and process any crab in that crab QS 
fishery during the same crab fishing season.
    (7) For an IPQ holder to use more IPQ than the maximum amount of IPQ 
that may be held by that person. Use of IPQ includes all IPQ held by 
that person, and all IPQ crab that are received by any RCR at any 
shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab processor in which 
that IPQ holder has a 10 percent or greater direct or indirect ownership 
interest, unless that IPQ crab meets the requirements in Sec. 
680.42(b)(7) or Sec. 680.42(b)(8).
    (8) For a shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab 
processor, that does not have at least one owner with a 10 percent or 
greater direct or indirect ownership interest who also holds IPQ in that 
crab QS fishery, to receive in excess of 30 percent of the IPQ issued 
for that crab fishery, unless that IPQ meets the requirements described 
in Sec. 680.42(b)(7) or Sec. 680.42(b)(8).
    (9) For any shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab 
processor east of 174 degrees west longitude to use more than 60 percent 
of the IPQ issued in the EAG or WAI crab QS fisheries, unless that IPQ 
meets the requirements described in Sec. 680.42(b)(8).
    (b) Landing CR crab. (1) Remove retained and unprocessed CR crab 
from a vessel at any location other than to an RCR operating under an 
approved catch monitoring plan as described in Sec. 680.23(g) unless 
that crab is accompanied by a signed landing receipt showing the crab 
was properly landed.
    (2) Remove any CR crab processed at sea from any vessel before 
completing a landing report, as defined at Sec. 680.5(c), for all such 
CR crab onboard.
    (3) Fail to remove all processed crab harvested under a CPO or a CPC 
IFQ permit to an onshore location within the United States, accessible 
by road or regularly scheduled air service, and to weigh that crab 
product on a scale approved by the State in which the crab is weighed.
    (4) Make an IFQ crab landing except by an individual who holds 
either a crab IFQ permit or a crab IFQ hired master permit issued under 
Sec. 680.4 in his or her name.
    (5) Make an IFQ crab landing without the following on board: a copy 
of the crab IFQ permit to be debited for the landing; and, if 
applicable, a copy of the crab IFQ hired master permit issued under 
Sec. 680.4 in the name of the person making the landing.

[[Page 1038]]

    (6) For a Crab IFQ hired master to make an IFQ crab landing on any 
vessel other than the vessel named on the Crab IFQ hired master permit.
    (c) Harvest crab. (1) Harvest any CR crab with any vessel not named 
on a valid Federal crab vessel permit.
    (2) Harvest CR crab with any vessel that does not use functioning 
VMS equipment as required by Sec. 680.23.
    (3) Harvest on any vessel more IFQ crab than are authorized under 
Sec. 680.42.
    (4) Harvest crab under a CVC or a CPC IFQ permit unless the person 
named on the IFQ permit is on board that vessel.
    (5) Harvest crab under a CPO or CPC permit unless all scales used to 
weigh crab, or used by an observer for sampling crab, have passed an 
inseason scale test according to Sec. 680.23(e)(1).
    (6) For any person who is not an entity defined in Sec. 
680.40(c)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv) to:
    (i) Hold converted CPO QS.
    (ii) Use the CPO IFQ derived from that converted CPO QS outside of a 
crab harvesting cooperative.
    (d) Recordkeeping and reporting. (1) Fail to submit information on 
any report, application, or statement required under this part.
    (2) Submit false information on any report, application, or 
statement required under this part.
    (e) Permits. (1) Retain IFQ crab without a legible copy of a valid 
crab IFQ permit for that fishery on board the vessel.
    (2) Begin a fishing trip for crab in a crab QS fishery with a vessel 
if the total amount of unharvested crab IFQ that is currently held in 
the IFQ accounts of all crab IFQ permit holders or Crab IFQ Hired 
Masters aboard that vessel in that crab QS fishery is zero or less.
    (3) Have a negative balance in an IFQ or IPQ account for a crab QS 
fishery after the end of the crab fishing year for which an IFQ or IPQ 
permit was issued.
    (f) IPQ. Use IPQ as collateral or otherwise leverage IPQ to acquire 
an ownership interest in Class B IFQ.
    (g) General. (1) Possess, buy, sell, or transport any crab harvested 
or landed in violation of any provision of this part.
    (2) Violate any other provision under this part.
    (h) Inseason action. Conduct any fishing contrary to notification of 
inseason action closure, or adjustment issued under Sec. 680.22.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 73 
FR 29982, May 23, 2008; 73 FR 76190, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 25457, May 28, 
2009; 74 FR 41095, Aug. 14, 2009; 76 FR 35786, June 20, 2011; 78 FR 
28531, May 15, 2013; 81 FR 24518, Apr. 26, 2016; 85 FR 72583, Nov. 13, 
2020]



Sec. 680.8  Facilitation of enforcement.

    See Sec. 600.730 of this chapter.



Sec. 680.9  Penalties.

    (a) Any person committing, or a fishing vessel used in the 
commission of, a violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or any 
regulation issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, is subject to the 
civil and criminal penalty provisions, permit sanctions, and civil 
forfeiture provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, to part 600 of this 
chapter, to 15 CFR part 904 (Civil Procedures), and to other applicable 
law. Penalties include but are not limited to permanent or temporary 
sanctions to PQS, QS, IPQ, IFQ, Crab IFQ hired master, Federal crab 
vessel permit, or RCR permits.
    (b) In the event a holder of any IPQ is found by a court of 
competent jurisdiction, either in an original action in that court or in 
a proceeding to enforce or review the findings or orders of any 
Government agency having jurisdiction under the antitrust laws, to have 
violated any of the provisions of antitrust laws in the conduct of the 
licensed activity, the Secretary of Commerce may revoke all or a portion 
of such IPQ. The antitrust laws of the United States include, but are 
not limited to, the following Acts:
    (1) The Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. 1-7;
    (2) The Wilson Tariff Act, 15 U.S.C. 8-11;
    (3) The Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 12-27; and
    (4) The Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 12 and 45(a).

[[Page 1039]]



                      Subpart B_Management Measures



Sec. 680.20  Arbitration System.

    (a) Applicability--(1) Arbitration System. All CVO QS, Arbitration 
IFQ, Class A IFQ holders, PQS and IPQ holders must enter the contracts 
as prescribed in this section that establish the Arbitration System. 
Certain parts of the Arbitration System are voluntary for some parties, 
as specified in this section. All contract provisions will be enforced 
by parties to those contracts.
    (2) Open negotiation. Any holder of uncommitted IFQ may negotiate 
with any holder of uncommitted IPQ, the price and delivery terms for 
that season or for future seasons for any uncommitted IFQ and 
uncommitted IPQ. Uncommitted IFQ holders and uncommitted IPQ holders may 
freely contact each other and initiate open negotiations.
    (3) Document submittal information. Submit documents and reports to 
NMFS as follows: by mail to the Regional Administrator, NMFS, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, AK 99802; by courier to NMFS, 709 West 9th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99801; or by fax to 907-586-7465.
    (b) Eligibility for Arbitration System--(1) Arbitration 
Organization. The following persons are the only persons eligible to 
join an Arbitration Organization:
    (i) Holders of CVO QS,
    (ii) Holders of PQS,
    (iii) Holders of Arbitration IFQ,
    (iv) Holders of Class A IFQ affiliated with a PQS or IPQ holder, and
    (v) Holders of IPQ.
    (2) Persons eligible to use negotiation and Binding Arbitration 
procedures. The following persons are the only persons eligible to enter 
contracts with a Contract Arbitrator to use the negotiation and Binding 
Arbitration procedures described in paragraph (h) of this section to 
resolve price and delivery disputes or negotiate remaining contract 
terms not previously agreed to by IFQ and IPQ holders under other 
negotiation approaches:
    (i) Holders of Arbitration IFQ, and
    (ii) Holders of IPQ.
    (3) Persons ineligible to use negotiation and Binding Arbitration 
procedures. Holders of IFQ that are affiliated with holders of PQS or 
IPQ are ineligible to enter contracts with a Contract Arbitrator to use 
the negotiation and Binding Arbitration procedures described in 
paragraph (h) of this section to resolve price and delivery disputes or 
negotiate remaining contract terms not previously agreed to by IFQ and 
IPQ holders under other negotiation approaches.
    (c) Preseason requirements for joining an Arbitration Organization. 
All holders of CVO QS, PQS, Arbitration IFQ, Class A IFQ affiliated with 
a PQS or IPQ holder, and IPQ must join and maintain a membership in an 
Arbitration Organization as specified in paragraph (d) of this section. 
All holders of QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ identified in the preceding sentence 
must join an Arbitration Organization at the following times:
    (1) For QS holders and PQS holders except as provided for in 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, not later than May 1 of each year for 
the crab fishing year that begins on July 1 of that year.
    (2) For IFQ holders and IPQ holders, not later than 15 days after 
the issuance of IFQ and IPQ for that crab QS fishery if that IFQ or IPQ 
holder does not also hold QS or PQS.
    (3) During 2005, QS and PQS holders must join an Arbitration 
Organization as described in paragraph (d) of this section not later 
than August 15, 2005.
    (4) Persons receiving QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer after these 
dates must join an Arbitration Organization at the time of receiving the 
QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer.
    (d) Formation process for an Arbitration Organization. (1) 
Arbitration Organizations must be formed to select and contract a Market 
Analyst, Formula Arbitrator, Contract Arbitrator(s), and establish the 
Arbitration System, including the payment of costs of arbitration, 
described in this section for each crab QS fishery. All persons defined 
in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must join an Arbitration 
Organization.
    (i) Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organization. Holders of 
Arbitration QS and Arbitration IFQ must join an Arbitration QS/IFQ 
Arbitration Organization. This Arbitration Organization may not have 
members who are not

[[Page 1040]]

holders of Arbitration QS or Arbitration IFQ. Arbitration QS holders and 
Arbitration IFQ holders may join separate Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration 
Organizations. The mechanism for forming an Arbitration Organization is 
determined by the members of the organization.
    (ii) PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization. Holders of PQS or IPQ must 
join a PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization. This Arbitration Organization 
may not have members who are not holders of PQS or IPQ. PQS holders and 
IPQ holders may join separate PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations. The 
mechanism for forming an Arbitration Organization is determined by the 
members of the organization.
    (iii) Affiliated QS/IFQ Arbitration Organization. Holders of CVO QS 
or Class A IFQ affiliated with a PQS or IPQ holder must join an 
Affiliated QS/IFQ Arbitration Organization. This Arbitration 
Organization may not have members who are not holders of QS or IFQ 
affiliated with a PQS or IPQ holder. CVO QS holders and Class A IFQ 
holders may join separate Affiliated QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations. 
The mechanism for forming an Arbitration Organization is determined by 
the members of the organization.
    (iv) Limitation on joining an Arbitration Organization. For a crab 
QS fishery during a crab fishing year, a person who holds:
    (A) PQS/IPQ may join only one PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization;
    (B) Affiliated QS/IFQ may join only one Affiliated QS/IFQ 
Arbitration Organization; and
    (C) Arbitration QS/IFQ may join only one Arbitration QS/IFQ 
Organization.
    (2) Each Arbitration Organization must submit a complete Annual 
Arbitration Organization report to NMFS. A complete report must include:
    (i) A copy of the business license of the Arbitration Organization;
    (ii) A statement identifying the members of the organization and the 
amount of Arbitration QS and Arbitration IFQ, Non-Arbitration QS and 
Non-Arbitration IFQ, or PQS and IPQ held by each member and represented 
by that Arbitration Organization;
    (iii) QS, PQS, IFQ, and IPQ ownership information on the members of 
the organization;
    (iv) Management organization information, including:
    (A) The bylaws of the Arbitration Organization;
    (B) A list of key personnel of the management organization 
including, but not limited to, the board of directors, officers, 
representatives, and any managers;
    (v) The name of the Arbitration Organization, permanent business 
mailing addresses, name of contact persons and additional contact 
information of the managing personnel for the Arbitration Organization, 
resumes of management personnel; and
    (vi) A copy of all minutes of any meeting held by the Arbitration 
Organization or any members of the Arbitration Organization.
    (3) An Arbitration Organization, with members who are QS or PQS 
holders, must submit a complete Annual Arbitration Organization Report 
to NMFS in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section by August 
20, 2005, for the crab fishing year beginning on July 1, 2005, and by 
May 1 of each subsequent year for the crab fishing year beginning on 
July 1 of that year.
    (4) An Arbitration Organization, with members who are IFQ or IPQ 
holders, must submit a complete Annual Arbitration Organization Report 
to NMFS in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section by not later 
than 15 days after the issuance of IFQ and IPQ for that crab QS fishery.
    (e) Role of Arbitration Organization(s) and annual requirements--(1) 
General. The members of each Arbitration Organization must enter into a 
contract that specifies the terms and conditions of participation in the 
organization.
    (i) The contract among members of an Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration 
Organization, or a PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization shall include the 
terms, conditions, and provisions specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section.
    (ii) The contract among members of an Affiliated QS/IFQ Arbitration 
Organization shall include the terms, conditions, and provisions in 
paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

[[Page 1041]]

    (2) Provisions for Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations, and 
PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations--(i) Selection of Market Analyst, 
Formula Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s). A provision authorizing 
the Arbitration Organization to act on behalf of its members in the 
selection of and contracting with the Market Analyst, Formula 
Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s) under paragraph (e)(4) of this 
section.
    (ii) Confidentiality of information. A provision that a member that 
is a party to a Binding Arbitration proceeding shall sign a 
confidentiality agreement with the party with whom it is arbitrating 
stating they will not disclose at any time to any person any information 
received from the Contract Arbitrator or any other party in the course 
of the arbitration. That confidentiality agreement shall specify the 
potential sanctions for violating the agreement.
    (iii) Provision of information to members. A provision requiring the 
Arbitration Organization to provide to its members:
    (A) A copy of the contracts for the Market Analyst, Formula 
Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator for each fishery in which the member 
participates; and
    (B) A copy of the Market Report and the Non-Binding Price Formula 
for each fishery in which the member participates within 5 days of its 
release.
    (iv) Information release. (A) A provision requiring that the 
Arbitration Organization deliver to NMFS any data, information, and 
documents generated pursuant to this section.
    (B) In the case of a PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization(s):
    (1) A provision that requires the PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization 
to provide for the delivery of the names of and contact information for 
its members who hold uncommitted IPQ, and to identify the regional 
designations and amounts of such uncommitted IPQ, to Arbitration QS/IFQ 
Arbitration Organizations either directly or through a third-party data 
provider so the information may be provided to any persons that hold 
uncommitted Arbitration IFQ for purposes of Share Matching, Binding 
Arbitration, and Post Arbitration Opt-in;
    (2) A provision that prohibits the disclosure of any information 
received under this provision to any person except those Arbitration QS/
IFQ Arbitration Organizations, or their third-party data provider so 
that information may be provided to holders of uncommitted Arbitration 
IFQ. The provision will require that information concerning uncommitted 
IPQ be updated within 24 hours of a change of any such information, 
including any commitment of IPQ, and that information be provided to 
those persons that hold uncommitted Arbitration IFQ. This provision may 
include a mechanism to provide information to uncommitted Arbitration 
IFQ holders through a secure Web site, or through other electronic 
means;
    (3) A provision that requires the PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization 
to arrange for the delivery to all holders of uncommitted Arbitration 
IFQ through the Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations holders or 
their third-party data provider the terms of a decision of a Contract 
Arbitrator in a Binding Arbitration proceeding involving a member that 
holds uncommitted IPQ within 24 hours of notice of that decision. This 
provision may include a mechanism to provide information to uncommitted 
Arbitration IFQ holders through a secure Web site, or through other 
electronic means; and
    (4) A provision that requires the holders of uncommitted IPQ to 
provide information concerning such uncommitted IPQ as necessary for the 
PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization to comply with this paragraph and 
prohibits the disclosure of any such information by such holder to any 
person, except as directed in this paragraph.
    (C) In the case of a Arbitration QS/IFQ Organization(s):
    (1) A provision that requires Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration 
Organizations holders, or their third-party data provider to provide 
information concerning uncommitted IPQ from PQS/IPQ Arbitration 
Organization(s) as necessary for the Arbitration IFQ holder to use that 
information in a timely manner.
    (2) A provision that prohibits the disclosure of any such 
information concerning uncommitted IPQ from PQS/

[[Page 1042]]

IPQ Arbitration Organization to any person, except as directed therein.
    (D) Third-party Data Provider provision. Notwithstanding any 
provision in this section, an Arbitration Organization required to 
supply or receive information under this section must hire 
administrative personnel or may contract with a person who will arrange 
for the receipt and delivery of information as required. Any such third 
party that receives such information cannot be affiliated with or 
employed by or related to any QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ holder in any crab QS 
fishery and must enter a contract that:
    (1) Prohibits such third person from releasing any information 
received to any person except as specifically provided by this section; 
and
    (2) Prohibits such third person from entering taking any employment 
from or establishing any relationship, except under a contract meeting 
the requirements of this section for a period of 3 years after the 
termination of the contract.
    (v) Costs. A provision that authorizes the Arbitration Organization 
to enter into a contract with all other Arbitration Organizations for 
the payment of the costs of arbitration as specified under this section.
    (A) The Arbitration Organizations must establish a contract that 
requires the payment of all costs of the Market Analyst, Formula 
Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s), dissemination of information 
concerning uncommitted IPQ to holders of uncommitted Arbitration IFQ, 
and the costs of such persons associated with lengthy season approach, 
share matching approach, Binding Arbitration, quality and performance 
disputes, to be shared equally so that IPQ holders pay 50 percent of the 
costs and Arbitration IFQ holders and Class A IFQ holders pay 50 percent 
of the costs.
    (B) Each person shall pay an amount of the cost based on the amount 
of IPQ or IFQ held by that person at the time of application to an 
Arbitration Organization.
    (C) PQS holders shall advance all costs and shall collect the 
contribution of IFQ holders at landing subject to terms mutually agreed 
to by the Arbitration Organizations.
    (vi) Negotiation methods. A provision that prohibits the Arbitration 
Organization from engaging in any contract negotiations on behalf of its 
members, except for those necessary to hire the Market Analyst, Formula 
Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s).
    (vii) Enforcement of the contract. Violations of the contract shall 
be enforced under civil law.
    (3) Provisions applying to Affiliated QS/IFQ Arbitration 
Organizations. The provisions that allow for the provision of 
information to members, payment of costs, limits on the transfer of QS, 
PQS, IFQ, and IPQ, and enforcement of the contract as described under 
paragraphs (e)(2)(iv), (v), (vii), and (viii) will apply to the contract 
among members of an Affiliated QS/IFQ Arbitration Organization(s).
    (4) Process for selection of Market Analyst, Formula Arbitrator, and 
Contract Arbitrator(s). (i) For each crab fishing year, QS holders who 
are members of Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organization(s) and PQS 
holders who are members of PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organization(s), by 
mutual agreement, will select one Market Analyst, one Formula 
Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s) for each crab QS fishery. The 
number of Contract Arbitrators selected for each fishery will be subject 
to the mutual agreement of those Arbitration Organizations. The 
selection of the Market Analyst and the Formula Arbitrator must occur in 
time to ensure the Market Report and non-binding price formula are 
produced within the time line established in paragraphs (f)(4)(i) and 
(g)(2)(viii)(B) of this section.
    (ii) The Arbitration Organizations representing Arbitration QS 
holders and PQS holders in a crab fishery shall establish by mutual 
agreement the contractual obligations of the Market Analyst, Formula 
Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s) for each fishery. The contractual 
obligations of the Market Analyst, the Formula Arbitrator, and Contract 
Arbitrators will be enforced by the parties to the contract.
    (iii) The same person may be chosen for the positions of Market 
Analyst and Formula Arbitrator for a fishery.

[[Page 1043]]

    (iv) A person selected to be a Contract Arbitrator may not be the 
Market Analyst or Formula Arbitrator, and shall not be affiliated with, 
employed by, or otherwise associated with, the Market Analyst or Formula 
Arbitrator, for that fishery.
    (5) Notification to NMFS. Not later than June 1 for that crab 
fishing year, except as provided in paragraph (e)(6) of this section, 
the Arbitration Organizations representing the holders of Arbitration QS 
and PQS in each fishery shall notify NMFS of the persons selected as the 
Market Analyst, Formula Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s) for the 
fishery in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (6) First-year implementation. During 2005, the selection of and 
establishment of the contractual obligations of the Market Analyst, 
Formula Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s) as required under this 
section shall occur not later than September 1, 2005.
    (7) IFQ and IPQ issuance and selection of the Market Analyst, 
Formula Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s). NMFS will not issue CVO 
IFQ and IPQ for a crab QS fishery until Arbitration Organizations 
establish by mutual agreement contracts with a Market Analyst, Formula 
Arbitrator, and Contract Arbitrator(s) for that fishery and notify NMFS.
    (f) Roles and standards for the Market Analyst and process for 
producing the Market Report. (1) Except as provided in paragraph 
(f)(1)(ii) of this section:
    (i) The Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/IPQ 
Arbitration Organizations shall establish a contract with the Market 
Analyst to produce a Market Report for each crab QS fishery. The terms 
of this contract must specify that the Market Analyst must produce a 
Market Report that shall provide an analysis of the market for products 
of that fishery.
    (ii) The Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/
IPQ Arbitration Organizations may, by mutual agreement, include a 
provision in the contract with the Market Analyst to forgo production of 
a Market Report for a crab QS fishery if the Arbitration QS/IFQ 
Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations 
anticipate that the crab QS fishery will not open for fishing during a 
crab fishing year. If such a provision is included in the contract with 
the Market Analyst, the Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations and 
the PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations must include a provision in the 
contract with the Market Analyst to produce a Market Report not later 
than the June 30 for the crab QS fishery that was expected to remain 
closed but subsequently opens for fishing during the crab fishing year.
    (2) The contract with the Market Analyst must specify that:
    (i) The Market Analyst will base the Market Report on a survey of 
the market for crab products produced by the fishery.
    (ii) The Market Analyst will note generally the sources from which 
he or she gathered information. The Market Report must include only 
publicly available data and information. Data and information will be 
considered publicly available if they are published in a manner that 
makes them available, either for a fee or at no cost, to the public at 
large.
    (iii) The Market Report shall consider the following factors:
    (A) Current ex-vessel prices, including ex-vessel prices received 
for crab harvested under Class A IFQ, Class B IFQ, and CVC IFQ permits;
    (B) Consumer and wholesale product prices for the processing sector 
and the participants in the arbitration (recognizing the impact of sales 
to affiliates on wholesale pricing);
    (C) Innovations and developments of the harvesting and processing 
sectors and the participants in the arbitration (including new product 
forms);
    (D) Efficiency and productivity of the harvesting and processing 
sectors (recognizing the limitations on efficiency and productivity 
arising out of the management program structure);
    (E) Quality (including quality standards of markets served by the 
fishery and recognizing the influence of harvest strategies on the 
quality of landings);
    (F) The interest of maintaining financially healthy and stable 
harvesting and processing sectors;
    (G) Safety and expenditures for ensuring adequate safety;

[[Page 1044]]

    (H) Timing and location of deliveries; and
    (I) The cost of harvesting and processing less than the full IFQ or 
IPQ allocation (underages) to avoid penalties for overharvesting IFQ and 
a mechanism for reasonably accounting for deadloss.
    (iv) There shall only be one annual Market Report for each fishery.
    (v) The Market Analyst must not issue interim or supplemental 
reports for any crab QS fishery unless the Arbitration QS/IFQ 
Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations, by 
mutual agreement, include a provision in the contract with the Market 
Analyst for the production of interim or supplemental reports for a crab 
QS fishery. If the Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations and the 
PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations have a mutual agreement to produce 
interim or supplemental reports, the contract with the Market Analyst 
must specify the terms and conditions under which those interim or 
supplemental reports will be produced.
    (3) The Market Analyst shall not disclose any information to any 
person not required under this section.
    (4) In 2005, the Market Report shall be produced not later than 
September 30, 2005 or 25 days prior to the first crab fishing season for 
that crab QS fishery whichever is later in that crab fishing year as 
required under this section.
    (i) In all subsequent years and except as provided in paragraph 
(f)(1)(ii) of this section, the Market Report for each crab QS fishery 
must be produced not later than 50 days prior to the first crab fishing 
season for that crab QS fishery, unless the Arbitration QS/IFQ 
Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations, by 
mutual agreement, include a provision in the contract with the Market 
Analyst to establish a different date for production of the Market 
Report for that crab QS fishery.
    (ii) The contract with the Market Analyst must specify that the 
Market Analyst will provide the Market Report in that crab fishing year 
to:
    (A) Each Arbitration Organization in that fishery;
    (B) NMFS Alaska Region in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section; and
    (C) The Formula Arbitrator and any Contract Arbitrator(s) for the 
fishery.
    (g) Roles and standards for the Formula Arbitrator. (1) Except as 
provided in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section:
    (i) The Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/IPQ 
Arbitration Organizations shall establish a contract with the Formula 
Arbitrator to produce a Non-Binding Price Formula for each crab QS 
fishery.
    (ii) The Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/
IPQ Arbitration Organizations may, by mutual agreement, include a 
provision in the contract with the Formula Arbitrator to forgo 
production of a Non-Binding Price Formula for a crab QS fishery if the 
Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/IPQ Arbitration 
Organizations anticipate that the crab QS fishery will not open for 
fishing during a crab fishing year. If such a provision is included in 
the contract with the Formula Arbitrator, the Arbitration QS/IFQ 
Arbitration Organizations and the PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations must 
include a provision in the contract with the Formula Arbitrator to 
produce a Non-Binding Price Formula not later than June 30 for the crab 
QS fishery that was expected to remain closed but subsequently opens for 
fishing during the crab fishing year.
    (2) The contract with the Formula Arbitrator must specify that:
    (i) The Formula Arbitrator will conduct a single annual fleet-wide 
analysis of the markets for crab to establish a Non-Binding Price 
Formula under which a fraction of the weighted average first wholesale 
prices for crab products from the fishery may be used to set an ex-
vessel price; and
    (ii) The Non-Binding Price Formula shall:
    (A) Be based on the historical distribution of first wholesale 
revenues between fishermen and processors in the aggregate based on 
arm's length first wholesale prices and ex-vessel prices, taking into 
consideration the size of the harvest in each year; and
    (B) Establish a price that preserves the historical division of 
revenues in

[[Page 1045]]

the fishery while considering the following:
    (1) Current ex-vessel prices, including ex-vessel prices received 
for crab harvested under Class A, Class B, and CVC IFQ permits;
    (2) Consumer and wholesale product prices for the processing sector 
and the participants in arbitrations (recognizing the impact of sales to 
affiliates on wholesale pricing);
    (3) Innovations and developments of the harvesting and processing 
sectors and the participants in arbitrations (including new product 
forms);
    (4) Efficiency and productivity of the harvesting and processing 
sectors (recognizing the limitations on efficiency and productivity 
arising out of the management program structure);
    (5) Quality (including quality standards of markets served by the 
fishery and recognizing the influence of harvest strategies on the 
quality of landings);
    (6) The interest of maintaining financially healthy and stable 
harvesting and processing sectors;
    (7) Safety and expenditures for ensuring adequate safety;
    (8) Timing and location of deliveries; and
    (9) The cost of harvesting and processing less than the full IFQ or 
IPQ allocation (underages) to avoid penalties for overharvesting IFQ and 
a mechanism for reasonably accounting for deadloss.
    (C) Include identification of various relevant factors such as 
product form, delivery time, and delivery location.
    (D) Consider the ``highest arbitrated price'' for the fishery from 
the previous crab fishing season, where the ``highest arbitrated price'' 
means the highest arbitrated price for arbitrations of IPQ and 
Arbitration IFQ which represent a minimum of at least 7 percent of the 
IPQ resulting from the PQS in that fishery. For purposes of this 
process, the Formula Arbitrator may aggregate up to three arbitration 
findings to collectively equal a minimum of 7 percent of the IPQ. When 
arbitration findings are aggregated with 2 or more entities, the lesser 
of the arbitrated prices of the arbitrated entities included to attain 
the 7 percent minimum be considered for the highest arbitrated price.
    (iii) The Non-Binding Price Formula may rely on any relevant 
information available to the Formula Arbitrator, including, but not 
limited to,
    (A) Information provided by the QS, PQS, IPQ and IFQ holders in the 
fishery, and
    (B) The Market Report for the fishery.
    (iv) The Formula Arbitrator:
    (A) May meet with IFQ holders who are members of any single FCMA 
cooperative collectively;
    (B) Shall meet with IPQ holders individually;
    (C) Shall meet with distinct FCMA cooperatives individually; and
    (D) Shall meet with IFQ holders who are not members of the same FCMA 
cooperative individually.
    (v) The Formula Arbitrator may request any relevant information from 
QS, PQS, IPQ, and IFQ holders in the fishery, but the Formula Arbitrator 
shall not have subpoena power.
    (vi) The Formula Arbitrator may obtain information from persons 
other than QS, PQS, IPQ, and IFQ holders in the fishery, if those 
persons agree to provide such data. Any information that is provided 
must be based on activities occurring more than three months prior to 
the date of submission to the Formula Arbitrator.
    (vii) The Formula Arbitrator shall keep confidential the information 
that is not publicly available and not disclose the identity of the 
persons providing specific information.
    (viii) (A) In 2005, the non-binding price formula shall be produced 
not later than September 30, 2005 or 25 days prior to the first crab 
fishing season for that crab QS fishery whichever is later in that crab 
fishing year as required under this section.
    (B) In all subsequent years and except as provided in paragraph 
(g)(1)(ii) of this section, the Non-Binding Price Formula must be 
produced not later than 50 days prior to the first crab fishing season 
for that crab QS fishery, except that the Non-Binding Price Formulas for 
the western Aleutian Islands golden king crab fishery and the eastern 
Aleutian Islands golden king crab fishery must be produced not later 
than 30 days prior to the first crab fishing season for those crab QS 
fisheries.

[[Page 1046]]

    (C) The contract with the Formula Arbitrator must specify that the 
Formula Arbitrator will provide the non-binding price formula in that 
crab fishing year to:
    (1) Each Arbitration Organization in that fishery;
    (2) NMFS in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and
    (3) The Market Analyst and all Contract Arbitrators in the fishery.
    (ix) The Formula Arbitrator shall not disclose any information to 
any person unless required under this section.
    (h) Roles and standards for the Contract Arbitrator(s)--(1) General. 
For each crab QS fishery, the Arbitration QS/IFQ Arbitration 
Organizations and PQS/IPQ Arbitration Organizations shall establish a 
contract with all Contract Arbitrators in that fishery that specifies 
that each Contract Arbitrator may be selected to resolve a dispute 
concerning the terms of delivery, price, or other factors in the 
fishery.
    (2) Selection of Contract Arbitrators. The contract with the 
Contract Arbitrator shall specify the means by which the Contract 
Arbitrator will be selected to resolve specific disputes. This contract 
must specify that for any dispute for which the Contract Arbitrator is 
selected, the Contract Arbitrator will comply with the last best offer 
arbitration method as set forth in this section.
    (3) Negotiation and Binding Arbitration Procedure. The contract with 
the Contract Arbitrator(s) shall specify the following approaches for 
negotiation and Binding Arbitration among members of the Arbitration 
Organizations:
    (i) Restrictions on collective negotiation. An IFQ and an IPQ holder 
may negotiate individually. Groups of IFQ holders may negotiate 
collectively with an IPQ holder only under the following provisions:
    (A) Members of an FCMA cooperatives may participate collectively 
with other members of the same FCMA cooperative in Binding Arbitration 
except as otherwise provided under this section.
    (B) Members of different FCMA cooperatives shall not participate 
collectively in Binding Arbitration.
    (C) IPQ holders shall not participate collectively. Only one IPQ 
holder shall enter into Binding Arbitration with any IFQ holder or IFQ 
holder(s).
    (D) An Arbitration Organization must not negotiate on behalf of a 
member. This shall not prohibit the members of an Arbitration IFQ 
Arbitration Organization from negotiation if the Arbitration 
Organization qualifies as an FCMA cooperative.
    (ii) Open negotiations. At any time prior to the date of the first 
crab fishing season of a crab fishing year for that crab QS fishery, any 
holder of uncommitted Arbitration IFQ may negotiate with any holder of 
uncommitted IPQ, the price and delivery terms for that season for any 
uncommitted IFQ and uncommitted IPQ.
    (A) Uncommitted Arbitration IFQ holders and Uncommitted IPQ holders 
may freely contact each other and initiate open negotiations.
    (B) If Arbitration IFQ holders and IPQ holders do not reach an 
agreement on price, delivery terms, or other terms after committing 
shares, an Arbitration IFQ holder may initiate Binding Arbitration in 
accordance with the procedures specified in this section in order to 
resolve disputes in those price, delivery terms, or other terms.
    (C) Once IFQ or IPQ has been committed, the IFQ holder and IPQ 
holder cannot engage in open negotiation using those shares.
    (iii) Lengthy season approach. (A) Prior to the date of the first 
crab fishing season for that crab QS fishery in that crab fishing year a 
committed IPQ holder and one or more committed Arbitration IFQ holders 
may choose to adopt a Lengthy Season approach. The Lengthy Season 
approach is an alternative method to the Binding Arbitration 
proceedings.
    (B) A Lengthy Season approach allows a committed IPQ holder and a 
committed Arbitration IFQ holder to agree to postpone negotiation of 
specific contract terms until a time during the crab fishing year as 
agreed upon by the Arbitration IFQ holder and IPQ holder participating 
in the negotiation. The Lengthy Season approach allows the Arbitration 
IFQ holders and IPQ holder involved in the negotiation to postpone 
Binding Arbitration, if necessary, until a time during the crab fishing 
year. If the parties ready a final

[[Page 1047]]

agreement on the contract terms, Binding Arbitration is not necessary.
    (C) If a committed IPQ holder and one or more committed Arbitration 
IFQ holder(s) are unable to reach an agreement on whether to adopt a 
Lengthy Season approach, they may request mediation to assist the 
parties in determining whether to adopt a Lengthy Season approach. The 
parties may request a Contract Arbitrator to act as a mediator. If the 
mediation proves unsuccessful or is not selected, the Arbitration IFQ 
holder may initiate enter Binding Arbitration to determine whether to 
adopt a lengthy season approach.
    (1) Binding Arbitration may begin immediately with the same Contract 
Arbitrator.
    (2) If the Contract Arbitrator serves as a mediator in an 
unsuccessful mediation, either party may request another Contract 
Arbitrator for the Binding Arbitration.
    (iv) Share matching. (A) At any time 120 hours (five days) after 
NMFS issues IFQ and IPQ for that crab QS fishery in that crab fishing 
year, holders of uncommitted Arbitration IFQ may choose to commit the 
delivery of harvests of crab to be made with that uncommitted 
Arbitration IFQ to an uncommitted IPQ holder. The issuance of IFQ and 
IPQ for a crab QS fishery occurs on the time and date that IFQ and IPQ 
amounts for that crab QS fishery are posted on the NMFS, Alaska Region 
website at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov.
    (B) To commit Arbitration IFQ, the holder of uncommitted IFQ must 
offer an amount of Arbitration IFQ:
    (1) Not less than 50 percent of the Arbitration IFQ holder's total 
uncommitted Arbitration IFQ, or an amount of uncommitted Arbitration IFQ 
equal to the total amount of uncommitted IPQ available, whichever is 
less, if the Arbitration IFQ holder is not an FCMA cooperative; and
    (2) Not less than 25 percent of the Arbitration IFQ holder's total 
uncommitted Arbitration IFQ, or an amount of uncommitted Arbitration IFQ 
equal to the total amount of uncommitted IPQ available, whichever is 
less, if the Arbitration IFQ holder is an FCMA cooperative.
    (C) Any holder of uncommitted IPQ must accept all proposed 
Arbitration IFQ commitments, up to the amount of its uncommitted IPQ. 
The commitment of IPQ will take place on receipt of notice from the 
holder of uncommitted Arbitration IFQ of the intention to commit that 
IFQ.
    (D) After matching, an Arbitration IFQ holder and an IPQ holder may 
decide to enter mediation to reach agreement on contract terms. The 
Arbitration IFQ holder and IPQ holder may request a Contract Arbitrator 
to act as a mediator to facilitate an agreement.
    (1) If the mediation proves unsuccessful, or if mediation is not 
selected, the Arbitration IFQ holder may initiate Binding Arbitration 
which may begin immediately with the same Contract Arbitrator.
    (2) If the Contract Arbitrator serves as a mediator in an 
unsuccessful mediation, the Arbitration IFQ holder may request another 
Contract Arbitrator for the Binding Arbitration.
    (v) Initiation of Binding Arbitration. If an Arbitration IFQ holder 
intends to initiate Binding Arbitration, the Arbitration IFQ holder must 
initiate the Binding Arbitration procedure not later than 360 hours (15 
days) after NMFS issues IFQ and IPQ for that crab QS fishery in that 
crab fishing year. Binding Arbitration is initiated after the committed 
Arbitration IFQ holder notifies a committed IPQ holder and selects a 
Contract Arbitrator. Binding Arbitration may be initiated to resolve 
price, terms of delivery, and other disputes. There will be only one 
Binding Arbitration Proceeding for an IPQ holder but multiple 
Arbitration IFQ holders may participate in this proceeding. This 
limitation on the timing of Binding Arbitration proceedings does not 
include proceedings that arise due to:
    (A) The lengthy season approach;
    (B) Performance disputes; and
    (C) Quality disputes.
    (vi) Joining a Binding Arbitration proceeding. Any uncommitted 
Arbitration IFQ holder may join a Binding Arbitration proceeding as a 
party by committing the shares to the arbitration and providing notice 
to the IPQ holder and

[[Page 1048]]

the Contract Arbitrator(s). An Arbitration IFQ holder may join a Binding 
Arbitration proceeding only if uncommitted IPQ is available. Once shares 
are committed to a Binding Arbitration Proceeding they cannot be 
uncommitted. The contract with the Contract Arbitrator may specify the 
terms and timing of joining the proceedings.
    (vii) Arbitration schedule meeting. The Contract Arbitrator shall 
meet with all parties to a Binding Arbitration proceeding as soon as 
possible once a Binding Arbitration proceeding has been initiated for 
the sole purpose of establishing a schedule for the Binding Arbitration. 
This schedule shall include the date by which the IPQ holder and 
Arbitration IFQ holder(s) must submit their last best offer and any 
supporting materials, and any additional meetings or mediation if agreed 
to by all parties. This meeting will discuss the schedule of the Binding 
Arbitration proceedings and not address terms of last best offers.
    (viii) Terms of last best offers. The Contract Arbitrator will meet 
with the parties to the Binding Arbitration proceeding to determine the 
matters that must be included in the last best offer, which may include 
a fixed price or a price over a time period specified by the parties, a 
method for adjusting prices over a crab fishing year, or an advance 
price paid at the time of delivery.
    (ix) Submission of last best offers. The parties to a Binding 
Arbitration proceeding shall each submit to the Contract Arbitrator(s) a 
last best offer defining all the terms specified for inclusion in a last 
best offer by the Contract Arbitrator. An Arbitration IFQ holder that is 
an FCMA cooperative may submit a last best offer that defines terms for 
the delivery of crab harvested by members of that FCMA cooperative with 
IFQ held by the cooperative. An Arbitration IFQ holder that is not an 
FCMA cooperative may submit a last best offer that defines the term of 
delivery of crab harvested with IFQ held by that person. The IPQ holder 
that is a party to the proceeding shall submit a single offer that 
defines terms for delivery of crab harvested with all IFQ that are 
subject to the proceedings.
    (x) Arbitration decisions. The Contract Arbitrator(s) shall decide 
among each offer received from an Arbitration IFQ holder and the offer 
received from the IPQ holder. Each arbitration decision shall result in 
a binding contract between the IPQ holder and the Arbitration IFQ holder 
defined by the terms of the offer selected by Contract Arbitrator(s). An 
arbitration decision applies to all committed IFQ and committed IPQ in 
that arbitration.
    (xi) Announcement of decisions. (A) If last best offers are 
submitted at least 15 days before the first crab fishing season for that 
crab fishing year for that crab QS fishery, arbitration decisions shall 
be issued no later than 10 days before the first crab fishing season for 
that crab fishing year for that crab QS fishery. Otherwise, the Contract 
Arbitrator will notify the parties of the arbitration decision within 5 
days of the parties submitting their last best offers.
    (B) The Contract Arbitrator will notify the parties by providing 
each Arbitration IFQ holder and IPQ holder that is a party to the 
Binding Arbitration proceeding, a copy of any decision. The decision is 
binding on the parties to the Binding Arbitration proceeding.
    (4) Basis for the Arbitration decision. The contract with the 
Contract Arbitrator shall specify that the Contract Arbitrator will be 
subject to the following provisions when deciding which last best offer 
to select.
    (i) The Contract Arbitrator's decision shall:
    (A) Be based on the historical distribution of first wholesale 
revenues between fishermen and processors in the aggregate based on 
arm's length first wholesale prices and ex-vessel prices, taking into 
consideration the size of the harvest in each year; and
    (B) Establish a price that preserves the historical division of 
revenues in the fishery while considering the following:
    (1) Current ex-vessel prices, including ex-vessel prices received 
for crab harvested under Class A IFQ, Class B IFQ, and CVC IFQ permits;
    (2) Consumer and wholesale product prices for the processing sector 
and the

[[Page 1049]]

participants in the arbitration (recognizing the impact of sales to 
affiliates on wholesale pricing);
    (3) Innovations and developments of the harvesting and processing 
sectors and the participants in the arbitration (including new product 
forms);
    (4) Efficiency and productivity of the harvesting and processing 
sectors (recognizing the limitations on efficiency and productivity 
arising out of the management program structure);
    (5) Quality (including quality standards of markets served by the 
fishery and recognizing the influence of harvest strategies on the 
quality of landings);
    (6) The interest of maintaining financially healthy and stable 
harvesting and processing sectors;
    (7) Safety and expenditures for ensuring adequate safety;
    (8) Timing and location of deliveries; and
    (9) The cost of harvesting and processing less than the full IFQ or 
IPQ allocation (underages) to avoid penalties for overharvesting IFQ and 
a mechanism for reasonably accounting for deadloss.
    (C) Consider the Non-Binding Price Formula established in the 
fishery by the Formula Arbitrator.
    (ii) The Contract Arbitrator's decision may rely on any relevant 
information available to the Contract Arbitrator, including, but not 
limited to:
    (A) Information provided by the QS, PQS, IPQ and IFQ holders in the 
fishery regarding the factors identified in paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this 
section; and
    (B) The Market Report for the fishery.
    (iii) Each of the Arbitration IFQ holders and the IPQ holders that 
is party to the proceeding may provide the Contract Arbitrator with 
additional information to support its last best offer. The Contract 
Arbitrator must receive and consider all data submitted by the parties.
    (iv) The Contract Arbitrator may request specific information from 
the Arbitration IFQ holder(s) and IPQ holder that will be useful in 
reaching a final decision. The Contract Arbitrator will not have 
subpoena power and it is in the sole discretion of the person from whom 
information is requested as to whether to provide the requested 
information.
    (5) Limits on the release of data. The parties to a Binding 
Arbitration proceeding shall be precluded from full access to the 
information provided to the Contract Arbitrator.
    (i) Arbitration IFQ holders that are party to an arbitration 
proceeding shall have access only to information provided directly by 
the IPQ holder to the Contract Arbitrator for that Binding Arbitration 
proceeding.
    (ii) IPQ holders that are party to an arbitration proceeding shall 
have access only to information provided directly by an Arbitration IFQ 
holder to the Contract Arbitrator for that Binding Arbitration 
proceeding.
    (iii) The Contract Arbitrator shall keep confidential the 
information provided by any QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ holders in the fishery 
and not disclose the identity of the persons providing specific 
information except as provided in paragraph (h)(6) of this section.
    (iv) The Arbitration IFQ holders and IPQ holders shall not release 
information received in a Binding Arbitration proceeding to persons who 
were not party to that Binding Arbitration proceeding other than the 
final result of that arbitration proceeding except as provided for in 
paragraph (h)(6) of this section.
    (6) Information provided to NMFS. The Contract Arbitrator must 
provide any information, documents, or data required under this 
paragraph to NMFS in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section 
not later than 30 days prior to the end of the crab fishing year for 
which the open negotiation or arbitration applied. The contract with the 
Contract Arbitrator must specify that the Contract Arbitrator provide 
NMFS with:
    (i) A copy of any minutes from any meeting attended by that Contract 
Arbitrator between or among any PQS or IPQ holders concerning any 
negotiations under this section;
    (ii) Any last-best offers made during the Binding Arbitration 
process, including all contract details, the names of other participants 
in the arbitration, and whether the bid was accepted by the Contract 
Arbitrator; and

[[Page 1050]]

    (iii) A copy of any information, data, or documents given by the 
Contract Arbitrator to any person who is not a party to the particular 
arbitration for which that information was provided. The Contract 
Arbitrator must identify the arbitration to which the information, data, 
or documents apply, and the person to whom those information, data, or 
documents were provided.
    (7) Enforcement of Binding Arbitration decisions. The decision of 
the Contract Arbitrator for Binding Arbitration shall be enforced among 
the parties to that arbitration.
    (8) Failure of Contract Arbitrator(s). Except as provided for in 
paragraph (h)(6) of this section, the failure of a Contract Arbitrator 
to perform shall be enforced by the Arbitration Organizations.
    (9) Post Binding Arbitration opt-in. (i) An Arbitration IFQ holder 
with uncommitted IFQ, may opt-in to any contract that results from a 
completed a Binding Arbitration procedure with any IPQ holder that has 
uncommitted IPQ.
    (A) All the terms from the arbitrated contract will apply. The 
Contract Arbitrator may determine fees and a time frame by which a Post 
Binding Arbitration opt-in may occur if those terms are not specified in 
the arbitrated contract.
    (B) Once exercised, the opt-in results in a contract that is binding 
on both the Arbitration IFQ and IPQ holder.
    (ii) To initiate the opt-in process, the holder of uncommitted 
Arbitration IFQ will notify the holder of uncommitted IPQ in writing of 
its intent to opt-in.
    (iii) Holders of uncommitted Arbitration IFQ may opt-in to a 
contract resulting from a completed Binding Arbitration procedure with a 
person that holds uncommitted IPQ for that fishery.
    (iv) If the IPQ holder and the Arbitration IFQ holder are unable to 
resolve a dispute regarding whether the opt-in offer is consistent with 
the original contract from the completed Binding Arbitration procedure, 
the dispute may be decided by the Contract Arbitrator to the original 
arbitration that resulted in the contract to which the Arbitration IFQ 
holder is seeking to opt-in. The Contract Arbitrator will decide only 
whether the proposed opt-in terms are consistent with the original 
contract.
    (10) Performance disputes. If an IPQ holder and an Arbitration IFQ 
holder are unable to resolve disputes regarding the obligations to 
perform specific contract provisions after substantial negotiations or 
when time is of the essence, the issues of that dispute shall be 
submitted for Binding Arbitration before a Contract Arbitrator for that 
fishery.
    (i) Binding Arbitration resulting from a performance dispute can 
occur at any point during or after the crab fishing year. The dispute 
must be raised by the IPQ holder or the Arbitration IFQ holder. 
Arbitration of that performance dispute must be initiated prior to the 
date of the first crab fishing season for the following crab fishing 
year in that crab QS fishery.
    (ii) Performance dispute arbitration shall follow the applicable 
procedures described for a Binding Arbitration in paragraph (h)(3) of 
this section, except that the time frame for the procedure applicable to 
a performance dispute will be determined by the Contract Arbitrator once 
the dispute has been raised.
    (iii) If a party fails to abide by the arbitration decision, a party 
may pursue available contract remedies.
    (iv) The costs of arbitrating performance disputes shall be provided 
from the general fees collected by the Arbitration Organizations 
pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section.
    (v) The Contract Arbitrator may assign fees to any party bringing 
frivolous complaints. Any such fees shall be paid by the party and not 
from the fees collected under paragraph (e)(2)(vi) of this section.
    (11) Quality disputes. When disputes regarding the quality of the 
harvested crab arise within the context of an existing contract, the 
parties may settle the disputes within the context of the arbitration 
system according to the following:
    (i) In cases where the IPQ holder and Arbitration IFQ holder(s) have 
agreed to a formula-based price for crab but where they cannot reach an 
agreement on the quality and price of the crab, the IPQ holder and 
Arbitration IFQ holder(s) will receive their share of the

[[Page 1051]]

value of the amount of crab delivered based on the provisions of the 
contract.
    (ii) In quality disputes where the Arbitration IFQ holders prefer to 
use actual ex-vessel price and not a formula-based price and a dispute 
arises regarding crab quality and price, the dispute should be referred 
to a mutually agreeable independent quality specialist firm. This 
independent quality specialist firm will determine the quality of the 
crab. This information will be used as the basis for subsequent price 
determinations. The IPQ holder and Arbitration IFQ holder(s) with this 
quality dispute shall share the cost of hiring the specialist firm and 
agree to abide by its findings according to the terms of their 
agreement.
    (i) Other procedures and administrative decisions. The Arbitration 
Organizations, Market Analyst, Contract Arbitrator, Formula Arbitrator, 
and the Third Party Data Provider are authorized to adopt arbitration 
system procedures and make administrative decisions, including 
additional provisions in the various contracts, provided those actions 
are not inconsistent with any other provision in the regulations.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 70 
FR 75421, Dec. 20, 2005; 71 FR 40033, July 14, 2006; 73 FR 35088, June 
20, 2008; 73 FR 76190, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 51519, Oct. 7, 2009; 76 FR 
68364, Nov. 4, 2011]



Sec. 680.21  Crab harvesting cooperatives.

    This section governs the formation and operation of crab harvesting 
cooperatives. The regulations in this section apply only to crab 
harvesting cooperatives that have formed for the purpose of applying for 
and fishing under a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit issued by 
NMFS. Members of crab harvesting cooperatives that are not FCMA 
cooperatives should consult counsel before commencing any activity if 
the members are uncertain about the legality under the antitrust laws of 
the crab harvesting cooperative's proposed conduct.
    (a) Formation of crab harvesting cooperatives. The following 
requirements apply to the formation of crab harvesting cooperatives.
    (1) Membership requirements. A crab harvesting cooperative is 
limited to QS holders that hold any amount of CPO, CVO, CPC, or CVC QS, 
and that NMFS has determined are eligible to receive crab IFQ.
    (i) Minimum number of members. Each crab harvesting cooperative must 
include at least four unique QS holding entities. A unique QS holding 
entity is a QS holder or group of affiliated QS holders that are not 
affiliated with any other QS holders or QS holding entities in the crab 
harvesting cooperative. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term 
``affiliation'' is defined at Sec. 680.2.
    (ii) Voluntary nature of membership. Membership in a crab harvesting 
cooperative is voluntary. No person may be required to join a crab 
harvesting cooperative, and no crab harvesting cooperative may be 
required to accept a member who the crab harvesting cooperative chooses 
not to accept.
    (iii) Membership in more than one crab harvesting cooperative. (A) A 
QS holder may join one crab harvesting cooperative per CR fishery.
    (B) Upon joining a crab harvesting cooperative for a CR fishery, 
NMFS will convert all of a QS holder's QS holdings for that CR fishery 
to crab harvesting cooperative IFQ.
    (2) Legal and organizational requirements. A crab harvesting 
cooperative must meet the following legal and organizational 
requirements before it is eligible to apply for a crab harvesting 
cooperative IFQ permit:
    (i) Registered business entity. Each crab harvesting cooperative 
must be formed as a partnership, corporation, or other legal business 
entity that is registered under the laws of one of the 50 states or the 
District of Columbia.
    (ii) Appointment of a designated representative. Each crab 
harvesting cooperative must appoint an individual as designated 
representative to act on the crab harvesting cooperative's behalf and 
serve as contact point for NMFS for questions regarding the operation of 
the crab harvesting cooperative. The designated representative may be a 
member of the crab harvesting cooperative or some other individual 
authorized by the crab harvesting cooperative to act on its behalf.
    (b) Application for annual crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permits. 
A crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit is

[[Page 1052]]

an annual permit issued to a crab harvesting cooperative that 
establishes an annual catch limit of crab that is based on the 
collective QS holdings of the members of the crab harvesting cooperative 
that have been contributed by the members. A crab harvesting cooperative 
IFQ permit will list the IFQ amount, by fishery, held by the crab 
harvesting cooperative and identify the members of the crab harvesting 
cooperative. Each crab harvesting cooperative will be issued a separate 
IFQ permit for each type of QS held by a member (or members) of the crab 
harvesting cooperative.
    (1) June 15 application deadline. A completed Application for Annual 
Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Permit 
listing the name of each member of the crab harvesting cooperative must 
be submitted annually by each crab harvesting cooperative and received 
by NMFS no later than June 15 (or postmarked by this date, if sent via 
U.S. mail or a commercial carrier) for the upcoming crab fishing year 
for which the crab harvesting cooperative is applying to receive IFQ. If 
a complete application is not received by NMFS by this date, or 
postmarked by this date, the crab harvesting cooperative will not 
receive IFQ for the upcoming crab fishing year. In the event that NMFS 
has not received a complete and timely application by June 15, NMFS will 
presume that the application was timely filed if the applicant can 
provide NMFS with proof of timely filing. Each crab harvesting 
cooperative member is responsible for submitting a completed Application 
for Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota Permit to NMFS by June 15 
pursuant to Sec. 680.4.
    (2) Contents. A complete application must contain the following 
information:
    (i) Cooperative identification. Enter the crab harvesting 
cooperative's legal name; type of business entity under which the crab 
harvesting cooperative is organized; state in which the crab harvesting 
cooperative is legally registered as a business entity; printed name of 
the crab harvesting cooperative's designated representative; the 
permanent business address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-
mail address (if available) of the crab harvesting cooperative or its 
designated representative; and the signature of the crab harvesting 
cooperative's designated representative and date signed.
    (ii) Members of the cooperative. Full name and NMFS Person ID of 
each member of the crab harvesting cooperative.
    (iii) Additional documentation. For the application to be considered 
complete, the following documents must be attached to the application: 
the completed and signed annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit for 
all members of the crab harvesting cooperative, a copy of the business 
license issued by the state in which the crab harvesting cooperative is 
registered as a business entity, a copy of the articles of incorporation 
or partnership agreement of the crab harvesting cooperative, and a copy 
of the crab harvesting cooperative agreement signed by the members of 
the crab harvesting cooperative (if different from the articles of 
incorporation or partnership agreement of the crab harvesting 
cooperative).
    (3) Issuance of crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permits. Upon 
receipt of a completed application for an annual crab harvesting 
cooperative IFQ permit that is subsequently approved, NMFS will issue 
one-year crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permits to the crab harvesting 
cooperative. The crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permits will list the 
crab IFQ amounts that are generated by the aggregate QS holdings of all 
members of the crab harvesting cooperative for each fishery, region, 
sector, and Class A/B IFQ categories. Issuance by NMFS of a crab 
harvesting cooperative IFQ permit is not a determination that the crab 
harvesting cooperative is formed or is operating in compliance with 
antitrust law.
    (4) Appeals. A crab harvesting cooperative or person that is 
adversely affected by an initial administrative determination (IAD) that 
is associated with the issuance of a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ 
permit may appeal the IAD using the appeals procedures described in 
Sec. 680.43.
    (c) Restrictions on fishing under a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ 
permit. The following restrictions govern fishing

[[Page 1053]]

for IFQ crab under a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit:
    (1) Maintenance of permit on board. A copy of a crab harvesting 
cooperative IFQ permit must be maintained on board any vessel that is 
being used to harvest crab under the permit.
    (2) Persons eligible to harvest crab under a crab harvesting 
cooperative IFQ permit. The only person eligible to harvest crab under a 
crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit is the crab IFQ hired master 
under Sec. 680.4(g) who is operating a vessel in which at least a 10 
percent ownership share is held by a member of the crab harvesting 
cooperative to whom the IFQ permit is issued.
    (3) Liability. Each member of a crab harvesting cooperative is 
responsible for ensuring that members of the crab harvesting cooperative 
and crab IFQ hired masters of the crab harvesting cooperative comply 
with all regulations applicable to fishing for CR crab.
    (d) Transfers by members of a crab harvesting cooperative. The 
following requirements address transfers of QS and IFQ by members of a 
crab harvesting cooperative.
    (1) Transfer of QS. A member of a crab harvesting cooperative may 
acquire or divest QS at any time in accordance with the transfer 
procedures in Sec. 680.41. However, transfers of QS that occur after 
the June 15 deadline for crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit 
applications will not be reflected in the type or amount of IFQ permit 
issued to the crab harvesting cooperative for that crab fishing year.
    (2) Transfer of individually held IFQ. A member of a crab harvesting 
cooperative may acquire or divest individually held IFQ using the 
transfer procedures described in Sec. 680.41. However, any vessel used 
to harvest IFQ not held by a crab harvesting cooperative loses the 
vessel use cap exemption.
    (3) Transfer of crab harvesting cooperative IFQ prohibited. A member 
of a crab harvesting cooperative may not acquire or divest crab 
harvesting cooperative IFQ. Crab harvesting cooperative IFQ may only be 
transferred between two crab harvesting cooperatives.
    (e) Transfers by crab harvesting cooperatives. The following 
requirements address transfers of QS, IFQ, PQS, and IPQ by crab 
harvesting cooperatives that have been issued crab harvesting 
cooperative IFQ permits.
    (1) Acquisition of QS, PQS, and IPQ prohibited. A crab harvesting 
cooperative that has been issued a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ 
permit is prohibited from acquiring any amount of QS, PQS, or IPQ for 
the valid duration of the crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit. A crab 
harvesting cooperative that acquires any amount of QS, PQS, or IPQ 
becomes ineligible to receive a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit.
    (2) Transfer of crab harvesting cooperative IFQ. A crab harvesting 
cooperative may transfer its IFQ only to another crab harvesting 
cooperative. Crab harvesting cooperatives wishing to engage in an inter-
cooperative transfer must complete an application for inter-cooperative 
transfer to transfer crab IFQ between crab harvesting cooperatives. A 
crab harvesting cooperative is prohibited from transferring any amount 
of crab harvesting cooperative IFQ to any entity that is not a crab 
harvesting cooperative operating under a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ 
permit.
    (3) Use caps. Inter-cooperative transfers of IFQ will apply to the 
individual use caps of crab harvesting cooperative members through the 
designation of the crab harvesting cooperative members conducting the 
transfer.
    (f) Application for transfer of crab harvesting cooperative IFQ--(1) 
Completed application. NMFS will process an application for transfer of 
crab harvesting cooperative individual fishing quota (IFQ) provided that 
a paper or electronic request form is completed by the applicant, with 
all applicable fields accurately filled in, and all required additional 
documentation is attached.
    (2) Certification of transferor--(i) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferor's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete. The transferor's designated representative must submit the 
paper application as indicated on the application.
    (ii) Electronic submittal. The transferor's designated 
representative must

[[Page 1054]]

log into the system and create a transfer request as indicated on the 
computer screen. By using the transferor's NMFS ID, password, and 
Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the designated 
representative certifies that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (3) Certification of transferee--(i) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferee's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (ii) Electronic submittal. The transferee's designated 
representative must log into the system and accept the transfer request 
as indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferee's NMFS ID, 
password, and Transfer Key, the designated representative certifies that 
all information is true, correct, and complete.
    (4) Submittal information. An application for transfer of crab 
harvesting cooperative IFQ crab QS or PQS may be submitted to NMFS as 
instructed on the application. Forms are available on the NMFS Alaska 
Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting NMFS 
at 800-304-4846, Option 2.
    (g) Inseason changes to crab harvesting cooperative membership. The 
following requirements address inseason changes to crab harvesting 
cooperative membership.
    (1) Eligible membership changes. A crab harvesting cooperative may 
add a new member if that person becomes eligible to join the crab 
harvesting cooperative through the acquisition of any amount of the QS 
upon which the crab harvesting cooperative's annual IFQ permit was 
based, provided that the person acquiring the QS in question has been 
determined by NMFS to be eligible to hold IFQ. Likewise, a crab 
harvesting cooperative may remove a member if that person no longer 
holds any of the QS upon which the crab harvesting cooperative's annual 
IFQ permit was based.
    (2) Inseason membership changes are voluntary. A crab harvesting 
cooperative is not required to add or remove members during the fishing 
season to reflect inseason transfers of QS. Each crab harvesting 
cooperative is free to establish its own process for deciding whether or 
not to admit new members or to remove existing members during the 
fishing season to reflect changes in the QS holdings. No crab harvesting 
cooperative is required to admit a new QS holder that the crab 
harvesting cooperative chooses not to admit, regardless of whether the 
person in question has acquired any amount of QS upon which the crab 
harvesting cooperative's annual IFQ is based. If a crab harvesting 
cooperative chooses to make inseason membership changes, then it must 
comply with paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
    (3) Application for an inseason change in cooperative membership. To 
change crab harvesting cooperative membership, a crab harvesting 
cooperative must submit to NMFS a revised application for an annual crab 
harvesting cooperative IFQ permit together with any revised supporting 
documents that are required to be submitted with the application. The 
revised application for an annual crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit 
must be accompanied by a cover letter that indicates the revisions that 
have been made. Upon approval of the membership change, NMFS will issue 
a revised crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit that reflects the 
change. A new member may not fish on behalf of a cooperative except as a 
crab IFQ hired master until NMFS issues a revised crab harvesting 
cooperative IFQ permit that reflects the change in membership.
    (4) Successors-in-interest. If a member of a crab harvesting 
cooperative dies (in the case of an individual) or dissolves (in the 
case of a business entity), the QS held by that person will be 
transferred to the legal successor-in-interest. However, the crab 
harvesting cooperative IFQs generated by that person's QS holdings 
remain under the control of the crab harvesting cooperative for the 
valid duration of the crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit. Each crab 
harvesting cooperative is free to establish its own internal procedures 
for admitting a successor-in-interest during the fishing season to 
reflect the transfer of QS due to the death or dissolution of a QS 
holder. The regulations in this section do not

[[Page 1055]]

require any crab harvesting cooperative to admit a successor-in-interest 
that the cooperative chooses not to admit. If a crab harvesting 
cooperative chooses to admit the successor-in-interest for membership, 
then the crab harvesting cooperative must comply with paragraph (g)(3) 
of this section.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 73 
FR 35088, June 20, 2008; 74 FR 51519, Oct. 7, 2009; 80 FR 15897, Mar. 
26, 2015; 81 FR 1561, Jan. 13, 2016]



Sec. 680.22  Sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries.

    The regulations in this section restrict the owners of vessels with 
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery from 
using the increased flexibility provided by the CR Program to expand 
their level of participation in GOA groundfish fisheries. These 
restrictions are commonly known as ``sideboards.''
    (a) Vessels and LLP licenses subject to sideboard restrictions. The 
sideboard fishing restrictions described in this section are based on a 
vessel's fishing history and apply both to the fishing vessel itself and 
to any LLP license generated by that vessel's fishing history. The 
criteria used to determine which vessels and LLP licenses are subject to 
GOA groundfish sideboard fishing restrictions are as follows:
    (1) Vessels subject to GOA groundfish sideboard directed fishing 
closures. Any vessel that NMFS has determined meets one or both of the 
following criteria is subject to GOA groundfish sideboard directed 
fishing closures issued under paragraph (e) of this section except when 
participating in the Rockfish Program authorized under part 679, subpart 
G, of this chapter.
    (i) Any non-AFA vessel that made a legal landing of Bering Sea snow 
crab (C. opilio) between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, that 
generated any amount of Bering Sea snow crab (C. opilio) fishery QS; and
    (ii) Any vessel named on an LLP license that was generated in whole 
or in part by the fishing history of a vessel meeting the criteria in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.
    (2) Vessels prohibited from directed fishing for Pacific cod in the 
GOA. Any vessel that NMFS has determined meets either of the following 
two criteria is prohibited from directed fishing for Pacific cod in the 
GOA:
    (i) Any vessel subject to GOA groundfish sideboard closures under 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section that landed less than 50 mt (110,231 
lb), in round weight equivalents, of groundfish harvested from the GOA 
between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, or
    (ii) Any vessel named on an LLP license that was generated in whole 
or in part by the fishing history of a vessel meeting the criteria in 
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.
    (3) Vessels and LLP licenses exempt from Pacific cod sideboard 
closures in the GOA. Any vessel or LLP license that NMFS has determined 
meets either of the following criteria is exempt from sideboard directed 
fishing closures for Pacific cod in the GOA:
    (i) Any vessel subject to GOA groundfish closures under paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section that landed less than 750,000 lb (340.2 mt), 
in raw weight equivalents, of Bering Sea snow crab and more than 680 mt 
(1,499,143 lb), in round weight equivalents, of Pacific cod harvested 
from the GOA between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000; and
    (ii) Any LLP license that:
    (A) Was initially issued based on the catch history of a vessel 
meeting the criteria in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section; and
    (B) Did not generate crab QS based on legal landings from any vessel 
other than the vessel meeting the criteria in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of 
this section.
    (4) Vessels and LLP licenses exempt from pollock sideboard closures 
in the GOA. Any vessel or LLP license that NMFS has determined meets 
either of the following criteria is exempt from sideboard directed 
fishing closures for pollock in the GOA:
    (i) Any vessel subject to GOA groundfish closures under paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section that landed less than 1,212,673 lb (550 mt), 
in raw weight equivalents, of Bering Sea snow crab, and had 20 or more 
legal landings of pollock harvested from the GOA between January 1, 
1996, and December 31, 2000; and
    (ii) Any LLP license that:

[[Page 1056]]

    (A) Was initially issued based on the catch history of a vessel 
meeting the criteria in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section; and
    (B) Did not generate crab QS based on legal landings from any vessel 
other than the vessel meeting the criteria in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of 
this section.
    (b) Notification of affected vessel owners and LLP license holders. 
After NMFS determines which vessels and LLP licenses meet the criteria 
described in paragraph (a) of this section, NMFS will inform each vessel 
owner and LLP license holder in writing of the type of sideboard 
restriction and issue a revised Federal Fisheries Permit and/or LLP 
license that displays the restriction on the face of the permit or 
license.
    (c) Appeals. A vessel owner or LLP license holder who believes that 
NMFS has incorrectly identified his or her vessel or LLP license as 
meeting the criteria for a GOA groundfish sideboard restriction may 
request reconsideration. All requests for reconsideration must be 
submitted in writing to the RAM Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, together 
with any documentation or evidence supporting the request. If the 
request for reconsideration is denied, affected persons may appeal using 
the procedures described at Sec. 680.43.
    (d) Determination of GOA groundfish sideboard ratios. Except for 
fixed gear sablefish, sideboard ratios for each GOA groundfish species, 
species group, season, operation type, gear type, and area, for which 
annual specifications are made, are established according to the 
following formulas:
    (1) Pacific cod. The sideboard ratios for Pacific cod are calculated 
by dividing the aggregate retained catch of Pacific cod by vessels that 
are subject to sideboard directed fishing closures under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section and that do not meet the criteria in paragraphs 
(a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section by the total retained catch of Pacific 
cod by all groundfish vessels between 1996 and 2000.
    (2) Pollock. The sideboard ratios for pollock are calculated by 
dividing the aggregate retained catch of pollock by vessels that are 
subject to sideboard directed fishing closures under paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section and that do not meet the criteria in paragraph (a)(4) of 
this section by the total retained catch of pollock by all groundfish 
vessels between 1996 and 2000.
    (3) Groundfish other than Pacific cod and pollock. The sideboard 
ratios for groundfish species and species groups other than Pacific cod 
and pollock are calculated by dividing the aggregate landed catch by 
vessels subject to sideboard directed fishing closures under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section by the total landed catch of that species by all 
groundfish vessels between 1996 and 2000.
    (e) Conversion of sideboard ratios into annual sideboard harvest 
limits. NMFS will convert sideboard ratios into annual sideboard harvest 
limits according to the following procedures.
    (1) Annual sideboard harvest limits. (i) Except as provided in 
paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section, annual sideboard 
harvest limits for each groundfish species, except fixed-gear sablefish, 
will be established by multiplying the sideboard ratios calculated under 
paragraph (d) of this section by the proposed and final TACs in each 
area for which a TAC is specified. If a TAC is further apportioned by 
season, the sideboard harvest limit also will be apportioned by season 
in the same ratio as the overall TAC. The resulting harvest limits 
expressed in metric tons will be published in the annual GOA groundfish 
harvest specification notices.
    (ii) NMFS will not establish an annual sideboard harvest limit for 
Pacific cod for vessels that catch and process Pacific cod using hook-
and-line gear in the Central GOA Regulatory Area if all eligible 
participants request that the sideboard harvest limit be removed in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this 
section. NMFS will not establish an annual sideboard harvest limit for 
Pacific cod for vessels that catch and process Pacific cod using hook-
and-line gear in the Western GOA Regulatory Area if all eligible 
participants request that the sideboard harvest limit be removed in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(B) of this 
section. NMFS will publish notification of the removal of the sideboard 
harvest limit for Pacific cod for vessels that catch

[[Page 1057]]

and process Pacific cod using hook-and-line gear in the Central GOA 
Regulatory Area or the Western GOA Regulatory Area through the annual 
GOA groundfish harvest specifications (see Sec. 679.20(c)(1)(iii) and 
(c)(3)(ii)).
    (A) Central GOA. For the Central GOA Regulatory Area (Statistical 
Areas 620 and 630; see Figure 3 to 50 CFR part 679), the holders of all 
LLP licenses listed in Column A of Table 10 to this part must submit to 
NMFS a completed Request to Extinguish Pacific Cod Sideboard Limits for 
Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western or Central GOA, and the 
request must be received by NMFS on or before May 18, 2016.
    (B) Western GOA. For the Western GOA Regulatory Area (Statistical 
Area 610; see Figure 3 to 50 CFR part 679), the holders of all LLP 
licenses listed in Column B of Table 10 to this part must submit to NMFS 
a completed Request to Extinguish Pacific Cod Sideboard Limits for Hook-
and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western or Central GOA, and the 
request must be received by NMFS on or before May 18, 2016.
    (iii) NMFS will not establish an annual sideboard harvest limit for 
groundfish species, other than Pacific cod apportioned to catcher 
vessels using pot gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. 
Directed fishing for groundfish species, other than Pacific cod 
apportioned to catcher vessels using pot gear in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas, is prohibited.
    (2) Sideboard directed fishing allowance. (i) If the Regional 
Administrator determines that a harvest limit for a species or species 
group has been or will be reached, the Regional Administrator may 
establish a sideboard directed fishing allowance for the species or 
species group applicable only to the group of crab vessels to which the 
sideboard limit applies.
    (ii) If the Regional Administrator determines that a harvest limit 
is insufficient to support a directed fishery for that species or 
species group, then the Regional Administrator may set the sideboard 
directed fishing allowance at zero for that species or species group.
    (3) Directed fishing closures. Upon attainment of a sideboard 
directed fishing allowance, the Regional Administrator will publish 
notification in the Federal Register prohibiting directed fishing for 
the species or species group in the specified subarea, regulatory area, 
or district. A directed fishing closure is effective for the duration of 
the fishing year or season.
    (f) Sideboard protections in the State of Alaska parallel groundfish 
fisheries. Vessels subject to the sideboard restrictions under paragraph 
(a) of this section, with a Federal Fisheries Permit or LLP license, 
shall be subject to the regulations of this section while participating 
in any groundfish fishery in State waters adjacent to the GOA opened by 
the State of Alaska and for which the State of Alaska adopts a Federal 
fishing season.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 38301, July 6, 2006; 76 
FR 35780, June 20, 2011; 76 FR 74690, Dec. 1, 2011; 80 FR 28545, May 19, 
2015; 84 FR 2731, Feb. 8, 2019; 86 FR 11904, Mar. 1, 2021]



Sec. 680.23  Equipment and operational requirements.

    (a) Catcher vessel requirements. A catcher vessel used to harvest CR 
crab must:
    (1) Carry and use a VMS as described in paragraph (d) of this 
section;
    (2) Land all retained crab to an RCR operating under an approved 
catch monitoring plan as described in paragraph (g) of this section;
    (b) Catcher/processor requirements. A catcher/processor used to 
harvest CR crab must:
    (1) Carry and use a VMS as described in paragraph (d) of this 
section;
    (2) Weigh all retained crab to be processed on board, in its raw 
form, on a scale approved by NMFS as described in paragraph (e) of this 
section;
    (3) Land all retained crab not processed on board at an RCR;
    (4) Offload all CR crab product processed onboard at a shoreside 
location in the United States accessible by road or regularly scheduled 
air service; and
    (5) Provide an approved observer platform scale and test weights 
that meet the requirements in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (c) RCR requirements. An RCR must:
    (1) Ensure that all CR crab landings are weighed on a scale approved 
by the State in which the landing takes place.

[[Page 1058]]

    (2) Ensure that all crab landing and weighing be conducted as 
specified in an approved crab monitoring plan as described in paragraph 
(g) of this section, and that a copy of the crab monitoring plan is made 
available to NMFS personnel or authorized officer upon demand.
    (d) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements--(1) General 
requirements. General VMS requirements concerning the approval and 
installation of VMS components and the responsibilities of vessel owners 
and operators are detailed at Sec. 679.28(f)(1) through (5).
    (2) VMS transmission requirements. A vessel's transmitter must be 
transmitting if:
    (i) The vessel is operating in any reporting area (see definitions 
at Sec. 679.2) off Alaska;
    (ii) The vessel has crab pots or crab pot hauling equipment, or a 
crab pot launcher onboard; and
    (iii) The vessel has or is required to have a Federal crab vessel 
permit for that crab fishing year.
    (e) Scales approved by NMFS. To be approved by NMFS, a scale used to 
weigh crab at sea must meet the type evaluation and initial inspection 
requirements set forth in Sec. 679.28(b)(1) and (2). Once a scale is 
installed on a vessel and approved by NMFS for use, it must be 
reinspected annually as described in Sec. 679.28(b) by requesting a 
scale inspection from NMFS. Each scale must be tested daily and meet the 
maximum permissible error (MPE) requirements described in paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section.
    (1) At-sea scale tests. To verify that the scale meets the MPEs 
specified in this paragraph, the vessel operator must test each scale or 
scale system used to weigh CR crab one time during each 24-hour period 
when use of the scale is required. The vessel owner must ensure that 
these tests are performed in an accurate and timely manner.
    (i) Belt scales. The MPE for the daily at-sea scale tests is plus or 
minus 3 percent of the known weight of the test material. The scale must 
be tested by weighing at least 400 kg (882 lb) of crab or an alternative 
material supplied by the scale manufacturer on the scale under test. The 
known weight of the test material must be determined by weighing it on a 
platform scale approved for use under Sec. 679.28 (b)(7).
    (ii) Automatic hopper scales. An automatic hopper scale must be 
tested at its minimum and maximum capacity with approved test weights. 
Test weights must be placed in the bottom of the hopper unless an 
alternative testing method is approved by NMFS. The MPE for the daily 
at-sea scale tests is plus or minus 2 percent of the weight of the 
approved test weights.
    (iii) Platform scales used for observer sampling. A platform scale 
used for observer sampling must be tested at 10, 25, and 50 kg (or 20, 
50, and 100 lb if the scale is denominated in pounds) using approved 
test weights. The MPE for the daily at-sea scale test is plus or minus 
0.5 percent if the scale is used to determine the known weight of test 
material for the purpose of testing a belt scale. If the scale is not 
used for that purpose, the MPE for the daily at-sea scale test is plus 
or minus 1 percent.
    (iv) Approved test weights. Each test weight must have its weight 
stamped on or otherwise permanently affixed to it. The weight of each 
test weight must be annually certified by a National Institute of 
Standards and Technology approved metrology laboratory or approved for 
continued use by the NMFS authorized inspector at the time of the annual 
scale inspection.
    (v) Requirements for all scale tests. (A) Notify the observer at 
least 15 minutes before the time that the test will be conducted, and 
conduct the test while the observer is present.
    (B) Conduct the scale test and record the following information on 
the at-sea scale test report form:
    (1) Vessel name;
    (2) Month, day, and year of test;
    (3) Time test started to the nearest minute;
    (4) Known weight of test weights;
    (5) Weight of test weights recorded by scale;
    (6) Percent error as determined by subtracting the known weight of 
the test weights from the weight recorded on the scale, dividing that 
amount by the known weight of the test weights, and multiplying by 100; 
and

[[Page 1059]]

    (7) Sea conditions at the time of the scale test.
    (C) Maintain the test report form on board the vessel until the end 
of the crab fishing year during which the tests were conducted, and make 
the report forms available to observers, NMFS personnel, or an 
authorized officer. In addition, the vessel owner must retain the scale 
test report forms for 3 years after the end of the crab fishing year 
during which the tests were performed. All scale test report forms must 
be signed by the vessel operator.
    (2) Scale maintenance. The vessel owner must ensure that the vessel 
operator maintains the scale in proper operating condition throughout 
its use, that adjustments made to the scale are made so as to bring the 
performance errors as close as practicable to a zero value, and that no 
adjustment is made that will cause the scale to weigh inaccurately.
    (3) Printed reports from the scale. The vessel owner must ensure 
that the printed reports are provided as required by this paragraph. 
Printed reports from the scale must be maintained on board the vessel 
until the end of the year during which the reports were made and be made 
available to NMFS or NMFS authorized personnel. In addition, the vessel 
owner must retain printed reports for 3 years after the end of the year 
during which the printouts were made.
    (i) Reports of catch weight and cumulative weight. Reports must be 
printed at least once every 24 hours prior to submitting a CR crab 
landing report as described in Sec. 680.5. Reports must also be printed 
before any information stored in the scale computer memory is replaced. 
Scale weights must not be adjusted by the scale operator to account for 
the perceived weight of water, mud, debris, or other materials. Scale 
printouts must show:
    (A) The vessel name and Federal crab vessel permit number;
    (B) The weight of each load in the weighing cycle (hopper scales 
only);
    (C) The date and time the information was printed;
    (D) The total amount weighed since the last printout was made; and
    (E) The total cumulative weight of all crab or other material 
weighed on the scale.
    (ii) Printed report from the audit trail. The printed report must 
include the information specified in sections 2.3.1.8, 3.3.1.7, and 
4.3.1.8 of appendix A to 50 CFR part 679. The printed report must be 
provided to the authorized scale inspector at each scale inspection and 
must also be printed at any time upon request of NMFS staff or other 
NMFS-authorized personnel.
    (iii) Platform scales used for observer sampling. A platform scale 
used for observer sampling is not required to produce a printed record 
unless that scale is also used to obtain raw weight for a CR crab 
landing report.
    (4) Scale installation requirements. Unless otherwise approved by 
NMFS, a scale used to obtain raw weight for a CR crab landing report 
must be installed such that:
    (i) From the location where the observer samples unsorted crab, the 
observer can ensure that all crab are being weighed;
    (ii) The scale may not be installed in a manner that facilitates 
bypassing. It must not be possible for the scale inspector and an 
assistant to bypass the scale with 100 kg (220 lb) of test material in 
less than 20 seconds.
    (f) Scales approved by the state. Scale requirements in this 
paragraph are in addition to those requirements set forth by the State 
in which the scale is approved, and nothing in this paragraph may be 
construed to reduce or supersede the authority of the State to regulate, 
test, or approve scales within the State. Scales used to weigh CR crab 
that are also required to be approved by the State must meet the 
following requirements:
    (1) Verification of approval. The scale must display a valid State 
sticker indicating that the scale was inspected and approved within the 
previous 12 months.
    (2) Visibility. An RCR must ensure that the scale and scale display 
are visible simultaneously. NMFS personnel or NMFS authorized personnel, 
including observers, must be allowed to observe the weighing of crab on 
the scale and be allowed to read the scale display at all times.

[[Page 1060]]

    (3) Printed scale weights. (i) An RCR must ensure that printouts of 
the scale weight of each delivery are made available to NMFS personnel 
or to NMFS authorized personnel, including observers, at the time 
printouts are generated. An RCR must maintain printouts on site until 
the end of the fishing year during which the printouts were made and 
make them available upon request by an authorized officer for 3 years 
after the end of the fishing year during which the printout was made.
    (ii) A scale used to weigh any portion of a landing of CR crab must 
produce a printed record for each landing, or portion of each landing, 
weighed on that scale. The printed record must include:
    (A) The RCR's name;
    (B) The weight of each load in the weighing cycle;
    (C) The total weight of crab in each landing, or portion of the 
landing that was weighed on that scale;
    (D) The date and time the information is printed; and
    (E) The name and ADF&G vessel registration number of the vessel 
making the delivery. The scale operator may write this information on 
the scale printout in ink at the time of landing.
    (4) Inseason scale testing. Scales used to weigh CR crab must be 
tested by RCR personnel when testing is requested by NMFS-staff or by 
NMFS-authorized personnel.
    (i) Inseason testing criteria. To pass an inseason test, NMFS staff 
or NMFS-authorized personnel will verify that the scale display and 
printed information are clear and easily read under all conditions of 
normal operation, that weight values are visible on the display until 
the value is printed, and that the scale does not exceed the maximum 
permissible errors specified in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Maximum error
              Test load in scale divisions                   in scale
                                                             divisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) 0-500...............................................               1
(B) 501-2,000...........................................               2
(C) 2,001-4,000.........................................               3
(D) 4,000....................................               4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Test weight requirements. Scales must be tested with the amount 
and type of weight specified for each scale type in the following tables 
under paragraphs (f)(4)(ii)(A) through (f)(4)(ii)(D) of this section:
    (A) Automatic hopper 0 to 150 kg (0 to 300 lb) capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified test weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Minimum weighment or 10 kg (20 lb),     Minimum.
 whichever is greater.
(2) Maximum...............................  Maximum.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Automatic hopper 150 kg (300 lb) capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified test weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Minimum weighment or 10 kg (20 lb),     Minimum.
 whichever is greater.
(2) 25 percent of maximum of 150 kg (300    Maximum.
 lb), whichever is greater.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) Platform, flatbed or hanging scales less than 150 kg (300 lb) 
capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified test weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 10 kg (20 lb).........................  Not Acceptable.
(2) Midpoint..............................  Not Acceptable.
(3) Maximum...............................  Not Acceptable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (D) Platform, flatbed or hanging scales 150 kg (300 lb) 
capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Certified test weights                 Other test material
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 10 kg (20 lb).........................  Not Acceptable.
(2) 12.5 percent of maximum or 75 kg (150   50 percent of maximum or 75
 lb), whichever is greater.                  kg (150 lb), whichever is
                                             greater.
(3) 25 percent of maximum or 150 kg (300    75 percent of maximum or 150
 lb), whichever is greater.                  kg (300 lb), whichever is
                                             greater.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Certified test weights. An RCR must ensure that there are 
sufficient test weights on-site to test each scale used to weigh CR 
crab. Each test weight used for inseason scale testing must have its 
weight stamped on or otherwise permanently affixed to it. The weight of 
each test weight must be certified by a National Institute of Standards 
and Technology approved metrology laboratory every 2 years.
    (iv) Other test material. When permitted in paragraph (f)(4)(ii) of 
this section, a scale may be tested with test material other than 
certified test weights.
    (g) Crab Monitoring Plans (CMP). A CMP is a plan submitted by an RCR 
for each location or processing vessel

[[Page 1061]]

where the RCR wishes to take deliveries of CR crab. The CMP must detail 
how the RCR will meet the catch monitoring standards detailed in 
paragraph (g)(5) of this section. An RCR that processes only CR crab 
harvested under a CPO or CPC IFQ permit is not required to prepare a 
CMP.
    (1) CMP Approval. NMFS will approve a CMP if it meets all the 
performance standards specified in paragraph (g)(5) of this section. The 
location or vessel identified in the CMP may be inspected by NMFS prior 
to approval of the CMP to ensure that the location conforms to the 
elements addressed in the CMP. If NMFS disapproves a CMP, the plant 
owner or manager may resubmit a revised CMP or file an administrative 
appeal as set forth under the administrative appeals procedures 
described in Sec. 679.43.
    (2) Inspection scheduling. The time and place of a CMP inspection 
may be arranged by submitting a written request for an inspection to 
NMFS, Alaska Region. An inspection must be requested no less than 10 
working days before the requested inspection date. NMFS staff will 
conduct CMP inspections in any port located in the United States that 
can be reached by regularly scheduled commercial air service. The 
inspection request must include:
    (i) Name and signature of the person submitting the application and 
the date of the application;
    (ii) Address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address 
(if available) of the person submitting the application; and
    (iii) A proposed CMP detailing how the RCR will meet each of the 
standards in paragraph (g)(5) of this section.
    (3) Approval period. NMFS will approve a CMP for 1 year if it meets 
the performance standards specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section. 
An owner or manager must notify NMFS in writing if changes are made in 
plant operations or layout that do not conform to the CMP.
    (4) Changing an approved CMP. An RCR may change an approved CMP by 
submitting a CMP addendum to NMFS. Depending on the nature and magnitude 
of the change requested, NMFS may require a CMP inspection as described 
in paragraph (g)(2) of this section. A CMP addendum must contain:
    (i) Name and signature of the person submitting the addendum;
    (ii) Address, telephone number, facsimile number and e-mail address 
(if available) of the person submitting the addendum; and
    (iii) A complete description of the proposed CMP change.
    (5) CMP standards--(i) Crab sorting and weighing requirements. All 
crab, including crab parts and crab that are dead or otherwise 
unmarketable, delivered to the RCR must be sorted and weighed by 
species. The CMP must detail how and where crab are sorted and weighed.
    (ii) Scales used for weighing crab. The CMP must identify by serial 
number each scale used to weigh crab and describe the rationale for its 
use.
    (iii) Scale testing procedures. Scales identified in the CMP must be 
accurate within the limits specified in paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this 
section. For each scale identified in the CMP a testing plan must be 
developed that:
    (A) Describes the procedure the plant will use to test the scale;
    (B) Lists the test weights and equipment required to test the scale;
    (C) Lists where the test weights and equipment will be stored; and
    (D) Lists the names of the personnel responsible for conducting the 
scale testing.
    (iv) Printed record. An RCR must ensure that the scale produces a 
complete and accurate printed record of the weight of each species in a 
landing. All of the crab in a delivery must be weighed on a scale 
capable of producing a complete printed record as described in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section. A printed record of each landing must be printed 
before the RCR submits a CR crab landing report.
    (v) Observation area. Each CMP must designate an observation area. 
The observation area is a location designated on the CMP where an 
individual may monitor the offloading and weighing of crab. The 
observation area must meet the following standards:

[[Page 1062]]

    (A) Access to the observation area. The observation area must be 
freely accessible to observer, NMFS staff or enforcement aides at any 
time during the effective period of the CMP.
    (B) Monitoring the offloading and weighing of crab. From the 
observation area, an individual must have an unobstructed view or 
otherwise be able to monitor the entire offload of crab between the 
first location where crab are removed from the boat and a location where 
all sorting has taken place and each species has been weighed.
    (C) Other requirements. The observation area must be sheltered from 
the weather and not exposed to unreasonable safety hazards.
    (vi) Plant liaison. The CMP must designate a plant liaison. The 
plant liaison is responsible for:
    (A) Orienting new observers, NMFS staff and enforcement aides to the 
plant;
    (B) Assisting in the resolution of observer concerns; and
    (C) Informing NMFS if changes must be made to the CMP.
    (vii) Drawing to scale of delivery location. The CMP must be 
accompanied by a drawing to scale of the delivery location or vessel 
showing:
    (A) Where and how crab are removed from the delivering vessel;
    (B) The observation area;
    (C) The location of each scale used to weigh crab; and
    (D) Each location where crab is sorted.
    (viii) Single geographic location. All offload and weighing 
locations detailed in a CMP must be located on the same vessel or in the 
same geographic location. If a CMP describes facilities for the 
offloading of vessels at more than one location, it must be possible to 
see all locations simultaneously.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 75421, Dec. 20, 2005; 73 
FR 76190, Dec. 15, 2008; 75 FR 56486, Sept. 16, 2010]



Sec. 680.30  [Reserved]



                   Subpart C_Quota Management Measures



Sec. 680.40  Crab Quota Share (QS), Processor QS (PQS), Individual 
Fishing Quota (IFQ), and Individual Processor Quota (IPQ) Issuance.

    (a) Crab QS and Crab QS fisheries. The Regional Administrator will 
issue crab QS for the crab QS fisheries defined in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section. The Regional Administrator will annually issue IFQ based 
on the amount of QS a person holds. Crab harvested and retained in each 
crab QS fishery may be harvested and retained only by persons holding 
the appropriate crab IFQ for that crab QS fishery.
    (1) Allocations. With the exception of the WAI golden king crab 
fishery, the Regional Administrator shall annually apportion 10 percent 
of the TAC specified by the State of Alaska for each of the fisheries 
described in Table 1 to this part to the Western Alaska CDQ program. Ten 
percent of the TAC in the Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab 
fishery will be allocated to the Adak community entity. The remaining 
TACs for the crab QS fisheries will be apportioned for use by QS holders 
in each fishery.
    (2) Official crab rationalization record. The official crab 
rationalization record will be used to determine the amount of QS that 
is to be allocated for each crab QS fishery. The official crab 
rationalization record is presumed to be correct. An applicant for QS 
has the burden to prove otherwise. For the purposes of creating the 
official crab rationalization record the Regional Administrator will 
presume the following:
    (i) An LLP license is presumed to have been used onboard the same 
vessel from which that LLP is derived, unless documentation is provided 
establishing otherwise.
    (ii) If more than one person is claiming the same legal landings or 
legal processing activities, then each person eligible to receive QS or 
PQS based on those activities will receive an equal share of any 
resulting QS or PQS unless the applicants can provide written

[[Page 1063]]

documentation establishing an alternative means for distributing the QS 
or PQS.
    (iii) For the purposes of determining eligibility for CPO QS, a 
person is presumed to have processed BSAI crab in 1998 or 1999 if the 
vessel on which the applicant's LLP license is based processed such crab 
in those years.
    (b) QS sectors and regional designations--(1) General. The Regional 
Administrator shall initially assign to qualified persons, crab QS that 
are specific to the crab QS fisheries defined in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section. The crab QS amount issued will be based on legal landings 
made on vessels authorized to participate in those fisheries in four QS 
sectors:
    (i) Catcher Vessel Owner (CVO) QS shall be initially issued to 
qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on 
legal landings of unprocessed crab.
    (ii) Catcher Vessel Crew (CVC) QS shall be initially issued to 
qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on 
legal landings of unprocessed crab.
    (iii) Catcher/Processor Owner (CPO) QS shall be initially issued to 
qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on 
legal landings of crab that were harvested and processed on the same 
vessel.
    (iv) Catcher/Processor Crew (CPC) QS shall be initially issued to 
qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on 
legal landings of crab that were harvested and processed on the same 
vessel.
    (2) Regional designations. (i) Regional designations apply to:
    (A) North QS if the legal landings that gave rise to the QS for a 
crab QS fishery were landed in the Bering Sea subarea north of 
56[deg]20[min] N. lat.; or
    (B) South QS if the legal landings that gave rise to the QS for a 
crab QS fishery were not landed in the North Region, and all CVO QS 
allocated to the WAI crab QS fishery; or
    (C) West QS for a portion of the QS allocated to the WAG crab QS 
fishery subject to the provisions under Sec. 680.40(c)(4).
    (ii) Regional designations do not apply (Undesignated QS) to:
    (A) Crab QS for the EBT or WBT crab QS fishery;
    (B) Crab QS for that portion of the WAG QS fishery not regionally 
designated for the West region;
    (C) CVC QS;
    (D) CPO QS unless that QS is transferred to the CVO QS sector, in 
which case the regional designation is made by the recipient of the 
resulting CVO QS at the time of transfer; and
    (E) CPC QS.
    (iii) The regional designations that apply to each of the crab QS 
fisheries are specified in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Undesignated
               Crab QS Fishery                  North Region     South Region     West Region         Region
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) EAG                                                    X                X   ...............  ...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) WAG                                       ...............  ...............               X                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) EBT                                       ...............  ...............  ...............               X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) WBT                                       ...............  ...............  ...............               X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) BSS                                                    X                X   ...............  ...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F) BBR                                                    X                X   ...............  ...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(G) PIK                                                    X                X   ...............  ...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) SMB                                                    X                X   ...............  ...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(I) WAI                                       ...............               X   ...............  ...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iv) The regional designation ratios applied to QS and PQS for each 
crab QS fishery will be established based on the regional designations 
determined on August 1, 2005. QS or PQS issued after this date will be 
issued in the same ratio.

[[Page 1064]]

    (3) Qualified person means, for the purposes of QS issuance, a 
person, as defined in Sec. 679.2, who at the time of application for QS 
meets the following criteria for each of the QS sectors:
    (i) CVO QS. Holds one or more permanent, fully transferable crab LLP 
licenses and is a citizen of the United States;
    (ii) CPO QS. (A) Holds one or more permanent, fully transferable 
crab LLP licenses with a Catcher/Processor designation and is a citizen 
of the United States; and
    (B) Harvested and processed at sea any crab species in any BSAI crab 
fishery during the years 1998 or 1999.
    (iii) CVC QS and CPC QS. (A) Is an individual who is a citizen of 
the United States, or his or her successor-in-interest if that 
individual is deceased;
    (B) Has historical participation in the fishery demonstrated by 
being the individual named on a State of Alaska Interim Use Permit for a 
QS crab fishery and made at least one legal landing per year for any 3 
eligibility years under that permit based on data from fish tickets 
maintained by the State of Alaska. The qualifying years are described in 
Column C of Table 7 to this part.
    (C) Has recent participation in the fishery demonstrated by being 
the individual named on a State of Alaska Interim Use Permit for a QS 
crab fishery and made at least one legal landing under that permit in 
any 2 of 3 seasons based on data from fish tickets maintained by the 
State of Alaska. Those seasons are defined in Column D of Table 7 to 
this part; except that the requirement for recent participation does not 
apply if:
    (1) The legal landings that qualify the individual for QS in the PIK 
crab QS fishery were made from a vessel that was less than 60 feet 
length overall; or
    (2) If the individual who is otherwise eligible to receive an 
initial issuance of QS died while working as part of a harvesting crew 
in any U.S. commercial fishery.
    (4) Qualification for initial allocation of QS--(i) Qualifying year. 
The qualifying years for each crab QS fishery are described in Column B 
of Table 7 to this part.
    (ii) Legal landing of crab means, for the purpose of initial 
allocation of QS, crab harvested during the qualifying years specified 
in Column B of Table 7 to this part and landed in compliance with state 
and Federal permitting, landing, and reporting regulations in effect at 
the time of the landing.
    (A) Legal landings exclude any deadloss, test fishing, fishing 
conducted under an experimental, exploratory, or scientific activity 
permit, or the fishery conducted under the Western Alaska CDQ Program.
    (B) Landings made onboard a vessel that gave rise to a crab LLP 
license or made under the authority of an LLP license are non-severable 
from the crab LLP license until QS has been issued for those legal 
landings, except as provided for in paragraph (c)(2)(vii) of this 
section.
    (C) Landings may only be used once for each QS sector for the 
purposes of allocating QS.
    (D) Landings made from vessels which are used for purposes of 
receiving compensation through the BSAI Crab Capacity Reduction Program 
may not be used for the allocation of CVO QS or CPO QS.
    (E) Legal landings for purposes of allocating QS for a crab QS 
fishery only include those landings that resulted in the issuance of an 
LLP license endorsed for that crab QS fishery, or landings that were 
made in that crab QS fishery under the authority of an LLP license 
endorsed for that crab QS fishery, except as provided for in paragraph 
(c)(2)(vii) of this section.
    (iii) Documentation. Evidence of legal landings shall be limited to 
State of Alaska fish tickets.
    (c) Calculation of QS allocation--(1) General. (i) For each 
permanent, fully transferable crab LLP license under which an applicant 
applies, CVO and CPO QS will be based on legal landings that resulted in 
the issuance of that license or from legal landings that were made under 
the authority of that license.
    (ii) For each State of Alaska Interim Use Permit under which an 
applicant applies for CVC QS or CPC QS, the initial allocation of QS 
will be based on the legal landings that were made under the authority 
of that permit.

[[Page 1065]]

    (2) Computation for initial issuance of QS. (i) Based on the 
official crab rationalization record the Regional Administrator shall 
derive the annual harvest denominator (AHD) that represents the amount 
of legally landed crab in each crab QS fishery in each qualifying year 
as established in Column B of Table 7 to this part.
    (ii) The initial QS pool is described in Table 8 to this part.
    (iii) A person's initial allocation of QS shall be based on a 
percentage of the legal landings for the applicable sector in each crab 
QS fishery:
    (A) Associated with crab LLP licenses held by the applicant for CVO 
or CPO QS; or
    (B) Authorized under a State of Alaska Interim Use Permit held by 
the applicant for CVC or CPC QS.
    (iv) The Regional Administrator shall calculate the allocation of 
CVO and CPO QS for each crab QS fishery ``f'' based on each fully 
transferable LLP license ``l'' held by a qualified person by the 
following formulas:
    (A) Sum legal landings for each qualifying year, as described in 
Column B of Table 7 to this part, and divide that amount by the AHD for 
that year as follows:

([sigma] legal landingslf/AHDf) x 100 = Percentage 
of the AHDlf

    (B) In those fisheries where only a subset of the qualifying years 
are applied, the Regional Administrator will use the years that yield 
the highest percentages of each AHD as calculated in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv)(A) of this section.
    (C) Sum the highest percentages of the AHD's for that license as 
calculated under paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(B) of this section and divide by 
the number in Column E of Table 7 to this part (Subset of Qualifying 
Years). This yields the Average Percentage as presented in the following 
equation:

[sigma] Percentages of the AHDlf/Subset of Qualifying 
Yearsf = Average Percentagelf

    (D) Divide the Average percentage in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(C) of this 
section for a license and fishery by the Sum of all Average Percentages 
for all licenses for that fishery as presented in the following 
equation:

Average Percentagelf/[sigma] Average Percentagesf 
= Percentage of the Total Percentageslf

    (E) Multiply the Percentage of the Total Percentages in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv)(D) of this section by the Initial QS Pool as described in 
Table 8 to this part. This yields the unadjusted number of QS units 
derived from a license for a fishery.
    (F) Multiply the unadjusted number of QS units in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv)(E) of this section by 97 percent. This yields the number of 
QS units to be allocated.
    (G) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of 
qualifying years associated with a LLP license with a catcher/processor 
designation that were processed on that vessel and multiply the amount 
calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(F) of this section by this 
percentage. This yields the amount of CPO QS to be allocated.
    (H) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of 
qualifying years associated with a LLP license that were not processed 
on that vessel and multiply the amount calculated in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv)(F) of this section by this percentage. This yields the amount 
of CVO QS to be allocated.
    (I) Determine the percentage of legal landings associated with an 
LLP license in the subset of qualifying years that were delivered in 
each region as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The amount 
calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(H) of this section is multiplied by 
the percentage for each region.
    (J) The percentage calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(I) of this 
section may be adjusted according to the provisions at paragraphs (c)(3) 
and (c)(4) of this section.
    (v) As shown in the formulas under this paragraph (c)(2)(v), the 
allocation of CVC and CPC QS for each crab QS fishery ``f'' based on 
each State of Alaska Interim Use Permit ``i'' held by each qualified 
person shall be calculated by the Regional Administrator as follows:
    (A) Sum legal landings for each qualifying year as described in 
Column B of Table 7 to this part and divide

[[Page 1066]]

that amount by the AHD for that year using the following equation:

([sigma] legal landingsif/AHDf) x 100 = Percentage 
of the AHDif

    (B) In those fisheries where only a subset of the qualifying years 
are applied, the Regional Administrator will use the years that yield 
the highest percentages of the AHD as calculated in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(A) of this section.
    (C) Sum the highest percentages of the AHDs for that license 
calculated under paragraph (c)(2)(v)(B) of this section and divide by 
the number in Column E of Table 7 to this part (Subset of Qualifying 
Years). This yields the Average Percentage as presented in the following 
equation:

[sigma] Percentages of the AHDlf/Subset of Qualifying 
Yearsf = Average Percentageif

    (D) Divide the Average Percentage in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this 
section for a permit and fishery by the Sum of all Average Percentages 
for all permits for that fishery as presented in the following equation:

Average Percentageif/[sigma] Average Percentagesf 
= Percentage of the Total Percentagesif

    (E) Multiply the Percentage of the Total Percentages in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(E) of this section by the Initial QS Pool as described in 
Table 8 to this part. This yields the unadjusted number of QS units 
derived from a permit for a fishery.
    (F) Multiply the unadjusted number of QS units in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(E) of this section by 3 percent. This yields the number of QS 
units to be allocated.
    (G) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of 
qualifying years associated with a permit that were processed on that 
vessel and multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(F) of 
this section by this percentage. This yields the amount of CPC QS to be 
allocated.
    (H) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of 
qualifying years associated with a permit that were not processed on 
that vessel and multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(F) 
of this section by this percentage. This yields the amount of CVC QS to 
be allocated.
    (I) Determine the percentage of legal landings associated with a 
permit in the subset of qualifying years that were delivered in each 
region as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The amount 
calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(H) of this section is multiplied by 
the percentage for each region.
    (J) The percentage calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(I) of this 
section may be adjusted according to the provisions at paragraphs (c)(3) 
and (c)(4) of this section. The amount calculated in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(H) of this section is multiplied by the percentage for each 
region. These regional QS designations do not apply to CVC QS.
    (vi) Sunken vessel provisions. (A) If a person applies for CVO QS or 
CPO QS based, in whole or in part, on the activities of a vessel that 
sank, the Regional Administrator shall presume landings for that vessel 
for the crab fishing years between the time of vessel loss and the 
replacement of the vessel under Sec. 679.4(k)(5)(v) of this chapter. 
These presumed landings shall be equivalent to 50 percent of the average 
legal landings for the qualifying years established in Column B of Table 
7 to this part unaffected by the sinking. If the vessel sank during a 
qualifying year, the legal landings for that year will not be used as 
the basis for presumed landings;
    (B) If a person applies for CVO QS or CPO QS based, in whole or in 
part, on the activities of a vessel that sank and:
    (1) The person who owned the vessel that sank would have been denied 
eligibility to replace a sunken vessel under the provisions of Public 
Law 106-554; and
    (2) The vessel that sank was replaced with a newly constructed 
vessel, with that vessel under construction no later than June 10, 2002. 
For purposes of this section a vessel is considered under construction 
once the keel for that vessel has been laid; and
    (3) The newly constructed vessel participated in any Bering Sea crab 
fishery no later than October 31, 2002;
    (4) Then the Regional Administrator shall presume landings for that 
vessel for the crab fishing years between the time of vessel loss and 
the replacement of the vessel. These presumed landings shall be 
equivalent to 50 percent of the

[[Page 1067]]

average legal landings for the qualifying years established in Column B 
of Table 7 to this part unaffected by the sinking. If the vessel sank 
during a qualifying year, the legal landings for that year will not be 
used as the basis for presumed landings.
    (vii) LLP license history exemption. An applicant for CVO or CPO QS 
who:
    (A) Deployed a vessel in a crab QS fishery under the authority of an 
interim or permanent fully transferable LLP license; and
    (B) Prior to January 1, 2002, received by transfer, as authorized by 
NMFS, a permanent fully transferable LLP license for use in that crab QS 
fishery to insure that a vessel would remain authorized to participate 
in the fishery, may choose to use as the legal landings which are the 
basis for QS allocation on his or her application for crab QS or PQS 
either:
    (1) The legal landings made on that vessel for that crab QS fishery 
prior to the transfer of the permanent fully transferable LLP license 
for use on that vessel; or
    (2) The legal landings made on the vessel that gave rise to the 
permanent fully transferable LLP license and the legal landings made 
under the authority of that same LLP license in that crab QS fishery 
prior to January 1, 2002.
    (C) If the history described in paragraph (c)(2)(vii)(B)(1) of this 
section is being used by another person for an allocation with an LLP 
license, then the allocation in paragraph (c)(2)(vii) will be based on 
the legal landings as described under paragraph (c)(2)(vii)(B)(2) of 
this section.
    (3) Adjustment of CVO and CVC QS allocation for North and South 
regional designation. The Regional Administrator may adjust the regional 
designation of QS to ensure that it is initially allocated in the same 
proportion as the regional designation of PQS for that crab QS fishery. 
A person who would receive QS based on the legal landings in only one 
region, will receive QS with only that regional designation. A person 
who would receive QS with more than one regional designation for that 
crab QS fishery would have his or her QS holdings regionally adjusted on 
a pro rata basis as follows:
    (i) Determine the ratio of the Initial PQS pool in the North and 
South regions.
    (ii) Multiply the Initial QS pool by the ratio of North and South 
PQS. This will yield the target QS pool for each region.
    (iii) Sum the QS for all persons who are eligible to receive North 
QS yielding the unadjusted North QS pool, and sum the QS for all persons 
who are eligible to receive South QS yielding the unadjusted South QS 
pool.
    (iv) To calculate the amount of QS available for adjustment, 
subtract the amount of QS for persons receiving North only QS from the 
unadjusted North QS pool and subtract the amount of QS for persons 
receiving South only QS from the unadjusted South QS pool, as presented 
in the following equations:
    (A) Unadj. North QS -North QS only = North QS for [North & South] QS 
holders.
    (B) Unadj. South QS -South QS only = South QS for [North & South] QS 
holders.
    (v) Determine which region becomes the gaining region if the target 
QS pool is greater than the unadjusted QS pool.
    (vi) Subtract the gaining region unadjusted QS pool from the gaining 
region target QS pool to calculate the number of QS units that need to 
be applied to the gaining region. This amount is the Adjustment Amount 
as presented in the following equation:

Unadj. gaining region QS -Target gaining region QS pool = Adjustment 
Amount

    (vii) Divide the Adjustment Amount by the unadjusted losing region 
QS pool for North and South QS holders. This yields the regional 
adjustment factor (RAF) for each person as presented in the following 
equation:

Adj. Amount/unadjusted losing region QS pool for [North & South] QS 
holders = RAF

    (viii) For each person (p) who holds both North and South Region QS, 
the QS adjustment (QS Adj. (p)) to that person's Unadjusted losing 
region QS is expressed in the following equation as:

QS adj. p = Unadjusted losing region QS p x RAF


[[Page 1068]]


    (ix) The QS adjustment for person (p) is made by subtracting the QS 
adjustment from that person's unadjusted losing region QS amount and 
added to that person's unadjusted gaining region QS. These adjustments 
will yield the regional adjustment QS amounts for that person.
    (4) Regional designation of Western Aleutian Islands golden king 
crab. Fifty percent of the CVO QS that is issued in the WAG crab QS 
fishery will be initially issued with a West regional designation. The 
West regional designation applies to QS for delivery west of 174[deg] W. 
longitude. The remaining 50 percent of the CVO QS initially issued for 
this fishery is not subject to regional designation (Undesignated QS). A 
person (p) who would receive QS based on the legal landings in only one 
region will receive QS with only that regional designation. A person who 
would receive QS with more than one regional designation for that crab 
QS fishery would have his or her QS holdings regionally adjusted on a 
pro rata basis as follows:
    (i) The West QS pool is equal to 50 percent of the initial QS pool.
    (ii) The Undesignated QS pool is equal to 50 percent of the initial 
QS pool.
    (iii) Sum the QS for all persons who are eligible to receive West QS 
yielding the unadjusted West QS pool, and sum the QS for all persons who 
are eligible to receive undesignated QS yielding the unadjusted 
undesignated QS pool.
    (iv) To calculate the amount of QS available for adjustment, 
subtract the amount of QS for persons receiving West only QS from the 
unadjusted West QS pool and subtract the amount of QS for persons 
receiving undesignated only QS from the unadjusted undesignated QS pool, 
as presented in the following equation:
    (A) Unadj. West QS-West QS only = West QS for [West & Undesignated] 
QS holders.
    (B) Unadj. Undesignated QS-Undesignated QS only = Undesignated QS 
for [West & Undesignated] QS holders.
    (v) Subtract the gaining region Unadjusted QS pool from the gaining 
region Target QS pool to calculate the number of QS units that will need 
to be applied to the gaining region. This amount is the Adjustment 
Amount as presented in the following equation:

Target gaining region QS pool-unadjusted region QS = Adjustment Amount

    (vi) Divide the Adjustment Amount by the unadjusted losing region QS 
pool for West and Undesignated QS holders. This yields the regional 
adjustment factor (RAF) for each person as presented in the following 
equation:

Adj. Amount/unadjusted losing region QS pool for West & Undesignated QS 
holders = RAF

    (vii) For each person (p) who holds both unadjusted West and 
Undesignated Region QS, the QS adjustment (QS Adj. p) to that person's 
Unadjusted West QS is expressed in the following equation as:

QS adj. p = Unadjusted West QS p x RAF

    (viii) The QS adjustment for person (p) is made by subtracting the 
QS adjustment for that person's unadjusted losing region QS amount and 
subtracted from that person's unadjusted gaining region QS. These 
adjustments will yield the regional adjustment QS amounts for that 
person.
    (5) Issuance of converted CPO QS. (i) For each crab fishing year, 
the Regional Administrator may issue converted CPO QS for the BBR or BSS 
crab QS fishery with a North Region designation to an entity described 
in paragraph (c)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv) of this section if 
NMFS has approved an application for converted CPO QS/IFQ for that crab 
fishing year.
    (ii) Entity A is comprised only of Yardarm Knot, Inc. (NMFS ID  
675).
    (iii) Entity B is comprised only of Blue Dutch, LLC (NMFS ID  
3163).
    (iv) Entity C is comprised only of Trident Seafoods, Inc. (NMFS ID  
8184).
    (v) NMFS will issue Entity A, B, or C, described in paragraphs 
(c)(5)(ii) through (c)(5)(iv) of this section, one unit of converted CPO 
for each unit of CVO QS and 0.9 units of PQS indicated in an approved 
application for converted CPO QS/IFQ.
    (vi) For each crab fishing year, the Regional Administrator will not 
issue

[[Page 1069]]

CPO QS for the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery:
    (A) To Entity A described in paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section 
that is greater than the amount of converted CPO QS that may be derived 
from the amount of PQS units with a North Region designation initially 
issued by NMFS to Yardarm Knot, Inc. (NMFS ID  675), and any affiliates 
of Yardarm Knot, Inc., as listed on an annual application for converted 
CPO QS/IFQ for that crab fishing year;
    (B) To Entity B described in paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this section 
that is greater than the amount of converted CPO QS that may be derived 
from the amount of PQS units with a North Region designation initially 
issued by NMFS to Blue Dutch, LLC, (NMFS ID  3163) under paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section and any affiliates of Blue Dutch, LLC, as listed 
on an annual application for annual application for converted CPO QS/IFQ 
for that crab fishing year; and
    (C) To Entity C described in paragraph (c)(5)(iv) of this section 
that is greater than the amount of converted CPO QS that may be derived 
from the amount of CVO QS units with a North Region designation 
initially issued by NMFS to Trident Seafoods, Inc. (NMFS ID  8184), and 
any affiliates of Trident Seafoods, Inc., as listed on an annual 
application for converted CPO QS/IFQ for that crab fishing year;
    (vii) CPO IFQ derived from converted CPO QS may be issued to a crab 
harvesting cooperative only if the entity described in paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv) of this section holding the 
converted CPO QS is a member of that crab harvesting cooperative.
    (6) Offloading requirements for CPO IFQ derived from converted CPO 
QS. Any crab harvested under a CPO IFQ permit derived from converted CPO 
QS must be offloaded in the Bering Sea subarea north of 56[deg]20[min] 
N. lat.
    (d) Crab PQS and Crab PQS Fisheries--(1) General. The Regional 
Administrator shall initially assign to qualified persons defined in 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section crab PQS specific to crab QS fisheries 
defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The crab PQS amount issued 
will be based on total legal processing of crab made in those crab QS 
fisheries. PQS shall yield annual IPQ as defined under paragraph (j) of 
this section.
    (2) Regional designations. For each crab QS fishery, PQS shall be 
initially regionally designated based on the legal processing that gave 
rise to the PQS as follows:
    (i) North PQS if the processing that gave rise to the PQS for a crab 
QS fishery occurred in the Bering Sea subarea north of 56[deg]20[min] N. 
lat.; or
    (ii) South PQS if the processing that gave rise the PQS for a crab 
QS fishery did not occur in the North Region, and PQS allocated to the 
WAI crab QS fishery; or
    (iii) West PQS for a portion of the PQS allocated to the WAG crab QS 
fishery subject to the provisions under paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section; or
    (iv) Undesignated. Regional designations do not apply to:
    (A) That portion of the WAG crab QS fishery that is not regionally 
designated as West Region PQS; and
    (B) The EBT or WBT crab QS fishery.
    (v) The specific regional designations that apply to PQS in each of 
the crab QS fisheries are described in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this 
section.
    (3) Qualified person, for the purposes of PQS issuance, means a 
person, as defined at Sec. 679.2, who at the time of application for 
PQS is a U.S. citizen, or a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, 
or other entity, and who:
    (i) Legally processed any crab QS species established in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section during 1998 or 1999 as demonstrated on the 
official crab rationalization record; or
    (ii) Did not legally process any crab QS species during 1998 or 1999 
according to the official crab rationalization record, but who:
    (A) Processed BSS crab QS species in each crab season for that 
fishery during the period from 1988 through 1997; and
    (B) From January 1, 1996, through June 10, 2002, invested in a 
processing facility, processing equipment, or a vessel for use in 
processing operations, including any improvements made to existing 
facilities with a total expenditure in excess of $1,000,000; or

[[Page 1070]]

    (C) Is the person to whom the history of legal processing of crab 
has been transferred by the express terms of a written contract that 
clearly and unambiguously provides that such legal processing of crab 
has been transferred. This provision would apply only if that applicant 
for PQS:
    (1) Legally processed any crab QS species established in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section during 1998 or 1999, as demonstrated on the 
official crab rationalization record; or
    (2) Received history of crab processing that was legally processed 
during 1998 or 1999, as demonstrated on the official crab 
rationalization record.
    (iii) Qualified persons, or their successors-in-interest, must exist 
at the time of application for PQS.
    (iv) A former partner of a dissolved partnership or a former 
shareholder of a dissolved corporation who would otherwise be a 
qualified person may apply for PQS in proportion to his or her ownership 
interest in the dissolved partnership or corporation.
    (v) A person who has acquired a processing corporation, partnership, 
or other entity that has a history of legal processing of crab is 
presumed to have received by transfer all of that history of legal 
processing of crab unless a clear and unambiguous written contract 
establishes otherwise.
    (4) Qualification for initial allocation of PQS--(i) Years. The 
qualifying years for each crab QS fishery are designated in Table 9 to 
this part.
    (ii) Ownership interest. Documentation of ownership interest in a 
dissolved partnership or corporation, association, or other entity shall 
be limited to corporate documents (e.g., articles of incorporation) or 
notarized statements signed by each former partner, shareholder or 
director, and specifying their proportions of interest.
    (iii) Legal processing of crab means, for the purpose of initial 
allocation of PQS, raw crab pounds processed in the crab QS fisheries 
designated under paragraph (a)(1) of this section in compliance with 
state and Federal permitting, landing, and reporting regulations in 
effect at the time of the landing. Legal processing excludes any 
deadloss, processing of crab harvested in a test fishery or under a 
scientific, education, exploratory, or experimental permit, or under the 
Western Alaska CDQ Program.
    (iv) Documentation. Evidence of legal processing shall be limited to 
State of Alaska fish tickets, except that:
    (A) NMFS may use information from a State of Alaska Commercial 
Operators Annual Report, State of Alaska fishery tax records, or 
evidence of direct payment from a receiver of crab to a harvester if 
that information indicates that the buyer of crab differs from the 
receiver indicated on State of Alaska fish ticket records; however:
    (B) Information on State of Alaska fish tickets shall be presumed to 
be correct for the purpose of determining evidence of legal processing 
of crab. An applicant will have the burden of proving the validity of 
information submitted in an application that is inconsistent with the 
information on the State of Alaska fish ticket.
    (e) Calculation of PQS allocation--(1) Computation for initial 
issuance of PQS. (i) The Regional Administrator shall establish the 
Total Processing Denominator (TPD) which represents the amount of 
legally processed raw crab pounds in each crab QS fishery in all 
qualifying years.
    (ii) For each crab QS fishery, the percentage of the initial PQS 
pool that will be distributed to each qualified person shall be based on 
their percentage of the TPD according to the following procedure:
    (A) Sum the raw crab pounds purchased for each person for all 
qualifying years.
    (B) Divide the sum calculated in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this 
section by the TPD. Multiply by 100. This yields a person's percentage 
of the TPD.
    (C) Sum the TPD percentages of all persons.
    (D) Divide the percentage for a person calculated in paragraph 
(e)(1)(ii)(B) of this section by the sum calculated in paragraph 
(e)(1)(ii)(C) of this section for all persons. This yields a person's 
percentage of the TPD.
    (E) Multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(D) of 
this section by the PQS pool for that crab QS fishery as that amount is 
defined in Table 8 to this part.

[[Page 1071]]

    (F) Determine the percentages of legally processed crab that were 
processed in each region. The percentages calculated in paragraph 
(e)(1)(ii)(E) of this section are multiplied by the amount determined 
within each regional designation. Regional designations will apply to 
that PQS according to the provisions established in paragraphs (d)(2) 
and (e)(2) of this section.
    (2) Regional designation of Western Aleutian Islands golden king 
crab. (i) Fifty percent of the PQS that is issued in the WAG crab QS 
fishery will be issued with a West regional designation. The West 
regional designation applies to PQS for processing west of 174[deg] N. 
long. The remaining 50 percent of the PQS issued for this fishery is 
Undesignated region PQS.
    (ii) A person will receive only West PQS if, at the time of 
application, that person owns a crab processing facility that is located 
in the West region. A person will receive West region and Undesignated 
Region PQS if, at the time of application, that person does not own a 
crab processing facility located in the West region. Expressed 
algebraically, for any person (p) allocated both West region PQS and 
undesignated region PQS the formula is as follows:
    (A) PQSWest = PQS x 0.50
    (B) PQSUnd. = PQS x 0.50
    (C) PQSWest for PQSWest & Und. holders = 
PQSWest-PQSWest only
    (D) PQSWest for Personp West & Und. = 
PQSp x PQSWest for PQSWest & Und. 
holders/(PQSWest for PQSWest & Und. holders + 
PQSUnd.)
    (E) PQSUnd. for Personp = PQSp-
PQSWest for Personp
    (iii) For purposes of the allocation of PQS in the WAG crab fishery:
    (A) Ownership of a processing facility is defined as:
    (1) A sole proprietor; or
    (2) A relationship between two or more entities in which a person 
directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater interest in another, 
or a third entity directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater 
interest in both.
    (B) A processing facility is a shoreside crab processor or a 
stationary floating crab processor.
    (3) PQS issued to Blue Dutch, LLC. (i) Pursuant to Public Law 109-
241, NMFS issued 3,015,229 units of PQS for the BBR crab QS fishery and 
7,516,253 units of PQS for the BSS crab QS fishery.
    (ii) PQS units issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, under paragraph (e)(3)(i) 
of this section were assigned a regional designation according to the 
procedures established in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (iii) PQS units issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, under paragraph (e)(3)(i) 
of this section may not be transferred to any other person.
    (f) Application for crab QS or PQS--(1) General. The Regional 
Administrator will issue QS and/or PQS to an applicant if a complete 
application for crab QS or PQS is submitted by or on behalf of the 
applicant during the specified application period, and if the applicant 
meets all criteria for eligibility as specified at paragraphs (b)(3) and 
(d)(3) of this section.
    (i) The Regional Administrator will send application materials to 
the person identified by NMFS as an eligible applicant based on the 
official crab rationalization record. An application form may also be 
obtained from the Internet or requested from the Regional Administrator.
    (ii) An application for crab QS or PQS may be submitted to NMFS as 
instructed on the application. Forms are available on the NMFS Alaska 
Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting NMFS 
at 800-304-4846, Option 2.
    (iii) An application that is postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered 
after the ending date for the application period for the Crab QS Program 
specified in the Federal Register will be denied.
    (2) Contents of application. A complete application for crab QS or 
PQS must be signed by the applicant, or the individual representing the 
applicant, and include the following, as applicable:
    (i) Type of QS or PQS for which the person is applying. Select the 
type of QS or PQS for which the applicant is applying.
    (A) If applying for CVO QS or CPO QS, submit information required in 
paragraphs (f)(2)(ii) through (f)(2)(iv) of this section;
    (B) If applying for CVC QS or CPC QS, submit information required in

[[Page 1072]]

paragraphs (f)(2)(ii), (f)(2)(iii) and (f)(2)(v) of this section;
    (C) If applying for PQS, submit information required in paragraphs 
(f)(2)(ii), (f)(2)(iii) and (f)(2)(vi) of this section.
    (ii) Applicant information. (A) Enter the applicant's name, NMFS 
person ID (if applicable), tax ID or social security number (required), 
permanent business mailing address, business telephone number, facsimile 
number, and e-mail (if available);
    (B) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. citizen; if 
YES, enter his or her date of birth. You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. 
corporation, partnership, or other business entity to obtain CVO, CPO, 
CVC, or CPC QS.
    (C) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. corporation, 
partnership, association, or other business entity; if YES, enter the 
date of incorporation;
    (D) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is deceased; if YES, 
enter date of death. A copy of the death certificate must be attached to 
the application;
    (E) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant described in paragraph 
(f)(2)(ii)(C) of this section is no longer in existence; if YES, enter 
date of dissolution and attach evidence of dissolution to the 
application;
    (iii) Fishery and QS/PQS type. Indicate the crab QS fishery and type 
of QS/PQS for which applying.
    (iv) CVO or CPO QS. (A) For vessels whose catch histories are being 
claimed for purposes of the crab QS program, enter the following 
information: name of the vessel, ADF&G vessel registration number, USCG 
documentation number, moratorium crab permit number(s), and crab LLP 
license number(s) held by the applicant and used on that vessel, 
qualifying years or seasons fished by fishery, and dates during which 
those permits were used on that vessel.
    (B) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is applying for QS for 
any crab QS fishery for which the applicant purchased an LLP license 
prior to January 1, 2002, in order to remain in that fishery. If YES, 
include LLP crab license number, and the vessel's name, ADF&G vessel 
registration number, and USCG documentation number.
    (C) Indicate (YES or NO) whether QS is being claimed based on the 
fishing history of a vessel that was lost or destroyed. If YES, include 
the name, ADF&G registration number, and USCG documentation number of 
the lost or destroyed vessel, the date the vessel was lost or destroyed, 
and evidence of the loss or destruction.
    (D) Indicate (YES or NO) whether the lost or destroyed vessel 
described in paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(C) of this section was replaced with a 
newly constructed vessel. If YES, include the name, ADF&G vessel 
registration number, and USCG documentation number of the replacement 
vessel, date of vessel construction, and date vessel entered 
fishery(ies). Indicate (YES or NO) if the replacement vessel 
participated in a Bering Sea crab fishery by October 31, 2002. If YES, 
provide documentation of the replacement vessel's participation by 
October 31, 2002, in a Bering Sea crab fishery.
    (E) If the applicant is applying for CPO QS, indicate (YES or NO) 
whether the applicant processed crab from any of the crab QS fisheries 
listed on Table 1 to this part on board a vessel authorized by one of 
the LLP licenses listed in paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this section in 
1998 or 1999. If YES, enter information for the processed crab, 
including harvest area, date of landing, and crab species.
    (v) CVC or CPC QS. (A) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant had at 
least one landing in three of the qualifying years for each crab species 
for which the applicant is applying for QS (see Table 7 to this part).
    (B) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant has recent participation 
in a crab QS fishery as defined in Table 7 to this part.
    (C) If the answer to paragraph (f)(2)(v)(A) or paragraph 
(f)(2)(v)(B) of this section is YES, enter State of Alaska Interim Use 
Permit number and the name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG 
documentation number of vessel on which harvesting occurred. Select the 
qualifying years or seasons fished by QS fishery, and the dates during 
which those permits were used on that vessel;
    (D) Indicate (YES or NO) whether a person is applying as the 
successor-in-

[[Page 1073]]

interest to an eligible applicant. If YES, attach to the application 
documentation proving the person's status as a successor-in-interest and 
evidence of the death of the eligible applicant.
    (vi) Processor QS. (A) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant 
processed any of the crab species included in the Crab QS program (see 
Table 1 to this part) in 1998 or 1999.
    (B) If answer to paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(A) of this section is YES, 
enter the facility name and ADF&G processor code for each processing 
facility where crab, from any of the crab QS fisheries listed in Table 1 
of this part, were processed and the qualifying years or seasons by 
fishery for which applicant is claiming eligibility for PQS.
    (C) If answer to paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(A) of this section is NO, 
indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is claiming eligibility under 
hardship provisions;
    (D) If answer to paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(C) of this section is YES, 
both of the following provisions must apply to a processor to obtain 
hardship provisions. Attach documentation of the following 
circumstances:
    (1) Applicant processed QS crab during 1998 or 1999, or processed 
BSS crab in each season between 1988 and 1997; and
    (2) Applicant invested a total expenditure in excess of $1,000,000 
for any processing facility, processing equipment, or a vessel for use 
in processing operations, including any improvements made to existing 
facilities from January 1, 1996, to June 10, 2002;
    (E) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant has entered into a 
Community Right of First Refusal (ROFR) contract consistent with 
paragraph (f)(3) of this section pertaining to the transfer of any PQS 
and/or IPQ subject to ROFR and issued as a result of this application.
    (F) Contract that the legal processing history and rights to apply 
for and receive PQS based on that legal processing history have been 
transferred or retained; and
    (G) Any other information deemed necessary by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (H) If applicant is applying to receive PQS for the WAG crab QS 
fishery, indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant owns a crab processing 
facility in the West region (see paragraph (b)(2) (iii) of this 
section).
    (vii) Applicant signature and certification. The applicant must sign 
and date the application certifying that all information is true, 
correct, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If 
the application is completed by an authorized representative, then 
authorization must accompany the application.
    (3) Notice and contract provisions for community right of first 
refusal (ROFR) for initial issuance of PQS. (i) To be complete, an 
application for PQS from a person based on legal processing that 
occurred in an ECC, other than Adak, must also include an affidavit 
signed by the applicant stating that notice has been provided to the ECC 
of the applicant's intent to apply for PQS. If the ECC designates an 
entity to represent it in the exercise of ROFR under Sec. 680.41(l), 
then the application also must include an affidavit of completion of a 
contract for ROFR that includes the terms enacted under section 313(j) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The affidavit must be signed by the 
applicant for initial allocation of PQS and the ECC entity designated 
under Sec. 680.41(l)(2). A list of contract terms is available from the 
NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov. A copy of these 
contract terms also will be made available by mail or facsimile by 
contacting the Regional Administrator at 907-586-7221.
    (ii) To be complete, an application for crab QS or PQS from a person 
based on legal processing that occurred in the GOA north of a line at 
56[deg]20[min] N. lat. must also include an affidavit signed by the 
applicant stating that notice has been provided to the City of Kodiak 
and Kodiak Island Borough of the applicant's intent to apply for PQS. If 
the City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough designate an entity to 
represent it in the exercise of ROFR under Sec. 680.41(l), then the 
application also must include an affidavit of completion of a contract 
for ROFR that includes

[[Page 1074]]

the terms enacted under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 
(Pub. L. 108-199) and that is signed by the applicant for initial 
allocation of PQS and the ECC entity designated by the City of Kodiak 
and Kodiak Island Borough under Sec. 680.41(l)(2). A list of contract 
terms is available from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
www.fakr.noaa.gov. A copy of these contract terms also will be made 
available by mail or facsimile by contacting the Regional Administrator 
at (907) 586-7221.
    (4) Application evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate 
Applications for Crab QS or PQS submitted during the specified 
application period and compare all claims in an application with the 
information in the official crab rationalization record. Claims in an 
application that are consistent with information in the official crab 
rationalization record will be accepted by the Regional Administrator. 
Inconsistent claims in the Applications for Crab QS or PQS, unless 
verified by documentation, will not be accepted. An applicant who 
submits inconsistent claims, or an applicant who fails to submit the 
information specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, will be 
provided a single 30-day evidentiary period as provided in paragraph 
(f)(5) of this section to submit the specified information, submit 
evidence to verify his or her inconsistent claims, or submit a revised 
application with claims consistent with information in the official crab 
rationalization record. An applicant who submits claims that are 
inconsistent with information in the official crab rationalization 
record has the burden of proving that the submitted claims are correct.
    (5) Additional information or evidence. The Regional Administrator 
will evaluate additional information or evidence to support an 
applicant's inconsistent claims submitted prior to or within the 30-day 
evidentiary period. If the Regional Administrator determines that the 
additional information or evidence meets the applicant's burden of 
proving that the inconsistent claims in his or her application are 
correct, the official crab rationalization record will be amended and 
the information will be used in determining whether the applicant is 
eligible for QS or PQS. However, if the Regional Administrator 
determines that the additional information or evidence does not meet the 
applicant's burden of proving that the inconsistent claims in his or her 
application are correct, the applicant will be notified by an IAD, that 
the applicant did not meet the burden of proof to change the information 
in the official crab rationalization record.
    (6) 30-day evidentiary period. The Regional Administrator will 
specify by letter a single 30-day evidentiary period during which an 
applicant may provide additional information or evidence to support the 
claims made in his or her application, or to submit a revised 
application with claims consistent with information in the official crab 
rationalization record, if the Regional Administrator determines that 
the applicant did not meet the burden of proving that the information on 
the application is correct through evidence provided with the 
application. Also, an applicant who fails to submit information as 
specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) and (b)(3)(iv) of this section will 
have 30 days to provide that information. An applicant will be limited 
to one 30-day evidentiary period per application. Additional information 
or evidence, or a revised application, received after the 30-day 
evidentiary period specified in the letter has expired will not be 
considered for purposes of the IAD.
    (7) Right of First Refusal (ROFR) contract provisions. If an ECC 
designates an entity to represent it in the exercise of ROFR under Sec. 
680.41(l), then the Regional Administrator will not prepare an IAD on 
unverified claims or issue PQS until an affidavit is received from the 
applicant confirming the completion of a civil contract for ROFR as 
required under section 313(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (8) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant following 
the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the Regional 
Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by 
the applicant fails to support the applicant's claims and is 
insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official

[[Page 1075]]

crab rationalization record is correct, or if the additional 
information, evidence, or revised application is not provided within the 
time period specified in the letter that notifies the applicant of his 
or her 30-day evidentiary period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies 
in the application, including any deficiencies with the information, the 
evidence submitted in support of the information, or the revised 
application. The IAD will also indicate which claims cannot be approved 
based on the available information or evidence. An applicant who 
receives an IAD may appeal pursuant to Sec. 679.43. An applicant who 
avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD will not 
receive crab QS or PQS until after the final resolution of that appeal 
in the applicant's favor.
    (g) Annual allocation of IFQ--(1) General. IFQ is assigned based on 
the underlying QS. Except for CVC and CPC QS permit holders who fail to 
meet the participation requirements at paragraph (g)(2) of this section, 
the Regional Administrator shall assign crab IFQs to each person who 
holds QS and submits a complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ 
permit as described under Sec. 680.4. IFQ will be assigned to a crab QS 
fishery with the appropriate regional designation, QS sector, and IFQ 
class. This amount will represent the maximum amount of crab that may be 
harvested from the specified crab QS fishery by the person to whom it is 
assigned during the specified crab fishing year, unless the IFQ 
assignment is changed by the Regional Administrator because of an 
approved transfer, revoked, suspended, or modified under 15 CFR part 
904.
    (2) Eligibility for CVC and CPC IFQ. For each crab fishing year 
after June 30, 2018, individuals holding CVC or CPC QS permits must meet 
the participation requirements set forth in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) or 
(g)(2)(ii) of this section in order to receive CVC or CPC IFQ unless the 
CVC or CPC QS permit holder meets the exemption provided in paragraph 
(g)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (i) The individual has participated as crew in at least one delivery 
of crab in any CR crab fishery during the three crab fishing years 
preceding the crab fishing year for which the individual is filing an 
annual crab IFQ permit application. If the individual holds C share QS 
in a single CR crab fishery and that CR crab fishery is closed to 
fishing for an entire crab fishing year, NMFS will exclude that crab 
fishing year when determining whether the individual has satisfied this 
participation requirement.
    (ii) The individual was an initial recipient of CVC or CPC QS and 
participated as crew in at least 30 days of fishing in a commercial 
fishery managed by the State of Alaska or in a U.S. commercial fishery 
in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska during the three crab 
fishing years preceding the crab fishing year for which the individual 
is filing an annual crab IFQ permit application. Individuals may combine 
participation as crew in State and Federal commercial fisheries to meet 
this requirement. If the individual holds C share QS in a single CR crab 
fishery and that CR crab fishery is closed to fishing for an entire crab 
fishing year, NMFS will exclude that crab fishing year when determining 
whether the individual has satisfied this participation requirement.
    (iii) All of the CVC or CPC QS permits held by the individual were 
acquired using the eligibility criteria in 50 CFR 680.41(c)(1)(vii)(B) 
and the individual has held those CVC or CPC QS permits for less than 
three full crab fishing years.
    (3) Withholding of CVC or CPC IFQ. Beginning July 1, 2018, the 
Regional Administrator will withhold issuance of CVC or CPC IFQ to an 
individual who has not met the participation requirements set forth in 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section. The Regional Administrator will 
withhold an individual's CVC IFQ or CPC IFQ in accordance with the 
procedures set forth in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section.
    (i) Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding. The Regional Administrator 
will issue a Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding to an individual holding 
CVC or CPC QS if, after reviewing the CVC or CPC QS holder's Application 
for Annual Crab IFQ Permit, the Regional Administrator determines that 
the CVC or CPC QS holder has failed to meet the participation 
requirements in paragraph (g)(2) of this section. A CVC or CPC QS

[[Page 1076]]

holder who receives a Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding will have 30 
days to provide the Regional Administrator with information 
demonstrating participation as crew that meets the requirements of 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Initial administrative determination (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the CVC or CPC QS holder 
following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the 
Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the CVC or CPC QS holder fails to demonstrate participation 
as crew and is insufficient to rebut the information included in the CVC 
or CPC QS holder's Applications for Annual Crab IFQ Permit, or if the 
additional information or evidence is not provided within the time 
period specified in the Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding. The IAD will 
explain the basis for the withholding of IFQ. A CVC or CPC QS holder who 
receives an IAD withholding IFQ may appeal under the appeals procedures 
set forth at 15 CFR part 906. A CVC or CPC QS holder who avails himself 
or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD withholding IFQ will not 
receive crab IFQ until after the final resolution of that appeal in the 
QS holder's favor.
    (h) Calculation of annual IFQ allocation--(1) General. (i) The 
annual allocation of IFQ to any person (p) in any crab QS fishery (f) 
will be based on the TAC of crab for that crab QS fishery less the 
allocation to the Western Alaska CDQ Program (``CDQ Reserve'') and 
Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab fishery. Expressed 
algebraically, the annual IFQ allocation formula is as follows:
    (A) IFQ TACf = TACf - (CDQ Reservef 
+ Allocation for the Western Aleutian Island golden king crab fishery)
    (B) IFQpf = IFQ TACf x (QSpf/QS 
poolf)
    (ii) CVO, CPO, CVC, and CPC IFQ. Each year, 3 percent of the IFQ 
TACf will be allocated as CVC IFQ or CPC IFQ and 97 percent 
of the IFQ TACf will be allocated as CVO IFQ or CPO IFQ. 
Expressed algebraically, the formulas for the annual IFQ allocations are 
as follows:
    (A) CVC/CPC IFQf = IFQ TACf x 0.03
    (B) CVO/CPO IFQf = IFQ TACf x 0.97
    (2) Class A/B IFQ. (i) QS shall yield Class A or Class B IFQ if:
    (A) Initially assigned to the CVO QS sector; or
    (B) Transferred to the CVO QS sector from the CPO QS sector.
    (ii) The Class A/B IFQ TAC is the portion of the TAC assigned as 
Class A/B IFQ under paragraphs (h)(2)(i)(A) and (B) of this section.
    (3) Class A/B IFQ issuance ratio. (i) Class A and Class B IFQ shall 
be assigned on an annual basis such that the total amount of Class A and 
B IFQ assigned in a crab fishing year in each crab QS fishery for each 
region will be in a ratio of 90 percent Class A IFQ and 10 percent Class 
B IFQ.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will determine the amount of Class A 
and Class B IFQ that is assigned to each QS holder. The Class A IFQ is 
calculated by allocating 90 percent of the Class A/B IFQ TAC (TAC a) to 
Class A IFQ. A portion of the IFQ TAC a is allocated to persons eligible 
to hold only Class A IFQ (TAC a only), the remaining IFQ TAC (TAC r) is 
allocated for harvest by a person (p) eligible to receive both Class A 
IFQ and Class B IFQ. Expressed algebraically, for an individual person 
(p) eligible to hold both Class A and Class B IFQ the annual allocation 
formula is as follows:
    (A) TACa = Class A/B IFQ TAC x 0.90
    (B) TACr = TACa-TACa only
    (C) IFQap = TACr/(Class A/B IFQ TAC-
TACa only) x IFQp
    (D) IFQbp = IFQp-IFQap
    (4) Class A IFQ and Class B IFQ issuance to IPQ holders. If a person 
holds IPQ and IFQ, than that person will be issued Class A IFQ only for 
the amount of IFQ equal to the amount of IPQ held by that person. Any 
remaining IFQ held by that person will be issued as Class A and Class B 
IFQ in a ratio so that the total Class A and Class B IFQ issued in that 
crab QS fishery is issued as 90 percent Class A IFQ and 10 percent Class 
B IFQ;
    (5) Class A IFQ and Class B IFQ issuance to persons affiliated with 
IPQ holders. If an IPQ holder holds IPQ in excess of the amount of IFQ 
held by that person, all IFQ holders affiliated with that IPQ holder 
will receive only Class A IFQ in proportion to the amount of IFQ held by 
those affiliated

[[Page 1077]]

persons relative to that amount of IPQ held by that IPQ holder. Any 
remaining IFQ held by persons affiliated with the IPQ holder will be 
issued as Class A and Class B IFQ in a ratio so that the total Class A 
and Class B IFQ issued in that fishery is issued as 90 percent Class A 
IFQ and 10 percent Class B IFQ.
    (6) CVC IFQ. (i) QS that is initially allocated to the CVC QS sector 
shall yield CVC IFQ.
    (ii) CVC IFQ is not subject to regional designation.
    (7) CPO IFQ. (i) QS that is initially allocated to the CPO QS sector 
shall yield CPO IFQ.
    (ii) CPO IFQ is not subject to regional designation.
    (8) CPC IFQ. (i) QS that is initially allocated to the CPC QS sector 
shall yield CPC IFQ.
    (ii) CPC IFQ is not subject to regional designation.
    (9) QS amounts for IFQ calculation. For purposes of calculating IFQ 
for any crab fishing year, the amount of a person's QS and the amount of 
the QS pool for any crab QS fishery will be the amounts on record with 
the Alaska Region, NMFS, at the time of calculation.
    (10) Class A IFQ. (i) The amount of Class A IFQ issued in excess of 
the IPQ issuance limits for the BSS or BBR crab QS fisheries, as 
described in paragraph (j)(3) of this section, will be issued to all 
Class A IFQ recipients on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amount 
of Class A IFQ held by each person.
    (ii) Any amount of Class A IFQ that is issued in excess of the IPQ 
issuance limits for the BSS or BBR crab QS fisheries, as described in 
paragraph (j)(3) of this section, is not required to be delivered to an 
RCR with unused IPQ.
    (i) Annual allocation of IPQ. IPQ is assigned based on the 
underlying PQS. The Regional Administrator shall assign crab IPQs to 
each person who submits a complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ 
permit as described under Sec. 680.4. Each assigned IPQ will be 
specific to a crab QS fishery with the appropriate regional designation. 
This amount will represent the maximum amount of crab that may be 
received from the specified crab QS fishery by the person to whom it is 
assigned during the specified crab fishing year, unless the IPQ 
assignment is changed by the Regional Administrator because of an 
approved transfer, revoked, suspended, or modified under 15 CFR part 
904.
    (j) Calculation of annual IPQ allocation--(1) General. The annual 
allocation of TAC to PQS and the resulting IPQ in any crab QS fishery 
(f) is the Class A IFQ TAC (TACa). A person's annual IPQ is 
based on the amount of PQS held by a person (PQS p) divided by the PQS 
pool for that crab QS fishery for all PQS holders (PQS pool f). 
Expressed algebraically, the annual IPQ allocation formula is as 
follows:

IPQpf = TACaf x PQSpf/PQS 
poolf.

    (2) PQS amounts for IPQ calculation. For purposes of calculating 
IPQs for any crab fishing year, the amount of a person's PQS and the 
amount of the PQS pool for any crab PQS fishery will be the amounts on 
record with the Alaska Region, NMFS, at the time of calculation.
    (3) IPQ issuance limits. The amount of IPQ issued in any crab 
fishing year shall not exceed:
    (i) 157,500,000 raw crab pounds (71,441.5 mt) in the BSS crab QS 
fishery; and
    (ii) 18,000,000 raw crab pounds (8,164.7 mt) in the BBR crab QS 
fishery.
    (4) IPQ issued to Blue Dutch, LLC--(i) BBR IPQ. For each crab 
fishing year that the total allowable catch for BBR CR crab is greater 
than 15,732,480 lb (7,136.2 mt), NMFS will issue IPQ for the 3,015,229 
units of PQS issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, pursuant to Public Law 109-241.
    (ii) BSS IPQ. For each crab fishing year that the total allowable 
catch for BSS CR crab is greater than 21,350,640 lb (9,684.6 mt), NMFS 
will issue IPQ for the 7,516,253 units of PQS issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, 
pursuant to Public Law 109-241.
    (k) Timing for issuance of IFQ or IPQ. IFQ and IPQ will be issued 
once the TAC for that crab QS fishery in that crab fishing year has been 
specified by the State of Alaska. All IFQ and IPQ for all persons will 
be issued once for a crab fishing year for a crab QS fishery. QS issued 
after NMFS has issued annual IFQ for a crab QS fishery for a crab 
fishing year will not result in IFQ

[[Page 1078]]

for that crab QS fishery for that crab fishing year.
    (l) Harvesting and processing privilege. QS and PQS allocated or 
permits issued pursuant to this part do not represent either an absolute 
right to the resource or any interest that is subject to the ``takings'' 
provision of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Rather, such 
QS, PQS, or permits represent only a harvesting or processing privilege 
that may be revoked or amended pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
other applicable law. IPQs do not create a right, title, or interest in 
any crab until that crab is purchased from a fisherman.
    (m) Participation requirements for retention of CVC QS and CPC QS. 
(1) Beginning July 1, 2019, and each crab fishing year thereafter, 
individuals allocated CVC QS or CPC QS must meet the participation 
requirements set forth in paragraphs (m)(2)(i) or (m)(2)(ii) of this 
section in order to retain their CVC QS or CPC QS unless the CVC or CPC 
QS holder meets the exemption provided in paragraph (m)(5) of this 
section.
    (2)(i) The individual has participated as crew in at least one 
delivery of crab in any CR crab fishery during the previous four 
consecutive crab fishing years. If the individual holds C share QS in a 
single CR crab fishery and that CR crab fishery is closed to fishing for 
an entire crab fishing year, NMFS will exclude that crab fishing year 
when determining whether the individual has satisfied this participation 
requirement.
    (ii) The individual was an initial recipient of CVC QS or CPC QS and 
participated as crew in at least 30 days of fishing in a commercial 
fishery managed by the State of Alaska or in a U.S. commercial fishery 
in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska during the previous four 
consecutive crab fishing years. Individuals may combine participation as 
crew in State and Federal commercial fisheries to meet this requirement. 
If the individual holds C share QS in a single CR crab fishery and that 
CR crab fishery is closed to fishing for an entire crab fishing year, 
NMFS will exclude that crab fishing year when determining whether the 
individual has satisfied this participation requirement.
    (3) An individual issued a CVC QS or CPC QS permit may include 
information demonstrating compliance with the participation requirements 
in paragraph (m)(2) of this section with the individual's annual 
Application for Crab IFQ.
    (4) If an individual issued a CVC QS or CPC QS permit fails to meet 
the participation requirements in paragraph (m)(2) of this section or 
fails to qualify for the exemption in paragraph (m)(5) of this section, 
NMFS will revoke all of the individual's CVC QS or CPC QS in accordance 
with Sec. 680.43.
    (5) All of the CVC or CPC QS permits held by the individual were 
acquired using the eligibility criteria in Sec. 680.41(c)(1)(vii)(B) 
and the individual has held those CVC or CPC QS permits for less than 
four full crab fishing years.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 70 
FR 75421, Dec. 20, 2005; 71 FR 32864, June 7, 2006; 73 FR 29983, May 23, 
2008; 73 FR 30320, May 27, 2008; 73 FR 35088, June 20, 2008; 73 FR 
76190, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 51520, Oct. 7, 2009; 80 FR 15897, Mar. 26, 
2015; 87 FR 42394, July 15, 2022]



Sec. 680.41  Transfer of QS, PQS, IFQ and IPQ.

    (a) General. (1) Transfer of crab QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ means any 
transaction, approved by NMFS, requiring QS or PQS, or the use thereof 
in the form of IFQ or IPQ, to pass from one person to another, 
permanently or for a fixed period of time, except that:
    (2) A crab IFQ hired master permit issued by NMFS, as described in 
Sec. 680.4, is not a transfer of crab QS or IFQ; and
    (3) The use of IFQ assigned to a crab harvesting cooperative and 
used within that cooperative is not a transfer of IFQ.
    (b) Transfer applications--(1) Application. An application is 
required to transfer any amount of QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ. A transfer 
application will not be approved until the necessary eligibility 
application has been submitted and approved by NMFS in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this section. The Regional Administrator will not 
approve any transfers of QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ in any crab QS fishery 
from June

[[Page 1079]]

15 until either the date of the issuance of IFQ or IPQ for that crab QS 
fishery, or the date on which the State of Alaska announces that a crab 
QS fishery will not open for that crab fishing year.
    (2) Notification of application approval or disapproval. Persons 
submitting any application for approval under Sec. 680.41 will receive 
notification of the Regional Administrator's decision to approve or 
disapprove the application, and if applicable, the reason(s) for 
disapproval.
    (3) Reasons for disapproval. Reasons for disapproval of an 
application include, but are not limited to:
    (i) Lack of U.S. citizenship, where U.S. citizenship is required;
    (ii) Failure to meet minimum requirements for sea time as a member 
of a harvesting crew;
    (iii) An incomplete application, including fees and an EDR, if 
required;
    (iv) An untimely application; or
    (v) Fines, civil penalties, or other payments due and owing, or 
outstanding permit sanctions resulting from Federal fishery violations.
    (4) QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ accounts. (i) QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ accounts 
affected by a transfer approved by the Regional Administrator will 
change on the date of approval.
    (ii) For non-electronic submittals, any necessary IFQ or IPQ permits 
will be sent with the notification of approval if the receiver of the 
IFQ or IPQ permit has completed an annual application for crab IFQ or 
IPQ permit for the current fishing year as required under Sec. 680.4.
    (iii) For electronic submittals, the parties to the transfer would 
access and print approvals and permits online.
    (5) Submittal. Submit applications and other documents to NMFS as 
instructed on the application. Forms are available on the NMFS Alaska 
Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting NMFS 
at: 800-304-4846, Option 2.
    (c) Eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer. 
Persons, other than persons initially issued QS or PQS, must establish 
eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer.
    (1) To be eligible to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer, a 
person must first meet the requirements specified in the following 
table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Quota type                       Eligible person                 Eligibility requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) PQS not issued under Sec. Any person.................  None.
 680.40(e)(3)(i).
(ii) IPQ................................  Any person.................  None.
(iii) CVO or CPO QS.....................  (A) A person initially       No other eligibility requirements.
                                           issued QS.
                                          (B) An individual..........  who is a U.S. citizen with at least 150
                                                                        days of sea time as part of a harvesting
                                                                        crew in any U.S. commercial fishery.
                                          (C) A corporation,           with at least one individual member who
                                           partnership, or other        is a U.S. citizen and who:
                                           entity.                     (1) owns at least 20 percent of the
                                                                        corporation, partnership, or other
                                                                        entity; and
                                                                       (2) has at least 150 days of sea time as
                                                                        part of a harvesting crew in any U.S.
                                                                        commercial fishery.
                                          (D) An ECCO................  that meets the eligibility requirements
                                                                        described under paragraph (j) of this
                                                                        section.
                                          (E) A CDQ group............  No other eligibility requirements.
(iv) Converted CPO QS...................  N/A........................  Converted CPO QS may not be transferred.
(v) CPO IFQ derived from Converted CPO    N/A........................  CPO IFQ derived from Converted CPO may
 QS.                                                                    not be transferred.
(vi) CVO or CPO IFQ.....................  All eligible persons for     according to the requirements in
                                           CVO or CPO QS.               paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section.
(vii) CVC or CPC QS.....................  An individual..............  (A) Who is a U.S. citizen with:
                                                                          (1) At least 150 days of sea time as
                                                                           part of a harvesting crew in any U.S.
                                                                           commercial fishery, and
                                                                          (2) Recent participation as crew in at
                                                                           least one delivery of crab in a CR
                                                                           crab fishery in the 365 days prior to
                                                                           submission of the application for
                                                                           eligibility,
                                                                       (B) From May 1, 2015, until May 1, 2019,
                                                                        CVC or CPC QS also may be transferred to
                                                                        an individual who is a U.S. citizen
                                                                        with:
                                                                          (1) At least 150 days of sea time as
                                                                           part of a harvesting crew in any U.S.
                                                                           commercial fishery, and
                                                                          (2) Who either:
                                                                            (i) Received an initial allocation
                                                                             of CVC or CPC QS; or

[[Page 1080]]

 
                                                                            (ii) Participated as crew in at
                                                                             least one delivery of crab in a CR
                                                                             crab fishery in any 3 of the 5 crab
                                                                             fishing years starting on July 1,
                                                                             2000, through June 30, 2005.
(viii) CVC or CPC IFQ...................  All eligible individuals     According to the requirements in
                                           for CVC or CPC QS.           paragraph (c)(1)(vii) of this section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Application for eligibility to receive QS/IFQ and PQS/IPQ by 
transfer. (i) This application is required to establish a person's 
eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer, if the person 
is not an ECCO. See paragraph (j) of this section for eligibility to 
transfer of QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO. The Regional Administrator shall 
provide an application to any person on request or on the Internet at 
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/.
    (ii) Contents. A complete Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/
IFQ or PQS/IPQ by Transfer must include the following:
    (A) Type of QS, IFQ, PQS, or IPQ for which the applicant is seeking 
eligibility. Indicate type of QS, IFQ, PQS, IPQ for which applicant is 
seeking eligibility.
    (1) If seeking CVO or CPO QS/IFQ, complete paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(B), 
(c)(2)(ii)(D) if applicable, (c)(2)(ii)(E), and (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this 
section;
    (2) If seeking CVC or CPC QS/IFQ, complete paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(B), 
(c)(2)(ii)(C), (c)(2)(ii)(E), and (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section;
    (3) If seeking PQS/IPQ, complete paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(B) and 
(c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section;
    (B) Applicant information. (1) Enter applicant's name and NMFS 
Person ID, applicant's date of birth or, if not an individual, date of 
incorporation; applicant's social security number or tax ID number; 
applicant's permanent business mailing address and any temporary 
business mailing address the applicant wishes to use, and the 
applicant's business telephone number, business facsimile number, and e-
mail address (if available).
    (2) Indicate (YES or NO) whether the applicant is a U.S. citizen or 
U.S. corporation, partnership or other business entity. Applicants for 
CVO, CPO, CVC or CPC QS (and associated IFQ) must be U.S. Citizens or 
U.S. Corporations, Partnerships or Other Business Entity. Applicants for 
PQS (and associated IPQ) are not required to be U.S. Citizens.
    (C) Eligibility for CVC or CPC QS/IFQ. Indicate (YES or NO) whether 
this application is intended for a person who wishes to buy CVC or CPC 
QS/IFQ. If YES, provide evidence demonstrating that the applicant meets 
the criteria set forth in paragraph (c)(1)(vii) of this section. 
Acceptable evidence is limited to an ADF&G fish ticket imprinted with 
the applicant's State of Alaska permit card and signed by the applicant, 
an affidavit from the vessel owner, or a signed receipt for an IFQ crab 
landing on which the applicant was acting as the permit holder's crab 
IFQ hired master.
    (D) U.S. Corporations, partnerships, or business entities. (1) 
Indicate (YES or NO) whether this application is submitted by a CDQ 
Group. If YES, complete paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section;
    (2) Indicate (YES or NO) whether this application is submitted on 
behalf of a corporation, partnership or other business entity (not 
including CDQ groups). If YES: At least one member of the corporation, 
partnership or other business entity must submit documentation showing 
at least 20 percent interest in the corporation, partnership, or other 
entity and must provide evidence of at least 150 days as part of a 
harvesting crew in any U.S. commercial fishery. Identify the individual 
member and provide this individual's commercial fishing experience, 
name, NMFS person ID, and social security number, and business mailing 
address, business telephone number, and business facsimile number.
    (E) Commercial fishing experience. (1) Species; enter any targeted 
species in a U.S. commercial fishery;
    (2) Gear Type; enter any gear type used to legally harvest in a U.S. 
commercial fishery;

[[Page 1081]]

    (3) Location; enter actual regulatory, statistical, or geographic 
harvesting location;
    (4) Starting date and ending date of claimed fishing period (MMYY);
    (5) Number of actual days spent harvesting;
    (6) Duties performed while directly involved in the harvesting of 
(be specific):
    (7) Name and ADF&G vessel registration number or USCG documentation 
number of the vessel upon which above duties were performed;
    (8) Name of vessel owner;
    (9) Name of vessel operator;
    (10) Reference name. Enter the name of a person (other than 
applicant) who is able to verify the above experience;
    (11) Reference's relationship to applicant;
    (12) Reference's business mailing address and telephone number.
    (F) Applicant certification. (1) Printed name and signature of 
applicant and date signed;
    (2) [Reserved]
    (G) Verification that the applicant applying for eligibility to 
receive crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ by transfer has submitted an EDR, if 
required to do so under Sec. 680.6;
    (H) A non-profit entity seeking approval to receive crab QS or IFQ 
by transfer on behalf of a ECC must first complete an Application to 
Become an ECCO under paragraph (j) of this section.
    (d) Transfer of CVO, CPO, CVC, CPC QS or PQS--(1) General. PQS or QS 
may be transferred, with approval of the Regional Administrator, to 
persons qualified to receive PQS or QS by transfer. However, the 
Regional Administrator will not approve a transfer of any type of PQS or 
QS that would cause a person to exceed the maximum amount of PQS or QS 
allowable under the use limits provided for in Sec. 680.42, except as 
provided for under paragraph (f) of this section.
    (2) CVO QS. CVO QS may be transferred to any person eligible to 
receive CVO or CPO QS as defined under paragraph (c) of this section.
    (3) CPO QS. Persons holding CPO QS may transfer CPO QS as CVO QS and 
PQS to eligible recipients under the following provisions:
    (i) Each unit of CPO QS shall yield 1 unit of CVO QS, and 0.9 units 
of PQS; and
    (ii) The CVO QS and PQS derived from the transfer of CPO QS may be 
transferred separately, except that these shares must receive the same 
regional designation. The regional designation shall be determined at 
the time of transfer by the person receiving the CVO QS.
    (4) CVC or CPC QS. CVC or CPC QS may be transferred to any person 
eligible to receive CVC or CPC QS as defined under paragraph (c) of this 
section. CVC and CPC QS may only be used in the sector for which it is 
originally designated.
    (e) Transfer of IFQ or IPQ by Lease--(1) IFQ derived from CVO or CPO 
QS. IFQ derived from CVO or CPO QS may be transferred by lease until 
June 30, 2010. IFQ derived from CVO or CPO QS must be leased:
    (i) If the IFQ will be used on a vessel on which the QS holder has 
less than a 10 percent ownership interest; or
    (ii) If the IFQ will be used on a vessel on which the QS holder or 
the holder of a crab IFQ hired master permit, under Sec. 680.4, is not 
present.
    (2) Ownership of a vessel, for the purposes of this section, means:
    (i) A sole proprietor; or
    (ii) A relationship between 2 or more entities in which one directly 
or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater interest in a vessel.
    (3) IFQ derived from CVC QS or CPC QS. IFQ derived from CVC or CPC 
QS may be transferred by lease on an annual basis.
    (4) IPQ derived from PQS. IPQ derived from PQS may be leased.
    (f) Transfer of QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ with restrictions. If QS, PQS, 
IFQ or IPQ must be transferred as a result of a court order, operation 
of law, or as part of a security agreement, but the person receiving the 
QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ by transfer does not meet the eligibility 
requirements of this section, the Regional Administrator will approve, 
with restrictions, an Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/
IPQ. The Regional Administrator will not assign IFQ or IPQ resulting 
from the restricted QS or PQS to any person. IFQ or IPQ with 
restrictions may not

[[Page 1082]]

be used for harvesting or processing species covered under the CR 
program. The QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ will remain restricted until:
    (1) The person who received the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ with 
restrictions meets the eligibility requirements of this section and the 
Regional Administrator approves an application for eligibility for that 
person; or
    (2) The Regional Administrator approves the application for transfer 
from the person who received the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ with restrictions 
to a person who meets the eligibility requirements of this section.
    (g) Survivorship transfer privileges. (1) On the death of an 
individual who holds QS or PQS, the surviving spouse or, in the absence 
of a surviving spouse, a beneficiary designated pursuant to paragraph 
(g)(3) of this section, receives all QS, PQS and IFQ or IPQ held by the 
decedent by right of survivorship, unless a contrary intent was 
expressed by the decedent in a will. The Regional Administrator will 
approve an application for transfer to the surviving spouse or 
designated beneficiary when sufficient evidence has been provided to 
verify the death of the individual.
    (2) A QS or PQS holder may provide the Regional Administrator with 
the name of the designated beneficiary from the QS or PQS holder's 
immediate family to receive survivorship transfer privileges in the 
event of the QS or PQS holders death and in the absence of a surviving 
spouse.
    (3) The Regional Administrator will approve, for 3 calendar years 
following the date of the death of an individual, an Application for 
transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ from the surviving spouse or, in the 
absence of a surviving spouse, a beneficiary from the QS or PQS holder's 
immediate family designated pursuant to this section, to a person 
eligible to receive IFQ or IPQ under the provisions of this section, 
notwithstanding the limitations on transfers of IFQ and IPQ in this 
section and the use limitations under Sec. 680.42.
    (h) Applications for transfer--(1) Application for transfer of crab 
IFQ. NMFS will process a request for transfer of crab individual fishing 
quota (IFQ) provided that a paper application is completed, with all 
information fields accurately filled in, and all required additional 
documentation is attached. The transferor's and the transferee's 
designated representatives must sign and date the application certifying 
that all information is true, correct, and complete. The transferor's 
designated representative must submit the paper application as indicated 
on the application.
    (2) Application for transfer of crab IPQ--(i) Completed application. 
NMFS will process a request for transfer of crab individual processor 
quota (IPQ) provided that a paper or electronic request form is 
completed, with all information fields accurately filled in, and all 
required additional documentation is attached.
    (ii) Certification of transferor--(A) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferor's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete. The transferor's designated representative must submit the 
paper application as indicated on the application.
    (B) Electronic submittal. The transferor's designated representative 
must log into the system and create a transfer request as indicated on 
the computer screen. By using the transferor's NMFS ID, password, and 
Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the designated 
representative certifies that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (iii) Certification of transferee--(A) Non-electronic submittal. The 
transferee's designated representative must sign and date the 
application certifying that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (B) Electronic submittal. The transferee's designated representative 
must log into the system and accept the transfer request as indicated on 
the computer screen. By using the transferee's NMFS ID, password and 
Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the designated 
representative certifies that all information is true, correct, and 
complete.
    (3) Application for transfer of crab QS or PQS. NMFS will process a 
request for transfer of crab quota share (QS) or

[[Page 1083]]

crab processor quota share (PQS) provided that a paper request form is 
completed and notarized, with all information fields accurately filled 
in, and all required additional documentation is attached. The 
transferor's and the transferee's designated representatives must sign 
and date the application certifying that all information is true, 
correct, and complete.
    (i) Approval criteria for an Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ 
or PQS/IPQ. Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, an 
application for transfer of QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ will not be approved until 
the Regional Administrator has determined that:
    (1) The person applying to receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ meets the 
requirements of eligibility in paragraph (c) of this section;
    (2) The person applying for transfer and the person applying to 
receive QS or IFQ/IPQ have their signatures on the application;
    (3) No fines, civil penalties, or other payments due and owing, or 
outstanding permit sanctions, resulting from Federal fishery violations 
involving either party exist;
    (4) The person applying to receive QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ currently 
exists;
    (5) The transfer would not cause the person applying to receive the 
QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ to exceed the use limits in Sec. 680.42;
    (6) The person applying to make or receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ 
transfer has paid all IFQ or IPQ fees described under Sec. 680.44; or 
has timely appealed the IAD of underpayment as described under Sec. 
680.44;
    (7) The person applying to make or receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ 
transfer has submitted an EDR, if required to do so under Sec. 680.6;
    (8) In the case of an application for transfer of PQS or IPQ for use 
outside an ECC that has designated an entity to represent it in exercise 
of ROFR under paragraph (l) of this section:
    (i) The Regional Administrator will not act upon the application for 
a period of 10 days. At the end of that time period, the application 
will be approved pending meeting the criteria set forth in paragraph (i) 
of this section.
    (ii) The person applying to transfer PQS subject to ROFR must 
include an affidavit certifying that the ECC entity was provided with 
notice of the proposed transfer at least 90 days prior to the date of 
the transfer application and that the ECC entity did not exercise its 
ROFR during that period.
    (iii) The person applying to receive the PQS must include an 
affidavit certifying that a ROFR contract that includes the ROFR 
contract terms specified in Chapter 11 section 3.4.4.1.2 of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs 
has been completed with an ECC entity eligible to hold a ROFR under 
paragraph (l) of this section and that represents an ECC within the 
region for which the PQS is designated.
    (9) In the case of an application for transfer of PQS for use within 
an ECC that has designated an entity to represent it in exercise of ROFR 
under paragraph (l) of this section, the Regional Administrator will not 
approve the application unless the proposed recipient of the PQS and the 
ECC entity provide an affidavit to the Regional Administrator certifying 
that either the ECC wishes to permanently waive ROFR for the PQS or that 
a ROFR contract that includes the ROFR contract terms specified in 
Chapter 11 section 3.4.4.1.2 of the Fishery Management Plan for Bering 
Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs has been completed by the 
proposed recipient of the PQS and the ECC entity.
    (10) Other pertinent information requested on the application for 
transfer has been supplied to the satisfaction of the Regional 
Administrator.
    (11) The person applying to receive the CVC QS or IFQ or CPC QS or 
IFQ by transfer has submitted proof of at least one delivery of a crab 
species in any CR crab fishery in the 365 days prior to submission to 
NMFS of the Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ, except 
if eligible under the eligibility requirements in paragraph 
(c)(1)(vii)(B) of this section. Proof of this landing is--
    (i) Signature of the applicant on an ADF&G fish ticket; or
    (ii) An affidavit from the vessel owner attesting to that person's 
participation as a member of a fish harvesting crew on board a vessel 
during a landing of a crab QS species within the

[[Page 1084]]

365 days prior to submission of an Application for transfer of crab QS/
IFQ or PQS/IPQ.
    (j) Transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from and ECCO--(1) Designation of 
an ECCO. (i) The appropriate governing body of each ECC may designate a 
non-profit organization to serve as the ECCO for that ECC. To transfer 
and hold QS on the behalf of that ECC, this designation must be 
submitted by the non-profit organization in its Application to Become an 
ECCO.
    (ii) If the non-profit entity is approved by NMFS to serve as the 
ECCO, then the appropriate governing body of the ECC must authorize the 
transfer of any QS from the ECCO.
    (iii) The appropriate governing body for purposes of designating a 
non-profit organization for the Application to Become an ECCO, or 
acknowledging the transfer of any QS from an ECCO in each ECC is as 
follows:
    (A) If the ECC is also a community eligible to participate in the 
Western Alaska CDQ Program, then the CDQ group is the appropriate 
governing body;
    (B) If the ECC is not a CDQ community and is incorporated as a 
municipality and is not within an incorporated borough, then the 
municipal government is the appropriate governing body;
    (C) If the ECC is not a CDQ community and is incorporated as a 
municipality and also within an incorporated borough, then the 
municipality and borough jointly serve as the appropriate governing body 
and both must agree to designate the same non-profit organization to 
serve as the ECCO or acknowledge the transfer of QS from the ECCO; and
    (D) If the ECC is not a CDQ community and is not incorporated as a 
municipality and is in a borough, then the borough in which the ECC is 
located is the appropriate governing body.
    (iv) The appropriate governing body in each ECC may designate only 
one non-profit organization to serve as the ECCO for that community at 
any one time.
    (2) Application to become an ECCO. Prior to initially receiving QS 
or IFQ by transfer on behalf of a specific ECC, a non-profit 
organization that intends to represent that ECC as a ECCO must submit an 
application to become an ECCO and have that application approved by the 
Regional Administrator. The Regional Administrator shall provide an 
application to become an ECCO to any person on request or on the 
Internet at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/.
    (i) Contents of application--(A) Applicant identification. (1) Enter 
the name of the non-profit organization, taxpayer ID number, and NMFS 
Person ID, applicant's permanent business mailing address and any 
temporary business mailing address the applicant wishes to use, and the 
name of contact person, business telephone number, business facsimile 
number, and e-mail address (if available);
    (2) Name of community or communities represented by the non-profit 
organization; and
    (3) Name of contact person for the governing body of each community 
represented.
    (B) Required attachments to the application. (1) The articles of 
incorporation under the laws of the State of Alaska for that non-profit 
organization;
    (2) A statement indicating the ECC(s) represented by that non-profit 
organization for purposes of holding QS;
    (3) The bylaws of the non-profit organization;
    (4) A list of key personnel of the management organization 
including, but not limited to, the board of directors, officers, 
representatives, and any managers;
    (5) Additional contact information of the managing personnel for the 
non-profit organization and resumes of management personnel;
    (6) A description of how the non-profit organization is qualified to 
manage QS on behalf of the ECC it is designated to represent, and a 
demonstration that the non-profit organization has the management skills 
and technical expertise to manage QS and IFQ; and
    (7) A statement describing the procedures that will be used to 
determine the distribution of IFQ to residents of the ECC represented by 
that non-profit organization, including procedures used to solicit 
requests from residents to lease IFQ and criteria used to determine the 
distribution of IFQ leases

[[Page 1085]]

among qualified community residents and the relative weighting of those 
criteria.
    (C) Applicant certification. (1) Printed name of applicant or 
authorized agent, signature, and date signed. If authorized agent, proof 
of authorization to act on behalf of the applicant must be provided with 
the application.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (k) Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO. (1) 
An application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO must be 
approved by the Regional Administrator before the transferee may use the 
IFQ to harvest crab QS species.
    (2) An application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO 
will not be approved until the Regional Administrator has reviewed and 
approved the transfer agreement signed by the parties to the 
transaction. Persons who submit an application for transfer of crab QS/
IFQ to or from an ECCO for approval will receive notification of the 
Regional Administrator's decision to approve or disapprove the 
application, and if applicable, the reason(s) for disapproval, by mail, 
unless another communication mode is requested on the application.
    (3) Contents. A complete application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to 
or from an ECCO includes the following:
    (i) General requirements. (A) This form may only be used if an ECCO 
is the proposed transferor or the proposed transferee of the QS or IFQ.
    (B) The party to whom an ECCO is seeking to transfer the QS/IFQ must 
be eligible to receive QS/IFQ by transfer.
    (C) If the ECCO is applying to permanently transfer QS, a 
representative of the community on whose behalf the QS is held must sign 
the application.
    (D) If authorized representative represents either the transferor or 
transferee, proof of authorization to act on behalf of transferor or 
transferee must be attached to the application.
    (ii) Transferor information. Enter the transferor's (person 
currently holding the QS or IFQ) name, NMFS Person ID, social security 
number or Tax ID, permanent business mailing address, business 
telephone, business facsimile, and business e-mail address. If 
transferor is an ECCO, enter the name of ECC represented by the ECCO. 
The transferor may also provide a temporary address for each transaction 
in addition to the permanent business mailing address.
    (iii) Transferee information. Enter the transferee's (person 
receiving QS or IFQ by transfer) name, NMFS Person ID, social security 
number or Tax ID, permanent business mailing address, business 
telephone, business facsimile, and business e-mail. If transferee is an 
ECCO, name of the community (ECC) represented by the ECCO. The 
transferee may also provide a temporary address for each transaction in 
addition to the permanent business mailing address.
    (iv) Identification of QS/IFQ to be transferred. Complete the 
following information if QS and IFQ are to be transferred together or if 
transferring only QS:
    (A) QS species;
    (B) QS type;
    (C) Number of QS or IFQ units to be transferred;
    (D) Total QS units;
    (E) Number of IFQ pounds;
    (F) Range of serial numbers to be transferred (shown on QS 
certificate) numbered to and from;
    (G) Name of community to which QS are currently assigned; and
    (H) Indicate (YES or NO) whether remaining IFQ pounds for the 
current fishing year should be transferred; if NO, specify the number of 
pounds to be transferred.
    (v) Transfer of IFQ only. (A) IFQ permit number and year of permit, 
and
    (B) Actual number of IFQ pounds to be transferred.
    (vi) Transferor Information, if an ECCO. Reason(s) for transfer:
    (A) ECCO management and administration;
    (B) Fund additional QS purchase;
    (C) Participation by community residents;
    (D) Dissolution of ECCO; and
    (E) Other (specify).
    (vii) Price paid for QS, PQS, and/or IFQ, IPQ (Transferor). The 
transferor must provide the following information:
    (A) Whether (YES or NO) a broker was used for this transaction; If 
YES,

[[Page 1086]]

provide dollar amount paid in brokerage fees or percentage of total 
price;
    (B) Provide the total amount paid for the QS/IFQ in this 
transaction, including all fees;
    (C) Provide the price per unit of QS (price divided by QS units) and 
the price per pound (price divided by IFQ) of IFQ; and
    (D) Indicate all reasons that apply for transferring the QS/IFQ.
    (viii) Price paid for QS, PQS, and/or IFQ, IPQ (Transferee). The 
transferee must provide the following information:
    (A) Indicate (YES or NO) whether QS/IFQ purchase will have a lien 
attached; if YES, provide the name of lien holder;
    (B) Indicate one primary source of financing for this transfer;
    (C) Indicate the sources used to locate the QS or IFQ being 
transferred;
    (D) Indicate the relationship, if any, between the transferor and 
the transferee;
    (E) Indicate (YES or NO) whether an agreement exists to return the 
QS or IFQ to the transferor or any other person, or with a condition 
placed on resale; If YES, explain; and
    (F) Attach a copy of the terms of agreement for the transfer, the 
bill of sale for QS, or lease agreement for IFQ.
    (ix) Certification information--(A) Certification of transferor. (1) 
Printed name and signature of transferor or authorized agent and date 
signed. If authorized agent, proof of authorization to act on behalf of 
the transferor must be provided with the application.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (B) Certification of transferee. (1) Printed name and signature of 
transferee or authorized agent and date signed. If authorized agent, 
proof of authorization to act on behalf of the transferee must be 
provided with the application.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (C) Certification of authorized representative of community. (1) 
Printed name, title and signature of authorized community 
representative, date signed, and printed name of community.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (4) Attachments to the application and other conditions to be met. 
(i) Indicate whether the person applying to make or receive the QS, PQS, 
IFQ or IPQ transfer has submitted an EDR, if required to do so under 
Sec. 680.6, and paid all fees, as required by Sec. 680.44.
    (ii) A copy of the terms of agreement for the transfer, the bill of 
sale for QS or PQS, or lease agreement for IFQ or IPQ.
    (iii) An affirmation that the individual receiving IFQ from an ECCO 
has been a permanent resident in the ECC for a period of 12 months prior 
to the submission of the Application for Transfer QS/IFQ to or from an 
ECCO on whose behalf the ECCO holds QS.
    (5) Approval criteria for an application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ 
to or from an ECCO. In addition to the criteria required for approval 
under paragraph (i) of this section, the following criteria are also 
required:
    (i) The ECCO applying to receive or transfer crab QS has submitted a 
complete annual report(s) required by Sec. 680.5;
    (ii) The ECCO applying to transfer crab QS has provided information 
on the reasons for the transfer as described in paragraph (e) of this 
section; and
    (iii) An individual applying to receive IFQ from an ECCO is a 
permanent resident of the ECC in whose name the ECCO is holding QS.
    (l) Eligible crab community right of first refusal (ROFR)--(1) 
Applicability--(i) Exempt Fisheries. PQS and IPQ issued for the EBT, 
WBT, WAG, or WAI crab QS fisheries are exempt from ROFR provisions.
    (ii) Eligible Crab Communities (ECCs). The ROFR extends to the ECCs, 
other than Adak, and their associated governing bodies. The ROFR may be 
exercised by the ECC entity representing that ECC.
    (2) Community representation--(i) CDQ Communities. ECC entity for 
purposes of exercise of ROFR for any ECC that is also a CDQ community 
shall be the CDQ group to which the ECC is a member.
    (ii) Non-CDQ communities. (A) Any ECC, other than Adak, that is a 
non-CDQ community may designate an ECC entity that will represent the 
community in the exercise of ROFR at least 30 days prior to the ending 
date for the initial application period for the crab

[[Page 1087]]

QS program specified in the Federal Register.
    (B) The ECC entity eligible to exercise the right of first refusal 
on behalf of an ECC will be identified by the governing body(s) of the 
ECC. If the ECC is incorporated under the laws of the State of Alaska, 
and not within an incorporated borough, then the municipality is the 
governing body; if the ECC is incorporated and within an incorporated 
borough, then the municipality and borough are the governing bodies and 
must agree to designate the same ECC entity; if the ECC is not 
incorporated and in an incorporated borough, then the borough is the 
governing body.
    (C) Each ECC may designate only one ECC entity to represent that 
community in the exercise of ROFR at any one time through a statement of 
support from the governing body of the ECC. That statement of support 
identifying the ECC entity must be submitted to the Regional 
Administrator, NMFS, Post Office Box 21668, Juneau, Alaska 99802, at 
least 30 days prior to the ending date of the initial application period 
for the crab QS program under Sec. 680.40.
    (D) The ECC ROFR is not assignable by the ECC entity.
    (3) Restrictions on transfer of PQS or IPQ out of North Gulf of 
Alaska communities--(i) Applicability. Any community in the Gulf of 
Alaska north of a line at 56[deg]20[min] N. lat.
    (ii) Notification of PQS or IPQ transfer. A PQS holder submitting an 
application to transfer PQS or IPQ for use in processing outside any 
community identified under paragraph (l)(3)(i) must notify the ECC 
entity designated by the City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough under 
paragraph (l)(2) of this section 10 days prior to the intended transfer 
of PQS or IPQ for use outside the community. At the end of that time 
period, the application will be approved pending meeting the criteria 
set forth in paragraph (i) of this section.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 32864, June 7, 2006; 73 
FR 29983, May 23, 2008; 74 FR 51520, Oct. 7, 2009; 80 FR 15898, Mar. 26, 
2015; 81 FR 1561, Jan. 13, 2016; 81 FR 24518, Apr. 26, 2016; 86 FR 
70754, Dec. 13, 2021]



Sec. 680.42  Limitations on use of QS, PQS, IFQ, and IPQ.

    (a) QS and IFQ use caps--(1) General. Separate and distinct QS and 
IFQ use caps apply to all QS and IFQ categories pertaining to a given 
crab QS fishery with the following provisions:
    (i) A person who receives an initial allocation of QS that exceeds 
the use cap listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section may not receive 
QS by transfer unless and until that person's holdings are reduced to an 
amount below the use cap.
    (ii) A person will not be issued QS in excess of the use cap 
established in this section based on QS derived from landings attributed 
to an LLP license obtained via transfer after June 10, 2002 unless;
    (A) The person applies to receive QS based on an LLP transferred 
after June 10, 2002 but prior to November 24, 2004, and
    (B) The person will receive the amount of QS associated with that 
transferred LLP in excess of the use cap established in this section for 
a crab QS fishery solely because of the adjustment to legal landings 
available for QS allocation resulting from the BSAI Crab Capacity 
Reduction Program.
    (iii) QS and IFQ use caps shall be based on the initial QS pools 
used to determine initial allocations of QS.
    (2) Except for non-individual persons who hold PQS, as provided for 
in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, or a CDQ group, as provided for 
in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, a person, individually or 
collectively, may not:
    (i) Hold QS in amounts in excess of the amounts specified in the 
following table, unless that person's QS was received in the initial 
allocation:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CVO/CPO Use Cap in  CVC/CPC Use Cap in
             Fishery                   QS Units            QS Units
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Percent of the initial QS     1.0% = 3,880,000..  2.0% = 240,000
 pool for BBR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) Percent of the initial QS     1.0% = 9,700,000..  2.0% = 600,000
 pool for BSS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) Percent of the initial QS     1.0% = 1,940,000..  2.0% = 120,000
 pool for EBT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) Percent of the initial QS     1.0% = 1,940,000..  2.0% = 120,000
 pool for WBT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 1088]]

 
(E) Percent of the initial QS     2.0% = 582,000....  4.0% = 36,000
 pool for PIK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F) Percent of the initial QS     2.0% = 582,000....  4.0% = 36,000
 pool for SMB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(G) Percent of the initial QS     10.0% = 970,000...  20.0% = 60,000
 pool for EAG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) Percent of the initial QS     10.0% = 3,880,000.  20.0% = 240,000
 pool for WAG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(I) Percent of the initial QS     10.0% = 5,820,000.  20.0% = 360,000
 pool for WAI
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Use IFQ in excess of the amount of IFQ that results from the QS 
caps in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, unless that IFQ results 
from QS that was received by that person in the initial allocation of QS 
for that crab QS fishery.
    (3) A CDQ Group, individually or collectively, may not:
    (i) Hold QS in excess of more than the amounts of QS specified in 
the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             CDQ CVO/CPO
                          Fishery                             Use Cap in
                                                               QS Units
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for BBR                19,400,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for BSS                48,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for EBT                 9,700,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for WBT                 9,700,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) 10.0 percent of the initial QS pool for PIK                2,910,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F) 10.0 percent of the initial QS pool for SMB                2,910,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(G) 20.0 percent of the initial QS pool for EAG                1,940,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) 20.0 percent of the initial QS pool for WAG                7,760,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(I) 20.0 percent of the initial QS pool for WAI               11,640,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Use IFQ in excess of the amount of IFQ that results from the QS 
caps in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, unless that IFQ results 
from QS that was received by that person in the initial allocation of QS 
for that crab QS fishery.
    (4) A person who is not an individual and who holds PQS may not:
    (i) Hold QS in excess of the amounts specified in the following 
table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             CVO/CPO Use
                          Fishery                             Cap in QS
                                                                Units
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for BBR                19,400,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for BSS                48,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for EBT                 9,700,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for WBT                 9,700,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for PIK                 1,455,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for SMB                 1,455,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(G) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for EAG                   485,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for WAG                 1,940,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(I) 5.0 percent of the initial QS pool for WAI                 2,910,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Use IFQ in excess of the amount of IFQ that results from the QS 
caps in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, unless that IFQ results 
from QS that was received by that person in the initial allocation of QS 
for that crab QS fishery.
    (iii) A non-individual person that holds PQS, and all affiliates of 
that person, is limited to a QS and IFQ use cap that is calculated based 
on the sum of all QS or IFQ held by that PQS holder and all QS or IFQ 
held by any affiliate of the PQS holder.
    (5) IFQ that is used by a crab harvesting cooperative is not subject 
to the use caps in this paragraph (a) except as provided for in 
paragraph (a)(7) of this section.
    (6) Non-individual persons holding QS will be required to provide, 
on an annual basis, a list of persons with an ownership interest in the 
non-individual QS holder. This list of owners shall be provided to the 
individual level and will include the percentage of ownership held by 
each individual. This annual submission of information must be submitted 
as part of the complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit.
    (7) In a calendar year, an entity as described in Sec. 
680.40(c)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv), may not use more than 
1,000,000 lb (453.6 mt) of IFQ derived from converted CPO QS in the BBR 
or BSS crab QS fisheries.
    (b) PQS and IPQ Use Caps. (1) A person may not:
    (i) Hold more than 30 percent of the initial PQS pool in any crab QS 
fishery unless that person received an initial

[[Page 1089]]

allocation of PQS in excess of this limit. A person will not be issued 
PQS in excess of the use caps established in this section based on PQS 
derived from the transfer of legal processing history after June 10, 
2002.
    (ii) Use IPQ in excess of the amount of IPQ that results from the 
PQS caps in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, unless that IPQ is:
    (A) Derived from PQS that was received by that person in the initial 
allocation of PQS for that crab QS fishery, or
    (B) Subject to an exemption for that IPQ pursuant to Sec. 680.4(p).
    (2) A person may not use more than 60 percent of the IPQ issued in 
the BSS crab QS fishery with a North region designation during a crab 
fishing year except that a person who:
    (i) Holds IPQ; and
    (ii) Has a 10 percent or greater direct or indirect ownership 
interest in the shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab 
processor where that IPQ crab is processed will not be considered to use 
any IPQ in the BSS crab QS fishery with a North region designation if 
that IPQ meets the requirements described in paragraph (b)(7) of this 
section.
    (3) Non-individual persons holding PQS will be required to provide, 
on an annual basis, a list of persons with an ownership interest in the 
non-individual PQS holder. This list of owners shall be provided to the 
individual level and will include the percentage of ownership held by 
each individual. This annual submission of information must be submitted 
as part of the complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit. A 
person will be considered to be a holder of PQS for purposes of applying 
the PQS use caps in this paragraph if that person:
    (i) Is the sole proprietor of an entity that holds PQS; or
    (ii) Is not a CDQ group and directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent 
or greater interest in an entity that holds PQS.
    (iii) A person that is not a CDQ group and holds PQS is limited to a 
PQS use cap that is calculated based on the sum of all PQS held by that 
PQS holder and all PQS held by any affiliate of the PQS holder. A CDQ 
group that holds PQS is limited to a PQS use cap that is calculated 
based on the sum of all PQS held, individually or collectively, by that 
CDQ group.
    (iv) A person that is not a CDQ group and holds IPQ is limited to an 
IPQ use cap that is calculated based on the sum of all IPQ held by that 
IPQ holder and all IPQ held by any affiliate of the IPQ holder. A CDQ 
group that holds IPQ is limited to an IPQ use cap that is calculated 
based on the sum of all IPQ held, individually or collectively, by that 
CDQ group.
    (4) Before July 1, 2007, IPQ for the BSS, BBR, PIK, SMB, and EAG 
crab QS fisheries may not be used to process crab derived from PQS based 
on activities in an ECC, except in the geographic boundaries established 
in paragraph (b)(4)(iv) of this section, except that, before July 1, 
2007:
    (i) Ten percent of the IPQs that are issued for a crab QS fishery or 
an amount of IPQ that yields up to 500,000 raw crab pounds (226.7 mt) on 
an annual basis, whichever is less, may be leased for use in processing 
crab outside that ECC. The amount of IPQ that is issued on an annual 
basis for use in that ECC and the amount that may be leased outside that 
ECC will be established annually and will be divided on a pro rata basis 
among all PQS permit holders issued IPQ for use in that ECC for that 
year.
    (ii) IPQ in excess of the amounts specified in paragraph (c)(7)(i) 
of this section may be used outside the ECC for which that IPQ is 
designated if an unavoidable circumstance prevents crab processing 
within that ECC. For purposes of this section, an unavoidable 
circumstance exists if the specific intent to conduct processing for a 
crab QS species in that ECC was thwarted by a circumstance that was:
    (A) Unavoidable;
    (B) Unique to the IPQ permit holder, or to the processing facility 
used by the IPQ permit holder in that ECC;
    (C) Unforeseen and reasonably unforeseeable to the IPQ permit 
holder;
    (D) The circumstance that prevented the IPQ permit holder from 
processing crab in that ECC actually occurred; and

[[Page 1090]]

    (E) The IPQ permit holder took all reasonable steps to overcome the 
circumstance that prevented the IPQ permit holder from conducting 
processing for that crab QS fishery in that ECC.
    (iii) This provision does not exempt any IPQ permit holder from any 
regional designation that may apply to that IPQ.
    (iv) Geographic boundaries for use of IPQ outside ECCs for purposes 
of paragraph (b)(4) of this section:
    (A) Akutan, False Pass, King Cove, or Port Moller: IPQ may not be 
used outside of the boundaries of the Aleutians East Borough as those 
boundaries are established by the State of Alaska;
    (B) Kodiak: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the 
Kodiak Island Borough as those boundaries are established by the State 
of Alaska;
    (C) Adak: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the City 
of Adak as those boundaries are established by the State of Alaska;
    (D) Unalaska/Dutch Harbor: IPQ may not be used outside of the 
boundaries of the City of Unalaska as those boundaries are established 
by the State of Alaska.
    (E) St. George: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the 
City of St. George as those boundaries are established by the State of 
Alaska.
    (F) St. Paul: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the 
City of St. Paul as those boundaries are established by the State of 
Alaska.
    (5) Any person harvesting crab under a Class A CVO or Class A CVC 
IFQ Permit, except as provided under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, 
must deliver that crab:
    (i) Only to RCRs with unused IPQ for the same crab QS fishery; and
    (ii) Only to an RCR in the region for which the QS and IFQ is 
designated.
    (6) Any person harvesting crab under a Class B IFQ, CPO IFQ, CVC 
IFQ, or CPC IFQ permit may deliver that crab to any RCR.
    (7) Any IPQ crab that is received by an RCR will not be considered 
use of IPQ by an IPQ holder who has a 10 percent or greater direct or 
indirect ownership interest in the shoreside crab processor or 
stationary floating crab processor where that IPQ crab is processed 
under Sec. 680.7(a)(7) or paragraph (a)(8) of this section if:
    (i) That RCR is not affiliated with an IPQ holder who has a 10 
percent or greater direct or indirect ownership interest in the 
shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab processor where 
that IPQ crab is processed; and
    (ii) The IPQ crab meets the conditions in paragraphs (b)(7)(ii)(A) 
and (B) of this section or the IPQ crab meets the conditions in 
paragraph (b)(7)(ii)(C) of this section:
    (A) The IPQ crab is:
    (1) BSS IPQ crab with a North region designation;
    (2) EAG IPQ crab;
    (3) EBT IPQ crab;
    (4) PIK IPQ crab;
    (5) SMB IPQ crab;
    (6) WAG IPQ crab provided that IPQ crab is processed west of 174 
degrees west longitude;
    (7) WAI IPQ crab; or
    (8) WBT IPQ crab.
    (B) That IPQ crab is processed at:
    (1) Any shoreside crab processor located within the boundaries of a 
home rule, first class, or second class city in the State of Alaska in 
existence on June 29, 2009; or
    (2) Any stationary floating crab processor that is:
    (i) Located within the boundaries of a home rule, first class, or 
second class city in the State of Alaska in existence on June 29, 2009;
    (ii) Moored at a dock, docking facility, or at a permanent mooring 
buoy, unless that stationary floating crab processor is located within 
the boundaries of the city of Atka in which case that stationary 
floating crab processor is not required to be moored at a dock, docking 
facility, or at a permanent mooring buoy; and
    (iii) Located within a harbor, unless that stationary floating crab 
processor is located within the boundaries of the city of Atka on June 
29, 2009, in which case that stationary floating crab processor is not 
required to be located within a harbor.
    (C) The IPQ crab is:
    (1) Derived from PQS that is, or was, subject to a ROFR as that term 
is defined at Sec. 680.2;
    (2) Derived from PQS that has been transferred from the initial 
recipient of

[[Page 1091]]

those PQS to another person under the requirements described at Sec. 
680.41;
    (3) Received by an RCR who is not the initial recipient of those 
PQS; and
    (4) Received by an RCR within the boundaries of the ECC for which 
that PQS and IPQ derived from that PQS is, or was, designated in the 
ROFR.
    (8) Any IPQ crab that is received by an RCR will not be considered 
use of IPQ by an IPQ holder for the purposes of paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(b)(2) of this section, if the IPQ is subject to an exemption pursuant 
to Sec. 680.4(p).
    (c) Vessel limitations. (1) Except for vessels that participate 
solely in a crab harvesting cooperative as described under Sec. 680.21 
and under the provisions described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, 
no vessel may be used to harvest CVO or CPO IFQ in excess of the 
following percentages of the TAC for that crab QS fishery for that crab 
fishing year:
    (i) 2.0 percent for BSS;
    (ii) 2.0 percent for BBR;
    (iii) 2.0 percent for EBT;
    (iv) 2.0 percent for WBT;
    (v) 4.0 percent for PIK;
    (vi) 4.0 percent for SMB;
    (vii) 20.0 percent for EAG;
    (viii) 20.0 percent for WAG; or
    (ix) 20.0 percent for the WAI crab QS fishery west of 179[deg] W. 
long.
    (2) CVC or CPC IFQ used on a vessel will not be included in 
determining whether a vessel use cap is met.
    (3) A single person who receives an initial allocation of QS that 
results in IFQ that is in excess of the vessel use caps, in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section, that person may catch and retain crab harvested 
with the resulting IFQ with a single vessel. However, this provision 
does not apply to IFQ resulting from QS derived from transfer of an LLP 
crab license that occurred after June 10, 2002. Two or more persons may 
not catch and retain their IFQ with one vessel in excess of these 
limitations.
    (4) A vessel use cap would not apply to a vessel if all of the CVO 
or CPO IFQ used on that vessel in a crab fishing year is held by a crab 
harvesting cooperative. This exemption is forfeited if that vessel is 
used to harvest any amount of CVO or CPO IFQ not held by a crab 
harvesting cooperative during the same crab fishing year.
    (5) A person holding a CVC or CPC IFQ permit is required to be 
aboard the vessel upon which their IFQ is being harvested.
    (6) A person holding CVO or CPO QS does not have to be aboard the 
vessel being used to harvest their IFQ if they hold at least a 10 
percent ownership interest in the vessel upon which the IFQ is to be 
harvested and are represented on board the vessel by a crab IFQ hired 
master employed by that QS holder as authorized under Sec. 680.4.
    (7) Ownership of a vessel means, for purposes of this section:
    (i) A sole proprietor; or
    (ii) A person that directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or 
greater interest in an entity that owns a vessel.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 70 
FR 75421, 75422, Dec. 20, 2005; 71 FR 32865, June 7, 2006; 73 FR 29983, 
May 23, 2008; 73 FR 35088, June 20, 2008; 74 FR 25457, May 28, 2009; 78 
FR 28531, May 15, 2013; 81 FR 4212, Jan. 26, 2016; 81 FR 92702, Dec. 20, 
2016; 82 FR 52014, Nov. 9, 2017]



Sec. 680.43  Revocation of CVC and CPC QS.

    (a) Beginning July 1, 2019, the Regional Administrator will revoke 
all CVC QS and CPC QS held by an individual who has not met the 
participation requirements set forth in Sec. 680.40(m). The Regional 
Administrator will revoke an individual's CVC QS or CPC QS in accordance 
with the procedures set forth in this section.
    (b) Notice of C Share QS Inactivity. The Regional Administrator will 
issue a Notice of C Share QS Inactivity to an individual holding CVC or 
CPC QS if, after reviewing the CVC or CPC QS holder's Applications for 
Annual Crab IFQ Permit, the Regional Administrator determines that the 
CVC or CPC QS holder has failed to meet the participation requirements 
in Sec. 680.40(m). A CVC or CPC QS holder who receives such a Notice 
will have 60 days to provide the Regional Administrator with information 
demonstrating participation as crew that meets the requirements of Sec. 
680.40(m).
    (c) Initial administrative determination (IAD). The Regional 
Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the CVC or CPC QS holder 
following the expiration of the 60-day evidentiary period if the

[[Page 1092]]

Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence 
provided by the CVC or CPC QS holder fails to demonstrate participation 
as crew and is insufficient to rebut the information included in the CVC 
or CPC QS holder's Applications for Annual Crab IFQ Permit, or if the 
additional information or evidence is not provided within the time 
period specified in the Notice of C Share QS Inactivity. The IAD will 
explain the basis for the revocation determination. A CVC or CPC QS 
holder who receives an IAD for revocation may appeal under the appeals 
procedures set forth at 15 CFR part 906. A CVC or CPC QS holder who 
avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD for 
revocation will not receive crab IFQ or IPQ until after the final 
resolution of that appeal in the QS holder's favor.

[80 FR 15899, Mar. 26, 2015, as amended at 87 FR 42394, July 15, 2022]



Sec. 680.44  Cost recovery.

    (a) Cost recovery fees--(1) Responsibility. The person documented on 
the IFQ, IPQ, CDQ, RCR, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC), or 
State of Alaska Commissioner's permit as the permit holder at the time 
of a CR crab landing must comply with the requirements of this section.
    (i) Subsequent transfer of IFQ, IPQ, CDQ, or QS does not affect the 
permit holder's liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (ii) Non-renewal of an RCR permit does not affect the permit 
holder's liability for noncompliance with this section.
    (2) Fee liability determination. (i) All CR allocation holders and 
RCR permit holders will be subject to a fee liability for any CR crab 
debited from a CR allocation during a crab fishing year, except for crab 
designated as personal use or deadloss, or crab confiscated by NMFS or 
the State of Alaska.
    (ii) Fee liability must be calculated by multiplying the applicable 
fee percentage by the ex-vessel value of the CR crab received by the RCR 
at the time of receipt, except as provided by paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section.
    (iii) NMFS will provide a summary to all RCR permit holders during 
the last quarter of the crab fishing year. The summary will explain the 
fee liability determination including the current fee percentage, 
details of raw crab pounds debited from CR allocations by permit, port 
or port-group, species, date, and prices.
    (3) Fee collection. (i) All RCRs who receive CR crab are responsible 
for submitting the cost recovery payment for all CR crab received.
    (ii) All RCRs who receive CR crab in a crab fishing year must 
maintain and submit records for any crab cost recovery fees collected 
under the corresponding RCR permit.
    (4) Payment--(i) Payment due date. An RCR permit holder must submit 
any crab cost recovery fee liability payment(s) to NMFS at the address 
provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section no later than July 31 
of the crab fishing year following the crab fishing year in which the 
payment for a CR crab landing was made.
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments may be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the RCR permit holder.
    (iv) Payment method--(A) Prior to June 1, 2020, payment must be made 
in U.S. dollars by personal check drawn on a U.S. bank account, money 
order, bank-certified check, or electronically by credit card.
    (B) On or after June 1, 2020, payment must be made electronically in 
U.S. dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic 
check drawn on a U.S. bank account.
    (b) Ex-vessel value determination and use--(1) General. An RCR 
permit holder must use either the ex-vessel value determined for 
shoreside processors or the ex-vessel value determined for at-sea 
Catcher/Processors (CP), depending on their activity. Ex-vessel value 
includes all cash, services, or other goods-in-kind exchanged for CR 
crab.
    (2) Shoreside ex-vessel value. Shoreside processing facilities must 
use the price

[[Page 1093]]

paid at the time of purchase as ex-vessel value for the purposes of 
calculating fee liability. Shoreside processing facilities must include 
any subsequent retroactive payments as adjustments to the initial 
calculation of fee liability.
    (3) Catcher/processor ex-vessel value--(i) General. Catcher/
processors must use the corresponding CP standard price(s) for the 
purposes of calculating fee liability.
    (ii) CP standard prices. As part of the summary described in 
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the Regional Administrator will 
provide CP standard prices calculated for the current year during the 
last quarter of each crab fishing year. The CP standard prices will be 
described in U.S. dollars per raw crab pound, for CR crab debited from 
CR allocations during the current crab fishing year.
    (iii) Effective period. CP standard prices established by NMFS shall 
apply to all landings made in the same crab fishing year as the CP 
standard price provided for that year and shall replace any CP standard 
prices previously provided by NMFS.
    (iv) Determination. NMFS will calculate the CP standard prices to 
reflect, as closely as possible, the current crab fishing year's average 
shoreside processor price by fishery and by species, and any variations 
in reported shoreside ex-vessel values of CR crab. The Regional 
Administrator will base CP standard prices on the following types of 
information:
    (A) Landed pounds by CR crab, port-group, and month;
    (B) Total shoreside ex-vessel value by CR crab, port-group, and 
month; and
    (C) Price adjustments, including retroactive payments.
    (4) Fee liability calculation. All RCRs must base all fee liability 
calculations on the ex-vessel value that correlates to CR crab that is 
debited from a CR allocation and recorded in raw crab pounds.
    (c) Crab fee percentage--(1) Established percentage. The crab fee 
percentage is the amount as determined by the factors and methodology 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. This amount will be 
announced by publication in the Federal Register in accordance with 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section. This amount must not exceed 3 percent 
pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).
    (i) The calculated crab fee percentage will be divided equally 
between the harvesting and processing sectors.
    (ii) Catcher/Processors must pay the full crab fee percentage 
determined by the fee percentage calculation for all CR crab debited 
from a CR allocation.
    (2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS shall calculate 
and publish the fee percentage according to the following factors and 
methodology:
    (i) Factors. NMFS must use the following factors to determine the 
fee percentage:
    (A) The catch to which the crab cost recovery fee will apply;
    (B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and
    (C) The costs directly related to the management and enforcement of 
the Crab Rationalization Program.
    (ii) Methodology. NMFS must use the following equations to determine 
the fee percentage:

Harvesting and Processing Sectors: [100 (DPC/ V)] 0.5
Catcher/Processors: 100 (DPC /V)

    where:

``DPC'' is the direct program costs for the Crab Rationalization Program 
          for the previous fiscal year, and
``V'' is the ex-vessel value of the catch subject to the crab cost 
          recovery fee liability for the current year.

    (3) Publication--(i) General. During the first quarter of each crab 
fishing year, NMFS shall calculate the crab fee percentage based on the 
calculations described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Effective period. The calculated IFQ fee percentage remains in 
effect through the end of the crab fishing year in which it was 
determined.
    (4) Applicable percentage. The RCR permit holder must use the crab 
fee percentage in effect at the time a CR crab is debited from a CR 
allocation to calculate the crab cost recovery fee liability for such CR 
crab. The RCR permit holder must use the crab fee percentage in effect 
at the time a CR crab

[[Page 1094]]

is debited from a CR allocation to calculate the crab cost recovery fee 
liability for any retroactive payments for that CR crab.
    (d) Underpayment of fee liability. (1) Under Sec. 680.4, an 
applicant will not receive new IFQ, IPQ, or RCR permits until he or she 
submits a complete application. A complete application shall include 
full payment of an applicant's complete crab cost recovery fee liability 
as reported by the RCR.
    (2) If an RCR fails to submit full payment for crab cost recovery 
fee liability by the date described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, 
the Regional Administrator may:
    (i) At any time thereafter send an IAD to the RCR permit holder 
stating that the RCR permit holder's estimated fee liability, as 
indicated by his or her own submitted information, is the crab cost 
recovery fee liability due from the RCR permit holder.
    (ii) Disapprove any transfer of IFQ, IPQ, QS, or PQS to or from the 
RCR permit holder in accordance with Sec. 680.41.
    (3) If an RCR fails to submit full payment by the application 
deadline described at Sec. 680.4, no IFQ or IPQ permit will be issued 
to that RCR for that crab fishing year.
    (4) Upon final agency action determining that an RCR permit holder 
has not paid his or her crab cost recovery fee liability, the Regional 
Administrator may continue to withhold issuance of any new IFQ, IPQ, or 
RCR permit for any subsequent crab fishing years. If payment is not 
received by the 30th day after the final agency action, the matter will 
be referred to the appropriate authorities for purposes of collection.
    (e) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, any amount 
submitted to NMFS in excess of the crab cost recovery fee liability 
determined to be due by the final agency action will be returned to the 
RCR permit holder unless the permit holder requests the agency to credit 
the excess amount against the permit holder's future crab cost recovery 
fee liability.
    (f) Appeals and requests for reconsideration. An RCR permit holder 
who receives an IAD may either appeal the IAD pursuant to 50 CFR 679.43 
or request reconsideration. Within 60 days from the date of issuance of 
the IAD, the Regional Administrator may undertake reconsideration of the 
IAD on his or her own initiative. If a request for reconsideration is 
submitted or the Regional Administrator initiates reconsideration, the 
60-day period for appeal under 50 CFR 679.43 will begin anew upon 
issuance of the Regional Administrator's reconsidered IAD. The Regional 
Administrator may undertake only one reconsideration of the IAD, if any. 
If an RCR permit holder fails to file an appeal of the IAD pursuant to 
50 CFR 679.43 or request reconsideration within the time period 
provided, the IAD will become the final agency action. In any appeal or 
reconsideration of an IAD made under this section, an RCR permit holder 
has the burden of proving his or her claim.
    (g) Fee submission form. An RCR must submit an RCR permit holder fee 
submission form according to Sec. 680.5(g).

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 44232, Aug. 4, 2006; 73 
FR 76190, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 51520, Oct. 7, 2009; 81 FR 23649, Apr. 
22, 2016]



      Sec. Table 1 to Part 680--Crab Rationalization (CR) Fisheries

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Fishery
    Code        CR Fishery                  Geographic Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBR          Bristol Bay red   In waters of the EEZ with:
              king crab        (1) A northern boundary of 58[deg]30[min]
              (Paralithodes     N. lat.,
              camtshaticus).   (2) A southern boundary of 54[deg]36[min]
                                N. lat., and
                               (3) A western boundary of 168[deg] W.
                                long. and including all waters of
                                Bristol Bay.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 1095]]

 
BSS          Bering Sea Snow   In waters of the EEZ with:
              crab             (1) A northern and western boundary of
              (Chionoecetes     the Maritime Boundary Agreement Line as
              opilio).          that line is described in the text of
                                and depicted in the annex to the
                                Maritime Boundary Agreement between the
                                United States and the Union of Soviet
                                Socialist Republics signed in
                                Washington, June 1, 1990, and as the
                                Maritime Boundary Agreement Line as
                                depicted on NOAA Chart No. 513 (6th
                                edition, February 23, 1991) and NOAA
                                Chart No. 514 (6th edition, February 16,
                                1991), and
                               (2) A southern boundary of 54[deg]30[min]
                                N. lat. to 171[deg] W. long., and then
                                south to 54[deg]36[min] N. lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EAG          Eastern Aleutian  In waters of the EEZ with:
              Islands golden   (1) An eastern boundary the longitude of
              king crab         Scotch Cap Light (164[deg]44[min] W.
              (Lithodes         long.) to 53[deg]30[min] N. lat., then
              aequispinus).     West to 165[deg] W. long.,
                               (2) A western boundary of 174[deg] W.
                                long., and
                               (3) A northern boundary of a line from
                                the latitude of Cape Sarichef
                                (54[deg]36[min] N. lat.) westward to
                                171[deg] W. long., then north to
                                55[deg]30[min] N. lat., then west to
                                174[deg] W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBT          Eastern Bering    In waters of the EEZ with:
              Sea Tanner crab  (1) A western boundary the longitude of
              (Chionoecetes     166[deg] W. long.,
              bairdi).         (2) A northern boundary of the Maritime
                                Boundary Agreement Line as that line is
                                described in the text of and depicted in
                                the annex to the Maritime Boundary
                                Agreement between the United States and
                                the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
                                signed in Washington, June 1, 1990, and
                                as the Maritime Boundary Agreement Line
                                as depicted on NOAA Chart No. 513 (6th
                                edition, February 23, 1991) and NOAA
                                Chart No. 514 (6th edition, February 16,
                                1991), and
                               (3) A southern boundary of 54[deg]30'N.
                                lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIK          Pribilof red      In waters of the EEZ with:
              king and blue    (1) A northern boundary of 58[deg]30[min]
              king crab         N. lat.,
              (Paralithodes    (2) An eastern boundary of 168[deg] W.
              camtshaticus      long., and
              and P.           (3) A southern boundary line from
              platypus).        54[deg]36[min] N. lat., 168[deg] W.
                                long., to 54[deg]36[min] N. lat.,
                                171[deg] W. long., to 55[deg]30[min] N.
                                lat., 171[deg] W. long., to
                                55[deg]30[min] N. lat., 173[deg]30[min]
                                E. lat., and then westward to the
                                Maritime Boundary Agreement Line as that
                                line is described in the text of and
                                depicted in the annex to the Maritime
                                Boundary Agreement between the United
                                States and the Union of Soviet Socialist
                                Republics signed in Washington, June 1,
                                1990, and as the Maritime Boundary
                                Agreement Line as depicted on NOAA Chart
                                No. 513 (6th edition, February 23, 1991)
                                and NOAA Chart No. 514 (6th edition,
                                February 16, 1991).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMB          St. Matthew blue  In waters of the EEZ with:
              king crab        (1) A northern boundary of 62[deg] N.
              (Paralithodes     lat.,
              platypus).       (2) A southern boundary of 58[deg]30[min]
                                N. lat., and
                               (3) A western boundary of the Maritime
                                Boundary Agreement Line as that line is
                                described in the text of and depicted in
                                the annex to the Maritime Boundary
                                Agreement between the United States and
                                the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
                                signed in Washington, June 1, 1990, and
                                as the Maritime Boundary Agreement Line
                                as depicted on NOAA Chart No. 513 (6th
                                edition, February 23, 1991) and NOAA
                                Chart No. 514 (6th edition, February 16,
                                1991).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAG          Western Aleutian  In waters of the EEZ with:
              Islands golden   (1) An eastern boundary the longitude
              king crab         174[deg] W. long.,
              (Lithodes        (2) A western boundary the Maritime
              aequispinus).     Boundary Agreement Line as that line is
                                described in the text of and depicted in
                                the annex to the Maritime Boundary
                                Agreement between the United States and
                                the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
                                signed in Washington, June 1, 1990, and
                                as the Maritime Boundary Agreement Line
                                as depicted on NOAA Chart No. 513 (6th
                                edition, February 23, 1991) and NOAA
                                Chart No. 514 (6th edition, February 16,
                                1991), and
                               (3) A northern boundary of a line from
                                the latitude of 55[deg]30[min] N. lat.,
                                then west to the U.S.-Russian Convention
                                line of 1867.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 1096]]

 
WAI          Western Aleutian  In waters of the EEZ with:
              Islands red      (1) An eastern boundary the longitude
              king crab         179[deg] W. long.,
              (Paralithodes    (2) A western boundary of the Maritime
              camtshaticus).    Boundary Agreement Line as that line is
                                described in the text of and depicted in
                                the annex to the Maritime Boundary
                                Agreement between the United States and
                                the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
                                signed in Washington, June 1, 1990, and
                                as the Maritime Boundary Agreement Line
                                as depicted on NOAA Chart No. 513 (6th
                                edition, February 23, 1991) and NOAA
                                Chart No. 514 (6th edition, February 16,
                                1991), and
                               (3) A northern boundary of a line from
                                the latitude of 55[deg]30[min] N. lat.,
                                then west to the Maritime Boundary
                                Agreement Line as that line is described
                                in the text of and depicted in the annex
                                to the Maritime Boundary Agreement
                                between the United States and the Union
                                of Soviet Socialist Republics signed in
                                Washington, June 1, 1990, and as the
                                Maritime Boundary Agreement Line as
                                depicted on NOAA Chart No. 513 (6th
                                edition, February 23, 1991) and NOAA
                                Chart No. 514 (6th edition, February 16,
                                1991).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WBT          Western Bering    In waters of the EEZ with:
              Sea Tanner crab  (1) An eastern boundary the longitude of
              (Chionoecetes     166[deg] W. long.,
              bairdi).         (2) A northern and western boundary of
                                the Maritime Boundary Agreement Line as
                                that line is described in the text of
                                and depicted in the annex to the
                                Maritime Boundary Agreement between the
                                United States and the Union of Soviet
                                Socialist Republics signed in
                                Washington, June 1, 1990, and as the
                                Maritime Boundary Agreement Line as
                                depicted on NOAA Chart No. 513 (6th
                                edition, February 23, 1991) and NOAA
                                Chart No. 514 (6th edition, February 16,
                                1991), and
                               (3) A southern boundary of 54[deg]30[min]
                                N. lat. to 171[deg] W. long., and then
                                south to 54[deg]36[min] N. lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[71 FR 32866, June 7, 2006]



        Sec. Table 3a to Part 680--Crab Delivery Condition Codes

 [The condition of the fish or shellfish at the point it is weighed and
                   recorded on the ADF&G fish ticket]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Code                              Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
01........................  Whole crab, live.
79........................  Deadloss.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



      Sec. Table 3b to Part 680--Crab Disposition or Product Codes

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Code                              Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
80........................  Sections.
95........................  Personal use--not sold.
97........................  Other retained product (specify condition).
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec. Table 7 to Part 680--Initial Issuance of Crab QS by Crab QS Fishery

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Column D: Recent      Column E:
                                        Column B:            Column C:          Participation        Subset of
   Column A: Crab QS Fisheries       Qualifying Years    Eligibility Years   Seasons for CVC and    Qualifying
                                          for QS         for CVC and CPC QS         CPC QS             Years
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For each crab QS fishery the       QS for any           In addition, each    In addition, each    The maximum
 Regional Administrator shall       qualified person     person receiving     person receiving     number of
 calculate (see Sec. based on that        CVC and CPC QS       CVC or CPC QS,       qualifying
 680.40(c)(2):                      person's total       must have made at    must have made at    years that
                                    legal landings of    least one landing    least one landing,   can be used
                                    crab in each of      per year, as         as recorded on a     to calculate
                                    the crab QS          recorded on a        State of Alaska      QS for each
                                    fisheries for any:   State of Alaska      fish ticket, in at   QS fishery
                                                         fish ticket, in      least 2 of the       is:
                                                         any three years      last 3 fishing
                                                         during the base      seasons in each of
                                                         period described     the crab QS
                                                         below:               fisheries as those
                                                                              seasons are
                                                                              described below:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Bristol Bay red king crab       4 years of the 5-    3 years of the 5-    (1) October 15-20,   4 years
 (BBR)                              year QS base         year QS base         1999.
                                    period beginning     period beginning    (2) October 16-20,
                                    on:                  on:                  2000.
                                   (1) November 1-5,    (1) November 1-5,    (3) October 15-18,
                                    1996;                1996;                2001.
                                   (2) November 1-5,    (2) November 1-5,
                                    1997;                1997;
                                   (3) November 1-6,    (3) November 1-6,
                                    1998;                1998;
                                   (4) October 15-20,   (4) October 15-20,
                                    1999;                1999;
                                   (5) October 16-20,   (5) October 16-20,
                                    2000.                2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 1097]]

 
2. Bering Sea snow crab (BSS)      4 years of the 5-    3 years of the 5-    (1) April 1-8,       4 years
                                    year period          year period          2000.
                                    beginning on:        beginning on:       (2) January 15,
                                   (1) January 15,      (1) January 15,       2001 through
                                    1996 through         1996 through         February 14, 2001.
                                    February 29, 1996;   February 29, 1996;  (3) January 15,
                                   (2) January 15,      (2) January 15,       2002 through
                                    1997 through March   1997 through March   February 8, 2002.
                                    21, 1997;            21, 1997;
                                   (3) January 15,      (3) January 15,
                                    1998 through March   1998 through March
                                    20, 1998;            20, 1998;
                                   (4) January 15,      (4) January 15,
                                    1999 through March   1999 through March
                                    22, 1999;            22, 1999;
                                   (5) April 1-8,       (5) April 1-8,
                                    2000.                2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Eastern Aleutian Islands        5 years of the 5-    3 years of the 5-    (1) September 1      5 years
 golden king crab (EAG)             year base period     year base period     1999 through
                                    beginning on:        beginning on:        October 25, 1999.
                                   (1) September 1,     (1) September 1,     (2) August 15, 2000
                                    1996 through         1996 through         through September
                                    December 25, 1996;   December 25, 1996;   24, 2000.
                                   (2) September 1,     (2) September 1,     (3) August 15, 2001
                                    1997 though          1997 though          through September
                                    November 24, 1997;   November 24, 1997;   10, 2001.
                                   (3) September 1,     (3) September 1,
                                    1998 through         1998 through
                                    November 7, 1998;    November 7, 1998;
                                   (4) September 1,     (4) September 1,
                                    1999 through         1999 through
                                    October 25, 1999;    October 25, 1999;
                                   (5) August 15, 2000  (5) August 15, 2000
                                    through September    through September
                                    24, 2000.            25, 2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab  4 of the 6 seasons   3 of the 6 seasons   In any 2 of the      4 years
 (EBT)                              beginning on:        beginning on:        last 3 seasons
                                   (1) November 15,     (1) November 15,      prior to June 10,
                                    1991 through March   1991 through March   2002 in the
                                    31, 1992;            31, 1992;            Eastern Aleutian
                                   (2) November 15,     (2) November 15,      Island golden
                                    1992 through March   1992 through March   (brown) king crab,
                                    31, 1993;            31, 1993;            Western Aleutian
                                   (3) November 1-10,   (3) November 1-10,    Island golden
                                    1993, and November   1993, and November   (brown) king crab,
                                    20, 1993 through     20, 1993 through     Bering Sea snow
                                    January 1, 1994;     January 1, 1994;     crab, or Bristol
                                   (4) November 1-21,   (4) November 1-21,    Bay red king crab
                                    1994;                1994;                fisheries.
                                   (5) November 1-16,   (5) November 1-16,
                                    1995;                1995;
                                   (6) November 1-5,    (6) November 1-5,
                                    1996 and November    1996 and November
                                    15-27, 1996.         15-27, 1996.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Pribilof red king and blue      4 years of the 5-    3 years of the 5-    In any 2 of the      4 years
 king crab (PIK)                    year period          year period          last 3 seasons
                                    beginning on:        beginning on:        prior to June 10,
                                   (1) September 15-    (1) September 15-     2002 in the
                                    21, 1994;            21, 1994;            Eastern Aleutian
                                   (2) September 15-    (2) September 15-     Island golden
                                    22, 1995;            22, 1995;            (brown) king crab,
                                   (3) September 15-    (3) September 15-     Western Aleutian
                                    26, 1996;            26, 1996;            Island golden
                                   (4) September 15-    (4) September 15-     (brown) king crab,
                                    29, 1997;            29, 1997;            Bering Sea snow
                                   (5) September 1-28,  (5) September 15-     crab, or Bristol
                                    1998.                28, 1998.            Bay red king crab
                                                                              fisheries, except
                                                                              that persons
                                                                              applying for an
                                                                              allocation to
                                                                              receive QS based
                                                                              on legal landings
                                                                              made aboard a
                                                                              vessel less than
                                                                              60 feet (18.3 m)
                                                                              LOA at the time of
                                                                              harvest are exempt
                                                                              from this
                                                                              requirement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. St. Matthew blue king crab      4 years of the 5-    3 years of the 5-    In any 2 of the      4 years
 (SMB)                              year period          year period          last 3 seasons
                                    beginning on:        beginning on:        prior to June 10,
                                   (1) September 15-    (1) September 15-     2002 in the
                                    22, 1994;            22, 1994;            Eastern Aleutian
                                   (2) September 15-    (2) September 15-     Island golden
                                    20, 1995;            20, 1995;            (brown) king crab,
                                   (3) September 15-    (3) September 15-     Western Aleutian
                                    23, 1996;            23, 1996;            Island golden
                                   (4) September 15-    (4) September 15-     (brown) king crab,
                                    22, 1997;            22, 1997; and        Bering Sea snow
                                   (5) September 15-    (5) September 15-     crab, or Bristol
                                    26, 1998.            26, 1998.            Bay red king crab
                                                                              fisheries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 1098]]

 
7. Western Aleutian Islands brown  5 of the 5 seasons   3 of the 5 seasons   (1) September 1,     5 years
 king crab (WAG)                    beginning on:        beginning on:        1999 through
                                   (1) September 1,     (1) September 1,      August 14, 2000.
                                    1996 through         1996 through        (2) August 15, 2000
                                    August 31, 1997;     August 31, 1997;     through March 28,
                                   (2) September 1,     (2) September 1,      2001.
                                    1997 though August   1997 though August  (3) August 15 2001
                                    21, 1998;            31, 1998;            through March 30,
                                   (3) September 1,     (3) September 1,      2002.
                                    1998 through         1998 through
                                    August 31, 1999;     August 31, 1999;
                                   (4) September 1,     (4) September 1,
                                    1999 through         1999 through
                                    August 14, 2000;     August 14, 2000;
                                   (5) August 15, 2000  (5) August 15, 2000
                                    through March 28,    through March 28,
                                    2001.                2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Western Aleutian Islands red    3 of the 4 seasons   3 of the 4 seasons   In any 2 of the      3 years
 king crab (WAI)                    beginning on:        beginning on:        last 3 seasons
                                   (1) November 1,      (1) November 1,       prior to June 10,
                                    1992 through         1992 through         2002 in the
                                    January 15, 1993;    January 15, 1993;    Eastern Aleutian
                                   (2) November 1,      (2) November 1,       Island golden
                                    1993 through         1993 through         (brown) king crab,
                                    February 15, 1994;   February 15, 1994;   Western Aleutian
                                   (3) November 1-28,   (3) November 1-28,    Island golden
                                    1994;                1994;                (brown) king crab,
                                   (4) November 1,      (4) November 1,       Bering Sea snow
                                    1995 through         1995 through         crab, or Bristol
                                    February 13, 1996.   February 13, 1996.   Bay red king crab
                                                                              fisheries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Western Bering Sea Tanner crab  4 of the 6 seasons   3 of the 6 seasons   In any 2 of the      4 years
 (WBT)                              beginning on:        beginning on:        last 3 seasons
                                   (1) November 15,     (1) November 15,      prior to June 10,
                                    1991 through March   1991 through March   2002 in the
                                    31, 1992;            31, 1992;            Eastern Aleutian
                                   (2) November 15,     (2) November 15,      Island golden
                                    1992 through March   1992 through March   (brown) king crab,
                                    31, 1993;            31, 1993;            Western Aleutian
                                   (3) November 1-10,   (3) November 1-10,    Island golden
                                    1993, and November   1993, and November   (brown) king crab,
                                    20, 1993 through     20, 1993 through     Bering Sea snow
                                    January 1, 1994;     January 1, 1994;     crab, or Bristol
                                   (4) November 1-21,   (4) November 1-21,    Bay red king crab
                                    1994;                1994;                fisheries.
                                   (5) November 1-16,   (5) November 1-16,
                                    1995;                1995;
                                   (6) November 1-5,    (6) November 1-5,
                                    1996 and November    1996 and November
                                    15-27, 1996.         15-27, 1996.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[71 FR 32867, June 7, 2006]



   Sec. Table 8 to Part 680--Initial QS and PQS Pool for Each Crab QS 
                                 Fishery

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Crab QS Fishery             Initial QS Pool  Initial PQS Pool
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBR Bristol Bay red king crab              400,000,000       400,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSS Bering Sea snow crab (C. opilio)     1,000,000,000     1,000,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EAG Eastern Aleutian Islands golden         10,000,000        10,000,000
 king crab
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBT Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab         200,000,000       200,000,000
 (C. bairdi)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIK Pribilof Islands red and blue           30,000,000        30,000,000
 king crab
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMB St. Matthew blue king crab              30,000,000        30,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAG Western Aleutian Islands golden         40,000,000        40,000,000
 king crab
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAI Western Aleutian Islands red            60,000,000        60,000,000
 king crab
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WBT Western Bering Sea Tanner crab         200,000,000       200,000,000
 (C. bairdi)
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1099]]



   Sec. Table 9 to Part 680--Initial Issuance of Crab PQS by Crab QS 
                                 Fishery

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Column B: The Regional Administrator
                                 shall calculate PQS for any qualified
  Column A: For each crab QS   person based on that person's total legal
           fishery:             purchase of crab in each of the crab QS
                                          fisheries for any...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bristol Bay red king crab      3 years of the 3-year QS base period
 (BBR)                          beginning on:
                               (1) November 1-5, 1997;
                               (2) November 1-6, 1998; and
                               (3) October 15-20, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea snow crab (BSS)     3 years of the 3-year period beginning
                                on:
                               (1) January 15, 1997 through March 21,
                                1997;
                               (2) January 15, 1998 through March 20,
                                1998; and
                               (3) January 15, 1999 through March 22,
                                1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern Aleutian Island        4 years of the 4-year base period
 golden king crab (EAG)         beginning on:
                               (1) September 1, 1996 through December
                                25, 1996;
                               (2) September 1, 1997 though November 24,
                                1997;
                               (3) September 1, 1998 through November 7,
                                1998; and
                               (4) September 1, 1999 through October 25,
                                1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern Bering Sea Tanner      Equivalent to 50 percent of the total
 crab (EBT)                     legally processed crab in the Bering Sea
                                snow crab fishery during the qualifying
                                years established for that fishery, and
                                50 percent of the total legally
                                processed crab in the Bristol Bay red
                                king crab fishery during the qualifying
                                years established for that fishery.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pribilof Islands red and blue  3 years of the 3-year period beginning
 king crab (PIK)                on:
                               (1) September 15-26, 1996;
                               (2) September 15-29, 1997; and
                               (3) September 15-28, 1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Matthew blue king crab     3 years of the 3-year period beginning
 (SMB)                          on:
                               (1) September 15-23, 1996;
                               (2) September 15-22, 1997; and
                               (3) September 15-26, 1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Aleutian Island        4 years of the 4-year base period
 golden king crab (WAG)         beginning on:
                               (1) September 1, 1996 through August 31,
                                1997;
                               (2) September 1, 1997 though August 31,
                                1998;
                               (3) September 1, 1998 through August 31,
                                1999; and
                               (4) September 1, 1999 through August 14,
                                2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Aleutian Islands red   Equivalent to the total legally processed
 king crab (WAI)                crab in the Western Aleutian Islands
                                golden (brown) king crab fishery during
                                the qualifying years established for
                                that fishery.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Bering Sea Tanner      Equivalent to 50 percent of the total
 crab (WBT)                     legally processed crab in the Bering Sea
                                snow crab fishery during the qualifying
                                years established for that fishery, and
                                50 percent of the total legally
                                processed crab in the Bristol Bay red
                                king crab fishery during the qualifying
                                years established for that fishery.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[71 FR 32867, June 7, 2006]



 Sec. Table 10 to Part 680--License Limitation Program License Numbers 
    That Authorize the Owners and Operators of Catcher/Processors to 
  Directed Fish for Pacific Cod With Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central 
  Gulf of Alaska Regulatory Area (Column A) and in the Western Gulf of 
                    Alaska Regulatory Area (Column B)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Column A:                            Column B:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LLG1125...................................  LLG1400.
LLG1128...................................  LLG1401.
LLG1400...................................  LLG1576.
LLG1576...................................  LLG1578.
LLG1713...................................  LLG1785.
LLG1785...................................  LLG1916.
LLG1916...................................  LLG1917.
LLG1917...................................  LLG2026.
LLG1989...................................  LLG2081.
LLG2081...................................  LLG2112.
LLG2112...................................  LLG2892.
LLG2238...................................  LLG2935.
LLG2705...................................  LLG3090.
LLG2783...................................  LLG3602.
LLG2892...................................  LLG3617.
LLG2958...................................  LLG3676.
LLG3609...................................  LLG4004.
LLG3616...................................  LLG4823.
LLG3617.
LLG3676.
LLG3681.
LLG3973.
LLG4823.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1100]]


[80 FR 28545, May 19, 2015]



PART 697_ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT
--Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
697.1 Purpose and scope.
697.2 Definitions.
697.3 Relation to other Federal and state laws.
697.4 Vessel permits and trap tags.
697.5 Operator permits.
697.6 Dealer permits.
697.7 Prohibitions.
697.8 Vessel identification.
697.9 Facilitation of enforcement.
697.10 Penalties.
697.11 Civil procedures.
697.12 At-sea sea sampler/observer coverage.

                      Subpart B_Management Measures

697.17 Non-trap harvest restrictions.
697.18 Lobster management areas.
697.19 Trap limits and trap tag requirements for vessels fishing with 
          lobster traps.
697.20 Size, harvesting and landing requirements.
697.21 Gear identification and marking, escape vent, maximum trap size, 
          and ghost panel requirements.
697.22 Exempted fishing.
697.23 Restricted gear areas.
697.24 Exempted waters for Maine State American lobster permits.
697.25 Adjustment to management measures.
697.26 EEZ Nearshore Management Area 5 Trap Waiver.
697.27 Trap transferability.
697.28 Atlantic migratory group cobia.

Table 1 to Part 697--Area 3 Trap Reduction Schedule

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.

    Source: 64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec. 697.1  Purpose and scope.

    The regulations in this part are issued under the authority of 
section 804(b) of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management 
Act, 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., and section 6 of the Atlantic Striped Bass 
Conservation Act Appropriations Authorization, 16 U.S.C. 1851 note, and 
govern fishing in the EEZ on the Atlantic Coast for species covered by 
those acts.



Sec. 697.2  Definitions.

    (a) In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
in Sec. Sec. 600.10 and 648.2 of this chapter, for the purposes of this 
part, the following terms have the following meanings:
    American lobster or lobster means Homarus americanus.
    Approved TED means any approved TED as defined at Sec. 217.12 of 
this title.
    Atlantic Coastal Act means the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries 
Cooperative Management Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.).
    Atlantic migratory group cobia, means Rachycentron canadum, a whole 
fish or a part thereof, bounded by a line extending from the 
intersection point of New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island 
(41[deg]18[min]16.249[sec] N lat. and 71[deg]54[min]28.477[sec] W long) 
southeast to 37[deg]22[min]32.75[sec] N lat. and the intersection point 
with the outward boundary of the EEZ and south to a line extending due 
east of the Florida/Georgia border (30[deg]42[min]45.6[sec] N lat.).
    Atlantic red drum, also called redfish, means Sciaenops ocellatus, 
or a part thereof, found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the 
Atlantic coastal states, to the outer boundary of the EEZ, as specified 
in Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, from the boundary of the United States 
and Canada, to the boundary between the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, as 
specified in Sec. 600.105(c) of this chapter.
    Atlantic striped bass means members of stocks or populations of the 
species Morone saxatilis found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean north 
of Key West, FL.
    Atlantic sturgeon means members of stocks or populations of the 
species Acipenser oxyrhynchus.
    Berried female Jonah crab means a female Jonah crab bearing eggs 
attached to the abdomen.
    Berried female lobster means a female American lobster bearing eggs 
attached to the abdominal appendages.
    Block Island Southeast Light means the aid to navigation light 
located at Southeast Point, Block Island, RI, and

[[Page 1101]]

defined as follows: Located at 40[deg]09.2[min] N. lat., 
71[deg]33.1[min] W. long; is 201 ft (61.3 m) above the water; and is 
shown from a brick octagonal tower 67 ft (20.4 m) high attached to a 
dwelling on the southeast point of Block Island, RI.
    BRD means bycatch reduction device.
    Certified BRD means any BRD, as defined in part 622, Appendix D of 
this chapter: Specifications for Certified BRDs.
    Charter or head boat means any vessel carrying fishing persons or 
parties for a per capita fee, for a charter fee, or any other type of 
fee.
    Commercial dive vessel means any vessel carrying divers for a per 
capita fee, a charter fee, or any other type of fee.
    Commercial purposes means for the purpose of selling, trading, 
transferring, or bartering all or part of the fish harvested.
    Commission means the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 
established under the interstate compact consented to and approved by 
Congress in Pub. L. 77-539 and Pub. L. 81-721.
    Conservation equivalency means a measure adopted by a state that 
differs from the specific requirements of an interstate fishery 
management plan, but achieves the same level of conservation for the 
resource under management.
    Continuous transit means that a vessel does not have fishing gear in 
the water and remains continuously underway.
    CPH means Confirmation of Permit History.
    Crab trawl means any trawl net that is rigged for fishing and has a 
mesh size of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm), as measured between the centers of 
opposite knots when pulled taut.
    Cull American lobster means a whole American lobster that is missing 
one or both claws.
    Dealer means any person who receives, for a commercial purpose 
(other than solely for transport on land), any species of fish, the 
harvest of which is managed by this part, from the owner or operator of 
a vessel issued a valid permit under this part, or any person who 
receives, for a commercial purpose (other than solely for transport on 
land), any species of fish managed under this part.
    De minimis state means any state where the landings are so low that 
the Commission's Fisheries Management Board has exempted that state from 
some of its regulatory responsibilities under an Interstate Fishery 
Management Plan.
    Director means the Director of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Dredge means a gear consisting of a mouth frame attached to a 
holding bag constructed of metal rings or mesh.
    Egg Production Rebuilding Schedule means the schedule identified in 
section 2.5 of Amendment 3 to the Commission's ISFMP.
    Escape vent means an opening in a lobster trap designed to allow 
lobster smaller than the legal minimum size to escape from the trap.
    Federal Area 1 Limited Access Program means the limited access 
program restricts trap fishing in Area 1 to those Federal lobster 
permits with qualified and allocated Area 1 traps, as identified in 
these regulations at Sec. 697.4(a)(7)(ii).
    Federal Area 2 Limited Access Program means the limited access 
program restricts trap fishing in Area 2 to those Federal lobster 
permits with qualified and allocated Area 2 traps, as identified in 
these regulations at Sec. 697.4(a)(7)(ii).
    Federal Area 3 Limited Access Program means the limited access 
program restricts trap fishing in Area 3 to those Federal lobster 
permits with qualified and allocated Area 3 traps, as identified in 
these regulations at Sec. 697.4(a)(7)(ii).
    Federal Area 4 Limited Access Program means the limited access 
program restricts trap fishing in Area 4 to those Federal lobster 
permits with qualified and allocated Area 4 traps, as identified in 
these regulations at Sec. 697.4(a)(7)(ii).
    Federal Area 5 Limited Access Program means the limited access 
program restricts trap fishing in Area 5 to those Federal lobster 
permits with qualified and allocated Area 5 traps, as identified in 
these regulations at Sec. 697.4(a)(7)(ii).

[[Page 1102]]

    Federal Outer Cape Area Limited Access Program means the limited 
access program restricts trap fishing in the Outer Cape Area to those 
Federal lobster permits with qualified and allocated Outer Cape Area 
traps, as identified in these regulations at Sec. 697.4(a)(7)(ii).
    Fishing trip or trip means a period of time during which fishing is 
conducted, beginning when the vessel leaves port and ending when the 
vessel returns to port.
    Fishing year means, for the American lobster fishery, from May 1 
through April 30 of the following year.
    Flynet means any trawl net, except shrimp trawl nets containing 
certified BRDs and approved TEDs, when required under Sec. 227.72(e)(2) 
of this title, and except trawl nets that comply with the gear 
restrictions specified at Sec. 648.104 of this chapter for the summer 
flounder fishery and contain an approved TED, when required under Sec. 
227.72 (e)(2) of this title.
    Ghost panel means a panel, or other mechanism, designed to allow for 
the escapement of lobster after a period of time if the trap has been 
abandoned or lost.
    Horseshoe crab means members of stocks or populations of the species 
Limulus polyphemus.
    ISFMP means the Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan for 
American Lobster, as amended.
    Jonah crab means Cancer borealis.
    Jonah crab carapace width is the straight line measurement across 
the widest part of the shell including the tips of the posterior-most, 
longest spines along the lateral margins of the carapace.
    Land means to begin offloading fish, to offload fish, or to enter 
port with fish.
    Lobster carapace length is the straight line measurement from the 
rear of the eye socket parallel to the center line of the carapace to 
the posterior edge of the carapace. The carapace is the unsegmented body 
shell of the American lobster.
    Lobster day-at-sea with respect to the American lobster fishery 
means each 24-hour period of time during which a fishing vessel is 
absent from port in which the vessel intends to fish for, possess, or 
land, or fishes for, possesses, or lands American lobster.
    Lobster permit means a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit.
    Lobster trap means any structure or other device, other than a net, 
that is placed, or designed to be placed, on the ocean bottom and is 
designed for or is capable of, catching lobsters. Red crab fishing gear, 
fished deeper than 200 fathoms (365.8 m), and fishing gear fished by a 
vessel not issued a limited access lobster permit under Sec. 697.4(a), 
are gear deemed not to be lobster traps for the purpose of this part, 
and are not subject to the provisions of this part.
    Lobster trap trawl means 2 or more lobster traps, all attached to a 
single ground line.
    Management area means each of the geographical areas identified in 
this part for management purposes under the lobster ISFMP.
    Montauk light means the aid to navigation light located at Montauk 
Point, NY, and defined as follows: Located at 41[deg]04.3[min] N. lat., 
71[deg]51.5[min] W. long.; is shown from an octagonal, pyramidal tower, 
108 ft (32.9 m) high; and has a covered way to a dwelling.
    Natural Atlantic sturgeon means any Atlantic sturgeon that is not 
the result of a commercial aquaculture operation, and includes any 
naturally occurring Atlantic sturgeon (those Atlantic sturgeon naturally 
spawned and grown in rivers and ocean waters of the Atlantic Coast).
    One-quarter-inch (\1/4\-inch) v-shaped notch means a straight-sided 
triangular cut, without setal hairs, at least \1/4\ inch (0.64 cm) in 
depth and tapering to a point.
    Parts thereof means any part of an American lobster. A part of a 
lobster counts as one lobster.
    Point Judith Light means the aid to navigation light located at 
Point Judith, RI, and defined as follows: Located at 41[deg]21.7[min] N. 
lat., 71[deg]28.9[min] W. long.; is 65 ft (19.8 m) above the water; and 
is shown from an octagonal tower 51 ft (15.5 m) high.
    Qualifying year means any calendar year during the period from March 
25, 1991, through September 1, 1999, excluding the time periods in 
calendar years 1991 and 1999 that are outside the qualification period 
(i.e., January 1, 1991

[[Page 1103]]

through March 24, 1991, and September 2, 1999, through December 31, 
1999), and refers to the specific year selected by the applicant for the 
purposes of qualifying for access to the lobster trap fishery in Areas 
3, 4 and/or 5 under the requirements set forth in 697.4(a)(7)(vi-x).
    Recreational fishing means fishing that is not intended to, nor 
results in the barter, trade, or sale of fish.
    Recreational fishing vessel means any vessel from which no fishing 
other than recreational fishing is conducted. Charter and head boats and 
commercial dive vessels are not considered recreational fishing vessels.
    Regional Administrator, means Regional Administrator, Northeast 
Region, NMFS, or Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 
whichever has the applicable jurisdiction, or a respective designee.
    Retain means to fail to return any species specified under Sec. 
697.7 of this chapter to the sea immediately after the hook has been 
removed or after the species has otherwise been released from the 
capture gear.
    Sea sampler/observer means any person required or authorized to be 
carried on a vessel for conservation and management purposes by 
regulations or permits.
    Shrimp trawl net means any trawl net that is rigged for fishing and 
has a mesh size less than 2.50 inches (6.35 cm), as measured between the 
centers of opposite knots when pulled taut, and each try net, as defined 
in Sec. 622.2 of this chapter, that is rigged for fishing and has a 
headrope length longer than 16 ft (4.9 m).
    Standard V-shaped notch means a notch or indentation in the base of 
the flipper that is at least as deep as \1/8\ inch (0.32 cm), with or 
without setal hairs.
    Stocked Atlantic sturgeon means any Atlantic sturgeon cultured in a 
hatchery that is placed in rivers and ocean waters of the Atlantic Coast 
to enhance the Atlantic sturgeon spawning stocks.
    TED means Turtle Excluder Device, which is a device designed to be 
installed in a trawl net forward of the codend for the purpose of 
excluding sea turtles from the net.
    Trawl means a cone or funnel-shaped net that is towed through the 
water, and can include a pair trawl that is towed simultaneously by two 
boats.
    V-notched American lobster means any female American lobster bearing 
a V-shaped notch in the flipper next to and to the right of the center 
flipper as viewed from the rear of the lobster (underside of the lobster 
down and tail toward the viewer), or any female American lobster that is 
mutilated in a manner that could hide or obliterate such a mark.
    Weakfish means members of the stock or population of the species 
Cynoscion regalis, found along the Atlantic Coast from southern Florida 
to Massachusetts Bay.
    Whole American lobster means a lobster with an intact and measurable 
body (tail and carapace). An American lobster with an intact and 
measurable body that is missing one or both claws, i.e., a cull lobster, 
is considered to be a whole American lobster.
    Zero tolerance V-shaped notch means a v-shaped notch of any size, 
with or without straight sides, with or without setal hairs.
    (b) [Reserved]

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 8911, Feb. 5, 2001; 66 
FR 14501, Mar. 13, 2001; 68 FR 14925, Mar. 27, 2003; 68 FR 56790, Oct. 
2, 2003; 71 FR 13037, Mar. 14, 2006; 73 FR 58061, Oct. 6, 2008; 74 FR 
37549, July 29, 2009; 80 FR 2033, Jan. 15, 2015; 84 FR 4737, Feb. 19, 
2019; 84 FR 61579, Nov. 13, 2019]



Sec. 697.3  Relation to other Federal and state laws.

    (a) The provisions of sections 307 through 311 of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, as amended, regarding prohibited acts, civil penalties, 
criminal offenses, civil forfeitures, and enforcement apply with respect 
to the regulations in this part, as if the regulations in this part were 
issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) The relation of this part to other laws is further set forth in 
Sec. 600.705 of this chapter and would include all regulations and 
statutes administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), including, but not limited to the regulations in 
this part issued pursuant to the ACFCMA, the regulations at 50 CFR part 
229

[[Page 1104]]

issued pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) , and the regulations at 50 CFR part 648 
issued pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (c) The regulations in this part do not preempt more restrictive 
state laws, or state enforcement of more restrictive state laws, with 
respect to weakfish fishing and American lobster fishing. If a 
requirement of this part and a management measure required by state or 
local law differ, any vessel owner permitted to fish in the EEZ must 
comply with the more restrictive requirement or measure.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 71 FR 13037, Mar. 14, 2006]



Sec. 697.4  Vessel permits and trap tags.

    (a) Limited access American lobster permit. Any vessel of the United 
States that fishes for, possesses, or lands American lobster or Jonah 
crab in or harvested from the EEZ must have been issued and carry on 
board a valid Federal limited access lobster permit. The requirement in 
this paragraph (a) does not apply to: Charter, head, and commercial dive 
vessels that possess 6 or fewer American lobsters per person or 50 Jonah 
crab per person aboard the vessel if such lobsters or crabs are not 
intended for, nor used, in trade, barter or sale; recreational fishing 
vessels; and vessels that fish exclusively in state waters for American 
lobster or Jonah crab.
    (1) Eligibility in 1999 and thereafter. To be eligible for issuance 
or renewal of a Federal limited access lobster permit for fishing year 
1999 and thereafter, a vessel must:
    (i) Have been issued a Federal limited access lobster permit for the 
preceding fishing year by the last day of such fishing year unless a CPH 
has been issued as specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section or 
unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator;
    (ii) Be replacing a vessel that was issued a Federal limited access 
lobster permit for the preceding year; or
    (iii) Be replacing a vessel issued a CPH.
    (2) Qualification restriction. Unless the Regional Administrator 
determines otherwise, no more than one vessel may qualify, at any one 
time, for a Federal limited access lobster permit based on that or 
another vessel's fishing and permit history. If more than one vessel 
owner claims eligibility for a limited access permit, based on one 
vessel's fishing and permit history, the Regional Administrator will 
determine who is eligible for the permit or a CPH under paragraph (a)(3) 
of this section.
    (3) Change in ownership. The fishing and permit history, and 
management area designation, when required of a vessel, is presumed to 
transfer with the vessel whenever it is bought, sold or otherwise 
transferred, unless there is a written agreement, signed by the 
transferor/seller and transferee/buyer, or other credible written 
evidence, verifying that the transferor/seller is retaining the vessel's 
fishing and permit history, and management area designation, for the 
purposes of replacing the vessel.
    (4) Consolidation restriction. Federal limited access American 
lobster permits, and any rights or privileges associated thereto, may 
not be combined or consolidated.
    (5) Confirmation of permit history. Notwithstanding any other 
provisions of this part, a person who does not currently own a fishing 
vessel, but who has owned a qualifying vessel that has sunk, been 
destroyed, or transferred to another person, must apply for and receive 
a CPH if the fishing and permit history of such vessel has been retained 
lawfully by the applicant. To be eligible to obtain a CPH, the applicant 
must show that the qualifying vessel meets the eligibility requirements, 
as applicable, in this part. Issuance of a valid CPH preserves the 
eligibility of the applicant to apply for a limited access permit for a 
replacement vessel based on the qualifying vessel's fishing and permit 
history at a subsequent time, subject to the replacement provisions 
specified in this section. If fishing privileges have been assigned or 
allocated previously under this part, based on the qualifying vessel's 
fishing and permit history, the CPH also preserves such fishing 
privileges. A CPH must be applied for in order for the applicant to 
preserve the fishing rights and limited

[[Page 1105]]

access eligibility of the qualifying vessel. An application for a CPH 
must be received by the Regional Administrator no later than 30 days 
prior to the end of the first full fishing year in which a vessel permit 
cannot be issued. Failure to do so is considered abandonment of the 
permit as described in paragraph (o) of this section. A CPH issued under 
this part will remain valid until the fishing and permit history 
preserved by the CPH is used to qualify a replacement vessel for a 
limited access permit. Any decision regarding the issuance of a CPH for 
a qualifying vessel that has been applied for or been issued previously 
a limited access permit is a final agency action subject to judicial 
review under 5 U.S.C. 704. Information requirements for the CPH 
application are the same as those for a limited access permit. Any 
request for information about the vessel on the CPH application form 
means the qualifying vessel that has been sunk, destroyed, or 
transferred. Vessel permit applicants who have been issued a CPH and who 
wish to obtain a vessel permit for a replacement vessel based upon the 
previous vessel history may do so pursuant to paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (6) Restriction on permit splitting. A Federal limited access 
lobster permit will not be issued to a vessel or its replacement, or 
remain valid, if the vessels' permit or fishing history has been used to 
qualify another vessel for another Federal fishery.
    (7) Management area designations for vessels fishing with traps. (i) 
For fishing year 2000 and beyond, it is unlawful for vessels issued a 
limited access American lobster permit fishing with traps, to retain on 
board, land, or possess American lobster in or from the management areas 
specified in Sec. 697.18, unless such fishing vessel has been issued a 
valid management area designation certificate or valid limited access 
American lobster permit specifying such management area(s).
    (ii) Each owner of a fishing vessel that fishes with traps capable 
of catching lobster must declare to NMFS in his/her annual application 
for permit renewal which management areas, as described in Sec. 697.18, 
the vessel will fish in for lobster with trap gear during that fishing 
season. The ability to declare into Lobster Conservation Management 
Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and/or the Outer Cape Management Area, is first 
contingent upon a one-time initial qualification. The Area 3, 4, and 5 
qualification programs are concluded and the Area 1, 2, and Outer Cape 
Area qualification programs are set forth in paragraphs (a)(7)(vi) 
through (a)(7)(viii) of this section.
    (iii) A lobster management area designation certificate or limited 
access American lobster permit shall specify in which lobster management 
area or areas the vessel may fish.
    (iv) Once a vessel has been issued a lobster management area 
designation certificate or limited access American lobster permit 
specifying the lobster EEZ management areas in which the vessel may 
fish, no changes to the EEZ management areas specified may be made for 
such vessel for the remainder of the fishing year. There are two 
exceptions to this re-designation restriction:
    (A) Vessels that have been bought, transferred, or become a 
replacement vessel for another qualified vessel may request re-
designation of the EEZ management areas within 45 days of the effective 
date of the vessel's permit; and
    (B) All vessels will have one opportunity to request a correction in 
permit category, if such request is made in writing to the Regional 
Administrator within 45 days of the effective date of the vessel's 
permit.
    (v) A vessel issued a lobster management area designation 
certificate or limited access American lobster permit specifying more 
than one EEZ management area must abide by the most restrictive 
management measures in effect for any one of the specified areas, 
regardless of the area being fished, for the entire fishing year.
    (vi) Participation requirements for EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1. 
To fish for lobster with traps in the Federal waters of Area 1 after 
April 30, 2013, a Federal lobster permit holder must initially qualify 
into the area, or have an open pending application to fish in the area. 
To qualify, the permit holder seeking initial qualification must satisfy 
the following requirements in an application to the Regional 
Administrator:

[[Page 1106]]

    (A) Qualification criteria. To initially qualify into Area 1, the 
applicant must establish with documenting proof the following:
    (1) That the applicant has a valid and current Federal lobster 
permit as of the date of the application; and
    (2) That the involved Federal lobster permit had an Area 1 trap 
designation at some time during the 2008 fishing year, which was May 1, 
2008, through April 30, 2009; and
    (3) That at least one Area 1 trap tag was purchased to fish with 
traps under the involved Federal lobster permit in any one fishing year 
from 2004 to 2008.
    (B) Documentary proof. To satisfy the Area 1 Initial Qualification 
and Trap Allocation Criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(7)(vi)(A) of 
this section, the applicants will be limited to the following 
documentary proof:
    (1) As proof of a valid Federal lobster permit, the applicant must 
provide a copy of the vessel's current Federal lobster permit. The 
potential qualifier may, in lieu of providing a copy, provide NMFS with 
such data that will allow NMFS to identify the Federal lobster permit in 
its database, which will at a minimum include: The applicant's name and 
address; vessel name; and permit number.
    (2) As proof of the lobster permit's 2008 Area 1 trap designation, 
the applicant must provide a copy of the vessel's Federal lobster permit 
for the 2008 fishing year. The potential qualifier may, in lieu of 
providing a copy, provide NMFS with such data that will allow NMFS to 
identify the Federal lobster permit in its database, which will at a 
minimum include: The applicant's name and address; vessel name; and 
permit number.
    (3) As proof of Area 1 trap tag purchases in any one fishing year 
from 2004 to 2008, the applicant must provide documentation from those 
years, either from the trap tag vendor supplying the tags or from the 
state or Federal government agency, affirming the purchase of the tags 
from the vendor.
    (4) The Regional Administrator may, at his or her discretion, waive 
documentary obligations for certain elements of the qualification 
criteria for an applicant if NMFS itself has clear and credible evidence 
that will satisfy that qualification criteria for the applicant.
    (C) Application period. Federal lobster permit holders seeking entry 
into the Area 1 trap fishery must apply for qualification by November 1, 
2012. Failure to apply for Area 1 access by that date shall be 
considered a waiver of any future claim for trap fishery access into 
Area 1.
    (D) Appeal of denial of permit. Any applicant having first applied 
for initial qualification into the Area 1 trap fishery pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(7)(vi) of this section, but having been denied access, may 
appeal to the Regional Administrator within 45 days of the date 
indicated on the notice of denial. Any such appeal must be in writing.
    (1) Grounds for appeal: The sole grounds for administrative appeal 
shall be that NMFS erred clerically in concluding that the vessel did 
not meet the criteria in paragraph (a)(7)(vi) of this section. Errors 
arising from oversight or omission such as ministerial, mathematical, or 
typographical mistakes will form the basis of such an appeal. Alleged 
errors in substance or judgment do not form a sufficient basis of appeal 
under this paragraph. The appeal must set forth the basis for the 
applicant's belief that the Regional Administrator's decision was made 
in error. If the appealing applicant does not clearly and convincingly 
prove that an error occurred, the appeal must be denied.
    (2) Appellate timing and review. All appeals must be in writing and 
must be submitted to the Regional Administrator postmarked no later than 
45 days after the date on NMFS's Notice of Denial of Initial 
Qualification application. Failure to register an appeal within 45 days 
of the date of the Notice of Denial will preclude any further appeal. 
The appellant may notify the Regional Administrator of his or her intent 
to appeal within the 45 days and request a time extension to procure the 
necessary documentation. Time extensions shall be limited to 30 days and 
shall be calculated as extending 30 days beyond the initial 45-day 
period that begins on the original date on the Notice of Denial. Appeals 
submitted beyond the deadlines stated herein will

[[Page 1107]]

not be accepted. Upon receipt of a complete written appeal with 
supporting documentation in the time frame allowable, the Regional 
Administrator will then appoint an appeals officer who will review the 
appellate documentation. After completing a review of the appeal, the 
appeals officer will make findings and a recommendation, which shall be 
advisory only, to the Regional Administrator, who shall make the final 
agency decision whether to qualify the applicant.
    (3) Status of vessels pending appeal. The Regional Administrator may 
authorize a vessel to fish with traps in Area 1 during an appeal. The 
Regional Administrator may do so by issuing a letter authorizing the 
appellant to fish up to 800 traps in Area 1 during the pendency of the 
appeal. The Regional Administrator's letter must be present onboard the 
vessel while it is engaged in such fishing in order for the vessel to be 
authorized to fish. If the appeal is ultimately denied, the Regional 
Administrator's letter authorizing fishing during the appeal will become 
invalid 5 days after receipt of the notice of appellate denial or 15 
days after the date on the notice of appellate denial, whichever occurs 
first.
    (vii) Participation requirements for EEZ Nearshore Outer Cape Area 
(Outer Cape Area). To fish for lobster with traps in the EEZ portion of 
the Outer Cape Area, a Federal lobster permit holder must apply for 
access in an application to the Regional Administrator. The application 
process is set forth as follows:
    (A) Qualification criteria. To initially qualify into the EEZ 
portion of the Outer Cape Area, the applicant must establish with 
documentary proof the following:
    (1) That the applicant possesses a current Federal lobster permit;
    (2) That the applicant landed lobster caught in traps from the Outer 
Cape Area in either 1999, 2000, or 2001. Whichever year used shall be 
considered the qualifying year for the purposes of establishing the 
applicant's Outer Cape Area trap allocation;
    (B) Trap allocation criteria. To receive a trap allocation for the 
EEZ portion of the Outer Cape Area, the qualified applicant must also 
establish with documentary proof the following:
    (1) The number of lobster traps fished by the qualifying vessel in 
2000, 2001, and 2002; and
    (2) The total pounds of lobster landed in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
    (C) Trap allocation formula. The Regional Administrator shall 
allocate traps for use in the Outer Cape Area based upon the applicant's 
highest level of Effective Traps Fished during the qualifying year. 
Effective Traps Fished shall be the lower value of the maximum number of 
traps reported fished for that qualifying year compared to the predicted 
number of traps that is required to catch the reported poundage of 
lobsters for that year as set forth in the Commission's allocation 
formula identified in Addendum XIII to Amendment 3 of the Commission's 
Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster.
    (D) Documentary proof. To satisfy the Outer Cape Area Qualification 
and Trap Allocation Criteria set forth in paragraphs (a)(7)(vii)(A) and 
(B) of this section, the applicants will be limited to the following 
documentary proof:
    (1) As proof of a valid Federal lobster permit, the applicant must 
provide a copy of the vessel's current Federal lobster permit. The 
potential qualifier may, in lieu of providing a copy, provide NMFS with 
such data that will allow NMFS to identify the Federal lobster permit in 
its database, which will at a minimum include: The applicant's name and 
address; vessel name; and permit number.
    (2) As proof of traps fished in the Outer Cape Area and lobsters 
landed from the Outer Cape Area in 2000, 2001, or 2002, the applicant 
must provide the documentation reported to the state of the traps fished 
and lobsters landed during any of those years, as follows:
    (i) State records. An applicant must provide documentation of his or 
her state reported traps fished and lobster landings in 2000, 2001, or 
2002. The Regional Administrator shall presume that the permit holder 
was truthful and accurate when reporting to his or her state the traps 
fished and lobster landed in 2000, 2001, and 2002, and that the state 
records of such are the best evidence of traps fished and lobster landed 
during those years.

[[Page 1108]]

    (ii) State decision. An applicant may provide his or her state's 
qualification and allocation decision to satisfy the documentary 
requirements of this section. The Regional Administrator shall accept a 
state's qualification and allocation decision as prima facie evidence in 
support of the Federal qualification and allocation decision. The 
Regional Administrator shall presume that the state decision is 
appropriate, but that presumption is rebuttable and the Regional 
Administrator may choose to disallow the use of the state decision if 
the state decision was incorrect or based on factors other than those 
set forth in this section. This state decision may include not only the 
initial state qualification and allocation decision, but may also 
incorporate state trap transfer decisions that the state allowed since 
the time of the initial allocation decision.
    (iii) States lacking reporting. An applicant may provide Federal 
vessel trip reports, dealer records, or captain's logbook as 
documentation in lieu of state records if the applicant can establish by 
clear and convincing evidence that the involved state did not require 
the permit holder to report traps or landings during 2000, 2001, or 
2002.
    (E) Application period. Applicants will have 180 days to submit an 
application. The time period for submitting an application for access to 
the EEZ portion of the Outer Cape Area begins on May 7, 2014 
(application period start date) and ends November 3, 2014. Failure to 
apply for Outer Cape Management Area access by that date shall be 
considered a waiver of any future claim for trap fishery access into the 
Outer Cape Area.
    (F) Appeal of denial of permit. Any applicant having first applied 
for initial qualification into the Outer Cape Area trap fishery pursuant 
to this section, but having been denied access or allocation, may appeal 
to the Regional Administrator within 45 days of the date indicated on 
the notice of denial. Any such appeal must be in writing. Appeals may be 
submitted in the following two situations:
    (1) Clerical Appeal. The grounds for Clerical Appeal shall be that 
the Regional Administrator erred clerically in concluding that the 
vessel did not meet the criteria in paragraph (a)(7)(vii) of this 
section. Errors arising from oversight or omission such as ministerial, 
mathematical, or typographical mistakes would form the basis of such an 
appeal. Alleged errors in substance or judgment do not form a sufficient 
basis of appeal under this paragraph. The appeal must set forth the 
basis for the applicant's belief that the Regional Administrator's 
decision was made in error. If the appealing applicant does not clearly 
and convincingly prove that an error occurred, the appeal must be 
denied.
    (2) Director's Appeal. A state's marine fisheries agency may appeal 
on behalf of one of its state permit holders. The only grounds for a 
Director's Appeal shall be that the Regional Administrator's decision on 
a dual permit holder's Federal permit has created a detrimental 
incongruence with the state's earlier decision on that permit holder's 
state permit. In order to pursue a Director's Appeal, the state must 
establish the following by a preponderance of the evidence:
    (i) Proof of an incongruence. The state must establish that the 
individual has a state lobster permit that the state has qualified for 
access with traps into the Outer Cape Area, as well as a Federal lobster 
permit that the Regional Administrator has denied access or restricted 
the permit's trap allocation into the Outer Cape Area. The state must 
establish that the incongruent permits were linked during the year or 
years used in the initial application such that the fishing history used 
in Federal and state permit decisions was the same.
    (ii) Proof of detriment. The state must provide a letter supporting 
the granting of trap access for the Federal permit holder. In the 
support letter, the state must explain how the incongruence in this 
instance is detrimental to the Outer Cape Area lobster fishery and why 
granting the appeal is, on balance, in the best interests of the fishery 
overall. A showing of detriment to the individual permit holder is not 
grounds for this appeal and will not be considered relevant to the 
decision.

[[Page 1109]]

    (G) Appellate timing and review. All appeals must be submitted to 
the Regional Administrator in writing and reviewed as follows:
    (1) Clerical Appeals timing. Applicants must submit Clerical Appeals 
no later than 45 days after the date on the NMFS Notice of Denial of the 
Initial Qualification Application. NMFS shall consider the appeal's 
postmark date as constituting the submission date for the purposes of 
determining timing. Failure to register an appeal within 45 days of the 
date of the Notice of Denial will preclude any further appeal. The 
appellant may notify the Regional Administrator in writing of his or her 
intent to appeal within the 45 days and request a time extension to 
procure the necessary documentation. Time extensions shall be limited to 
30 days and shall be calculated as extending 30 days beyond the initial 
45-day period that begins on the original date on the Notice of Denial. 
Appeals submitted beyond the deadlines stated herein will not be 
accepted.
    (2) Director's Appeals timing. State Directors must submit 
Director's Appeals on behalf of their constituents no later than 180 
days after the date of the NMFS Notice of Denial of the Initial 
Qualification Application. NMFS shall consider the appeal's postmark 
date as constituting the submission date for the purposes of determining 
timing. Failure to register an appeal within 180 days of the date of the 
Notice of Denial will preclude any further appeal. The Director may 
notify the Regional Administrator in writing of his or her intent to 
appeal within the 180 days and request a time extension to procure the 
necessary documentation. Time extensions shall be limited to 30 days and 
shall be calculated as extending 30 days beyond the initial 180-day 
period that begins on the original date on the Notice of Denial. Appeals 
submitted beyond the deadline will not be accepted.
    (3) Agency response. Upon receipt of a complete written appeal with 
supporting documentation in the time frame allowable, the Regional 
Administrator will then appoint an appeals officer who will review the 
appellate documentation. After completing a review of the appeal, the 
appeals officer will make findings and a recommendation, which shall be 
advisory only, to the Regional Administrator, who shall make the final 
agency decision whether to qualify the applicant.
    (H) Status of vessels pending appeal. The Regional Administrator may 
authorize a vessel to fish with traps in the Outer Cape Area during an 
appeal. The Regional Administrator may do so by issuing a letter 
authorizing the appellant to fish up to 800 traps in the Outer Cape Area 
during the pendency of the appeal. The Regional Administrator's letter 
must be present onboard the vessel while it is engaged in such fishing 
in order for the vessel to be authorized. If the appeal is ultimately 
denied, the Regional Administrator's letter authorizing fishing during 
the appeal will become invalid 5 days after receipt of the notice of 
appellate denial, or 15 days after the date on the notice of appellate 
denial, whichever occurs first.
    (viii) Participation requirements for EEZ nearshore lobster 
management area 2 (Area 2). To fish for lobster with traps in the EEZ 
portion of Area 2, a Federal lobster permit holder must apply for access 
in an application to the Regional Administrator. The application process 
is as follows:
    (A) Qualification criteria. To initially qualify into the EEZ 
portion of Area 2, the applicant must establish with documentary proof 
the following:
    (1) That the applicant possesses a current Federal lobster permit;
    (2) That the applicant landed lobster caught in traps from Area 2 in 
2001, 2002, or 2003. Whichever year used shall be considered the 
qualifying year for the purposes of establishing the applicant's Area 2 
trap allocation;
    (B) Trap allocation criteria. To receive a trap allocation for the 
EEZ portion of Area 2, the qualified applicant must also establish with 
documentary proof the following:
    (1) The number of lobster traps fished by the qualifying vessel in 
the qualifying year; and
    (2) The total pounds of lobster landed during that qualifying year.
    (C) Trap allocation formula. The Regional Administrator shall 
allocate traps for use in Area 2 based upon the applicant's highest 
level of Effective Traps Fished during the qualifying

[[Page 1110]]

year. Effective Traps Fished shall be the lower value of the maximum 
number of traps reported fished for that qualifying year compared to the 
predicted number of traps that is required to catch the reported 
poundage of lobsters for that year as set forth in the Commission's 
allocation formula identified in Addendum VII to Amendment 3 of the 
Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster.
    (D) Documentary proof. To satisfy the Area 2 Qualification and Trap 
Allocation Criteria set forth in paragraphs (a)(7)(viii)(A) and (B) of 
this section, the applicants will be limited to the following 
documentary proof:
    (1) As proof of a valid Federal lobster permit, the applicant must 
provide a copy of the vessel's current Federal lobster permit. The 
potential qualifier may, in lieu of providing a copy, provide NMFS with 
such data that will allow NMFS to identify the Federal lobster permit in 
its database, which will at a minimum include: The applicant's name and 
address; vessel name; and permit number.
    (2) As proof of traps fished in Area 2 and lobsters landed from Area 
2 in 2001, 2002, or 2003, the applicant must provide the documentation 
reported to the state of the traps fished and lobsters landed during any 
of those years as follows:
    (i) State records. An applicant must provide documentation of his or 
her state reported traps fished and lobster landings in 2001, 2002, or 
2003. The landings must have occurred in a state adjacent to Area 2, 
which the Regional Administrator shall presume to be limited to 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and/or New York. The Regional 
Administrator shall presume that the permit holder was truthful and 
accurate when reporting to his or her state the traps fished and lobster 
landed in 2001, 2002, and 2003 and that the state records of such are 
the best evidence of traps fished and lobster landed during those years.
    (ii) State decision. An applicant may provide his or her state's 
qualification and allocation decision to satisfy the documentary 
requirements of this section. The Regional Administrator shall accept a 
state's qualification and allocation decision as prima facie evidence in 
support of the Federal qualification and allocation decision. The 
Regional Administrator shall presume that the state decision is 
appropriate, but that presumption is rebuttable and the Regional 
Administrator may choose to disallow the use of the state decision if 
the state decision was incorrect or based on factors other than those 
set forth in this section. This state decision may include not only the 
initial state qualification and allocation decision, but may also 
incorporate state trap transfer decisions that the state allowed since 
the time of the initial allocation decision.
    (iii) States lacking reporting. An applicant may provide Federal 
vessel trip reports, dealer records, or captain's logbook as 
documentation in lieu of state records if the applicant can establish by 
clear and convincing evidence that the involved state did not require 
the permit holder to report traps or landings during 2001, 2002, or 
2003.
    (E) Application period. Applicants will have 180 days to submit an 
application. The time period for submitting an application for access to 
the EEZ portion of Area 2 begins on May 7, 2014 (application period 
start date) and ends November 3, 2014. Failure to apply for Area 2 
access by that date shall be considered a waiver of any future claim for 
trap fishery access into Area 2.
    (F) Appeal of denial of permit. Any applicant having first applied 
for initial qualification into the Area 2 trap fishery pursuant to this 
section, but having been denied access, may appeal to the Regional 
Administrator within 45 days of the date indicated on the notice of 
denial. Any such appeal must be in writing. Appeals may be submitted in 
the following three situations:
    (1) Clerical Appeal. The grounds for Clerical Appeal shall be that 
the Regional Administrator clerically erred in concluding that the 
vessel did not meet the criteria in paragraph (a)(7)(viii) of this 
section. Errors arising from oversight or omission, such as ministerial, 
mathematical, or typographical mistakes, would form the basis of such an 
appeal. Alleged errors in substance or judgment do not form a sufficient 
basis of appeal under this

[[Page 1111]]

paragraph. The appeal must set forth the basis for the applicant's 
belief that the Regional Administrator's decision was made in error. If 
the appealing applicant does not clearly and convincingly prove that an 
error occurred, the appeal must be denied.
    (2) Medical or Military Hardship Appeal. The grounds for a Hardship 
Appeal shall be limited to those situations in which medical incapacity 
or military service prevented a Federal lobster permit holder from 
fishing for lobster in 2001, 2002, and 2003. If the Federal lobster 
permit holder is able to prove such a hardship, then the individual 
shall be granted the additional years of 1999 and 2000 from which to 
provide documentary proof in order to qualify for and fish traps in Area 
2. In order to pursue a Hardship Appeal, the applicant must establish 
the following by a preponderance of the evidence:
    (i) Proof of medical incapacity or military service. To prove 
incapacity, the applicant must provide medical documentation from a 
medical provider, or military service documentation from the military, 
that establishes that the applicant was incapable of lobster fishing in 
2001, 2002, and 2003. An applicant may provide his/her state's 
qualification and allocation appeals decision to satisfy the documentary 
requirements of this section. The Regional Administrator shall accept a 
state's appeals decision as prima facie evidence in support of the 
Federal decision on the appeal. The Regional Administrator shall presume 
that the state decision is appropriate, but that presumption is 
rebuttable and the Regional Administrator may choose to disallow the use 
of the state decision if the state decision was incorrect or based on 
factors other than those set forth in this section.
    (ii) Proof of Area 2 trap fishing in 1999 and 2000. To prove a 
history of Area 2 lobster trap fishing in 1999 and/or 2000, the 
applicant must provide documentary proof as outlined in paragraph 
(a)(7)(viii)(D) of this section.
    (3) Director's Appeal. A state's marine fisheries agency may appeal 
on behalf of one of its state permit holders. The only grounds for a 
Director's Appeal shall be that the Regional Administrator's decision on 
a dual permit holder's Federal permit has created a detrimental 
incongruence with the state's earlier decision on that permit holder's 
state permit. In order to pursue a Director's Appeal, the state must 
establish the following by a preponderance of the evidence:
    (i) Proof of an incongruence. The state must establish that the 
individual has a state lobster permit, which the state has qualified for 
access with traps into Area 2, as well as a Federal lobster permit, 
which the Regional Administrator has denied access or restricted the 
permit's trap allocation into Area 2. The state must establish that the 
incongruent permits were linked during the year or years used in the 
initial application such that the fishing history used in Federal and 
state permit decisions was the same.
    (ii) Proof of detriment. The state must provide a letter supporting 
the granting of trap access for the Federal permit holder. In the 
support letter, the state must explain how the incongruence in this 
instance is detrimental to the Area 2 lobster fishery and why granting 
the appeal is, on balance, in the best interests of the fishery overall. 
A showing of detriment to the individual permit holder is not grounds 
for this appeal and will not be considered relevant to the decision.
    (G) Appellate timing and review. All appeals must be submitted to 
the Regional Administrator in writing and reviewed as follows:
    (1) Clerical Appeals timing. Applicants must submit Clerical Appeals 
no later than 45 days after the date on the NMFS Notice of Denial of the 
Initial Qualification Application. NMFS shall consider the appeal's 
postmark date as constituting the submission date for the purposes of 
determining timing. Failure to register an appeal within 45 days of the 
date of the Notice of Denial will preclude any further appeal. The 
appellant may notify the Regional Administrator in writing of his or her 
intent to appeal within the 45 days and request a time extension to 
procure the necessary documentation. Time extensions shall be limited to 
30 days and shall be calculated as extending 30 days beyond the initial 
45-day period that

[[Page 1112]]

begins on the original date on the Notice of Denial. Appeals submitted 
beyond the deadlines stated herein will not be accepted.
    (2) Medical or Military Hardship Appeals timing. Applicants must 
submit Medical or Military Hardship Appeals no later than 45 days after 
the date on the NMFS Notice of Denial of the Initial Qualification 
Application. NMFS shall consider the appeal's postmark date as 
constituting the submission date for the purposes of determining timing. 
Failure to register an appeal within 45 days of the date of the Notice 
of Denial will preclude any further appeal. The appellant may notify the 
Regional Administrator in writing of his or her intent to appeal within 
the 45 days and request a time extension to procure the necessary 
documentation. Time extensions shall be limited to 30 days and shall be 
calculated as extending 30 days beyond the initial 45-day period that 
begins on the original date on the Notice of Denial. Appeals submitted 
beyond the deadlines stated herein will not be accepted.
    (3) Director's Appeals timing. State Directors must submit 
Director's Appeals on behalf of their constituents no later than 180 
days after the date of the NMFS Notice of Denial of the Initial 
Qualification Application. NMFS shall consider the appeal's postmark 
date as constituting the submission date for the purposes of determining 
timing. Failure to register an appeal within 180 days of the date of the 
Notice of Denial will preclude any further appeal. The Director may 
notify the Regional Administrator in writing of his or her intent to 
appeal within the 180 days and request a time extension to procure the 
necessary documentation. Time extensions shall be limited to 30 days and 
shall be calculated as extending 30 days beyond the initial 180-day 
period that begins on the original date on the Notice of Denial. Appeals 
submitted beyond the deadline will not be accepted.
    (4) Agency response. Upon receipt of a complete written appeal with 
supporting documentation in the time frame allowable, the Regional 
Administrator will appoint an appeals officer who will review the 
appellate documentation. After completing a review of the appeal, the 
appeals officer will make findings and a recommendation, which shall be 
advisory only, to the Regional Administrator, who shall make the final 
agency decision whether to qualify the applicant.
    (H) Status of vessels pending appeal. The Regional Administrator may 
authorize a vessel to fish with traps in Area 2 during an appeal. The 
Regional Administrator may do so by issuing a letter authorizing the 
appellant to fish up to 800 traps in Area 2 during the pendency of the 
appeal. The Regional Administrator's letter must be present onboard the 
vessel while it is engaged in such fishing in order for the vessel to be 
authorized. If the appeal is ultimately denied, the Regional 
Administrator's letter authorizing fishing during the appeal will become 
invalid 5 days after receipt of the notice of appellate denial or 15 
days after the date on the notice of appellate denial, whichever occurs 
first.
    (b) Condition. Vessel owners who apply for a Federal limited access 
American lobster permit under this section must agree, as a condition of 
the permit, that the vessel and vessel's fishing, catch, and pertinent 
gear (without regard to whether such fishing occurs in the EEZ or 
landward of the EEZ, and without regard to where such fish or gear are 
possessed, taken, or landed), are subject to all requirements of this 
part, as well as gear, time, and area restrictions issued or set forth 
in other parts, including, but not limited to, 50 CFR parts 229 and 648. 
The vessel and all such fishing, catch, and gear shall remain subject to 
all applicable state or local requirements. If a requirement of this 
part and a management measure required by state or local law differ, any 
vessel owner permitted to fish in the EEZ must comply with the more 
restrictive requirement.
    (c) Vessel permit application. Applicants for a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit under this section must submit a 
completed application on an appropriate form obtained from the Regional 
Administrator. To be complete, an application for a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit must contain at least the following 
information, and any other information specified on the application

[[Page 1113]]

form or otherwise required by the Regional Administrator: Vessel name; 
owner name, mailing address, and telephone number; U.S. Coast Guard 
documentation number and a copy of the vessel's U.S. Coast Guard 
documentation or, if undocumented, state registration number and a copy 
of the state registration; lobster management area designation the 
vessel will fish in, as specified in Sec. 697.18, if fishing with traps 
capable of catching American lobster; home port and principal port of 
landing; overall length; gross tonnage; net tonnage; engine horsepower; 
year the vessel was built; type of construction; type of propulsion; 
approximate fish-hold capacity; type of fishing gear used by the vessel; 
number of crew; permit category; if the owner is a corporation, a copy 
of the Certificate of Incorporation; and the names and addresses of all 
shareholders owning 25 percent or more of the corporation's shares; if 
the owner is a partnership, a copy of the Partnership Agreement and the 
names and addresses of all partners; if there is more than one owner, 
names of all owners having more than a 25 percent interest; and name and 
signature of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. The 
application must be signed by the owner of the vessel, or the owner's 
authorized representative, and be submitted to the Regional 
Administrator at least 30 days prior to the date on which the permit is 
needed by the applicant. The Regional Administrator shall notify the 
applicant of any deficiency in the application.
    (d) Trap tag application, lost and replacement tags. (1) Beginning 
fishing year 2000, any lobster trap fished in Federal waters must have a 
valid Federal lobster trap tag permanently attached to the trap bridge 
or central cross-member, unless exempt under Sec. 697.26.
    (2) Trap tags shall be issued by the Regional Administrator, or, by 
state agencies, by agreement with the Regional Administrator, provided 
that such state tagging programs accurately identify the Federal limited 
access American lobster permit holder. NMFS will provide notice to 
American lobster permit holders as to the procedure for applying for 
trap tags and any required fees.
    (3) Vessel owners or operators are required to report to the 
Regional Administrator lost, destroyed, and missing tags as soon as 
feasible within 7 days after the tags have been discovered lost, 
destroyed, or missing, by letter or fax to the Regional Administrator.
    (4) Requests for replacement of lost tags in excess of the tag limit 
specified in Sec. 697.19(c) must be submitted in writing to the 
Regional Administrator on an appropriate form obtained from the Regional 
Administrator and signed by the permit holder or authorized 
representative. The form and request for replacement tags will be 
reviewed by the Regional Administrator on a case-by-case basis and a 
decision will be reached on the number of replacement tags to be issued, 
if any. A check for the cost of the replacement tags must be received 
before tags will be re-issued.
    (e) Fees. The Regional Administrator may charge a fee to recover the 
administrative expenses of issuing a permit or trap tags required under 
this section. Fee amounts shall be calculated in accordance with the 
procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the Regional 
Administrator, for determining administrative costs of each special 
product or service. Fees may not exceed such costs and shall be 
specified with each application form. The applicable fee must accompany 
each application; if it does not, the application will be considered 
incomplete for purposes of paragraph (f) of this section. Any fee paid 
by an insufficiently funded commercial instrument shall render any 
permit issued on the basis thereof null and void.
    (f) Issuance. (1) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 
904, the Regional Administrator shall issue a permit or tags, as 
applicable, within 30 days of receipt of the application unless:
    (i) The applicant has failed to submit a completed application. An 
application is complete when all requested forms, information, 
documentation, and fees, if applicable, have been received;

[[Page 1114]]

    (ii) The application was not received by the Regional Administrator 
by any applicable deadline set forth in this section;
    (iii) The applicant and applicant's vessel failed to meet all 
applicable eligibility requirements set forth in this section or the 
number of tags requested exceeds the applicable tag limit specified in 
Sec. 697.19(c);
    (iv) The applicant has failed to meet any other application or tag 
requirements stated in this part.
    (v) The application is for initial qualification for access to Area 
3, 4 or 5 pursuant to the historical participation process in paragraphs 
(a)(7)(vi)(D), (a)(vii)(D), and (a)(viii)(D) of this section.
    (2) Incomplete applications. Upon receipt of an incomplete or 
improperly executed application for any permit under this part, the 
Regional Administrator shall notify the applicant of the deficiency in 
the application. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 
30 days following the date of notification, the application will be 
considered abandoned.
    (g) Expiration. A permit expires annually upon the renewal date 
specified in the permit.
    (h) Duration. A permit will continue in effect until the renewal 
date unless it is revoked, suspended, or modified under 15 CFR part 904, 
or otherwise expires, or ownership changes, or the applicant has failed 
to report any change in the information on the permit application to the 
Regional Administrator as specified in paragraph (k) of this section.
    (i) Reissuance. A vessel permit may be reissued by the Regional 
Administrator when requested in writing by the owner or authorized 
representative, stating the need for reissuance, the name of the vessel, 
and the number of the permit requested to be reissued. An application 
for a reissued permit is not considered a new application. The fee for a 
reissued permit shall be the same as for an initial permit.
    (j) Transfer. A permit issued under this part is not transferable or 
assignable. A permit will be valid only for the fishing vessel, owner 
and/or person for which it is issued.
    (k) Change in application information. Within 15 days after a change 
in the information contained in an application submitted under this 
section, a written notice of the change must be submitted to the 
Regional Administrator. If the written notice of the change in 
information is not received by the Regional Administrator within 15 
days, the permit is void.
    (l) Alteration. Any permit that has been altered, erased, or 
mutilated is invalid.
    (m) Display. A vessel permit must be carried, at all times, on board 
the vessel for which it is issued and shall be subject to inspection 
upon request by any authorized officer. Any permit issued under this 
part must be maintained in legible condition.
    (n) Sanctions. Permits issued or sought under this section may be 
suspended, revoked, or modified, by procedures governing enforcement-
related permit sanctions and denials, found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 
904.
    (o) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of limited access 
American lobster permits. Failure to renew a limited access permit in 
any fishing year bars the renewal of the permit in subsequent years. If 
a vessel's Federal limited access American lobster permit or CPH is 
voluntarily relinquished to the Regional Administrator, or abandoned 
through failure to renew or otherwise, no Federal limited access 
American lobster permit or CPH may be reissued or renewed based on the 
qualifying vessel's history.
    (p) Permit category change. A vessel permit category change (for 
individuals who possess a dual Federal limited access permit for 
American lobster and black sea bass and who restrict fishing operations 
to Area 5) may be issued by the Regional Administrator when requested in 
writing by the owner or by an authorized representative of a vessel 
meeting the eligibility requirements under Sec. 697.26(a).

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 14501, Mar. 13, 2001; 68 
FR 14925, Mar. 27, 2003; 71 FR 13037, Mar. 14, 2006; 77 FR 32431, June 
1, 2012; 79 FR 19021, Apr. 7, 2014; 84 FR 61579, Nov. 13, 2019]

[[Page 1115]]



Sec. 697.5  Operator permits.

    (a) General. Any operator of a vessel issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit under Sec. 697.4(a), or any operator of 
a vessel of the United States that fishes for, possesses, or lands 
American lobsters or Jonah crabs, harvested in or from the EEZ must have 
been issued and carry on board a valid operator's permit issued under 
this section. The requirement in this paragraph (a) does not apply to: 
Charter, head, and commercial dive vessels that possess six or fewer 
American lobsters per person aboard the vessel if said lobsters are not 
intended for nor used in trade, barter or sale; recreational fishing 
vessels; and vessels that fish exclusively in state waters for American 
lobster.
    (b) Operator application. Applicants for a permit under this section 
must submit a completed permit application on an appropriate form 
obtained from the Regional Administrator. To be complete, an application 
must contain at least the following information, and any other 
information specified on the application form or otherwise required by 
the Regional Administrator: Name, mailing address, and telephone number; 
date of birth; hair color; eye color; height; weight; social security 
number (optional) and signature of the applicant. The applicant must 
also provide two recent (no more than 1 year old) color passport-size 
photographs. The application must be signed by the applicant and 
submitted to the Regional Administrator at least 30 days prior to the 
date on which the applicant desires to have the permit made effective. 
The Regional Administrator will notify the applicant of any deficiency 
in the application.
    (c) Condition. Vessel operators who apply for an operator's permit 
under this section must agree, as a condition of this permit, that the 
operator and vessels fishing, catch, crew size, and pertinent gear 
(without regard to whether such fishing occurs in the EEZ or landward of 
the EEZ, and without regard to where such fish or gear are possessed, 
taken, or landed), are subject to all requirements of this part while 
fishing in the EEZ or on board a vessel permitted under Sec. 697.4. The 
vessel and all such fishing, catch, and gear will remain subject to all 
applicable state or local requirements. Further, such operators must 
agree, as a condition of this permit, that if the permit is suspended or 
revoked pursuant to 15 CFR part 904, the operator cannot be on board any 
fishing vessel issued a Federal fisheries permit or any vessel subject 
to Federal fishing regulations while the vessel is at sea or engaged in 
off loading. If a requirement of this part and a management measure 
required by state or local law differ, any operator issued a permit 
under this part must comply with the more restrictive requirement or 
measure.
    (d) Fees. The Regional Administrator may charge a fee to recover the 
administrative expenses of issuing a permit required under this section. 
The amount of the fee shall be calculated in accordance with the 
procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the Regional 
Administrator, for determining administrative costs of each special 
product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and shall be 
specified with each application form. The applicable fee must accompany 
each application; if it does not, the application will be considered 
incomplete for purposes of paragraph (e) of this section. Any fee paid 
by an insufficiently funded commercial instrument shall render any 
permit issued on the basis thereof null and void.
    (e) Issuance. Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, 
the Regional Administrator shall issue an operator's permit within 30 
days of receipt of the application if the criteria specified herein are 
met. Upon receipt of an incomplete or improperly executed application, 
the Regional Administrator will notify the applicant of the deficiency 
in the application. If the application fails to correct the deficiency 
within 30 days following the date of notification, the application will 
be considered abandoned.
    (f) Expiration. A permit expires upon the renewal date specified in 
the permit.
    (g) Duration. An operator permit is valid until it is revoked, 
suspended, or modified under subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, or otherwise 
expires, or the applicant has failed to report a change

[[Page 1116]]

in the information on the permit application to the Regional 
Administrator as specified in paragraph (j) of this section.
    (h) Reissuance. An operator permit may be reissued by the Regional 
Administrator when requested in writing by the applicant, stating the 
need for reissuance and the number of the permit requested to be 
reissued. An applicant for a reissued operator permit must also provide 
two recent (no more than 1 year old) color passport-size photos of the 
applicant. An application for a reissued permit is not considered a new 
application. An appropriate fee may be charged.
    (i) Transfer. Permits issued under this section are not transferable 
or assignable. A permit is valid only for the person to whom it is 
issued.
    (j) Change in application information. Notice of a change in the 
permit holder's name, address, or telephone number must be submitted in 
writing to, and received by, the Regional Administrator within 15 days 
of the change in information. If written notice of the change in 
information is not received by the Regional Administrator within 15 
days, the permit is void.
    (k) Alteration. Any permit that has been altered, erased, or 
mutilated is invalid.
    (l) Display. Any permit issued under this part must be maintained in 
legible condition and displayed for inspection upon request by any 
authorized officer.
    (m) Sanctions. Vessel operators with suspended or revoked permits 
may not be on board a federally permitted fishing vessel in any capacity 
while the vessel is at sea or engaged in offloading. Permits issued or 
sought under this section may be suspended, revoked, or modified, by 
procedures governing enforcement-related permit sanctions and denials, 
found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (n) Vessel owner responsibility. Vessel owners are responsible for 
ensuring that their vessels are operated by an individual with a valid 
operator's permit issued under this section.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 84 FR 61579, Nov. 13, 2019]



Sec. 697.6  Dealer permits.

    (a) General. Any person who receives, for a commercial purpose 
(other than solely for transport on land), American lobster or Jonah 
crabs from the owner or operator of a vessel issued a valid permit under 
this part, or any person who receives, for a commercial purpose (other 
than solely for transport on land), American lobster or Jonah crabs, 
managed by this part, must have been issued, and have in his/her 
possession, a valid permit issued under this section.
    (b) Dealer application. Applicants for a dealer permit under this 
section must submit a completed permit application on an appropriate 
form obtained from the Regional Administrator. To be complete, an 
application must contain at least the following information, and any 
other information specified on the application form or otherwise 
required by the Regional Administrator: Company name, place(s) of 
business, mailing address(es) and telephone number(s); owner's name; 
dealer permit number (if a renewal); and name and signature of the 
person responsible for the truth and accuracy of the report. If the 
dealer is a corporation, a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation; and 
the names and addresses of all shareholders owning 25 percent or more of 
the corporation's shares, must be included with the application. If the 
dealer is a partnership, a copy of the Partnership Agreement and the 
names and addresses of all partners; if there is more than one partner, 
names of all partners having more than a 25 percent interest; and name 
and signature of all partner or partners authorized must be included 
with the application. The application must be signed by the applicant 
and submitted to the Regional Administrator at least 30 days prior to 
the date on which the applicant needs the permit. The Regional 
Administrator will notify the applicant of any deficiency in the 
application.
    (c) Fees. The Regional Administrator may charge a fee to recover the 
administrative expenses of issuing a permit required under this section. 
The amount of the fee shall be calculated in accordance with the 
procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the Regional 
Administrator, for determining administrative costs of

[[Page 1117]]

each special product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and 
shall be specified with each application form. The applicable fee must 
accompany each application; if it does not, the application will be 
considered incomplete for purposes of paragraph (e) of this section. Any 
fee paid by an insufficiently funded commercial instrument shall render 
any permit issued on the basis thereof null and void.
    (d) Issuance. Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, 
the Regional Administrator will issue a permit at any time during the 
fishing year to an applicant, unless the applicant has failed to submit 
a completed application. An application is complete when all requested 
forms, information, and documentation have been received. Upon receipt 
of an incomplete or improperly executed application, the Regional 
Administrator will notify the applicant of the deficiency in the 
application. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 
days following the date of notification, the application will be 
considered abandoned.
    (e) Expiration. A permit expires upon the renewal date specified in 
the permit.
    (f) Duration. A permit is valid until it is revoked, suspended, or 
modified under 15 CFR part 904, or otherwise expires, or ownership 
changes, or the applicant has failed to report any change in the 
information on the permit application to the Regional Administrator as 
required by paragraph (i) of this section.
    (g) Reissuance. A dealer permit may be reissued by the Regional 
Administrator when requested in writing by the applicant, stating the 
need for reissuance and the number of the permit requested to be 
reissued. An application for a reissued permit is not considered a new 
application. An appropriate fee may be charged.
    (h) Transfer. Permits issued under this section are not transferable 
or assignable. A permit is valid only for the person, or other business 
entity, to which it is issued.
    (i) Change in application information. Notice of a change in the 
dealers name, address, or telephone number must be submitted in writing 
to, and received by, the Regional Administrator within 15 days of the 
change in information. If written notice of the change in information is 
not received by the Regional Administrator within 15 days, the permit is 
void.
    (j) Alteration. Any permit that has been altered, erased, or 
mutilated is invalid.
    (k) Display. Any permit issued under this part must be maintained in 
legible condition and displayed for inspection upon request by any 
authorized officer.
    (l) Federal versus state requirements. If a requirement of this part 
differs from a fisheries management measure required by state law, any 
dealer issued a Federal dealer permit under this part must comply with 
the more restrictive requirement.
    (m) Sanctions. Permits issued or sought under this section may be 
suspended, revoked, or modified, by procedures governing enforcement-
related permit sanctions and denials, found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 
904.
    (n) Lobster and Jonah crab dealer recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements--(1) Detailed report. All federally-permitted lobster 
dealers and Jonah crab dealers, and any person acting in the capacity of 
a dealer, must submit to the Regional Administrator or to the official 
designee a detailed report of all fish purchased or received for a 
commercial purpose, other than solely for transport on land, within the 
time periods specified in paragraph (q) of this section, or as specified 
in Sec. 648.7(a)(1)(f) of this chapter, whichever is most restrictive, 
by one of the available electronic reporting mechanisms approved by 
NMFS, unless otherwise directed by the Regional Administrator. The 
following information, and any other information required by the 
Regional Administrator, must be provided in each report:
    (i) Required information. All dealers issued a Federal lobster or 
Jonah crab dealer permit under this part must provide the following 
information, as well as any additional information as applicable under 
Sec. 648.7(a)(1)(i) of this chapter: Dealer name; dealer permit number; 
name and permit number or name and hull number (USCG documentation 
number or state registration number, whichever is applicable) of 
vessel(s)

[[Page 1118]]

from which fish are transferred, purchased or received for a commercial 
purpose; trip identifier for each trip from which fish are purchased or 
received from a commercial fishing vessel permitted under part 648 of 
this chapter with a mandatory vessel trip reporting requirement; date(s) 
of purchases and receipts; units of measure and amount by species (by 
market category, if applicable); price per unit by species (by market 
category, if applicable) or total value by species (by market category, 
if applicable); port landed; cage tag numbers for surfclams and ocean 
quahogs, if applicable; disposition of the seafood product; and any 
other information deemed necessary by the Regional Administrator. If no 
fish are purchased or received during a reporting week, a report so 
stating must be submitted.
    (ii) Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to reporting 
requirements for dealers permitted under this part:
    (A) Inshore Exempted Species, as defined in Sec. 648.2 of this 
chapter, are not required to be reported under this part;
    (B) When purchasing or receiving fish from a vessel landing in a 
port located outside of the Northeast Region (Maine, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina), only 
purchases or receipts of species managed by the Northeast Region under 
this part (American lobster or Jonah crab), and part 648 of this 
chapter, must be reported. Other reporting requirements may apply to 
those species not managed by the Greater Atlantic Region, which are not 
affected by this paragraph (n); and
    (C) Dealers issued a permit for Atlantic bluefin tuna under part 635 
of this chapter are not required to report their purchases or receipts 
of Atlantic bluefin tuna under this part. Other reporting requirements, 
as specified in Sec. 635.5 of this chapter, apply to the receipt of 
Atlantic bluefin tuna.
    (iii) Dealer reporting requirements for skates. In addition to the 
requirements under paragraph (n)(1)(i) of this section, dealers shall 
report the species of skates received. Species of skates shall be 
identified according to the following categories: winter skate, little 
skate, little/winter skate, barndoor skate, smooth skate, thorny skate, 
clearnose skate, rosette skate, and unclassified skate. NMFS will 
provide dealers with a skate species identification guide.
    (2) System requirements. All persons required to submit reports 
under paragraph (n)(1) of this section are required to have the 
capability to transmit data via the internet. To ensure compatibility 
with the reporting system and database, dealers are required to utilize 
a personal computer, in working condition, that meets the minimum 
specifications identified by NMFS. New dealers will be notified of the 
minimum specifications via letter during the permitting process.
    (3) Annual report. All persons issued a permit under this part are 
required to submit the following information on an annual basis, on 
forms supplied by the Regional Administrator:
    (i) All dealers and processors issued a permit under this part must 
complete all sections of the Annual Processed Products Report for all 
species that were processed during the previous year. Reports must be 
submitted to the address supplied by the Regional Administrator.
    (ii) Surfclam and ocean quahog processors and dealers whose plant 
processing capacities change more than 10 percent during any year shall 
notify the Regional Administrator in writing within 10 days after the 
change.
    (iii) Atlantic herring processors, including processing vessels, 
must complete and submit all sections of the Annual Processed Products 
Report.
    (iv) Atlantic hagfish processors must complete and submit all 
sections of the Annual Processed Products Report.
    (o) Inspection. Upon the request of an authorized officer or an 
employee of NMFS designated by the Regional Administrator to make such 
inspections, all persons required to submit reports under this part must 
make immediately available for inspection copies of reports, and all 
records upon which those reports are or will be based, that are required 
to be submitted or kept under this part.
    (p) Record retention. Any record as defined at Sec. 648.2, related 
to fish possessed, received, or purchased by a

[[Page 1119]]

dealer that is required to be reported, must be retained and be 
available for immediate review for a total of 3 years after the date the 
fish were first possessed, received, or purchased. Dealers must retain 
the required records and reports at their principal place of business.
    (q) Submitting dealer reports. (1) Detailed dealer reports required 
by paragraph (n)(1)(i) of this section must be received by midnight of 
the first Tuesday following the end of the reporting week. If no fish 
are purchased or received during a reporting week, the report so stating 
required under paragraph (n)(1)(i) of this section must be received by 
midnight of the first Tuesday following the end of the reporting week.
    (2) Dealers who want to make corrections to their trip-level reports 
via the electronic editing features may do so for up to 3 business days 
following submission of the initial report. If a correction is needed 
more than 3 business days following the submission of the initial trip-
level report, the dealer must contact NMFS directly to request an 
extension of time to make the correction.
    (3) The trip identifier required under paragraph (n)(1) of this 
section for each trip from which fish are purchased or received from a 
commercial fishing vessel permitted under part 648 of this chapter with 
a mandatory vessel trip reporting requirement must be submitted with the 
detailed report, as required under paragraph (q)(1) of this section. 
Price and disposition information may be submitted after the initial 
detailed report, but must be received within 16 days of the end of the 
reporting week.
    (4) Annual reports for a calendar year must be postmarked or 
received by February 10 of the following year. Contact the Regional 
Administrator (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502) for the address of NMFS 
Statistics.
    (5) At-sea purchasers and processors. With the exception of the 
owner or operator of an Atlantic herring carrier vessel, the owner or 
operator of an at-sea purchaser or processor that purchases or processes 
any Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, scup, or 
black sea bass at sea must submit information identical to that required 
by paragraph (n)(1) of this section and provide those reports to the 
Regional Administrator or designee by the same mechanism and on the same 
frequency basis.
    (r) Additional data and sampling. Federally permitted dealers must 
allow access to their premises and make available to an official 
designee of the Regional Administrator any fish purchased from vessels 
for the collection of biological data. Such data include, but are not 
limited to, length measurements of fish and the collection of age 
structures such as otoliths or scales.
    (s) Additional dealer reporting requirements. All persons issued a 
lobster dealer permit or a Jonah crab dealer permit under this part are 
subject to the reporting requirements set forth in paragraph (n) of this 
section, as well as Sec. Sec. 648.6 and 648.7 of this chapter, 
whichever is most restrictive.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 74 FR 37549, July 29, 2009; 84 
FR 61579, Nov. 13, 2019]



Sec. 697.7  Prohibitions.

    (a) Atlantic Coast weakfish fishery. In addition to the prohibitions 
set forth in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any 
person to do any of the following:
    (1) Fish for, harvest, or possess any weakfish less than 12 inches 
(30.5 cm) in total length (measured as a straight line along the bottom 
of the fish from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth closed to the 
end of the lower tip of the tail) from the EEZ.
    (2) Retain any weakfish less than 12 inches (30.5 cm) in total 
length taken in or from the EEZ.
    (3) Fish for weakfish in the EEZ with a minimum mesh size less than 
3\1/4\-inch (8.3 cm) square stretch mesh (as measured between the 
centers of opposite knots when stretched taut) or 3\3/4\-inch (9.5 cm) 
diamond stretch mesh for trawls and 2\7/8\-inch (7.3 cm) stretch mesh 
for gillnets.
    (4) Possess more than 150 lb (67 kg) of weakfish during any one day 
or trip, whichever is longer, in the EEZ when using a mesh size less 
than 3 1/4-inch (8.3 cm) square stretch mesh (as measured between the 
centers of opposite knots when stretched taut) or 3 3/4-inch

[[Page 1120]]

(9.5cm) diamond stretch mesh for finfish trawls and 2 7/8-inch (7.3 cm) 
stretch mesh for gillnets.
    (5) Fish using a flynet in the EEZ off North Carolina in the area 
bounded as follows:
    (i) On the north by a straight line connecting points 
35[deg]10.8[min] N. lat., 75[deg]29.2[min] W. long. (3 nm off Cape 
Hatteras) and 35[deg]03.5[min] N. lat., 75[deg]11.8[min] W. long. (20 nm 
off Cape Hatteras).
    (ii) The east by a straight line connecting points 35[deg]03.5[min] 
N. lat., 75[deg]11.8[min] W. long. (20 nm off Cape Hatteras) and 
33[deg]21.1[min] N. lat., 77[deg]57.5[min] W. long., (about 30 nm off 
Cape Fear on the extension of the North Carolina/South Carolina state 
line into the EEZ).
    (iii) On the south by a straight line connecting points 
33[deg]21.1[min] N. lat., 77[deg]57.5[min] W. long., and 
33[deg]48.8[min] N. lat., 78[deg]29.7[min] W. long. (3 nm off Little 
River Inlet on the North Carolina/South Carolina state line).
    (iv) On the west by state waters.
    (6) Possess any weakfish in the closed area of the EEZ, as described 
in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, when fishing with shrimp trawls or 
crab trawls.
    (7) Land weakfish for commercial purposes caught in the EEZ in any 
state other than Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, 
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or North Carolina.
    (b) Atlantic striped bass fishery. In addition to the prohibitions 
set forth in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any 
person to do any of the following:
    (1) Fish for Atlantic striped bass in the EEZ.
    (2) Harvest any Atlantic striped bass from the EEZ.
    (3) Possess any Atlantic striped bass in or from the EEZ, except in 
the following area: The EEZ within Block Island Sound, north of a line 
connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and Block Island Southeast 
Light, Block Island, RI; and west of a line connecting Point Judith 
Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, 
RI. Within this area, possession of Atlantic striped bass is permitted, 
provided no fishing takes place from the vessel while in the EEZ and the 
vessel is in continuous transit.
    (4) Retain any Atlantic striped bass taken in or from the EEZ.
    (c) American lobster. (1) In addition to the prohibitions specified 
in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person owning 
or operating a vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit under Sec. 697.4 or a vessel or person holding a valid State of 
Maine American lobster permit or license and fishing under the 
provisions of and under the areas designated in Sec. 697.24 to do any 
of the following:
    (i) Retain on board, land, or possess at or after landing, whole 
American lobsters that fail to meet the minimum lobster carapace length 
standard specified in Sec. 697.20(a). All American lobsters will be 
subject to inspection and enforcement action, up to and including the 
time when a dealer receives or possesses American lobsters for a 
commercial purpose.
    (ii) Retain on board, land, or possess, up to the time when a dealer 
first receives or possesses American lobster for a commercial purpose, 
any American lobster or parts thereof in violation of the mutilation 
standards specified in Sec. 697.20(c).
    (iii) Retain on board, land, or possess any berried female lobster 
specified in Sec. 697.20(d).
    (iv) Remove eggs from any berried female lobster, land, or possess 
any such lobster from which eggs have been removed. No person owning or 
operating a vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit under Sec. 697.4 or a vessel or person holding a State of Maine 
American lobster permit or license and fishing under the provisions of 
and under the areas designated in Sec. 697.24 may land or possess any 
lobster that has come in contact with any substance capable of removing 
lobster eggs.
    (v) Retain on board, land, or possess any female lobster that do not 
meet the area-specific v-notch requirements set forth in Sec. 
697.20(g).
    (vi) Spear any American lobster, or land or possess any American 
lobster which has been speared.
    (vii) Possess, deploy, fish with, haul, harvest lobster from, or 
carry aboard a vessel trap gear in excess of the trap limits specified 
in Sec. 697.19 unless exempted pursuant to Sec. 697.26

[[Page 1121]]

    (viii) Possess, deploy, haul, harvest lobster from, or carry aboard 
a vessel any trap gear that does not satisfy the requirements on gear 
identification and marking, escape vents, ghost panel and maximum trap 
size specified in Sec. 697.21, unless such gear has been rendered 
unfishable, or unless exempted pursuant to Sec. 697.26.
    (ix) Possess, deploy, haul, harvest lobster from, or carry aboard a 
vessel any trap gear not tagged in accordance with the requirements in 
Sec. 697.19, unless such gear has been rendered unfishable, or unless 
exempted pursuant to Sec. 697.26.
    (x) Fail to produce, or cause to be produced, lobster trap tags when 
requested by an authorized officer, unless exempted pursuant to Sec. 
697.26.
    (xi) Beginning May 1, 2000, reproduce, or cause to be reproduced, 
lobster trap tags without the written consent of the Regional 
Administrator.
    (xii) Beginning May 1, 2000, possess a lobster trap tag, tag a 
lobster trap with, or use, a lobster trap tag that has been reported 
lost, missing, destroyed, or issued to another vessel.
    (xiii) Beginning May 1, 2000, sell, transfer, or give away lobster 
trap tags that have been reported lost, missing, destroyed, or issued to 
another vessel.
    (xiv) Fail to affix and maintain permanent markings, as required by 
Sec. 697.8.
    (xv) Fish for, retain on board, land, or possess American lobsters, 
unless the operator of the vessel has been issued an operator's permit 
under Sec. 697.5, and the permit is on board the vessel and is valid.
    (xvi) Fail to report to the Regional Administrator within 15 days 
any change in the information contained in the permit application as 
required under Sec. 697.4(k) or Sec. 697.5(j).
    (xvii) Make any false statement in connection with an application 
under Sec. 697.4, Sec. 697.5, or Sec. 697.6.
    (xviii) Sell, transfer, or barter or attempt to sell, transfer, or 
barter to a dealer any American lobsters, unless the dealer has a valid 
Federal Dealer's Permit issued under Sec. 697.6.
    (xix) Refuse or fail to carry a sea sampler/observer if requested to 
do so by the Regional Administrator.
    (xx) Fail to provide a sea sampler/observer with required food, 
accommodations, access, and assistance, as specified in Sec. 697.12.
    (xxi) Violate any terms of a letter authorizing exempted fishing 
pursuant to Sec. 697.22 or to fail to keep such letter aboard the 
vessel during the time period of the exempted fishing.
    (xxii) Possess, deploy, fish with, haul, harvest lobster from, or 
carry aboard a vessel any lobster trap gear, on a fishing trip in the 
EEZ from a vessel that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests lobster 
by a method other than lobster traps.
    (xxiii) Fish for, take, catch, or harvest lobster on a fishing trip 
in or from the EEZ by a method other than traps, in excess of 100 
lobsters (or parts thereof), for each lobster day-at-sea or part of a 
lobster day-at-sea, up to a maximum of 500 lobsters (or parts thereof) 
for any one trip unless otherwise restricted by Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(i), 
(a)(4)(i)(A), (a)(8)(i), (a)(9)(i)(D), (a)(12)(i)(A), (a)(13)(i)(A), 
(b)(3)(ii) or Sec. 697.7(c)(2)(i)(C) of this chapter.
    (xxiv) Possess, retain on board, or land lobster by a vessel with 
any non-trap gear on board capable of catching lobsters, in excess of 
100 lobsters (or parts thereof), for each lobster day-at-sea or part of 
a lobster day-at-sea, up to a maximum of 500 lobsters (or parts thereof) 
for any one trip unless otherwise restricted by Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(i), 
(a)(4)(i)(A), (a)(8)(i), (a)(9)(i)(D), (a)(12)(i)(A), (a)(13)(i)(A), 
(b)(3)(ii) or Sec. 697.7(c)(2)(i)(C) of this chapter.
    (xxv) Transfer or attempt to transfer American lobster from one 
vessel to another vessel.
    (xxvi) Beginning May 1, 2000, possess, deploy, fish with, haul, 
harvest lobster from, or carry aboard a vessel any trap gear in or from 
the management areas specified in Sec. 697.18, unless such fishing 
vessel has been issued a valid management area designation certificate 
or valid limited access American lobster permit specifying such 
management area(s) as required under Sec. 697.4(a)(7).
    (xxvii) Possess, deploy, fish with, haul, harvest lobster from, or 
carry aboard a vessel trap gear issued to another vessel.
    (xxviii) Fail to comply with any gear, time, or area restriction in 
this part or, as is explained in Sec. 697.3 and Sec. 697.4(b), fail to 
comply with any gear,

[[Page 1122]]

time, or area regulation set forth in any other regulatory part, 
including part 229 and part 648.
    (xxix) Retain on board, land, or possess at or after landing, whole 
American lobsters that exceed the maximum lobster carapace length 
standard specified in Sec. 697.20(b). All American lobsters will be 
subject to inspection and enforcement action, up to and including the 
time when a dealer receives or possesses American lobsters for a 
commercial purpose.
    (xxx) Seasonal closures. The following areas are closed seasonally 
to lobster fishing.
    (A) Outer Cape Area seasonal closure. The Federal waters of the 
Outer Cape Area shall be closed to lobster fishing with traps by Federal 
lobster permit holders from February 1 through March 31.
    (1) Lobster fishing with traps is prohibited in the Outer Cape Area 
during this seasonal closure. Federal trap fishers are prohibited from 
possessing or landing lobster taken from the Outer Cape Area during the 
seasonal closure.
    (2) All lobster traps must be removed from Outer Cape Area waters 
before the start of the seasonal closure and may not be re-deployed into 
Outer Cape Area waters until after the seasonal closure ends. Federal 
trap fishers are prohibited from setting, hauling, storing, abandoning, 
or in any way leaving their traps in Outer Cape Area waters during this 
seasonal closure. Federal lobster permit holders are prohibited from 
possessing or carrying lobster traps aboard a vessel in Outer Cape Area 
waters during this seasonal closure unless the vessel is transiting 
through the Outer Cape Area pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(xxx)(A)(4) of 
this section.
    (3) The Outer Cape Area seasonal closure relates only to the Outer 
Cape Area. The restrictive provisions of Sec. Sec. 697.3 and 
697.4(a)(7)(v) do not apply to this closure. Federal lobster permit 
holders with an Outer Cape Area designation and another Lobster 
Management Area designation on their Federal lobster permits would not 
have to similarly remove their lobster gear from the other designated 
management areas.
    (4) Transiting Outer Cape Area. Federal lobster permit holders may 
possess lobster traps on their vessels in the Outer Cape Area during the 
seasonal closure only if:
    (i) The trap gear is stowed; and
    (ii) The vessel is transiting the Outer Cape Area. For the purposes 
of this section, transiting shall mean passing through the Outer Cape 
Area without stopping to reach a destination outside the Outer Cape 
Area.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may authorize a permit holder or 
vessel owner to haul ashore lobster traps from the Outer Cape Area 
during the seasonal closure without having to engage in the exempted 
fishing process in Sec. 697.22, if the permit holder or vessel owner 
can establish the following:
    (i) That the lobster traps were not able to be hauled ashore before 
the seasonal closure due to incapacity, vessel/mechanical inoperability, 
and/or poor weather; and
    (ii) That all lobsters caught in the subject traps will be 
immediately returned to the sea.
    (iii) The Regional Administrator may condition this authorization as 
appropriate in order to maintain the overall integrity of the closure.
    (B) Area 4 seasonal closure. The Federal waters of Area 4 shall be 
closed to lobster fishing from April 30 through May 31.
    (1) Lobster fishing is prohibited in Area 4 during this seasonal 
closure. Federal lobster permit holders are prohibited from possessing 
or landing lobster taken from Area 4 during the seasonal closure.
    (2) All lobster traps must be removed from Area 4 waters before the 
start of the seasonal closure and may not be re-deployed into Area 4 
waters until after the seasonal closure ends. Federal trap fishers are 
prohibited from setting, hauling, storing, abandoning, or in any way 
leaving their traps in Area 4 waters during this seasonal closure.
    (i) Lobster fishers have a 1-week grace period from May 24 to May 31 
to re-set gear in the closed area. During this grace period, re-set 
traps may not be re-hauled and any Federal lobster permit holder re-
setting Area 4 traps during this grace period is prohibited from 
possessing on board any lobster

[[Page 1123]]

regardless of the area from which the lobster may have been harvested.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) Federal lobster permit holders are prohibited from possessing or 
carrying lobster traps aboard a vessel in Area 4 waters during this 
seasonal closure unless the vessel is operating subject to the grace 
period identified in paragraph (c)(1)(xxx)(B)(2)(i) of this section or 
is transiting through Area 4 pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(xxx)(B)(5) of 
this section.
    (4) The Area 4 seasonal closure relates only to Area 4. The 
restrictive provisions of Sec. Sec. 697.3 and 697.4(a)(7)(v) do not 
apply to this closure. Federal lobster permit holders with an Area 4 
designation and another Lobster Management Area designation on their 
Federal lobster permits would not have to similarly remove their lobster 
gear from the other designated management areas.
    (5) Transiting Area 4. Federal lobster permit holders may possess 
lobster traps on their vessels in Area 4 during the seasonal closure 
only if:
    (i) The trap gear is stowed; and
    (ii) The vessel is transiting the Area 4. For the purposes of this 
section, transiting shall mean passing through Area 4 without stopping, 
to reach a destination outside Area 4.
    (6) The Regional Administrator may authorize a permit holder or 
vessel owner to haul ashore lobster traps from Area 4 during the 
seasonal closure without having to engage in the exempted fishing 
process in Sec. 697.22, if the permit holder or vessel owner can 
establish the following:
    (i) That the lobster traps were not able to be hauled ashore before 
the seasonal closure due to incapacity, vessel/mechanical inoperability, 
and/or poor weather; and
    (ii) That all lobsters caught in the subject traps will be 
immediately returned to the sea.
    (iii) The Regional Administrator may condition this authorization as 
appropriate in order to maintain the overall integrity of the closure.
    (C) Area 5 seasonal closure. The Federal waters of Area 5 shall be 
closed to lobster fishing from February 1 through March 31.
    (1) Lobster fishing is prohibited in Area 5 during this seasonal 
closure. Federal lobster permit holders are prohibited from possessing 
or landing lobster taken from Area 5 during the seasonal closure.
    (2) All lobster traps must be removed from Area 5 waters before the 
start of the seasonal closure and may not be re-deployed into Area 5 
waters until after the seasonal closure ends. Federal trap fishers are 
prohibited from setting, hauling, storing, abandoning, or in any way 
leaving their traps in Area 5 waters during this seasonal closure. The 
following exceptions apply to the Area 5 seasonal closure:
    (i) Lobster fishers will have a 2-week grace period from February 1 
to February 14 to remove all lobster gear from the closed area. During 
this grace period, any hauled trap must not be re-set and must be 
removed from the area. Any lobsters taken from traps during this grace 
period must be returned to the sea immediately and any Federal lobster 
permit holder retrieving Area 5 traps during this grace period is 
prohibited from possessing on board any lobster regardless of the area 
from which the lobster may have been harvested.
    (ii) Lobster fishers have a 1-week grace period from March 24 to 
March 31 to re-set gear in the closed area. During this grace period, 
re-set traps may not be re-hauled and any Federal lobster permit holder 
re-setting Area 5 traps during this grace period is prohibited from 
possessing on board any lobster regardless of the area from which the 
lobster may have been harvested.
    (3) Federal lobster permit holders are prohibited from possessing or 
carrying lobster traps aboard a vessel in Area 5 waters during this 
seasonal closure unless the vessel operating subject to the grace period 
identified in paragraph (c)(1)(xxx)(C)(2)(ii) of this section (ii) or is 
transiting through Area 5 pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(xxx)(C)(5) of 
this section.
    (4) The Area 5 seasonal closure relates only to Area 5. The 
restrictive provisions of Sec. Sec. 697.3 and 697.4(a)(7)(v) do not 
apply to this closure. Federal lobster permit holders with an Area 5

[[Page 1124]]

designation and another Lobster Management Area designation on their 
Federal lobster permits would not have to similarly remove their lobster 
gear from the other designated management areas.
    (5) Transiting Area 5. Federal lobster permit holders may possess 
lobster traps on their vessels in Area 5 during the seasonal closure 
only if:
    (i) The trap gear is stowed; and
    (ii) The vessel is transiting the Area 5. For the purposes of this 
section, transiting shall mean passing through Area 5 without stopping, 
to reach a destination outside Area 5.
    (6) The Regional Administrator may authorize a permit holder or 
vessel owner to haul ashore lobster traps from Area 5 during the 
seasonal closure without having to engage in the exempted fishing 
process in Sec. 697.22, if the permit holder or vessel owner can 
establish the following:
    (i) That the lobster traps were not able to be hauled ashore before 
the seasonal closure due to incapacity, vessel/mechanical inoperability, 
and/or poor weather; and
    (ii) That all lobsters caught in the subject traps will be 
immediately returned to the sea.
    (iii) The Regional Administrator may condition this authorization as 
appropriate in order to maintain the overall integrity of the closure.
    (2) In addition to the prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 of 
this chapter and the prohibitions specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (i) Retain on board, land, or possess American lobsters unless:
    (A) The American lobsters were harvested by a vessel that has been 
issued and carries on board a valid Federal limited access American 
lobster permit under Sec. 697.4; or
    (B) The American lobsters were harvested by a vessel without a valid 
Federal limited access American lobster permit and that fishes for 
American lobsters exclusively in state waters; or
    (C) The American lobsters were harvested by a charter boat, head 
boat, or commercial dive vessel that possesses six or fewer American 
lobsters per person on board the vessel and the lobsters are not 
intended to be, or are not, traded, bartered, or sold; or
    (D) The American lobsters were harvested by a recreational fishing 
vessel; or
    (E) The American lobsters were harvested by a vessel or person 
holding a valid State of Maine American lobster permit or license and is 
fishing under the provisions of and in the areas designated in Sec. 
697.24.
    (ii) Sell, barter, or trade, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to 
sell, barter, or trade, or otherwise transfer, for a commercial purpose, 
any American lobsters from a vessel, unless the vessel has been issued a 
valid Federal limited access American lobster permit under Sec. 697.4, 
or the American lobsters were harvested by a vessel without a valid 
Federal limited access American lobster permit that fishes for American 
lobsters exclusively in state waters or unless the vessel or person 
holds a valid State of Maine American lobster permit or license and that 
is fishing under the provisions of and in the areas designated in Sec. 
697.24.
    (iii) To be, or act as, an operator of a vessel fishing for or 
possessing American lobsters in or from the EEZ, or issued a Federal 
limited access American lobster permit under Sec. 697.4, without having 
been issued and possessing a valid operator's permit under Sec. 697.5.
    (iv) Purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, as, 
or in the capacity of, a dealer, American lobsters taken from or 
harvested by a fishing vessel issued a Federal limited access American 
lobster permit, unless in possession of a valid dealer's permit issued 
under Sec. 697.6.
    (v) Purchase, possess, or receive for commercial purposes, or 
attempt to purchase or receive for commercial purposes, as, or in the 
capacity of, a dealer, American lobsters caught by a vessel other than 
one issued a valid Federal limited access American lobster permit under 
Sec. 697.4, or one holding or owned or operated by one holding a valid 
State of Maine American lobster permit or license and fishing under the 
provisions of and in the areas designated in Sec. 697.24, unless the 
American lobsters were harvested by a vessel

[[Page 1125]]

without a Federal limited access American lobster permit and that fishes 
for American lobsters exclusively in state waters.
    (vi) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, harass, intimidate, or 
interfere with or bar by command, impediment, threat, or coercion any 
NMFS-approved sea sampler/observer aboard a vessel conducting his or her 
duties aboard a vessel, or any authorized officer conducting any search, 
inspection, investigation, or seizure in connection with enforcement of 
this part, or any official designee of the Regional Administrator 
conducting his or her duties.
    (vii) Refuse to carry a sea sampler/observer if requested to do so 
by the Regional Administrator.
    (viii) Refuse reasonable assistance to either a NMFS-approved sea 
sampler/observer conducting his or her duties aboard a vessel.
    (ix) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer, concerning the taking, catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, 
sale, or transfer of any American lobster.
    (x) Violate any provision of this part, the ACFCMA, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, or any regulation, permit, or notification issued under the 
ACFCMA, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or these regulations.
    (xi) Retain on board, land, or possess any American lobsters 
harvested in or from the EEZ in violation of Sec. 697.20.
    (xii) Ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, or purchase, in 
interstate or foreign commerce, any whole live American lobster in 
violation of Sec. 697.20.
    (xiii) Fish, or be in the areas described in Sec. 697.23(b)(2), 
(c)(2), (d)(2), and (e)(2) on a fishing vessel with mobile gear during 
the time periods specified in Sec. 697.23(b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), and 
(e)(1), except as provided in Sec. 697.23(b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), and 
(e)(1).
    (xiv) Fish, or be in the areas described in Sec. 697.23(b)(2), 
(c)(2), and (d)(2) on a fishing vessel with lobster trap gear on board 
during the time periods specified in Sec. 697.23(b)(1), (c)(1), and 
(d)(1).
    (xv) Deploy or fail to remove lobster trap gear in the areas 
described in Sec. 697.23(b)(2), (c)(2), and (d)(2) during the time 
periods specified in Sec. 697.23(b)(1), (c)(1), and (d)(1).
    (xvi) Violate any terms of a letter authorizing exempted fishing 
pursuant to Sec. 697.22 or to fail to keep such letter aboard the 
vessel during the time period of the exempted fishing.
    (xvii) Possess, deploy, fish with, haul, harvest lobster from, or 
carry aboard a vessel any lobster trap gear on a fishing trip in the EEZ 
on a vessel that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests lobster by a 
method other than lobster traps.
    (xviii) Fish for, take, catch, or harvest lobster on a fishing trip 
in the EEZ by a method other than traps, in excess of 100 lobsters (or 
parts thereof), for each lobster day-at-sea or part of a lobster day-at-
sea, up to a maximum of 500 lobsters (or parts thereof) for any one trip 
unless otherwise restricted by Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(i)(A), 
(a)(8)(i), (a)(9)(i)(D), (a)(12)(i)(A), (a)(13)(i)(A), (b)(3)(ii) or 
Sec. 697.7(c)(2)(i)(C) of this chapter.
    (xix) Possess, retain on board, or land lobster by a vessel with any 
non-trap gear on board capable of catching lobsters, in excess of 100 
lobsters (or parts thereof), for each lobster day-at-sea or part of a 
lobster day-at-sea, up to a maximum of 500 lobsters (or parts thereof) 
for any one trip unless otherwise restricted by Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(i), 
(a)(4)(i)(A), (a)(8)(i), (a)(9)(i)(D), (a)(12)(i)(A), (a)(13)(i)(A), 
(b)(3)(ii) or Sec. 697.7(c)(2)(i)(C) of this chapter.
    (xx) Transfer or attempt to transfer American lobster from one 
vessel to another vessel.
    (xxi) Fail to comply with dealer record keeping and reporting 
requirements as specified in Sec. 697.6.
    (3) Presumptions. (i) Any person possessing, or landing American 
lobsters or parts thereof at or prior to the time when those American 
lobsters are landed, or are received or possessed by a dealer for the 
first time, is subject to all of the prohibitions specified in paragraph 
(c) of this section, unless the American lobsters were harvested by a 
vessel without a Federal limited access American lobster permit and that 
fishes for American lobsters exclusively in state waters; or are from a 
charter, head, or commercial dive vessel that possesses or possessed six 
or fewer American lobsters per person aboard the vessel and the lobsters 
are

[[Page 1126]]

not intended for sale, trade, or barter; or are from a recreational 
fishing vessel.
    (ii) American lobsters or parts thereof that are possessed, or 
landed at or prior to the time when the American lobsters are received 
by a dealer, or whole American lobsters that are possessed by a dealer, 
are presumed to have been harvested from the EEZ or by a vessel with a 
Federal limited access American lobster permit. A preponderance of all 
submitted evidence that such American lobsters were harvested by a 
vessel without a Federal limited access American lobster permit and 
fishing exclusively for American lobsters in state or foreign waters 
will be sufficient to rebut this presumption.
    (iii) The possession of egg-bearing female lobsters in violation of 
the requirements set forth in Sec. 697.20(d), v-notched female American 
lobsters in violation of the v-notch requirements set forth in Sec. 
697.20(g), American lobsters that are smaller than the minimum sizes set 
forth in Sec. 697.20(a), American lobsters that are larger than the 
maximum carapace sizes set forth in Sec. 697.20(b), or lobster parts, 
possessed at or prior to the time when the aforementioned lobsters or 
parts are received by a dealer, will be prima facie evidence that such 
American lobsters or parts were taken or imported in violation of these 
regulations. A preponderance of all submitted evidence that such 
American lobsters were harvested by a vessel not holding a permit under 
this part and fishing exclusively within state or foreign waters will be 
sufficient to rebut the presumption.
    (d) Atlantic sturgeon fishery. In addition to the prohibitions set 
forth in Sec. 600.725, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the 
following:
    (1) Fish for Atlantic sturgeon in the EEZ.
    (2) Harvest any Atlantic sturgeon from the EEZ.
    (3) Possess any natural or stocked Atlantic sturgeon in or from the 
EEZ.
    (4) Retain any Atlantic sturgeon taken in or from the EEZ.
    (5) Possess any natural Atlantic sturgeon parts, including Atlantic 
sturgeon eggs, in the EEZ.
    (e) Atlantic Coast Horseshoe Crab fishery. In addition to the 
prohibitions set forth in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful 
for any person to do any of the following:
    (1) Fish for horseshoe crabs in the Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe 
Crab Reserve described in Sec. 697.23(f)(1).
    (2) Possess horseshoe crabs on a vessel with a trawl or dredge in 
the closed area described in Sec. 697.23(f)(1).
    (3) Fail to return to the water immediately without further harm, 
all horseshoe crabs caught in the closed area described in Sec. 
697.23(f)(1).
    (f) Atlantic red drum fishery. In addition to the prohibitions set 
forth in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to 
do any of the following:
    (1) Harvest or possess Atlantic red drum in the EEZ south of a line 
extending in a direction of 115[deg] from true north commencing at a 
point at 40[deg]29.6[min] N. lat., 73[deg]54.1[min] W. long., such point 
being the intersection of the New Jersey/New York boundary with the 3-nm 
line denoting the seaward limit of state waters, and north of the 
demarcation line between the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council described in Sec. 
600.105(c) of this chapter.
    (2) Fail to release immediately without further harm, all Atlantic 
red drum caught in the EEZ area described in paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section.
    (g) Atlantic migratory group cobia. In addition to the prohibitions 
set forth in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any 
person to do any of the following:
    (1) Use or possess prohibited gear or methods or possess fish in 
association with possession or use of prohibited gear, as specified in 
this part.
    (2) Fish in violation of the prohibitions, restrictions, and 
requirements applicable to seasonal and/or area closures, including but 
not limited to: Prohibition of all fishing, gear restrictions, 
restrictions on take or retention of fish, fish release requirements, 
and restrictions on use of an anchor or grapple, as specified in this 
part or as may be specified under this part.
    (3) Possess undersized fish, fail to release undersized fish, or 
sell or purchase undersized fish, as specified in this part.

[[Page 1127]]

    (4) Fail to maintain a fish intact through offloading ashore, as 
specified in this part.
    (5) Exceed a bag or possession limit, as specified in this part.
    (6) Fail to comply with the species-specific limitations, as 
specified in this part.
    (7) Fail to comply with the restrictions that apply after closure of 
a fishery, sector, or component of a fishery, as specified in this part.
    (8) Possess on board a vessel or land, purchase, or sell fish in 
excess of the commercial trip limits, as specified in this part.
    (9) Fail to comply with the restrictions on sale/purchase, as 
specified in this part.
    (10) Interfere with fishing or obstruct or damage fishing gear or 
the fishing vessel of another, as specified in this part.
    (11) Fail to comply with any other requirement or restriction 
specified in this part or violate any provision(s) in this part.
    (h) Jonah crab. (1) In addition to the prohibitions specified in 
Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person owning or 
operating a vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit under Sec. 697.4 or a vessel or person holding a valid State of 
Maine American lobster permit or license and fishing under the 
provisions of and under the areas designated in Sec. 697.24 to do any 
of the following:
    (i) Retain on board, land, or possess at or after landing, Jonah 
crabs that fail to meet the minimum Jonah crab carapace width standard 
specified in Sec. 697.20(h)(1). All Jonah crabs will be subject to 
inspection and enforcement action, up to and including the time when a 
dealer receives or possesses Jonah crabs for a commercial purpose.
    (ii) Retain on board, land, or possess any berried female Jonah 
crabs specified in Sec. 697.20(h)(2).
    (iii) Remove eggs from any berried female Jonah crab, land, or 
possess any such Jonah crab from which eggs have been removed. No person 
owning or operating a vessel issued a Federal limited access American 
lobster permit under Sec. 697.4 or a vessel or person holding a State 
of Maine American lobster permit or license and fishing under the 
provisions of and under the areas designated in Sec. 697.24 may land or 
possess any Jonah crab that has come in contact with any substance 
capable of removing crab eggs.
    (iv) Sell, transfer, or barter or attempt to sell, transfer, or 
barter to a dealer any Jonah crabs, unless the dealer has a valid 
Federal Dealer's Permit issued under Sec. 697.6.
    (v) Fish for, take, catch, or harvest Jonah crabs on a fishing trip 
in or from the EEZ by a method other than traps, in excess of up to 
1,000 crabs per trip, unless otherwise restricted by paragraph 
(h)(2)(i)(C) of this section.
    (vi) Possess, retain on board, or land Jonah crabs by a vessel with 
any non-trap gear on board capable of catching Jonah crabs, in excess of 
up to 1,000 crabs per trip, unless otherwise restricted by paragraph 
(h)(2)(i)(C) of this section.
    (vii) Transfer or attempt to transfer Jonah crabs from one vessel to 
another vessel.
    (2) In addition to the prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 of 
this chapter and the prohibitions specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
section, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (i) Retain on board, land, or possess Jonah crabs unless:
    (A) The Jonah crabs were harvested by a vessel that has been issued 
and carries on board a valid Federal limited access American lobster 
permit under Sec. 697.4; or
    (B) The Jonah crabs were harvested in state waters by a vessel 
without a valid Federal limited access American lobster permit; or
    (C) The Jonah crabs were harvested by a charter boat, head boat, or 
commercial dive vessel that possesses 50 or fewer Jonah crabs per person 
on board the vessel (including captain and crew) and the Jonah crabs are 
not intended to be, or are not, traded, bartered, or sold; or
    (D) The Jonah crabs were harvested for recreational purposes by a 
recreational fishing vessel; or
    (E) The Jonah crabs were harvested by a vessel or person holding a 
valid State of Maine American lobster permit or license and is fishing 
under the provisions of and in the areas designated in Sec. 697.24.

[[Page 1128]]

    (ii) Sell, barter, or trade, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to 
sell, barter, or trade, or otherwise transfer, for a commercial purpose, 
any Jonah crabs from a vessel, unless the vessel has been issued a valid 
Federal limited access American lobster permit under Sec. 697.4, or the 
Jonah crabs were harvested by a vessel without a valid Federal limited 
access American lobster permit that fishes for Jonah crabs exclusively 
in state waters or unless the vessel or person holds a valid State of 
Maine American lobster permit or license and that is fishing under the 
provisions of and in the areas designated in Sec. 697.24.
    (iii) To be, or act as, an operator of a vessel fishing for or 
possessing Jonah crabs in or from the EEZ, or issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit under Sec. 697.4, without having been 
issued and possessing a valid operator's permit under Sec. 697.5.
    (iv) Purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, as, 
or in the capacity of, a dealer, Jonah crabs taken from or harvested by 
a fishing vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit, unless in possession of a valid dealer's permit issued under 
Sec. 697.6.
    (v) Purchase, possess, or receive for commercial purposes, or 
attempt to purchase or receive for commercial purposes, as, or in the 
capacity of, a dealer, Jonah crabs caught by a vessel other than one 
issued a valid Federal limited access American lobster permit under 
Sec. 697.4, or one holding or owned or operated by one holding a valid 
State of Maine American lobster permit or license and fishing under the 
provisions of and in the areas designated in Sec. 697.24, unless the 
Jonah crabs were harvested by a vessel without a Federal limited access 
American lobster permit and that fishes for Jonah crabs exclusively in 
state waters.
    (vi) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer, concerning the taking, catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, 
sale, or transfer of any Jonah crabs.
    (vii) Violate any provision of this part, the ACFCMA, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, or any regulation, permit, or notification issued under 
this part, the ACFCMA, or the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (viii) Retain on board, land, or possess any Jonah crabs harvested 
in or from the EEZ in violation of Sec. 697.20.
    (ix) Ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, or purchase, in 
interstate or foreign commerce, any whole live Jonah crabs in violation 
of Sec. 697.20.
    (x) Violate any terms of a letter authorizing exempted fishing 
pursuant to Sec. 697.22 or to fail to keep such letter aboard the 
vessel during the time period of the exempted fishing.
    (xi) Possess, deploy, fish with, haul, harvest Jonah crabs from, or 
carry aboard a vessel any lobster trap gear on a fishing trip in the EEZ 
on a vessel that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests Jonah crabs by 
a method other than lobster traps.
    (xii) Fish for, take, catch, or harvest Jonah crabs on a fishing 
trip in the EEZ by a method other than traps, in excess of up to 1,000 
crabs per trip, unless otherwise restricted by paragraph (h)(2)(i)(C) of 
this section.
    (xiii) Possess, retain on board, or land Jonah crabs by a vessel 
with any non-trap gear on board capable of catching lobsters, in excess 
of up to 1,000 crabs per trip, unless otherwise restricted by paragraph 
(h)(2)(i)(C) of this section.
    (xiv) Transfer or attempt to transfer Jonah crabs from one vessel to 
another vessel.
    (xv) Fail to comply with dealer record keeping and reporting 
requirements as specified in Sec. 697.6.
    (3) Any person possessing, or landing Jonah crabs at or prior to the 
time when those Jonah crabs are landed, or are received or possessed by 
a dealer for the first time, is subject to all of the prohibitions 
specified in paragraph (g) of this section, unless the Jonah crabs were 
harvested by a vessel without a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit and that fishes for Jonah crabs exclusively in state waters; or 
are from a charter, head, or commercial dive vessel that possesses or 
possessed 50 or fewer Jonah crabs per person aboard the vessel and the 
Jonah crabs are not intended for sale,

[[Page 1129]]

trade, or barter; or are from a recreational fishing vessel.
    (i) Jonah crabs that are possessed, or landed at or prior to the 
time when the Jonah crabs are received by a dealer, or Jonah crabs that 
are possessed by a dealer, are presumed to have been harvested from the 
EEZ or by a vessel with a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit. A preponderance of all submitted evidence that such Jonah crabs 
were harvested by a vessel without a Federal limited access American 
lobster permit and fishing exclusively for Jonah crabs in state or 
foreign waters will be sufficient to rebut this presumption.
    (ii) The possession of egg-bearing female Jonah crabs in violation 
of the requirements set forth in Sec. 697.20(h)(1) or Jonah crabs that 
are smaller than the minimum sizes set forth in Sec. 697.20(h)(2), will 
be prima facie evidence that such Jonah crabs were taken or imported in 
violation of these regulations. A preponderance of all submitted 
evidence that such Jonah crabs were harvested by a vessel not holding a 
permit under this part and fishing exclusively within state or foreign 
waters will be sufficient to rebut the presumption.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 8911, Feb. 5, 2001; 66 
FR 14502, Mar. 13, 2001; 68 FR 56790, Oct. 2, 2003; 71 FR 13037, Mar. 
14, 2006; 73 FR 11563, Mar. 4, 2008; 73 FR 58061, Oct. 6, 2008; 74 FR 
37551, July 29, 2009; 79 FR 22449, Apr. 22, 2014; 79 FR 19025, Apr. 7, 
2014; 79 FR 73852, Dec. 12, 2014; 80 FR 2033, Jan. 15, 2015; 80 FR 
69622, Nov. 10, 2015; 84 FR 4737, Feb. 19, 2019; 84 FR 61580, Nov. 13, 
2019]



Sec. 697.8  Vessel identification.

    (a) Vessel name and official number. Each fishing vessel issued a 
limited access American lobster permit and over 25 ft (7.6 m) in 
registered length must:
    (1) Have affixed permanently its name on the port and starboard 
sides of the bow and, if possible, on its stern.
    (2) Have its official number displayed on the port and starboard 
sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck so as 
to be clearly visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. The 
official number is the USCG documentation number or the vessel's state 
registration number for vessels not required to be documented under 
title 46 U.S.C.
    (b) Numerals. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, 
each fishing vessel issued a limited access American lobster permit must 
display its official number in block arabic numerals in contrasting 
color at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for fishing vessels over 65 
ft (19.8 m) in registered length, and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in 
height for all other vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) in registered length. 
The registered length of a vessel, for purposes of this section, is that 
registered length set forth in USCG or state records.
    (c) Duties of owner. The owner of each vessel issued a limited 
access American lobster permit shall ensure that--
    (1) The vessel's name and official number are kept clearly legible 
and in good repair.
    (2) No part of the vessel, its rigging, its fishing gear, or any 
other object obstructs the view of the official number from any 
enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (d) Non-permanent marking. Vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) in registered 
length, fishing in the EEZ and carrying recreational fishing parties on 
a per capita basis or by charter must use markings that meet the above 
requirements, except for the requirement that they be affixed 
permanently to the vessel. The non-permanent markings must be displayed 
in conformity with the aforementioned requirements.



Sec. 697.9  Facilitation of enforcement.

    (a) General. See Sec. 600.730 of this chapter.
    (b) Radio hails. Permit holders, while underway, must be alert for 
communication conveying enforcement instructions and immediately answer 
via VHF-FM radio, channel 16, when hailed by an enforcement officer. 
Vessels not required to have VHF-FM radios by the Coast Guard are exempt 
from this requirement.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 73 FR 67809, Nov. 17, 2008]



Sec. 697.10  Penalties.

    See Sec. 600.735 of this chapter.



Sec. 697.11  Civil procedures.

    The civil procedure regulations at 15 CFR part 904 apply to civil 
penalties,

[[Page 1130]]

permit sanctions, seizures, and forfeitures under the Atlantic Striped 
Bass Conservation Act and the ACFCMA, and to the regulations of this 
part.



Sec. 697.12  At-sea sea sampler/observer coverage.

    (a) The Regional Administrator may request any vessel issued a 
Federal limited access American lobster permit to carry a NMFS-approved 
sea sampler/observer. If requested by the Regional Administrator to 
carry a sea sampler/observer, a vessel may not engage in any fishing 
operations in the respective fishery unless a sea sampler/observer is on 
board, or unless the requirement is waived, as specified in paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (b) If requested in writing by the Regional Administrator to carry a 
sea sampler/observer, it is the responsibility of the vessel owner to 
arrange for and facilitate sea sampler/observer placement. Owners of 
vessels selected for sea sampler/observer coverage must notify the 
appropriate Regional or Science and Research Administrator, as specified 
by the Regional Administrator, before commencing any fishing trip that 
may result in the harvest of resources of the respective fishery. 
Notification procedures will be specified in election letters to vessel 
owners.
    (c) The Regional Administrator may waive in writing the requirement 
to carry a sea sampler/observer if the facilities on a vessel for 
housing the sea sampler/observer, or for carrying out sea sampler/
observer functions, are so inadequate or unsafe that the health or 
safety of the sea sampler/observer, or the safe operation of the vessel, 
would be jeopardized.
    (d) An owner or operator of a vessel on which a NMFS-approved sea 
sampler/observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the sea sampler/observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the transmission 
and receipt of messages related to the sea sampler's/observer's duties.
    (3) Provide true vessel locations, by latitude and longitude or 
loran coordinates, as requested by the sea sampler/observer, and allow 
the sea sampler/observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's position.
    (4) Notify the sea sampler/observer in a timely fashion of when 
fishing operations are to begin and end.
    (5) Allow for the embarking and debarking of the sea sampler/
observer, as specified by the Regional Administrator, ensuring that 
transfers of sea samplers/observers at sea are accomplished in a safe 
manner, via small boat or raft, during daylight hours as weather and sea 
conditions allow, and with the agreement of the sea samplers/observers 
involved.
    (6) Allow the sea sampler/observer free and unobstructed access to 
the vessel's bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, 
and any other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (7) Allow the sea sampler/observer to inspect and copy the vessel's 
log, communications log, and records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.
    (e) The owner or operator of a vessel issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit, if requested by the sea sampler/observer 
also must:
    (1) Notify the sea sampler/observer of any sea turtles, marine 
mammals, or other specimens taken by the vessel.
    (2) Provide the sea sampler/observer with sea turtles, marine 
mammals, or other specimens taken by the vessel.
    (f) NMFS may accept sea sampler/observer coverage funded by outside 
sources if:
    (1) All coverage conducted by such sea samplers/observers is 
determined by NMFS to be in compliance with NMFS' sea sampler/observer 
guidelines and procedures.
    (2) The owner or operator of the vessel complies with all other 
provisions of this part.
    (3) The sea sampler/observer is approved by the Regional 
Administrator.



                      Subpart B_Management Measures



Sec. 697.17  Non-trap harvest restrictions.

    (a) Non-trap lobster landing limits. In addition to the prohibitions 
set forth

[[Page 1131]]

in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for a vessel with any 
non-trap gear on board capable of catching lobsters, or, that fishes 
for, takes, catches, or harvests lobster on a fishing trip in or from 
the EEZ by a method other than traps, to possess, retain on board, or 
land, in excess of 100 lobsters (or parts thereof), for each lobster 
day-at-sea or part of a lobster day-at-sea, up to a maximum of 500 
lobsters (or parts thereof) for any one trip, unless otherwise 
restricted by Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(i)(A), (a)(8)(i), 
(a)(9)(i)(D), (a)(12)(i)(A), (a)(13)(i)(A), or (b)(3)(ii) of this 
chapter or Sec. 697.7(c)(2)(i)(C).
    (b) Trap prohibition for non-trap lobster harvesters. All persons 
that fish for, take, catch, or harvest lobsters on a fishing trip in or 
from the EEZ are prohibited from transferring or attempting to transfer 
American lobster from one vessel to another vessel.
    (c) Trap prohibition for non-trap lobster vessels. Any vessel on a 
fishing trip in the EEZ that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests 
lobster by a method other than traps may not possess on board, deploy, 
fish with, or haul back traps.
    (d) Non-trap Jonah crab landing limits. In addition to the 
prohibitions set forth in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful 
for a vessel with any non-trap gear on board that fishes for, takes, 
catches, or harvests Jonah crabs on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ by 
a method other than traps, to possess, retain on board, or land, in 
excess of up to 1,000 Jonah crabs (or parts thereof), for each trip, 
unless otherwise restricted by Sec. 697.7.
    (e) Restrictions on fishing for, possessing, or landing fish other 
than Jonah crabs. Vessels are prohibited from possessing or landing 
Jonah crabs in excess of 50 percent, by weight, of all other species on 
board.
    (f) Trap prohibition for non-trap Jonah crab harvesters. All persons 
that fish for, take, catch, or harvest Jonah crabs on a fishing trip in 
or from the EEZ are prohibited from transferring or attempting to 
transfer Jonah crabs from one vessel to another vessel.

[84 FR 61581, Nov. 13, 2019]



Sec. 697.18  Lobster management areas.

    The following lobster management areas are established for purposes 
of implementing the management measures specified in this part. (A copy 
of a chart showing the American lobster EEZ management areas is 
available upon request to the Office of the Regional Administrator, 
NMFS, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.)
    (a) EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1. EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1 
is defined by the area, including state and Federal waters that are 
nearshore in the Gulf of Maine, bounded by straight lines connecting the 
following points, in the order stated, and the coastline of Maine, New 
Hampshire, and Massachusetts to the northernmost point of Cape Cod:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  43[deg]58[mi  67[deg]22[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
B...........................................  43[deg]41[mi  68[deg]00[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] N.
C...........................................  43[deg]12[mi  69[deg]00[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
D...........................................  42[deg]49[mi  69[deg]40[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
E...........................................  42[deg]15.5[  70[deg]40[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
F...........................................  42[deg]10[mi  69[deg]56[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
G...........................................  42[deg]05.5[  70[deg]14[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
G1..........................................  42[deg]04.25  70[deg]17.22
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
G2..........................................  42[deg]02.84  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
G3..........................................  42[deg]03.35  70[deg]14.2[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) From point ``G3'' along the coastline of Massachusetts, 
including the southwestern end of the Cape Cod Canal, continuing along 
the coastlines of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and the seaward 
EEZ boundary back to Point A.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) EEZ Nearshore Management Area 2. EEZ Nearshore Management Area 2 
is defined by the area, including state and Federal waters that are 
nearshore in Southern New England, bounded by straight lines connecting 
the following points, in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H...........................................  41[deg]40[mi  70[deg]05[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
I...........................................  41[deg]15[mi  70[deg]05[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] N.
J...........................................  41[deg]21.5[  69[deg]16.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
K...........................................  41[deg]10[mi  69[deg]06.5[
                                                     n] N.       min] W.
L...........................................  40[deg]55[mi  68[deg]54[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
M...........................................  40[deg]27.5[  71[deg]14[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
N...........................................  40[deg]45.5[  71[deg]34[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
O...........................................  41[deg]07[mi  71[deg]43[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
P...........................................  41[deg]06.5[  71[deg]47[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
Q...........................................  41[deg]11.5[  71[deg]47.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
R...........................................  41[deg]18.5[  71[deg]54.5[
                                                   min] N.        min] W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) From point ``R'' along the maritime boundary between Connecticut 
and Rhode Island to the coastal Connecticut/Rhode Island boundary and 
then back to point ``H'' along the

[[Page 1132]]

Rhode Island and Massachusetts coast, including the northeastern end of 
the Cape Cod Canal.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Area 2/3 Overlap. The Area 2/3 Overlap is defined by the area, 
comprised entirely of Federal waters, bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points, in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
K...........................................  41[deg]10[mi  69[deg]06.5[
                                                     n] N.       min] W.
L...........................................  40[deg]55[mi  68[deg]54[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
M...........................................  40[deg]27.5[  72[deg]14[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
N...........................................  40[deg]45.5[  71[deg]34[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) EEZ Offshore Management Area 3. EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 
is defined by the area, comprised entirely of Federal waters, bounded by 
straight lines connecting the following points, in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  43[deg]58[mi  67[deg]22[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
B...........................................  43[deg]41[mi  68[deg]00[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
C...........................................  43[deg]12[mi  69[deg]00[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
D...........................................  42[deg]49[mi  69[deg]40[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
E...........................................  42[deg]15.5[  69[deg]40[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
F...........................................  42[deg]10[mi  69[deg]56[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
K...........................................  41[deg]10[mi  69[deg]06.5[
                                                     n] N.       min] W.
N...........................................  40[deg]45.5[  71[deg]34[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
M...........................................  40[deg]27.5[  72[deg]14[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
U...........................................  40[deg]12.5[  72[deg]48.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
V...........................................  39[deg]50[mi  73[deg]01[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
X...........................................  38[deg]39.5[  73[deg]40[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
Y...........................................  38[deg]12[mi  73[deg]55[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
Z...........................................  37[deg]12[mi  74[deg]44[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
ZA..........................................  35[deg]34[mi  74[deg]51[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
ZB..........................................  35[deg]14.5[  75[deg]31[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
ZC..........................................  35[deg]14.5[  71[deg]24[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
From point ``ZC'' along the seaward EEZ boundary to point ``A''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) EEZ Nearshore Management Area 4. EEZ Nearshore Management Area 4 
is defined by the area, including state and Federal waters that are 
near-shore in the northern Mid-Atlantic, bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points, in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M...........................................  40[deg]27.5[  72[deg]14[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
N...........................................  40[deg]45.5[  71[deg]34[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
O...........................................  41[deg]07[mi  71[deg]43[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
P...........................................  41[deg]06.5[  71[deg]47[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
S...........................................  40[deg]58[mi  72[deg]00[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
T...........................................  41[deg]00.5[  72[deg]00[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
From Point ``T'', along the New York/New Jersey coast to Point ``W''
W...........................................  39[deg]50[mi  74[deg]09[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
V...........................................  39[deg]50[mi  73[deg]01[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
U...........................................  40[deg]12.5[  72[deg]48.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
From Point ``U'' back to Point ``M''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) EEZ Nearshore Management Area 5. EEZ Nearshore Management Area 5 
is defined by the area, including state and Federal waters that are 
near-shore in the southern Mid-Atlantic, bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points, in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
W                                             39[deg]50[mi  74[deg]09[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
V1                                            39[deg]50[mi  72[deg]55[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
X1                                            38[deg]38.2[  73[deg]33.8[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
Y1                                            38[deg]10.4[  73[deg]49[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
Z1                                            37[deg]10.6[  74[deg]38[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
ZA1                                           35[deg]31.9[  74[deg]45.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
ZB1                                           35[deg]14.5[  75[deg]19.3[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
ZB                                            35[deg]14.5[  75[deg]31[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Point ``ZB'', along the coasts of North Carolina, Virginia,
  Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey back to Point ``W''.

    (g) Nearshore Management Area 6. The Nearshore Management Area 6 is 
defined by the area, including New York and Connecticut state waters, 
bounded by straight lines connecting the following points, in the order 
stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
T...........................................  41[deg]00.5[  72[deg]00[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
S...........................................  40[deg]58[mi  72[deg]00[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
From Point ``S'', boundary follows the 3 mile limit of New York as it
 curves around Montauk Point to Point ``P''
P...........................................  41[deg]06.5[  71[deg]47[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
Q...........................................  41[deg]11[mi  71[deg]47[mi
                                              n]30[sec] N.  n]15[sec] W.
R...........................................  41[deg]18[mi  71[deg]5[min
                                              n]30[sec] N.   ]30[sec] W.
From point ``R'', along the maritime boundary between Connecticut and
 Rhode Island to the coast; then west along the coast of Connecticut to
 the western entrance of Long Island Sound; then east along the New York
 coast of Long Island Sound and back to Point ``T''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (h) EEZ Nearshore Outer Cape Lobster Management Area. EEZ Nearshore 
Outer Cape Lobster Management Area is defined by the area, including 
state and Federal waters off Cape Cod, bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points, in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F...........................................  42[deg]10[mi  69[deg]56[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
G...........................................  42[deg]05.5[  70[deg]14[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
G1..........................................  42[deg]04.25  70[deg]17.22
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
G2..........................................  42[deg]02.84  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
G4..........................................  41[deg]52.[m  70[deg]07.49
                                                    in] N.      [min] W.
G5..........................................  41[deg]54.46  70[deg]03.99
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) From Point ``G5'' along the outer Cape Cod coast to Point ``H'':

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H...........................................  41[deg]40[mi  70[deg]05[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
H1..........................................  41[deg]18[mi  70[deg]05[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1133]]

    (2) From Point ``H1'' along the eastern coast of Nantucket Island to 
Point ``I'':

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I...........................................  41[deg]15[mi  70[deg]00[mi
                                                     n] N.         n] W.
J...........................................  41[deg]21.5[  69[deg]16[mi
                                                   min] N.         n] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) From Point ``J'' back to Point ``F''.
    (i) NMFS may, consistent with Sec. 697.25, implement management 
measures necessary for each management area, in order to end overfishing 
and rebuild stocks of American lobster.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 14930, Mar. 27, 2003; 71 
FR 13037, Mar. 14, 2006]



Sec. 697.19  Trap limits and trap tag requirements for vessels 
fishing with lobster traps.

    (a) Area 1 trap limits. The Area 1 trap limit is 800 traps. 
Federally permitted lobster fishing vessels shall not fish with, deploy 
in, possess in, or haul back more than 800 lobster traps in Area 1.
    (b) Area 2 trap limits. The Area 2 trap limit is 800 traps. 
Federally permitted lobster fishing vessels may only fish with traps 
that have been previously qualified and allocated into Area 2 by the 
Regional Administrator, as part of the Federal Area 2 Limited Access 
Program. This allocation may be modified by trap cuts and/or trap 
transfers, but in no case shall the allocation exceed the trap limit.
    (c) Area 3 trap limits. The Area 3 trap limit is 1,945 traps. 
Federally permitted lobster fishing vessels may only fish with traps 
that have been previously qualified and allocated into Area 3 by the 
Regional Administrator, as part of the Federal Area 3 Limited Access 
Program. This allocation may be modified by trap cuts and/or trap 
transfers, but in no case shall the allocation exceed the trap limit.
    (d) Area 4 trap limits. The Area 4 trap limit is 1,440 traps. 
Federally permitted lobster fishing vessels may only fish with traps 
that have been previously qualified and allocated into Area 4 by the 
Regional Administrator, as part of the Federal Area 4 Limited Access 
Program. This allocation may be modified by trap cuts and/or trap 
transfers, but in no case shall the allocation exceed the trap limit.
    (e) Area 5 trap limits. The Area 5 trap limit is 1,440 traps, unless 
the vessel is operating under an Area 5 Trap Waiver permit issued under 
Sec. 697.26. Federally permitted lobster fishing vessels may only fish 
with traps that have been previously qualified and allocated into Area 5 
by the Regional Administrator, as part of the Federal Area 5 Limited 
Access Program. This allocation may be modified by trap cuts and/or trap 
transfers, but in no case shall the allocation exceed the trap limit.
    (f) Outer Cape Area. The Outer Cape Area trap limit is 800 traps. 
Federally permitted lobster fishing vessels may only fish with traps 
that have been previously qualified and allocated into the Outer Cape 
Area by the Regional Administrator, as part of the Federal Outer Cape 
Cod Area Limited Access Program. This allocation may be modified by trap 
cuts and/or trap transfers, but in no case shall the allocation exceed 
the trap limit.
    (g) Trap cuts. Trap allocations shall be reduced in the following 
Areas as set forth below:
    (1) Area 2 allocations shall be reduced according to the following 
schedule:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Area 2
            Effective year of trap reduction                reductions
                                                             (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 30, 2016, 11:59 p.m...............................              25
April 30, 2017, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2018, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2019, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2020, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2021, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Area 3 allocations shall be reduced according to the following 
schedule:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Area 3
            Effective year of trap reduction                reductions
                                                             (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 30, 2016, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2017, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2018, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2019, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
April 30, 2020, 11:59 p.m...............................               5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (h) Lobster trap limits for vessels fishing or authorized to fish in 
more than one EEZ management area. A vessel owner who elects to fish in 
more than one EEZ Management Area is restricted to the lowest trap cap 
and/or trap allocation of all the areas designated on the permit and may 
not fish with, deploy

[[Page 1134]]

in, possess in, or haul back from any of those elected management areas 
more lobster traps than the lowest number of lobster traps allocated to 
that vessel for any one elected management area.
    (i) Conservation equivalent trap limits in New Hampshire state 
waters. Notwithstanding any other provision, any vessel with a Federal 
lobster permit and a New Hampshire Full Commercial Lobster license may 
fish up to a maximum of 1,200 lobster traps in New Hampshire state 
waters, to the extent authorized by New Hampshire lobster fishery 
regulations. However, such vessel may not fish, possess, deploy, or haul 
back more than 800 lobster traps in the Federal waters of EEZ Nearshore 
Management Area 1, and may not fish more than a combined total of 1,200 
lobster traps in the Federal and New Hampshire state waters portions of 
EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1.
    (j) Trap Tag Requirements for vessels fishing with lobster traps. 
All lobster traps in Federal waters must have a valid Federal lobster 
trap tag permanently attached to the trap bridge or central cross-
member. Federal lobster permit holders are eligible to receive Area 1 
trap tags only if the Regional Administrator has qualified the permit to 
fish in Area 1 as part of the Federal Area 1 Limited Entry Program. 
Federal lobster permit holders are eligible to receive Area 2, 3, 4, 5, 
and/or Outer Cape Area trap tags only if the Regional Administrator has 
allocated those traps as part of the Federal Area 2, 3, 4, 5, and/or 
Outer Cape Area Limited Access Program. Any vessel with a Federal 
lobster permit may not possess, deploy, or haul back lobster traps in 
any portion of any lobster management area that do not have a valid, 
federally recognized trap tag permanently attached to the trap bridge or 
central cross-member.
    (k) Maximum lobster trap tags authorized for direct purchase. In any 
fishing year, the maximum number of tags authorized for direct purchase 
by each permit holder is the applicable trap limit specified in 
paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section plus an additional 10 percent 
to cover trap loss.
    (l) EEZ Management Area 5 trap waiver exemption. Any vessel issued 
an Area 5 Trap Waiver permit under Sec. 697.4(p) is exempt from the 
provisions of this section.

[79 FR 19025, Apr. 7, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 2035, Jan. 15, 2015]



Sec. 697.20  Size, harvesting and landing requirements.

    (a) Minimum lobster carapace length. (1) The minimum lobster 
carapace length for all American lobsters harvested in or from the EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 1 or the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 6 is 
3\1/4\ inches (8.26 cm).
    (2) The minimum lobster carapace length for all American lobsters 
landed, harvested, or possessed by vessels issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in the 
Nearshore Management Area 1 or the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 6 is 3 
3\1/4\ inches (8.26 cm).
    (3) The minimum lobster carapace length for all American lobsters 
harvested in or from the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 2, 4, 5 and the 
Outer Cape Lobster Management Area is 3\3/8\ inches (8.57 cm).
    (4) The minimum lobster carapace length for all American lobsters 
landed, harvested or possessed by vessels issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 2, 4, 5 and the Outer Cape Lobster Management 
Area is 3\3/8\ inches (8.57 cm).
    (5) Through April 30, 2015, the minimum lobster carapace length for 
all American lobsters harvested in or from the Offshore Management Area 
3 is 3\1/2\ inches (8.89 cm).
    (6) Through April 30, 2015, the minimum lobster carapace length for 
all American lobsters landed, harvested or possessed by vessels issued a 
Federal limited access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to 
fish in EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 is 3\1/2\ inches (8.89 cm).
    (7) Effective May 1, 2015, the minimum lobster carapace length for 
all American lobsters harvested in or from the Offshore Management Area 
3 is 3\17/32\ inches (8.97 cm).
    (8) Effective May 1, 2015, the minimum lobster carapace length for 
all American lobsters landed, harvested,

[[Page 1135]]

or possessed by vessels issued a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit fishing in or electing to fish in EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 
is 3\17/32\ inches (8.97 cm).
    (9) No person may ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, or 
purchase, in interstate or foreign commerce, any whole live American 
lobster that is smaller than the minimum size specified in paragraph (a) 
of this section.
    (b) Maximum lobster carapace length. (1) The maximum lobster 
carapace length for all American lobster harvested in or from the EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 1 is 5 inches (12.7 cm).
    (2) The maximum lobster carapace length for all American lobster 
landed, harvested, or possessed by vessels issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in the EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 1 is 5 inches (12.7 cm).
    (3) The maximum lobster carapace length for all American lobster 
harvested in or from the EEZ Nearshore Management Areas 2, 4, 5, and 6 
is 5\1/4\ inches (13.34 cm).
    (4) The maximum lobster carapace length for all American lobster 
landed, harvested, or possessed by vessels issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in one or 
more of EEZ Nearshore Management Areas 2, 4, 5, and 6 is 5\1/4\ inches 
(13.34 cm).
    (5) The maximum lobster carapace length for all American lobster 
harvested in or from EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 or the Outer Cape 
Lobster Management Area is 6\3/4\ inches (17.15 cm).
    (6) The maximum lobster carapace length for all American lobster 
landed, harvested, or possessed by vessels issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in EEZ 
Offshore Management Area 3 or the Outer Cape Lobster Management Area is 
6\3/4\ inches (17.15 cm).
    (c) Mutilation. (1) Subject to the rebuttable presumption in Sec. 
697.7(c)(3), no person may remove meat or any body appendage from any 
American lobster harvested in or from the EEZ before, or at the time of 
landing, or have in possession any American lobster part other than 
whole lobsters, up to the time when a dealer first receives or possesses 
American lobster.
    (2) Subject to the rebuttable presumption in Sec. 697.7(c)(3), no 
owner, operator or person aboard a vessel issued a Federal American 
lobster permit may remove meat or any body appendage from any American 
lobster before or at the time of landing, or have in possession any 
American lobster part other than whole lobsters, up to the time when a 
dealer first receives or possesses American lobster.
    (d) Berried female lobsters. (1) Any berried female lobster 
harvested in or from the EEZ must be returned to the sea immediately. If 
any berried female lobster is harvested in or from the EEZ Nearshore 
Management Areas 1, 2, 4, or 5, or in or from the EEZ Offshore 
Management Area 3, north of42[deg] 30[min] North latitude, it must be v-
notched before being returned to sea immediately.
    (2) Any berried female lobster harvested or possessed by a vessel 
issued a Federal limited access lobster permit must be returned to the 
sea immediately. If any berried female lobster is harvested in or from 
the EEZ Nearshore Management Areas 1, 2, 4, or 5, or in or from the EEZ 
Offshore Management Area 3, north of 42[deg] 30[min] North latitude, it 
must be v-notched before being returned to sea immediately.
    (3) No vessel, or owner, operator or person aboard a vessel issued a 
Federal limited access American lobster permit may possess any berried 
female lobster.
    (4) No person may possess, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, or 
purchase, in interstate or foreign commerce, any berried female lobster 
as specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (e) Removal of eggs. (1) No person may remove, including, but not 
limited to, the forcible removal and removal by chemicals or other 
substances or liquids, extruded eggs attached to the abdominal 
appendages from any female American lobster.
    (2) No owner, operator or person aboard a vessel issued a Federal 
limited access American lobster permit may remove, including but not 
limited to, the forcible removal, and removal by chemicals or other 
substances or liquids, extruded eggs attached to the

[[Page 1136]]

abdominal appendages from any female American lobster.
    (3) No person may possess, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, or 
purchase, in interstate or foreign commerce, any whole live American 
lobster that bears evidence of the removal of extruded eggs from its 
abdominal appendages as specified in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (f) Spearing. (1) No person may spear any American lobster in the 
EEZ.
    (2) No person on a vessel issued a Federal lobster license may spear 
a lobster.
    (3) No person may harvest or possess any American lobster which has 
been speared in the EEZ.
    (4) No person on a vessel issued a Federal lobster license may 
harvest or possess any American lobster which has been speared.
    (5) No person may possess, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, or 
purchase, in interstate or foreign commerce, any American lobster which 
has been speared.
    (g) V-notched females. (1) No person may possess any female lobster 
possessing a zero tolerance v-shaped notch harvested in or from the EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 1.
    (2) No vessel, owner, or operator issued a Federal limited access 
American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in EEZ Nearshore 
Management Area 1 may land, harvest, or possess any female lobster 
possessing a zero tolerance v-shaped notch.
    (3) No person may possess any female lobster possessing a standard 
v-shaped notch harvested in or from the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 2, 
4, 5, 6, Outer Cape Area, or the EEZ Offshore Management Area 3.
    (4) No vessel, owner, or operator issued a Federal limited access 
American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in the EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 2, 4, 5, 6, Outer Cape Area, or the EEZ 
Offshore Management Area 3 may land, harvest or possess any female 
lobster possessing a standard v-shaped notch.
    (h) Jonah crabs--(1) Minimum Jonah crab carapace width. The minimum 
Jonah crab carapace width for all Jonah crabs harvested in or from the 
EEZ 4\3/4\ inches (12.065 inches).
    (2) Berried female Jonah crabs. (i) Any berried female Jonah crab 
harvested in or from the EEZ must be returned to the sea immediately.
    (ii) No vessel, or owner, operator or person aboard a vessel issued 
a Federal limited access American lobster permit may possess any berried 
female Jonah crab.
    (iii) No person may possess, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, 
or purchase, in interstate or foreign commerce, any berried female Jonah 
crab as specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (3) Removal of eggs. (i) No person may remove, including, but not 
limited to, the forcible removal and removal by chemicals or other 
substances or liquids, extruded eggs attached to the abdominal 
appendages from any female Jonah crab.
    (ii) No owner, operator or person aboard a vessel issued a Federal 
limited access American lobster permit may remove, including but not 
limited to, the forcible removal, and removal by chemicals or other 
substances or liquids, extruded eggs attached to the abdominal 
appendages from any female Jonah crab.
    (iii) No person may possess, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, 
or purchase, in interstate or foreign commerce, any whole live Jonah 
crab that bears evidence of the removal of extruded eggs from its 
abdominal appendages as specified in paragraph (e) of this section.

[71 FR 13038, Mar. 14, 2006, as amended at 72 FR 56942, Oct. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 37551, July 29, 2009; 80 FR 2036, Jan. 15, 2015; 84 FR 61581, Nov. 
13, 2019]



Sec. 697.21  Gear identification and marking, escape vent, maximum trap size, and ghost panel requirements.

    (a) Gear identification and marking. All lobster gear deployed or 
possessed in the EEZ, or, deployed or possessed by a person on or from a 
vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster permit, and not 
permanently attached to the vessel must be legibly and indelibly marked 
with the following:
    (1) Identification. Effective through April 30, 2000, all lobster 
gear must be marked with the following code of identification:

[[Page 1137]]

    (i) A number assigned by the Regional Administrator; or
    (ii) Whatever positive identification marking is required by the 
vessel's home-port state.
    (2) Identification and trap tagging. Beginning May 1, 2000, lobster 
gear must be marked with a trap tag (as specified in Sec. 697.19) with 
the following code of identification:
    (i) A number assigned by the Regional Administrator; or
    (ii) Whatever positive identification marking is required by the 
vessel's home-port state.
    (b) Deployment and gear configuration. In the areas of the EEZ 
described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, lobster trap trawls are 
to be displayed and configured as follows:
    (1) Lobster trap trawls of three or fewer traps deployed in the EEZ 
must be attached to and marked with a single buoy.
    (2) With the exception of Maine permitted vessels fishing in Maine 
Lobster Management Zones that can fish up to ten lobster traps on a 
trawl with one buoy line, lobster trap trawls consisting of more than 
three traps must have a radar reflector and a single flag or pennant on 
the westernmost end (marking the half compass circle from magnetic south 
through west, to and including north), while the easternmost end 
(meaning the half compass circle from magnetic north through east, to 
and including south) of an American lobster trap trawl must be 
configured with a radar reflector only. Standard tetrahedral corner 
radar reflectors of at least 8 inches (20.32 cm) (both in height and 
width, and made from metal) must be employed. (A copy of a diagram 
showing a standard tetrahedral corner radar reflector is available upon 
request to the Office of the Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator.)
    (3) No American lobster trap trawl shall exceed 1.5 nautical miles 
(2.78 km) in length, as measured from radar reflector to radar 
reflector, except in the EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 where the 
maximum length of a lobster trap trawl shall not exceed 1.75 nautical 
miles (3.24 km).
    (4) Gear deployment and configuration requirements specified in 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section apply in the following 
areas:
    (i) Gulf of Maine gear area. Gulf of Maine gear area is defined as 
all waters of the EEZ north of 42[deg]20[min] N. lat. seaward of a line 
drawn 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) from the baseline of the territorial 
sea;
    (ii) Georges Bank gear area. Georges Bank gear area is defined as 
all waters of the EEZ south of 42[deg]20[min] N. lat. and east of 
70[deg]00[min] W. long. or the outer boundary of the territorial sea, 
whichever lies farther east;
    (iii) Southern New England gear area. Southern New England gear area 
is defined as all waters of the EEZ west of 70[deg]00[min] W. long., 
east of 71[deg]30[min] W. long. at a depth greater than 25 fathoms 
(45.72 m); and
    (iv) Mid-Atlantic gear area. Mid-Atlantic gear area is defined as 
all waters of the EEZ, west of 71[deg]30[min] W. long. and north of 
36[deg]33[min] N. lat. at a depth greater than 40 fathoms (73.15 m).
    (c) Escape vents. (1) All American lobster traps deployed or 
possessed in the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1 or the EEZ Nearshore 
Management Area 6 or, deployed or possessed by a person on or from a 
vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster permit fishing 
in or electing to fish in the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1 or the EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 6, must include either of the following escape 
vents in the parlor section of the trap, located in such a manner that 
it will not be blocked or obstructed by any portion of the trap, 
associated gear, or the sea floor in normal use:
    (i) A rectangular portal with an unobstructed opening not less than 
1\15/16\ inches (4.92 cm) by 5\3/4\ inches (14.61 cm);
    (ii) Two circular portals with unobstructed openings not less than 
2\7/16\ inches (6.19 cm) in diameter.
    (2) All American lobster traps deployed or possessed in the EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 2, 4, 5, and the Outer Cape Lobster Management 
Area, or, deployed or possessed by a person on or from a vessel issued a 
Federal limited access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to 
fish in the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 2, 4, 5, and the Outer Cape 
Lobster Management Area, must include either of the following escape 
vents in the parlor

[[Page 1138]]

section of the trap, located in such a manner that it will not be 
blocked or obstructed by any portion of the trap, associated gear, or 
the sea floor in normal use:
    (i) A rectangular portal with an unobstructed opening not less than 
2 inches (5.08 cm) 5\3/4\ inches (14.61 cm);
    (ii) Two circular portals with unobstructed openings not less than 
2\5/8\ inches (6.67 cm) in diameter.
    (3) Effective through June 30, 2010, all American lobster traps 
deployed or possessed in the EEZ Offshore Management Area 3, or deployed 
or possessed by a person on or from a vessel issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish the EEZ 
Offshore Management Area 3, must include either of the following escape 
vents in the parlor section of the trap, located in such a manner that 
it will not be blocked or obstructed by any portion of the trap, 
associated gear, or the sea floor in normal use:
    (i) A rectangular portal with an unobstructed opening not less than 
2 inches (5.08 cm) 5\3/4\ inches (14.61 cm);
    (ii) Two circular portals with unobstructed openings not less than 
2\5/8\ inches (6.67 cm) in diameter.
    (4) Effective July 1, 2010, all American lobster traps deployed or 
possessed in the EEZ Offshore Management Area 3, or deployed or 
possessed by a person on or from a vessel issued a Federal limited 
access American lobster permit fishing in or electing to fish in the EEZ 
Offshore Management Area 3, must include either of the following escape 
vents in the parlor section of the trap, located in such a manner that 
it will not be blocked or obstructed by any portion of the trap, 
associated gear, or the sea floor in normal use:
    (i) A rectangular portal with an unobstructed opening not less than 
2\1/16\ inches (5.24 cm) x 5\3/4\ inches (14.61 cm);
    (ii) Two circular portals with unobstructed openings not less than 
2\11/16\ inches (6.82 cm) in diameter.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may, at the request of, or after 
consultation with, the Commission, approve and specify, through a 
technical amendment of this final rule, any other type of acceptable 
escape vent that the Regional Administrator finds to be consistent with 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (d) Ghost panel. (1) Lobster traps not constructed entirely of wood 
(excluding heading or parlor twine and the escape vent) must contain a 
ghost panel located in the outer parlor(s) of the trap and not in the 
bottom of the trap constructed of, or fastened to the trap with, one of 
the following untreated materials: Wood lath, cotton, hemp, sisal or 
jute twine not greater than \3/16\ inch (0.48 cm) in diameter, or non-
stainless, uncoated ferrous metal not greater than \3/32\ inch (0.24 cm) 
in diameter and covering a rectangular opening not less than 3\3/4\ 
inches (9.53 cm) by 3\3/4\ inches (9.53 cm). The door of the trap may 
serve as the ghost panel, if fastened with one of these materials.
    (2) The Regional Administrator may, at the request of, or after 
consultation with, the Commission, approve and specify, through a 
technical amendment of this rule, any other design, mechanism, material, 
or other parameter that serves to create an escape portal not less than 
3\3/4\ inches (9.53 cm) by 3\3/4\ inches (9.53 cm).
    (e) Maximum trap size--(1) EEZ Nearshore Management Area maximum 
trap size. (i) Beginning January 5, 2000, American lobster traps 
deployed or possessed in the EEZ, or, deployed or possessed by a person 
on or from a vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster 
permit as specified under Sec. 697.4, if deployed or possessed by a 
person or vessel permitted to fish in any EEZ Nearshore Management Area 
(Area 1, Outer Cape, Area 2, Area 4, Area 5, or Area 6) and the Area 2/3 
Overlap, or only in the Area 2/3 Overlap shall not exceed 25,245 cubic 
inches (413,690 cubic centimeters) in volume, as measured on the outside 
portion of the trap, exclusive of the runners;
    (ii) Beginning May 1, 2003, American lobster traps deployed or 
possessed in the EEZ, or, deployed or possessed by a person on or from a 
vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster permit as 
specified under Sec. 697.4, if deployed or possessed by a person or 
vessel permitted to fish in any EEZ Nearshore Management Area (Area 1, 
Outer Cape, Area 2, Area 4, Area 5, or Area 6) and the Area 2/3 Overlap, 
or only in the

[[Page 1139]]

Area 2/3 Overlap, shall not exceed 22,950 cubic inches (376,081 cubic 
centimeters) in volume as measured on the outside portion of the trap, 
exclusive of the runners.
    (2) EEZ Offshore Management Area maximum trap size. (i) Beginning 
January 5, 2000, American lobster traps deployed or possessed in the 
EEZ, or, deployed or possessed by a person on or from a vessel issued a 
Federal limited access American lobster permit as specified under Sec. 
697.4, if deployed or possessed by a person or vessel permitted to fish 
only in EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 or only in EEZ Offshore 
Management Area 3 and the Area 2/3 Overlap, shall not exceed 33,110 
cubic inches (542,573 cubic centimeters) in volume as measured on the 
outside portion of the trap, exclusive of the runners;
    (ii) Beginning May 1, 2003, American lobster traps deployed or 
possessed in the EEZ, or, deployed or possessed by a person on or from a 
vessel issued a Federal limited access American lobster permit as 
specified under Sec. 697.4, if deployed or possessed by a person or 
vessel permitted to fish only in EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 or only 
in EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 and the Area 2/3 Overlap, shall not 
exceed 30,100 cubic inches (493,249 cubic centimeters) in volume as 
measured on the outside portion of the trap, exclusive of the runners.
    (f) Enforcement action. Unidentified, unmarked, unvented, improperly 
vented American lobster traps, or, beginning May 1, 2000, any untagged 
American lobster traps, or any lobster traps subject to the requirements 
and specifications of Sec. 697.21, which fail to meet such requirements 
and specifications may be seized and disposed of in accordance with the 
provisions of 15 CFR part 904.
    (g) Exemption. Any vessel issued an Area 5 Trap Waiver permit under 
Sec. 697.4(p) is exempt from the provisions of this section.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 14502, Mar. 13, 2001; 71 
FR 13039, Mar. 14, 2006; 72 FR 56942, Oct. 5, 2007; 86 FR 52023, Sept. 
17, 2021]



Sec. 697.22  Exempted fishing.

    The Regional Administrator or Director may exempt any person or 
vessel from the requirements of this part for the conduct of exempted 
fishing beneficial to the management of the American lobster, weakfish, 
Atlantic red drum, Atlantic striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, or 
horseshoe crab resource or fishery, pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 
600.745 of this chapter.
    (a) The Regional Administrator or Director may not grant such 
exemption unless it is determined that the purpose, design, and 
administration of the exemption is consistent with the objectives of any 
applicable stock rebuilding program, the provisions of the Atlantic 
Coastal Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, and 
that granting the exemption will not:
    (1) Have a detrimental effect on the American lobster, weakfish, 
Atlantic red drum, Atlantic striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, or 
horseshoe crab resource or fishery; or
    (2) Create significant enforcement problems.
    (b) Each vessel participating in any exempted fishing activity is 
subject to all provisions of this part, except those explicitly relating 
to the purpose and nature of the exemption. The exemption will be 
specified in a letter issued by the Regional Administrator or Director 
to each vessel participating in the exempted activity. This letter must 
be carried aboard the vessel seeking the benefit of such exemption. 
Exempted fishing activity shall be authorized pursuant to and consistent 
with Sec. 600.745 of this chapter.
    (c) The Regional Administrator, or the Director, as appropriate, may 
authorize a substitute vessel to haul ashore the lobster trap gear of an 
inoperable or mechanically-impaired federally permitted lobster vessel 
without having to engage in the exempted fishing process as specified in 
this section.

[68 FR 56791, Oct. 2, 2003, as amended at 71 FR 13039, Mar. 14, 2006; 73 
FR 58061, Oct. 6, 2008]



Sec. 697.23  Restricted gear areas.

    (a) Resolution of lobster gear conflicts with fisheries managed 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act shall be done

[[Page 1140]]

under provisions of Sec. 648.55 of this chapter.
    (b) Restricted Gear Area I--(1) Duration--(i) Mobile Gear. From 
October 1 through June 15 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with 
mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or 
be, in Restricted Gear Area I, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on 
board the vessel while inside the area.
    (ii) Lobster trap gear. From June 16 through September 30 of each 
fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a 
fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear 
may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area I as defined in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area I. Restricted Gear Area I is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point to                      Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
120.........................................  40[deg]06.4[  68[deg]35.8[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 69.........................................  40[deg]07.9[  68[deg]36.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 70.........................................  40[deg]07.2[  68[deg]38.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 71.........................................  40[deg]06.9[  68[deg]46.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 72.........................................  40[deg]08.7[  68[deg]49.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 73.........................................  40[deg]08.1[  68[deg]51.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 74.........................................  40[deg]05.7[  68[deg]52.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 75.........................................  40[deg]03.6[  68[deg]57.2[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 76.........................................  40[deg]03.65  69[deg]00.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 77.........................................  40[deg]04.35  69[deg]00.5[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 78.........................................  40[deg]05.2[  69[deg]00.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 79.........................................  40[deg]05.3[  69[deg]01.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 80.........................................  40[deg]08.9[  69[deg]01.75
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
 81.........................................  40[deg]11.0[  69[deg]03.8[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 82.........................................  40[deg]11.6[  69[deg]05.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 83.........................................  40[deg]10.25  69[deg]04.4[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 84.........................................  40[deg]09.75  69[deg]04.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 85.........................................  40[deg]08.45  69[deg]03.6[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 86.........................................  40[deg]05.65  69[deg]03.55
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 87.........................................  40[deg]04.1[  69[deg]03.9[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 88.........................................  40[deg]02.65  69[deg]05.6[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 89.........................................  40[deg]02.00  69[deg]08.35
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 90.........................................  40[deg]02.65  69[deg]11.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 91.........................................  40[deg]00.05  69[deg]14.6[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 92.........................................  39[deg]57.8[  69[deg]20.35
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
 93.........................................  39[deg]56.65  69[deg]24.4[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 94.........................................  39[deg]56.1[  69[deg]26.35
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
 95.........................................  39[deg]56.55  69[deg]34.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 96.........................................  39[deg]57.85  69[deg]35.5[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 97.........................................  40[deg]00.65  69[deg]36.5[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 98.........................................  40[deg]00.9[  69[deg]37.3[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 99.........................................  39[deg]59.15  69[deg]37.3[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
100.........................................  39[deg]58.8[  69[deg]38.45
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
102.........................................  39[deg]56.2[  69[deg]40.2[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
103.........................................  39[deg]55.75  69[deg]41.4[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
104.........................................  39[deg]56.7[  69[deg]53.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
105.........................................  39[deg]57.55  69[deg]54.05
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
106.........................................  39[deg]57.4[  69[deg]55.9[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
107.........................................  39[deg]56.9[  69[deg]57.45
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
108.........................................  39[deg]58.25  70[deg]03.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
110.........................................  39[deg]59.2[  70[deg]04.9[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
111.........................................  40[deg]00.7[  70[deg]08.7[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
112.........................................  40[deg]03.75  70[deg]10.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
115.........................................  40[deg]05.2[  70[deg]10.9[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
116.........................................  40[deg]02.45  70[deg]14.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
119.........................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
to 181......................................  39[deg]59.3[  70[deg]14.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point to                      Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 69.........................................  40[deg]07.9[  68[deg]36.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
120.........................................  40[deg]06.4[  68[deg]35.8[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
121.........................................  40[deg]05.25  68[deg]39.3[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
122.........................................  40[deg]05.4[  68[deg]44.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
123.........................................  40[deg]06.0[  68[deg]46.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
124.........................................  40[deg]07.4[  68[deg]49.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
125.........................................  40[deg]05.55  68[deg]49.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
126.........................................  40[deg]03.9[  68[deg]51.7[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
127.........................................  40[deg]02.25  68[deg]55.4[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
128.........................................  40[deg]02.6[  69[deg]00.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
129.........................................  40[deg]02.75  69[deg]00.75
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
130.........................................  40[deg]04.2[  69[deg]01.75
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
131.........................................  40[deg]06.15  69[deg]01.95
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
132.........................................  40[deg]07.25  69[deg]02.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
133.........................................  40[deg]08.5[  69[deg]02.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
134.........................................  40[deg]09.2[  69[deg]02.95
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
135.........................................  40[deg]09.75  69[deg]03.3[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
136.........................................  40[deg]09.55  69[deg]03.85
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
137.........................................  40[deg]08.4[  69[deg]03.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
138.........................................  40[deg]07.2[  69[deg]03.3[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
139.........................................  40[deg]06.0[  69[deg]03.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
140.........................................  40[deg]05.4[  69[deg]03.05
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
141.........................................  40[deg]04.8[  69[deg]03.05
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
142.........................................  40[deg]03.55  69[deg]03.55
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
143.........................................  40[deg]01.9[  69[deg]03.95
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
144.........................................  40[deg]01.0[  69[deg]04.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
146.........................................  39[deg]59.9[  69[deg]06.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
147.........................................  40[deg]00.6[  69[deg]10.05
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
148.........................................  39[deg]59.25  69[deg]11.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
149.........................................  39[deg]57.45  69[deg]16.05
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
150.........................................  39[deg]56.1[  69[deg]20.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
151.........................................  39[deg]54.6[  69[deg]25.65
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
152.........................................  39[deg]54.65  69[deg]26.9[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
153.........................................  39[deg]54.8[  69[deg]30.95
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
154.........................................  39[deg]54.35  69[deg]33.4[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
155.........................................  39[deg]55.0[  69[deg]34.9[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
156.........................................  39[deg]56.55  69[deg]36.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
157.........................................  39[deg]57.95  69[deg]36.45
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
158.........................................  39[deg]58.75  69[deg]36.3[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
159.........................................  39[deg]58.8[  69[deg]36.95
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
160.........................................  39[deg]57.95  69[deg]38.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
161.........................................  39[deg]54.5[  69[deg]38.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
162.........................................  39[deg]53.6[  69[deg]46.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
163.........................................  39[deg]54.7[  69[deg]50.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
164.........................................  39[deg]55.25  69[deg]51.4[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
165.........................................  39[deg]55.2[  69[deg]53.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
166.........................................  39[deg]54.85  69[deg]53.9[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
167.........................................  39[deg]55.7[  69[deg]54.9[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
168.........................................  39[deg]56.15  69[deg]55.35
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
169.........................................  39[deg]56.05  69[deg]56.25
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
170.........................................  39[deg]55.3[  69[deg]57.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
171.........................................  39[deg]54.8[  69[deg]58.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
172.........................................  39[deg]56.05  70[deg]00.65
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
173.........................................  39[deg]55.3[  70[deg]02.95
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
174.........................................  39[deg]56.9[  70[deg]11.3[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
175.........................................  39[deg]58.9[  70[deg]11.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
176.........................................  39[deg]59.6[  70[deg]11.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
177.........................................  40[deg]01.35  70[deg]11.2[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.

[[Page 1141]]

 
178.........................................  40[deg]02.6[  70[deg]12.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
179.........................................  40[deg]00.4[  70[deg]12.3[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
180.........................................  39[deg]59.7[  70[deg]13.05
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
181.........................................  39[deg]59.3[  70[deg]14.0[
                                                   min] N.    min] W. to
119.........................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Restricted Gear Area II--(1) Duration--(i) Mobile Gear. From 
November 27 through June 15 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with 
mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or 
be, in Restricted Gear Area II (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on 
board the vessel while inside the area.
    (ii) Lobster trap gear. From June 16 through November 26 of each 
fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a 
fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear 
may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area II as defined in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area II. Restricted Gear Area II 
is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated:

                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point to                      Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1..........................................  39[deg]59.3[  70[deg]14.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
49..........................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
50..........................................  40[deg]00.7[  70[deg]18.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
51..........................................  39[deg]59.8[  70[deg]21.75
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
52..........................................  39[deg]59.75  70[deg]25.5[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
53..........................................  40[deg]03.85  70[deg]28.75
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
54..........................................  40[deg]00.55  70[deg]32.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
55..........................................  39[deg]59.15  70[deg]34.45
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
56..........................................  39[deg]58.9[  70[deg]38.65
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
57..........................................  40[deg]00.1[  70[deg]45.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
58..........................................  40[deg]00.5[  70[deg]57.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
59..........................................  40[deg]02.0[  71[deg]01.3[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
60..........................................  39[deg]59.3[  71[deg]18.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
61..........................................  40[deg]00.7[  71[deg]19.8[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
62..........................................  39[deg]57.5[  71[deg]20.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
63..........................................  39[deg]53.1[  71[deg]36.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
64..........................................  39[deg]52.6[  71[deg]40.35
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
65..........................................  39[deg]53.1[   71[deg]42.7
                                                   min] N.            W.
66..........................................  39[deg]46.95  71[deg]49.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
67..........................................  39[deg]41.15  71[deg]57.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
68..........................................  39[deg]35.45  72[deg]02.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
69..........................................  39[deg]32.65  72[deg]06.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
70..........................................  39[deg]29.75  72[deg]09.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
to 48.......................................  39[deg]29.0[  72[deg]09.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point to                      Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
49..........................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 1..........................................  39[deg]59.3[  70[deg]14.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 2..........................................  39[deg]58.85  70[deg]15.2[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 3..........................................  39[deg]59.3[  70[deg]18.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 4..........................................  39[deg]58.1[  70[deg]19.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 5..........................................  39[deg]57.0[  70[deg]19.85
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
 6..........................................  39[deg]57.55  70[deg]21.25
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 7..........................................  39[deg]57.5[  70[deg]22.8[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 8..........................................  39[deg]57.1[  70[deg]25.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 9..........................................  39[deg]57.65  70[deg]27.05
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
10..........................................  39[deg]58.58  70[deg]27.7[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
11..........................................  40[deg]00.65  70[deg]28.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
12..........................................  40[deg]02.2[  70[deg]29.15
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
13..........................................  40[deg]01.0[  70[deg]30.2[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
14..........................................  39[deg]58.58  70[deg]31.85
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
15..........................................  39[deg]57.05  70[deg]34.35
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
16..........................................  39[deg]56.42  70[deg]36.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
21..........................................  39[deg]58.15  70[deg]48.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
24..........................................  39[deg]58.3[  70[deg]51.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
25..........................................  39[deg]58.1[  70[deg]52.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
26..........................................  39[deg]58.05  70[deg]53.55
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
27..........................................  39[deg]58.4[  70[deg]59.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
28..........................................  39[deg]59.8[  71[deg]01.05
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
29..........................................  39[deg]58.2[  71[deg]05.85
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
30..........................................  39[deg]57.45  71[deg]12.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
31..........................................  39[deg]57.2[  71[deg]15.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
32..........................................  39[deg]56.3[  71[deg]18.95
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
33..........................................  39[deg]51.4[  71[deg]36.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
34..........................................  39[deg]51.75  71[deg]41.5[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
35..........................................  39[deg]50.05  71[deg]42.5[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
36..........................................  39[deg]50.0[  71[deg]45.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
37..........................................  39[deg]48.95  71[deg]46.05
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
38..........................................  39[deg]46.6[  71[deg]46.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
39..........................................  39[deg]43.5[  71[deg]49.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
40..........................................  39[deg]41.3[  71[deg]55.0[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
41..........................................  39[deg]39.0[  71[deg]55.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
42..........................................  39[deg]36.72  71[deg]58.25
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
43..........................................  39[deg]35.15  71[deg]58.55
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
44..........................................  39[deg]34.5[  72[deg]00.75
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
45..........................................  39[deg]32.2[  72[deg]02.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
46..........................................  39[deg]32.15  72[deg]04.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
47..........................................  39[deg]28.5[  72[deg]06.5[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
48..........................................  39[deg]29.0[  72[deg]09.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
to 70.......................................  39[deg]29.75  72[deg]09.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Restricted Gear Area III--(1) Duration--(i) Mobile Gear. From 
June 16 through November 26 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with 
mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or 
be, in Restricted Gear Area III (as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on 
board the vessel while inside the area.
    (ii) Lobster trap gear. From January 1 through April 30 of each 
fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a 
fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear 
may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area III as defined in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area III. Restricted Gear Area III 
is defined

[[Page 1142]]

by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point to                      Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 49.........................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
182.........................................  40[deg]05.6[  70[deg]17.7[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
183.........................................  40[deg]06.5[  70[deg]40.05
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
184.........................................  40[deg]11.05  70[deg]45.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
185.........................................  40[deg]12.75  70[deg]55.05
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
186.........................................  40[deg]10.7[  71[deg]10.25
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
187.........................................  39[deg]57.9[  71[deg]28.7[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
188.........................................  39[deg]55.6[  71[deg]41.2[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
189.........................................  39[deg]55.85  71[deg]45.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
190.........................................  39[deg]53.75  71[deg]52.25
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
191.........................................  39[deg]47.2[  72[deg]01.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
192.........................................  39[deg]33.65  72[deg]15.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
to 70.......................................  39[deg]29.75  72[deg]09.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point to                      Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
182.........................................  40[deg]05.6[  70[deg]17.7[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 49.........................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 50.........................................  40[deg]00.7[  70[deg]18.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 51.........................................  39[deg]59.8[  70[deg]21.75
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
 52.........................................  39[deg]59.75  70[deg]25.5[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 53.........................................  40[deg]03.85  70[deg]28.75
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 54.........................................  40[deg]00.55  70[deg]32.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 55.........................................  39[deg]59.15  70[deg]34.45
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 56.........................................  39[deg]58.9[  70[deg]38.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 57.........................................  40[deg]00.1[  70[deg]45.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 58.........................................  40[deg]00.5[  70[deg]57.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 59.........................................  40[deg]02.0[  71[deg]01.3[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 60.........................................  39[deg]59.3[  71[deg]18.4[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 61.........................................  40[deg]00.7[  71[deg]19.8[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 62.........................................  39[deg]57.5[  71[deg]20.6[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 63.........................................  39[deg]53.1[  71[deg]36.1[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 64.........................................  39[deg]52.6[  71[deg]40.35
                                                   min] N.      [min] W.
 65.........................................  39[deg]53.1[  71[deg]42.7[
                                                   min] N.       min] W.
 66.........................................  39[deg]46.95  71[deg]49.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 67.........................................  39[deg]41.15  71[deg]57.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 68.........................................  39[deg]35.45   72[deg]02.0
                                                  [min] N.            W.
 69.........................................  39[deg]32.65  72[deg]06.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
 70.........................................  39[deg]29.75  72[deg]09.8[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
to 192......................................  39[deg]33.65  72[deg]15.0[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Restricted Gear Area IV--(1) Duration for Mobile Gear. From June 
16 through September 30 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with 
mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or 
be, in Restricted Gear Area IV (as defined in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on 
board the vessel while inside the area.
    (2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area IV. Restricted Gear Area IV 
is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated:

                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
193.........................................  40[deg]13.60  68[deg]40.60
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
194.........................................  40[deg]11.60  68[deg]53.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
195.........................................  40[deg]14.00  69[deg]04.70
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
196.........................................  40[deg]14.30  69[deg]05.80
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
197.........................................  40[deg]05.50  69[deg]09.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
198.........................................  39[deg]57.30  69[deg]25.10
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
199.........................................  40[deg]00.40  69[deg]35.20
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
200.........................................  40[deg]01.70  69[deg]35.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
201.........................................  40[deg]01.70  69[deg]37.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
202.........................................  40[deg]00.50  69[deg]38.80
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
203.........................................  40[deg]01.30  69[deg]45.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
204.........................................  40[deg]02.10  70[deg]45.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
205.........................................  40[deg]07.60  70[deg]04.50
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
206.........................................  40[deg]07.80  70[deg]09.20
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
to 119......................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point to                      Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
193.........................................  40[deg]13.60  68[deg]40.60
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 69.........................................  40[deg]07.90  68[deg]36.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 70.........................................  40[deg]07.20  68[deg]38.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 71.........................................  40[deg]06.90  68[deg]46.50
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 72.........................................  40[deg]08.70  68[deg]49.60
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 73.........................................  40[deg]08.10  68[deg]51.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 74.........................................  40[deg]05.70  68[deg]52.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 75.........................................  40[deg]03.60  68[deg]57.20
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 76.........................................  40[deg]03.65  69[deg]00.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 77.........................................  40[deg]04.35  69[deg]00.50
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 78.........................................  40[deg]05.20  69[deg]00.50
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 79.........................................  40[deg]05.30  69[deg]01.10
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 80.........................................  40[deg]08.90  69[deg]01.75
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 81.........................................  40[deg]11.00  69[deg]03.80
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 82.........................................  40[deg]11.60  69[deg]05.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 83.........................................  40[deg]10.25  69[deg]04.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 84.........................................  40[deg]09.75  69[deg]04.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 85.........................................  40[deg]08.45  69[deg]03.60
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 86.........................................  40[deg]05.65  69[deg]03.55
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 87.........................................  40[deg]04.10  69[deg]03.90
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 88.........................................  40[deg]02.65  69[deg]05.60
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 89.........................................  40[deg]02.00  69[deg]08.35
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 90.........................................  40[deg]02.65  69[deg]11.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 91.........................................  40[deg]00.05  69[deg]14.60
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 92.........................................  39[deg]57.80  69[deg]20.35
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 93.........................................  39[deg]56.75  69[deg]24.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 94.........................................  39[deg]56.50  69[deg]26.35
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 95.........................................  39[deg]56.80  69[deg]34.10
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 96.........................................  39[deg]57.85  69[deg]35.05
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 97.........................................  40[deg]00.65  69[deg]36.50
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 98.........................................  40[deg]00.90  69[deg]37.30
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
 99.........................................  39[deg]59.15  69[deg]37.30
                                                        N.      [min] W.
100.........................................  39[deg]58.80  69[deg]38.45
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
102.........................................  39[deg]56.20  69[deg]40.20
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
103.........................................  39[deg]55.75  69[deg]41.40
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
104.........................................  39[deg]56.70  69[deg]53.60
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
105.........................................  39[deg]57.55  69[deg]54.05
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
106.........................................  39[deg]57.40  69[deg]55.90
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
107.........................................  39[deg]56.90  69[deg]57.45
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
108.........................................  39[deg]58.25  70[deg]03.00
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
110.........................................  39[deg]59.20  70[deg]04.90
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
111.........................................  40[deg]00.70  70[deg]08.70
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
112.........................................  40[deg]03.75  70[deg]10.15
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
115.........................................  40[deg]05.20  70[deg]10.90
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
116.........................................  40[deg]02.45  70[deg]14.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
119.........................................  40[deg]02.75  70[deg]16.1[
                                                  [min] N.       min] W.
to 206......................................  40[deg]07.80  70[deg]09.20
                                                  [min] N.      [min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve. (1) No vessel or 
person may

[[Page 1143]]

fish for horseshoe crabs in the area known as the Carl N. Shuster Jr. 
Horseshoe Crab Reserve bounded as follows:
    (i) On the north by a straight line connecting points 
39[deg]14.6[min] N. lat., 74[deg]30.9[min] W. long. (3 nm off of Peck 
Beach, NJ) and 39[deg]14.6[min] N lat., 74[deg]22.5[min] W. long.
    (ii) On the east by a straight line connecting points 
39[deg]14.6[min] N. lat., 74[deg]22.5[min] W. long. and 38[deg]22.0[min] 
N. lat., 74[deg]22.5[min] W. long.
    (iii) On the south by a straight line connecting points 
38[deg]22.0[min] N. lat., 74[deg]22.5[min] W. long. and 38[deg]22.0[min] 
N. lat., 75[deg]00.4[min] W. long. (3 nm off of Ocean City, MD).
    (iv) On the west by the outermost boundary of state waters.
    (2) No vessel or person on a vessel with a trawl or dredge may 
possess horseshoe crabs in the area described in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this section.
    (3) Horseshoe crabs caught in the area described in paragraph (f)(1) 
of this section must be returned immediately to the water without 
further harm.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 8911, Feb. 5, 2001]



Sec. 697.24  Exempted waters for Maine State American lobster permits.

    A person or vessel holding a valid permit or license issued by the 
State of Maine that lawfully permits that person to engage in commercial 
fishing for American lobster may, with the approval of the State of 
Maine, engage in commercial fishing for American lobsters in the 
following areas designated as EEZ, if such fishing is conducted in such 
waters in accordance with all other applicable Federal and State 
regulations:
    (a) West of Monhegan Island in the area located north of the line 
43.5 deg.42[min]08[sec] N. lat., 69.5 deg.34[min]18[sec] W. long., and 
43.5 deg.42[min]15[sec] N. lat., 69.5 deg.19[min]18[sec] W. long.
    (b) East of Monhegan Island in the area located west of the line 
43.5 deg.44[min]00[sec] N. lat., 69.5 deg.15[min]05[sec] W. long., and 
43.5 deg.48[min]10[sec] N. lat., 69.5 deg.08[min]01[sec] W. long.
    (c) South of Vinalhaven in the area located west of the line 43.5 
deg.521[sec] N. lat., 68.5 deg.39[min]54[sec] W. long., and 43.5 
deg.48[min]10[sec] N. lat., 67.5 deg.40[min]33[sec] W. long.
    (d) South of Boris Bubert Island in the area located north of the 
line 44.5 deg.19[min]15[sec] N. lat, 67.5 deg.49[min]30[sec] W. long. 
and 44.5 deg.23[min]45[sec] N. lat., 67.5 deg.40[min]33[sec] W. long.



Sec. 697.25  Adjustment to management measures.

    (a) On or before February 15, 2001, and annually on or before 
February 15, thereafter, NMFS may, after consultation with the 
Commission, publish a proposed rule to implement additional or different 
management measures for Federal waters in any of the management areas 
specified in Sec. 697.18 if it is determined such measures are 
necessary to achieve or be compatible with ISFMP objectives, or the 
ISFMP, to be consistent with the national standards of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, or to meet overfishing and rebuilding requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. These management measures may include, but are not 
limited to, continued reductions of fishing effort or numbers of traps, 
increases in minimum or decreases in maximum size, increases in the 
escape vent size, decreases in the lobster trap size, closed areas, 
closed seasons, landing limits, trip limits and other management area-
specific measures as may be identified and recommended by the Commission 
prior to December 1 of the previous year. After considering public 
comment, NMFS may publish a final rule to implement any such measures.
    (b) Conservation equivalency measures. The Regional Administrator 
may consider future recommendations for modifications to Federal 
regulations based on conservation equivalency for American lobster that 
are formally submitted to him/her in writing by the ASMFC. These 
recommendations must, for consideration by the Regional Administrator, 
contain the following supporting information:
    (1) A description of how Federal regulations should be modified;
    (2) An explanation of how the recommended measure(s) would achieve a 
level of conservation benefits for the resource equivalent to the 
applicable Federal regulations;

[[Page 1144]]

    (3) An explanation of how Federal implementation of the conservation 
equivalent measure(s) would achieve ISFMP objectives, be consistent with 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act national standards, and be compatible with the 
effective implementation of the ISFMP; and
    (4) A detailed analysis of the biological, economic, and social 
impacts of the recommended conservation equivalent measure(s). After 
considering the recommendation and the necessary supporting information, 
NMFS may issue a proposed rule to implement the conservation equivalent 
measures. After considering public comment, NMFS may issue a final rule 
to implement such measures.
    (c) At any other time, NMFS may publish a proposed rule, after 
consultation with the Commission, to implement any additional or 
different management measures in order to achieve ISFMP objectives or be 
compatible with Commission measures or recommendations or to be 
consistent with the national standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or 
to meet overfishing and rebuilding requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act. After considering public comments, NMFS may publish a final rule to 
implement any such measures.
    (d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, NMFS may publish 
any additional or different management measures as described herein 
without prior public comment, pursuant to and consistent with 5 U.S.C. 
553.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 14931, Mar. 27, 2003]



Sec. 697.26  EEZ Nearshore Management Area 5 Trap Waiver.

    (a) Eligibility. Vessels eligible for limited access lobster permits 
under Sec. 697.4(a)(1) and limited access black sea bass permits under 
Sec. 648.4(a)(7)(i) of this chapter may request an Area 5 Trap Waiver 
Permit, under the procedures described in Sec. 697.4.
    (b) Restrictions. A vessel issued an Area 5 Trap Waiver permit under 
this section may engage in trap fishing for black sea bass in EEZ 
Nearshore Management Area 5 and is exempt from the provisions of Sec. 
697.19 and Sec. 697.21 if such fishing is conducted in accordance with 
all other provisions of this section and all other Federal and state 
laws and regulations applicable to lobster and black sea bass fishing.
    (1) A vessel issued a permit under this section may retain, land and 
sell an incidental allowance of lobster equal to the non-trap harvest 
restrictions specified in Sec. 697.17(a).
    (2) A vessel issued a permit under this section may not possess on 
board or deploy bait or baited traps.

[66 FR 14502, Mar. 13, 2001]



Sec. 697.27  Trap transferability.

    (a) Federal lobster permit holders may elect to participate in a 
program that allows them to transfer trap allocation to other 
participating Federal lobster permit holders, subject to the following 
conditions:
    (1) Participation requirements. To be eligible to participate in the 
Federal Trap Transfer Program:
    (i) An individual must possess a valid Federal lobster permit; and
    (ii) If the individual is dually permitted with both Federal and 
state lobster licenses, the individual must agree to synchronize his or 
her state and Federal allocations in each area for which there is an 
allocation. This synchronization shall be set at the lower of the state 
or Federal allocation in each area. This provision does not apply to 
Areas 1 and 6 as neither area have a Federal trap allocation.
    (iii) Individuals participating in the Lobster Management Area 1 
trap fishery may participate in the Trap Transfer Program, but doing so 
may result in forfeiture of future participation in the Area 1 trap 
fishery as follows:
    (A) Area 1 fishers may accept, receive, or purchase trap allocations 
up to their Area 1 trap limit identified in Sec. 697.19 and fish with 
that allocation both in Area 1 and the other area or areas subject to 
the restrictive provisions of Sec. 697.3 and Sec. 697.4(a)(7)(v).
    (B) Area 1 fishers with trap allocations in Areas 2, 3, and/or the 
Outer Cape Area may transfer away or sell any portion of that 
allocation, but, in so doing, the Area 1 fisher shall forfeit any right 
to fish in Area 1 with traps in the future.

[[Page 1145]]

    (2) Trap allocation transfers. Trap allocation transfers will be 
allowed subject to the following conditions:
    (i) State/Federal alignment. Participants with dual state and 
Federal permits may participate in the Trap Transfer Program each year, 
but their state and Federal trap allocations must be aligned as required 
in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section at the start and close of each 
trap transfer period.
    (ii) Eligible traps. Buyers and sellers may only transfer trap 
allocations from Lobster Management Areas 2, 3, and the Outer Cape Area.
    (iii) Debiting remaining allocation. The permit holder transferring 
trap allocations shall have his or her remaining Federal trap allocation 
in all Lobster Conservation Management Areas debited by the total amount 
of allocation transferred. This provision does not apply to Areas 1 and 
6, as neither area have a Federal trap allocation. A seller may not 
transfer a trap allocation if, after the transfer is debited, the 
allocation in any remaining Lobster Conservation Management Area would 
be below zero.
    (iv) Crediting allocations for partial trap transfers. In a partial 
trap transfer, where the transfer is occurring independent of a Federal 
lobster permit transfer, the permit holder receiving the transferred 
allocation shall have his or her allocation credited as follows:
    (A) Trap retirement. All permit holders receiving trap allocation 
transfers shall retire 10 percent of that transferred allocation from 
the fishery for conservation. This provision does not pertain to full 
business transfers where the transfer includes the transfer of a Federal 
lobster permit and all traps associated with that permit.
    (B) Multi-area trap allocation history. To the extent that 
transferred trap allocations have been granted access into multiple 
management areas, the recipient may elect any and all management areas 
for which the traps have demonstrated history.
    (C) All trap allocation transfers are subject to whatever trap 
allocation cap exists in the involved lobster management area. No 
participant may receive a transfer that, when combined with existing 
allocation, would put that permit holder's trap allocation above the 
involved trap caps in Sec. 697.19.
    (v) In all allocation transfers, the buyer's and seller's initial 
allocations shall be calculated as being the allocation that the buyer 
and seller would otherwise have on the last day of the fishing year.
    (vi) Trap allocations may only be transferred in 10-trap increments.
    (vii) Trap allocation transfers must be approved by the Regional 
Administrator before becoming effective. The Regional Administrator 
shall approve a transfer upon a showing by the involved permit holders 
of the following:
    (A) The proposed transfer is documented in a legible written 
agreement signed and dated by the involved permit holders. The agreement 
must identify the amount of allocation being transferred as well as the 
Federal lobster permit number from which the allocation is being taken 
and the Federal lobster permit number that is receiving the allocation. 
If the transfer involves parties who also possess a state lobster 
license, the parties must identify the state lobster license number and 
state of issuance.
    (B) That the transferring permit holder has sufficient allocation to 
transfer and that the permit holder's post-transfer allocation is clear 
and agreed to. In determining whether seller has sufficient allocation 
to transfer, the Regional Administrator will calculate the seller's pre-
transfer and post-transfer allocations. The pre-transfer allocation 
shall be the amount of the seller's allocation as it would exist on the 
last day of the fishing year. The post-transfer allocation shall be the 
pre-transfer allocation minus the total amount of traps being 
transferred prior to application of the 10-percent trap retirement set 
forth in paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(A) of this section.
    (C) That the permit holder receiving the transfer has sufficient 
room under any applicable trap cap identified in Sec. 697.19 to receive 
the transferred allocation and that the recipient's post-transfer 
allocation is clear and agreed to. In determining whether the buyer has 
sufficient room to receive allocation, the Regional Administrator will 
calculate the buyer's pre-transfer and

[[Page 1146]]

post-transfer allocations. The pre-transfer allocation shall be the 
amount of the buyer's allocation as it would exist on the last day of 
the fishing year. The post-transfer allocation shall be the pre-transfer 
allocation plus the total amount of traps being transferred minus 10 
percent of the transferred allocation that shall be retired pursuant to 
the provisions of (a)(2)(iv)(A) of this section.
    (3) Trap transfer period. The timing of the Trap Transfer Program is 
as follows:
    (i) Federal lobster permit holders must declare their election into 
the program in writing to the NMFS Permit Office. Electing into the Trap 
Transfer Program is a one-time declaration, and the permit holder may 
participate in the program in later years without needing to re-elect 
into the program year after year. Federal permit holders may elect into 
the program at any time in any year, but their ability to actively 
transfer traps will be limited by the timing restrictions identified in 
paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (ii) All trap transfer requests must be made in writing before 
September 30 each year, and if approved, will become effective at the 
start of the next fishing year. The Regional Administrator shall attempt 
to review, reconcile and notify the transferring parties of the 
disposition of the requested transfer before December 31 each year. 
Transfers are not valid until approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (iii) Year 1. Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, 
the timing of the first year of the Trap Transfer Program is linked to 
the completion of the Commission's Trap Tag Database. NMFS will analyze 
the Trap Tag Database and when NMFS finds that the database is capable 
of tracking transfers for multiple jurisdictions, then NMFS will file a 
notice alerting the public of the date of when the Trap Transfer Program 
will begin.
    (b) [Reserved]

[79 FR 19026, Apr. 7, 2014]



Sec. 697.28  Atlantic migratory group cobia.

    (a) Fishing year. The fishing year for Atlantic migratory cobia is 
January 1 through December 31.
    (b) Authorized gear. Subject to the prohibitions on gear/methods in 
Sec. 697.7, the following are the only fishing gears that may be used 
for cobia in the EEZ of the Atlantic migratory group--automatic reel, 
bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, pelagic longline, and spear 
(including powerheads).
    (c) Size limits. All size limits in this section are minimum size 
limits. Atlantic migratory group cobia not in compliance with its size 
limit, as specified in this section, in or from the EEZ, may not be 
possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size 
limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator 
of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish 
on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this 
section. If a size limit in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section 
differs from a size limit from an Atlantic state(s), then any vessel 
operator in the EEZ must comply with the more restrictive requirement or 
measure when in the waters off that state.
    (1) 33 inches (83.8), fork length, for cobia that are sold 
(commercial sector).
    (2) 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length, for cobia that are not sold 
(recreational sector).
    (d) Landing fish intact. Atlantic migratory group cobia in the EEZ, 
must be maintained with head and fins intact. Such fish may be 
eviscerated, gilled, and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a 
whole condition. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is 
responsible for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are 
maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact 
through offloading ashore, as specified in this section.
    (e) Bag and possession limits. If a bag and/or possession limit in 
paragraph (e)(1) or (2) of this section differs from a bag and/or 
possession limit from an Atlantic state(s), then any vessel operator in 
the EEZ must comply with the

[[Page 1147]]

more restrictive requirement or measure when in the waters off that 
state.
    (1) Recreational bag and possession limits. Atlantic migratory group 
cobia that are not sold (recreational sector)--1, not to exceed 6 fish 
per vessel per day.
    (2) Possession limits. A person who is on a trip that spans more 
than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided 
such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, and each 
passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of 
the vessel that verifies the length of the trip.
    (f) Quotas. All weights are in round and eviscerated weight 
combined.
    (1) Commercial quota. The following quota applies to persons who 
fish for cobia for commercial purposes--73,116 lb (33,165 kg). If the 
sum of the cobia landings that are sold, as estimated by the ASMFC, 
reach or are projected to reach the quota specified in this paragraph 
(f)(1), then the ASMFC will notify NMFS of the need for a commercial 
closure of the EEZ. NMFS will then subsequently file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register to prohibit (for commercial purposes) 
the harvest, sale, trade, barter, or purchase of cobia for the remainder 
of the fishing year.
    (2) Restrictions applicable after a quota closure. (i) If the 
recreational sector for Atlantic migratory group cobia is open, the bag 
and possession specified in paragraph (e) of this section apply to all 
harvest or possession in or from the EEZ. If the recreational sector is 
closed, all applicable harvest or possession in or from the EEZ is 
prohibited.
    (ii) The sale or purchase of Atlantic migratory group cobia in or 
from the EEZ during a closure is prohibited. The prohibition on the sale 
or purchase during a closure does not apply to Atlantic migratory group 
cobia that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the 
effective date of the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer 
or processor.
    (g) Commercial trip limits. Commercial trip limits are limits on the 
amount of Atlantic migratory group cobia that may be possessed on board 
or landed, purchased, or sold from a vessel per day. A person who fishes 
in the EEZ may not combine a trip limit specified in this section with 
any trip or possession limit applicable to state waters. Atlantic 
migratory group cobia specified in this section taken in the EEZ may not 
be transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer takes place, 
and such species may not be transferred in the EEZ. Commercial trip 
limits apply as follows--Until the commercial quota specified in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section is reached, 2 fish per person, not to 
exceed 6 fish per vessel.

[84 FR 4738, Feb. 19, 2019, as amended at 86 FR 61717, Nov. 8, 2021]



        Sec. Table 1 to Part 697--Area 3 Trap Reduction Schedule

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     HISTORIC Trap Allocation       Year 2006 Trap       Year 1 - 5% Trap          Year 2 - 5% Trap        Year 3- 2.5% Trap        Year 4 - 2.5% Trap
----------------------------------    Allocation       Reduction Effective       Reduction Effective      Reduction Effective      Reduction Effective
                                  -----------------       November 2007              July 1, 2008             July 1, 2009             July 1, 2010
             Column 1                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Column 2              Column 3                  Column 4                 Column 5                 Column 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200                                200              190                        181                      176                      172
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
240                                240              228                        217                      211                      206
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
250                                250              238                        226                      220                      214
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
264                                264              251                        238                      232                      226
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
300                                300              285                        271                      264                      257
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
320                                320              304                        289                      282                      275
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
325                                325              309                        293                      286                      279
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
360                                360              342                        325                      317                      309
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 1148]]

 
370                                370              352                        334                      326                      317
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
400                                400              380                        361                      352                      343
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
450                                450              428                        406                      396                      386
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
480                                480              456                        433                      422                      412
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500                                500              475                        451                      440                      429
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
590                                590              561                        532                      519                      506
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
600                                600              570                        542                      528                      515
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
700                                700              665                        632                      616                      601
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
720                                720              684                        650                      634                      618
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
768                                768              730                        693                      676                      659
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
800                                800              760                        722                      704                      686
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
883                                883              839                        797                      777                      758
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900                                900              855                        812                      792                      772
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
930                                930              884                        839                      818                      798
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000                               1000             950                        903                      880                      858
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1004                               1004             954                        906                      883                      861
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1020                               1020             969                        921                      898                      875
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1100                               1100             1045                       993                      968                      944
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1150                               1150             1093                       1038                     1012                     987
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1170                               1170             1112                       1056                     1030                     1004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1200-1299                          1200             1140                       1083                     1056                     1030
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1300-1399                          1200             1140                       1083                     1056                     1030
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1400-1499                          1200             1140                       1083                     1056                     1030
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1500-1599                          1276             1212                       1152                     1123                     1095
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1600-1699                          1352             1284                       1220                     1190                     1160
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1700-1799                          1417             1346                       1279                     1247                     1216
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1800-1899                          1482             1408                       1338                     1304                     1271
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900-1999                          1549             1472                       1398                     1363                     1329
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000-2099                          1616             1535                       1458                     1422                     1386
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2100-2199                          1674             1590                       1511                     1473                     1436
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2200-2299                          1732             1645                       1563                     1524                     1486
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2300-2399                          1789             1700                       1615                     1574                     1535
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2400-2499                          1845             1845                       1753                     1623                     1583
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2500-2599                          1897             1802                       1712                     1669                     1628
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2600-2699                          1949             1852                       1759                     1715                     1672
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2700-2799                          2000             1900                       1805                     1760                     1716
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 1149]]

 
2800-2899                          2050             1948                       1850                     1804                     1759
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2900-2999                          2100             1995                       1895                     1848                     1802
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3000-3099                          2150             2043                       1940                     1892                     1845
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3100-3199                          2209             2099                       1994                     1944                     1895
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3199                    2267             2154                       2046                     1995                     1945
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[72 FR 56943, Oct. 5, 2007]

                        PARTS 698-699 [RESERVED]

[[Page 1151]]



                              FINDING AIDS




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

  A list of CFR titles, subtitles, chapters, subchapters and parts and 
an alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are included in 
the CFR Index and Finding Aids volume to the Code of Federal Regulations 
which is published separately and revised annually.


  Table of CFR Titles and Chapters
  Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR
  List of CFR Sections Affected
  

[[Page 1153]]



                    Table of CFR Titles and Chapters




                     (Revised as of October 1, 2023)

                      Title 1--General Provisions

         I  Administrative Committee of the Federal Register 
                (Parts 1--49)
        II  Office of the Federal Register (Parts 50--299)
       III  Administrative Conference of the United States (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Miscellaneous Agencies (Parts 400--599)
        VI  National Capital Planning Commission (Parts 600--699)

                    Title 2--Grants and Agreements

            Subtitle A--Office of Management and Budget Guidance 
                for Grants and Agreements
         I  Office of Management and Budget Governmentwide 
                Guidance for Grants and Agreements (Parts 2--199)
        II  Office of Management and Budget Guidance (Parts 200--
                299)
            Subtitle B--Federal Agency Regulations for Grants and 
                Agreements
       III  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
        IV  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
         X  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Department of Defense (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
     XVIII  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        XX  United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 
                2000--2099)
      XXII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2200--2299)
     XXIII  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                2600--2699)

[[Page 1154]]

     XXVII  Small Business Administration (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
      XXIX  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 3100--
                3199)
     XXXII  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 3300--
                3399)
     XXXIV  Department of Education (Parts 3400--3499)
      XXXV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 3500--
                3599)
     XXXVI  Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive 
                Office of the President (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Peace Corps (Parts 3700--3799)
     LVIII  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
       LIX  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 5900--
                5999)
        LX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 6000--6099)

                        Title 3--The President

         I  Executive Office of the President (Parts 100--199)

                           Title 4--Accounts

         I  Government Accountability Office (Parts 1--199)

                   Title 5--Administrative Personnel

         I  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1--1199)
        II  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 1300--1399)
        IV  Office of Personnel Management and Office of the 
                Director of National Intelligence (Parts 1400--
                1499)
         V  The International Organizations Employees Loyalty 
                Board (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      VIII  Office of Special Counsel (Parts 1800--1899)
        IX  Appalachian Regional Commission (Parts 1900--1999)
        XI  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 2100--2199)
       XIV  Federal Labor Relations Authority, General Counsel of 
                the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Federal 
                Service Impasses Panel (Parts 2400--2499)
       XVI  Office of Government Ethics (Parts 2600--2699)
       XXI  Department of the Treasury (Parts 3100--3199)
      XXII  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 3200--
                3299)
     XXIII  Department of Energy (Parts 3300--3399)
      XXIV  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Parts 3400--
                3499)
       XXV  Department of the Interior (Parts 3500--3599)

[[Page 1155]]

      XXVI  Department of Defense (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 3800--3899)
      XXIX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 3900--3999)
       XXX  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4099)
      XXXI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 4100--4199)
    XXXIII  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation 
                (Parts 4300--4399)
     XXXIV  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 4400--4499)
      XXXV  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 4500--4599)
     XXXVI  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 4600--4699)
    XXXVII  Federal Election Commission (Parts 4700--4799)
        XL  Interstate Commerce Commission (Parts 5000--5099)
       XLI  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 5100--
                5199)
      XLII  Department of Labor (Parts 5200--5299)
     XLIII  National Science Foundation (Parts 5300--5399)
       XLV  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 5500--
                5599)
      XLVI  Postal Rate Commission (Parts 5600--5699)
     XLVII  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 5700--5799)
    XLVIII  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
      XLIX  Federal Labor Relations Authority (Parts 5900--5999)
         L  Department of Transportation (Parts 6000--6099)
       LII  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 6200--
                6299)
      LIII  Department of Education (Parts 6300--6399)
       LIV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 6400--6499)
        LV  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 6500--6599)
       LVI  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 6600--
                6699)
      LVII  General Services Administration (Parts 6700--6799)
     LVIII  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
                (Parts 6800--6899)
       LIX  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                6900--6999)
        LX  United States Postal Service (Parts 7000--7099)
       LXI  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 7100--7199)
      LXII  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 7200--
                7299)
     LXIII  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 7300--7399)
      LXIV  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 7400--7499)
       LXV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                7500--7599)
      LXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                7600--7699)
     LXVII  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 7700--
                7799)
    LXVIII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 7800--7899)
      LXIX  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 7900--7999)
       LXX  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 8000--8099)
      LXXI  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 8100--8199)

[[Page 1156]]

    LXXIII  Department of Agriculture (Parts 8300--8399)
     LXXIV  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 8400--8499)
     LXXVI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                8600--8699)
    LXXVII  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 8700--8799)
      LXXX  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 9000--9099)
   LXXXIII  Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 
                Reconstruction (Parts 9300--9399)
    LXXXIV  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Parts 9400--
                9499)
    LXXXVI  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 9600--
                9699)
     XCVII  Department of Homeland Security Human Resources 
                Management System (Department of Homeland 
                Security--Office of Personnel Management) (Parts 
                9700--9799)
    XCVIII  Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
                Efficiency (Parts 9800--9899)
      XCIX  Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization 
                Commission (Parts 9900--9999)
         C  National Council on Disability (Parts 10000--10049)
        CI  National Mediation Board (Parts 10100--10199)
       CII  U.S. Office of Special Counsel (Parts 10200--10299)
       CIV  Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement 
                Coordinator (Part 10400--10499)

                      Title 6--Domestic Security

         I  Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
                Secretary (Parts 1--199)
         X  Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (Parts 
                1000--1099)

                         Title 7--Agriculture

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Agriculture 
                (Parts 0--26)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Department of 
                Agriculture
         I  Agricultural Marketing Service (Standards, 
                Inspections, Marketing Practices), Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 27--209)
        II  Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 210--299)
       III  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         V  Agricultural Research Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                700--799)

[[Page 1157]]

      VIII  Agricultural Marketing Service (Federal Grain 
                Inspection Service, Fair Trade Practices Program), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 900--999)
         X  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Milk), Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1000--1199)
        XI  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Miscellaneous Commodities), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1200--1299)
       XIV  Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  [Reserved]
      XVII  Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative 
                Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service 
                Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 1800--
                2099)
        XX  [Reserved]
       XXV  Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  Office of Inspector General, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 2600--2699)
     XXVII  Office of Information Resources Management, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of Operations, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                2800--2899)
      XXIX  Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Office of Environmental Quality, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3100--3199)
     XXXII  Office of Procurement and Property Management, 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  Office of Transportation, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3300--3399)
     XXXIV  National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Parts 
                3400--3499)
      XXXV  Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3500--3599)
     XXXVI  National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3700--3799)
   XXXVIII  World Agricultural Outlook Board, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3800--3899)
       XLI  [Reserved]

[[Page 1158]]

      XLII  Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities 
                Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 4200--
                4299)
         L  Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural 
                Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 5000--5099)

                    Title 8--Aliens and Nationality

         I  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 1--499)
         V  Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1000--1399)

                 Title 9--Animals and Animal Products

         I  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agricultural Marketing Service (Fair Trade Practices 
                Program), Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 300--599)

                           Title 10--Energy

         I  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Department of Energy (Parts 200--699)
       III  Department of Energy (Parts 700--999)
         X  Department of Energy (General Provisions) (Parts 
                1000--1099)
      XIII  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Parts 1300--
                1399)
      XVII  Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Parts 1700--
                1799)
     XVIII  Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
                Commission (Parts 1800--1899)

                      Title 11--Federal Elections

         I  Federal Election Commission (Parts 1--9099)
        II  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 9400--9499)

                      Title 12--Banks and Banking

         I  Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1--199)
        II  Federal Reserve System (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 400--
                499)
         V  [Reserved]
        VI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Federal Financing Bank (Parts 800--899)
        IX  (Parts 900--999) [Reserved]

[[Page 1159]]

         X  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Parts 1000--
                1099)
        XI  Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Financial Stability Oversight Council (Parts 1300--
                1399)
       XIV  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Office of Financial Research, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, 
                Department of the Treasury (Parts 1800--1899)

               Title 13--Business Credit and Assistance

         I  Small Business Administration (Parts 1--199)
       III  Economic Development Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board (Parts 400--499)
         V  Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board (Parts 
                500--599)

                    Title 14--Aeronautics and Space

         I  Federal Aviation Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--199)
        II  Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation 
                (Aviation Proceedings) (Parts 200--399)
       III  Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 400--1199)
         V  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        VI  Air Transportation System Stabilization (Parts 1300--
                1399)

                 Title 15--Commerce and Foreign Trade

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Commerce (Parts 
                0--29)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Commerce and 
                Foreign Trade
         I  Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                30--199)
        II  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 400--499)
       VII  Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 700--799)

[[Page 1160]]

      VIII  Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 900--999)
        XI  National Technical Information Service, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 1100--1199)
      XIII  East-West Foreign Trade Board (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Minority Business Development Agency (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Office of the Under-Secretary for Economic Affairs, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 1500--1599)
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Foreign Trade 
                Agreements
        XX  Office of the United States Trade Representative 
                (Parts 2000--2099)
            Subtitle D--Regulations Relating to Telecommunications 
                and Information
     XXIII  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                2300--2399) [Reserved]

                    Title 16--Commercial Practices

         I  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 0--999)
        II  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 1000--1799)

             Title 17--Commodity and Securities Exchanges

         I  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 1--199)
        II  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 400--499)

          Title 18--Conservation of Power and Water Resources

         I  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of 
                Energy (Parts 1--399)
       III  Delaware River Basin Commission (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Water Resources Council (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Parts 800--899)
      XIII  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 1300--1399)

                       Title 19--Customs Duties

         I  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of 
                Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--199)
        II  United States International Trade Commission (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department 
                of Homeland Security (Parts 400--599) [Reserved]

[[Page 1161]]

                     Title 20--Employees' Benefits

         I  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Railroad Retirement Board (Parts 200--399)
       III  Social Security Administration (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 500--599)
         V  Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 600--699)
        VI  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Benefits Review Board, Department of Labor (Parts 
                800--899)
      VIII  Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (Parts 
                900--999)
        IX  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1000--1099)

                       Title 21--Food and Drugs

         I  Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1--1299)
        II  Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 1300--1399)
       III  Office of National Drug Control Policy (Parts 1400--
                1499)

                      Title 22--Foreign Relations

         I  Department of State (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agency for International Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Peace Corps (Parts 300--399)
        IV  International Joint Commission, United States and 
                Canada (Parts 400--499)
         V  United States Agency for Global Media (Parts 500--599)
       VII  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation 
                (Parts 700--799)
        IX  Foreign Service Grievance Board (Parts 900--999)
         X  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  International Boundary and Water Commission, United 
                States and Mexico, United States Section (Parts 
                1100--1199)
       XII  United States International Development Cooperation 
                Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Millennium Challenge Corporation (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Foreign Service Labor Relations Board; Federal Labor 
                Relations Authority; General Counsel of the 
                Federal Labor Relations Authority; and the Foreign 
                Service Impasse Disputes Panel (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  African Development Foundation (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Japan-United States Friendship Commission (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  United States Institute of Peace (Parts 1700--1799)

[[Page 1162]]

                          Title 23--Highways

         I  Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--999)
        II  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 
                Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1300--1399)

                Title 24--Housing and Urban Development

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development (Parts 0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban 
                Development
         I  Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                100--199)
        II  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Government National Mortgage Association, Department 
                of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Housing and Office of Multifamily Housing 
                Assistance Restructuring, Department of Housing 
                and Urban Development (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 600--699) [Reserved]
       VII  Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Housing Assistance Programs and 
                Public and Indian Housing Programs) (Parts 700--
                799)
      VIII  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Section 8 Housing Assistance 
                Programs, Section 202 Direct Loan Program, Section 
                202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and 
                Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons With 
                Disabilities Program) (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
                Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 900--1699)
         X  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Interstate Land Sales 
                Registration Program) (Parts 1700--1799) 
                [Reserved]
       XII  Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 2000--2099)
        XV  Emergency Mortgage Insurance and Loan Programs, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2700--2799) [Reserved]

[[Page 1163]]

        XX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 3200--3899)
      XXIV  Board of Directors of the HOPE for Homeowners Program 
                (Parts 4000--4099) [Reserved]
       XXV  Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (Parts 4100--
                4199)

                           Title 25--Indians

         I  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--299)
        II  Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 300--399)
       III  National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
        IV  Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (Parts 
                700--899)
         V  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 
                and Indian Health Service, Department of Health 
                and Human Services (Part 900--999)
        VI  Office of the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1000--1199)
       VII  Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                      Title 26--Internal Revenue

         I  Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 1--End)

           Title 27--Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms

         I  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department 
                of the Treasury (Parts 1--399)
        II  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                Department of Justice (Parts 400--799)

                   Title 28--Judicial Administration

         I  Department of Justice (Parts 0--299)
       III  Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Department of Justice 
                (Parts 300--399)
         V  Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice (Parts 500--
                599)
        VI  Offices of Independent Counsel, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Independent Counsel (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council 
                (Parts 900--999)

[[Page 1164]]

        XI  Department of Justice and Department of State (Parts 
                1100--1199)

                            Title 29--Labor

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Labor (Parts 
                0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Labor
         I  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Railroad Adjustment Board (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 400--499)
         V  Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor (Parts 
                500--899)
        IX  Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Commission 
                (Parts 900--999)
         X  National Mediation Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       XII  Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Parts 
                1400--1499)
       XIV  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 1600--
                1699)
      XVII  Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
                Department of Labor (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2200--2499)
       XXV  Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 2500--2599)
     XXVII  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2700--2799)
        XL  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4999)

                      Title 30--Mineral Resources

         I  Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 200--299)
        IV  Geological Survey, Department of the Interior (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 700--999)
       XII  Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                 Title 31--Money and Finance: Treasury

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--50)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Money and Finance

[[Page 1165]]

         I  Monetary Offices, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                51--199)
        II  Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Secret Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Investment Security, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Claims Collection Standards (Department of the 
                Treasury--Department of Justice) (Parts 900--999)
         X  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)

                      Title 32--National Defense

            Subtitle A--Department of Defense
         I  Office of the Secretary of Defense (Parts 1--399)
         V  Department of the Army (Parts 400--699)
        VI  Department of the Navy (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Department of the Air Force (Parts 800--1099)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to National 
                Defense
       XII  Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (Parts 
                1200--1299)
       XVI  Selective Service System (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of the Director of National Intelligence (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  National Counterintelligence Center (Parts 1800--1899)
       XIX  Central Intelligence Agency (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Information Security Oversight Office, National 
                Archives and Records Administration (Parts 2000--
                2099)
       XXI  National Security Council (Parts 2100--2199)
      XXIV  Office of Science and Technology Policy (Parts 2400--
                2499)
     XXVII  Office for Micronesian Status Negotiations (Parts 
                2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of the Vice President of the United States 
                (Parts 2800--2899)

               Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, Department 
                of Defense (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development 
                Corporation, Department of Transportation (Parts 
                400--499)

[[Page 1166]]

                          Title 34--Education

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Education (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Offices of the 
                Department of Education
         I  Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 200--299)
       III  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
                Services, Department of Education (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
                Affairs, Department of Education (Parts 500--599) 
                [Reserved]
        VI  Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of 
                Education (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 
                Department of Education (Parts 700--799) 
                [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Education
        XI  [Reserved]
       XII  National Council on Disability (Parts 1200--1299)



                           Title 35 [Reserved]




             Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property

         I  National Park Service, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
        II  Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  American Battle Monuments Commission (Parts 400--499)
         V  Smithsonian Institution (Parts 500--599)
        VI  [Reserved]
       VII  Library of Congress (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Parts 800--
                899)
        IX  Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (Parts 
                900--999)
         X  Presidio Trust (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
                Board (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        XV  Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust (Parts 1500--
                1599)
       XVI  Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National 
                Environmental Policy Foundation (Parts 1600--1699)

             Title 37--Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

         I  United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 1--199)
        II  U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress (Parts 
                200--299)

[[Page 1167]]

       III  Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 400--599)

           Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

         I  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 0--199)
        II  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 200--299)

                       Title 39--Postal Service

         I  United States Postal Service (Parts 1--999)
       III  Postal Regulatory Commission (Parts 3000--3099)

                  Title 40--Protection of Environment

         I  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1--1099)
        IV  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1400--1499)
         V  Council on Environmental Quality (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
       VII  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Defense; Uniform National Discharge Standards for 
                Vessels of the Armed Forces (Parts 1700--1799)
      VIII  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 1800--
                1899)
        IX  Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Part 
                1900)

          Title 41--Public Contracts and Property Management

            Subtitle A--Federal Procurement Regulations System 
                [Note]
            Subtitle B--Other Provisions Relating to Public 
                Contracts
        50  Public Contracts, Department of Labor (Parts 50-1--50-
                999)
        51  Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
                Severely Disabled (Parts 51-1--51-99)
        60  Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal 
                Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor (Parts 
                60-1--60-999)
        61  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 61-1--61-999)
   62--100  [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Federal Property Management Regulations 
                System
       101  Federal Property Management Regulations (Parts 101-1--
                101-99)
       102  Federal Management Regulation (Parts 102-1--102-299)
  103--104  (Parts 103-001--104-099) [Reserved]
       105  General Services Administration (Parts 105-1--105-999)

[[Page 1168]]

       109  Department of Energy Property Management Regulations 
                (Parts 109-1--109-99)
       114  Department of the Interior (Parts 114-1--114-99)
       115  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 115-1--115-99)
       128  Department of Justice (Parts 128-1--128-99)
  129--200  [Reserved]
            Subtitle D--Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security
       201  Federal Acquisition Security Council (Parts 201-1--
                201-99)
            Subtitle E [Reserved]
            Subtitle F--Federal Travel Regulation System
       300  General (Parts 300-1--300-99)
       301  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances (Parts 301-1--
                301-99)
       302  Relocation Allowances (Parts 302-1--302-99)
       303  Payment of Expenses Connected with the Death of 
                Certain Employees (Part 303-1--303-99)
       304  Payment of Travel Expenses from a Non-Federal Source 
                (Parts 304-1--304-99)

                        Title 42--Public Health

         I  Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 1--199)
   II--III  [Reserved]
        IV  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 400--699)
         V  Office of Inspector General-Health Care, Department of 
                Health and Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)

                   Title 43--Public Lands: Interior

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Lands
         I  Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 400--999)
        II  Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1000--9999)
       III  Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
                Commission (Parts 10000--10099)

             Title 44--Emergency Management and Assistance

         I  Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 0--399)
        IV  Department of Commerce and Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 400--499)

[[Page 1169]]

                       Title 45--Public Welfare

            Subtitle A--Department of Health and Human Services 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Welfare
        II  Office of Family Assistance (Assistance Programs), 
                Administration for Children and Families, 
                Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Office of Child Support Enforcement (Child Support 
                Enforcement Program), Administration for Children 
                and Families, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 400--499)
         V  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United 
                States, Department of Justice (Parts 500--599)
        VI  National Science Foundation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Denali Commission (Parts 900--999)
         X  Office of Community Services, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                1200--1299)
      XIII  Administration for Children and Families, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 1300--1399)
       XVI  Legal Services Corporation (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  National Commission on Libraries and Information 
                Science (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (Parts 1800--
                1899)
       XXI  Commission of Fine Arts (Parts 2100--2199)
     XXIII  Arctic Research Commission (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2500--2599)

                          Title 46--Shipping

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 200--399)
       III  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage), Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Federal Maritime Commission (Parts 500--599)

[[Page 1170]]

                      Title 47--Telecommunication

         I  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Office of Science and Technology Policy and National 
                Security Council (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce, and 
                National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)
         V  The First Responder Network Authority (Parts 500--599)

           Title 48--Federal Acquisition Regulations System

         1  Federal Acquisition Regulation (Parts 1--99)
         2  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of 
                Defense (Parts 200--299)
         3  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
         4  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         5  General Services Administration (Parts 500--599)
         6  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
         7  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
         8  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
         9  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
        10  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        12  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
        13  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
        14  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        15  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
        16  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Health Benefits Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                1600--1699)
        17  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1700--1799)
        18  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        19  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 1900--1999)
        20  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 2000--2099)
        21  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Group Life Insurance Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation (Parts 2100--2199)
        23  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
        24  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
        25  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
        28  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
        29  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
        30  Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security 
                Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) (Parts 3000--3099)
        34  Department of Education Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                3400--3499)

[[Page 1171]]

        51  Department of the Army Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5100--5199) [Reserved]
        52  Department of the Navy Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5200--5299)
        53  Department of the Air Force Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation Supplement (Parts 5300--5399) 
                [Reserved]
        54  Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense (Parts 
                5400--5499)
        57  African Development Foundation (Parts 5700--5799)
        61  Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services 
                Administration (Parts 6100--6199)
        99  Cost Accounting Standards Board, Office of Federal 
                Procurement Policy, Office of Management and 
                Budget (Parts 9900--9999)

                       Title 49--Transportation

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation 
                (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to 
                Transportation
         I  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Federal Railroad Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Federal Transit Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) 
                (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  National Transportation Safety Board (Parts 800--999)
         X  Surface Transportation Board (Parts 1000--1399)
        XI  Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1400--1499) 
                [Reserved]
       XII  Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 1500--1699)

                   Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries

         I  United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of 
                the Interior (Parts 1--199)
        II  National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Fishing and Related Activities (Parts 
                300--399)

[[Page 1172]]

        IV  Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife 
                Service, Department of the Interior and National 
                Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce); Endangered Species Committee 
                Regulations (Parts 400--499)
         V  Marine Mammal Commission (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 600--699)

[[Page 1173]]





           Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR




                     (Revised as of October 1, 2023)

                                                  CFR Title, Subtitle or 
                     Agency                               Chapter

Administrative Conference of the United States    1, III
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation         36, VIII
Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                  7, XXV
Afghanistan Reconstruction, Special Inspector     5, LXXXIII
     General for
African Development Foundation                    22, XV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 57
Agency for International Development              2, VII; 22, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
Agricultural Marketing Service                    7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
Agricultural Research Service                     7, V
Agriculture, Department of                        2, IV; 5, LXXIII
  Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                7, XXV
  Agricultural Marketing Service                  7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
  Agricultural Research Service                   7, V
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service      7, III; 9, I
  Chief Financial Officer, Office of              7, XXX
  Commodity Credit Corporation                    7, XIV
  Economic Research Service                       7, XXXVII
  Energy Policy and New Uses, Office of           2, IX; 7, XXIX
  Environmental Quality, Office of                7, XXXI
  Farm Service Agency                             7, VII, XVIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 4
  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation              7, IV
  Food and Nutrition Service                      7, II
  Food Safety and Inspection Service              9, III
  Foreign Agricultural Service                    7, XV
  Forest Service                                  36, II
  Information Resources Management, Office of     7, XXVII
  Inspector General, Office of                    7, XXVI
  National Agricultural Library                   7, XLI
  National Agricultural Statistics Service        7, XXXVI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture      7, XXXIV
  Natural Resources Conservation Service          7, VI
  Operations, Office of                           7, XXVIII
  Procurement and Property Management, Office of  7, XXXII
  Rural Business-Cooperative Service              7, XVIII, XLII
  Rural Development Administration                7, XLII
  Rural Housing Service                           7, XVIII, XXXV
  Rural Utilities Service                         7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
  Secretary of Agriculture, Office of             7, Subtitle A
  Transportation, Office of                       7, XXXIII
  World Agricultural Outlook Board                7, XXXVIII
Air Force, Department of                          32, VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement       48, 53
Air Transportation Stabilization Board            14, VI
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau          27, I
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,       27, II
     Bureau of
AMTRAK                                            49, VII
American Battle Monuments Commission              36, IV
American Indians, Office of the Special Trustee   25, VII
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service        7, III; 9, I
Appalachian Regional Commission                   5, IX
Architectural and Transportation Barriers         36, XI
   Compliance Board
[[Page 1174]]

Arctic Research Commission                        45, XXIII
Armed Forces Retirement Home                      5, XI; 38, II
Army, Department of                               32, V
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 51
Benefits Review Board                             20, VII
Bilingual Education and Minority Languages        34, V
     Affairs, Office of
Blind or Severely Disabled, Committee for         41, 51
     Purchase from People Who Are
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 19
Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office    34, IV
     of
Census Bureau                                     15, I
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services          42, IV
Central Intelligence Agency                       32, XIX
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board    40, VI
Chief Financial Officer, Office of                7, XXX
Child Support Enforcement, Office of              45, III
Children and Families, Administration for         45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
Civil Rights, Commission on                       5, LXVIII; 45, VII
Civil Rights, Office for                          34, I
Coast Guard                                       33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)                46, III
Commerce, Department of                           2, XIII; 44, IV; 50, VI
  Census Bureau                                   15, I
  Economic Affairs, Office of the Under-          15, XV
       Secretary for
  Economic Analysis, Bureau of                    15, VIII
  Economic Development Administration             13, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 13
  Foreign-Trade Zones Board                       15, IV
  Industry and Security, Bureau of                15, VII
  International Trade Administration              15, III; 19, III
  National Institute of Standards and Technology  15, II; 37, IV
  National Marine Fisheries Service               50, II, IV
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
       Administration                             VI
  National Technical Information Service          15, XI
  National Telecommunications and Information     15, XXIII; 47, III, IV
       Administration
  National Weather Service                        15, IX
  Patent and Trademark Office, United States      37, I
  Secretary of Commerce, Office of                15, Subtitle A
Commercial Space Transportation                   14, III
Commodity Credit Corporation                      7, XIV
Commodity Futures Trading Commission              5, XLI; 17, I
Community Planning and Development, Office of     24, V, VI
     Assistant Secretary for
Community Services, Office of                     45, X
Comptroller of the Currency                       12, I
Construction Industry Collective Bargaining       29, IX
     Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau              5, LXXXIV; 12, X
Consumer Product Safety Commission                5, LXXI; 16, II
Copyright Royalty Board                           37, III
Corporation for National and Community Service    2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
Cost Accounting Standards Board                   48, 99
Council on Environmental Quality                  40, V
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity    5, XCVIII
     and Efficiency
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    5, LXX; 28, VIII
     for the District of Columbia
Customs and Border Protection                     19, I
Defense, Department of                            2, XI; 5, XXVI; 32, 
                                                  Subtitle A; 40, VII
  Advanced Research Projects Agency               32, I
  Air Force Department                            32, VII
  Army Department                                 32, V; 33, II; 36, III; 
                                                  48, 51
  Defense Acquisition Regulations System          48, 2
  Defense Intelligence Agency                     32, I

[[Page 1175]]

  Defense Logistics Agency                        32, I, XII; 48, 54
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  National Imagery and Mapping Agency             32, I
  Navy, Department of                             32, VI; 48, 52
  Secretary of Defense, Office of                 2, XI; 32, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense Intelligence Agency                       32, I
Defense Logistics Agency                          32, XII; 48, 54
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board           10, XVII
Delaware River Basin Commission                   18, III
Denali Commission                                 45, IX
Disability, National Council on                   5, C; 34, XII
District of Columbia, Court Services and          5, LXX; 28, VIII
     Offender Supervision Agency for the
Drug Enforcement Administration                   21, II
East-West Foreign Trade Board                     15, XIII
Economic Affairs, Office of the Under-Secretary   15, XV
     for
Economic Analysis, Bureau of                      15, VIII
Economic Development Administration               13, III
Economic Research Service                         7, XXXVII
Education, Department of                          2, XXXIV; 5, LIII
  Bilingual Education and Minority Languages      34, V
       Affairs, Office of
  Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office  34, IV
       of
  Civil Rights, Office for                        34, I
  Educational Research and Improvement, Office    34, VII
       of
  Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of   34, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 34
  Postsecondary Education, Office of              34, VI
  Secretary of Education, Office of               34, Subtitle A
  Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,  34, III
       Office of
Educational Research and Improvement, Office of   34, VII
Election Assistance Commission                    2, LVIII; 11, II
Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of     34, II
Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board       13, V
Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board              13, IV
Employee Benefits Security Administration         29, XXV
Employees' Compensation Appeals Board             20, IV
Employees Loyalty Board                           5, V
Employment and Training Administration            20, V
Employment Policy, National Commission for        1, IV
Employment Standards Administration               20, VI
Endangered Species Committee                      50, IV
Energy, Department of                             2, IX; 5, XXIII; 10, II, 
                                                  III, X
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 9
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission            5, XXIV; 18, I
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 109
Energy, Office of                                 7, XXIX
Engineers, Corps of                               33, II; 36, III
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of                 31, VI
Environmental Protection Agency                   2, XV; 5, LIV; 40, I, IV, 
                                                  VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 15
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 115
Environmental Quality, Office of                  7, XXXI
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission           5, LXII; 29, XIV
Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant Secretary  24, I
     for
Executive Office of the President                 3, I
  Environmental Quality, Council on               40, V
  Management and Budget, Office of                2, Subtitle A; 5, III, 
                                                  LXXVII; 14, VI; 48, 99
  National Drug Control Policy, Office of         2, XXXVI; 21, III
  National Security Council                       32, XXI; 47, II
  Presidential Documents                          3
  Science and Technology Policy, Office of        32, XXIV; 47, II
  Trade Representative, Office of the United      15, XX
     States
[[Page 1176]]

Export-Import Bank of the United States           2, XXXV; 5, LII; 12, IV
Family Assistance, Office of                      45, II
Farm Credit Administration                        5, XXXI; 12, VI
Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation          5, XXX; 12, XIV
Farm Service Agency                               7, VII, XVIII
Federal Acquisition Regulation                    48, 1
Federal Acquisition Security Council              41, 201
Federal Aviation Administration                   14, I
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
Federal Claims Collection Standards               31, IX
Federal Communications Commission                 2, LX; 5, XXIX; 47, I
Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office of   41, 60
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation                7, IV
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation             5, XXII; 12, III
Federal Election Commission                       5, XXXVII; 11, I
Federal Emergency Management Agency               44, I
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal    48, 21
     Acquisition Regulation
Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition     48, 16
     Regulation
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission              5, XXIV; 18, I
Federal Financial Institutions Examination        12, XI
     Council
Federal Financing Bank                            12, VIII
Federal Highway Administration                    23, I, II
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation            1, IV
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office       12, XVII
Federal Housing Finance Agency                    5, LXXX; 12, XII
Federal Labor Relations Authority                 5, XIV, XLIX; 22, XIV
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center           31, VII
Federal Management Regulation                     41, 102
Federal Maritime Commission                       46, IV
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service        29, XII
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission  5, LXXIV; 29, XXVII
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration       49, III
Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council   40, IX
Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                   28, III
Federal Procurement Policy Office                 48, 99
Federal Property Management Regulations           41, 101
Federal Railroad Administration                   49, II
Federal Register, Administrative Committee of     1, I
Federal Register, Office of                       1, II
Federal Reserve System                            12, II
  Board of Governors                              5, LVIII
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board        5, VI, LXXVI
Federal Service Impasses Panel                    5, XIV
Federal Trade Commission                          5, XLVII; 16, I
Federal Transit Administration                    49, VI
Federal Travel Regulation System                  41, Subtitle F
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network              31, X
Financial Research Office                         12, XVI
Financial Stability Oversight Council             12, XIII
Fine Arts, Commission of                          45, XXI
Fiscal Service                                    31, II
Fish and Wildlife Service, United States          50, I, IV
Food and Drug Administration                      21, I
Food and Nutrition Service                        7, II
Food Safety and Inspection Service                9, III
Foreign Agricultural Service                      7, XV
Foreign Assets Control, Office of                 31, V
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the       45, V
     United States
Foreign Service Grievance Board                   22, IX
Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel            22, XIV
Foreign Service Labor Relations Board             22, XIV
Foreign-Trade Zones Board                         15, IV
Forest Service                                    36, II
General Services Administration                   5, LVII; 41, 105
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 61
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 5

[[Page 1177]]

  Federal Management Regulation                   41, 102
  Federal Property Management Regulations         41, 101
  Federal Travel Regulation System                41, Subtitle F
  General                                         41, 300
  Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel    41, 304
       Expenses
  Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death    41, 303
       of Certain Employees
  Relocation Allowances                           41, 302
  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances          41, 301
Geological Survey                                 30, IV
Government Accountability Office                  4, I
Government Ethics, Office of                      5, XVI
Government National Mortgage Association          24, III
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards          7, VIII; 9, II
     Administration
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development       33, IV
     Corporation
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council          2, LIX; 40, VIII
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation            45, XVIII
Health and Human Services, Department of          2, III; 5, XLV; 45, 
                                                  Subtitle A
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services        42, IV
  Child Support Enforcement, Office of            45, III
  Children and Families, Administration for       45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
  Community Services, Office of                   45, X
  Family Assistance, Office of                    45, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 3
  Food and Drug Administration                    21, I
  Indian Health Service                           25, V
  Inspector General (Health Care), Office of      42, V
  Public Health Service                           42, I
  Refugee Resettlement, Office of                 45, IV
Homeland Security, Department of                  2, XXX; 5, XXXVI; 6, I; 8, 
                                                  I
  Coast Guard                                     33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)              46, III
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Federal Emergency Management Agency             44, I
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau      19, IV
  Transportation Security Administration          49, XII
HOPE for Homeowners Program, Board of Directors   24, XXIV
     of
Housing and Urban Development, Department of      2, XXIV; 5, LXV; 24, 
                                                  Subtitle B
  Community Planning and Development, Office of   24, V, VI
       Assistant Secretary for
  Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant          24, I
       Secretary for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 24
  Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office    12, XVII
       of
  Government National Mortgage Association        24, III
  Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office   24, II, VIII, X, XX
       of Assistant Secretary for
  Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing     24, IV
       Assistance Restructuring, Office of
  Inspector General, Office of                    24, XII
  Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant  24, IX
       Secretary for
  Secretary, Office of                            24, Subtitle A, VII
Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office of  24, II, VIII, X, XX
     Assistant Secretary for
Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing       24, IV
     Assistance Restructuring, Office of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau        19, IV
Immigration Review, Executive Office for          8, V
Independent Counsel, Office of                    28, VII
Independent Counsel, Offices of                   28, VI
Indian Affairs, Bureau of                         25, I, V
Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant           25, VI
     Secretary
Indian Arts and Crafts Board                      25, II

[[Page 1178]]

Indian Health Service                             25, V
Industry and Security, Bureau of                  15, VII
Information Resources Management, Office of       7, XXVII
Information Security Oversight Office, National   32, XX
     Archives and Records Administration
Inspector General
  Agriculture Department                          7, XXVI
  Health and Human Services Department            42, V
  Housing and Urban Development Department        24, XII, XV
Institute of Peace, United States                 22, XVII
Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator,    5, CIV
     Office of
Inter-American Foundation                         5, LXIII; 22, X
Interior, Department of                           2, XIV
  American Indians, Office of the Special         25, VII
       Trustee
  Endangered Species Committee                    50, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 14
  Federal Property Management Regulations System  41, 114
  Fish and Wildlife Service, United States        50, I, IV
  Geological Survey                               30, IV
  Indian Affairs, Bureau of                       25, I, V
  Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant         25, VI
       Secretary
  Indian Arts and Crafts Board                    25, II
  Land Management, Bureau of                      43, II
  National Indian Gaming Commission               25, III
  National Park Service                           36, I
  Natural Resource Revenue, Office of             30, XII
  Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of              30, V
  Reclamation, Bureau of                          43, I
  Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau    30, II
       of
  Secretary of the Interior, Office of            2, XIV; 43, Subtitle A
  Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,     30, VII
       Office of
Internal Revenue Service                          26, I
International Boundary and Water Commission,      22, XI
     United States and Mexico, United States 
     Section
International Development, United States Agency   22, II
     for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
International Development Cooperation Agency,     22, XII
     United States
International Development Finance Corporation,    5, XXXIII; 22, VII
     U.S.
International Joint Commission, United States     22, IV
     and Canada
International Organizations Employees Loyalty     5, V
     Board
International Trade Administration                15, III; 19, III
International Trade Commission, United States     19, II
Interstate Commerce Commission                    5, XL
Investment Security, Office of                    31, VIII
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation      45, XXIV
Japan-United States Friendship Commission         22, XVI
Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries       20, VIII
Justice, Department of                            2, XXVIII; 5, XXVIII; 28, 
                                                  I, XI; 40, IV
  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,     27, II
       Bureau of
  Drug Enforcement Administration                 21, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 28
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                 28, III
  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the     45, V
       United States
  Immigration Review, Executive Office for        8, V
  Independent Counsel, Offices of                 28, VI
  Prisons, Bureau of                              28, V
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 128
Labor, Department of                              2, XXIX; 5, XLII
  Benefits Review Board                           20, VII
  Employee Benefits Security Administration       29, XXV
  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board           20, IV
  Employment and Training Administration          20, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 29

[[Page 1179]]

  Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office    41, 60
       of
  Federal Procurement Regulations System          41, 50
  Labor-Management Standards, Office of           29, II, IV
  Mine Safety and Health Administration           30, I
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration   29, XVII
  Public Contracts                                41, 50
  Secretary of Labor, Office of                   29, Subtitle A
  Veterans' Employment and Training Service,      41, 61; 20, IX
       Office of the Assistant Secretary for
  Wage and Hour Division                          29, V
  Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of       20, I, VI
Labor-Management Standards, Office of             29, II, IV
Land Management, Bureau of                        43, II
Legal Services Corporation                        45, XVI
Libraries and Information Science, National       45, XVII
     Commission on
Library of Congress                               36, VII
  Copyright Royalty Board                         37, III
  U.S. Copyright Office                           37, II
Management and Budget, Office of                  5, III, LXXVII; 14, VI; 
                                                  48, 99
Marine Mammal Commission                          50, V
Maritime Administration                           46, II
Merit Systems Protection Board                    5, II, LXIV
Micronesian Status Negotiations, Office for       32, XXVII
Military Compensation and Retirement              5, XCIX
     Modernization Commission
Millennium Challenge Corporation                  22, XIII
Mine Safety and Health Administration             30, I
Minority Business Development Agency              15, XIV
Miscellaneous Agencies                            1, IV
Monetary Offices                                  31, I
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in     36, XVI
     National Environmental Policy Foundation
Museum and Library Services, Institute of         2, XXXI
National Aeronautics and Space Administration     2, XVIII; 5, LIX; 14, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 18
National Agricultural Library                     7, XLI
National Agricultural Statistics Service          7, XXXVI
National and Community Service, Corporation for   2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
National Archives and Records Administration      2, XXVI; 5, LXVI; 36, XII
  Information Security Oversight Office           32, XX
National Capital Planning Commission              1, IV, VI
National Counterintelligence Center               32, XVIII
National Credit Union Administration              5, LXXXVI; 12, VII
National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact     28, IX
     Council
National Drug Control Policy, Office of           2, XXXVI; 21, III
National Endowment for the Arts                   2, XXXII
National Endowment for the Humanities             2, XXXIII
National Foundation on the Arts and the           45, XI
     Humanities
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency           32, I
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration    23, II, III; 47, VI; 49, V
National Imagery and Mapping Agency               32, I
National Indian Gaming Commission                 25, III
National Institute of Food and Agriculture        7, XXXIV
National Institute of Standards and Technology    15, II; 37, IV
National Intelligence, Office of Director of      5, IV; 32, XVII
National Labor Relations Board                    5, LXI; 29, I
National Marine Fisheries Service                 50, II, IV
National Mediation Board                          5, CI; 29, X
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration   15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
                                                  VI
National Park Service                             36, I
National Railroad Adjustment Board                29, III
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)  49, VII
National Science Foundation                       2, XXV; 5, XLIII; 45, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 25
National Security Council                         32, XXI; 47, II

[[Page 1180]]

National Technical Information Service            15, XI
National Telecommunications and Information       15, XXIII; 47, III, IV, V
     Administration
National Transportation Safety Board              49, VIII
Natural Resource Revenue, Office of               30, XII
Natural Resources Conservation Service            7, VI
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, Office of      25, IV
Navy, Department of                               32, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 52
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation             24, XXV
Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste  10, XVIII
     Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission                     2, XX; 5, XLVIII; 10, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 20
Occupational Safety and Health Administration     29, XVII
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission  29, XX
Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of                30, V
Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust             36, XV
Operations Office                                 7, XXVIII
Patent and Trademark Office, United States        37, I
Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel      41, 304
     Expenses
Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of   41, 303
     Certain Employees
Peace Corps                                       2, XXXVII; 22, III
Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation       36, IX
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation              29, XL
Personnel Management, Office of                   5, I, IV, XXXV; 45, VIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 17
  Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal  48, 21
       Acquisition Regulation
  Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition   48, 16
       Regulation
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems, Department of Homeland Security
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety           49, I
     Administration
Postal Regulatory Commission                      5, XLVI; 39, III
Postal Service, United States                     5, LX; 39, I
Postsecondary Education, Office of                34, VI
President's Commission on White House             1, IV
     Fellowships
Presidential Documents                            3
Presidio Trust                                    36, X
Prisons, Bureau of                                28, V
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board       6, X
Procurement and Property Management, Office of    7, XXXII
Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant    24, IX
     Secretary for
Public Contracts, Department of Labor             41, 50
Public Health Service                             42, I
Railroad Retirement Board                         20, II
Reclamation, Bureau of                            43, I
Refugee Resettlement, Office of                   45, IV
Relocation Allowances                             41, 302
Research and Innovative Technology                49, XI
     Administration
Rural Business-Cooperative Service                7, XVIII, XLII, L
Rural Development Administration                  7, XLII
Rural Housing Service                             7, XVIII, XXXV, L
Rural Utilities Service                           7, XVII, XVIII, XLII, L
Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau of   30, II
Science and Technology Policy, Office of          32, XXIV; 47, II
Secret Service                                    31, IV
Securities and Exchange Commission                5, XXXIV; 17, II
Selective Service System                          32, XVI
Small Business Administration                     2, XXVII; 13, I
Smithsonian Institution                           36, V
Social Security Administration                    2, XXIII; 20, III; 48, 23
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, United States        5, XI
Special Counsel, Office of                        5, VIII
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,    34, III
     Office of
State, Department of                              2, VI; 22, I; 28, XI

[[Page 1181]]

  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 6
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,       30, VII
     Office of
Surface Transportation Board                      49, X
Susquehanna River Basin Commission                18, VIII
Tennessee Valley Authority                        5, LXIX; 18, XIII
Trade Representative, United States, Office of    15, XX
Transportation, Department of                     2, XII; 5, L
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 12
  Federal Aviation Administration                 14, I
  Federal Highway Administration                  23, I, II
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration     49, III
  Federal Railroad Administration                 49, II
  Federal Transit Administration                  49, VI
  Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development     33, IV
       Corporation
  Maritime Administration                         46, II
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  23, II, III; 47, IV; 49, V
  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety         49, I
       Administration
  Secretary of Transportation, Office of          14, II; 49, Subtitle A
  Transportation Statistics Bureau                49, XI
Transportation, Office of                         7, XXXIII
Transportation Security Administration            49, XII
Transportation Statistics Bureau                  49, XI
Travel Allowances, Temporary Duty (TDY)           41, 301
Treasury, Department of the                       2, X; 5, XXI; 12, XV; 17, 
                                                  IV; 31, IX
  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau        27, I
  Community Development Financial Institutions    12, XVIII
       Fund
  Comptroller of the Currency                     12, I
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Engraving and Printing, Bureau of               31, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 10
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center         31, VII
  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network            31, X
  Fiscal Service                                  31, II
  Foreign Assets Control, Office of               31, V
  Internal Revenue Service                        26, I
  Investment Security, Office of                  31, VIII
  Monetary Offices                                31, I
  Secret Service                                  31, IV
  Secretary of the Treasury, Office of            31, Subtitle A
Truman, Harry S. Scholarship Foundation           45, XVIII
United States Agency for Global Media             22, V
United States and Canada, International Joint     22, IV
     Commission
United States and Mexico, International Boundary  22, XI
     and Water Commission, United States Section
U.S. Copyright Office                             37, II
U.S. Office of Special Counsel                    5, CII
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation      43, III
     Commission
Veterans Affairs, Department of                   2, VIII; 38, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 8
Veterans' Employment and Training Service,        41, 61; 20, IX
     Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Vice President of the United States, Office of    32, XXVIII
Wage and Hour Division                            29, V
Water Resources Council                           18, VI
Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of         20, I, VII
World Agricultural Outlook Board                  7, XXXVIII

[[Page 1183]]



List of CFR Sections Affected



All changes in this volume of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that 
were made by documents published in the Federal Register since January 
1, 2018 are enumerated in the following list. Entries indicate the 
nature of the changes effected. Page numbers refer to Federal Register 
pages. The user should consult the entries for chapters, parts and 
subparts as well as sections for revisions.
For changes to this volume of the CFR prior to this listing, consult the 
annual edition of the monthly List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA). The 
LSA is available at www.govinfo.gov. For changes to this volume of the 
CFR prior to 2001, see the ``List of CFR Sections Affected, 1949-1963, 
1964-1972, 1973-1985, and 1986-2000'' published in 11 separate volumes. 
The ``List of CFR Sections Affected 1986-2000'' is available at 
www.govinfo.gov.

                                  2018

50 CFR
                                                                   83 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
660 Temporary regulations................5952, 8768, 19005, 29461, 61569
660 Fishery management measures......................18233, 25581, 38069
660 Fishing season notification....................................63587
660.4 (a)(2) and (4) revised.......................................53828
660.11 Amended..............................................62275, 63990
660.13 (d) revised.................................................62275
660.13 (d)(4)(iv) introductory text and (A) corrected..............66637
660.25 (b)(4)(vii)(C) revised......................................62276
660.40 (a), (c), and (d) removed; (b) and (e) redesignated as new 
        (a) and (b); new (b) revised...............................63991
660.50 (f)(4) revised..............................................22405
660.50 (f)(2)(ii) and (6) revised; (h) added.......................63991
660.55 (c)(1)(i) introductory text, (A), and (B) revised.............759
660.55 (c)(1)(i)(A) and (B) revised................................63991
660.60 (d)(1)(vii) added.............................................760
660.60 (h)(7) introductory text, (i) introductory text, (ii)(A), 
        (B)(1) introductory text, and (2) revised..................62276
660.60 (d)(1)(v) revised; (d)(1)(vii) removed; (d)(1)(vi) 
        redesignated as new (d)(1)(vii); new (d)(1)(vi) added......63991
660.71 (k) through (n) redesignated as (o) through (r); new (k) 
        through (n) and (s) through (v) added......................63991
660.72 (k)(15) through (31) redesignated as (k)(17) through (33); 
        new (k)(15) and (16) added.................................63992
660.73 (a)(178), (181), (190), (191), (192), (d)(205) through 
        (354), and (h)(281) through (313) revised; (d)(355) 
        through (363), (h)(314), (315), and (316) added............63992
660.73 (h)(282) and (283) corrected................................66639
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 2b revised...................760, 22409
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 2a revised........................22405
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 2d revised..........................761
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 2a amended........................50513
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Tables 1a through 1d revised............63994
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Tables 2a through 2d revised............63998
660.112 (b)(1)(vii), (xi), (xii)(A), (c)(4), and (e)(4) revised....62276

[[Page 1184]]

660.113 (b)(3) revised.............................................62276
660.130 (b)(1), (2), and (3)(iii) removed; (b)(3) and (4) 
        redesignated as new (b)(1) and new (2); new (b)(1)(ii)(A), 
        new (2), (c)(1), (2), (3)(ii), (4)(i)(A), (B), (D), (E), 
        (ii)(A), (B), (d)(2)(ii), (e) introductory text, (4)(ii), 
        and (iv) revised...........................................62277
660.130 (c)(2)(iii), (4)(i)(A), and (ii)(A) corrected..............66638
660.130 (c)(2)(ii), (iii), (d)(1)(ii), and (e)(6) revised; (e)(8) 
        added......................................................64002
660.131 (c)(3) removed; (i) added..................................64002
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D) revised......................................22410
660.140 (c)(1) and (h)(2)(viii)(I) removed; (c)(2) redesignated as 
        new (c)(1); new (c)(1) revised.............................62278
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D) corrected....................................66639
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D), (e)(4)(i), (g)(1), (h)(1)(i)(A)(3), and 
        (l)(2) revised.............................................64002
660.150 (c)(1)(i) and (ii) revised...................................762
660.150 (c)(1)(ii) revised.........................................64004
660.160 (c)(1)(i) and (ii) revised...................................763
660.160 (c)(1)(ii) revised.........................................64004
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Table 1 (North) revised................4852
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Table 1 (South) revised................4854
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Table 1 (North) and Table 1 (South) 
        revised.............................................62278, 64004
660.230 (c)(2)(ii) and (d)(10)(ii) revised; (f) added..............64006
660.231 (b)(3)(iv) revised.........................................16008
660.231 (b)(3)(iv) revised.........................................50518
660.231 (b)(3)(i) revised..........................................64007
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) 
        revised.............................................50518, 64007
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised; correction 
                                                                   66640
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised................4855
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) revised................4856
660.330 (c)(2)(ii) and (d)(11)(ii) revised; (f) added..............64010
660.333 Amended....................................................64293
660.333 (b)(1) and (d)(1) revised..................................62280
660.333 (c)(3) revised.............................................64010
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) revised................4858
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (South) revised................4860
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) 
        revised.............................................50522, 64010
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) revised; correction 
                                                                   66642
660.351 Amended....................................................13431
660.360 (c)(2)(i)(B) and (iii)(B) revised..........................13431
660.360 (c)(1) introductory text, (ii), and (3)(ii)(B) revised.....16008
660.360 (c)(3)(i)(A)(1) through (4) revised........................48728
660.360 (c)(1) introductory text, (i)(D)(1), (2), (3), (ii), 
        (iii), (iv), (2)(i)(B), (3)(i)(A), (B), (C), (ii)(A), (D), 
        (iii)(A), (B), (D), (iv), (v)(A), and (B) revised; (d) 
        added......................................................64014
660.502 Amended.....................................................6473
660.505 (i) revised.................................................6473
660.505 (p) added..................................................28784
660.511 (d) revised.................................................6473
660.511 (i) and (j) added..........................................28784
660.702 Amended....................................................11150
660.707 (a)(1), (4), (b)(1), (3), (4), and (e) revised; (f) added 
                                                                   11150
660.709 (a)(2) and (3) removed; (a)(4) redesignated as (a)(2); 
        (a)(1) and (d) revised.....................................19982
665 Temporary regulations...................................21939, 55641
665 Lobster harvest guidelines......................................3099
665 Fishery management measures.......................5051, 53399, 63428
665.169 Revised....................................................27717
665.269 (d) table amended..........................................27717
665.270 Revised....................................................27717
665.469 Revised....................................................27717
665.669 Revised....................................................27717
665.813 (b)(1) revised.............................................49496

[[Page 1185]]

679 Temporary regulations.......284, 2564, 2932, 3281, 3282, 3626, 5052, 
            5053, 5214, 5736, 6473, 6982, 7115, 8636, 9235, 9236, 9713, 
         10406, 10807, 11152, 11153, 11429, 11646, 12281, 13115, 13205, 
         13431, 14603, 15325, 15755, 16008, 18235, 18743, 22411, 27518, 
         28169, 29463, 30368, 30369, 34951, 35149, 37448, 41019, 41020, 
         42227, 42228, 42455, 42609, 42802, 43797, 43999, 45201, 45202, 
         46118, 47099, 47846, 48263, 48559, 48560, 48561, 49496, 49497, 
         50036, 51399, 52332, 54881, 55109, 55641, 55823, 56740, 57341, 
                  58754, 60784, 62514, 64034, 65107, 65108, 67143, 67144
679 Fishery management measures..............................8365, 15324
679 Technical correction...........................................17114
679 Notification...................................................31340
679.2 Amended...............................................30532, 31464
679.2 Amended; eff. 10-22-18.......................................47830
679.4 (d)(1)(iv) added; eff. 10-22-18..............................47830
679.4 (k)(14) added................................................50001
679.5 (a)(3) introductory text, (c)(3)(vi)(F), and (4)(vi)(E) 
        revised....................................................31464
679.5 (l)(7)(ii)(A), (C), and (D) revised; (l)(9) and (v) added; 
        eff. 10-22-18..............................................47830
679.5 (l)(10) and (w) added........................................52766
679.7 (f)(3)(i)(C) added; eff. 10-22-18............................47831
679.7 (i)(11) added................................................50002
679.20 (b)(2) introductory text, (i) heading, (3), (4), and (5) 
        revised....................................................31464
679.22 (i) revised.................................................31465
679.32 (c)(3)(i)(B)(2), (C)(2), and (E)(2) removed; 
        (c)(3)(i)(E)(4) added......................................30532
679.40 (b), (c) heading, (2), and (h)(3) introductory text 
        revised; (c)(4), (g)(2)(iii), and (h)(3)(iii) added; eff. 
        10-22-18...................................................47831
679.41 (c)(11) redesignated as (c)(12); new (c)(11), (g)(9), (10), 
        (11), and (n) added; (d)(1) and (g)(1) revised; eff. 10-
        22-18......................................................47831
679.41 (l)(3) introductory text, (v)(E)(3), and (m)(5)(ii) 
        amended; eff. 10-22-18.....................................47833
679.41 (c)(13) and (o) added; (d)(1), (g)(1), and (h)(2) revised 
                                                                   52766
679.42 (a)(2)(v), (f)(8), and (g)(1)(iii) added; (f)(1) 
        introductory text revised; eff. 10-22-18...................47832
679.42 (a)(1), (h)(1) introductory text, and (2) introductory text 
        revised; (a)(2)(i) removed; (a)(2)(ii), (iii), and (iv) 
        redesignated as new (a)(2)(i), (ii), and (iii); new 
        (a)(2)(iv) added...........................................52767
679.45 (a)(1), (2)(i) introductory text, (A), (3), (4)(i), (b)(1), 
        and (f)(2) revised; (a)(2)(i)(B)(3) and (D) added; (b)(2), 
        (3)(ii), (v) introductory text, (d)(2)(i)(A), (B), (C), 
        (ii), (4), (e)(1) introductory text, (i), (ii), (2), 
        (f)(1) introductory text, (i), (ii), (3), (4), (5), (g), 
        and (h) amended; eff. 10-22-18.............................47833
679.50 (a)(2) revised..............................................30532
679.51 (a)(2)(vi)(A)(5) revised....................................30532
679.51 (a)(2)(vi)(B)(1), (3), (4), (C), (D)(1), (2), (E)(1), and 
        (c)(3) amended.............................................30533
679.52 (b)(1)(iii)(A), (2)(iv), (3)(ii)(B), (8) introductory text, 
        (11) introductory text, (i) introductory text, (ii), 
        (iii), (vi) introductory text, (vii) introductory text, 
        (viii) introductory text, (A), (ix), (x) introductory 
        text, and (12) amended.....................................30533
679.53 (a)(5)(v)(B) removed; (a)(5)(v)(C) revised..................30532
679.53 (a)(1), (5)(v) introductory text, (A), and (b)(2)(i) 
        amended....................................................30533
679.50--679.55 (Subpart E) Heading revised.........................30532
679.84 (c)(7) revised..............................................30533
679.93 (c)(7) revised..............................................30533
679.100 (b)(1)(v) and (2)(i)(E) added..............................30533
679 Table 2a revised...............................................31465
679 Table 2c revised...............................................31466
679 Table 10 revised...............................................31466
679 Table 11 revised...............................................31469
679 Table 52 and Table 53 added....................................50002

[[Page 1186]]

                                  2019

50 CFR
                                                                   84 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
660 Fishery management measures........19729, 23737, 31222, 40296, 56137
660 Temporary regulations..........................................24398
660 Inseason adjustment............................................65312
660.11 Correction: Amended.........................................49961
660.11 Amended.....................................................63972
660.12 (b)(3) added; interim.......................................32098
660.12 (a)(16), (17), and (18) added...............................63973
660.13 (d)(4)(ii), (iii), and (iv) revised.........................31158
660.13 (a)(1) and (2) added; interim...............................32098
660.19 (a) revised.................................................31159
660.21 (b) introductory text, (1), (c)(1), (2), and (3) revised....67678
660.50 (f)(4) revised..............................................20584
660.55 (a), (c)(1), (d), and (j) revised; (f)(2) removed...........68805
660.60 (c) introductory text and (3)(i) revised....................63973
660.60 (d) introductory text, (1) introductory text, and (i) 
        revised; (d)(1)(iii) removed; (d)(1)(iv) through (vii) 
        redesignated as new (d)(1)(iii) through (vi)...............68806
660.70 Introductory text, (n), (o), and (r) removed; (a) through 
        (m) redesignated as (b) through new (n); new (a) and new 
        (o) added..................................................63973
660.71 Introductory text revised...................................63974
660.72 Introductory text revised...................................63974
660.73 Introductory text revised...................................63974
660.74 Introductory text, (l)(209), and (210) revised..............63974
660.76 Revised.....................................................63974
660.77 Revised.....................................................63975
660.78 Revised.....................................................63976
660.78 Correction: (e)(5) amended..................................70905
660.79 Revised.....................................................63979
660.79 Correction: (f)(22) amended.................................70905
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1a and Table 1b revised...........20584
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1a revised........................25713
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Correction: Table 1b revised............49961
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1b amended; Table 1d removed; 
        Table 1e redesignated as new Table 1d; Table 2d removed....68806
660.111 Introductory text revised; section amended.................63986
660.111 Amended....................................................68806
660.112 Introductory text and (a)(5)(i) through (vii) revised; 
        (a)(5)(viii) removed.......................................63986
660.113 (b)(1)(iv) added; (d)(5)(ii)(A)(2), (4), and (5) revised 
                                                                   68806
660.114 (a), (b), and (c) revised..................................68806
660.115 (d)(1)(ii)(B) and (C) revised..............................68808
660.130 (d)(2)(ii) and (3)(ii) revised.............................31159
660.130 Correction: (c)(2)(iii) revised............................49962
660.130 (a), (c), and (e) revised; (f) added.......................63986
660.131 (c) revised................................................63988
660.131 Correction: (h)(4) revised; (h)(5) added...................65926
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D) revised......................................20587
660.140 (g)(1) revised; (h)(1)(i)(A)(4) added......................31159
660.140 (g)(1) and (3)(ii)(B) revised..............................67680
660.140 (d)(1)(ii) introductory text, (2)(iii) introductory text, 
        (3)(i)(D), (ii)(B)(2), (3), (e)(3)(iii)(A), (B), (4)(i) 
        introductory text, (ii), and (5) revised...................68808
660.150 (i) and (j)(1)(i)(B) revised...............................31160
660.150 (c) and (d)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(v) revised.......................68810
660.160 (c)(1) introductory text, (i), (3)(i), (ii), (6), (7), 
        (d)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(iii), (e)(1) introductory text, (h)(1) 
        introductory text, (2), (3), and (4) revised; (c)(3)(iii) 
        and (5) removed; (e)(1)(iv) and (h)(5) added...............68812
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Table 1 (North) and Table 1 (South) 
        revised....................................................37784
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Table 1 (North) revised...............63989
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Table 1 (South) revised...............63990

[[Page 1187]]

660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised...............56144
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) revised...............56145
660.212 Introductory text and (c)(2) revised; (c)(3) removed.......63991
660.230 Correction: (d)(10)(ii) revised............................49962
660.230 (d) introductory text, (10) introductory text, and (11) 
        introductory text revised; (d)(14) removed; (g) added......63991
660.231 (b)(3)(iv) revised.........................................37786
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) 
        revised.............................................25714, 37787
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) corrected.............35836
660.312 Introductory text, (d)(3), and (4) revised; (d)(5), (6), 
        and (7) added..............................................63992
660.330 Correction: (d)(11)(ii) revised............................49962
660.330 (d) introductory text and (11) introductory text revised; 
        (d)(16) removed; (g) added.................................63992
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) 
        revised....................................................25716
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (South) corrected.............35837
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) 
        revised....................................................37789
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) revised...............56146
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (South) revised...............56148
660.360 (c)(3)(ii)(B) and (iii)(B)(2) revised......................25720
660.509 (a) revised................................................25202
660.511 (k) added..................................................25202
660.511 (i) and (j) added..........................................65927
660.604 (p)(1)(ii) and (2) revised.................................67680
660.600--660.604 (Subpart J) Added.................................31160
665 Lobster harvest guidelines......................................5378
665 Temporary regulations............................11654, 34321, 57827
665 Fishery management measures.............................37592, 57652
665.1 (a) revised...................................................2768
665.4 (c) revised...................................................2768
665.12 Amended...............................................2768, 29396
665.13 (k) revised..................................................2769
665.14 (a), (c), (d), (g)(2) introductory text, (ii), (3), and (4) 
        revised.....................................................2769
665.15 (l), (n), and (o) revised....................................2769
665.17 (a) and (b) revised..........................................2769
665.101 Revised.....................................................2769
665.103 Revised.....................................................2770
665.104 (a) revised.................................................2770
665.121 Revised.....................................................2770
665.123 Revised.....................................................2770
665.124 (a)(1), (2), (3)(i), and (ii) revised.......................2770
665.125 (a) introductory text, (3), and (b) introductory text 
        revised.....................................................2770
665.126 Revised.....................................................2770
665.127 (a) introductory text and (b) revised.......................2770
665.128 (a) revised.................................................2770
665.141 Amended.....................................................2770
665.161 Amended.....................................................2771
665.162 (a) revised.................................................2771
665.163 (b) introductory text and (c) introductory text revised.....2771
665.165 (a) and (b) revised.........................................2771
665.167 (d) revised.................................................2771
665.201 Amended..............................................2771, 29396
665.203 (a)(1), (2), (e)(1), and (j)(1) revised.....................2771
665.204 (a), (b), (g), and (k) revised..............................2772
665.204 (h), (i), and (j) revised..................................29397
665.205 (b) revised.................................................2772
665.206 Revised.....................................................2772
665.209 Revised.....................................................2772
665.210 Revised.....................................................2772
665.210 Removed....................................................29397
665.211 Revised....................................................29397
665.212 Revised....................................................29397
665.221 Revised.....................................................2772
665.223 Revised.....................................................2772
665.224 (a)(1), (2), (3)(i), and (ii) revised.......................2772
665.225 (a) introductory text, (3), and (b) introductory text 
        revised.....................................................2773
665.226 Revised.....................................................2773
665.227 (a) introductory text and (b) revised.......................2773
665.228 (a) revised.................................................2773
665.241 Amended.....................................................2773
665.242 (a)(4) revised..............................................2773
665.261 Amended.....................................................2773
665.262 (a) revised.................................................2773

[[Page 1188]]

665.263 (b) introductory text and (c) introductory text revised.....2773
665.265 (a) and (b) revised.........................................2774
665.270 Revised.....................................................2774
665.401 Amended..............................................2774, 29397
665.403 (a) introductory text revised...............................2774
665.404 (a)(1) and (2) revised......................................2774
665.405 Revised.....................................................2774
665.421 Revised.....................................................2774
665.423 Revised.....................................................2774
665.424 (a)(1), (2), (3)(i), and (ii) revised.......................2775
665.425 (a) introductory text, (3), and (b) introductory text 
        revised.....................................................2775
665.426 Revised.....................................................2775
665.427 (a) introductory text and (b) revised.......................2775
665.441 Amended.....................................................2775
665.442 (a)(2) revised..............................................2775
665.443 Revised.....................................................2775
665.461 Amended.....................................................2775
665.462 (a) revised.................................................2775
665.463 (a), (b) introductory text, and (c) introductory text 
        revised.....................................................2775
665.465 (a) and (b) revised.........................................2775
665.601 Amended....................................................29397
679 Temporary regulations....33, 49, 116, 117, 121, 124, 367, 467, 2067, 
            2068, 2776, 3342, 3726, 3727, 6704, 6978, 7303, 8474, 8626, 
        8828, 9000, 9466, 9976, 9978, 10268, 10437, 11254, 11255, 11655, 
         11887, 12952, 13142, 15987, 17966, 24399, 25494, 28237, 29091, 
         30039, 31517, 34070, 35342, 38885, 38886, 39209, 43069, 43527, 
         43727, 43728, 44788, 45115, 45688, 45924, 46457, 46458, 46686, 
         47904, 49066, 49067, 49678, 50789, 52039, 53343, 53344, 53659, 
         54791, 55071, 55508, 56150, 56705, 57653, 59588, 59968, 63814, 
                         64433, 64434, 65314, 65927, 70436, 70438, 71828
679 Fishery management measures........................9000, 9416, 14887
679.2 Amended......................................................55052
679.4 (a)(1)(xv)(A) revised........................................64027
679.4 (k)(15) added................................................70070
679.5 (o) removed...................................................2728
679.7 (d)(4)(i)(B) amended; (e) added..............................55052
679.7 (i)(12) and (o)(3)(v) added..................................70071
679.20 (d)(1)(iv)(D) added..........................................2728
679.28 (b)(5)(v) and (i)(1)(ii) removed; (d)(9) and (i)(1)(iii) 
        redesignated as (d)(10) and (i)(1)(ii); (d)(9) and (l) 
        added; (d)(10) introductory text, (iii), (i)(1) 
        introductory text, (2), and (5) revised; (d)(10)(i), 
        (e)(1)(vii), (viii)(A), (2), and (i)(3) amended............55052
679.28 Correction: (i)(1)(iii) and (iv) removed....................67184
679.28 Regulation at 84 FR 55052 stayed indefinitely in part.......67183
679.32 (c)(3)(i)(C)(4) and (ii)(C) revised.........................55053
679.51 (a)(2)(vi)(F) and (e)(1)(viii)(G) added.....................55053
679.62 (b)(3) removed...............................................2728
679.63 (a)(1) revised..............................................55053
679.64 (a)(1)(ii)(B) removed; (a)(1)(ii)(C) redesignated as new 
        (a)(1)(ii)(B); (a)(1)(ii)(A), (3), and (b)(5) revised.......2728
679.84 (c)(1) revised..............................................55053
679.93 (c)(1) revised..............................................55053
679.120 Regulation at 84 FR 55054 stayed indefinitely in part......67183
679.120--679.121 (Subpart K) Added.................................55054
679 Table 54 and Table 55 added.....................................2729
679 Table 56 added..................................................2730
679 Table 57 added.................................................70071
680.22 (e)(1)(i) revised; (e)(1)(iii) added.........................2731
697 Notification...................................................71329
697.2 (a) amended...................................................4737
697.2 (a) amended..................................................61579
697.4 (a) introductory text revised................................61579
697.5 (a) revised..................................................61579
697.6 (a), (n)(1) introductory text, (i), (ii)(B), (2), and (s) 
        revised....................................................61579
697.7 (g) added.....................................................4737
697.7 (c)(1)(i), (iii), (iv), and (xxix) revised; (h) added........61580
697.17 Revised.....................................................61581
697.20 (a), (b), and (d) revised; (h) added........................61581
697.28 Added........................................................4738

[[Page 1189]]

                                  2020

50 CFR
                                                                   85 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
Chapter VI Notification............................................60079
660 Fishery management measures...............27317, 31707, 40135, 73002
660 Fishing season notification....................................27687
660 Inseason adjustments...........................................55784
660.11 Amended..............................................35600, 79892
660.13 (d)(1)(ii) revised; (d)(4)(iv)(A)(30) added.................35600
660.14 (d)(1), (2) introductory text, (3), and (5) revised.........35600
660.25 (b)(4)(vii)(D) added (temporary)............................37029
660.25 (b)(4)(vii)(B)(1) and (2) added.............................68003
660.40 (a) removed; (b) redesignated as (a); heading and new (b) 
        revised....................................................79892
660.50 (f)(4) revised..............................................36812
660.50 (f)(2)(ii) and (6) revised..................................79893
660.71 (o)(133) through (216) redesignated as (o)(135) through 
        (218); new (o)(133) and (134) added........................79893
660.73 (d) through (l) redesignated as (e) through (m); (a)(316) 
        through (321), (b)(15), and new (d) added; (a)(290), 
        (a)(309) through (315), (b)(1) through (14), and (c)(10) 
        through (14) revised.......................................79893
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1a revised........................79894
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1b revised........................79902
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1c revised........................79904
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 2a revised.................36812, 79905
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 2b revised.................36814, 79913
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 2c revised........................79915
660.112 (a)(4) revised; (a)(7) and (b)(1)(xvii) added..............35601
660.112 (d)(3)(i), (ii), (e)(3)(i), and (ii) added (temporary).....37029
660.140 (c)(2) and (h)(1)(i)(A)(5) added...........................35601
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D) revised...............................36814, 79916
660.150 (j)(1)(i)(C) added.........................................35601
660.150 (b)(1)(i)(D), (2)(ii)(B)(1), (2), (f)(1)(iii), and 
        (2)(i)(A), and (B) added (temporary).......................37029
660.160 (g)(1)(iv) added...........................................35601
660.160 (b)(1)(i)(D), (ii)(A)(1), (2), (e)(1)(iii)(A), (B), 
        (2)(i)(A), and (B) added (temporary).......................37029
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Table 1 (North) and Table 1 (South) 
        revised...............................................256, 79919
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Correction: Table 1 (North) and Table 
        1 (South) revised...........................................8201
660.213 (d)(2) revised.............................................68004
660.230 (d)(10)(i) removed; (d)(10)(ii) revised....................79921
660.231 (b)(3)(iv) revised..................................16913, 66273
660.231 (b)(3)(i) revised..........................................79921
660.231 (b)(1) revised; (b)(3)(iv)(A) and (B) added................68004
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised.........258, 35214, 
                                                            66273, 79922
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) revised.........258, 35216, 
                                                     43738, 66274, 79922
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Correction: Table 2 (South) revised 
                                                             8203, 86853
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) revised.........261, 35217, 
                                                            66276, 79923
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (South) revised.........261, 35219, 
                                                     43741, 66278, 79923
660.360 (c)(1)(i)(D)(1) through (3) removed; (c)(1) introductory 
        text, (i)(B) through (D), (2)(i)(B), (D), (3)(i)(A), and 
        (ii)(B) revised............................................79926
660.413 Added......................................................75921
660.511 (k)(1) revised.............................................86865
660.603 (b) introductory text revised..............................74614
660.604 (e) introductory text revised..............................74614
660.702 Amended.....................................................7250
660.705 (tt) and (uu) added.........................................7250
660.713 (h) added...................................................7250
665 Lobster harvest guidelines......................................7892
665 Fishery management measures......................50961, 63216, 74614
665 Technical correction...........................................77406
665.4 (c) revised..................................................26624
665.102 Added; interim (temporary).................................73006
665.103 Introductory text stayed; (a) added; interim (temporary) 
                                                                   73006

[[Page 1190]]

665.204 (h) and (i) revised........................................26624
665.211 Revised....................................................26624
665.243 (d) added..................................................79929
665.253 Added......................................................26624
665.253 Revised....................................................79929
665.263 (b)(3) revised.............................................26624
665.267 Revised....................................................26624
665.268 (a) revised................................................26624
665.269 Revised....................................................26624
665.802 (ss) and (tt) revised......................................57997
665.813 (b) and (i) revised........................................57997
665.813 (k) introductory text revised; (k)(5) removed..............71579
679 Temporary regulations...19, 850, 2326, 2888, 3856, 4601, 4602, 5170, 
          9687, 10342, 10994, 13553, 13576, 13577, 14172, 14603, 14803, 
         15076, 15392, 15393, 16271, 16272, 16913, 17034, 18152, 18153, 
         19397, 23746, 27158, 30851, 31996, 35381, 36509, 40609, 41931, 
         43492, 45343, 45807, 46008, 48477, 48478, 49606, 49976, 51672, 
         52489, 54285, 55595, 57785, 57786, 58298, 59204, 59205, 59206, 
         61875, 62613, 63037, 63038, 64070, 64413, 66280, 67463, 68484, 
         68485, 71272, 72580, 74266, 74615, 75238, 75239, 75923, 77406, 
                                       81155, 82389, 83473, 83834, 86865
679 Fishery management measures.............................13802, 29670
679.2 Amended...........................................849, 8481, 41431
679.4 (b)(3)(i), (ii)(B), and (iii)(B) revised.....................78045
679.5 (a)(4)(i), (c)(3)(i)(B) heading, (1), (3), and 
        (l)(1)(iii)(I) revised.......................................849
679.5 (c)(3)(iv)(A)(3) revised......................................9692
679.5 (a)(3) introductory text, (c)(3)(vi)(F), and (4)(vi)(E) 
        revised....................................................41431
679.7 (a)(5) added; (f)(8)(i)(A) and (ii)(A) removed................9692
679.7 (a)(21) and (22) amended; (f)(6)(ii) removed; (f)(6)(iii) 
        redesignated as new (f)(6)(ii); (f)(26) added................849
679.7 (c)(3) and (4) revised.......................................78045
679.20 (d)(1)(iii)(B), (2), and (j) revised.........................9693
679.20 (a)(5)(iv)(B), (12)(i) introductory text, (A)(3), and 
        (B)(4) revised; eff. 1-1-21................................38100
679.20 (b)(2) introductory text, (i) heading, (3), (4), and (5) 
        revised....................................................41431
679.20 Correction: (a)(12)(i) introductory text revised............79140
679.22 (a)(6) revised................................................849
679.22 (i) revised.................................................41431
679.23 (d)(2) revised; eff. 1-1-21.................................38100
679.24 (b)(1)(iv) added..............................................850
679.25 (a)(1) introductory text, (2)(i) introductory text, and 
        (iii)(C) revised; (a)(1)(v) added............................850
679.28 (f)(4)(ii) removed; (f)(6)(iv) and (v) amended; (f)(6)(vi) 
        through (ix) added...........................................850
679.41 (k)(1) and (3) revised.......................................8481
679.41 (h)(2) revised; (p) added (temporary).......................38105
679.41 (m)(3) introductory text and (iii) revised..................44024
679.42 (b)(1)(i), (k)(1), and (2) revised; (m) added.................850
679.42 (d)(2)(iii) introductory text and (iv)(B) amended; 
        (d)(2)(iii)(A) through (D), (F), (G), and (iv)(C) revised; 
        (d)(2)(iii)(H) removed......................................8481
679.42 (h)(1)(iii) added (temporary)...............................41200
679.42 (a)(2)(ii)(A) added.........................................44024
679.43 (c) revised..................................................8481
679.51 (a)(1)(i) introductory text amended...........................850
679.55 (f) revised.................................................41427
679.120 (b) through (e) reinstated..................................4905
679 Table 2a revised...............................................41431
679 Table 2c revised...............................................41433
679 Table 10 revised................................................9693
679 Table 10 revised...............................................41433
679 Table 11 revised.........................................9697, 41436
680.7 (b)(3) removed; (b)(4) through (7) redesignated as (b)(3) 
        through (6)................................................72583

                                  2021

50 CFR
                                                                   86 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
660 Temporary regulations...................................26425, 54407
660 Inseason adjustments.......13824, 16540, 23872, 34161, 37249, 40182, 
                                              43967, 48343, 64082, 66218
660 Fishery management measures...............22622, 33142, 36237, 51017
660 Correction: fishery management measures........................28293
660.11 Amended.....................................................10867
660.12 (a)(19) added...............................................10867

[[Page 1191]]

660.13 (d)(4)(iv)(A)(10) and (12) through (30) revised; 
        (d)(4)(iv)(A)(31) added....................................10867
660.25 (b)(4)(vii)(D) added (temporary)............................26442
660.25 Regulation at 86 FR 26442 eff. date 10-25-21................58811
660.25 (b)(3)(ii)(A), (B), (iv)(A)(3), (4)(iii)(A), (B), 
        (v)(C)(1), (2), (vi)(D)(1), (2), and (vii)(B)(1), and (2) 
        added (temporary)..........................................59875
660.25 (b)(4)(vii)(D) revised (temporary)..........................58813
660.25 (b)(4)(v)(C)(2) and (vi)(D)(3) (temporary)..................70422
660.50 (h) revised.................................................10867
660.50 (f)(4) revised..............................................32809
660.60 (c)(3)(i) introductory text, (C), (d)(1)(iv), and (v) 
        revised; (i) added.........................................10867
660.73 Correction: (a)(322) added..................................14381
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1a revised........................32809
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1b revised........................32811
660.111 Amended....................................................10869
660.112 (d)(3)(i) through (ii) and (e)(3)(i) through (ii) added 
        (temporary)................................................26442
660.112 Regulation at 86 FR 26442 eff. date 10-25-21...............58811
660.112 (d)(3)(i) and (e)(3)(i) revised (temporary)................58813
660.113 (e) added..................................................10869
660.130 (e) introductory text, (5) introductory text, (i), and 
        (iii) revised; (g) added...................................10870
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D) revised......................................32811
660.150 (b)(1)(i)(D), (2)(ii)(B)(1) and (2), (f)(1)(iii), and 
        (2)(i)(A) and (B) added (temporary)........................26443
660.150 Regulation at 86 FR 26443 eff. date 10-25-21...............58811
660.150 (b)(1)(i)(D), (2)(ii)(B)(1), (f)(1)(iii), and (2)(i)(A) 
        revised (temporary)........................................58813
660.160 (b)(1)(i)(D), (ii)(A)(1) and (2), (e)(1)(iii)(A) and (B), 
        and (2)(i)(A) and (B) added (temporary)....................26443
660.160 Regulation at 86 FR 26443 eff. date 10-25-21...............58811
660.160 (b)(1)(i)(D), (ii)(A)(1), (e)(1)(iii)(A), and (2)(i)(A) 
        revised (temporary)........................................58813
660.100--660.160 (Subpart D) Correction: Table 1 (North) revised 
                                                                   27818
660.213 Correction: (d)(2) added...................................14693
660.213 (d)(2)(ii) added (temporary)...............................70422
660.230 Correction: (d) introductory text, (11)(iv), (12), and 
        (13) revised; (d)(10)(i) added.............................14381
660.231 Correction: (b)(1) added...................................14694
660.231 (b)(3)(iv) revised.........................................29211
660.231 (b)(1)(ii) added (temporary)...............................70422
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Correction: Table 2 (North) and Table 
        2 (South) revised..........................................14381
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Correction: Table 2 (North) revised 
                                                                   27819
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Correction: Table 2 (South) revised 
                                                                   27820
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised...............59881
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) revised...............59882
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised........70415, 72868
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) revised........70416, 72869
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Correction: Table 2 (North) amended 
                                                                   74381
660.330 Correction: (d) introductory text, (11)(i), (12)(iv), 
        (14), and (15) revised.....................................14383
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Correction: Table 3 (North) and Table 
        3 (South) revised..........................................14384
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) revised.......30553, 59883, 
                                                            70417, 72870
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Correction: Table 3 (South) revised 
                                                                   27821
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (South) revised.......59884, 70419, 
                                                                   72871
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Correction: Table 3 (North) amended 
                                                                   74382
660.360 Correction: (c)(3)(i)(A)(1) and (2) revised................14386
660.360 (c)(3)(ii)(B) revised......................................72873
660.413 (c) through (e) added.......................................9302
660.511 (i) and (j) revised........................................64827

[[Page 1192]]

660.603 (b) introductory text revised; interim.....................55527
660.604 (e) introductory text revised; interim.....................55527
665 Specifications...........................................2297, 73990
665 Lobster harvest guideline...............................32239, 71395
665 Fishery management measures....................................47596
665.12 Amended.....................................................55745
665.14 (b) revised.................................................42745
665.14 (b)(1)(ii)(A) revised.......................................55745
665.14 Correction: (b)(2)(ii) added................................60182
665.19 (a)(2) revised..............................................55745
665.102 Added (temporary)..........................................32362
665.103 Introductory text stayed; (a) added (temporary)............32362
665.408 Added......................................................24512
665.818 (b) added..................................................36240
665.802 (x) revised................................................55745
665.816 Revised....................................................55745
679 Temporary regulations......1300, 1301, 1302, 6571, 6860, 7816, 7817, 
            7818, 8308, 8719, 13215, 13493, 14013, 14014, 14015, 14694, 
         16677, 17320, 17752, 18476, 20035, 22361, 22362, 36514, 38418, 
         38588, 40788, 42746, 46792, 47240, 47597, 48045, 48917, 49259, 
         49260, 52419, 53883, 53884, 58040, 58596, 64827, 64828, 67659, 
           67878, 67879, 70054, 71181, 71585, 72534, 72535, 74384, 74389
679 Fishery management measures......................10184, 11449, 51833
679 Figure 23 amended..............................................60587
679 Table 10 revised...............................................74387
679.2 Amended...............................................11903, 60587
679.4 (k)(7)(iii) amended..........................................70754
679.5 (r)(6) removed; (r)(8)(i)(A)(1) and (10)(i) revised..........11903
679.7 (a)(13)(ii)(A) reinstated; CFR correction....................53228
679.7 (f)(18)(ii) and (19) removed.................................70754
679.20 (d)(1)(vi)(C)(1) amended....................................11903
679.20 (i) revised.................................................24749
679.22 (a)(7)(i) heading added; CFR correction.....................53228
679.23 (d)(3)(ii) introductory text and (h)(1) revised.............11903
679.41 (h)(3) and (p) added (temporary)............................16546
679.41 (h)(2) added................................................16547
679.41 (c)(3) amended; (m)(3)(vi) removed; (l)(3)(iii)(D) and 
        (n)(2)(iii)(D) revised.....................................70754
679.42 (h)(1)(iii) added (temporary)...............................28297
679.42 (l)(2)(i), (ii), (3), and (4) removed; (l)(5)(iv) revised 
                                                                   70754
679.80 (a) heading revised; (a)(2) removed.........................11904
679.80 (a)(3)(iii) added (temporary)...............................14855
679.81 (f)(4)(i)(D)(3), (i)(3)(xxv), and (xxvi) removed; (j) added
                                                                   11904
679.82 (a)(1)(vi) added; (d)(3) and (e)(2) amended; (e)(4) and 
        (9)(iii) revised...........................................11904
679.84 (f)(1) revised..............................................11904
679.85 (g) added...................................................11904
680.22 (a)(1) introductory text revised............................11904
680.41 (i)(2), (j)(2)(i)(C)(1), and (k)(3)(ix)(B)(1) amended; 
        (c)(2)(ii)(F)(2), (j)(2)(i)(C)(2), (k)(3)(ix)(A)(2), 
        (B)(2), and (C)(2) removed; (k)(3)(ix) revised.............70754
697.21 (b)(2) and (3) revised; eff. 10-18-21.......................52023
697.28 (f)(1) revised..............................................61717

                                  2022

50 CFR
                                                                   87 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
660 Fishery management measures.............................24885, 29690
660 Inseason adjustments........30430, 41260, 49534, 52353, 60105, 66609
660 Specifications..........................................39384, 55317
660 Notification............................................40744, 71262
660 Temporary regulations..........................................54171
660.11 Amended..............................................59728, 77014
660.12 (b)(3) revised..............................................59728
660.13 (d)(4)(iv)(A) revised.......................................59713
660.13 (a)(2) through (4) and (d)(4)(iv)(A)(32) through (37) 
        added; (d)(4)(iv) introductory text and (A)(1) through 
        (31) revised...............................................59728
660.13 Correction: (a)(2) through (4) added; (d)(4)(iv) 
        introductory text and (A) revised..........................74328
660.14 (d)(3)(ii)(B) revised; (d)(3)(ii)(D) added..................11599
660.17 (f)(1)(vii)(B) revised......................................54909
660.25 (b)(4)(i)(E), (v)(A), (vii)(C), and (viii)(C) revised; 
        (b)(4)(vii)(D) added.......................................77005

[[Page 1193]]

660.25 (b)(4)(v)(C) and (vi)(D) revised............................77014
660.50 (f)(4) revised..............................................33446
660.50 (f)(2)(ii) revised..........................................77015
660.55 (c)(1) Table 1 revised......................................77015
660.71 (e)(193), (277), and (r)(20) removed; (e)(194) through 
        (276), (278) through (336), (o)(113) through (218), 
        (q)(25), and (r)(21) through (23) redesignated as (e)(193) 
        through (275), 276 through (334), (o)(114) through (219), 
        (q)(26), and (r)(20) through (22); (e)(144), (192), new 
        (263), new (274), new (280), new (287), new (307), 
        (h)(13), (i)(1), (9), (14), (20), (34), (j)(27), (30), 
        (40), (o)(95), (97), (112), new (181), new (193), new 
        (215), new (216), new (219), (q)(8), (14), (19), (24), 
        (r)(8), and (15) revised; new (o)(113) and new (q)(25) 
        added......................................................77015
660.72 (a)(134) through (200) and (j)(99) through (139) 
        redesignated as (a)(135) through (201) and (j)(100) 
        through (140); (a)(74), (75), (106), (107), (130), (132), 
        (133), new (147), new (148), new (162), new (169), new 
        (171), new (173), new (174), (c)(18), (33), (d)(2) through 
        (4), (f)(89), (96), (129), (143), (144), (146), (155), 
        (159), (169), (175), (176), (208), (g)(17), (h)(2), (4) 
        through (6), (i)(6), new (j)(100), new (109), (154), 
        (157), (166), (186), (187), (189), (190), (206), (208) 
        through (210), (215), (220) through (222), (227), (k)(29), 
        (l)(3), (m)(1), (3), (4), (6), (15), and (18) revised; new 
        (a)(134) and new (j)(99) added; (j)(140) removed...........77016
660.73 (a)(159) through (322), (d)(10), (e)(188), (189), (264), 
        (272), (274) through (276), (284) through (286), (290), 
        (318) through (323), (350) through (363), (f), (g)(12), 
        (13), (h), and (l) revised; (a)(323) through (329) and new 
        (364) through (371) added..................................77017
660.74 (d), (j), (p)(3) through (7), and (q)(4) revised............77020
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Tables 1a through 1c revised............77020
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Tables 2a through 2c revised............77023
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Correction: Table 1b amended............80471
660.111 Amended.............................................77005, 77026
660.112 (b)(1)(x) revised..........................................11599
660.112 (d)(3), (7), and (e)(3) removed; (d)(4) through (6), (8) 
        through (16), and (e)(4) through (10) redesignated as 
        (d)(3) through (5), (6) through (14), and (e)(3) through 
        (9)........................................................77005
660.113 (c)(3) introductory text, (5)(ii)(A) introductory text, 
        (A)(3), (5), (6), (9), (d)(3) introductory text, 
        (5)(ii)(A) introductory text, (A)(2), (4), (5), (6), 
        (e)(3), and (6)(i) revised.................................77005
660.131 (b)(2)(ii), (iii)(A), (B), and (C)(1) revised..............77006
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D) revised......................................33449
660.140 (h)(5)(xi)(C) revised......................................54909
660.140 (c)(3)(iii), (iv), and (d)(1)(ii)(D) Table 1 revised.......77026
660.150 (j)(4)(xi)(A)(6) added; (j)(4)(xi)(B)(3) revised...........54909
660.150 Heading, (c)(6)(i)(A), (d)(1)(ii), (iii) introductory 
        text, and (g)(2)(i) introductory text revised; 
        (b)(1)(i)(A) and (B) amended; (b)(1)(i)(C), (2)(i)(A) (3), 
        (c)(7), (d)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(iii), and (f)(3) removed; 
        (b)(2)(i)(A)(4), (d)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(iv) through (xii) and 
        (f)(4) through (6) redesignated as (b)(2)(i)(A)(3), 
        (d)(1)(iii)(A)(1)(iii) through (xi) and (f)(3) through (5)
                                                                   77006
660.150 (c)(1) revised.............................................77027
660.160 (g)(1)(v) added............................................54910
660.160 (b)(1)(i)(C) removed; (d)(1)(ii), (e)(1)(iii), and (2)(i) 
        revised....................................................77006
660.160 (c)(1)(ii) revised.........................................77027
660.205--660.250 (Subpart C) Table 2a revised......................33446
660.205--660.250 (Subpart C) Table 2b revised......................33449
660.213 (d)(2) revised.............................................77027
660.230 (c)(2)(i) through (iii) revised; (d)(11)(v) added..........77027
660.231 (b)(3)(iv) revised.........................................27532
660.231 (b)(1), (3)(i), and (iv) revised...........................77027

[[Page 1194]]

660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised........59719, 77028
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) revised........59721, 77029
660.330 (b)(3) and (d)(12)(v) added; (c)(2)(i) through (iii) 
        revised....................................................77029
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) revised........59722, 77031
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (South) revised........59723, 77032
660.360 (c)(3)(iv)(A) through (D) added; (c)(1)(i)(D) Table 1, 
        (ii), (2)(i)(B), (iii)(D), (3) introductory text, (i)(A), 
        (B), (ii), (A)(1) through (5), (iii)(A)(1) through (5), 
        (iv), and (v)(A) revised...................................77033
660.402 Amended....................................................25430
660.408 (m) Footnote 2 amended.....................................25430
660.411 (c) revised................................................25430
660.413 (b) removed; Figure 1 revised..............................25430
660.601 Amended....................................................59713
660.603 (a)(1), (h)(1) introductory text, (k)(5), (m) introductory 
        text, (1), (3), (4) introductory text, (5), (6), and 
        (n)(3) revised.............................................59713
660.604 (e) introductory text, (1), (f), (i), (m), (n), (q), 
        (s)(2), (3)(i), and (ii) revised; (e)(5) and (s)(3)(iii) 
        removed; (p)(3) and (4) added..............................59714
660.604 (e) introductory text and (i) revised......................77007
665 Policy statement...............................................52704
665 Specifications.................................................74991
665.103 Revised....................................................25593
665.106 Added......................................................25593
665.211 (a) and (e) revised; (f) added..............................3047
665.211 Heading, (a), and (b) revised; (f) redesignated as (g); 
        new (f) added..............................................17196
665.211 Correction: Table amended..................................78876
665.405 (g) and (h) added...........................................9272
665.408 Revised.....................................................9272
665.409 Added.......................................................9272
665.800 Amended....................................................25155
665.802 (gg) and (hh) added........................................25156
665.811 Added......................................................25156
665.813 (d) revised................................................25156
679 Temporary regulations.......735, 2358, 2558, 3048, 3697, 3938, 4818, 
           7756, 8433, 12406, 15345, 17196, 18288, 18289, 19395, 19396, 
         19808, 21031, 21815, 22495, 24883, 41626, 42661, 43220, 48449, 
         48611, 50274, 51004, 51932, 52356, 52485, 53417, 53418, 54913, 
         55925, 58036, 59729, 59730, 61542, 62737, 63430, 63967, 64723, 
         65175, 66611, 67832, 68383, 68384, 68640, 73257, 74022, 74992, 
                                                            80088, 80090
679 Fishery management measures.............................11599, 11626
679.42 (h)(1)(iii) added (temporary)...............................34218
679.52 (b)(11)(vi) revised.........................................54910
680.40 (g)(4) and (m)(6) added; eff. through 1-11-23...............42394
680.43 (d) added; eff. through 1-11-23.............................42394
697 Temporary regulations..........................................75516

                                  2023

  (Regulations published from January 1, 2023, through October 1, 2023)

50 CFR
                                                                   88 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
660 Table 2 (North) revised.........................................4914
660 Table 2 (South) revised.........................................4915
660 Table 3 (North) revised.........................................4916
660 Table 3 (South) revised.........................................4917
660 Inseason adjustments.......21112, 37479, 41040, 44737, 53813, 58522, 
                                                                   65824
660 Fishery management measures.............................30235, 51250
660.13 Correction: (d)(4)(iv)(A)(27) through (29) revised..........12867
660.50 (f)(4) revised..............................................34787
660.60 (h)(5)(ii)(A)(2)(ii) and (B)(2)(ii) revised.................52048
660.71 Correction: (o)(219) revised................................12867
660.74 Correction: (p)(7) and (q)(4) revised.......................12867
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Correction: Table 1c and Table 2c 
        amended....................................................12867
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1a revised........................34787
660.10--660.79 (Subpart C) Table 1b revised........................34790
660.140 Correction: (c)(3)(iv) revised.............................12868
660.140 (d)(1)(ii)(D) revised......................................34790

[[Page 1195]]

660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (North) revised...............52049
660.210--660.232 (Subpart E) Table 2 (South) revised...............52049
660.330 Correction: (b)(3) introductory text revised...............12868
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (North) revised...............52050
660.310--660.333 (Subpart F) Table 3 (South) revised...............52051
660.360 (c)(2)(iii)(A) revised......................................4919
660.360 Correction: (c)(3)(ii) revised.............................12868
660.502 Amended....................................................42653
660.511 (k) revised................................................42653
660.702 Amended....................................................29548
660.705 (vv) through (bbb) added...................................29548
660.707 (b)(3)(i) revised; (g) added...............................29549
660.715 Revised....................................................29552
660.716 Removed....................................................29553
665 Fishery management measures....................................39201
665 Specifications.................................................39201
665.253 (a)(1) revised.............................................14082
665.269 (c) revised................................................14082
679 Technical correction...............................789, 18258, 19017
679 Temporary regulations.......789, 2271, 2861, 3930, 4089, 5798, 7369, 
          8236, 12868, 13328, 14294, 14512, 14926, 16196, 16920, 17403, 
         18443, 19227, 20080, 22917, 26232, 27711, 34791, 42032, 44739, 
         45098, 45371, 46110, 47057, 52053, 55419, 56778, 59811, 60383, 
                                       60598, 64834, 66296, 66297, 66298
679 Harvest specifications.........................................13238
679 Tables 40 and 56 revised.......................................53744
679 Correction: Table 40 amended...................................57010
679 Fishery management measures....................................61477
679.2 Amended................................................7591, 53731
679.2 (4)(ii), (15) introductory text, and (iii) revised; 
        (15)(i)(A) and (B) added...................................12264
679.4 (k)(10)(vi)(A) and (D) amended...............................12265
679.4 (a)(1)(xvi), (k)(16), and (q) added..........................53732
679.5 (c)(1)(ii), (3)(i)(A)(1), (B)(1), and (iv)(A)(2) revised; 
        (t)(2) amended.............................................12265
679.5 (a)(1)(iii)(G), (c)(6)(v)(J)(1), (2), and (x) added; 
        (a)(4)(i) revised..........................................53733
679.7 (f)(21) through (24) revised.................................12265
679.7 (m) added....................................................53733
679.20 (a)(4)(iii)(A), (iv)(A), (b)(1)(i), and (ii)(B) revised.....12265
679.20 (a)(7)(viii) revised; (e)(3)(vi) added......................53734
679.21 (a)(5) revised..............................................12265
679.21 (b)(1)(ii)(B) introductory text, (5), (2)(iii)(A), (B), 
        (4)(i)(B), (e)(3)(iv) introductory text, and (E) revised; 
        (e)(7)(v) added............................................53734
679.24 (a)(3), (c)(2)(i)(A), (B), (3), and (4) revised.............12265
679.41 (l)(3) introductory text amended............................12266
679.41 Correction: (g)(6)(ii) revised..............................41044
679.42 (d)(2)(iv)(C), (e)(8)(ii), (f)(7)(ii), (l)(5)(ii)(B), 
        (iii)(A), and (C) revised; (l)(5)(iii)(E) added............12266
679.42 (h)(1)(iii) added...........................................48140
679.51 (a)(2)(i)(C)(4), (e)(1)(iii)(A), and (B) introductory text 
        revised; (a)(2)(i)(C)(5) and (a)(2)(vi)(G), (e)(1)(iii)(D) 
        added......................................................53734
679.64 (b)(3)(ii), (iv), and (4)(ii) revised; (b)(4)(i) removed....53735
679.65 (e) revised..................................................7591
679.94 Heading, (a)(1), (b)(1), and (2) revised; (b)(3) removed.....7591
679.110 (Subpart J) Removed.........................................7591
679.130--679.135 (Subpart L) Added.................................53735
679.134 Correction: (e)(3) amended.................................57009
680.2 Amended.......................................................7591
680.6 (a)(2), (3), (c), (d), (e)(1), and (2) revised; (f)(3) 
        removed.....................................................7591


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